#not ONCE does andor try to do that

[fiovske]

one thing that still Gets Me abt andor is that it never tried to ask the question if the prisoners are Guilty Or Not, if they Deserve to Be There or Not, which is the pitfalls for So Many stories which frame the Reason the prisoners are in prison as some kind of excuse to justify them being incarcerated in the first place. the prisoners are not defined by the crimes they did or did not do, it's never brought up and is never relevant.

andor is not interested in Any Of That. It never tries to get Cassian to ask Why someone is in prison and if they """"""deserve"""""" to be there. The bottom line is prisons are unjust and unpaid labour systems and the incarcerated are the victims here, not aggressors to society. which is a really refreshing take to see, for the show very unapologetically condemns the prison system for what it is: a means of systemic abuse and exploitation of labour.

[pandora15]

hm

I wonder if I'm getting a bit sick of star wars

like there are the things that make me happy about it, especially obi-wan and the prequels and tcw but also like

I'm frustrated about what they did with ahsoka, and then I'm also just not finding fic that I can vibe with and the fandom just feels so…empty?

which is wild because it's definitely got bigger since I joined, but idk, it just feels like in the obi-wan fandom circles, it just feels like it's shrinking. and I think part of it is everyone being really busy with irl things (myself included) and then whatever is left in the sw fandom in general is just stuff i don't vibe with

but then I keep seeing it over and over and over again so now it's just irritating to me

like. yeah there are ships/tropes that I don't vibe with at all and I usually try to steer clear of them when looking for fic to read, but these days it feels like that's all I can find. so now I'm frustrated and tired and not really getting the fic fix that I want

and normally my solution to this is to just write what I want to read, but I don't have the mental space to do it, so I'm just. stuck.

a part of me feels bad to complain about this, but idk I'm gonna put it out there anyways. it's just like the fandom feels completely different than it did when I first joined, or even like 2-3 years ago, and I'm not sure if I'm happy about it.

[ninsletamain]

Happy B-day to one of the sweetest people I know @quarantineddreamer! Much love from myself and @frostbitepandaaaaa!

We hope you enjoy your gift! A certain someone told me you’d like an X-Files AU. (:

“I think you’d have better luck interviewing the victim, Andor.”

Cassian turns around, undeniably relieved to see his partner, Special Agent Jyn Erso, perched on the bottom stair of the half-rotted stoop. She blinks up at him from under the brim of her almost comically large umbrella. Her eyes are knowing, her expression as lucid as ever. She had, no doubt, witnessed the entire debacle between him and the local law enforcement on her short trip from the car to the sway-backed and moss-fringed front porch of their newest crime scene investigation.

“Ah, that’s not my job, Erso, that’s all you,” Cassian tosses back archly. Jyn rolls her eyes and he comes to join her on the bottom stair. He assumes that she does not wish to venture inside the rotted, sodden prairie Colonial until absolutely necessary (and perhaps is wanting to dodge the ire of the local sheriff that Cassian had just pissed off in almost record time).

“Lay it on me, Andor. What is it this time?” Jyn asks, trying to sound bored but he knows better. His partner likes to evoke the straight-laced, no-nonsense career woman but Agent Jyn Erso is also the most accomplished forensic pathologist and scalpel wielder in the FBI… perhaps in the whole damn country. And one doesn’t reach such lofty acclaim by being squeamish. She had also quietly denied several career opportunities over the years that could be considered, well, more sane, in favor of chasing lights in the sky and slicing and dicing in backwater morgue bays.

Had stuck with him. But he tries not to think about that part.

He ducks under the umbrella and they venture out in the weedy front yard in tandem. Jyn makes no effort to accommodate his seven inch height advantage and Cassian does not expect her too. The rain is a dismal, steady drizzle and much of his back is damp within a few steps.

“The victim— 34, male— looks to have been frightened to death,” he announces as if commenting on the shitty weather.

“Cassian,” she groans, stopping to look at him like he had just expressed his desire to join the circus. He knows that tone well. It’s also never a good sign whenever she uses his first name. “Frightened to death?”

He nods, trying, and apparently failing, to keep the amusement off his face because Jyn’s eyes close and she sighs mightily as they continue on their way. “You ever heard of the Boogey Man, Erso?”

“There’s no such thing—“

“Look, I’ll leave it to you, Dr. Erso. Once you get the autopsy done and dusted then you can call me crazy.”

They reach the car and Jyn pulls the door handle on the passenger side. She drove here, but she is not fond of driving— especially when there is a perfectly good man to do it for her— and Cassian is always happy to oblige her in her few glints of prissiness.

She closes the umbrella, shakes out the rain and swings her sensible kitten heels into the car. “Cassian, I’ll save us both some time.” She leans precariously close to him, elbow on the center console of their little rented Cabriolet. He freezes in the midst of fastening his seatbelt (after having to push the seat back what felt like a good four feet). Her hair is damp and a bit wild despite the shelter of the umbrella (her hair always gets frizzy in the humidity— he thinks it’s unbearably cute) and he can smell her perfume. His heart stops in his chest.

“You’re crazy,” she pronounces sagely and falls back into her seat.

He puffs out a laugh, shakes his head, and fires up the car.

[antianakin]

My main problem with the idea of either non-Force sensitive people becoming Jedi or the whole "everyone is actually Force sensitive if you try hard enough" thing isn't that Force sensitivity is what makes the Jedi interesting, it's that this is what makes them JEDI.

There are TONS of characters in Star Wars who, if they were Force sensitive, would make excellent Jedi and I love quite a few of them. Just for a few quick examples off the top of my head: Bail and Breha Organa, Beru and Owen Lars, and Hera Syndulla (the Rebels version, not the Ahsoka show version). Sabine Wren, by the end of Rebels, would count on this list, as well (but not the Ahsoka show version). Jyn Erso and Bodhi Rook, especially by the end of Rogue One (Baze and Chirrut obviously would fit on this list, too, but they are already a part of their own religion that they might have chosen regardless of whether they were Force sensitive or not and I am choosing to respect that). Bix Calleen and Brasso from Andor. Greez from the Cal Kestis games maybe. And there's probably more that I am missing.

But the point I am making here is that none of these characters (bar Sabine in the Ahsoka show) are ever assumed to be Jedi. I don't think a SINGLE fan would ever try to argue with me that they ARE Jedi. And obviously it does not make any of them less interesting or enjoyable as characters to not be Jedi.

So if you're going to come at me with the accusation "How boring do you have to be to think the only reason the Jedi are interesting is because they're Force sensitive" then my rebuttal is this: Do you think all of the non-Jedi characters in Star Wars AREN'T interesting because they don't bear the title of Jedi? Does Sabine Wren suddenly become MORE interesting of a character when she's (theoretically) the exact same character, but now she gets to call herself a Jedi? Would Bodhi Rook or Brasso suddenly be more interesting characters if they called themselves Jedi but nothing else about them changed?

How boring do YOU have to be to think that the only interesting characters in Star Wars are those who call themselves Jedi? Personally, I really love that there are all of these characters out there with a bunch of different narrative paths open to them specifically because they AREN'T Jedi. Cassian Andor, Luthen Rael, Saw Gerrera, and Mon Mothma get to be REALLY intricate and morally ambiguous characters specifically because they are not Jedi at all. All the characters I listed above get to be these really lovely heroes for the little guy that showcase that you don't need to have cosmic powers and a laser sword and a fancy title to make a difference. There's a whole sort-of underlying side story within some of these stories about how the galaxy relied on the Jedi to solve all of their problems and how they're forced to step up and defend themselves for once after the Jedi are destroyed, leading to the introduction of all of these non-Force sensitive heroes, some more grey than others.

The Jedi are beacons of hope within the narrative, a model of selfless compassion to constantly strive towards. They are characters who consistently become their best selves through hard work and dedication. This is one of the MANY reasons I love them so much.

But I ALSO love that there are characters who AREN'T Jedi, characters who have no additional cosmic powers or knowledge, and have to figure out how to make the right choice instead of the easy choice ANYWAY, even when it's hard, even when it requires sacrifice. I love stories about the little people in the galaxy learning how to step up and emulate the Jedi when the Jedi are no longer there to be a bulwark between them and their own darkness. The beautiful tragedy of this entire side story lies in the galaxy learning the lessons the Jedi were trying so hard to teach them only after the Jedi themselves are gone due to the galaxy's selfishness. This is the bed the galaxy made for itself and now they have to lie in it. But they do! Eventually, person by person, they do.

And eventually, after many many years, just like their selfishness bore consequences, their selfless efforts also ultimately bring rewards in the form of the Jedi returning. And it's only once the Jedi and the people of the galaxy start fighting TOGETHER, the way they were always supposed to, that they're able to defeat the darkness. THAT'S the story. The Jedi and the people of the galaxy are in a symbiotic relationship with each other, a theme that doesn't work if you go for the concepts where everyone gets to be a Jedi. The Jedi are a specific group of people, they are the Force made manifest, they are beacons of hope, they are an ideal to work towards. This doesn't work with the "Jedi can also be people without Force sensitivity" or "everyone has Force sensitivity" concepts. It just doesn't.

So of course there are plenty of characters who aren't Force sensitive who follow Jedi philosophies or act in a way the Jedi would approve of. These people are the ones choosing to be in balance with the Jedi, which in turn is what brings balance to the entire galaxy.

If this interpretation of Star Wars and the Jedi comes off as boring to you, then, well, that sounds like a you problem and you're more than welcome to find a different corner of fandom to go spend time in and leave me to my corner.

[indigo-casson]

something that i've been thinking about lately is the parallels between star wars: andor/rogue one and tamora pierce's trickster's queen duology. primarily because the star wars brainrot is real and the tamora pierce obsession is forever, but also because they are kind of both tonal and thematic departures from their main 'verses in some similar ways?

in both the star wars verse and the tortall verse, the majority of the media has focused on one individual (or a small group of individuals) who make a profound difference in the world. Whether that's alanna singlehandedly finding the dominion jewel/becoming king's champion/making way for female knights, or luke skywalker blowing up the death star, or daine and numair going to the divine realms during the immortals war, or anakin skywalker becoming a sith and dooming the republic, most of the original material has seen battle and political change as something that is affected by either an actual chosen one or simply a single very plucky and well-placed individual.

trickster's queen and andor, however, really look at rebellion as something that has to be done by a diverse group of flawed people who work together despite their differences. mon mothma knows that her role is raising money. ulasim, chenaol, and the other members of the raka conspiracy each take their individual roles in the rebellion, and recognize that even though they might not want to work with aly or the luarin nobility, they need their skills and influence to make it happen.

both stories also show rebellion as extremely costly and something that requires making tough calls. nobody has their hands clean by the end of a civil war. notably, trickster's queen explicitly narrowly avoids having the protagonists kill a group of 5 year olds. luthen is ready to kill cassian when he becomes a liability, and cassian does kill lots of people, including some allies whose only "crime" is being susceptible to giving up rebellion secrets.

in rogue one, we don't like davits draven because he orders jyn's father killed, and that just feels wrong. jyn is our heroine and it upsets her, so emotionally it's distressing. but of course, draven and cassian and jyn are all working towards the same goal. draven did what he had to--galen erso is a liability as long as he's alive. dove and sarai's little brother elsren has to die because he's a direct heir to the throne, ahead of his sisters. it doesn't matter that he's five and totally innocent. as long as he lives, a luarin has a greater claim to the throne than a raka, and as long as that's true, the rebellion can't succeed.

in the star wars original trilogy, people for sure die! i'm not trying to say that they don't, but it's definitely not something that's shown affecting our protagonists on a deep, emotional level. they're all side characters, or else they come back as force ghosts. the prequels are uh. fucking tragic, but at the end of it, almost all of our heroes make it out. even the casualties of the war are droids vs clones, which is to say, totally interchangeable cannon fodder on both sides!

the number of character deaths in the tortall 'verse is fewer, probably because it's primarily created for middle grades, but even when people do die, they're either demonstrably bad people or minor enough characters that the emotional resonance isn't the same.

by contrast, at the end of trickster's queen, almost the majority of the main conspirators die in battle, not to mention those who don't even make it to the final conflict. at the end of rogue one, all of our heroes are dead, and people aren't exactly making it out of andor s1 in good shape either. more than half of the aldhani team dies on that mission.

I could go on further, but I think my main takeaway is that once you've invested a lot of time and attention and fandom into a 'verse, you have a lot more leeway to tell different kinds of stories. tamora pierce could not have written trickster's choice until after the values and world of tortall were so clearly established, and if she had, it wouldn't have had the impact that it did. similarly, part of what makes rogue one/andor so striking is the fact that it is such a departure from the preexisting values and story format of star wars.

for every chosen one we see in media, there are hundreds of people working behind the scenes to make their big, death star destroying moment possible. the only way to improve society is through collective action, and part of that is that everyone's hands are going to get dirty. i think lots of people want to imagine that they could be like luke skywalker and swoop in 2 weeks before the battle of yavin and become a hero, but the fact of the matter is that that's not how the world works! war requires us to do things that would ordinarily go against our values, but in the context of a drawn out, bloody, thankless battle, maybe we decide the ends justify the means.

[kanansdume]

I find it interesting how the keep coming back to the fact that Cassian was introduced to audiences in Rogue One with the murder of the informant. And in that moment, we see what kind of person he is and the arc he's going to go on. Because he DOES try other options, he doesn't kill the guy immediately, and even once he clearly decides that the only way they don't both die is to kill the informant, he doesn't necessarily do it in a cruel way. And the first thing we see in the moment afterwards is Cassian's face looking VERY upset. He's immensely distressed that he just had to murder someone who was on his own side, but he did it anyway and then just has to move on. We learn later that this is far from his first kill, that he's done a LOT of things like this for the Rebellion and it's a large part of what drives him.

It is a defining moment for Cassian's character, obviously. And so it's quite interesting to see them keep coming back to it.

In the pilot episode of Andor, we see Cassian shoot the guard, but it does take him quite a while to really weigh those options and decide he can't trust the guard enough to let him live and there's really very little sense of remorse or regret in the aftermath of that.

And of course now, we see him kill Skeen. Skeen who he related to a little and was beginning to trust. Skeen who then turns on them all and proves himself false. Skeen who places a choice before Cassian, to betray Vel and Nemik and Cinta, or to probably die because Skeen is unlikely to let Cassian live now that he knows the truth. Cassian doesn't want to betray the others and he doesn't want to die, so he's left with a single option before him. You can SEE him weighing all of those options as Skeen keeps talking, you can see him attempting to find another way out of it and see if he can talk Skeen out of what he's suggesting and it doesn't work. And so Cassian doesn't hesitate. He does the one thing that will save himself and allow Vel to keep the money for her rebellion. He does what is probably arguably the most morally correct option, but he also is aware that Vel is never going to believe him. She doesn't trust him enough to take his word about Skeen. And so he runs. Again.

There's more nuance this time, and we do see him really not WANTING to kill Skeen, but doing it anyway not just for survival reasons but to protect Vel and Nemik and Cinta and their rebellion, as well. He's not going to just let Skeen esacpe with the money they all fought so hard for, that Taramyn and Gorn and now Nemik died for. He kills Skeen for the cause, but he's not been a part of that cause long enough to be able to keep fighting for it afterward.

Which is likely where Luthen will come in. Who will get the necklace back and hear about how Cassian didn't take the money and be able to read between the lines enough to chase Cassian down again to keep trying to recruit him.

I love watching Cassian start to become the person who WILL kill, but kills for a CAUSE, he kills to protect other people, he kills because the greater good requires it. I wonder if we'll keep seeing more versions of this scene, more call backs to how he was introduced, as mile markers to show how close he is to becoming that person.

[gffa]

The latest ending of Ahsoka really made me realize one of the big problems with Felony's writing and why so much of the Masndo-verse and Felony's modern writing falls flat compared to OWK and Andor. Shock value. A BIG twist cliffhanger that leaves us all mouth open and HYPING up the next episode in hope and filling the forums with discussions in anticipation. Understandably, he can't write what we wrote in our heads for 7 days and top that. 1.

2. But once that shock is gone when the story has moved onto the next big thing, or you watch it again when you know what it pays off in, or watch the whole series or season again, it just doesn't hold up. It's empty. Vapid. Because it's all about the shock. The twist. The discussion. The hype fodder. It's not saying anything or adding anything. OWK and Andor was a lot better at that, without the use of the nostalgia baiting that Felony relies on. 3. It becomes an endless circle of low lows and high highs, while OWK and Andor both slowly built up to the crescendo of discussions and speculations and both have stayed in the fandom consciousness alot longer thanks to that. And because they have something to say, both to the world and to the viewer. While with the Felony and the Fraudrou verses, it's just a constant barrage of oh wow, moving on, what's next? ehh, it's over, let's move on.

I feel like one day I'm going to do a longer analysis on why exactly Filoni's writing feels weak to me (where I try to be more fair than I'm usually feeling about his writing), because I don't think he's without a lot of talent and there's certain things he really does get about Star Wars, but I think so much comes back to that he's a writer who is caught in a difficult position--playing in someone else's sandbox but has to now establish his own new corners of that sandbox and I'm not sure he's strong enough to be a big picture kind of guy when he works better in smaller focus. His work on TCW and Rebels is content that we do come back to again and again for analysis, during my rewatches of both those series, those shows hold up! But I think they're ones where he had stronger guardrails up, and he was forced to stick to things in one place. I think live action has been bad for Filoni's writing because of the way so much is structured, that there are multiple series going on and I feel like his writing doesn't have the patience to actually tell a story in a single space, that's why we get Grogu's story being split between The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, that's why we get Mandalore's story being splintered across Rebels, The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and now Ahsoka. We still haven't even seen half of the events that happen in the Mandalore bigger story! And you're right that he and Favreau both lean too hard on the cameos and echoes/rhymes for nostalgia's sake. And those reference points are often extremely fun in the moment! And I'll grant that the Luke episodes are ones I go back to fairly often, because I think there's some really good content in there about what attachment actually means. But I don't think it's that surprising, looking back, how quickly the Favroni shows fell apart for us and how it doesn't feel like they're establishing anything that can support a bunch of books and comics. I suspect that Disney's not allowed to have books/comics/etc. based on Favroni's shows because they want creative control over those characters while they're still actively writing for them, but also I look at the OT and the PT and look how much was built off those movies+TCW as a foundation, I look at how much you're able to still watch those and find new things to analyze, and I just don't feel that with Filoni's writing anymore, not since Rebels, not to that level, anyway. (I'll grant that I've been a lot more excited about the Ahsoka series and what we can say about it/find in analyzing it than I expected, I expected nothing but shitposts like we did with Mandalorian s3, but I've had fun with serious meta in Ahsoka! I was genuinely excited to come on-line after episode 4 and talk about themes and structure and how well Filoni did with that there!) Ultimately, I think Filoni (and Favreau) both have a lot of talent, but I think they're being pushed too hard to make too much too quickly and that it shows that they're making this up as they go along, rather than that they had a vision they've been crafting for years and any kind of idea of where they want the end goal to be. Like, yeah, Lucas wrote some stuff on the fly, he changed his mind about things along the way, but he had an end point in mind for his story, so the echoes/rhymes felt more resonant for me. Favroni don't feel like they have any idea where they're going and so much winds up feeling like shock value and self-reference for nostalgia bad for me instead of something that's Going Somewhere.

[fluffyprettykitty]

Cassian Andor NSFW alphabet

Pairing: Cassian Andor x female reader (no other specifications!)

Word Count: 2300 words

Warnings: multiple sex positions, come feeding, praise, creampie, exhibitionism, sex toys, oral, fingering, nipple play, rimming, finger sucking. Let me know if I forgot anything major!

Author’s Note: I really wanted to do it so thank you for the encouragement ;)

dividers by @firefly-graphics ​//​ banners by @maysdigitalarts

Main Masterlist ・❥・Cassian Andor Masterlist

NSFW UNDER THE CUT. MINORS DNI.

A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex)

Cassian is doting and caring after the act. He loves taking his time smothering you in kisses and running his fingers through your body. There’s something about that intimacy that fills his heart with joy and cannot stop slowly breathing close to your ear as he pulls you closer and closer. He also likes it when you run your fingers through his hair, loving that familiar intimate touch. Cassian also loves helping you shower after the act, caressing your body and lathering it slowly until he makes sure you are clean as you can be. 

B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

Cassian does love his face and his hair a lot. He likes also his scruffy beard and loves nuzzling against your neck or cheek or even when you caress him in tender moments. As for the women, Cassian does not have a preference per se, he is just a woman lover through and through and loves being able to caress and touch your body any way he likes discovering what is the most unique thing about you. Cassian also is obsessed with your lips, he loves kissing, he loves making out and he loves the sticky sounds that come with it.

C = Cum (anything to do with cum, basically)

Cassian likes cumming everywhere basically. He loves shooting on your face, and loves it when he paints your breasts with it, and also loves it when he can double finish inside you and watch it all leak out. He also loves feeding you his cum with his long fingers. Is a mental image that stays with him for days and days. 

D = Dirty secret (pretty self-explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

The dirtiest secret that Cassian keeps to himself is that he loves it to eat your ass and he also loves it when you do it for him. Is very rare and he loves knowing someone else can make him such a mess like this. 

E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?)

Cassian is very experienced. He could not be more experienced, his reputation is well and known along the lands and he has nothing but satisfied partners, his only problem is that he never stays long enough to stick around. But he takes his time, for your pleasure, delaying his as long as you are pleading and begging for no more. He loves knowing he has that effect on you. Also, there is no move, no kink, and no activity that Cassian hasn’t already done or isn’t game for. Cassian in a very well-experienced lover and he never minds taking the lead or taking a seat back depending on the situation.

F = Favorite position (this goes without saying)

Riding. He loves you on top of him, breasts bare, hands on his hair, pulling them as you are trying to fuck yourself on him. He of course prefers making no effort at all just watching you struggle. Once he has enough of your performance, he loves pinning you down and grabbing your wrists as he fucks you animalistically against any surface. Also, he loves it very much to fuck behind a door, standing up, with your leg around his back. 

G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? are they humorous? etc.)

Cassian has humor, he knows how to laugh at the funny moment or recite a funny story to have you loosen up easier. He knows how easily one joke can turn into him sliding a finger inside, so he never misses an opportunity to do so. And he also loves hearing your laugh during the act, watching you so happy as he is staffing you fully.

H = Hair (how well groomed are they? does the carpet match the drapes? etc.)

He is as groomed as his life allows him to be. Obviously, there is hair everywhere on his body but his hygiene is the best it can be. He likes taking care of himself and cleaning himself, even if he skips the colognes because he is not living a fancy life out there.

I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect)

Cassian is romantic during the act because it’s a rare moment where he gets to be as free and as loving as he can be. He kisses you between anything and praises you and repeats words of affirmation and love all the time, worshipping you and the world in every aspect. But he also keeps it rough at the same time. He manages to balance it out perfectly. Showing his affection to you is his favorite thing to do during the act. 

J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon)

Cassian prefers real sex instead of masturbation and is never hard enough for him to find someone but in the moments that he does, he does it slowly, preferably listening to an old voice message of yours or finding a picture of you. His head is full of thought as he brings both hands, one on his cock, one fonding his balls, grunting as he cums. Especially when he has you on the other line of the Comcast link.

K = Kink (one or more of their kinks)

Cassian has many kinks. He loves bondage, he loves grinding, he loves your breasts, he loves fucking your ass, he likes some pain, he likes watching you cry from too much pleasure, he loves spanking you, he loves it when you choke him or tie him up. He loves the sloppiest blow jobs and fingering you with his gloves on, shoving his cock between your breasts, and then facefucking you. He loves it in any way he can find and loves switching you but he also loves commanding you and watching you do exactly as he says. He also likes it when you blindfold him and all he can do is anticipate your next move, He also likes it when you are fully naked, riding his thigh while he is all dressed up. And creampies. Basically, he likes it all.

L = Location (favorite places to do the do)

Beds and of course the cockpit. Always the favorite place for any pilot. But mostly he likes doing it in close proximity to being caught, in alleys and behind the bar and mostly behind closed doors and even right where you wouldn’t expect one to. One palm over your mouth and his cock deep between your ass cheeks and into your pussy fucking you fast.

M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going)

Cassian is one of those people who is always horny, maybe is the way he lives, and the danger that comes with it but he is always thinking about it in some way. So is not hard for him to get turned on at all. But he does love it when you call his name, something so intimate and yet familiar about it.

N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn-offs)

He doesn’t have many turn-offs, but he won’t ever do something you wouldn’t want him to do. 

O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)

He both loves giving and receiving. He likes spending hours eating you out with your legs trying to push his head in and of course he loves watching you gag on his cock, trying to swallow him whole. He is quite an expert at it, pussy eating by now, and is one of the first things he does during the act, he never proceeds to fuck you without at least one orgasm before he gets his cock inside you. He uses both his fingers and his tongue, wanting to have you as wet as possible before he makes a move. One hand always goes up to your breasts squeezing them as the other one has fingers shoved inside you, the tip of his tongue flicking your clit. On the rare days he gets to eat you out for more than an hour, he cums like that shooting inside his pants. Some other times though he is even stroking his cock as you are drowning him with your thighs. Now when it comes to him, he is also cool with whatever you are comfortable with, if you don’t like it fast he will go slow. Even if he likes guiding you on his cock, he also wonders what you can do on your own so a lot of times he just relaxes and watches you do all the work. 

P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.)

Cassian can be anything he wants at the moment. Sometimes he likes it slow, sometimes depending on the day he had he likes it rough, and other times he likes barely moving all night as he is circling your nipples with the tip of his tongue. After a bad mission, he will take his frustration out on you, and on a good day, he will fuck you senseless out of happiness.

Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.)

He likes quickies. He doesn’t mind at all, having some for a little bit until he can get more later or even on the days he won’t. He also doesn’t mind giving you some as a treat. He could do it several times a day if there is no premise for the night or a couple of times till he can. 

R = Risk (are they game to experiment? do they take risks? etc.)

Cassian is always game to experiment. He loves taking risks and trying new things. He loves knowing as much as possible as there is to know about the act and he loves trying new things and even new places. He also loves breaking in things and furniture like this.

S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? how long do they last?)

Oh, Cassian can last. He can last well. He loves taking his time when he can to fuck you and pleasure and he almost always wants a minimum of two rounds if he sees you can keep it up he loves amping that to four. Those rare nights where he reaches seven times are his favorite though but it does take hours.

T = Toys (do they own toys? do they use them? on a partner or themselves?)

Well, depending on the narrative whether they exist or not in the universe, Cassian wouldn’t hesitate to use one. He knows the device could be beneficial to the overall experience and he does put your pleasure first and always. Now when it comes to sensory deprivations and tricks he is the first to suggest using them because it’s something he prefers. Whether on him or on you.

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

Cassian loves teasing because he knows he will be fucking and commanding you later. He is going to start by whispering inappropriate things in your ear, making lewd comments, and very rarely touching you because he knows you’d find his voice more compelling for that and he also likes to smirk and wink or even lick his lips together. 

V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.)

Cassian can become loud if he wants to. Most of the time he might try to keep it quiet because the walls are never thin but when he can let loose, he makes sure anyone could hear him. He loves to speak during the act because he is overall a talker and between praises and degrading words, the biggest sound that hangs off his lips is your name. A constant repeat of it is like a prayer. He also has an extremely performative face during the act making you want to watch his expressions. 

W = Wild card (a random headcanon for the character)

Cassian loves dancing. He loves to watch you move and swing for him and then give him a lap dance. He loves and craves it but he never ever asks for it. He loves the whole act of you grinding on him and him groping you as you go and likes it even more when all of this is happening during a public appearance. He is pretty exhibitionist like this. He loves the risk of being caught, knowing just three seconds ago he was just cumming inside you while now he is casually talking to someone else.

X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes)

Cassian has a good physique. His body is overall lean and muscular with various scars covering from his harder days. The occasional tattoo symbolizes something important for him and of course, his favorite part is the marks frpm your teeth on his neck. 

Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?)

Cassian possesses a very high sex drive. He can keep at it for hours and he is always somehow up for it. He would never say no to a quickie, whatever body part it required, oral or physical sex. He likes it often so he almost never says no to it. 

Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterward)

Sex is Cassian’s biggest stress reliever. It doesn’t take him long to fall asleep afterward, holding you close to his arms and rocking you slowly as he whispers sweet melodies against your ear. He loves the romance and the intimacy of the act because he doesn’t get enough love often so he makes sure to savor these rare moments as much as he can. When he falls asleep, he is usually naked with his cock still deep inside you and you sprawled on his naked chest, his hands keeping you warm. 

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[writingdumpster]

captain

pairing: Cassian Andor x reader

warnings: SMUT 18+, male receiving oral, throat fucking, fem receiving oral, fingering, p in v, edging, dacryphilia, rank kink, degradation, breeding, pussy spanking

summary: Cassian is jealous when Han Solo talks to you at a party celebrating the destruction of the Death Star.

word count: 2.2k

Cassian was seething as the two of you walked home. He wouldn’t even hold your hand. You were leaving a party celebrating the success of the Death Star’s destruction. You could tell Cassian was upset, but you weren’t really sure why. You were letting him take his time. He had a tough time talking about his feelings and you always allowed him time to process.

You walked through your front door and took off your shoes. Cassian went into the kitchen. He poured himself a glass of the dark alcohol he kept in the cupboard and took a sip. He put his hands on his hips.

“Cass?” You called. He didn’t move. “Are you ready to tell me what’s wrong?” You asked softly. Cassian scoffed. He turned around to face you.

“‘What’s wrong?’” He repeated sarcastically. “Why did you wear that dress tonight?” He asked. You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion.

“I thought you liked this one,” you said.

“Yes, but you know why I like it,” Cassian said. “And you know it makes others think the same things it makes me think.”

“Are you really mad at me just because other people were looking at me?” You asked.

“No, I’m mad because you were letting them.”

“Letting them? What does that even mean?” You questioned. You were getting annoyed.

“Oh, please!” He scoffed as he threw his hands in the air. “You were talking to Han Solo all night,” he said.

“He came over to talk to you!” You shouted. “He was trying to thank you!”

“Really?! Then why was he staring at you when he talked to me?!” Cassian shouted back. You were quiet. You really hadn’t thought that Han Solo was flirting with you.

“I don’t know,” you said. “I didn’t notice. I was looking at you,” you finished. Cassian’s heart jumped, even though it had been racing from his anger. You could make him feel so happy with only a few words, but he was still jealous. He didn’t want to let you get away with wearing his favorite dress somewhere that you’d be seen by so many people.

“He was looking at you. And do you know why, princess?” Cassian asked harshly. He stalked across the room and grabbed your hips, pulling you flush against him. “Because you were wearing this dress.”

“I just thought you liked it,” you said shyly. You really hadn’t intended to draw anyone’s attention but Cassian’s when you put the dress on.

“Well, why were you flirting with Solo?” He questioned.

“I was not! I would never do that to you, Cass!” You shouted defensively.

“Captain,” Cassian snapped.

“What?” You questioned.

“You call me ‘Captain’ tonight,” he told you. Oh, I get it. “Solo might have gotten that medal, but he’s just some asshole,” Cassian sneered. “I am your Captain. You will follow my orders.” You nodded at Cassian. Cassian raised an eyebrow at you when you said nothing.

“Yes, Captain,” you said once you realized what he was waiting for.

“I’m going to fill you up tonight. I know you’ve been wanting me to get you pregnant, sweet girl.” Your eyes widened. You and Cassian had been discussing starting a family. He didn’t sound like he was joking.

“Take this dress off,” Cassian ordered. “Everyone’s seen you in this now. I have to make sure I’ve seen the most of you.” You pulled the dress over your head to reveal the matching pink lace bustier and panties you had bought. It was meant to be a surprise for Cassian that night. Cassian’s eyes soaked in the sight of you.

“I got it for you, Captain,” you said, interrupting the silence. “And you’re the only one who will ever see it.” Cassian smiled.

“It’s pretty, my love,” he said. “Thank you.” You smiled back, glad you had done at least one thing to please him. “I was going to make you take everything off, but I think I’ll leave you like this for a while.”

“Whatever you want, Captain,” you said.

“Get on your knees,” he ordered. You looked down at the tile floor.

“Can we go to the bedroom?” You asked.

“No. Your knees are going to be bruised after this and I don’t want to hear another word about it.” You were surprised but Cassian’s dominance was turning you on more than you cared to admit.

“Yes, Captain,” you said obediently as you dropped to your knees. You started to reach for Cassian’s belt but he was quick to stop you.

“No touching,” Cassian warned. You withdrew your hands disappointedly. He reached down and undid his own belt, shoving his pants and underwear down just enough to free his cock.

Cassian took the base of his cock in his hand. He slapped your cheeks with the tip of his dick, the precum leaking from it sticking to your face. You moaned at the degrading treatment. Cassian was usually all praises and sweetness even through his dominance. You loved when he got mean with you.

“Pat my leg twice if it’s too much,” Cassian instructed.

“Yes, Captain.” You felt like an addict, completely and totally at the mercy of your one desire.

“Now open,” he commanded. You opened your mouth wide, holding your tongue out expectantly. He put the tip of his cock on your tongue.

“Don’t suck,” Cassian ordered. “Bad girls don’t get to suck their Captain’s cock,” he started. “They get their throats fucked.” That was the only warning he gave you before he reached down with his other hand, digging it into your scalp and pulling you roughly down on his hard cock. Your nose brushed Cassian’s neatly groomed pubic hair as you gagged on his cock. He held you there for a moment, your throat constricting around his cock. He let you go after you started to choke.

“Thank you, Captain,” you gushed as you pulled away. Cassian chuckled.

“I’m not done,” he said. “Just letting you catch your breath.” You nodded

“I’m ready for more, Captain,” you told him. You opened your mouth expectantly. Cassian smirked.

“Greedy little slut,” he taunted. He gave you what you wanted. He pushed his cock into your mouth. You closed your lips around him as he began thrusting into your mouth. He didn’t thrust hard enough to make you gag, but the tip of his cock continued to brush the back of your throat. When he pulled you off himself you gasped for air, drool spilling over your chin and tears making your mascara run down your cheeks.

“Get up. Bedroom. Now.” You stood at once and nearly sprinted towards the bedroom. Cassian left a trail of clothes behind him as he followed you, totally nude by the time you’d arrived in your bedroom. You turned around to face Cassian as you arrived in the room, waiting for his instruction.

“Let me help you with this,” Cassian said as he began to remove your bustier. He tossed it to the side. “Lay down on your back.”

“Yes, Captain,” you replied. You laid down, leaning on your elbows so you could continue to observe Cassian. He climbed onto the bed as well, kneeling in front of you. He ran his fingertips along the outside of your legs gingerly till he reached the waistband of your underwear.

“Do you know how many times Solo called you pretty tonight?” Cassian asked you.

“I think he said I looked nice when he introduced himself,” you said nervously.

“Five. He called you pretty five times,” Cassian snarled. “So, guess what?

“What?” You asked nervously.

“I’m going to ruin your orgasm five times before I let you come,” he told you.

“No, Cassian. Please—”

“Captain!” Cassian snapped. He spanked your pussy over your panties.

“I’m sorry, Captain,” you whimpered. Cassian pulled your underwear down your legs and tossed them off the bed. He pushed your legs open wide, large hands spreading over the tender skin of your inner thighs. Your pussy was glistening with wetness. You were desperate for attention.

“Oh, sweet girl,” Cassian cooed. “You’re soaked.” He dragged a single finger up your slit, stopping when he reached your clit to rub a few faint circles over it. The slight movement made you shudder.

“Captain,” you whined. “I need you to touch me.” Cassian chuckled.

“Need me?” He asked. You nodded eagerly.

“Yes, Captain. I need you.” Cassian smirked.

“Remember, princess. Five times,” he reminded you.

“Yes, Captain.” Cassian leaned down and licked a line from your asshole up to your clit. You immediately whined in pleasure. His tongue circled your clit a few times before sucking it between his lips. “Ohhh, Captain,” you groaned.

“How does it feel?” Cassian asked. He slurped at your dripping hole, drinking up all the wetness he could.

“It feels amazing, Captain! Feels so good,” you cried. Cassian kept up his precise movements against you, making you squirm against the mattress. He reached up and grabbed one of your hands, lacing your fingers with his. You squeezed his hand tightly as he pushed you closer and closer to the edge. Your body was tensing up as you prepared for your orgasm but suddenly Cassian took his mouth off you and slapped your bare pussy.

“No! No! Please!” You whimpered at the loss of stimulation. Cassian laughed darkly as he watched you writhe helplessly against the mattress. He brought you up to the edge with his mouth three more times before he let you have his cock, punctuating each ruined orgasm with another spank to your cunt. Once the fifth edge was over you couldn’t stop begging.

“Please, make me come!” You begged up at Cassian.

“I don’t know if you deserve it, princess.”

“I do, Captain! I do! I’ve been so good! I’m sorry I wore your favorite dress in front of other people!” You cried. Tears were falling freely down your cheeks as Cassian continued to make slow and lazy thrusts in and out of you. It felt just good enough to keep you going but not good enough to get you there.

“You’re sorry?” Cassian asked.

“Yes, Captain,” you said. “I’m so sorry. I’ll never do it again, I promise.” He said nothing. “Please,” you sniffled, a tear slipping down your cheek. “I’ve been good.”

“You have been, sweet girl. You took your punishment well.” Cassian wiped the tear from your cheek and leaned down to give you a slow kiss. “I’ll make you come now,” he whispered against your lips.

Cassian caged you to the bed, his forearms holding him up by your head. Your hands were digging into his back, leaving red scratch marks behind. He began thrusting into you more quickly, rolling his hips as he did so he would start to hit your g-spot.

“Oh, fuck! Captain!” You cried.

“Say my name,” Cassian begged, no longer wanting the facade between you.

“Cassian, please,” you whined. “I need you.” Cassian groaned as he tucked his head into the crook of your neck. He kissed the soft skin there.

“I love you, y/n,” he moaned. Your heart throbbed. This is what it was about. He wanted to be sure you loved him as much as he loved you. He wanted to make sure that you were his and only his. Forever.

“I love you too, Cassian,” you moaned back. Cassian grunted as he leaned away. He took your leg and hooked it over his hip. Then he quickly grabbed your hand and pinned it above your head. With his free hand he reached between you and rubbed figure eights against your clit, tearing your last bit of composure away at once.

You plummeted into your orgasm. You screamed out in pleasure. You thrashed against the bed. You nearly broke Cassian’s skin as your nails raked down his back. Your other hand was squeezing his hand tightly. Your pussy was flexing and contracting around Cassian’s cock uncontrollably. Cassian couldn’t help himself from emptying inside you. You moaned at the feeling of warmth that filled your belly and kept squeezing at his cock, trying to drain every bit of cum from him.

Cassian looked down at the spot where your bodies connected as he pulled out of your warmth. He caught the white cum that began spilling out of you on his fingers and quickly pushed it back inside of you. You whimpered, sore after all the edging.

“We just have to keep this in here, sweet girl. Have to make sure it takes,” he said. “Don’t want to waste any time with my schedule.” You had a small moment of doubt.

“We can try again if it doesn’t work…right?” You asked quietly. Cassian’s eyes shot up to meet yours. He could see the fear you were feeling. A family wasn’t going to be an easy thing for Cassian to have. You didn’t always believe it would work out. His hands immediately went to your face and cupped it.

“Baby, of course we can.” Cassian assured you. “We’ll try as many times as it takes.” The worry on your face washed away.

“I love you, Kassa. Only you,” you said. Cassian smiled softly.

“I know you do. I shouldn’t get jealous,” he said. You kissed Cassian softly.

“I don’t mind,” you told him with a smirk. “As long as this is how you react.”

[toastandjamie]

Alright nuance time! As you might have noticed I’m a fan of Mat/Tuon but the thing that makes them so interesting is the fact that they aren’t a perfect couple and the reason I love Tuon is because she’s complicated so that being said- I think it’s really interesting how unbalanced the amount effort in the relationship is. Mat by far puts more effort into making the relationship work and this is because of two reasons, how they view their respective prophecies, and their cultural differences.

Tuon’s prophecy has a lot more specifics in it, having actual signs to look for unlike Mat who received only a title and told they would marry. Tuon’s prophecy encourages her to take a passive role in the development of the relationship because the signs are all actions that Mat commits on his own, stealing and setting her free. So she waits and watches. Mat meanwhile is given no guidelines, he knows he’ll marry her and he can see that unknowingly his head is already in the noose so to speak. Unlike Tuon, despite accepted the inevitability of fate and no longer running away from it Mat still seeks out ways to enforce his own agency within the confines of fate. If his neck is the noose he’ll jump off the ledge instead of being pushed. The outcome is the same but at least he gets to control it. Mat treats his relationship with Tuon similarly, he won’t passively await a loveless marriage instead he takes steps to get to know her, to find the parts of her that he likes, he makes the active choice to love her. Ironically his desire to have agency is what causes their fated marriage.

Once they begin to persue the relationship their cultures come into play. In Seanchen society the Empress is considered infallible, in Tuon’s mind she’s a divine authority in her own right. While she’s willing to consider and listen to the opinions and advice of those she trusts she believes wholeheartedly that she is not just in the right but righteously so. Mat meanwhile has a view on relationships more akin to our own where compromise is necessary to creating a healthy relationship. Andor where Mat grew up is a matriarchy. While the Two Rivers may not acknowledge the Queen as sovereign, women are still the final authority in Emmonds Field, and an expectation of husbands deferring to their wives. Mat is a pragmatist, as a person he’s willing to bend his own morality for the safety and happiness of the people he loves to the detriment of all else including his own physical and mental well being. This means that while Tuon refuses to change she expects Mat to do so, and Mat is willingly to change for the sake of making the relationship work. He’s willing to tolerate things he wouldn’t otherwise because he wants his marriage with Tuon to be happy and he loves her.

The issue is that because they are fated together Mat is willing to do and put up with just about anything to make it work because that’s the only agency he has in relation to their marriage. Where as Tuon views herself as a passive player in her own fate and expects Mat to bend to fit her world view. This creates a dangerously unbalanced dynamic where all the expectation and pressure of keeping the relationship happy is entirely on Mat.

However we also see that there’s the chance for improvement. Mat might be willing to put up with a lot but he still highly values his own independence and sense of self. So if he views Tuon as threatening that, ie. trying to take his hat or threatening his friends/home he fights back viciously against it. While Tuon is immovable in her beliefs in many ways she can be flexible when needed and she understands when a fight isn’t worth it. And of course, she does love Mat in her own way, she shows this by giving him privileges and listening to his wants and needs. Mat is just stubborn enough and Tuon just flexible enough that growth and improvement are possible.

[zeb-z]

that’s it fuck it fuck this fuck all I’m working on another Star Wars au and nobody can stop me

Etoiles is a resistance fighter before they had a name, before they were the Rebels, pre-Andor levels where there’s large cells but no major force and just communication. As much as he fucking hates and I mean just hates the politics between the different cells, he’s usually the one who deals with negotiations between them

Before then, he’s a bounty hunter. Jango Fett levels of lethal, but I’m not entirely convinced on if he’s mandalorian or not. Either way he uses beskar, but if he’s not mando he takes care to learn the culture around the metal and earns it. It’s what makes him able to go against those armed with lightsabers - which is the equivalent to him just being unkillable by codes. He’s well trained and kicks ass and when all is said and done, he leaves whoever he was fighting with their saber next to their usually unconscious, sometimes dead, body.

Pac is a newly retired smuggler/thief, who’s introduction into the rebellion is similar to the steps he’s taken to find what’s left behind by Walter Bob in canon on the island, except he’s not known by the rebels - or at least not on their radar. His past is certainly known, as one of the largest known criminals to have ever escaped the high security Imperial prison stationed on some famous core world, but he’s considered to be gone, missing or killed shortly after. But he stumbles upon this conspiracy, and digs deeper because he’s got nothing better to do, because he’s curious, sue him, and it leads him to the rebels.

He’s roommates/shipmates with Fit, a resistance fighter who Pac drags into his investigation sometime after the discovery of the ship named Hope - a derelict ship drifting in some asteroid field that once carried refugees fleeing from the Empire. one that Pac finds alone, and cements his decision to truly try and figure out how to reach some rebels to join them. It’s too late for Fit to try and direct him elsewhere, so instead he helps to point Pac in the right direction - because as much as he can’t risk compromising his own position with his ties, however low, to the Empire, he can find a way to bend the rules.

Moving around with Fit is a recent development. His apartment he shared with Mike he can’t risk returning to, because Mike is definitely currently missing due to “mysterious circumstances” (the Empire) and he can’t try to find or help Mike if he’s taken too. For that stint of time they’re living together, he stops smuggling to make sure none of it reaches back to Fit somehow.

Fit is a janitor for the Empire, and is one of the few with access to high security locations. Usually he’s stationed out in various locations - he’s one of the ones willing to travel, so he’ll bounce around on occasion. He’s sometimes requested to clean at the Imperial Palace and ISB headquarters - various high security buildings that he needs lots of clearances and background checks for. Don’t ask him how he got the job he doesn’t know, but he does know he’s good at it. He also knows he’s done well as an informant to the rebels, because he hasn’t been caught and taken by the ISB into one of those high security “interview” rooms that even he doesn’t have access to. He also hasn’t been force choked by the Emperor, like he’s also seen happen. He keeps his head down, his nose clean, and is very careful in how he obtains and leaks his information.

Foolish! He’s an newly elected senator with a lot of money, who listens to his constituents but ultimately leans pro Empire. Or seemingly does. His glamorous life and ‘he’s lucky he’s pretty’ kind of reputation makes it seem like he’s the perfect golden boy by Imperial standards. They still keep an eye on him, because they keep an eye on all the senators, and because he is known to be rather persistent with his agenda that isn’t always purely pro-imperial interests - but ultimately he’s cherished by the hierarchy. Popular and good company. A true believer of what the Empire stands for. And he’s steadily making connections with influential people. Think Arhinda Pryce from Thrawn - politically savvy, and in it for his own purpose like everyone else is, except he’s not actually a piece of shit. He’s just ambitious and crafty. A shark who is watched just as much as everyone else is, because the higher Imperial command is full of sharks looking for weaknesses to strike at, but no more than any other politician - because he’s good at what he does. His end goal is to do as much damage as he can from the inside out, because what he truly believes in is freedom - and as long as the Empire has its heel on the throat of the Galaxy, no one will be free.

Jaiden meets Foolish at one of the larger parties during Ascension Week, before his elections for governor which is before his elections for senator - and they become fast friends. She gets signed on to work for him, under the command of someone much higher than her for reasons “classified”. There’s some moment where her and Foolish have to work with the Inquisitors for one reason or another - and she immediately feels connected with them. She cant help but get this feeling that their role isn’t entirely voluntary, that there’s even darker forces at play. Think how she feels for Cucurucho. What she doesn’t know is that she used to be one of them - an Imperial experiment that never ended up showing enough force sensitivity to be of use, so she was mind wiped and given an insignificant job to keep her busy but close, to keep an eye on her.

Ok. Cellbit. A spacer merc who doesn’t get hired for hits, but for mysteries. To solve things. Star Wars equivalent of a traveling private eye. This gets him in some deep shit when who he’s investigating is tied deeper into shady Imperial shit than most, and of course once he’s caught onto conspiracy, he cannot stop digging. Also one of the escaped convicts, not that people make that connection - he’s changed his appearance and name after all. He eventually makes it to the rebellion.

He’s sensitive to the force like a motherfucker and struggles with balance, but is somehow entirely unaware of how connected he is. Thinks everyone must feel as extremely and physically as him. Anything else he brushes off as paranormal - the force doesn’t exist, but ghosts and the other world sure does. So maybe he sometimes has prophetic dreams, and maybe his own emotions overwhelm him to the point of physical illness, and maybe when he’s tired and distracted he’ll notice things moving seemingly on their own. Must be paranormal. Definitely not just oblivious to his own subconscious actions, and definitely doesn’t get overwhelmed at the feedback he gets from other life forms because he can’t properly separate himself from them. He’s just haunted. It doesn’t do well for his paranoia tbh

Phil is a Jedi who had to go into hiding, who managed to help a group of knights, padawans, initiates, and younglings escape Order 66. In the chaos and mess of it all, he finds himself alone with a youngling who’s barely a toddler. He makes a life for himself, for the first year traveling around instead of risking settling and being found. He meets and befriends Wilbur - a spacer with a dream of touring the stars to play his music - during this time. He ends up settling, making a life for himself on a nice mid rim planet, finding a husband and raising his kid. Wilbur shows up one day with a girl of his own, stays a few days, and leaves her with Phil, for reasons he doesn’t quite explain, saying she’ll be safer this way, and it won’t be forever. She’s just as force sensitive as his son.

He joins the rebellion after the Empire takes over his city and forces them to leave - and subsequently blows his cover, matching his scans to the database of Jedi who were never confirmed KIA. He has no reason to not join the rebellion at that point - the main thing that kept him was his family, his children, but now they’re no safer anyways. There’s safety in community and numbers. And he can strike back at the Empire, for what he views as right.

Missa really is the Just Some Guy that Phil married - except for the fact that he’s also force sensitive. During the raid in their home, he’s separated from Phil, Chayanne, and Tallulah, and currently is trying desperately to find his way back to them

Bad runs a shipping company, and has old money, like almost back to High Republic days money. Of course it’s mostly a front for organized crime and mercenary work - mostly hit jobs, assassinations, but that doesn’t mean he won’t branch out. He’s got an extensive criminal record, and is definitely on the Empire’s watchlist - but he somehow manages to get away with it all. He’s very anti-empire, and as much as he’s the head of the company, he delegates the non crucial busywork and takes hits and contracts himself.

Force sensitive, more attuned to those left behind who are one with the force, for some reason. And his race is unknown, but he’s older than he seems (he mostly keeps it secretive for tax evasion purposes, it’s only a little bit because he’s a habitual liar and likes the chaos that causes). As much as his views align with the rebellion, he doesn’t know much of its existence, and the rebellion is extremely hesitant to reach out, as beneficial as him and his resources may be

He meets Tina at a wrong place wrong time sort of moment - she just happened to be trying to get to know an Imperial officer he had a hit on, and came by to visit at just the worst possible moment. The thing is, she wasn’t trying to get to know the guy for any innocent reason - she wants to find a way to join either side of the conflict. Either by schmoozing out enough info to make her important to the Rebels, or establishing connections in the Imperial world.

She ends up working for Bad instead, talked into it after they talk it out, and he doesn’t just kill her to get rid of witnesses. They work together on mercenary work for a long while, which she’s fine with. It’s time spent almost having fun, and she’s a trusted member of the group. She does eventually join the rebellion after meeting Bagi, and it’s easy for her to convince Bad to join the cause once he’s made aware of its existence

Forever! Okay he’s definitely an Imperial politician, kind of similar to Foolish? I’d compare him to Mon Mothma - he’s hardworking, he’s funneling funds to the rebellion, and he’s an idealist who is constantly at odds with what he had to do and what he must pretend to support in order to do what’s best to protect the cause. He will do what needs to be done at the end of the day, and knows the consequences will surely one day catch up, but until then he’ll fight for his family and for freedom. For the rebellion.

He works often with Bad as the main point of contact for his shipping company - and also the main rebel contact. Again, just somewhat based off of Mon Mothma and Luthen from Andor. Bad doesn’t entirely trust Forever, thinks he should be doing certain things differently, gets nit picky with tactics and the way Forever moves his money. Forever finds him a bit extreme in what he’s willing to do, willing to sacrifice, and extremely pedantic. They bicker a lot for two guys who ultimately agree with each other.

That’s all I got off hand for now but please ask me about it please

[wild-karrde]

NEW WEEK, NEW RECS! START SENDING YOUR FAVORITE FANDOM CREATIONS FROM THIS WEEK IN FOR ME TO QUEUE UP FOR FRIDAY!

The goal of Fandom Friday: provide a place where people can shout-out their favorite creators from the week, whether it’s a piece of fan art that made you smile or a fanfic that moved you. Drop a link to your favorite creations this week into my ask box along with what you loved about it, and I will give them a shout! It doesn’t have to be Star Wars either! If it’s on another website (AO3, Twitter, etc.), please be sure to state that as well.

This happens each week, so don’t feel like you’ve got to get out everything in one week. Just keep track of them throughout the week or send me an ask whenever you find something, and I’ll drop them all on Fridays (or throughout the weekend if I get a lot). You may submit for this week until THURSDAY MORNING (I'm in the Pacific timezone). Anything received after that will roll to the next week. A summary of the weeks’ recs will get added onto this post on Saturday, so check back here for all of the awesome fics and art! And be sure to go give the creations on that list some love (and don’t just share the ask responses I put out).

This week’s submissions will start posting on Friday, August 18. NOTE: This will be my last Fandom Friday for a little while. I'm heading home to help out with some family things and won't have time to pull recs together each week, so LET'S GET A GOOD LIST THIS WEEK! I encourage you to celebrate Fandom Friday even if I'm not doing a rec list, and if you do so, TAG YOUR RECS WITH #FANDOM FRIDAY!

Rules and additional details under the cut! PLEASE make sure you read the rules before sending something in. If your submission violates any of the rules, I will delete it.

Rules:

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[sparklyeevee]

Sorry I'm still thinking about how the ability to trust and obey a head of state, wholesale take on her priorities as your own, and do what's asked of you even when you don't have the full picture, is a huge part of the First Prince of the Sword's job, is something Gawyn was trained from childhood to do, is probably a big part of why the princes of Andor train with the Warders in the first place, and after what Elaida did to him, what she tried to do to the Younglings, he can't do it anymore. She literally traumatized him into being unable to do his damn job. He can't be Egwene's Warder, not effectively, when his instincts won't let him stop looking for what she isn't telling him. He can't serve Elayne when he sees a trap in her every order, for him and the men under his command.

It's worth noting here that what Elaida did with the Younglings, deliberately sending them into impossible situations because she didn't like them and no longer had a use for them... That's not what you might call a thing, in this setting. My partner remembers Carridin and Valda doing it once each, but Carridin is a darkfriend and Valda is...Valda. They're also both men, and neither is actually the head of an entire government. Other leaders, other heads of state, including Rand, are sometimes careless with their military forces, and the Light knows the Seanchan see people as disposable, but it's a long fucking step from carelessness to malice, and if the Empress, may she live forever, or one of the High Blood, found the continued existence of a specialist unit inconvenient and unaesthetic, they would be ordered to kill themselves, straight out. I don't think Gawyn ever actually tells anyone what she was doing, which suggests to me that either he didn't expect to be believed, even by Elaida's direct adversaries, or he didn't know how, he didn't have the language for it. Certainly Gareth Bryne didn't understand it, but that's no fault of Bryne's - Gawyn didn't even really try to explain, and Gareth Bryne isn't Lan, he can't just intuit what's really bothering someone. I think Rand might have gotten it - he knows a thing or two about not wanting to be used, and about not being able to trust people when they won't tell you what's going on - but circumstances conspire to make it impossible for them to talk to each other.

I'm not trying to blame anyone for not getting where Gawyn's head is at. It was actually kind of narratively important that someone just straight up fall through the cracks. It was kind of important that someone be refused language for what was done to them. It was kind of important that, in a series where the most common way to look after a suicidal person is to offer them a more useful, but also more time consuming, way to kill themselves, and just keep doing that until they stop wanting to die, that someone not get any help with that, and fuck up catastrophically trying to do it for themselves.

And this is kind of the context on Gawyn's desire to like, be more protagonisty than circumstances really allow him to be. There's a completely offhand observation in Eye of the World, when Rand and Mat are on the way to Caemlyn, about how farmers have only themselves to answer to if they sleep late. Gawyn doesn't understand how Rand is so comfortably able to exercise personal agency, to just do things without being told to or even getting permission. His limited understanding of the way the world is ordered, his very hierarchical way of thinking, suggests to him that a random sheepherder, all the way down at the bottom of the social strata, should feel more constrained, be more afraid of acting without external direction, and he can't for the life of him figure out how Rand does it, and he's jealous, which makes him angry, because Gawyn, due to the psychological damage he's taken, is no longer fitted for the life of service to which he was raised, and desperately needs to be able to do what Rand is doing. Not the Dragon Reborn thing, not initial caps Changing the World, but seeing what needs to be done and doing it without the direction or approval of any greater authority. And none of the people he tries to talk to about it even understand what he's asking, partly because they're all a little less clueless about how the world is arranged, and understand without explication that a farmer, who is empowered to just notice that a fence is breaking down and set about repairing it, is not going to face the same challenges in this area as the First Prince of the Sword, who commands armies but is always answerable to the Queen.

[antianakin]

I'm starting to see some very funny (and by funny I mean infuriating) takes on what Andor was actually ABOUT and the way it utilized its more adult narrative within the context of Star Wars. Andor as a show followed Lucas's themes BRILLIANTLY even while choosing to look at them a little differently.

One of the primary themes in Star Wars is that there really isn't much of a "middle ground" in life. You are either choosing to be selfless and compassionate, or you aren't. Trying to stay in the middle or run from making this choice inevitably ends up badly for the people who try. And one of the other primary themes of Star Wars is that being selfless and compassionate often requires LETTING GO, most often letting go of the people you love and accepting that change happens in life.

I've seen people argue that Andor is able to be a morally grey story because its characters aren't Jedi or Sith who tend to be more bound by these cosmic themes or good vs evil, but I'd argue that Andor actually represents that theme JUST FINE.

Despite many of its characters living in a "morally ambiguous" area, we still have to see them make the choice to be selfless and compassionate or selfish and greedy. One of the primary themes for the characters is how well they can LET GO or not. Cassian is constantly having to figure out how to let go of his plans for his future, let go of his mother, let go of his dreams of a normal life. Cassian is ruled by fear for much of the first season and it's only once he is pushed into a situation where there's no longer any way to run, he starts finally fighting back and refusing to bow to the oppressive force that wants nothing more than to see him discarded like so much refuse. The people of Ferrix have to let go of their desire to stick their heads in the sand and simply hope the Empire won't notice them.

And on the other end of the spectrum you have Syril Karn and Dedra Meero absolutely fixated on their respective goals to the point that they're willing to kill and betray innocent people to reach them. They've convinced themselves their goals are selfless, but their motivations are in fact actually SELFISH, they serve nobody but their own ambitions. And both of them end up paying for it.

So Andor ABSOLUTELY gets the central theme of Star Wars, it isn't actually trying to change that. What it DOES do is take that theme and just digs slightly deeper, looking at this theme from a slightly different angel even when it ultimately comes to the same conclusion. Andor asks if selflessness and compassion always looks like "I'm Luke Skywalker, I'm here to rescue you!" Or if maybe sometimes making the selfless choice means burning yourself to light a fire to lead someone else to safety. Are all people who make the selfless and compassionate choice considered heroes, or are some of them having to make those choices down in the dirt and destined to be forgotten by history? Andor asks how many variations of selflessness might exist and then explores them in its wide, colorful ensemble.

Andor also is looking at what selflessness might look like in characters who are forced into making a choice between standing back when they see evil happening and dirtying their hands just to make the smallest difference because forces of evil outside of their control are making the purer options impossible.

And that is the EXACT SAME THEME explored with the Prequels Jedi. The Jedi who want so badly to be selfless and compassionate, whose philosophies and ideologies lead them to use violence only as a last resort and love everyone and everything in the galaxy equally. The Jedi who are thrust into a war where there's no way to win because the Sith are running both sides of it and the Jedi can't just NOT FIGHT because that will get innocent people killed and will help no one but themselves, but they have to compromise their morals as a result. The Jedi who see a politician slowly amassing unreasonable amounts of power he's unwilling to let go of and a Senate too controlled by fear and greed to see the danger, so their only option is to commit treason to try to remove the corruption personally.

The Jedi LOOK the hero part a lot more than the characters in Andor do. They're strong, confident, powerful, and wield swords of light. They fight out in the open rather than from the shadows. Cassian, Luthen, Saw, Mon Mothma, Vel, and Cinta all manipulate things and threaten people and lie and cheat their way towards victory. Both Mon Mothma and Luthen fully admit to choosing to act like their enemy in order to defeat them. And it's not that the Jedi's way of fighting is any worse than the way the people of Andor have learned to fight. The people of Andor would LOVE to be able to fight like the Jedi used to do. But they can't. Palpatine has created a world in which being heroes that way is NO LONGER POSSIBLE. He started with the Jedi, by forcing the Jedi into a situation where fighting the way they once did was the wrong choice to make. There were no longer any right choices, just better choices. The only choice.

The Jedi stood as a bulwark between the darkness and the people of the galaxy. For years they chose to dirty their hands in order to fight the battles no one else WANTED to fight because it was the ONLY CHOICE TO MAKE. So what happens when the Jedi are gone?

The rest of the galaxy is now faced with the same choice. Do you stand by and let darkness grow? Or do you dirty your hands a little because it's the only choice you CAN make?

The people in Andor are picking up the torch that fell out of the Jedi's hands when they were murdered and persecuted by the Sith. Only the people who are left don't have magic powers or swords of light, so they use the resources they have at their disposal, which mostly amounts to manipulation and trickery and striking from shadows. The fight looks a little different now, but it's still the same fight the Jedi were fighting for years.

So Andor is taking those bigger cosmic themes from the Jedi/Sith conflicts that permeate the rest of the Skywalker saga and asks what those themes might look like when applied to the little people. What kind of choices might THEY make, what kind of things might they have to let go of in order to make those selfless choices? What kind of consequences might happen when they DON'T make the selfless choice? It's the exact same theme Lucas has ALWAYS had in his stories, just viewed from a different angle or through a different lens.

But the stories we've been getting recently that are trying to argue that being selfish is actually totally fine so long as you're doing it For Love, that the Jedi were in fact the source of everything that went wrong in the galaxy, that the Jedi were DESTINED to be destroyed, those all go completely against Lucas's themes. They're the direct OPPOSITE of his intended message. It is in fact entirely possible to write a more adult story with grittier content that STILL SENDS THE SAME FUCKING MESSAGE AND FOLLOWS THE SAME THEMES and doesn't try to get edgy in its interpretation of the source material.

[tarisilmarwen]

Rebels Rewatch: "The Honorable Ones"

Kallus starts growing the nigglings of a conscience and also I never want to visit Bahryn ever.

Does this count as Friendship Fetch Quest episode? I mean... we do technically recruit an ally, albeit we make one out of a consistent former enemy, and he is important to things later...

Yeah, you know what, I'm counting it.

Geonosis looks gorgeous.

Oooooof SO many Death Star foreshadowings in this conversation. This is in fact where they started construction on the Mark I, as far back as the Clone Wars. Some time between now and then (Wookiepedia thinks it's between "Breaking Ranks" and now), the project was moved, the orbital stations scrapped, and the entire population of Geonosis genocided to conceal the project's existence.

Just, you know, your ordinary Tuesday for the Empire.

Hi Kallus!

Love Chopper getting to be an absolutely murderous psychopath again lolol.

Ohhhh hey, this cue is from back in "Droids In Distress" when they were about to blow up the ion disruptors. How fitting, lol.

Ezra is still Not Fond of leaving people behind.

He looks so worried. :(

Love how Kallus and Zeb stop fighting for a second when they realize they're about to crash. Matching Oh Crap expressions and everything.

Ngl, I felt that cry of agony deep in the recesses of my childhood.

(I fell off some parallel bars once in gym, didn't break anything, but my first scream? Sounded not too unlike that.)

Lol Ezra banging on Chopper. "Yes, we want him back! Don't be a sleemo!"

Jeez, how terrified Kallus must have been, stuck in the exact scenario that traumatized him so in the past. Lucky for our favorite asshole Zeb is the honorable type.

Yup, yeah, pissing his pants terrified. David does a really good job with Kallus this episode, it's one of the first times they let him show a bit more range and he does shrill and hysterical very nicely, if I may say so.

Kallus is so assured of the Empire's fairness and nobility, aww let's shatter that to pieces this episode. :D

Worried Ezra continues to be worried. <3

He is already shivering, nice little animation here. Also lol @ Zeb pettily pulling the heater closer towards him.

Ahhh the glowing rock of friendship. Love that Kallus keeps it after this.

"You're going to hurt yourself!" <3 See this mother hen behavior right here is why I stuck the Iron Squadron kids with him in my Mirrorverse series, Kallus being a fussy fretful Team Mom is hilarious.

Ah NOPE, nope, nah-uh. Nooooooo thank you.

The bonzami are actually really well-designed. They look like prehistoric dinosaurs of some kind. Definitely evocative of all my childhood nightmares about T-Rexes.

Kallus parroting the Might Makes Right and Social Darwinism of the Empire, leading to Zeb beginning to ask pointed questions.

Oh man there was a really good analysis on here someone did about Kallus's fighting style, how he's better at close quarters than distance/ranged, I wish I remembered who wrote it.

Subtle animation appreciation detail: That pinched guilt in Kallus's expression.

Oooh yeah, that's the good stuff.

Kallus launches into his tragic backstory, possibly to try and remind himself why he personally hates Lasats, rejustify in his head how it was okay for him not to question orders when told to use the ion disruptors--("They deserve it, they're bad people, they kill the injured!")--and the connection to Saw is not a coincidence I think, the writers expand heavily on the whole "It's how we fight that matters." and "The ends justify the means." conflict later on down the line. Numerous characters on this show like Saw and Thrawn and Kallus to an extent represent what happens when you go too far to fight those you consider monsters. I've always loved how firmly Rebels comes down on the side of "The means do matter."

Probably one of the reasons I'm still kind of relucant to watch Andor, I know fandom loves that "I burn myself for a sunrise I'll never see." quote but eehhhhhhhhh.

The exchange right after Kallus's story is a bit clunky, I get what the intent was--that there are people in the Empire who aren't cold and bloodthirsty and evil and the Rebels shouldn't write them all off like they're the same--but it's clumsily executed.

PPFFFFTTTTTT LOLOLOL. KALLUS CANNOT BELIEVE THE SHEER PETTINESS IN ZEB HURLING THE BO-RIFLE OUT OF THE CAVE RATHER THAN LET HIM HOLD IT.

Hey remember when I said I love David Oyelowo's hysterical Kallus voice? Yeah.

Zeb's prehensile feet put to good use again.

Ohhhhh yeah no that's absolutely a terrifying concept for me. Nope.

"Hey we didn't get eaten! Are we friends now?"

There's some debate in the fandom about the inconsistency of the stories Kallus tells from "Droids In Distress" to here. Some parts of fandom point to how he almost gleefully bragged about giving the order to use the ion disruptors and others point out that he couldn't possibly have been high enough in the ranks at that point to actually have the authority to do that.

I tend to fall more towards the latter camp, that he wasn't actually THE one to give the order but he didn't question it and passed it right along due to his prejudice against the Lasat, and only said what he said to Zeb to rile him up. As much as he hated Lasats though, there has been some guilt severely weighing on him since then, and I'm pretty sure it's partly due to his confusion over the Honor Guardsman giving him his bo-rifle. There was a note of aggravated self-defense in Kallus's voice when he explains to Zeb how it was given to him, like he's dispensing with an act and being all, "All right look here's how it really happened."

This conversation is slightly less clear but to me reads like Kallus is detailing his thoughts from the moment he'd been given the order. Like it's mid-battle and it's going harder than they anticipated and the weapons are handed out and he's told to use them and he realizes, "Oh. The Empire is not playing around are they?" and he shoves down his own potential qualms about it and just passes on the order.

Zeb, having had his character development, is dismissive of Kallus's attempt to explain the massacre, saying that it doesn't affect him anymore, basically.

They're so happy to see him. <3

Awwwwwww.

Subtle animation appreciation moment: Zeb's little elbow bump to Ezra's arm as they climb up the ramp.

Ohhhhhh man the behind the scenes had a little plot bit that they should have kept, basically it was not the Empire that retrieved Kallus from Bahryn, it was a scavenger ship, the Empire spent a paltry two rotations looking for him and then wrote him off, he had to make his way back to them on his own.

Konstantine doesn't even look at him.

:((((((

Kallus's redemption is a bit of a polarizing topic in fandom. Personally I'm very fond of it, I like Kallus as an antagonist-turned-Rebel, I think he's a lot of fun post Heel Face Turn and the many myriad fanfics that bridge the gap between "Zero Hour" and Season 4 featuring Kallus slowly blending in to the Spectres are among some of my favorites.

But it's also one of my major nitpicks because it's a bit lacking in legwork. Show👏me👏the legwork!👏 Like 90% of all writing problems can be solved just by expending some effort. Don't just have Kallus as the new Fulcrum offscreen between seasons I need to SEE it.

That being said, this is a mostly tightly written Locked In A Room type episode, well-paced, decently animated. Fandom definitely loves it and I'll still give it fairly regular rewatches since it's another of the husband's favorites.

Next up, we return again to Lothal for Force Weirdness.

[kanansdume]

I've seen a lot of discussion on why Andor DOESN'T feel like Star Wars up until this point, why that's good or bad or what have you, why it's unique and different and special, but I want to talk about why Andor DOES feel like Star Wars still to me.

Cassian wants to save everyone, he wants to just be able to find some small place he can lay low and live a normal life with his mother, wherever that may be and whatever it takes to achieve it. He doesn't truly want anything fundamental about his life to change (for example, he's willing to move off of Ferrix but he wants to take Maarva with him). But what he's not willing to accept that that life is no longer possible. The Empire is here already, it's not going away, and it'll never let him live a normal life. Even if he WEREN'T being actively hunted, the Empire won't let him live a normal life the way he wants. It doesn't matter how far he runs, what name he chooses, what clothes he wears, the life he wants isn't going to happen.

When he tries to get Maarva to run away with him, to ignore her failing health and dismiss her growing desires to fight the Imperial presence on Ferrix, Maarva tells him that his inability to stop worrying over her is just love, and nothing he can do about that. The love isn't the problem, it never was. She's not trying to get him to stop caring about her, just to convince him to accept her choice and let go, to accept that things are changing, including their relationship to each other.

And Cassian leaves. But when he does, he hasn't fully accepted Maarva's choice. He doesn't understand it until he lands in Narkina 5 and starts to feel what she's been feeling and then tries to talk to her and she's already gone. He goes back to Ferrix, hears her final words, and the last time we hear him speak about Maarva is when he sees Bix for the first time after she's been tortured.

Bix: Maarva was here. Cassian: Wasn't she great?

He's let go. He's accepted Maarva's fate, her choice, and made his peace with that loss, knowing there was nothing he could do about it, knowing that nothing he could've done would've changed this outcome. And only once Cassian has truly let go of Maarva and his past is he truly able to step into the role we all know he will take up. Only then can he go to Luthen and ask to be taken into the Rebellion. It's perhaps not the life he WANTS, but it is the life available to him. He either spends the rest of his life being hunted, or he turns around and becomes the hunter himself, even if it means sacrificing a life with the people he loves. He chooses to protect those he loves, to fight for their ability to live in peace, even when it requires giving up his own.

In The Phantom Menace, Anakin is offered a choice to follow his dream, but it requires leaving his planet and his mother behind. He ultimately makes the choice to leave, but we see throughout the rest of his storyline that he's never managed to let go of the desire to have the life he WANTS, a life with Shmi still in it, a life where he gets to have his cake and eat it too. He didn't want the fundamentals of his life to change, but he also wanted to be a Jedi and never quite accepted what that was going to mean.

This inability to let go of his past, to let go of the fantasy life he dreamt up for himself, ultimately has a cascading effect of instability and darkness on his life. Because he loses Shmi anyway, despite everything he has now learned, he loses the one thing he truly wants in his life. And that loss, that inability to keep change from happening, causes him to cling even more to what he has, it makes him incapable of letting go of anything or anyone that he has deemed fundamental to his life now.

Cassian's ultimate ability to recognize that he has to accept change, that his worry for the people he loves is part and parcel of loving people, allows him to rise.

Anakin's inability to recognize any of this forces him to fall, and he brings the entire galaxy down with him.

Much like Anakin, Cassian's major arc in this show was about LETTING GO. He had to learn to accept the world as it was, how to accept himself and the people he loved as they are, and only then could he move forward to become the revolutionary rebel we always knew him to be.

Cassian is morally gray, yes. He kills people pretty quickly, he's not always compassionate, he can be selfish and unkind. But he still lives by the rules that govern the Star Wars universe, and so he cannot become a hero until he learns these specific lessons

We're getting the same basic message about attachment, letting go, and accepting change as we've always gotten in Star Wars. This is the same message we got through Luke and Anakin, the same theme we saw explored in the recent Obi-Wan Kenobi show, the same concept we saw brought up a few times in places like Rebels and The Clone Wars.

Andor is looking at the world of Star Wars through a very specific lens that we haven't looked at it through before, and it brings a lot of wonderful new things to light about this world, but it also stays true to the ultimate message of Star Wars, and that's what made it feel so incredibly special to me.