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sulphuryasecretcloset · 3 years

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What if... Part2

(Amazed and honoured at the reception of this one! So very happy y’all enjoyed this little AU that I was NOT going to write xD And thank you for the reblogs and comments, you wonderful people you! <3

For the record, I still blame you @phrenic-a and @mountevey And I see you encouraging them @novembermurray ! )

What if Dulsissia hadn’t died, what if she had grabbed Corin and fled? What if she met Davarax? What if...

Part 1

Part 2

She’s lost her mind. Dulsissa has thought this very thought many times during these last three months, but stars above; she really must have lost her mind now.

The Mandalorian, Davarax, is a complete stranger. She doesn’t know anything about him, only some fragments about his children that she has a feeling are real but might as well not be. And here she is holding her son’s hand and following this man to his ship, fully prepared to board it with him and go some place she has no idea where is to stay with a people she has no clue who are.

“This is your ship?” Corin asks with slight disbelief when they come to a halt in front of it.

Like Davarax’ armor, the ship has seen better days.

Embarrassed by her son’s words, Dulsissia gives Corin’s hand a warning squeeze and sends him a stern look that makes him shrink a little and shuffle his feet.

-Think it, don’t speak it, she’s told him countless times. His honesty will cost him one day.

Davarax snorts an amused laugh, saunters forward to reach out and place an affectionate hand to the ship’s hull. He pets it a couple of times like it’s a living creature. “She might not be the fanciest, but..” The helmet turns to look back at Corin. “I can promise you, Corin, you won’t find a better ship in the Galaxy. The Razor Crest is tough, fast and loyal. Treat her right and she’ll look after you.”

The disdain in Corin’s eyes is replaced with awe. “Really?” He whispers.

“Really.” Davarax confirms, giving the ship a final pat before lowering his arm to press a button on his vambrace. There is a click and a hum and the ship opens a side door, lowering a ramp for them to enter. “Let’s go.”

Dulsissia smiles a little as she follows Davarax inside and how Corin now is pulling eagerly at her hand to make her hurry up. A magical ship is irresistible to a little boy, while she tries hard to ignore the scorch marks she sees on the hull and the ominous weapons attached to it.

Inside, the ship is a lot roomier than she expected it to be. The cargo area makes for a great playground for Corin. The sleeping quarters are narrow, but she doesn’t require much space and Corin even less so. The cockpit is fascinating, she’s never been in one before.

And neither has Corin.

“Baby, no.” Dulsissia reaches out to pull Corin away when he walks right up to the control panel after Davarax has found his place in the pilot seat and watches with utmost amazement as he starts flipping switches and pushing buttons to bring the ship to life. “Come here. Don’t bother Davarax.”

“It’s okay.” Davarax reassures her. He glances over at the boy. “You want to help, young sir?”

Corin nods, too overwhelmed to talk.

“Flip that one.” Davarax points at a tiny switch and Corin instantly reaches out and flips it. “Good job. And now press that button.” He lifts the boy up so he can reach the button in the ceiling.

Dulsissia bites her lower lip to keep from getting too emotional as she watches her son eagerly obey instructions and soaking up every bit of encouragement and praise from the Mandalorian, starved for both after all the years his father gave him none. It hurts to watch how such simple kindness from a man stuns Corin but it is also so good to see her son this happy. Maybe she didn’t lose her mind when she decided to go with Darvarax, maybe it was the one good choice she’s made since deciding to leave Macero? She hopes.

“Okay, ad’ika.” Davarax says. “The Razor Crest is awake. Time for you to get in your seat.” He nudges Corin, who reluctantly wanders over to the one seat left after his mother claimed the one behind Davarax. He climbs, with a little difficulty, up on it, and settles. A tiny boy in a big seat.

Dulsissia moves over to buckle him in and frowns. He’s too small. It won’t keep him safe at all.

Without looking over at them, Davarax makes some final adjustments on his panel. “Next to the seat. On the left. There’s this box he can sit on. I use that when I bring Din or Barthor along.”

Dulsissia blinks. It’s not something she’d picture a mercenary to have on his ship. But a peek down the side does indeed reveal a box and once Corin is sitting on that, he gets a better view, to his delight, and the belts actually fit him instead of choking him, to her relief.

The ship takes off and sets course for the darkness above. Dulsissia is not sorry to leave this place.

Now all she has to worry about is what Nevarro is like and how the Mandalorians will react to Davarax bringing home a stray and her offspring. She wonders if the other Mandalorians are like Davarax, if she will get to meet his children and most important of all; will Corin like it there?

The journey to Nevarro will take two standard days. It’s strange how two days on a small ship with her husband or her friends would have driven her insane, but the hours on board the Razor Crest feel safe and almost enjoyable as Davarax’ patience with her son’s continued craving for his attention and praise.

Every time her boy butts into whatever the Mandalorian is doing, calls for him to look at what he is doing instead, Dulsissia feels a stab of dread, waiting to hear the sharp annoyance that would always follow his attempts to reach his father, but every time Davarax replies with mild amusement and eternal patience. He even brings Corin along to ‘help’ with some repairs in the cargo area and leaves her to just rest or whatever she feels like doing.

With there being no place for the man to run off with her child, it’s not like he’ll jump into space with him, and a growing trust in Davarax, Dulsissia ends up sitting in the cockpit like an idiot and having no clue what to do. It’s been almost five years since she didn’t spend every second of her day hovering over Corin.

After what feels like a small eternity of just sitting there, listening to the muffled voices from the cargo hold, Dulsissia notices her reflection in the transparisteel and slowly lifts a hand to her blond locks. Oh, she looks a mess. No wonder Davarax had decided she needed help; she looks like a wookiee.

When Davarax and Corin returns to the cockpit, she has eased the final hairpin into place and her sweet boy lights up at the sight of her. He runs over, places his hands on her knees and looks up at her with a smile so bright it makes her smile as well. “Wow. You look really pretty, mommy.”

Davarax ruffles Corin’s hair as he walks by him on the way to the pilot seat. “She always does, ad’ika.”

Her face burns for some reason. Dulsissia pulls Corin up to sit on her lap and she changes the topic. “What does that mean? You keep calling him that.”

“It’s from my language. Mando’a.” Davarax replies, fidgeting with something on the panel to see if the repairs were successful. “It’s what we call our youngsters.”

Smiling, oddly pleased with the answer, Dulsissia looks down and sees Corin has gotten oil on his face and starts the battle of wiping it away while he tries to squirm free.

It’s not just Corin who gets to learn new things. On the second day, while her boy sleeps, Dulsissia takes out the blade Davarax had given her and tests the weight and feel of it. Wearing a dress restricts the movement of her legs a bit, so she’ll need to have a good idea of how to use her arms. Make the most of what she can use.

She feels stupid, waving the blade around, pretending to stab an invisible opponent, but Dulsissia gets so into it that she’s entirely unprepared for a hand suddenly gripping her wrist.

Startled, she flinches and almost drops the knife.

“Not like that.” Davarax’ voice says from behind her. She hadn’t heard him approach.

His gloved hand slides over her pale one and helps her turn the blade so she holds it in a reverse grip instead.

“Like this. It will give you more options during an attack and more power. More power to do more damage. Plus,” Davarax steps closer and slides his other arm loosely around her waist in a slight mimicry of how those men had grabbed her, “you can do this.”

The hand on hers adds a little pressure and makes her lower her arm in a careful swing until the blade goes by her thigh and the tip comes to a halt against the front of his thigh.

“And when the blade is in, you twist.” His voice is so calm. And so close. If not for the helmet, she suspects she’d feel his words on her neck. “Understand?”

Dulsissia gives a quick little nod. Her eyes probably as big as Corin’s tend to get around this man.

“Good.” Davarax lets her go and circles to stand in front of her. “Now, if someone approaches you from the front, what you should do is-”

She still feels silly, waving the blade around and Davarax letting her practice on him when he could disarm her without even looking her way, but at the end of that first session; Dulsissia knows where to aim and how to do as much damage as possible.

Also, when the Mandalorian hands out praise, she can’t blame her son for wanting more because she realizes that she hasn’t heard too much of that in her own lifetime either and it feels really, really good to finally think she’s not hopeless at least.

When they land on Nevarro, Dulsissia can’t help but to feel nervous again. She picks up Corin, who allows it with a resigned sigh, and holds him close while following Davarax off the ship. The journey has been another respite before facing her difficult situation, but it’s over now.

Time to find out what will be next for her and her baby.

Davarax leads her through the dusty city, Dulsissia places a protective hand on Corin’s head and shields him from seeing leers and sneers sent their way, and they finally reach a door that brings them underground to the hidden Covert of the Mandalorians.

It’s dark below and it takes a while for Dulsissia’s eyes to adjust so she doesn’t see them until she’s walking right by the other Mandalorians, who stand there, staring at her with emotionless t-visors.

Flinching with a startled sound, she jumps forward and nearly bumps into Davarax’ back.

“They won’t harm you.” Davarax says, not turning around or even slowing his walk. “You’re safe.”

Looking around as they walk, Dulsissia hopes he is right, because there are quite an amount of armored people there and they aren’t exactly rolling out a welcoming committee. “If you say so.”

In the depths of the tunnels, they approach what appears to be the seat of power, judging by the decorations and respectful behaviour of the ones there.

They have taken one step inside the room, it appears to some kind of a forge, when Davarax stops and Dulsissia follows his example. “Stay here.” He says. “Only speak when spoken to.”

She then watches in silence as he steps forward and walks over to kneel down in front of the forge where a Mandalorian in a golden armor and a fur cloak is working on something. Minutes pass and Dulsissia has to hoist Corin a couple of times as the boy really is getting heavy, but they all wait for what has to be the leader of the Mandalorians to finish whatever they are working on.

Finally the one in the golden helmet puts the hammer down, lingers and walks over to where Davarax is kneeling. “Did you complete your mission?”

Davarax reaches into the pocket of his belt, fishes out a handful of valuables and places them on the ground as an offering.

The leader looks at what he has brought, gives a thoughtful nod and then shifts her attention to Dulsissia. “And you have brought something else to the Covert as well.”

“They need a place to stay. Somewhere safe.”

“A foundling is always welcome.” The leader replies in a neutral voice. “This other one does not look like a warrior.”

“She has the makings of one.” Davarax counters in an equally neutral voice. “She will be my responsibility. Both of them.”

“Very well.” The leader says, but she does not sound pleased. “This is the way.”

“This is the way.” Davarax echoes. He gets up and walks out of the room, only pausing to give Dulsissia’s arm a light touch to signal her to follow him. She does.

Once they are at a certain distance from the room and the leader, Dulsissia hoists Corin, who she suspects is too scared by these new surroundings to say anything, and voices her thoughts. “She doesn’t want me here.”

Davarax does his little trademark huff of a laugh. “Don’t worry about it.”

Dulsissia sighs and hoists Corin a little again. Her arms are burning. She does not expect Davarax to come to an abrupt halt, forcing her to stop as well, and turn around to hold out his arms.

“Give him to me.”

Dulsissia clutches Corin a little closer and stares at him with surprise at his betrayal.

His helmet tilts a little and Davarax is the one to sigh. “Just until I can show you your room.”

She hesitates for several seconds. What convinces her is Corin pushing away from her and reaching out to him, and only then does Dulsissia hand her son over to the Mandalorian and awkwardly wraps her arms around herself instead.

Corin quickly settles on Davarax’ arm and looks around with bright, curious eyes from his new and taller perch.

The Mandalorian reaches out his free hand and gently touches by her shoulder. “Come.” He says, not unkindly. “Let me show you where you’ll stay.”

The door slides open. Stepping inside, Davarax following her with Corin, Dulsissia looks around and finds it small and modest but far cleaner and inviting than some of the inns she and her son have stayed at during these last weeks. There are no windows, but there is a light in the ceiling.

There are two beds, a rickety looking table and some hooks in the wall to hang clothing on.

“It’s not much, I know.” Davarax sounds a bit awkward. “But it will be yours.” Dulsissia looks over at him with a grateful smile. “It’s wonderful. Thank you.”

Davarax turns sideways and points at the door they can see across the hallway. “That’s me. If you need anything.” He puts Corin down on his own two feet and lets him run over to climb into the closest bed and start jumping on it.

“Corin, baby, no.” Dulsissia says, meeting the defiant look he sends her way with a stern look of her own and feels a smug sense of victory when the boy sits down with an annoyed huff. She can then turn her attention back to Davarax. “You have done so much for us already. How can I ever repay you?”

He seems surprised by her words and it takes a second before he shakes his head. “There is nothing to repay. You don’t owe me anything. Neither does your boy. I just want you two to be safe.”

Dulsissia has to turn away to hide her eyes flooding with tears. She’d given up on there being decent people in the Galaxy and then she had to stumble across the most noble of them all?

“I’ll, uh, give you some time to settle in. Get some rest.” Davarax mumbles, backing out of the room. “I’ll be back later. I’ll see if I can get you some spare clothes. I know there are some for Corin. And then I’ll show you two around. Sounds good?”

“Will you show me the training room?” Corin asks with badly hidden hope.

“Absolutely, young sir.” Davarax replies with a bow that has Corin giggle with delight.

When the door slides shut behind the Mandalorian, Dulsissia walks over to sit next to her sweet boy and combs her fingers through his thick, dark hair. “We are going to stay here for a while, baby. Okay?”

Corin nods eagerly and gives her another gap-toothed smile. “Yeah! Dav’rax gonna show me where he trains to fight bad guys. Maybe he can teach me too?”

“We’ll see.” Dulsissia replies, unwilling to make any promises on behalf of the man. While she’d prefer her son to never see battle in his lifetime, she’s not stupid. Once she chose to leave Seswenna, she condemned them both to an existence where they both will have to learn to defend themselves.

She and Corin explore the room, discover there is a barely visible door on the western wall that leads to what has to be the Galaxy’s tiniest refresher room, and they play-fight over who gets which bed, but in the end there isn’t all that much to do but wait for Davarax to return.

When there finally is a knock on the door, both Dulsissia and Corin eagerly jump to their feet and is equally pleased to see the now almost familiar Mandalorian. Dulsissia is fairly certain she’d be able to recognize his helmet and armor in a sea of others at this point.

Davarax holds out a small pile of clothes. “This will at least give you something to change into.”

Accepting the gift, Dulsissia manages another smile, despite once again feeling the bite of humiliation. She thinks about the gorgeous dresses she used to wear. The adorable outfits she had made for Corin. She’ll probably be the first Motti to ever use second-hand clothing… Then she snaps out of it and clutches the clothes close with a sense of appreciation instead. “Thank you.”

“And you, ad’ika, are you ready to check out your new home?” Davarax asks Corin.

“Yes, sir!” Corin replies, back straight and eagerness barely contained.

The Covert, as she understands it is called, is a complicated network of hallways and tunnels. It used to be the old sewers of Neverro, Davarax explains and Dulsissia tries not to shudder. At least Macero won’t think to look for them here.

The other Mandalorians are still staring quietly at her, but the ones Davarax introduces her to give her a polite nod at least. They don’t seem hostile, but they aren’t exactly brimming with hospitality either. Dulsissia suspects that maybe they don’t get too many visitors in their underground home.

She minds her manners, tries to not offend anyone and considering that none of them draw their frankly intimidating blasters says she might not be doing the worst job of it. Dulsissia used to be so very good at socializing. She was the queen of all the balls back on Seswenna. Now she’s only hoping not to offend.

“And I saved the best for last.” Davarax says with the excitement she usually hears from her son. He stops by a door, turns to face her and lets his hand over over the button to open. “My kids.”

Dulsissia has just enough time to feel both surprise and nervousness and then the door slides open.

Lined up in a neat row, clearly having been given firm instructions to be followed when Davarax brought her and her son, four children stand in the middle of what looks like a training room and stare at the new arrivals.

The one of the left has to be Paz. If she didn’t know any better, she’d think he was sixteen, not eleven. He’s a lot taller than the others, but lacks the lankiness that would usually follow such an early height growth. He has the powerful bones to carry the height, but a child’s face. Paz’ dark hair is cut entirely short except for the unruly spikes on top, his mouth is a thin, disapproving line and his big hands are clenched. Next to him, barely reaching his team-mate’s shoulder, is the one that has to be Barthor. He has curly, dark hair that is getting a bit long, scarecrow shoulders and sharp eyes that are locked on Dulsissia like he’s seeing her with a crosshair on her forehead. Next to him is definitely Raga. Like Barthor, she’s small and skinny, but she has the most amazing hair Dulsissia has ever seen. It is a wild mess, but the volume and the curls are stunning. Too bad the glare behind the mane warns her that she’ll get her fingers bit off if she so much as tries to touch it. And then, half hidden behind Raga, is the one Davarax keeps referring to as ‘little Din’. He’s not especially small for his age, but he appears to be a lot more timid than the others. He is very cute, though, with silky dark hair and soulful eyes.

Davarax walks over and starts introducing each child. Dulsissia is pleased to hear she’s guessed right about their identities and gives a brief curtsy. “Pleased to meet you. I am Dulsissia.”

Silence.

Davarax reaches out and pokes a finger at Paz’ head. “Hey.”

Paz’ nose twitches, like a hound about to bare its teeth, then he reluctantly steps forward until he stands in front of her and he reaches out a hand. “I’m honoured to meet you.”

Trying to hold back an amused smile and failing to a certain degree, Dulsissia takes his hand and he shakes hers with a stern look on his little face, trying so hard to act like an adult. She has to stop herself from hugging him. It’s so cute.

Barthor gives her a nod, which is good enough for her but gets an annoyed sigh from Davarax. Raga moves forward, Din following her like a tail, and she seems more interested in something behind Dulsissia.

What… Oh. Right.

Dulsissia reaches back and ushers Corin out from his hiding place. “This is Corin. Say hello Corin.”

“Hello.” He says in a tiny voice, looking from one to the other and probably feeling like prey. She doesn’t blame him. He hasn’t really played with other children before. Macero didn’t think it would be good for him to mix with others. And these ones are already being trained to be warriors.

Paz frowns and crossed his arms. “Are you going to take the Creed?”

Corin blinks. “I…”

“They are going to stay with us. That’s all you need to focus on, Paz.” Davarax replies.

“Is he going to train with us?” Barthor asks, his eyes still too sharp for someone so young.

“We haven’t decided that yet.” Davarax says and glances over at Dulsissia.

“He should play with us.” Raga says, her lip curling in something that could be a smile but is mostly a flash of teeth. When Corin shuffles to partially hide behind Dulsissia’s leg, Raga doesn’t move but her eyes move with him.

“He is going to play with you.” Davarax says and stalks forward until he’s standing next to Raga, towering over her. “And you’re all going to be nice to him. Understand?”

The girl scowls up at him. “I’m always nice.”

“No, you’re not.” Barthor scoffs.

Raga’s mess of a hair bounces as she snaps her gaze over at him and he shuffles over to partially hide behind the still stern-looking Paz.

“She’s going to be nice to my son,” Dulsissia says, her voice sweet and her eyes not, “because he has a mother who will have words with everyone who isn’t nice to him.”

Raga shifts her scowl over to Dulsissia, scans her, scowls harder, but when Dulsissia doesn’t give her an inch, she sighs and her little body relaxes. “Fiiiiine.”

And while all of this is happening, little Din silently watches Corin from his hiding place and Corin curiously looks back at him from his.

“I told them to behave.” Davarax grouses as he’s bringing her to where she can find food for herself and Corin.

Laughing, Dulsissia glances down at where her son is walking next to her, holding on to her hand and looking around with curiosity, not fear. “I think it went well.”

“No, you don’t understand.” Davarax sighs and there is actual sadness to the sound. “The others call them lost causes. Troublemakers. I know they are difficult, that their manners aren’t like Corin’s, but.. They are good kids. They really are. I wanted you to see that.”

Dulsissia reaches out and places her hand on his upper arm where there is no armor. And she speaks the truth. “I did see that.”

Davarax comes to an abrupt halt, she does the same, and despite the t-visor she can feel the look of surprise on his face.

“You… did?” There is a fragile hope in his voice that doesn’t match his rough exterior.

Dulsissia nods and smiles. “It’s like you said, Paz watches over the others like they were ‘his’ children. He did not hesitate to protect Barthor from Raga. Barthor, who would not let Raga lie and trick my son. Raga, who didn’t care that my son was an outsider and just saw him as someone to play with. And sweet little Din who despite his fear wanted so much to say hello. I think he and Corin will get along so well. And…” She hesitates, looks down at her son but finds him distracted by staring at something down the hallway and has no excuse not to say what else she saw. Dulsissia looks back up at Davarax, who is waiting for her to finish. “And I saw just how much those children love you.”

Davarax stares at her.

“You are the world, the entire Galaxy to them.” Dulsissia says, remembering the look of pure adoration and love in their eyes as he mildly chastised them for acting like tree monkeys in front of their visitors. She doubts he understands how important his role is to these children. How their happiness hangs on his words. How they will do anything for his approval. “My parents ruled our house with an iron fist. But these children? They don’t obey you because they have to or because they fear you. They do it because they love you. Because you see them.”

He shivers and the only reason she knows is because her hand is still on his arm.

“Dulcy, I…” Davarax reaches up and covers her hand with his.

“I know bad men, Davarax. I know monsters pretending to be men. But you?” Dulsissia looks over at how his hand is holding on to hers, so gently despite the strength she knows he must be capable of. “You are a good man. You are the kind of man I wish Corin had for a father.”

Davarax takes a step closer, is suddenly very close and the muscles in his arm tighten under her palm. “Is he the one you are running from?”

Dulsissia tenses up and looks down at her son. Corin is still caught up in whatever he’s staring at.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.” Davarax says ever so softly. “I just want to help you.”

“I know.” Dulsissia whispers. She doesn’t want to say Macero’s name. It’s stupid, but she fears if she does; it might summon him. “That is what makes you a good man.”

A light touch to her chin and Davarax’ other hand lifts her face to look up at him and there is a slight smile in his voice when he speaks. “I’m not ‘that’ good.”

Dulsissia giggles. She hasn’t giggled in years. And her face flushes.

“I’m hungry.” Corin declares.

Davarax jumps back a step and Dulsissia jumps in place and they both look down at the little boy like guilty teenagers.

“I-I’m sorry, baby. We’ll get you something to eat now.” Dulsissia stammers, her face heating up even more.

“Food. Yes. This way.” Davarax clears his throat and gestures for them to follow him.

They enter the room where food is stored, Davarax shows them where the fires are so she can cook if she feels like it and basically where all the other necessities of the Covert are.

By the time the tour comes to an end by the door to their room, Corin is exhausted and Dulsissia knows she won’t struggle finding sleep either. Still, she’s almost a little reluctant to part ways with Davarax when he pauses outside their door.

“Will I see you tomorrow?” She asks.

“I was hoping that you might want to bring Corin by training.” Davarax says. “He can observe for a while. Maybe try some exercises. Training is the best way for the children to burn off their energy and learn skills as the city above is not safe for them.”

Dulsissia nods. “I will bring him.” She hesitates, knowing he must be tired of hearing her say it but still has to; “Thank you.”

Davarax shakes his head, reaches out and gingerly tucks a golden lock behind her ear. “No thanks required.” He backs up a step, nods and spins around to march over to his door. He keeps pressing the button to his room so the door opens and shuts twice before he can actually get inside.

Late at night, curled up on her side in her bed, looking over at the barely visible silhouette of her son’s back in the other bed, Dulsissia knows she made the best decision ever by coming here.

#the mandalorian his son and the storm trooper #Dulsissia Motti #Davarax #Baby Corin #Fearsome Four #Mandorin AU

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apiratecalledav · 5 years

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Name Them (Sandor Clegane FF)

A/N: A couple of years ago, I made a dumb post about how work was so boring that my brain went, “Hey, wouldn’t it be hilarious and adorable if Arya and Gendry’s kids called Sandor Clagane ‘Uncle Sandy?’”

I got some requests to write a fan fic and I started a one shot but never finished it.This is more the GOT universe, since it’s fresher in my mind than ASOIF and there’s more “room to play” with backstories and such. Plus Rory McCann would totally own being “Uncle Sandy.” ;)

Please keep in mind that I haven’t written anything in forever and this is way out of my comfort zone.

It’s Sandor’s POV, so there’s a good bit of language.

Sandor Clagane spots the daughters first. They’re a fair distance away and it’s been well over a year since he’s seen them, but he’d know them anywhere. They may have their father’s hair and eyes, but otherwise, they are entirely their mother. The older one must be seven or eight. She’s called Nell but that’s short for something Sandor can’t remember. And the younger one is… Brenna? Branna? Brenna. She looks about five.

He looks around for their mother and father, the Girl and the lad. It strikes him now how stupid it is that he still thinks of them that way. The Girl would be about twenty-eight by now and the lad is maybe thirty-three? They are long grown and haven’t been a girl and a lad for many years now.

But… old habits. The Girl, the lad, Little Bird, the prince, the king… the butcher’s boy. Titles, epithets, those are easier than names. That’s how it’s been for ages. Almost his whole life, ever since—

“You mustn’t name them, Sandor. You’ll get too attached.”

He clenches his teeth and shakes his head, needing to make that sweet little voice quiet.

“If you name them, it will make you sadder to lose them.”

It’s true. Death is sadder when they have names.

Having names can also make it harder to kill them.

He sees the lad first. Gendry.

The corner of Gendry’s mouth turns upwards in surprise and he makes his way over to Sandor. They don’t speak; merely grasp each other’s hands briefly and nod.

Gendry turns in the direction to where his daughters are playing. “Girls?” he calls, cupping his hands around his mouth to make himself louder. “Come see who’s here!”

The children’s heads snap up in unison at the sound of their father’s voice. “Oh, look!” the older one cries. Her voice echoes incredibly loud and shrill in the way only children can manage. “Do you know who that is? It’s Uncle Sandy!”

Sandor’s mind goes blank for a moment, unable to comprehend what he just heard. He feels an eye twitch and his upper lip curl. He’s not surprised they called him “Uncle.” The last time he was here, the Girl— either unwilling or unable to explain their affiliation to her daughters—had referred to Sandor as her uncle. But Sandy? Uncle Sandy? Seven fucking hells!

It’s worse than the Hound.

He once heard that wheezing, old grand maester refer to a condition where something bursts in a man’s brain and blood leaks inside his skull. Sandor wonders if that’s happening to him now. His eyes dart over to the lad, incredulous and silently demanding an explanation.

Gendry smiles ruefully and opens his mouth, but before he can speak, a loud, almost manic giggle cuts through the air.

Sandor whips his head around to find the Girl standing at his other side, an infant in her arms. It’s a boy, he thinks, but he can’t be sure. He hadn’t heard that she’d had another child. She makes no move to further greet him, even as her laughter dies down into quiet chuckling.

“Er, Nell likes to tell the other children stories about your adventures with Arya and me,” Gendry says when he can finally make his voice heard. “A few of them said that Sandor Clegane sounded like…”

“—A villain,” the Girl offers, her laughter flaring up again.

“Right, so… Er, you became—”

“—Ser Sandy!” the Girl manages to gasp between fits of snickering.

“And whose idea was that, I wonder?” Sandor grumbles, eyes narrowed.

The Girl raises and lowers one shoulder, still smirking.

Looking at her shit eating grin, Sandor realizes that he got off easy. Knowing the Girl, she probably entertained the idea of telling her children to call him Ser-Shit-for-Brains or Grand Maester Piss Crumpet. “Fuck’s sake.”

When the Girl speaks again, her voice is warm and her face has softened into a more welcoming expression. “This is Daren,” she says, adjusting the boy so that Sandor can get a look at his face. Anyone else would now crow about how beautiful he is or ramble on about which parent he looks like more. But aside from his black hair and blue eyes, he is as nondescript as a peeled potato as far as Sandor is concerned.

“He— looks like a hearty little fellow.”

Sandor is spared from saying anything else as something small and fast collides with his middle. He looks down to see that the older daughter has thrown her arms around him. He stares down at Nell in helpless confusion for a moment before awkwardly patting the top of her head. “You’ve gotten tall.”

“I have!” Nell says proudly. She releases him and peers over her shoulder, realizing that Brenna has kept her distance, awkwardly twisting the sleeves of her dress. Nell turns and takes her sister’s hand. “Don’t be shy! You remember Uncle Sandy, don’t you? He saved you, remember?”

A smile slowly forms on Brenna’s face. “I ‘member.” She releases her sister’s hand and tentatively embraces Sandor as well. “Thank you.”

“I wouldn’t call it saving,” Sandor says gruffly, recalling the incident the children are referring to.

Though perhaps not as prissy and dainty as the average girl, Brenna is not nearly as rowdy or wild as her sister and mother. She prefers to wear dresses, insects send her into panic, and she utterly loathes filth.

The last time Sandor visited, Nell and Brenna raced around in the early spring with other youngsters. The melting snow and ice turned much of the grass into a damp, muddy quagmire. Brenna with her shorter legs was already lagging behind the other children when she slipped down one of the hills and tumbled into a pile of muck. She lay there rigid, her face frozen in a blank sort of horror Sandor associated with men who were slowly bleeding to death.

Sandor reached her first. He perfunctorily scooped her up and carried her away, back to solid ground and into her father’s arms.

Gendry peered into Brenna’s face anxiously while the Girl tentatively probed her, looking for any serious injury. Sandor felt certain that the Girl must have been thinking about her brother who had been thrown from a tower, his body left shattered when he wasn’t much older than Brenna.

After a long, terrifying moment, Brenna blinked and let out a pitiful, “Blech!”

Her parents half laughed, half sobbed in relief and brought her home to get cleaned up.

Sandor looks down at Brenna now, noticing that her dress has been tied into knots around her calves, presumably to spare it from dragging in the dirt. Her alterations reveal that she’s also wearing tall, sturdy boots. Sandor almost smiles. Any other mother would be horrified by her attire.

“Did you bring us presents?” asks Nell hopefully.

“Elyn!” the Girl says at the same time Gendry says, “Don’t be rude.”

Nell grins sheepishly. “Well, he always brings us presents…”

Sandor rolls his eyes and reaches into his pocket and hands Nell a roughly made ring. “You won’t be able to wear this for a few years.”

“Pretty!” she says, taking it from him and examining it.

“See the hinge under the stone? There’s a compartment and you can put poison in there.”

“Ooh!” she says with much more enthusiasm and slips the ring onto her thumb but it’s still quite loose.

The Girl chuckles and tells Nell that she can wear it on a chain until she grows more. Nell looks disappointed by that.

Less sure of Brenna’s tastes, Sandor hesitantly hands her a wooden knight but her eyes light up as her small hand closes over it.

“He can look after my dolls,” she says excitedly. “Like you did for Mummy and Auntie Sansa.”

“That’s right, little one,” he says. “He’ll take good care of them.”

“What do you say?” the Girl prompts.

“Thank you, Uncle Sandy!” Nell and Brenna say in unison.

Sandor doesn’t answer them, simply scowls at the Girl, who muffles her laughter into her husband’s shoulder.

Something dull digs into Sandor’s side and he opens one of his eyes the smallest of fractions. He didn’t realize that he fell asleep. He sat on one of the low wooden tables to watch the sunrise before breakfast. It was the first morning that felt like summer in over a decade and he closed his eyes instinctively as he felt the sunlight touch his face. He turns his head this way and that, feeling stiff and sore. He can’t remember the last time he slept outside.

Nell grins at him, a wooden sword clutched in her hands. That must have been what she prodded him with. “Sorry but you missed breakfast and Mum says that you’re so old now that we should make sure you’re not dead.”

“Not dead,” he confirms, even though he feels like he might not be far off.

“Hey, I’ve been wondering. What was your horse’s name? The one you had when you and Mum tried to get to the Vale?” Nell asks suddenly. “Because when I tell the stories, I’ve been calling him Grey Wind, like—”

“Stranger,” he says slowly. A name he’d partially chosen to irritate his father and also partially meant to sound unfriendly, to inspire distance. The plan was both success and failure; Sandor loved that horse and yet by some glorious miracle, managed to keep him for more than twenty years, until he mercifully, peacefully succumbed to old age. The one constant in Sandor’s life besides misery. Sandor buried Stranger himself, refusing all offers of help, even Ray’s. The only living creature he’d ever properly named. With one exception.

Before he can stop it, he sees a flash of that fat barn cat with its litter of kittens and he can almost feel her hand in his.

“We should call that one Shadow!” he exclaimed, his free hand pointing to the kitten with all black fur.

“No! You mustn’t name them, Sandor,” she said despairingly. “You’ll get too attached to them.”

He looked up at her, confused.

“It’s just… they are very small and fragile. Something might hurt them. If you name them, it will make you sadder to lose them.”

On some level, she must have suspected their fate all along because something— or more accurately, someone— did come to hurt them a few days later. He clenches his fist and forces away the memory of those dead kittens, their little bodies lying broken while their mother yowled.

Why is it that he remembers that so clearly and almost nothing about his sister? (Because yes, she was his sister and fuck his father for trying to tell him she was just some childhood playmate.) The only things he can remember about her is how her hand felt in his, that she was the middle child, and how she begged him not to name those damn cats. But nothing else. Not her face, not her age, or the things she liked to do. Not even her name.

“‘Stranger’ doesn’t sound very nice,” Nell says, her voice bringing Sandor back to the present. She wrinkles her nose. “I think I’ll keep calling him Grey Wind.”

“You do that, child,” he says, absently. “The horse doesn’t give two shits what you call him.”

“You said shit!” She giggles and she sounds so much like her mother that a shiver claws its way up Sandor’s spine. It’s surprisingly eerie to hear the Girl’s voice come from this younger, slightly discolored version of her.

“I’m sure you’ve heard worse— from your parents.”

“Yes,” she says matter-of-factly. “But not from other adults. My friend Maris asked me if it was true that Auntie Sansa killed Mad King Joffrey. I told her I didn’t know but if she did, he deserved it because Mum said he was a rat-faced cunt!”

Sandor nearly chokes on a laugh.

“Her mum got really angry! And looked at me like I just kicked a baby! But Jon Tarly’s mother said that if the worst thing that ever happens to your child is that she hears some curse words, you should stop complaining and be grateful.”

“Fair point,” says Sandor.

“The complaining part or the rat-faced cunt part?”

“Both.”

Nell giggles again. This time, the laugh is her own. “I’m going to practice now.” She gestures with her wooden sword, further down towards the trees where Brenna is gathering up blossoms into a long chain. “I’m getting good,” Nell says and turns on her heel and flounces away.

Hearing her sister’s approach, Brenna looks up then sees Sandor in the distance. “Hullo, Uncle Sandy!” Brenna chirps.

He raises his hand in greeting.

“You’d have knocked me on my back if I called you Sandy.”

“Aye,” Sandor says, not bothering to look around, no longer taken aback by the Girl’s stealth. “But you were never half as a sweet as those two.” He tries to make his voice sound as offhand as possible and looks away.

“True!” the Girl agrees as she settles down next to him, cradling her son close to her. “They get that from their father.”

“From him? He’s the only one I’ve ever met more sullen than you. Quieter, though.”

“Well, I guess you don’t bring out that side of him.”

“Thank fuck for that.”

She snickers. “I didn’t tell them to call you Sandy,” she says, suddenly serious. “Well, not exactly. When Brenna was learning to talk, Nell wanted to know why we all suddenly had that ‘eee’ sound at the end of our names— Mummy, Daddy, Nellie, Auntie Sansa, Uncle Jonny. I didn’t know. It’s just how you talk to small children. But I said it was to help babies learn who their family members are. Who is part of the pack and who isn’t. So when their friends said ‘Sandor Clegane’ sounded scary, I think Nell wanted to make sure everyone knew that—”

There’s a screech and Brenna screams, “Nell! NELL!”

Sandor and the Girl both tense, ready to spring to their feet until their eyes fall on Brenna and see that there is no real danger. While winding her way in between the branches of trees, Brenna somehow managed to walk face first into a mass of cobwebs.

“Nell!” Brenna cries again, tearing at the webs. “Are they in my hair? I think they’re in my hair!”

Nell, who seems to have dropped her sword, reaches Brenna’s side. “It’s all right. Stay still.”

“It’s astounding that you managed to produce someone so”— the word “fussy” is at the tip of Sandor’s tongue, closely followed by “girlish” but those seem too harsh so he changes direction —“gentle.”

“I know,” says the Girl, her voice full of affection as Nell combs her fingers through Brenna’s hair and plucks out a live spider. “I’m glad Nell dotes on Brenna. But I always worry that it won’t last. They’re so different. Every day, I wake up and wonder if today’s the day: that from now on they’ll be like Sansa and me when we were younger. We were so awful to each other… I don’t know how our mother stood it. I don’t think I could.”

“It’s different. There were six of you, and then the Greyjoy boy. It was only the two of them for a long time... I’m not saying there won’t be days when they’ll want to tear each other’s hair out but…”

He waits for her to laugh at him, to make a comment about him getting soft in his old age but she takes him by surprise.

“Thanks,” she says, actually heartfelt and he finally meets her eye. They hold each other’s gaze for a long moment.

“Hold out your hands,” the Girl says suddenly.

Sandor looks at her blankly then realizes that she wants him to take the baby. She can’t be serious. “Oh, fuck off.”

She raises an eyebrow and glares at him but doesn’t say anything.

Sandor eyes her, surprised to see that his refusal hurt her. But then he thinks about the butcher’s boy, the oldest and deepest wound between them, and what it means that she was willing to let him hold her son. A lump starts to form in Sandor’s throat. “Go on then,” he mutters, extending his arms. He can’t help but add, “Even though you’re only doing it so you can take the piss out of me.”

“He’s not a loaf of bread! There, that’s it. See? Not so bad is it, you miserable old shit?”

“He’s better company than his mother,” Sandor retorts.

Even though he feels utterly ridiculous, he has to admit that there is something miraculous about holding this tiny, delicate human being in his hands. After a moment, Sandor’s novelty has worn off for the baby and he starts to fuss.

Sandor grimaces and holds the boy out to the Girl.

“You could try rocking him.”

Sandor grunts and the Girl smiles as she takes her child back, expertly soothing him.

“Oooh, Nell! Nell, I can feel one near my ear! Get it!” Brenna wails. Then adds quickly, “But don’t hurt it!”

Little Brenna’s screams for Nell echo in Sandor’s ears, distorting into a slightly deeper, more panicked, more desperate voice. His own.

As the fire drew closer and closer to his face, he started to yell for her, his sister. Even though she’d been gone for ages, ever since their father told her to go find their brother and make him come inside for dinner. Sandor couldn’t help but call for her. Because she was always the one who saved him. She was the one who punched their brother’s shoulder when he held Sandor in a headlock for too long, when he knocked Sandor over and wouldn’t let him back up.

“Nell! Nell!”

Even when he could no longer do anything but scream incoherently, her name continued to ring through his head: Nell, Nell, Nell.

Eleanor. Eleanor! His sister’s name was Eleanor. She didn’t like Nell after Gregor started calling her “Smelly Nellie” but Sandor slipped when he was frightened.

“She’s a good girl,” Sandor says abruptly, watching Nell continue to carefully and patiently peel off strands of spider web from her younger sister. “And a good big sister.” He swallows. “Like my sister was.” His voice is steadier than he expected but also much quieter. He’s not even sure if the Girl heard him. “Nell,” he murmurs. But whether he meant Nell Clegane or Nell Baratheon, he isn’t sure.

“Your sister was— real?” the Girl asks.

He swallows and nods. “Eleanor Clegane.” A pause. “First name on my list.”

“Your ‘list’? Is it like my list?”

“The opposite of yours,” Sandor says. “It’s the list of people…” I’d die for. “The list of people I’d kill for.”

The corner of her mouth turns up. “Without having to pay you, you mean?”

“Aye,” he says. “No payment required.”

“Interesting. How many people are on that list of yours?” she asks.

He looks away from her. “About ten, still living.”

“I’d like to hear who’s on it. Do I know any of them? ”

Sandor turns his head and sees something truly astonishing: Arya Stark smiling at him. “All right,” he says. “If it will shut you up, I’ll name them.”

A/N ii: In the books, I feel like Sandor does have some attachment/detachment issues with names (threatening to beat Arya if she said Mycah’s name again has stayed with me) but in the show, it’s dialed up to eleven. He almost never uses people’s names, and when he does it’s almost always mockingly. I don’t know if it was intentional or not, but I always liked the contrast between Arya’s obsession with saying names and the way Sandor avoided them. I also thought it would be cool if he made a list that was the opposite of Arya’s; the names of people he wants to protect.

I had the majority of this written in like, 2017 but I wasn’t sure what to call the Clegane sister. And then Eleanor hit me with it’s nice “-or” ending. Of course, like 2 days later, I discover that it’s a pretty popular fanon name for her. Also Nell is an old nickname for Eleanor and the coincidence gave me chills and a better reason for Sandor to remember her name.

As for the kids names— Elyn/Nell for Catelyn and Ned, Brenna for Bran, Brienne, and Sansa, and Daren for Davos and Yoren. I wanted them to have names that honored people important to Gendry and Arya without going full Albus Severus Potter. :P

#sandor clegane #the hound #arya stark #gendrya #gendry #game of thrones #fan fiction #My writing

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multifandom-kpop-scenarios · 6 years

Text

Mafia Fighter Pt.3

Hello readers!! This is the third part of the of the Jun mafia scenario. Thank you for your support and waiting this long!! N’Joy!!

I’d also like to especially thank @minwooslover and @ewkihyunlookssohandsome for their support on the last chapter!!

Part 1 | Part 2

PAR T_T IME

Admin AJ

You were walking through the hall quickly, eager to get to your destination. You spot Joshua in front of you, sitting on a chair next to the lounge doors, “Hey, what's going on?” you ask.

He gets up from sitting, “I don't really know much myself other than Seungkwan asked for everyone to gather up for a meeting.” Joshua grabs the handle of the door holding it open for you.

“Thank you.” Joshua smiles following your lead through the door. The door quietly close behind you and you look around the room full of familiar people. You see that most of the seats are filled with the other members of your syndicate, with your Boss at the head of the table.

You and Joshua take the closest available seats and sit in, the seats closest to the door.

You glance in front of you, taking notice of the man sitting across from you. Seungcheol sat in the chair, bandages and bruises still covering his face. His left arm was crossing over his right as he tries to hide his sling. His movements are stiff and he’s unable to move without wincing in pain. He tries hard to conceal the pain he was experiencing, but he failed most of the time as you watched as his chin would clench whenever he would ajust in his seat. He takes notices of your stare and makes a small smile at you, mouthing ‘I’m Okay,’ before you could ask how he was doing your Boss stands from his chair immediately calling for silence and attention.

“Since we are still waiting for Seungkwan and Vernon. I would like to discuss about the outcome of our last match.” He places his hands on the table palms faced down, “I'm sure you can seen by his condition, Seungcheol suffered greatly.” His eyes meet Seungcheol’s, guilt reflecting in his eyes. “Meaning he will not be able to participate for a few months and we might have to forfeit what we have acquired to keep the peace. I do not want things to revert back to how they were before.”

“Please Sir, just give me a few weeks and I’ll be back in there,” Seungcheol said, his voice desperate. His own guilt and determination fueling his words.

Knowing that waiting for Seungcheol to heal was out of the question your Boss answered with a quick and firm “No.”

The high tension in the room was evident to those who filled the room. Everyone wanted a solution, but no one was really prepared to make a reasonable one. No one was given the chance to speak as the double doors burst open, revealing Seungkwan, Vernon, and a man you had never seen.

You couldn’t help but move your eyes to and from the familiar boys, trying to figure out what they were doing.

“Seungkwan who is that?” you spoke first, asking the question that was on everybody's mind. Seungkwan looks between you and the man in question, a confident smile on his face,“He is the solution to our problem.”

The lounge erupts, it was a rule that no outsiders were to be brought to the family estate without prior permission.

“You brought someone here. To the estate!” Jihoon, our intelligence documentor, says sharply, his voice couldn’t hide the disapproval he felt for the youngsters actions.

“Seungkwan you know better!” Seungcheol, exclaims.

In a quick attempt to gain the rooms understanding he says, “I was only trying to help. You sent us to the Dongdaemun-gu and we saw Jun.”

“Who's Jun?” Jeonghan, the medic, asks, finally getting to the question you first asked.

“Him!” Seungkwan points through the door, “We saw him take down two of Gong’s goons. And he said he would help.”

Your Boss raises his hand and the lounge quiets down immediately,“It’s fine.” Your boss’s eyes meet your own,“Y/N, Joshua take care of things. As for now this meeting is over.”

You and Joshua stand at your boss’s instructions, getting up from the chairs to leave. Your heart aches a little as you see Seungkwan looking sad. Knowing that his heart was in the right place, you attempt to comfort him, placing a reassuring hand on Seungkwan’s shoulder. At your touch he looks at you, eyes sincere, as he says, “I was just trying to help.”

You reply, offering a small smile, “I know.”

You and Joshua open the door to a startled Vernon. He was there with two other people, one of which you presumed was Jun.

Joshua puts on one of his gentlemen smiles leading the way to their destination, “Follow me please.”

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

Following beside Joshua and Jun, you notice that Jun keeps his eyes on you, clearly trying to figure you out. As you approach your destination, you leave behind Vernon and, Jun’s close friend, Minghao.

You arrive in front of a room, opening the door for Jun “You can take a seat in there.” Without any words, Jun nods, going into the room.

Before you make a move to follow Jun into the room, Joshua grabs your wrist keeping you in place.

“Do you want me to go in with you?” Joshua asks.

You look in the room finding Jun sitting in a chair like you asked, you shake your head,“I think I'll be okay.”

Joshua nods his head “Ok, I'll wait here. Come get me if he causes any trouble, kay?”

“Thanks Josh.”

Joshua nods, you catch a glimpse of a reassuring smile, as the door closes behind you.

You approach the table that Jun is seated at, taking a seat across from him. He nervously looks, avoiding your gaze by around the room. The only noise you can hear at the moment is the drumming of his hands on the table.You take a minute to observe him. His dark hair was unkempt and windswept, obviously due to the scuffle with Gong’s men. His eyes are dark and, almost, innocent, but the fatigue was clearly there masking his features. You turn your eyes to his ever moving hands, taking notice of the scuffs and cuts on his knuckles.

You look back up to his face looking for any wounds and take notice of the scuffs on his face, the bruise darkening on his cheeks, as well as the cut on his bottom lip.

You pull out your phone messaging Seungkwan to get you an ice pack.

The drumming stops, taking notice immediately at the absence of noise, you raise your eyes from your phone.

He smiles nervously at you.

‘Well,’ you think, ‘It’s now or never.’

“Can you tell me what happened tonight?” you ask, getting the interview started.

He gives you his account of the events that took place, from the moment he arrived at Minghao’s workplace to when they crossed paths with Seungkwan and Vernon.

“Can I ask you another thing?” You ask.

Jun nods as he locks eyes with you, anticipating the question.

“Why do you want to join? This is not something you can leave easily, once you are in, you are in for life.” You ask. You believed that his reasoning was important, and he needed to know what, exactly, he should expect. This life was not easy, and if you could help it, you would keep the numbers of good people getting involved as small as possible.

He looked down at the table in front of him for a second, gathering his thoughts before looking up at you, “To be honest I don't really understand what's going on, but there are people in Dongdaemun-gu that I care about. They attacked Minghao and if I didn't show up, I don't know what could of happened to him.” He pulled his hands in front of him, clasping them together as he continued “When I moved here, I left my family and everyone I cared for behind. In the time that I have lived here the list of people I care for has only grown. At the market, Mrs Jung and Mrs.Yoon said that your group can be trusted. I respect their opinions enough to believe that your group protects those I have grown to care about. I want to protect them to. This is the only way that I can think of right now, In a way that they need now.”

You were stunned by his honesty. You looked at him, shocked to see that someone could wear their heart on their sleeve. This discovery made you want to protect him, push him out the door and tell him to never come back. He was too good. On the other hand, you didn’t want to be the one to tell him he couldn’t help protect the people he cared about. His goodness can make a good guardian.

You hear knocking on the door and see Joshua peeking in, “Hey y/n can you come here for a sec.”

You step outside and see Jihoon beside Joshua, “I ran a background check on him and he's clean.”

Jihoon hands you the information and you flip through it trying to absorb everything.

“What do you think?” Joshua asks, curious about what you really thought.

You continue to look through the file, hoping that there be a reason for not letting him join, you sigh, honestly saying, “I don't know.”

You look down the hallway a little way to see Vernon with Minghao nearby. Minghao was sat in a chair with Jeonghan positioned in front of him, patching him up. Minghao’s eyes meet yours, the concern he held for his friend reminded you of your group. You hear hurried footsteps and turn to see Seungkwan approaching with an ice pack in hand, “Here's the ice pack you wanted.”

You give Seungkwan a small smile,“Thank you.”

You walk back into the room, your mind still telling you to refuse his help.

“Here, this is for that bruise on your cheek.” Jun is surprised but takes it with a quiet thank you placing the ice pack over his cheek.

“I'm still unsure about this whole situation and I'm not sure if you are fit for this but we can't exactly let you guys walk out the door.”

Jun looks up to you, saying, “If you are worried about me and Minghao telling other gangs about you guys…”

You cut him off at that thought, telling him, “I'm more worried about what could happen to the both of you. Mister Gong is the type to put a hit on anyone that does him wrong.”

He looks down, resembling a scolded child, saying a quite, “Oh.”

You glance at the clock seeing that it's late, way past what is ‘normal bedtime’, “Plus, it's late you guys should just stay the night.”

Jun relaxes visibly, leaning back into the seat.

You open the door, propping it as wide as you could and say, “I'll call Jeonghan in to patch you up and have him show you to one of the extra rooms.”

You turn to leave out the door, but feel a hand grab your own. You look at the large hand gripping your own, making your appeare smaller than you thought. You move your eyes to the pair of eyes trained on your own, “Thank you.” He says simply and sincerely.

You didn’t deserve his thanks, at least that is what you think. If he joins he won’t be thanking you for long, he deserved a normal life. Not a life filled with the never ending war that those in the mafia experience.

You leave out the door to see Joshua, Jihoon, and Minghao waiting on the hall.

You turn to Minghao and look away,“You can go in there.”

You look to Joshua and Jihoon, “Can you tell the Boss that we need more time before we can make a decision.”

With that you walk down the hall toward your room, a sleepless night with thoughts awaiting you in your room.

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

Minghao enters the room where Jun is waiting,“What happened?”

Shrugging his shoulders, Jun looks at Minghao, “We are staying here for tonight but I'm not sure what's going to happen after that.”

There's a quick knock on the door opens up without receiving a reply.

A man pokes his head in, “Someone needed a medic?”

Minghao points at Jun having already received treatment, at the same time, Jun slowly raises his hand.

Jeonghan pulls out one of the chairs and sits in front of Jun.

He places his medical kit on the table and opens it before taking a look at the injured man.

“Ah that's a nasty one,” Jeonghan proceeds to go through his kit.

Bringing a cotton swab to Jun’s cheek, “I’m Jeonghan by the way.”

Jun flinched back from the pain of the disinfectant.

Jeonghan continues with fixing Jun up. “I hear that y/n is being difficult. What did you do to them?”

Jun shrugged his shoulders bring the ice pack over his lip “I'm not sure…”

Jeonghan nods his head, “Well I'm sure they'll have things figured out in the morning.”

“Alright, you good to go.” Placing the final bandage over his cheek. Jeonghan puts his supplies back in his kit and gets up. “I'll take you guys to your room”

Jeonghan leads Jun and Minghao through the estate arriving at a room that was at the end of the hall.

“Unfortunately this room is the only one available” Jeonghan opens the door, to a rather plain room. It unuse was clear as there was some dust on the furniture. There was one large bed in the center of the room with a large ceiling light, brightening the room, “So you guys are going to have to share.” Jeonghan pointed at the large roll in the chair, “I had Vernon grab a mat since there's only one bed here at the moment.”

“Thank you.” Jun and Minghao said with a bow.

“Oh and y/n is just next door, so if you need anything just ask them. Night.” Jeonghan says as he turns to leaves.

Minghao and Jun are left in the room, silent as they take in the situation.

“You can take the bed,” Jun says as he grabs the mat and starts to roll it out.

“Thanks.” Minghao groans in pain getting into bed.

Jun is sore as well, but Minghao got the worst of it.

“Night” he calls quietly.

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

You awoke to soft knocks on the other side of your door.

You look to your phone seeing that it's earlier than what you set your alarm to.

Groaning while rubbing your eyes, you lift yourself out of your bed, dragging your feet to your door.

You open the door catching Jun with his knuckles in the air, mid-knock.

“Hi, i didn't know you were still sleeping… uhm… Jeonghan told me this was your room...and he didn't tell me where everyone else was at...”

You just stayed silent, your body leaning against the door frame with your eyebrow raised trying to figure out what he was going on about.

“And he said if we needed anything we could ask you.”

You cursed inwardly at Jeonghan, “He did now.”

Jun just nodded,

Yawning with a small stretch, “What do you need?”

“Do you guys have a kitchen?” he simply asked.

Tilting your head curiously you answer, “Yes…”

“Well… after what happened last night, we didn't eat so...” Jun trails off, not finishing his sentence.

“So you're hungry?”You ask, feeling your own hunger.

Jun just nods again

“Give me a sec,” you say, you need to make yourself more presentable.

You open the door, ready to head to the kitchens.

“Thank you” Jun asks, a new kind of life in his eyes.

“Its no problem, it's my day to make breakfast anyway.” you answer.

Jun quietly follows your lead to the kitchen, eager for food.

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

“Is there anything that you like.” You ask, wanting his opinion.

“I can eat anything,”came his reply.

You walk to the fridge grabbing the eggs and bacon,“Ok, can you get the bread in the top right cupboard and a couple of frying pans in the that bottom cupboard.” You watch him being the pans to the stove and the bread on the counter, waiting for your next task.

You start on the bacon and eggs, Jun gets closer, watching you.

“Can you make the toast?” You ask, trying to give him a job because his watchfulness was making you nervous.

Jun nods and turns on the stove, placing a few slices of bread on the frying pan.

“Oh you are making breakfast already.” A new voice says and you turn to see Mingyu walking into the kitchen taking a seat by the counter

“You lucked out today Mingyu. But can you wake up the others, Chan was suppose to be up already.” You called to the tall boy before he had a chance to sit down.

Groaning, Mingyu gets up, heading out of the kitchen to do what you asked him to do, leaving you and Jun in the kitchen again.

“How much should I make?” Jun asks opening the second loaf.

“We’re going to have to make enough for fourteen people now.”

“Fourteen!?” He exclaimed, shocked by what was normal to you.

You nod your head to answer, turning back and continuing making breakfast.

Slowly everyone starts piling into the kitchen and dining area with their breakfast.

With every body that entered the kitchen, the noise volume of the room gradually increased.

Jun takes a seat between you and Minghao around the counter area as he tries to name each person that occupies the room, “So it's you, Seungkwan, Vernon, Joshua, and Jeonghan,” he points to each person as he names them.

He quietly eyes the other people in the room, waiting for someone to speak, and you stepped in,“There's Mingyu who you saw earlier, then Wonwoo” pointing to the two near the end of the table.“Then it goes Jihoon, Soonyoung, and Chan in the center.” You continue naming everyone“Seokmin is next to Seungkwan.” And lastly, “And then there's Seungcheol.”

After pointing at the fighter, you turn to face Jun and poke his chest, “You're supposed to be his replacement.”

You turn to see Chan smiling beside you, you frown, “But it hasn't been decided yet and Chan you're not old enough to be involved in the business yet.”

Chan pouts as he washed his plate.

“So when is it going to be decided then?” Jihoon asks. “We need someone or we are going to have to forfeit what territory we have.”

All eyes turn to you waiting for your input.

You feel the frustration inside you and pinch the bridge of your nose,“Look I've been thinking about this throughout the night and I am still unsure about dragging some outsider into this.”

“Other than Chan, we were all outsiders at one point in time.” Soonyoung says, reminding you of some of the members origins.

You take in Soonyoung's words and you look at Jun “But I'm willing to give him a chance. I'll show him how we do things and what he's up against.” You turn your gaze away from Jun and look at the others, “If he sticks around, he's in.”

“Minghao too?” Jun asks, always concerned with everyone else.

A small smile appears on your face as you nod “Yea, Minghao can stay too. We'll find him something to do.”

#seventeen #seventeen scenarios #seventeen scenario #jun #junhui #wen junhui #moon junhui #junhui scenarios #kpop scenarios #kpop scenario #aj

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a-weird-blog-in-general · 6 years

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ITH Medieval AU

Hey @pika-ace remember how you told me OH so long ago about this idea? Medieval times, right? Well, consider this my gift to you, b/c I love you and you deserve the best so I kind of went wild with this one.

OK see here's what I did; considering that there's the Fantasy AU very heavily based on magic/and the supernatural, I figured that a more historically based AU would be interesting for a Medieval one. So, with a bit of dabbling in research, let's say the time period is centred more so around the 1300's, in that space between the High and Late Middle Ages. Now, for the sake of the AU, some historical events are rushed or just happen at a different time than historically recorded; it's just to selfishly move the plot along b/c oh boy shit happened. Do note that the actual historical events don't HAVE TO be the real ones. Like at some point I bring up the Hundred Years War; it doesn't have to be the Hundred Years War. And as much as I've tried, there's sure to be historical misinterpretations on my part, and I ask you to forgive me if that is the case as you read on Setting: Vaguely European? A great deal of this AU is based on the European Middle Ages, and the historical events mainly surround Europe, but like I never explicitly state any locations so....? It's up to you if you want to leave it all vague or not. Also catch me with that symbolism yo. (Seriously if you want to ask me questions about places, details I included, things that happen; there's probably a symbolic reason behind it or a parallel somewhere)

Vanessa

Peasant turned knight

Came from a small farming family, part of a larger community owned by an ageing Lord

Father was a knighted commoner => taught Vanessa how to properly use a sword and told her stories of brave knights who fought off hordes of foes => gets sent off as part of a militia against another Lord and dies in combat

The conquest of the manor and the Great Famine of 1315-17 forces them off the land and move into another manor => that's when Vanessa meets Nina

Vanessa's mother, struck by grief at the loss of her husband and of their one mode of income

Vanessa, fueled by spite and anger, tired of being reduced to meagre peasantry jobs, decides she's going to work for knighthood

She and Nina are probably 12-13 at this point => Nina sees Vanessa from the church doors playing with some boys and she's curious => at some point they run into each other in front of a statue of St. Michael (foreshadowing if ya squint) and they talk, Vanessa reveals that she's trying to be a knight, and Nina wants to help her

Nina cuts Vanessa's hair (not too short now but just enough b/c she can't wear her own armour yet) and she teaches Vanessa how to read and write, and they both spy on boys to copy their mannerisms

Vanessa manages to get the attention of an old knight who's interested in seeing this youngster grow (he's probably going to be an original character) => he knows Vanessa's a girl in disguise but he doesn't mind all that much really; she can fight and she's got guts and that's all that matters => he teaches her huntsman/military stuff, and makes her his Squire

It's when she becomes his apprentice/Squire where she starts wearing armour, esp. the closed helmet to hide her face.

As a Squire she has to master the "Seven Points of Agilities" (riding, swimming, wrestling, fencing, stuff like that ALL WHILE WEARING ARMOUR) => Vanessa gets buff af

She gets knighted at 19 (the actual age is around 21 but a Squire can be knighted earlier)

She establishes herself and reputation in a jousting tournament (the thing with the horses and the lances and you gotta knock the other knight off) => See here's the thing about tournaments; knights can get injured and/or die in these things => her mentor is probably injured during a melee (it's like a free for all where the last knight standing wins) and she takes his place during the joust and wins => eventually she may earn herself a place in the Lord's Court (opportunity to get further acquainted w/ Benny who's also a knight)

(I LOVE the idea of Vanessa saving Usnavi so!) => First time she meets Usnavi she saves him from rowdy riff-raff who where threatening w/ violence and she makes it a thing to visit and protect him from trouble and potential accidents (you'll see why), extends to keeping Sonny out of trouble => in return Usnavi offers "the mysterious knight" food and a bed if she ever needs it

She ends up taking in Sonny as her Squire (he got into some serious trouble with the authorities; the church or the Lordship, one or the other or both, Pete was involved)

Nina and the Rosarios

Family of metalworkers; Kevin's a blacksmith and Camilla fashions/repairs jewellery

Nina's in training to enter the clergy => both Kevin and Camilla know it'll elevate Nina's social status and the Catholic schooling will give her something of an education => the hope is that Nina one day will be the church Abbess (kind of like Head Nun, the "Mother" if you will)

They made Nina a simple rosary with a little gold cross as the pendant; she wears it on her wrist all the time

She's so modest and humble, not just b/c of the religious teachings but also b/c she's grown surrounded by people who respect her mind but know she'll never actually become anything b/c she's female

Nina wants to be more so involved with the political happenings

Student of Scholasticism (it's basically trying to apply reason/logic to faith by holding arguments over contradictory things) => she's not very sure how she feels about it; faith and logic, try all you want, never really come together in a way that pleases everyone and the teacher's authority is always seen as superior regardless; but the practice promotes questioning and critical reasoning

Learns medicine and offers aid to knights => how she meets Benny => he gets scratched up confronting another group of knights, trying to impress Pete; Nina's the nun who happens to answer the door

Time period is characterized by persecution and expulsion of religious minorities (the inquisition/Crusades anyone) => Nina's their voice to the Catholic Church, promoting acceptance and change (this girl is going to change the world) => eventually w/ the emergence of several religious/scholar factions, plus a greater awareness of the history of the Catholic church's actions, (I feel that) Nina would want to break away from the church

She's got a lot of conflict with Faith, ethics, and the Church

Benny

Full-fledged knight w/ Pete as his Squire

Actually of Noble blood but he wasn't firstborn so he doesn't inherit much, barely anything so he had to make a name for himself

Went through the whole Page to Squire to Knight process

Claims Pete as his cousin so he could be taken as Benny's Squire

He's a member of the Lord's Court => when he and Nina have a solid friendship he tells her about the happenings and she offers advice => he's like her mechanism to access the court

He's impressed and eventually infatuated with her intelligence and wit and he believes she deserves the world but she's so modest

Benny's father was part of the Inquisition against the Beguine (female Catholic extremists characterized by self-mortification of skin by whipping, nasty stuff)

Benny's kind of in support of some of the Inquisitions (HEAR ME OUT FOR A SEC) => the Inquisitions were formed to have some kind of system to investigate cases of supposed heresy b/c the public would straight up kill people they thought were heretics. Some REAL fucked up stuff happened, and we're not justifying the actions here.

As for Benny's reasons: 1) His dad was in it and Benny was like 13 what kid doesn't admire a dad they see as a hero and 2) He understands that the point is to prevent injustice and unjust persecution, and he holds it to that ideal; Nina's perception is based more so on the Crusades, which she personally didn't approve of => potential conflict when they have that conversation

Eventually, he's called to serve in the Hundred Years War or what will be the Hundred Years War (or whatever your personal variation may be)

Has a preference for the Rosario family and highkey it's apparent that he's made himself their personal protector => lowkey it's to get on Kevin's good side b/c he's not so happy that Nina's hanging around so many knights, so if Benny manages to impress him he'll (hopefully?) be a bit more accepting of Nina hanging around Benny

Probably took an arrow to his arm once b/c split-second decision he used his arm as a shield and he tried to walk it off => that earned him a smack from Abuela Claudia

The relationship between Nina and Benny is very much based on chivalry and courting => Benny's a poetic type (coughcough their duets coughcough), but he doesn't have that artistic touch => Pete's basically his wingman even if Benny denies it, and they both argue over lines (case Benny writes poetry for Nina let me have this plz) d what sounds better; where Benny excels in language and describing the literal with flowery words, Pete's good at imagery and metaphors => Nina saves every single one

•Usnavi

Candlemaker (HEAR ME OUT) => "I illuminate the stories of the people on the street" sound familiar? => This is entirely selfish I just wanted to pull Usnavi away from the "grocer" role and give him a role with a bit more symbolic significance

He makes the best candles b/c they don't smell that bad (candles were typically made of tallow which is like animal fat and smelled nasty when burned) => I imagine it's a mixture of beeswax and kitchen fats and the wicks are threaded with materials like cinnamon (which would have been expensive so only a little bit) so they give off a better smell than burning fat => typically made for the church and they don't pay that much

Also makes wax figurines => typical stuff like figures of saints and animals but he's got a collection of figurines of people he knows (Sonny, the Rosario's, Abuela Claudia; he can never get the mysterious knight to look right)

When he was being threatened and Vanessa saved him, the rabble was going to throw hot wax in his face; Vanessa blocked it with her shield like a badass

He vaguely knows the mysterious knight by reputation alone but now he has the chance to actually know them personally and how? Can he possibly??? Repay them?? => every time the knight visits he tries to hide the tallow smell and makes them a meal, and learns that they like the smell of cinnamon so he gifts them one of his cinnamon candles

Trying to teach Sonny how to carry on the business; o/c Sonny doesn't want to => Sonny makes the candle too big and uses too much wick so the flame comes out huge and the burning candle makes a huge wax mess

When Sonny gets in trouble Usnavi reluctantly has to allow Sonny to be Vanessa's Squire; he sees it as the mysterious knight so he believes Sonny's in good hands

Meets Vanessa as herself thanks to Sonny => Sonny knows Vanessa's catching feelings and Usnavi's very interested in the mysterious knight that is Vanessa, so if Usnavi meets Vanessa and realizes that they have the same character, he'll put two and two together and see that they're the same person (except Usnavi's real fucking dense about it)

Sonny

Frisky little boy who becomes Vanessa's Squire

Wants to be a knight but Usnavi doesn't want him to and in theory, it shouldn't be possible b/c they're not nobles or rich or anything

Pete tells him stories about travels with Benny and Sonny's jealous™

Accidentally gets caught up in a problem between a noble and Usnavi => Sonny punched the noble in the face b/c they made a snide comment about the smell; Pete helped => the noble was a relative of the Lord and they're threatening to punish both Sonny and Pete; Pete gets out of it b/c Benny pops up and talks him out of it; Vanessa comes in with the whole "he's my Squire" but noble's not going to take that excuse so they demand proof from the Lord himself => Sonny insists that the only solution is to let him be Vanessa's Squire and Usnavi goes through w/ it; it's that or a public flogging so....

He's a troublemaker; he's brash and charges into conflict just to protect someone => Vanessa tries to teach him that he doesn't have to punch everyone in the face to demand attention and solve a problem

Sonny and Pete complain to each other about trying to get their respective lovebirds together

Crafty with mechanisms; he and Pete mess around with random things and make tiny catapults that break after one use but it's fun

Probably broke his sword twice; first time it was funny, the second time it was serious™

Writes poems for Nina; it's more so out of emotional attachment => they're not as eloquent as Benny's but they're sweet and Nina saves her favourites

Abuela Claudia

Your local herbologist who practices apothecary

Lives next door to Usnavi and Sonny (or as close to next door as you can get; more like reasonable walking distance) => supplies Usnavi with the herbs to weave into the candles

Has wisdom and knowledge beyond her years => she's seen war, the rise and fall of monarchies and empires; she's seen stuff => wise elder™ tbh how has she lived so long

Literally, the only one everyone trusts as a midwife

She's got this unchallenged respect where it's like she'll make you food and tell you stories but you don't cross her. You just don't

Has a collection of odd trinkets stored away, the most impressive and beautiful being a little crown of feathers, collected from birds that hang on her roof => she ends up giving it to Vanessa

Some say she's just a smart old woman, other's claim she's a witch => she is persecuted at some point and accused

She passes away peacefully in her sleep one day => the accusations are still strong with the public and so they burn her body

Pete

Squire with an affinity for art

Very crafty with his hands, can work out fine details

Was hired to make the small stone figurines of the Saints for the church => realized stonework wasn't for him

Was caught stealing pigments for paints and the shop owner turned him in to Benny => they were going to cut off his hands, Benny intervenes and makes up a lie about Pete being his cousin and he's let off the hook => Pete doesn't want that to happen again and through conversation he learns Pete doesn't have anyone watching out for him and he's kind of just fending for himself, so Benny offers to take him in as his Squire

At first Pete didn't want to => too restricting and he doesn't see himself as a "knight/hero" type of character => Sonny convinces him to accept for two reasons: 1) it'll be cool and awesome and he'll go on adventures and do awesome knight things and 2) He'll be able to tell Sonny all about it and (maybe?) put in a good word with someone to let him be a knight

Pete and Benny got that teasing sibling relationship going on; most of the times they go to see Nina and/or Abuela Claudia it's b/c they were showing off and did something stupid

Daniela and Carla

Innkeepers who don't take shit from anyone

Daniela's widowed, which allows her to own the albeit small property

Carla owes a debt to Daniela, and that's why she's employed; no one knows what the debt is, and no one wants to really know

All secrets and dirty details are shared in those walls => good stories and very good gossip

Vanessa worked there for a while => Daniela and Carla assume she's working somewhere else b/c they don't see her around much

No one messes with either of them or any of the employees => anyone tries to get a little too close to comfort, they'll be out back in the middle of the night barfing up their insides

Notorious reputation

Now the plot... where is it? Y'all can branch it off in whatever direction you'd like, but if I was to go on about my idea, we'd be here for a while and it'd read more like a literature essay b/c I got symbolism and parallels stuck up in my head. But this is a good start, I believe. Delving into it might take a bit more time.

#In The Heights #in the heights au #medieval au #this is your gift pika!#it's very late i know #but i hope you like it!

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keywestlou · 3 years

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VIOLENCE TODAY, TOMORROW, WHEN?

Violence today, tomorrow, when?

A threat was made. the gauntlet thrown. Another Capitol invasion today. If not, perhaps the 6th. If not, when?

The U.S. is at war. Plain and simple. The opposition may be U.S. citizens. However, unhappy ones. As the South was prior to the Civil War.

January 6 was Fort Sumter.

Violence must be net with violence. Otherwise the opposition will continue.

The insurgents threaten in the extreme. This time to take prisoners. Democrats in the Capitol. Then harm them. To what extent, who knows.

I do not believe the government is sitting idly by. I am confident they know the location of most training camps, headquarters, persons in charge, etc. My advice: Get them now before they get us. Including any elected officials that have been silently aiding them.

Delay invites defeat.

China is moving “asses” to further protect against COVID-19.

China has made anal COVID-19 swabs mandatory for all foreign airline travelers arriving in China.

China claims such tests provide a higher degree of accuracy than other screening methods.

Anal testing presently being done at Beijing and Singapore Airports.

Apparently anal testing works better because virus traces stay longer in fecal samples than they do in the nose or throat.

Assume China is correct. Its anal testing will spread throughout China. Spread world wide also. Which raises a degree of concern in my mind.

The U.S. is a society that does not like to do certain things. Wearing face masks, an example. If we cannot get our people to wear face masks, how are we going to convince them to accept anal swabbing?

The Senate has narrowed income eligibility in order to qualify for the full $1,400 check, some portion thereof, or none at all.

I love it! Most if not all Senators are millionaires. Most have become so since arriving in the Senate. They are quick to take from those who have not. At the same time that the Senators and their families are living the good life.

Pigs!

Breaking news. Elaine Chao is the recently resigned Secretary of Transportation. She is Senator McConnell’s wife. She is recognized as a power figure in Washington.

She is of Chinese extraction. Her family also of course. Her parents reside in China. Do an extensive amount of shipping business in the U.S.

It has just come out that in December, while she still was Secretary of Transportation, the Department’s Inspector General referred her China related activities to the Department of Justice for possible criminal investigation. Justice refused to prosecute.

The Inspector General’s charge involved Chao’s “use of public office for private gain.”

Chao was Secretary of Transportation under George W. Bush also.

She and her husband’s personal worth has largely grown over the years. They are part of those who have become exceptionally wealthy while holding public office.

Senator Ron Johnson is a fanatic. He behaves most times in a fanatical fashion. He is pro-Trump and pro-far right. He buys it all.

Anything to disrupt Democrats, of course.

The stimulus bill will becoming up before the Senate in a matter of days. It is more than 600 pages long. As is his right, Johnson has advised that he wants the Clerk of the Senate to read the bill before the Senate. It is anticipated it will take 10 hours.

The action of a youngster. A mature adult playing the game of government as a child would.

One thing I cannot understand. It is coming to my attention daily that more and more Floridians like DeSantis. They think he is doing a wonderful job. One item pleasing them is that he did not succumb to coronavirus warnings. He generally kept businesses open.

God help us if he ever becomes President. He will be as bad if not worse than Trump.

Texas Governor Abbott announced tuesday he is opening Texas 100 percent as of next wednesday. All businesses. Rescinding his mask mandate,also.

Last year, Abbott created a “strike force.” It consisted of business leaders and 4 medical experts. Their function was to advise the Governor on a safe plan with all things coronavirus affected. Including restaurant openings and mask wearing.

It was revealed yesterday that Abbott did not consult 3 of his 4 medical advisers on lifting the mask order.

The Chairman of the Strike Force announced when the strike force was established the following: “Every recommendation, every action by the Governor, will be informed and based on hard data and the expertise of our chief medical advisers…..we will rely on their knowledge and expertise every step of the way.”

Does any one speak the truth anymore? People should be able to rely on the word of a Governor, for example. Perhaps not. We have learned we cannot depend on the word of a President.

Three U.S. Presidents were inaugurated on this day March 4. In different years, of course. All 3 regarded as “greats.” Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Syracuse beat Clemson this week 64-54. Made for 2 consecutive victories. Created a situation where Syracuse is back on the NCAA bubble.

Many Key West businesses survived the pandemic so far. Some even made money.

The reason therefore is Key West’s local Chamber of Commerce, the Key West Lodging Bureau, and Trip Adviser.

Money made. People got sick along the way, however.

Today’s Citizens’ Voice contained 2 interesting comments re Keys business.

The first, “Trip Adviser: After seeing the commercials, we assumed the Keys would be safe. Imagine our shock at the packed restaurants, lack of masks, horrible traffic and crowds. So much for truth in advertising, showing deserted beaches and calm streets instead of the zoo the Florida Keys really are. Shameful.”

The second, “No need for cruise ships. The City is packed without them.”

Enjoy your day!

—

DAY 38…..Greece the First Time

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Key West Lou

Good bye Courmayeur and Chamonix!

Hello Camogli!

I had a three hour drive to get to Camogli yesterday. It took four. Construction. Two of three lanes closed. For 20 miles.

I have been vacationing too long. It seems I have acquired patience. It did not bother me. Plus, I had the Alps on each side of me. Great viewing at all times.

Castles accompanied me the whole way. Even as I got close to Camogli. Whereas I said yesterday they were about a mile apart, they seemed even closer during the drive. The castles are exciting to see. All different. Except for location. Each on top of a steep hill. Churches also, of course.

After viewing so many castles and being aware of the fighting that went on between them over the years, I do not know how Garibaldi got the various Kings to join in and create one nation in 1861. An accomplishment!

Clotheslines were with me also the whole trip. Even now in Camogli. Greece and Italy are loaded with them. It seems to be the only way to dry clothes in these countries. Clotheslines between windows and on balconies and terraces. Sometimes merely a rope between two windows.

I have been of the impression that there are no dryers because of the electrical problem. I have been asking the natives. They tell me no. It is because they prefer their clothes to be sun dried. I do not buy it. But…

Even million euro/dollar apartments hang their wet clothes out.

I suspect that if someone could invest a dryer that needed little or no electricity, Italians would run to buy them.

An interesting experience occurred on one of the thruways I was driving. Italian gas stops have restaurants and stores just as in the U.S. Not McDonald types. Better wholesome food. And anything else you can consider buying.

I had an ice cream. I was waiting in line to pay for it. A middle aged woman in a black dress was in front of me. She had made a 51 euro buy. A big buy for such a store. She told the girl behind the counter she had just became aware she had to feed the whole family in the evening.

The woman paid the 51 euros with three 20s. The girl checked out the bills. They use a machine to do it in Italy. No crossing with a marker.

The girl said the bills were no good. The woman got upset. I just got them from the bank, she said. She pulled out a large bunch of 20s. Tried to pay two more times. None of the bills good. Finally the woman paid with genuine Italian money.

Outside were two tough devious looking men watching the whole proceeding. She went out to them and the whole three got in a car and drove away.

The girl behind the counter spoke English. That is the reason I am able to relate this story. She explained it all to me afterwards. Apparently passing counterfeit bills a common problem in Italy.

Parking sucks in Camogli. The condominium I am using is located on the water. There is no parking on the water. Nor for a couple of blocks behind the rows of waterfront buildings. I had to park far far away. Then drag and roll my suitcase up and down little hills. Additionally Camogli is all steps. Reminded me of Rome. I had to carry the bag up the steps.

I find it amazing. Each time I am confronted by steps, they go up. Never down.

I am getting stronger. Six weeks ago I would have died. After all the hilly walking I have done this trip, my body is getting accustomed to it.

Every place I have visited has had a different flavor. As does Camogli. It is the Italy as I thought it would be. Old medieval buildings, steps, people chattering incessantly and loudly.

The buildings are medieval. Each more than a thousand years old. Along the waterfront, which by the way is the Mediterranean, they are six stories high. The first floor consists of stores and restaurants. Second through sixth floors apartments. No elevators in any of the buildings. Steep narrow staircases in each.

In the U.S. the higher the floor, generally the more expensive. Not in Camogli. Because of the lack of elevators the higher up you go, the cheaper the apartment.

Of course, no air conditioning in any of these buildings. Open windows and fans instead.

Camogli is on the western side of Italy. Significantly above Rome. Immediately next to Portofino. There is a mountain on the sea shore separating Camogli and Portofino. It is called Mount Portofino.

Last night, I ate in Camogli rather than run over to Portofino. I was tired from the drive. From what I am told, Camogli and Portofino are the same. Perhaps Portofino later today.

I had dinner at a sea side cafe around 11. Too late, I know. However, I was hungry.

I selected the cafe because there were white tablecloths and what turned out to be real silver and china glasses.

I was not disappointed. I had one terrific meal! The entree was lamb encased in ground pecan nuts . It was served on top of a bevy of cooked fruits and vegetables mixed. The key was the taste. There was an oil which appeared to keep the pecans attached to the lamb. Whatever, it was delicious. One of the finest meals I have ever enjoyed.

Greece was cheap dollar wise. Italy is expensive. Like 3-4 times.

I was tired after dinner. A bit bloated. It was after midnight. The area was still bustling. I went immediately to bed.

Enjoy your day!

VIOLENCE TODAY, TOMORROW, WHEN? was originally published on Key West Lou

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veronica5fashion-blog · 5 years

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cafe europe opening july 17th He wears gray

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The magic word behind lust is pheromones, those elusive, odorless chemicals given off in response to sexual stimulation or even romantic fantasy. The powerful storm is expected to make landfall in the North on Saturday afternoon after passing off the coast of South Korea, according to Seoul Korea Meteorological Administration. The site also has a scroll of world news courtesy of its partnership with MSNBC, and does a superb job of gathering sports stats from every team imaginable, all the way Cheap Fake Yeezys down through high school intramurals. Jennifer Schelter is a Philadelphia based mindfulness and meditation coach who's spent two decades helping folks better understand their minds and bodies.. Users could flag an online post for follow up by moderators without thinking it will immediately result in a SWAT team being called. Also, when assigning projects to youth interns, explain how the project fits into the bigger picture for the company and your team. 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optipesimistyazar · 5 years

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How Mom and dad Can Unit Better Display screen Time Conduct for Their Kids

How Mom and dad Can Unit Better Display screen Time Conduct for Their Kids adresi https://e-sarkisozleri.com/how-mom-and-dad-can-unit-better-display-screen-3/

How Mom and dad Can Unit Better Display screen Time Conduct for Their Kids

Anya Kamenetz is an NPR education reporter, a host of Everyday life Kit and also author of your Art Involving Screen Occasion. This story draws within the book and up to date reporting forever Kit’s direct, Parenting: Display Time And Your household.

Elise Potts picked up the girl 17-month-old girl, Eliza, coming from daycare not too long ago. When they get back they were welcomed by a unexpected scene.

“My husband… she has waving his arms about like a mad man. lunch break Potts claims. “He provides these things in his hands, he’s a african american box in the face… and Eliza appearance and your lover points, all of confused, plus she says, ‘Daddy? ‘ micron

Daddy, it had been, had an innovative Oculus internet reality headset.

Potts, who lives in Detroit, can’t allow but consider what him / her daughter is definitely making of all digital technology that is all around her. Eliza’s reaction, she says, is “really cute, however , it’s also scary, because It is my opinion of it through her opinion. What does actually does to her? lunch break

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In the end we are increasing adults that will grow up and need to make their particular choices. We will have to balance protecting them with empowering them.

As soon as your children move 13 and acquire their own social bookmarking accounts, take note of their accounts and put these questions sealed surround. Let them know that anytime they sound like in trouble, their whole grades fall or many people skip several hours curfew, you can open the envelope and listen to what you need to know. Researcher danah boyd, author of It’s actual Complicated: The actual Social Existence of Networked Teens, claims your little one may or may not choose to be your “friend’ on social media. As they acquire later on right into high school, It’s good so that you can recruit dependable people inside their network — older destkop pcs, cousins, loved ones friends or aunts — to follow these individuals and also look. It really should take a commune.

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seo-master1-blog · 5 years

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Adult dating plus Romantic endeavors to get Gentlemen Through second 55 : Top Procedures

1. Get rid of the last

This is certainly an element that are not to be evolved hence get rid of many of the massive doubts involving them just like tempers plus frustrations pertaining to exes, flops trading and various bad reactions. Preferably, study on a coaching the last includes shown to get they usually are included in becoming a improved dude primarily when romantic endeavors is concerned.

Going on a particular date is definitely element of walking plus its most effective finished your cleanse standing : imagination, shape plus intellect. It contributes greatly anyone be attracting gals. You'll find it will help the pup make smarter decisions.

couple of. Relax a nerve fibres

After the debilitating divorce or separation and also passing on the girlfriend, adult dating develop into daunting this raises loads of dreads. You can also get various issues that tends to make a nerve fibres visit haywire hence discover ways to relax these folks by using your good move to get not less than 10 a matter of minutes in advance of Dating and Romance interacting with to start a date. Consuming fine profound breaths can even enable, reminding you than a particular date should be exciting which you could satisfy the lovely lady like with her everyday living.

3. Lighten up and turn pleasurable

Interacting with a different human being with regards to romantic endeavors is definitely allowed to be pleasurable plus lumination so either gatherings will get in touch adequately. There's a simple toddler in every single some may be youngsters is often just after to acquire pleasurable, remaining ourselves. Utilise the straightforward concept with "Have Pleasurable & Often be Social" plus every dude if little or higher second 55 is going to send out absolute vigor which is lumination plus pleasurable. It will enable if perhaps some may be geared up by using crazy memories right up her fleshlight sleeves.

five. Often be Helpful plus Involved

Being aware of if so that you can converse while to concentrate is critical for your dude to have a booming particular date. Blabbering at a distance virtually no ending changes out of every lovely lady. Oftentimes a nerve fibres may get more suitable on the dude which will changes the pup to a chatterbox that'sthe reason it is necessary so that you can how to relax a nerve fibres if from to start a date.

Bothering to be ladies can certainly help anyone have an understanding of the girl's priorities. Anyone who seem to is aware a lady would make the pup pretty helpful, allowing a opinion that he or she is definitely actually serious about her particular date.

5. Often be a Fine Dude

During second 55, a person undoubtedly has learned why is an effective dude. Gals really don't go with a braggart, maintaining plus manipulative males type specifically anyone who will be grow, good, well intentioned plus sensible by using exactly who they usually are harmless plus properly secured. Like magic, attractive force plus romantic endeavors observe your lady who will be client, perfectly spoke, modest, qualified to take note, includes fine habits plus has learned ways to have a good time.

6. Maintain positivity : Not much of a Wear a Downer

When gals will be used to sympathizing plus growing, an excessive amount of ready outside detrimental goes through will likely not generate a fine opinion for a particular date. A touching for life's complications is more than enough. Anyone who seem to assumes on your 'Don a Downer' approach, revealing all of causes anxiety plus detrimental memories, is going to strain outside every listener primarily a lady particular date who seem to anyone really should be endeavoring to fantastic.

Hence regularly, promote memories that happen to be favourable and also an element that can have going tricky nonetheless ended up favourable just after responding to the circumstance.

7. Fats Abs, Virtually no Honey

Psychologically impressing to start a date would not mean owning a strong Arnold Schwarzenegger body nonetheless not less than glance presentable as they can. Through second 55 gentlemen (and gals for this matter) of course are often to the fat section. Having said that, it is best to conduct quite a few work outs so that you can eliminate avoidable excess fat in case your dude is definitely to see a superb particular date. But not only is going to anyone glance superb plus come to feel positive quick grown timbers . time, it can be useful, very, health-wise.

Glance fine in outside by way of curbing for buttery foodstuff you should taking in healthy and balanced. Make sure you continually glance presentable which includes a fine design sensation. Habits is likewise vitally important thus a position with deodorants, aftershave aftershaves plus mints to get unique oxygen. Have got a qualified cure consistent oxygen aroma.

8. Hold back

Perseverance is actually a advantage hence anyone lacks so that you can leakage her guts plus romantic hopes the earliest a half hour of your particular date. Why regarding hanging out for a particular date is definitely to uncover the perfect women who seem to could finally promote a base together with the perfect dude although the dude will have to have learned to have fun with them perfect when it is client.

A lot of women will be bedroom planned who would like to have a good time, hidden knowledge plus excursion including a client dude offers the time for them to go on a lovely lady to your museum, a memorial, your conjunction along at the store plus all your other helpful destinations. Finally, you'll encounter the required time that they are pretty romantic any time a women believes relaxed more than enough together with the dude.

9. Often be enchanting

To relieve ladies perfect, anyone is required to be enchanting. To get gentlemen, good old second 55 plus previously, people realise that exact generation gals will be recent doing offers when connections are engaged. Fairly, people love gentlemen who seem to have learned to romantic endeavors them right up jewel the earliest particular date and also regardless of if the particular date is definitely fairly often undoubtedly.

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tedvallejo058-blog · 6 years

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Are College Uniforms An excellent Or Bad Concept?

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generouswolfdetective-blog · 6 years

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5 Ways To Smooth Stubborn Forehead Lines.

Whenever you're outdoors, you must wear a sun block with a minimum of an SPF 30 and reapply every 2 hrs. Whether you've obtained extra completely dry skin or you're just searching for added hydration in the winter, this Wetness Rise Overnight Mask from Clinique sees to it you awaken with fresh, beautiful skin. When it comes to Humbert, from the outset one gets the impression that Nabokov is dabbling the viewers, when he presents us to Humbert, creating the best unreliable storyteller who also, right from the start, states that he has actually been institutionalised for spells of madness, additionally revealing his sociopathic side by pointing out the video games he wants to play with psychiatrists as well as therapists. lifestyleblog-hu.com/ to these pricey procedures and also remedies are natural natural home remedy that plump the creases on the face. Requirement laser dermabrasion is as well extreme for thinner skin layers such as on the neck. 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This moisturizer is strong sufficient to combat dehydration, great lines, as well as other indicators of aging, thanks to vitamin B3 and its amino-peptide, plus its oil-free formula will not block your pores. Now, blend it into your skin utilizing your fingers with gentle touching and also feathering motions. Its high Vitamin and mineral material make it the ideal food to revitalize the body as well as replenish after a lengthy fight with disease. Just creases around the eyes were tested, and also they enhanced for Twelve Month - then, results plateau-ed. Curcumin will be made use of in future skin care lotions to not only secure from radiation damage yet also recover skin. While dry skin has the tendency to affect males as well as females similarly, older individuals are normally far more prone to dry skin. Dry skin is a sign of hypothyroidism, a possibly unsafe problem caused by low levels of thyroid hormonal agent in the body. 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The instant improvement in wrinkle appearance might likewise be because of the muscle-relaxing results of the Waglerin-1 simulating peptide as wrinkles in the periocular and also perioral areas are commonly related to repeated muscular tissue movement. Yet when we're all running around, consuming fresh, healthy foods is ... a little less complicated claimed than done. Weightlifting can condition, reinforce as well as tone the muscle mass under your skin. UV radiation can increase your threat of creating melanomas - the most dangerous type of skin cancer cells. These powerful components work together to clear as well as lighten your skin to expose an extra radiant as well as beautiful also skin tone. It started off from one, i bear in mind i peeled some skin from my thumb which caused the protuberance developing. Or the good friend who always sunbathed but never ever had skin cancer cells (not likely), or whatever example you such as. Reduced oestrogen slows our sebum production, shielding your skin much less as well as making it drier.

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junker-town · 7 years

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Indiana’s post-Kevin Wilson future: great defense and iffy offense. Really! Indiana!

A new head coach with an amazing defensive track record hands the offense to ... a somewhat less exciting OC.

This preview originally published June 26 and has since been updated.

Kevin Wilson pulled off maybe his best head coaching performance in 2016. Indiana’s head man was forced to deal with injuries to his top receiver and key offensive linemen and severe depth tests in his defensive back seven.

After reaching only its second bowl in 23 years, 2016 was a key year for Indiana, and despite setbacks and offensive regression, Wilson and the Hoosiers eked out a second straight bowl berth. They beat lesser teams, survived an upset bid from rival Purdue, and pulled off their routine of playing well but succumbing to good teams like Penn State and Michigan.

Yes, IU went only 6-7 again, but for a program so destitute for so long, that was an accomplishment. When you factor in the unexpected attrition, it was downright impressive. And heading into 2017, the two-deep looks far sturdier and deeper in every unit sans the offensive line.

Of course, Wilson isn’t around. He was pushed out (he technically resigned) for what we’ll call disagreements on player treatment.

By the time we found out Wilson was gone, we had already found out his replacement: former defensive coordinator Tom Allen.

Promoting Allen made perfect sense. After struggling defensively for years, Wilson brought in Allen in 2016 and found immediate rewards. The 47-year-old IU grad and former Ole Miss assistant had done an incredible job in his one year as USF DC — the Bulls rose from 79th to 49th in Def. S&P+, then plummeted to 110th when he left — and one-upped himself in Bloomington.

Despite depth issues, the Hoosiers improved from 108th to 31st in Def. S&P+. Since 2005, they had never ranked better than 71st. In fact, including estimated Def. S&P+ (for years before 2005, I use an estimated version of S&P+, based on points scored and allowed), you have to go back to 1993 to find an IU defense that ranked higher than 50th. That is a stunning string of incompetence, and Allen ended it instantly.

You never know how someone will handle the responsibilities of a head coach until you give them a chance, but Allen so thrived as a coordinator that he deserves that chance. And if he’s good, IU might sustain success for the first time since the early-1990s.

There are no guarantees, and Allen’s first coordinator hires threw up a tiny red flag. That he promoted line coach Mark Hagen to DC made sense, but despite IU’s success with Wilson’s version of the spread offense — the Hoosiers ranked sixth in Off. S&P+ in 2013 and 19th in 2015 — Allen went back in time: he brought in Mike DeBord.

A lifetime line coach, DeBord was Michigan’s coordinator from 1997-99 and from 2006-07, and after a stint as an NFL assistant, he called plays for Tennessee in 2015-16.

As an OC, DeBord’s succeeded in the most infuriating possible ways. Michigan ranked 14th and 38th in Off. S&P+ in his second stint there, and Tennessee ranked 43rd and 28th in his two seasons. He was able to put former four-stars in position to succeed, and his rampant conservatism seemed to hold him back and infuriate fans.

Granted, it was hard to get a read on whose conservatism was the problem at UT. Once the Vols’ 2016 defense began to wear down, and the offense found itself needing to score more to keep up, the Tennessee attack became incredible. The Vols averaged 48 points per game over the last five games, with DeBord either allowed (or allowing himself) to unleash quarterback Josh Dobbs as a runner.

Regardless of whether Tennessee’s issues were driven more by Jones or DeBord, the reaction of the Vol fanbase to losing DeBord was revealing. Every fan base hates its offensive coordinator, and Tennessee fans hate anybody who doesn’t take them to a national title, but there was real vitriol, and there was, at times, cause for it.

We’ll say DeBord’s got a lot to prove. So, too, does Allen. His first huge hire was more conservative than bold — especially now that DeBord won’t have nearly as many four-star guys — and you might need to be bold to win in Bloomington.

Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Allen

2016 in review

2016 Indiana statistical profile.

Without quarterback Nate Sudfeld, running back Jordan Howard, receiver Simmie Cobbs Jr., or All-American left tackle Jason Spriggs, regression was expected.

Because of Wilson’s track record — he was a record-setting play-caller at Oklahoma before Indiana, and he’s now the coordinator at Ohio State — I assumed that the drop-off would be minimal. I didn’t know Cobbs would get hurt, or that another All-American lineman (guard-turned-tackle Dan Feeney) would miss time to injury. Still, the Hoosiers fell from 19th to 67th in Off. S&P+, dealing with some severe ups and downs.

Aside from a poor two-week span against Maryland and Rutgers, though, the defense came through. After allowing 6.4 yards per play in 2015, the Hoosiers allowed more than 5.8 only twice all season.

According to S&P+, IU played like an eight-win team that was unlucky to win only six. Wilson was constantly on the underachiever list, to the extent that it might not have been bad luck. If Allen does nothing more than win the games IU is in position to win, he could drag the program forward.

Offense

Full advanced stats glossary.

There’s a chance that I’m overreacting in my concerns about DeBord. First of all, no matter whose call it was to open things up, Tennessee might have had the best offense in the country after November 1, and DeBord was in charge of it. If I’m going to hold his struggles against him, I have to give him credit for that.

That came with maybe the best running quarterback in college football, though. After Richard Lagow rushed 13 times for 45 yards (not including sacks) in 2016, it’s safe to say he is no Dobbs.

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Richard Lagow

Lagow’s got a pretty good arm, though. The 6’6, 245-pounder from Plano, Texas (via UConn and Oklahoma State), looks the part and averaged a healthy 13.3 yards per completion last year. He threw for nearly 3,400 yards in a defense-friendly conference, and despite 17 interceptions he led the Hoosiers to a No. 23 ranking in Passing S&P+.

Unfortunately, IU also fell to 108th in Rushing S&P+. And poor downs and distances caught up to Lagow.

Lagow, first 4 games: 62 percent completion rate, 16.2 yards per completion, 160.7 passer rating

Lagow, next 5 games: 61 percent completion rate, 11.6 yards per completion, 123.2 passer rating

Lagow, last 4 games: 49 percent completion rate, 12.7 yards per completion, 105.0 passer rating

Despite a five-interception performance against Wake Forest, Lagow’s early upside was clear. And while he loses top targets Mitchell Paige and Ricky Jones, the return of junior Nick Westbrook and Cobbs is exciting. Cobbs was lost with an ankle injury in Week 2, but combining his 2015 stats with Westbrook’s 2016 stats gives you a duo that caught 114 of 202 passes for 2,030 yards, 10 touchdowns, 10 yards per target, and a 49 percent success rate. That’s as impressive a 1-2 punch as you can hope for.

What else does IU have in the passing game? Juniors Luke Timian and Donavan Hale combined for 32 catches and 487 yards in 2016, and J’Shun Harris II could become an interesting weapon out of the slot if he could stop tearing ACLs. He’s missed two straight seasons to injury.

Of course, the best thing that could happen to Lagow would be a rushing rebound. Redding rushed for 1,122 yards last year, but while he averaged 6.8 per carry against FIU and Maryland, he averaged a paltry 4 against everybody else. Backups Tyler Natee and Devonte Williams averaged 3.7.

IU got just 11 combined starts out of veteran linemen Feeney and Dimitric Camiel and handed 34 starts to freshmen and sophomores. It showed. Those youngsters are now sophomores and juniors, and in Redding’s absence, Natee and Williams are sophomores now. But it goes without saying that the ground attack has quite a bit to prove.

Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Westbrook

It wasn’t all Dobbs’ legs, by the way. Yes, the Vol quarterback rushed 44 times (non-sacks) for 560 yards over his last five games, and Lagow isn’t going to do that. But DeBord also figured out how to get Dobbs going through the air; Dobbs completed 74 percent of his passes and averaged 13.7 yards per completion in those five games. He threw just one pick and took only one sack per game. Tennessee opened things up a bit and played like a top-10 offense.

It almost took two full seasons to get this all figured out, and Lagow’s only around for one more year. But maybe the lightbulb came on for DeBord, and maybe we’re about to witness a late-career renaissance.

Defense

Almost overnight, this has become one of the more intriguing units in the country. That only means so much if your offense is struggling, but still. Indiana! Great defense!

The Hoosiers had an excellent run defense and an all-or-nothing pass defense last year. We could see regression with the former and increased steadiness with the latter.

Allen will head in without two exciting tackles; Ralph Green III and Patrick Dougherty combined for 13.5 tackles for loss, while 310-pounder Nate Hoff added six more. Hoff returns, as does junior Mike Barwick Jr., but depth takes a hit with the loss of Green and Dougherty. Plus, though linebackers Tegray Scales and Marcus Oliver emerged as massive play-makers in 2016 — combined: 39 TFLs, 11 sacks, five passes defensed, six forced fumbles — Oliver is gone, leaving Scales to break in a new dance partner.

That Hoff and Scales are back tells you the ceiling is high. Linebacker T.J. Simmons’ return from injury will help, as will the return of every defensive end. Senior Greg Gooch and junior Nile Sykes combined for 12.5 TFLs and six sacks, a complement to the wrecking balls behind them. [Update: Sykes is out for the year with injury.]

Still, there’s just enough attrition to make you worry.

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Nile Sykes (35) and Greg Gooch (49)

There was more addition than attrition in the back, though.

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Rashard Fant

Sophomores Andre Brown Jr. and Jameel Cook Jr. missed 2016 after getting their feet wet and combining for six passes defensed in 2015. Their return basically means IU returns 11 defensive backs with decent experience. Senior Rashard Fant and sophomore A’Shon Riggins combined for four interceptions and 26 breakups at corner, and Allen has all the safeties he could need for his 4-2-5 look. The safety trio of Marcelino Ball, Tony Fields, and Jonathan Crawford combined for 5.5 TFLs, seven picks, and 22 more breakups.

Indiana was ninth in the country with 77 passes defensed and 11th with a 52.5 percent completion rate allowed. Aggression looked good on the Hoosiers, and they return the players responsible for nearly every pass defensed.

The next step will be cutting down on breakdowns. They allowed 13 yards per completion — 15.4 against Ball State, 17.8 against Utah, 20.8 against Nebraska, and 20.8 against Penn State. The big plays kept the Hoosiers’ Passing S&P+ tamped down at 57th.

Considering Ball and Riggins were freshmen, you figure there’s room for growth. But that might depend on the run defense and the downs and distances it creates.

Special Teams

For the first time, Wilson began to figure some things out defensively, but in the meantime, his offense and special teams regressed. IU fell from 54th to 99th in Special Teams S&P+; place-kicker Griffin Oakes grew inconsistent, making just 73 percent of his under-40 field goals and 46 percent of his over-40s. He also saw his touchback rate on kickoffs fall from 57 percent to 40. That adds up.

The return game should be in good hands with Williams, Fant, and Cole Gest, and punting should be at least average with junior Joseph Gedeon. But a rebound in Special Teams S&P+ likely depends on a rebound from Oakes.

2017 outlook

2017 Schedule & Projection Factors

Date Opponent Proj. S&P+ Rk Proj. Margin Win Probability 31-Aug Ohio State 2 -17.0 16% 9-Sep at Virginia 70 4.4 60% 16-Sep Florida International 104 19.4 87% 23-Sep Georgia Southern 98 18.0 85% 30-Sep at Penn State 8 -17.4 16% 14-Oct Michigan 10 -10.8 27% 21-Oct at Michigan State 44 -1.1 47% 28-Oct at Maryland 72 5.5 62% 4-Nov Wisconsin 11 -9.6 29% 11-Nov at Illinois 85 10.0 72% 18-Nov Rutgers 92 16.3 83% 25-Nov at Purdue 87 10.6 73%

Projected S&P+ Rk 39 Proj. Off. / Def. Rk 77 / 20 Projected wins 6.6 Five-Year S&P+ Rk 2.6 (54) 2- and 5-Year Recruiting Rk 61 / 53 2016 TO Margin / Adj. TO Margin* -6 / -1.1 2016 TO Luck/Game -1.9 Returning Production (Off. / Def.) 79% (63%, 96%) 2016 Second-order wins (difference) 7.7 (-1.7)

I’m an optimist, and it’s not hard to figure out an optimistic take:

Wilson did the hard work and leaves Allen with a much less impossible job than the one Wilson inherited.

Allen’s secondary improved dramatically despite youth and is now one of the most experienced in the country.

The front seven does lose some play-makers, but Scales is dynamite, and the ends are exciting.

Despite the iffy run game, Cobbs and Westbrook are among the better receiving duos in the conference, and Lagow has the arm to hit them deep.

Wilson left wins on the table. IU went 12-21 in one-possession finishes under his watch, and if Allen can pull off just a couple of tweaks, that could make the difference between 6-6 and 8-4.

Sharing a division with Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan means a pretty low ceiling on expectations (at least until we get rid of the outdated concept of divisions). Still, it should take the fan base a while to get tired of merely going 7-5 or so, right?

But the pessimistic spin is equally obvious. The defense might have improved a bit too much last year and might be due regression, and the front seven might be just thin enough to fall apart with a couple of poorly placed injuries.

Plus, while I’m belaboring the point, his first offensive coordinator hire suggested he might be more of the “just have the offense get out of the defense’s way” style of defensive coordinator-turned-head coach — a Will Muschamp, if you will. And while his defense will likely remain exciting, the IU offense could stagnate. That doesn’t fit the personnel, and it doesn’t fit a program that has to take some chances to get somewhere.

Optimism might be warranted, but pessimism is still on the table.

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