snootlestheangel · 6 months ago
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A little teaser for the Villain!Gaz fic
Because I'm still thinking about it
The premise is they're still hunting Makarov, but since Price went off the deep end and shot Shepherd, Ghost vanished off the face of the earth and Gaz went back to focusing on his career, the actual part of hunting Makarov got moved to the backburner for a couple years
He ends up getting promoted to lieutenant in the two years since Soap's "death"
He got put through basically hell with really shitty COs and he has a really hard time making friends. Everyone finds out he was one of the 141 members and it's "damn, tragic how you guys just fell apart because of one man"
Gaz can't go anywhere without hearing people slander people he once thought of as friends.
He also hasn't heard from Laswell.
It all just gets to him
When he finally snaps and breaks away from the team after finding out Soap wasn't actually dead, that's when Farah and Alex end up getting more directly involved in hunting down Makarov.
Just picture Alex asking where Gaz is, and Soap basically dressing Price and Ghost down for having abandoned their friend
Soap is having conflicting feelings about the whole thing and his reunion with Ghost after he sees Gaz's side of the last 2 years. It's put a massive rift in the team, one that people like Farah aren't sure they will ever be able to heal
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kittkaleen · 7 years ago
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Hot off the presses ...
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Kitt: Well you know Osha, I don’t feel like a heroine and Warrior of Light is one of many titles I’ve been labelled with. Overall, I don’t think the label is representative of me as a woman, I really don’t take it terribly seriously....
Osha: Oh what!? I doubt I need to recap your many adventures or victories on the battlefield for our readers, but primal slaying, protector of city states, beloved of the people .. oh my you really are blushing!
Kitt: Mhmm ... these things are a part of my work, and I think its important to note that I am very well supported in my endeavors by an extensive group of colleagues and friends. There is no “warrior of light” without the vast network of highly skilled people that make it possible.  Osha: Modest. Isn’t that lovely!? So lets talk fans ... can you stroll the market place without being bothered by paparazzi? 
Kitt; Very much so. I don’t have the sort of work that plasters my face on posters. I’m a regular at the local market place.
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My husband, Haru and I often travel throughout Eorzea and abroad without problem. Recently, we’ve spent much time in Shirogane and Othard, which has been really amazing.
Osha: Where were you born, Kitt? Kitt: I was born and raised in the North Shroud.
Osha: And where do you call home now? 
Kitt: Hmm I have a home in the Lavender Beds, an apartment on the coast, and plans for a new house in the near future.
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Osha: Ooo very nice! Congratulations!  Now then, back to your childhood. I recently heard a snippet of gossip I am dying to know the veracity of ..
Kitt: Ask away ... Osha: So obliging! You’ve an established reputation as a paladin of some significant renown, however, rumor has it that your parents are none too pleased with this shift in career.... Care to discuss?
Kitt: Osha, my parents are deceased ... tis no drama... I miss them of course, however, many, many lives were lost during the Calamity. Anyhap I sincerely doubt my parents would be bothered. They were always very supportive of my interests and passions. 
Osha: Passion! So is tanking a passion for you?
Kitt: Definitely! 
Osha: Was it a childhood interest?
Kitt: No... 
Osha: I must ask, what did you want to be when you grew up Kitt?!
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Kitt: Hmm... I’ve always been very interested in design actually. My mother was an incredible artisan weaver and leather-worker and an amazing business woman. I inherited my father’s love of botany hmm - I am not sure where I would have ultimately settled for career if I hadn’t been pulled into the thick of the Calamity.
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Just prior to the Calamity, I was, as it happens, undertaking archery training at the Quivers Hold in Gridania. 
Osha: Archery!?
Kitt: Indeed. My father was a brilliant archer. I grew up walking the woods alongside him. Mayhap I would have followed in his footsteps ...
Osha: Did you plan to be a bard?
Kitt: Not really to be honest. I am more of an archer. Barding was a bit of an after thought. I knew my father would have been proud, and after their deaths, I thought perhaps I could make a go of it.
Osha: But no?
Kitt: Hmm, again, I am a far better archer than I am a bard. Give me a bow, a thick wood and a full moon, and I am a woman in her element. Archery for me is a solo activity. 
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Osha: Its a rather big jump from bard school to paladin training! Tell us about that?
Kitt: Actually there was another big jump in there too. I chose to dedicate significant study to magical arts, in particular healing. I am a Grandmaster of Magic, since we’ve been discussing titles; Aetheric healing is a specialty and I am still found on the field as a scholar, very often!
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Osha: How did I not know this!? 
Kitt: See titles are a funny thing. You think you know someone based on the title they have over their head of a moment, but there’s so more to us all than any one title.
Osha: Wise words indeed. But back to tanking since this interview is after all, for Tanked magazine!
Kitt: Please, continue.
Osha: So what turned your head to tanking? Tell all!
Kitt: I feel I have told this story so many times, I do hope I’ll not bore your readers with it .. I was actually healing for a small party in the Arum Vale some many moons past. We were fortunate to have the hired help of an exceptionally skilled paladin. 
Osha: Oh. I haven't heard this story either. The Arum Vale ... sounds terrifying!
Kitt: It’s a tricky landscape, full of poisonous plants and creatures. A good party skillfully navigates the terrain and wildlife. A less skillful party are more like to find death. 
Osha: Was it your first time?
Kitt: Heavens no. I’ve undertaken many a field trip to the Vale and seen it go wrong too. Of course, the Vale has a terrible reputation for taxing the skills of even a well qualified and experienced healer - tank for that matter too. Mistakes are costly on health, morale and the success of the mission. Poor tanking or healing means almost certain disaster,  and those who fight poorly .. well .. they are a liability as well. 
So there I was ... healing for this little party, unknown, unseasoned  members with enough experience under my belt to know inexperience was seriously hazardous to our party health.
Osha: Ohhh my! What happened?!
Kitt: As I mentioned, we had this incredible paladin leading our party. There was not a single moment where he did not have complete control over the environment. Each skirmish was handled with flawless strategy and a deft hand on sword and shield. His ability to read the battle, plan for it and utilize his skills in such a way to ensure the viability of the party and mission success was quite frankly exemplary. 
Osha: Can we name this inspirational figure from your history?
Kitt: Sadly I’ve never been able to remember his name. The mission was a resounding success. We collected the expected recompense and went our separate ways. However, I was deeply impacted. I tired of healing people who had run into the wrong end of sword or axe, claw or tooth - I wanted to be proactive, protective, preemptive. This of course is entirely consistent with my approach as a healer as well, wherein I have specialized as a preemptive healer.
Osha: I see, I see. Hmm ... so tanking ... paladin was your first choice...
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Kitt: Mhmmm I fell in love with the class hard and fast. Not too far in, I was leading my own Arum Vale parties. Successfully I might add. Of course I was also more than a little terrified of learning to tank as well. Oh the stories I could tell you, and your readers! I think they might be surprised to hear what a scairdy cat I was and how very hard I had to study and toil to get where I am. 
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Osha: So tanking doesn’t come naturally to you?
Kitt: I’d say yes and no. The strategy of tanking, the ability to read the environment and control a fight strategically comes very naturally. Leading and guiding a party, also, hmm, very natural. However, I am well used to fighting at range as an archer, and to healing from a distance as well. It took some considerable training to learn to boldly walk up to a very mean person or thing and let them come at me with the intent to end my life and that of the party I lead.  Its a very primal and confronting fear.
Osha: Are you still afraid?
Kitt: I think I will always retain a practical and pragmatic, oh so healthy bit o’ fear. It keeps me on my toes, sharp and alert. It generally stops me from making stupid mistakes. I am not a cocky tank. 
Osha: Oh really? I’ve heard different.
Kitt: Have you now? 
Osha. Indeed. You’re building quite a reputation as an “aggressive tank” did you know?
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Kitt: No I didn’t, but how wonderful!
Osha: That reputation doesn’t bother you?
Kitt: Look, when I began tanking I was cautious, overly so some might say. I was anxious, less confident by far. I didn’t want the responsibility of leading and preferred to play a support role in larger parties, not main tank. 
Osha: I can’t even imagine you tanking like that!
Kitt: No not now of course. Now I am experienced and confident. I am not bothered if people label me as an aggressive tank - better aggressive than a pussy, no? There’s very little room for a timid tank. You either find your backbone and confidence or go back to sniffing your quarry’s arse as a damage dealer. Failing that you heal, or retire altogether and grow nice pumpkins or fish or something.  
Osha: Or ... have a family mayhap Kitt?
Kitt: Are you asking me if I would give up adventuring to start a family? No. I love children, but my life is not conducive to having children of my own. I’ve no interest really.
Osha: You sound very clear on this point. Do you think adventuring ... tanking has taken away something of your womanhood?
Kitt: I don’t no. But then I have never entertained notions of my femininity, or womanhood as you call it, being tied to rearing children. I think its quite possible to to kick ass, to elect not to have children and be deeply feminine.
Osha: That’s a big statement. 
Kitt: Is it? I don’t think so. It’s my reality as I live it.
Osha: What does your husband think of your choices?
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Kitt: He must like them well enough to marry me. But you’d have to ask him yourself. His opinions are his own - and wouldn’t change my choices or decisions either way.  He is, by the way, a tank himself.
Osha: Ooo you’re feisty! I like it! So paladin .. your tank of choice - was this tied to your relationship with the Sultana and Ul’dah?
Kitt: Not at all. The Sultana of course graciously allowed my training, but apart from that, my services and allegiances are mine own, directed by the needs of my work, not politics.  
Osha: Would you care to speak to the perception of paladins being exceptionally “good”? 
Kitt: You mean morally or some such I presume?
Osha: Well, I think paladins are understood to be guided by principles which are almost dare I say ... holy?
Kitt: Dear gods ... 
Osha: You disagree?
Kitt; No. I agree, the class appears to have this “lawful good” “altruistic” do-gooder” image attached to it in a very obvious manner that warriors and Dark Knights easily sidestep. I’m not a fan. 
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Osha: Oh my.
Kitt: I am a paladin because for me, its the best tank choice. It fits with my philosophical and pragmatic leanings - the preemptive thing not the morality pseudo religious thing ... and also I feel the choice makes sense for my body - I am not a big woman.
Osha: No you certainly are not.
Kitt: I think there’s still this idea that people of smaller stature do not make good tanks. This is a racial issue as well, consider Lalafell tanks, or some of the very dainty female Au Ra tanks currently dominating the Eorzean tanking space ...
Osha: You raise a good point. I of course wouldn’t dream of going anywhere near a battle field but if I did, I fancy a nice big Roegadyn lad tanking would make me feel more secure ..
Kitt: More secure than say a petite Miqo’te woman?
Osha: Kitt are you mocking me?!
Kitt: A little perhaps, but only in the nicest way possible. A good tank has to consider their strengths and weaknesses and accommodate them appropriately. My tanking style is preemptive and defensive. I adore the utility paladin skills bring to party and battle. It is quite simply the best tanking class ... for me. 
Osha:  Your reputation certainly speaks to your considerable skill ... but are you suggesting warriors and dark knights are lesser tanks?
Kitt: If I did they’d be fighting words. After all, we choose our class because we love it, or I hope that is why others choose it. I love mine. I have trained as a Dark Knight and a warrior and whilst I appreciate many things about their skills and abilities, I am as loyal to my tanking class as I am to my husband - and that is loyal indeed!
Osha: So no change in tanking class predicted in your future? 
Kitt: Highly unlikely. I love being a paladin. I think its an incredible skill set to wield and I am proud of the dedication I have committed to mastering its nuances. 
Osha: One last question for you Kitt?
Kitt: Absolutely?
Osha: Apart from your considerable tanking skills, you are also known to be a woman of style. Some have commented on your use of cosmetics and refusal to ahem, trim your claws...
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Kitt: I believe in fashion. I believe people perform better when they look and feel good. I have a strong, well developed sense of style, yes. I insist on comfort as well as fashion. I could wax poetic about this topic, however suffice it to say my use of a bit of lipstick or eyeliner does not compromise my skill nor has it lost me a battle.
As for clipping my claws. Oh hell no, baby. No. 
Osha: Kitt you are delightful! I wish we could continue, however, we’ve run out of time! May I just thank you so very much for your candor and charm. It’s been a true pleasure.
Kitt: The pleasure is all mine. 
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