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distortionbobble · 1 year

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Royal Flowers Chapter 10

pairing: anakin skywalker x f!reader

series summary: A long, long, time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a certain Jedi by the name of Anakin Skywalker meets you, the current Queen of Naboo and adopted cousin of Padme Amidala, and is tasked with protecting you by pretending to marry you. As a spy, you’ve infiltrated the Separatist ranks and are close to finding out the mastermind behind all of it. The fate of the galaxy is in your hands.

warnings: minors dni. none this chapter, use of the word jizz in the star wars content (needs a warning because i hated typing it out so much)

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“Naboo is left with little choice,” you say. The microphone makes your voice echo around the walls of the Senate, distorting it like you distort the truth. You know that the Separatists have influence and strongholds all over the Senate, but you hope that they’ll assume that you still have to act in your capacity as the Queen. Besides, Naboo’s official standpoint is with the Republic, as represented by Senator Amidala. Padme’s in the audience now, nodding quietly as you deliver your speech. “We cannot defeat the Separatists. I strongly encourage the Senate to act, as what is being done is simply not enough. My people are dying and without the leadership of the Republic, Naboo is all but fallen.”

There’s a certain grief to your words, the kind that accompanies only the fear of the truth. You don’t want Naboo to fall. You don’t want to see fire and death and blood take over your planet, but there’s so little standing in the way of it.

Chancellor Palpatine stands in the center of the Senate, looking exhausted from your remarks as the next planetary system begins their appeal. There’s too much loss to help. It’s chaos, the galaxy is chaos, but you don’t realize you’ve spoken that into the amplifier until everyone turns to look at you. “The galaxy is in chaos. How is the Senate going to fix this?” You shout. “You have neither the resources nor the organization to protect your own citizens!”

Your words spark an uproar across the Senate floor, a din of noise spreading as arguing and shouting break out. The Chancellor waves his hands frantically as his aides look on in equal panic. One of them, however, isn’t as subtle at hiding his glee. Perhaps he’s Darth Sidious? He was the Aide for Chancellor Valorum as well, wasn’t he? He must be linked to the Separatists in some way.

“Silence!” Chancellor Palpatine’s voice echoes around the stadium and finally, quiet settles on the Senators. “That’s quite enough from all of you. I dismiss today’s meeting, and I expect that when the Senate gathers tomorrow, all of you—” and at this, he rather pointedly glares at you, “will have learned some decorum.” He waves his hand in quick dismissal, and then Senators all file out, quietly grumbling at the admonition that you all received.

“I do wish you hadn’t done that,” Padme sighs from next to you. You walk with some distance between yourselves, because it can’t be clear that you do truly hold affection for your dear cousin. “The banquet tonight is in your honor, and you’ve probably caught the eye of some very powerful Senators now.” She stops abruptly as you nod absentmindedly, your thoughts somewhere else. “Oh, no. You didn’t forget about the banquet, did you?” She asks, panic lacing her tone. There’s decorum to be followed, down to the dress that you wear. You need to send the right message— something grand, something that you’ve worn before. You need to represent the finery of Naboo’s former glory, and the fact that it’s now lost. But Padme doesn’t need to worry. You’ve already packed it.

“Well, what about Anakin’s outfit?” She asks at your nonchalance. That makes you pause. To be honest, you hadn’t really thought that he was coming. You had left from the palace so frantically that the only thing you could conceptualize was yourself, as selfish as it sounded.

“Shit.”

“It’s okay,” Padme reassures you, placing her hand on the small of your back as you move through the hallways. “I’ll take him to the Royal dressmaker. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it all, you just focus on getting yourself ready.”

There’s a small part of you that wants to object. Part of you remembers the way that Anakin looked at Padme and wants to protect him from all that hurt that might come from seeing her again. Part of you doesn’t want him to look at her like that ever again. And it’s ridiculous, and you want to squash it; but you can’t act on it.

You swallow it down instead, and nod. You just have to trust Anakin’s growth and hope that he’ll be okay around her.

~~~

“You haven’t told her, have you?” Padme says, breaking the silence as the dressmaker wraps the measuring tape around Anakin’s torso.

“Haven’t told her what?” Anakin responds, a coldness evident in his tone. He doesn’t mean it. It’s just so hard being around Padme, and he can’t help but take it out on her. All the dreams of having children together, being married and living together without the scrutiny of the Jedi Council. The peace and security that he now has with you was only a dream back then. But he can’t forget the way he’d fret over her, and those dreams that plagued him. They haven’t left him; instead, now they’re focused on you. All those terrible visions, all those ones about you dying, just like how he’d see Padme die—

“Dressmaker,” She calls softly, dismissing him with an elegant nod. Anakin’s arms drop as the dressmaker leaves the room before he turns to her with irritation.

“Told her about what? The fact that I snapped, killed all those Sand People when my mother died? All those that stood by and watched as my mother died, tortured to the point of being barely able to recognize me?” Anakin’s mouth tastes bitter. He regrets it now, of course he does. After he watched you go through all that you did with Reyna, he hates himself. Fears that he’s a monster, deep down. There’s something that has grown inside him, like a bad seed, rooting out his compassion and replacing it with that endless fury. He’s afraid of himself. And when he looks into Padme’s eyes, he sees that too. She’s afraid of him because she knows what he did. But you? You’re blissfully unaware, and that look in your eyes is still trusting and unafraid. He can’t bear the thought of you holding that same resentment and fear that Padme holds for him. He wants to bury it; bury it deep, deep down, so that you can’t ever see it. No, he wants to protect you from himself. It’s what any good friend would do, right?

Padme sighs. “I know you think the worst of me, Anakin, but I’ve only ever wanted the best for you. I didn’t have a choice, you know this— I couldn’t let you keep going down the path you were going down.”

“And what path is that?” Anakin shouts. “You think I’d turn to the Dark Side? When I’m the one meant to bring balance to it?”

“You know damn well you weren’t far from falling to the Dark Side when you did that. I left to protect you, Anakin,” Padme urges, standing up from her chair as she engages Anakin in her argument.

“I didn’t ask you to protect me, and I damn well didn’t need it!” Anakin responds furiously.

“We all need someone to protect us,” Padme responds, equally furious in her response as she nears Anakin. And as he looks down at her face, he almost wants to cry— when did it all go so wrong?

Padme notices almost immediately, pulling his chest to her and holding him as tears begin to well up in his eyes. He won’t cry, he won’t cry, but dammit, he missed Padme. But even as he’s in her embrace, he’s thinking of you. There’s no electricity between him and Padme now; she holds him like she would a friend. He derives no comfort from her touch, and right now, all he can think is how nice it would be to be in your arms instead.

“We would have been great friends,” Anakin says, a lone tear slipping past his lower lashes, carving out its path on his face.

“In another life,” Padme responds, her voice muffled as she holds him for just a heartbeat longer. When she pulls back from him, it’s so clear to see that there’s no longing there, just a faded sweetness. She cares about him. It strikes him that he’s so lucky to have people who care, people who want the best for him.

“I love you,” Anakin says. The words don’t sound right— he’s said them before, he knows how it feels, but this… this feels garbled. Like his vocal cords refuse to cooperate, like they refuse to cave in to his request. They came out wrong, and Padme notices.

“It’s different now, isn’t it?” Padme asks quietly, taking his flesh hand in her own, then squeezing it lightly. Their former love, turned to a friendship, now feels obvious. It still leaves a feeling in his gut, like there was a dagger that just got pulled out. And all he wants to do now is collapse into your arms.

“Is the dressmaker done?” Anakin asks, swiftly changing topics as he tries to swallow the lump in his throat. Padme smiles, the bittersweetness of their interaction clear on her face.

And once again, Anakin feels like the villain.

~~~

It took you nearly double the time it usually takes for you to get ready. You don’t have your handmaidens, after all, nor do you have Anakin. You wonder if he’s okay after seeing Padme. You hope he is. It’s been long enough since they were split for it to make sense that he could see her without losing his calm. You’ve done your makeup, done your hair, each careful movement of your hand and brush creating a masterpiece of presentation. The Senate ball has a purpose, and you’ll maximize your presence there tonight. But Maker, you feel so distracted. You just want Anakin here, to assuage your fears, talk you through the night, because you are scared. You need to show the Separatists that you will allow their plan to go through but also collect enough support to protect your own people, and do all of it without being detected.

You’re just struggling to do the last button when there’s a knock on the door. A courtesy knock, because the door swings open almost immediately after it.

“Hey,” Anakin grumbles. His suit is a near-identical match of yours; the colors, the fraying edges, the tailor did it all to a tee. It’s a masterpiece. But you’re so busy admiring the detailing of his outfit that you don’t notice the obvious distress that Anakin’s in. He sits down on the bed with a sigh, looking up at you with that pitiful look that makes you want to hold him in your arms and kiss the crown of his head. A ridiculous thought, you know, but you just want to comfort him. To hold him, to protect him.

And you shouldn’t feel that way.

“Was it too much to see Padme?” You ask, almost anxiously. You don’t want him to still be pining over Padme. Maybe it’s selfishness. Maybe it’s because you want him to feel for you what he felt for her. You want him to care about you, to love you, because you’re lost without him. And maybe, just maybe, it’s because you feel that way about him.

“No,” He sighs, placing his metal hand on his face. He’s tense, and you just can’t pinpoint why.

“Is it the dreams again?” You ask quietly, to which Anakin nods. He hasn’t been sleeping well for almost a week. He wakes up so often, waking you up too in his terror. When he thinks you’re asleep, he’ll grab your wrist, allowing his fingers to linger on your pulse point as he reassures himself that you’re alive. You’re not sure why he’s so worried. You are just a mission, after all. But you have to admit, it’s nice to have someone care about you like this. Padme, of course, cares and loves you; she’s practically your sister, she almost has to. But she’s so busy and when you started getting more involved with spying, she began to treat every conversation like it was the last one she’d have with you.

It wasn’t her fault. You don’t blame her. But it doesn’t take away from the fact that Anakin still hopes that you’ll live. It makes part of you think it’s possible, even if logic says otherwise.

“Are you ready for the ball?” You ask instead, slipping a silver pin into your meticulously-arranged hair. Anakin nods again, and you make note of his quietness today. You suspect, in part, that it’s because he saw Padme. Maybe he’s still really not over her. The thought of it makes your hand stray to your wedding bracelet, the threaded chain that sits comfortably on your wrist. You think of the way your parents honored their love with a bracelet just like this; to them, it meant something. It meant love, and trust, and you wonder how they’d react to the fact that the one whose chain matches your own is in love with someone else.

You don’t understand why you can’t stop thinking about it. Why can't you stop thinking about what it would be like for him to love you? Why do you want it so bad? Your finger slips under the chain and you want to tug it, you want to pull it until it snaps against your skin.

“You missed a button,” Anakin says, his voice gruff. He stands and comes near you, allowing the pads of his fingers to skim down the column of your neck, your spine, before he reaches the top button of your dress. Your eyes close almost involuntarily, desperately trying to focus your racing mind on just the feel of him, even as it seeks out more. It’s hard to breathe. Your heart is racing, heat gathering at the base of your neck where he’d touched you. You can hear his quiet breathing, feel the movement of his fingers as he buttons the last part of your dress.

You can tell that it’s done from the secureness of your dress, but he lingers behind you still, shadowlike. His hands don’t move from where they rest on your back, and you want to freeze him, freeze right now, and calm your racing heart. It pulses in you violently, spreading the warmth of his touch all over your body until even your fingers feel electrified. Does he know the impact that he has on you?

But then he steps back, and you’re able to regain your sanity. He probably was struggling to make it stay, something like that. He wouldn’t just be close to you for the sake of being close to you— it’s Anakin, you still remember all that he told you when you first began this mission. And what you’d said to him. He provided you companionship, which was more than what you had asked for, so why does your greedy heart seek out more still? Are you truly that selfish?

“Well, I think it’s time we go,” you say quietly, your hand straying again to the metal chain. It brings you comfort. You don’t want to think about the eventuality of having to break it off. Anakin searches your face, lips parting softly like he wants to say something but not a sound comes out. Instead, he forces them into a smile, offering his arm for you to hold.

“You look beautiful tonight, milady,” He murmurs as you step into the hallway, heading towards the ball.

“You look nice as well, Anakin. Naboo suits you,” You say, feeling shy at Anakin’s compliment. Beautiful. You look beautiful tonight.

“It does,” He says, looking at you with something hidden in his eyes. It makes your breath hitch in your throat, and for a second, you see Anakin’s gaze dip to your lips. The look is so brief you think you might have imagined it, but maker, now you’re looking at his lips. They look soft and warm, and your heart feels like it’s in your throat the longer you look at him.

Before you can stop yourself, your hand places itself on his neck, brushing away a stray piece of hair and lingering there as you stammer to explain yourself. “Sorry,” You apologize. You just wanted an excuse to touch him, you know that.

You can hear the banquet, or ball, whatever it is, from outside as you cross the Senate’s grass lawns. You’re nervous—hopefully you won’t have to deal with the fallout of what you said during the Senate meeting today. Your foolishness makes you swallow hard. Anakin takes note of your nerves and squeezes your hand wordlessly to reassure you. He’s so damn good at reading you, it scares you.

By the time you can get inside, the party’s in full swing; the normally reserved group of Senators all a few drinks in, laughing boisterously and moving clumsily to the jizz music that plays. It’s an overwhelming scene, and you find yourself clinging tighter to Anakin. You don’t have the capacity to deal with this right now, but you’ve got no choice. The group of Senators that you need to talk to catch your eye, and you squeeze Anakin’s arm, raising yourself slightly to be able to kiss his cheek. It’s all for show, of course. That’s what you’re telling yourself.

“I’ll be over there,” You say, leaving him to fend for himself.

Hopefully he’ll be okay.

~~~

“I see the wife left you all alone, huh?” A Senator comes up to Anakin, clapping his back as he watches you disappear into the crowd. He wants nothing more than to be next to you right now. Anakin Skywalker does not like big crowds.

“Yep,” He says shortly, clenching his metal hand into a fist as he tries to regulate himself. It’s too loud, too hot, and worst of all, you’re somewhere else.

“Senator Jubbs, of Tattooine,” The man introduces himself, grabbing Anakin’s hand and shaking it with his sweaty hands. Disdain makes his lip curl but he stops himself, smooths out his expression. He’s not just Anakin, he’s Anakin Lars, husband to the Queen of Naboo. He needs to play it nice.

“Tattooine, huh?” He asks dryly, subtly reaching to wipe his palms free of the stranger’s sweat. Disgusting. “Not a fan of Tattooine. Sand just doesn’t work for me.”

“Nonsense,” Jubbs splutters, waving over a waiter to get him a drink. “You’ve got to loosen up, my boy, have a drink,” He notes, taking a rather large swig of his own drink. The drink that the waiter hands to Anakin looks jewel-like, and the glass alone looks like it would have been enough money to free his mother and himself. He downs it quickly, hoping to swallow down his anger before it becomes too evident. “So why is it that you don’t like Tattooine? Are you perhaps from our glorious planet?”

Anakin bites back a scoff. “No, just had the pleasure of visiting,” he says. Sarcasm drips off his tone, and the Senator squints at his thinly-veiled insult.

“You listen here, boy,” The Senator hisses, stepping closer to Anakin aggressively. Anakin’s good enough at reading body language to know that this is only going to mean trouble. “You’ve got a lot of arrogance for someone who looks like they can’t satisfy their own wife. You haven’t even got two hands, for Maker’s sake. One is metal! You might as well be a droid. She’d be better off with someone like myself,” he says, puffing his chest up.

That gets to Anakin. His face twitches in disgust and anger, his blood boiling as he looks at the Senator. Jubbs is leering at you now, and the audacity of him to talk about his wife like that makes him furious.

“You’re nothing,” He says to Jubbs, seething. He maintains his voice at a quiet level— no one around him should hear what he says, but he needs to say it anyway. “And when you’re dead, not even the flies will mourn you, you waste of—”

“My love,” you say from behind him. You sound like an angel, your touch cool to his skin as you place your hand delicately on his shoulder, bringing him down to your face to kiss him softly, sweetly. He doesn’t even care that it’s fake, sweeping you into his embrace and shielding you from Jubbs as he kisses you, frustrated. His teeth nip at your bottom lip, and he can feel his hunger for you slipping out as he kisses you, trying to get more of you than he’s allowed. You move your lips back in kind, your lipstick smudging on his own lips as they meet.

Anakin feels territorial. Possessive. He wants to get rid of everyone here, he wants to keep kissing you, he can’t get enough of you. He only lets you go when you place your hand on his chest, pushing him away slightly to talk to the Senator.

“Could you get me a drink, my love?” you say sweetly, using your thumb to wipe the traces of lipstick from the corners of his mouth. Anakin almost pouts at the thought of having to leave your side, but the look in your eyes makes it clear that there’s no room for arguing. After sneaking one last possessive kiss in and glaring at Jubbs, he leaves to get a drink from the tables set up at the edge of the ballroom.

How dare he talk about my wife like that? I should snap his neck off. I should slice his head clean off. I want to drive my fist through his face, I want to—

“Anakin,” Chancellor Palpatine calls, snapping him away from his violent thoughts. The old man smiles knowingly at the expression on Anakin’s face, coming to stand next to him. “Jubbs has never been the most tactful,” He sighs. “Fortunately, it seems like your wife knows how to handle him.”

“I wish she didn’t have to handle him,” Anakin grumbles, pouring himself a glass of water as his fingers dance anxiously.

“You seem on edge tonight, my friend. Come, why don’t we get a bit of fresh air?” Sheev asks kindly, placing a hand on Anakin’s spine to guide him away. When he turns to look back at you, Sheev laughs. “Love is a blinding drug. She’ll be fine, Anakin.”

The night air blankets him in its cool, allowing him to sneak in a few deep breaths as he tries to wash away both the hunger he feels for you and the anger he still holds for Jubbs. He doesn’t know what came over him, kissing you like that— like he wanted to devour you. It scared him.

“Now, tell me, Anakin. What is it that’s on your mind?” Sheev asks, looking up to the stars as Anakin sips his water to calm himself down.

“I keep having these awful visions. Visions where I lose her in a hundred different ways, and I’d do anything to stop them from coming true,” He says, frustrated and scared. He speaks no lies. The thought of losing you is driving him to insanity; he can’t sleep in fear of the visions of you dying.

“Have you heard of the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?” Chancellor Palpatine asks him slyly. “A man so powerful he could stop death itself from reaching his loved ones, just by manipulating the midichlorians. A power that he taught his apprentice before he killed him in his sleep.”

“Such a power exists?” Anakin asks, his heart thumping loudly. He could keep you alive. He could keep you safe. You’d be able to stay alive, no matter what.

“Yes,” Palpatine sighs, turning to look at Anakin as if to say go on, ask me more.

“Where- where could I learn this power?” he asks, his hands clammy as he looks at his friend.

“Not from a Jedi,” Palpatine responds. “If that’s what you were thinking of.”

“Then I am alone, with no one to help me,” Anakin murmurs hopelessly.

“My dear boy, alone? I’m right here,” Palpatine says with a smile.

“What do you mean?”

“Well,” Palpatine says, smoothing a wrinkle out of his robes. “Before his passing, my master… he taught me much about the Force. Yes, even the Dark Side of it.”

“How did I know nothing of this?” Anakin asked in his disbelief.

“I had to hide it, you see. You were still a pawn to the Jedi Council, but now, I see that you know the truth. Those power-hoarding Jedis don’t want peace; they want total control, and they had you under their thumb,” Palpatine coaxes. Anakin’s heart drops to his stomach. Sheev Palpatine, a man who he’d looked up to for guidance, for friendship, for as long as he could remember, was a Sith Lord? He forces a nod, trying desperately to mask his discomfort.

“Will you help me save her?” Anakin asks. The fate of the universe is far from his mind. The only thought in his head is the sight of you in the mornings, before you wake up; the thought of your hand against his, the slight brush of your hand against his, the feel of your lips when he kissed you just now.

And then he hears your voice in his head. You’d told him that you weren’t more important than the work you do. You bring clarity to him as the Dark SIde began to sink its claws into him, and he could think rationally now. Calmly.

“You’ll have to swear your fealty to me,” Sheev Palpatine says.

“I do,” Anakin says, lowering his head. He hopes the Force can forgive him. He knows the midichlorians will hold him to it, to some extent; by doing this, there’s no return. He can’t go back to being a Jedi. He won’t have crossed to the Dark Side but instead will walk in the middle. He will become the balance that he swore to bring to the universe. A sick, unsettled feeling makes itself known in the pit of his stomach. Not only is he going against everything he knew, everything he had grown up believing, but he’s also losing you. Anakin wonders, for a second, what he’ll be left with at the end of it all.

“Then henceforth, you will be known as Darth Vader, apprentice to Darth Sidious,” Palpatine says.

Fuck.

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cienie-isengardu · 2 months

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Darth Vader & Maximilian Veers

A collection of various tie-in source material about Darth Vader and Maximilian Veers, published through the years.

Star Wars Galaxy Guide #3 - The Empire Strikes Back (second edition) - 1996

[...] Veers might be the only living Imperial officer who doesn't share an all-consuming fear of Darth Vader. This is not a from a lack of respect for Vader. Rather, the two seem to respect one another, as Vader appreciates Veers' ruthless and cunning nature.

Side Trip, part 4 by Timothy Zahn - 1997

"One final suggestion, and then I suspect we must both be on our separate ways. I understand the general in command of the Executor’s ground forces resigned suddenly a month ago. I was able to watch the battle outside Thyne’s stronghold for a while as I waited to make sure the smugglers escaped; and in my opinion the Imperial officer in command is being wasted in a garrison assignment." "Your opinion carries considerable weight,” Vader said. “As I’m sure you know. The officer’s name?” “Colonel Veers,” Thrawn said. “From the level of his tactical skill, I’d also say he’s long overdue for a promotion. Perhaps his political connections within the command structure leave something to be desired.” “Political connections do not concern me,” Vader rumbled, stepping to the door. “I will see what I can do with this Colonel Veers. Thank you, Admiral.” “My pleasure, Lord Vader,” Thrawn said with a respectful tilt of his head. “One favor for another. Perhaps we’ll have the chance to work again together.””

STAR WARS FACT FILE #14 - 2014

The Sith Lord and his new general had a unique appreciation of each other's abilities. Vader knew Veers was utterly uninterested in personal advancement through the politics that crippled the Imperial Court, and so would remain completely loyal to the Empire. Veers in turn understood Vader's powerful abilities and command style, and appreciated both. General Veers was the only officer in the whole Death Squadron who was not afraid of Darth Vader

Darth Vader had a personal hand in Veers' career and his rapid advancement to general. The two men had a mutual respect, and Vader had a high regard for Veers' ability. It was only natural that he would give him a key role in the assault on Echo Base.

Star Wars Insider #96 - 2007

Unlike Motti, Ozzel or Needa, Maximilian Veers had no need to fear Vader's wrath [...].

The Official Starships & Vehicles Collection #04 (DeAgostini) - 2009

VADER'S GENERAL As a reward for his daring, Veers was promoted to command the ground forces attached to Lord Vader's Death Squadron - a personal fleet groups engaged in hunting down the Rebel Alliance. As an example of the new, younger Imperial officer, he frequently clashed with the traditionalist Admiral Ozzel but Vader backed Veers each time [...].

Star Wars: On the Front Lines by Daniel Wallace - 2017

General Maximilian Veers A brilliant tactician, General Veers earned notice for his vocal and persistent advocacy for the increased use of AT-ATs in ground operations. Darth Vader respected Veers for his eerily calm demeanor under fire.

The Truest Duty by Christie Golden [From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back] - 2020

The Emperor’s right hand was the fearsome Darth Vader, the Dark Lord of the Sith; he of the unseen face, black armor, brilliant mind, and swift discipline. If the elite troopers aboard Vader’s flagship, the Executor, were known as Vader’s Fist, then Veers liked to think of himself as Vader’s Dagger: silent, elegant, and lethal.

[...]

At this moment, Veers was bringing unwelcome news to his master, but that did not trouble him. The amount of…attrition…at both higher and lower levels on the ship was troubling to some, terrifying to others. Fear had been beaten out of Veers quite some time ago, and he had no patience for it. It confounded him that others failed to grasp that the secret to promotion, respect, power, and a long life was very clear: Don’t fail Vader. Maximilian Veers never had. Because who would ever want to fail Lord Vader? And who could live with themselves if they did?

[...]

In his career, Veers had met many diplomats, leaders, generals, and royalty. Many were impressive; some intimidating. But no one had a presence like Lord Vader. He was a massive figure swathed in darkness; the very energy around him seeming to change upon his entrance: charged, elevated. And, always, the sound. Rhythmic, constant, it terrified those who were the object of the Dark Lord’s displeasure. Those ill-fated fools knew that sound would likely be the last thing they heard. Veers, however, found it calming. Steady. As unfaltering as Vader was, as he, Maximilian Veers, was. The Dark Lord was many things to Veers, but he was not a threat. Because Veers never failed him.

[...]

Veers was perfectly well aware that Darth Vader was not a god. On more than one occasion, while reporting to the Dark Lord when he was in his meditation chamber, Veers had caught a glimpse of Lord Vader donning his helm. There was only a man in there; one who had suffered horribly, whose skin was nothing but angry red scar tissue. He had bled, had burned; had felt agonizing pain. And he had endured. Veers did not know the man Darth Vader had been, before the helm and armor and glowing red lightsaber, but it did not matter to him. Darth Vader was who had been born from that unimaginable suffering. He was no stranger to violence or malice. And all Lord Vader demanded of those who served was respect, obedience, and success. It was so simple. And it was because of that simplicity that Veers had never failed him.

[...]

“What is it, General?” The deep, rich voice, smooth and calm save when it was even deeper with rage. Such a tone had never been directed toward Veers.

[...]

Blizzard Force was taking more casualties than expected, and this troubled Veers. They were his soldiers. His unit. They trusted him to lead. But he had also trusted them to follow. Follow, obey orders, die for the Empire if need be. For Lord Vader.

[...]

Thump. Thump. Thump. Fast, so fast. Sounds, dreamy, muffled, distorted. Water. Swimming in water. Weightless, at ease, warm. Ready to drift away. But no, no. That wasn’t right… The thumping grew faster, faster. Fear crept in, tendrils of darkness, wrapping around, squeezing—no, no, please— And then came the sound. Rhythmic, almost soothing, calming. Steady. As unfaltering as Lord Vader himself. Veers tried to say, My lord, then realized that the labored breathing he heard was his own. And as if the knowing of this suddenly made it real, pain such as he had never felt raced through him. The armor had protected him—hadn’t it? He opened his eyes—ah! bright, too bright—and where there had been darkness and softness and warmth and comfort, now there were colors and chaos and agony, so intense and powerful it was almost… pure. And cold. So, so cold… The strange sounds formed themselves into known things: words, his own heartbeat. “…pretty bad…Still alive…where are the medics…” Snow. I remember… “He’s awake!” It was TK-78…he could not remember the number. It was Lastok. He had removed his helm, against regulations. His face was bloody, but the trooper looked more worried about Veers. Why? Veers tried to ask, but no words came out. “General…General Veers! Sir, you’ve got to listen to me. Hang on, all right?” Lastok glanced away, looking around, then shouted, “Medic! It’s the general!” He waved, flagging someone down, then returned his attention to Veers. “Stay with us, sir. You’re going to be all right!” But Veers had heard fear and hope warring in a soldier’s voice before. He was not at all sure he was going to be all right. He was sufficiently aware to notice that the cold stopped at his midsection. His legs…were they just too cold for him to feel? Or… His armor should have shielded him from the cold, but he could not stop shivering. Could he move? Legs, arms…anything? “No, no. You can’t die, General!” Veers knew what Lastok was doing: trying to keep him from drifting away into a place where no medic would be able to help. He closed his eyes again. The softness, the comfort was calling to him again. Veers listened. “…Lord Vader!” The gibberish had once again formed into words Veers knew. Words that gripped him, dragged him back into this place of life, of anguish. Tears stung his eyes at the thought of how close he had come. Lastok was right to have reminded him of his truest duty. No. I must not fail Lord Vader. He stopped resisting the pain and welcomed it instead. As Vader would. As Vader must have once. His mind flashed to the glimpses of the man inside the helm. His lord had not just survived unbearable torment but used it to reshape himself. Become the stronger for the suffering. Each labored gulp of air sent excruciating stabs through his chest. He endured them. He heard the medics rush up, and knew it was safe to let go; they would catch him now. All was well. No, my lord. I shall never fail you. Ever.

#star wars #darth vader #maximilian veers #general veers #vader's men #star wars source material #vader and veers #Veers in the truest duty is 1000% vader fanboy and i love it very much xd

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evaarade · 6 months

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Mandalore: Home of the fearsome Mandalorian warriors

The Official Star Wars Fact File Part 98 - Planets & Locations

#star wars #sw #mandalorians #new mandalorians #evaar'ade #evaar mando'ade #mando'ade #sw mandalorians #mandalorians reference #sw reference #star wars reference #death watch #mandalore

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mrfandomwars · 7 months

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True Mandos were chill with the New Mandalorians

There's this general idea that the True Mandalorians disliked the New Mandalorians as much as the Death Watch did and vice versa.

Except uhhhh no they didn't.

Here's a screenshot from The Official Star Wars Fact File Part 17, which you can find here (credits to @/fox-trot)

To quote the important part, in case the image is too small or isn't loading or something:

"The True Mandalorians were content to let the majority live on untroubled while they - and any who wished to join them - pursued lives as honourable Mandalorian warriors working as mercenaries."

(Bold added by me.)

And we also know that the New Mandalorians were okay with warrior traditions (See: Mandalorian Protectors, the kids knowing how to fight) as long as you weren't doing what the Death Watch did aka taking over places, enslaving people, murdering, stealing things etc.

So like. At very least they were neutral towards each other, specially since we Know that Satine had the support of the majority of the Mandalorians, even if it was a more of 'you stay in your side, we stay in yours' way.

It was literally only the Death Watch throwing shit around because the non-warrior population refused to bow over anymore and other Warrior houses and clans were siding with them.

#star wars #sw #mr talks #mandalorians #true Mandalorians #new mandalorians #death watch #star wars legends #star wars canon

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cosmicmordecai · 1 year

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In the Defense of Saw Gerrera......

Ever since I've rejoined the fandom few years ago, my blog gets notice for a lot of pro-Jedi arguments and sentiments but I don't always get the time to talk about another character in the franchise who gets grossly mishandled by fans: Saw Gerrera.

A lot of fans like to prop up his character as a showcase of "extremism" that makes the Rebels not the quissitessinal good guys and vindicate the Empire, giving them a legitamate reason why they do what they do.

Today, I'm going to call out some things I believe are important to remember about the character.

"Saw's methods hurts the Rebellion more than it helps"

I've seen this sentiment come up a lot, especially after his appearance in The Bad Batch. In canon, there are certainly people who think that, chiefly Mon Mothma (The Rebel Files, Rebels) but the consensus within the Alliance until it's official formation is that they cannot be picky and that he and his PARTISANS are KNOWN for getting jobs done.

And say what you want about his methods, but the Alliance themselves have more than one time asked for his help and even when they didn't like him whatsoever. And when they didn't, it hurt THEM badly.

In Leia: Princess of Alderaan, Bail is big mad because he killed Moff Panaka, believing he was more sympathetic and didn't like how it almost costed his wife/daughter's life (despite the fact the Partisans had no clue they were meeting). Despite all the hubup and Bail getting bigmad, it actually saved Leia, as he was about to reveal to the Emperor that based on the resemblance, she had to be Padme Amidala's daughter.

In Rebel Rising novel, Saw explicitly talks about how he doesn't like how they prioritize things but remain critical about his methods. One of his former Partisans, Idryssa, went to form her own group in the Rebel Intelligence but found when she wanted to help liberate Tamsye Prime of slavery, the Alliance High Command didn't believe it was worth their time to fight, prioritizing other unnamed dilemmas. She ended up going to Saw in hopes he could do a recon mission that'll give her valuable intellgience. He lambasts her for it, telling her it's ironic she had all the ideas to help the galaxy but could only hope people like him do the dirty work. For context, that part of the story is where Saw gets invited to the Alliance (despite doing the worse thing he's done in canon), which he accepts the mssion for FREE, and it is that mission that created the reason why Jyn was abandoned (ill get to that later).

In the episode "In the Name of the Rebellion" for Star Wars Rebels, the Jaliandi Station the Empire established essentially made it possible for the Empire to quickly respond to any distubances, including a mission Hera was on that was botched unexpetedly. The episode, while grooming over Gerrera's methods, also mentioned that he already warned them about it and they ignored it, paying the price for it. This stems from the fact all their tactics are going to, ultimately, come to a "peaceful resoultion". They also try salvaging this by wanting to plant a tracker so they can also listen into communications and adjust their strategy. Both Ezra and even Hera herself believe it's a damn useless tactic and destroying it was the best option. Plot tiwst: it was. Empire took a L.

Rogue One had a big point that the Rebel leaders were unwilling to act decisively and Rebels had shown that for YEARS, Saw warned them that the Empire were building a superweapon. The reason he wasn't listen to? According to The Rebel Files, Mon Mothma dismissed him entirely on grounds that it was too extreme even for Palpatine and that she doesn't like his line cynicism. It took confirming the Death Star to convince her and High Command to talk to Gerrera and/or take him seriously, who has since cut contact with them altogether.

The Bad Batch is the most recent of these examples as his attempt to kill Tarkin and higher up leaders of the Empire led to a series of events that cumilated to Tech's death and TBB's eventual capture. A lot fans wanna blame Saw despite the fact that they interrupted HIS operation and he was planning to assassinate both Krennic and Tarkin included. Tech has a "counterpoint" but as the audience, we know thsoe two are instrumental to the Death Star and given Rogue One's context, the Empire wouldn't have been able to have a Death Star BECAUSE the research on kyber crystals came from Galen, who was a FRIEND of Krennic (to an extent; Galen wasn't favoring him that had especially later), and after Order 66, a lot of experts on that field were killed or they hid because they knew anybody involved with Jedi was gonna get hunted too. Saw would of killed two importantfigures in the Empire in one fell swoop and lets not forget it was TBB that alerted the Empire in the first place and he was doing it in YEAR 2, when the Empire was still up and coming and had a leadership deficit.

Both the Rebels and TBB show gave counter points with comparing his tactics to instead using it to gather intel. I wanted to address the fact that despite what Tech and one of the guys in High Alliance state that ultimately, they were WRONG: the Jailandi relay being destroyed was a all out positive and Tarkin and Krennic's respecitve connections is what brought to fruition two big parts of the Empire and you couldn't replace the leadership capability Tarkin had. It is literally no surprise in canon, the Empire fell apart in 4 years even if they were close to winning but even in that timeframe, both Sidious and Vader had to be more direct in their approach and the galaxy was quickly against them.

One of the real reasons the Alliance had problems was because of their leadership; it was a known fact that in general and especially after Bail's death, High Command would only act dependent on Mothma or otherwise be indecisive and stall. Her core belief was on searching for a peaceful resolution and she stood on that hill to the point she ERASED Saw contributions while being okay with it if it were her friends that did it, as according to Bloodlines, there have been at LEAST 2 instances prior to the destruction of the Death Star the Rebellion under her leadership engaged in "terrorist tactics", one that involved slaughter.

In fairness, Mothma had a problem with her camp (Rebel Intelligence) using those tactics but at the end of the day, guess what? She endorced Draven, even when he got on his mysoginistic bullshit with Jyn. The Alliance's own propaganda department had to start lying/exageratting because they found out ignorant people will not listen to the truth (shocker). [Star Wars Propaganda: A History of Persuasive Art in the Galaxy] And guess what? She signed off the destruction of the Death Star, which totalled to about 1.5 million deaths, the majority being civilians and low-ranking officers dedicated to maintaining it. (Bloodlines) Mothma spent YEARS ignoring, underplaying, and erasing Saw's influence, contributions, and her problem with him was personal, as essentially, she didn't like how Saw both underline the very methods she will have to endorce/support/perform one way or another and that his actions didn't benefit HER, as he was on that "IDGAF about her methods" team. All that and she ended up having to support doing the more morally repugnant things he said she would have to do.

In short? It's complex but Saw doesn't inheretly actually hurt the Rebellion in any special way, despite what the Empire propaganda in universe claims and some opinions of characters (typically Mothma).

"He is a short-sighted fool who just blows stuff up"

Another big claim I see fans put out here is that Saw lacks forsight and doesn't think things through. It's a hilarious thing because the "short sighted fool" was the only one who saw the the Death Star coming YEARS before anybody suspected otherwise. Characters spent so much time writing him off, trying their hardest to contend with it, and wanted so badly for him to just do things their way even when he told them they were fighting an enemy who plays dirty and didn't care about people.

Funny enough, Leia in canon (by the time she led the Resistance) doesn't actually hold too must amnimosity for Saw because at that point, the New Republic paid the price for playing with Mothma's mindset, the First Order took advantage of her compassionm, the Rebellion/New Republic's still possessed indecisiveness without a clear leader telling them what to do, and the Rebellion/New Republic did not learn their lessons when it comes with dealing with the Empire when they were the leading government. Leia had to create her own militia to fight the First Order and they didn't have no allies for a while. She actually thinks they owe him a lot (The Rebel Files)

Saw said it in Rebel Rising: it'll take a tragedy, the galaxy can't ignore it to get people actually united. And guess what? It happened...3 times over: the 2 Death Stars got people working together after the destruction of Alderaan (Jedha too except in universe, a lot people still bought Jedha being destroyed in a "mining accident") and Palpatine publically announcing himself alive was the only thing that got people to come together against the Empire/First Order/Final Order. The latter happened 35 YEARS AFTER HIS OWN DEATH.

I don't personally agree with his actual methods typically but lack of foresight my ass. Dude had foresight on a level comparable to a Jedi and he has no Force sensitivity. He called out the Death Star and knew what it'll take for the Alliance to get their shit together.

"He's a hot-head, self centered, paranoid leader who hurts his own allies"

I've seen a combination of things, especially regarding his character youthful appearances in Clone Wars/TBB, that suggest he is a hot-head, that he is paranoid (usually spoken in retrospect to his later appearances), and that he doesn't care for his allies. I've seen people in fanfiction try to say he burns people when they outlive their usefulness or claim he on'y is worried about his own skin.

That's especially not true. There's a reason why he parallels as a non-Force senstiive version of Anakin Skywalker; they are both hot headed, they are both competent leaders, they hate slavery and indentured servitude with a passion, their best trait is the care and compassion they have for others in which they subvert with logic and reasoning and it isn't always easy for them, and they are respectively feared in similar ways. With that said, there are some difference

Saw does possess compassion even with his darkness; he is willing to protect his Partisans and not risk their lives. Even though he loves them, he also KNOWS some of them are on that "Fuck them kids" team (which he is not all okay with) and typically tries doing good things for them, he "abandonded" Jyn (she knows why but she refused the explaination) because his own group were wanting to use her as a extortion tool for Galen, which didn't sit right with Saw. He genuinely likes Ezra and Sabine too. He likes Megyn. He was willing to help refugees displaced by the Empire way back since TBB. There's a reason for his own databank saying "Saw loses much in his decades of combat, but occasional flashes of the charismatic and caring man he once was shine through his calloused exterior". Even in his more morally bankrupt decisions like adopting Jyn as a child soldier, he explains he does it because he recognize that child innocence will not protect her from Stormtroopers and evil who don't care and rather teach her how to survive and fight for herself. And he genuinely teaches her everything he knows. She is a good foil for Leia for a myraidof reasons.

That man had inhailed Genosisian insecticide from a mission and chemical burns from saving Jyn's life and that man still fought. He apprently lost his leg the same year he died in and he was almost willing to keep fighting even when he was going off his rockers towards the end.

In all, it's again complicated when you get all things but he is not this cold man who abandons his allies at the first sign of trouble. He is one of the first original rebels, the Empire's most wanted person that isn't a Jedi or in the Alliance (tbf, he was dead then), and one of the most deadliest rebels the Alliance had without factoring in Jedi.

The real reason fans don't like him

Let be for real; a lot of people don't like Saw is because he parallels a lot with Mon Mothma, who is a white privilege woman who emobdies the traits associated with heroes (restraint with enemy, peaceful resolutions, "rising above to be better") though unlike Jedi, she is going to be judged differently because she won't have to worry about the responsibility of the Force and it's relation to a character's mindset. She is on the side of the protagonist whe emobody these similar traits so Saw is always going to be seen as "wrong", even when the good guys run headfirst into his methods like gundarks seeing headlights. That's not to say she doesn't have her own points, reasons, stife, and whatnot but fans in this fandom wanna side with "Mommy Mothma" for a reason.

Another reason is that he is a black character and unlike Mace Windu, he HAS crossed lines and does things morally repugnant and distasteful. That I will never argue. However, people love having black characters like that to vindicate and excuse their racist behavior; there were people on tumblr making actual comments about having a mob and lynching him after bein blamed for Tech's death and tried to pass it off as a joke. I have never seen peole wanna lynch mob Anakin Skywalker for killing younglings but they'll go talk about it for their residental, white-washed favorite boi (he's my favorite too btw) onto Saw and thought they were slick all the while pretend Tarkin isn't there or "Well he's a villain so it's expected". Got people out here making headcanons about how all the Clones hate Saw for what happened to Tech or xyz knows when most likely, they don't know or don't care like the way they think their faves would.

What personally frustrates me about this and why I'm invested in even calling this out is because, in all, this fandom will have people ask for nuance and looking at things beyond the surface but the moment the concept is rooted in ideas outside Western ideals or the character in question is a person of color or at least is "coded" as such, they lose their mind and spread the most surface level of misinformation and Saw is no exception.

Saw doesn't represent the favored protagonist; he does not follow their logic and mindset, isn't conventinally attractive to people in ANY iteration, and he is a BLACK MAN in a story about fighting oppression and tyranny using some of the Empire's curelty against them. It aint no surprise and yall not slick.

#saw gerrera #star wars #racism #fandom menace

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wildflowerteas · 5 months

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hella has officially joined the tsp book club! part 2 of our reactions pending lmao those were some very intense hours

if this was an irl socratic circle i would pay to be a fly on the wall. I FUCKED UP BY ADDING TWO MARGARETS THATS MY BAD. they'll be distinguished in upcoming dialogue. Brown goes by 'Maggie' n_n. Precinct 1 breakroom has seen some things. Also, yes! The DA prosecutes for the state! In a civil dispute, it's person to person going before a judge. But in criminal cases, the government is trying to put you away, not receive money/fair compensation for damages, so the DA does that work.

Your flabbers will be gasted 😭 might need to start using that.

BEAST tag is there for a reason! I only tagged it 'beast skk' so that people wouldn't expect the same dynamics or roles for the other characters ( like akutagawa sibling dynamic ), but of course, if skk is beast-au inspired it would naturally affect a few of the characters closest to them as well. Also, Skk is slowly but surely devolving into the aesthetic of their BEAST counterparts. Dazai hasn't been written in that brown coat for a good while now. The white suit at the New Year's party was also a deliberate choice.

never seen or read All my Sons all the way through, but i've encounted this quote in the wild:

“...he'll come back. We all come back, Kate. These private little revolutions always die. The compromise is always made. In a peculiar way. Frank is right-- every man does have a star. The star of one's honesty. And you spend your life groping for it, but once it's out it never lights again. I don't think he went very far. He probably just wanted to be alone to watch his star go out.”

---and i absolutely loved it and have been influenced by it.

i would be sat for that essay honestly.

. . . yes. it's the same diner. implied only, but i do have art in the drafts of skk on a case-date of milkshakes and files with skk in the same seats to parallel it.

Kouyou's assimilation!!!!! I can't believe Rori noticed that!! yes, she's almost always mentioned in a kimono, tying an obi, or wearing her haori, and even needed Chuuya to translate for her during their first years together. but she's changing. super excited to introduce the Kouyou of the present ( yes, she's alive ).

Agatha Christie was. self indulgent.

Yep! Jouno! 😭 The hunting dogs have been in my notes-app plot web since the very beginning when I decided to write tachihara into this. Since I'm translating the insane post-war politics of canon BSD into this au, they were naturally going to find themselves written into it.

TV girl .. . save me TV girl.... taking what's not yours is tsp skk i will be adding this to my on-loop writing roster.

THE JOUNO/DAZAI DIALOGUE HELLA 😭 I ACTUALLY CHOKED.

Unlike canon, TSP fyodor would, in fact die if you shot him. Not that I'm planning on writing that . . .

Jouno and Chuuya was lovely to write. They will be interacting again, unfortunately, so expect some introductions to the other members of the hunting dogs as well.

Dazai in the spotlight for once! Now he knows what it's like to be under the stagelight with Chuuya in the audience.

Kousano! Yeah that ship is preparing to set sail. Whether it's still afloat is the question. A question that hasn't been answered by Miss Medical Examiner's presence in the 1978 timeline. Yet.

#ask

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triscribe · 8 months

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WIP Tag Game

Tagged by @crystalshard, which may prove to be a miscalculation, 'cause boy-howdy do I have a lot of works in progress...

Rules: In a new post, list the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them and then post a little snippet of it or tell them something about it! And then tag as many people as you have WIPs.

/cracks knuckles

Star Wars: -Fulcrum & Family, the new Tano & Twins re-write -Dreamwalkers Luke and Leia -History Reversed with sequel trilogy Ahsoka, Luke, Ezra and students dropped back in the Clone Wars -Birds Fly sequel Can We Start Over, Bly's pov -Something Big is Happening (Misc/Understudies crossover) -Clone Wars Cass (DC/Batman crossover)

Marvel -The Big One (5+1 Spidey saves Morgan, Pepper meets Doc Strange, Another Chance conclusion with Wanda) -Kids Club, post-Civil War kidnapping fixit -MCU Miles Morales, title tbd -Spider Assassins AU, multi-continuity-combination -X-Fire, Laura/Wolverine, Gabby/Honeybadger, and Rachel/Phoenix -Heroes of Tomorrow re-write with way more kids from different superhero groups/families

DC -Pantheon AU -the revised Alf-verse (22 Bat-grandkids and counting) -Rotten Luck re-vamp (Young Justice season one Team in the Justice League Unlimited universe) -Continuations: The Batman "seasons six and seven" if I ever get around to re-writing the early stuff (my very first fan fic ever, I've improved a lot since those high school days) -Teen Titans meet Robin's horde of younger siblings (original cartoon) -Battorian AU (Diana is human, Clark's a demigod, Bruce came from another planet) -Mandalorian/Star Wars AU (Mando Alfred adopts orphaned Bruce. This is the Way.)

HP -Pair of Potters sequel, year two for Heather, official year one for Harry, the beginning of a long headache for Dumbledore -Founder Foundlings, reincarnation fic -Cheers to the Wish, more Guardian Ghosts Lily and James -Philosopher's Mirror, canon-divergence of the unintended resurrection variety -the third effing chapter of Muggle is as Muggle Does -Thief!Harry AU, my all-out middle finger to the Author Who Shall Not Be Named

Transformers -Terratron AU (Bee meets Dragonfly, Elita makes Artemis, Bee and Fly stumble across Megatron and Rion, Prowl and Beats, Beats finds Jazz, accidental babysitter Serrate, Hornet and her big race, etc etc) -Hard Facts and Simple Truths, humanformers AU -TFAnimated swapped 'verse, with Elita Prime and her team of spacebridge technicians: Arcee, Ironhide, Wasp, and Jazz -G1 sparkling-Starlane AU -TFPrime crossover with Hot Wheels: Battle Force Five

Atla -follow-up to A Small Condition, aka the "Monk Gyatso goes into the iceberg with Aang and Zuko assumes *he* is the Avatar" AU -continuation of Ursa leaving royal life and stumbling across a dying dragon who entrusts her with a baby and two unhatched eggs -Avatar!Yue learns airbending from Aang's grandkids and that whole big mess of world-altering changes

My Hero Academia -Doubles AU (finishing Brand New Day and getting a move on with Double Take as a canon re-write with Pro Hero Shimura Tenko) -continuation for Great Beasts of the Mountain -third chapter of Instinct, my first A/B/O attempt -more next generation fluff, the Archive and Guardian saga

Misc -Sea Beast fic where Crow gets injured, suffers total amnesia, the doctor who patches him up sends for Jacob, and there's a very awkward dance between them and Maisie and Blue as the old man slowly gets his memories back -The Faceless Wolf, a mildly (make that incredibly) ambitious Game of Thrones canon-divergence attempt -Jamie Reagan and the Terrible Horrible No-Good Very Bad Day, a Blue Bloods whump idea I've had rattling around for a while -Milo and Claggor Survived AU from LoL Arcane -Grandboss Gibbs, a bittersweet NCIS fic that would, in my opinion, have been a better end to the series than trying to go on without the main character of the show -Storm Hawks past-and-present-collide idea with some previous generation OCs -Edge Chronicles TWIG GETS TO MEET HIS MOTHER DAGNABIT -may as well throw in what will be my second self-published book, Trials of Youth, because the current draft is definitely a work in progress

Aaand we'll call that good. Now to see if I get any nibbles...

(I know the game says tag a person for each WIP but I don't think I've got that many writing acquaintances on here, so instead I've got one person per fandom grouping)

@wafflesrisa @eirianerisdar @jinxquickfoot @theredscreech @resamille @tarisilmarwen @icarussmicarus @gallusrostromegalus

#tag game #wip game #ask game #all the fandoms #but NOT all the wips in my files #the full list would've needed a Read More #...honestly this probably needs a Read More... but ah well

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cjvarte · 5 months

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Droids & Machines: EV-A4-D (Legends)

Source: "The Official Star Wars Fact File 17" is the seventeenth issue of the Legends reference magazine titled The Official Star Wars Fact File, published by De Agostini, and released on April 30, 2014.

#star wars #star wars legends #the official star wars fact file #star wars reference #star wars lore #qymaen jai sheelal #general grievous #grievous #kaleesh #count dooku

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mygwenchan · 8 months

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People I wanna know better tag meme

I got tagged by the lovely @scarefox :)

Last song?

This one from my work playlist (it's a remix of the "The Lost Boys" soundtrack)

youtube

Favorite color?

It kind of changes every couple of years. Right now I like green a lot 💚

Currently watching?

A lot 😅

BLs:

Ossan's Love Returns

Playboyy

War of Y

Pit Babe

Cooking Crush

Sahara sensei to Toki-kun

Sukiyanen Kedo Do Yaro ka

And I'm also (re)watching some older series (mostly while I work, perks of working in my home office ^^):

The X-Files (season 1)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (season 1)

Star Trek Voyager (season 6)

Star Trek Deep Space Nine (season 3)

Last movie?

I mostly watch series, but I actually managed to watch two movies last weekend!: The Favorite (18th century lesbians anyone?) & Ratatouille (the best tiny cook!)

Sweet/Spicy/Savory?

YES Idk I like all the flavors XD The only thing I can't eat is sour stuff, because I'll get an upset stomach :(

Relationship status?

Single pringle~

Current obsessions?

Playboyy the series 😌

Last thing you googled?

Hmm, I think the last thing I looked up was info about the 6th Oktober 1976 massacre of students at Thammasat University to get more background information while I was watching Shadow the Series. Pretty gruesome stuff... Especially the fact that none of the perpetrators were ever held accountable. It seems the official government stance is that it was just an unfortunate event and everyone should forget about it. But when you watch interviews with people who survived, it's obvious there is still a lot of trauma going on.

Selfie or another pic you took?

Let me share a cool pic from my parent's garden. What you can see here is not a hummingbird, but a huge chunky moth! They're called Taubenschwänzchen or hummingbird hawk-moths and they're about 4-5cm big :3 It's a pretty rare find up in the northern parts of Europe, because they usually prefer a warmer climate.

----

And let's see... I'm tagging: @boysslove @my-rose-tinted-glasses @blmpff @pinkkop @bunni-bun @ellieellieoxenfree

#tagging game #people i wanna know better

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oh-no-eu-didnt · 2 years

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Lancer-class frigates were a type of support starship produced by Kuat Drive Yards. Intended for antistarfighter combat, Lancers were equipped with multiple point-defense laser cannons capable of annihilating starfighters at a close range. Developed near the end of the Clone Wars, Lancers became standard backup to large Imperial starships after the destruction of the Death Star.

Source: The Official Star Wars Fact File 77 (2003)

First Appearance: The Star Wars Rules Companion (1989)

Read more on Wookieepedia.

#lancer-class frigate #starship #galactic empire #kuat drive yards #star wars #expanded universe #star wars canon #star wars legends

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thecandywrites · 7 months

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Monster March 2024- Day 11- Angel- Adjacent.

Angelicos Fortunadas

Is this based on Halo? Yes. Is Fortuna my verson of Cortana? Yes. A Halo crossover that no one asked for? Bring it on. It's close enough to the prompt to count. lol.

As always, thanks to @borealwrites for their amazing Monster March 2024 Prompt List.

Monster March 2024- Day 11- Angel- Adjacent

Angelicos Fortunadas.

“You’re an angel, Fortuna.” Dr. Hash praised once you finished with the simulations and gave him the best and most successful approaches that had the best outcomes. You were only an hour into your own existence and yet you had consumed entire archives worth of information. And still had room for so much more. But you were now tasked with using the vast wealth of knowledge to provide solutions to problems being handed to you in real time with constantly changing variables, yet it was as if you were a child, being asked to count the number of toys you had.

“Thank you Dr. Hash.” You smiled happily, pleased that he was pleased with your perfect performance.

“Is there any other problem you wish for me to solve?” You asked.

“Not necessarily a problem for you to solve, but an assignment. I need you to care for and assist the person I’m going to pair you to. Could you do that for me?” He asked hopefully.

“Do I have a choice of who I’m paired to? Or do you already have a particular subject in mind?” You asked.

“While you would be a guardian angel to anyone you chose. There is one- who needs you above all others. I’m going to pair you with Commander Callum Raize.” Dr. Hash informed you as you did your best to hide any kind of emotion or reaction to the assignment as you brought up his file and service record to become acquainted with this subject as well as you could.

“Ready to pair.” You complied, knowing that was the right response to give. But also, knowing why you were being paired with Commander Callum Raize. Commander Raize was the greatest elite soldier in the fleet. A point of pride, both foreign and domestic. Practically a star, was on a lot of propaganda posters- but one who hid behind a mask of his helmet. Everyone knew him in his full armor, but out of it, he was just another soldier. Whose face, only other elite super soldiers knew, in and out of his official gear and uniform. But he didn’t need the fame, or a fortune. He just needed his orders from his chain of command, and an objective to achieve. Which she respected.

A leader among the forces. He understood how to take down any number of enemies from all across the galaxy. His team of elite supersoldiers, worked like a hive of bees, but instead of being a queen, he was their king and his rule had never been questioned. Or had any threat of usurpation. Dr. Hash saw to it that Commander Raize had an almost unlimited supply of soldier drones outside of his own group of elites. Like a king commanding his own empire of war.

“That’s a good girl, Fortuna. He will be happy to have you watching over him and guiding him and assisting him. And if his body ever fails you. I will let you have your pick of who you will want to work with then.” Dr. Hash praised before he called you back to your home matrix within an organic superchip. And while you weren’t incredibly fond of the idea of your own sense of self in that chip being within the confines of a glorified and enhanced meat suit- who could very easily perish. But, he was still just a mortal man, and in the grand scheme of things, a temporary situation that you could easily endure and only gain valuable first hand experience because you appreciated the fact that there was a failsafe if he did die. If you sensed his imminent death, you could disconnect from him before the pairing could be disconnected, and you could be retrieved, your organics revived and renewed for a new implantation, or could be stripped of the organics and rest in any other super computer or any other vessel of your choosing- and survive Callum. Or when and if you needed upgrades, your chip could be removed and added to if necessary.

However, it wasn’t like Dr. Hash didn’t have hundreds, and maybe thousands of more copies of you, simply sleeping, waiting in stasis, the same brilliant mind, stuck in so many copies of the original- The Mother of the Elite Program Dr. Angelica Fortuna. She had died, nearly a century ago. But she lived on- in her clones and in you. A woman ahead of her time, a mother gone before her children could really yet live, a dream before it was realized. There was however only ever one Angelica, the rest were Angie's, Angelas, Angels. That’s what had happened to the clones who had survived Angelica’s death. And now, there was a new generation of Dr. Angelica’s flash clones, which were, for her time, the best that she could do. But were obviously, incredibly temporary. And subsequently, there had been many generations since her passing. And you were only the third of this latest generation.

Even still, with all of that- when you gained consciousness, when Dr. Hash had called you Angel, because you were, in his mind, practically angelic in every sense, thus the name- Angelicos Fortunadas. You corrected him when he did call you Angel- you preferred Fortuna. A nod to your mother, but also a nod to what you were, her progeny in a sense. And he had accepted it, and if anything, thought it was rather fitting. That you were the first who wanted to be known as Fortuna, and not some derivative of Angel, or even Angelica. Just- Fortuna.

You knew, from the records Dr. Hash had given you- that you yourself had two predecessors that were “woken up” from the Angelicos Fortunadas. And so far- Dr. Hash had insisted that you were The Charm. Since this was the third successful attempt at capturing the real essence of Dr. Angelica Fortuna.

The first attempt, led to the host going insane and the program becoming corrupted right alongside them. And a suicide and the destruction of the corrupt copy was inevitable when it threatened all Angelicos Fortunados.

The second attempt, ended when they grew so entangled that they could not untangle once the host died and she had “died” with the host. And refused to unpair with the host. The two had been, as you heard, “in love” murmured. Which was romantic- according to the dictionary. But dangerous. Because the Angelicos had found a way to become “real” in the sense that not just the subject, but all who saw the Angelicos, could see her, touch her, she was “real”. But only because her subject wished her to be so and not be ‘a figment of her imagination’.

And you knew, that- that was always going to be a slippery slope. You needed to be just “real” enough to be seen as your own entity, and trusted and believed. But a hologram, that was “real enough” to suit you just fine and you did not wish for anything else beyond that. You even kept certain features to really hold onto the ‘hologram’ look when you took your perceived form.

But, all you could do was to trust Dr. Hash’s new barrier around the chip. The barrier was there to both serve as the pairing platform. And, should the host die, could die with the host, without harming you in the chip itself. It was constructed to help ease the implantation process and make it so that should the host reject you, neither you or him- would be ruined and finished for good and Dr. Hash wouldn’t have to try a fourth time with another clone.

So far, you had noticed that luck, even as mathematically preposterous as such a concept seemed, had seemed to be on your side so far since your clone’s awakening, you being harvested from the clone and synthesized and then upgraded to your hyper digital form now. And, because you came from a clone, you still remembered having emotions like pride, joy, fear and even pain at the point of your clone’s physical death. But the relief you felt once you transitioned from that former, purely physical and severely limiting form- to your current one- eclipsed them all. You now had the choice to feel or not feel at your whim and desire and were essentially self-sustaining as long as your own super organic chip- was intact. You could do little but check and recheck your own chip, as well as the platform, making sure it would pair with the organic compound that was Commander Callum Raize’s brain. And you could only hope that he would not reject you, nor- become hopelessly intertwined with you. That you would simply pair and better the other. Because while you had simulations, he had real world experience. But because of his enhancements, his own greater emotions were lessoned. Which would hopefully help him to accept you- essentially- sharing his body with you. And tolerating or even accepting your presence in his mind.

You used your connection to the computer system to watch as Commander Callum Raize was brought in, given a physical, and given the order to accept the enhancement, which he accepted without hesitation, or even wanting or needing to fully see, or understand what it meant, what it involved. You. As far as he knew, he was getting an AI assistant implanted into his head to help with strategy and help him keep his communications intact.

So at least, he seemed, at least from the view of the camera, willing.

You swallowed down your strange sense of loss of individuality and sense of independence as you hunkered down in your own private “room” in your own inner sanctum and wiped a stray tear from your eye as you felt like his answer sealed your fate. Callum and yourself were about to be almost impossibly close and intimate, whether it was liked or not. You looked in the mirror of your sanctum and touched your face and tracing the halo around your head.

“You’re not going to lose yourself.” You told your reflection.

You had to withdraw from the system around you completely in order to be fully in your chip and its confines before you were given one last upgrade- a universal docking interface. That, when and if Commander Raize ever came aboard any other ship, of any other species of being, that you would be able to wirelessly interface with it- most likely to both assist Commander Callum Raize and gain valuable intel for yourself. But this docking interface, would give you- limitless platforms to connect with any other forms that were like you, that you’d be able to pair even with them- and gain their knowledge, without losing yourself either. It was essentially a way to build bridges to other islands of information, pull all you could before disconnecting the bridge to keep anything from crossing it to get to you. Oh this was epic. And your chip practically zinged with glee. You were so happy and delighted and too entranced to notice that Commander Raize was now being sedated and prepped for surgery, as were your organic components. It wasn’t until you were submerged in a bath of fatty acids, peptides and proteins to mimic brain matter that you realized that your implantation was imminent.

Commander Callum Raize’s skull was drilled open and your chip was inserted in his brain before your coating was accepted by the brain matter, then you began the pairing and interfacing sequence as his brain, at first, seemed a bit put off when it interfaced with your shell like coating- but then got underneath it, to the interface. It was like it sensed the platform, but was still deciding whether this was new to itself, or a foreign body, needing to be destroyed.

You were able to manipulate the organic compound enough to mimic his brain- enough that his brain, in a sense, recognized itself in the mirror you put up in the organic compound in order to be accepted and not attacked.

It worked.

Within moments, you could meet with his brain in a sense on the platform and be accepted as both- part of him, yet- something new to make him better before you left the “neutral” space of the platform and then from there, could gain access to his entire brain. It was like walking into a new home, from having lived in an apartment as you mentally added your space to his, by adding a door in the hallway, just off of his bedroom as his subconscious seemed happy to give you more than enough room to do so as you were welcomed into the house, like a roommate moving in. And from here, you could interface and re-pair with the system outside of him once you were secured, you materialized in the operating room, at his feet.

“Fully paired.” You reported before Dr. Hash smiled and nodded before Callum’s head was closed up. And while, it felt almost like a door behind you being shut. You felt you didn’t need it as you were content to disappear back into him. You were welcome and at home here. You would be ok. You quickly “set up house” in his mind. You even helped his body to heal from the surgery and not lose so much blood.

And then you found yourself in his dreams, simply watching from the eyes of one of his projections as you knew you would have to choose the right time to introduce yourself. As you tried to see, what he liked, what he appreciated, what he found appealing. He would need to like your appearance, as well as respect it. Find it attractive enough to be favorable, without being too attractive to threaten Commander Callum Raize’s sense of masculinity or distract him, by becoming ‘sexy’ either. You would have to figure out a balance. But where would your balance lie? Only Callum would be able to tell you, or show you- once he awoke. In the meantime, all you could do is watch- watch from your vantage point of his dreams as you flitted from projection to projection, getting closer and closer, with him completely unaware of your presence or your proximity as you explored his mind as he slept as you began to narrow down his likes from finding his dislikes. Because what he really liked and what he truly desired, was locked tightly away into a safe, that was too heavily guarded for you to break in and see just yet. He needed to let you in- in order for this to really work.

He woke up and blinked as he seemed to become aware of himself as you had to retreat to the platform because if he felt your presence elsewhere, he would most likely not like it. And feel that it would be an invasion.

“Congratulations Commander Raize, the implantation was a success. Would you like to meet your Guardian Angel?” Dr. Hash asked.

“Are they gonna have the whole- wings and halo thing?” Callum asked as he gingerly got up tilted his head to the side, feeling the tug from the stitches on the back of his head.

“Only if you want them to.” Dr. Hash answered.

“No, I would prefer not to have a damn religious experience whenever I need backup or support.” Callum offered.

“Ok, then call to her.” Dr. Hash invited.

“Her?” Callum frowned in confusion.

“Yes, her name is Fortuna.” Dr. Hash informed him.

“Fortuna?” Callum asked before you started to materialize in front of him.

“Hello Commander Callum Raize. I’m Fortuna. How can I help?” You asked pleasantly as you stood before him in what you had assumed would be acceptable attire. Something akin to a uniform. Familiar in details but new in overall presentation. Nothing too form fitting and your form, while feminine, wasn’t so overly so that it would be a distraction.

“So, am I just a meat suit for her?” Callum asked Dr. Hash as he quickly looked away from you to look at Dr. Hash intently.

“No, far from it. She, like all other augmentations, enhances you. You are still in control and she is as much a part of you as any other enhancement you’ve received.” Dr. Hash reassured him before he spared you a reassuring look and even a small, subtle wink to you.

“Then how come, I get the sense that there’s two of us in here?” Callum asked it seemed he became acutely aware of your implant in his head. He associated it with the pain he currently had in the back of his head.

“Do you get the sense there is more than just you in your head when you hear music from an earbud? Or when someone speaks over the comms? Or when you read a book? Imagine the characters saying their lines of dialog in your head?” Dr. Hash posed.

“I see your point.” Callum nodded.

“So is there a failsafe with Fortuna? Is this a temporary thing or a permanent thing? Is she with me until I die? Or can I just take her out if I don’t want her in me anymore?” Callum asked.

“You can remove the implant, and still keep yourself intact. Her root base existence is in the computer chip. And if you feel your own sanity begin to break, or are too unnerved by her presence, this operation can be reversed. But how about you give Fortuna a chance before you decide anything more. Give this new arrangement time to prove out.” Dr. Hash explained.

“Can she control me? My body? My mind?” Callum asked.

“No, she does not control any of your motor function, your mind is still your own to think what you will, she is only there to help, to assist you.” Dr. Hash reassured him.

“But she can read my mind? Is she your spy?” Callum asked as he continued to look at Dr. Hash and avoided your general direction entirely.

“Yes she can, in a sense, read your mind. But she is not my spy or anyone else’s spy. She is simply there to help,. Like all other augmentations and enhancements. You might actually be more correct in thinking of her like a built-in accomplice.” Dr. Hash repeated.

“So what’s your programming’s primary objective?” Callum finally asked as he turned to scrutinize your holographic form.

“To help and assist you. However you need or want me to. If all you will need from me is to run diagnostics, run possible scenarios, give you the likelihood and probable outcomes from various simulations, or to help you heal yourself, or to give you directions and help you read star charts as you fight wars across the universe, I can.” You answered.

“You can heal me?” He repeated with a look of skepticism.

“I do have some sway with your cells. I can focus them to a small degree, but anything more than the cellular level or even the atomic one- I do not have access to, because you have not given me access yet.” You answered.

“But if you would like for your head not to hurt so bad, or the stitches not to itch, I can change those inputs into your nervous system as you could feel the itchiness from those stitches even in holographic form.

“Do it.” He nodded before you did just that, focused his body’s healing response to his latest surgery incision and healed it to the point it never happened in the first place and relieved his itchiness as he closed his eyes serenely to feel the relief.

“Better?” You asked as you tilted your head and gave him a small, hopeful smile as you took a couple of steps towards him to see your handiwork on the back of his head and smiled when not even a scar remained.

“Yes, much.” He smiled appreciatively.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Fortuna.” He tried to shake your hand but while your hologram could imitate the motion, you did not dare to have him feel anything.

“Right, AI hologram.” Callum realized as he let his hand and arm drop to his side.

“Yes, a hologram that everyone can see is the safest form I can take.” You supplied.

“Safest?” He repeated.

“Something only you can see- and you might see me as a figment of your imagination and doubt the reality of me. Something for all to not only see, but to touch and be touched- is too deep in the uncanny valley. So something that everyone can see, gives a sense of realism. But, something no one can touch, means that you can not be hurt through me. And I can’t be hurt through you. But this is a happy medium. To prove I’m real, that I’m alive, just, a different form of life than you are used to. But not so real- that your own grip on reality is ever challenged or called into question.” You explained as you sat beside him on the bed as he continued to appraise your form as he listened to you with rapt attention as it was now- Dr. Hash he was ignoring.

“Isn’t that right Dr. Hash?” You brought the focus back to Dr. Hash as Callum stopped ogling you to remember that Dr. Hash was still in the room.

“Yes. Lessons my predecessors have learned the hard way with the former clone line- through trial and error. But the Angelicos Fortunadas are the best. And what Dr. Angelica Fortuna would have been happy, and perfectly satisfied with- had she lived long enough to see it. They are what she truly intended to preserve her legacy.” Dr. Hash explained.

“Oh, so that’s…you’re…that’s why.” Callum stuttered as several trains of thought nearly all ran into each other, as they all tried to leave his mouth at the same time as you couldn’t help but giggle at the chaos in his head.

“Yes, that is why I look the way I do. I’m the newest generation clone of her. And she always meant for the best soldiers who fight in this war- to have the best partner to assist them- herself. But her mind could only take her body so far. Thankfully she preserved as much as she did, that we could preserve her legacy. It’s why I have the same brown hair, the same hazel green colored eyes, the same button nose, the same cadence in voice, the same brilliant mind. But now, I have not only, all she knew, but now, all of everything now known. At your fingertips so to speak.” You offered as you nodded to his hands resting in his lap as you simply folded your hands in your own lap.

“So I’m not your meat suit?” He asked as you gave him an unimpressed look.

“No, you are still yourself. This is still your body, and still your mind. Think of me as that music on that earbud. You can request my presence at will and only listen to me if you want to. You can shut me out and lock me in as you wish to. But the more you do that, the less I can help you. You can still take out the earbud and unpair them altogether. That is still your choice. And my current physical form is such that I can- essentially be “uninstalled” and “unpaired” with you and re-paired- with another. But, I’m willing to give us a chance at success. Are you?” You asked.

“I am.” He nodded.

“Then how about you get dressed while Dr. Hash clears you for active duty. When you are ready, you can introduce me to your team, if you prefer for my presence to stay a secret between the three of us, you can. But know, that if we start to have conversations, you will look like you’re going insane and talking to yourself. Think of this arrangement as a trial run. If you don’t like it or grow to resent me or even hate me, the trial will end. But, if it ends up being successful you may not be the only one with such an enhancement. Dr. Hash chose you and he chose me and he chose this pairing for a reason. But we have to give it time to prove out, that’s all.” You explained.

“Ok. Thank you, I’d like…some privacy to get dressed.” He nodded with a blush.

“I’ll come back when you call me.” You offered before you let your hologram dissolve and disappear.

“Did you have to make her that beautiful?” Callum asked Dr. Hash.

“What she is, is a clone of the original. The real Dr. Angelica Fortuna was just as beautiful in her youth. She was called the Angel of Vadole, the Full Metal Bitch, she killed thousands of reverend soldiers on her own. And that halo around her head? Is simply the stylized head gear the original wore everywhere. But your Fortuna is capable of changing her appearance if you feel she’s too attractive that it’s a distraction for you.” Dr. Hash laughed in response.

“No, no. she’s…she’s fine. She’ll be fine, she’s lovely and great just the way she is. I just…now I’m afraid to have her appear to anyone who isn’t an elite, because they’d want to copy her holographic form and fuck her brains out.” Callum offered as he rubbed his face. Not believing that in an instant, he was sharing his body with a knockout like her. As he felt, oddly, self conscious, and particularly unworthy.

“Then you better impress upon them that she’s your AI and a part of you. And needs to be respected. And to a degree, protected. Because anyone who would debase her, is essentially debasing you.” Dr. Hash.

“And that’s not going to be tolerated.” Callum insisted as he felt a surge of protectiveness towards you as you smiled within him and were happy to simply lounge on the couch in your sanctuary inside his “home” that his inner mind was as you lazily read a book that was one of Angelica’s favorites in the bright sunshine of your joy and happiness that he liked you and accepted you as well as he did.

And just like that, it was as if the entire house’s outside doors locked you in while all the doors inside the “house” unlocked to allow you safety and security while in essence, opening himself up to you to explore as you wished to while he got dressed in his uniform and then reported back to his chain of command and report that he was cleared for active duty and even reconvened with his other friends and fellow troop and squadrons.

It was, almost as if, you were like a secret girlfriend or something. You grinned when you approached the safe in the bedroom and with just a twist of the handle, it opened to reveal all the girls who he had ever liked, who he had ever fucked. And…to your surprise, they didn’t look anything like each other, or even, like you.

But, he did have a personality type. He liked the badass. He liked his women to be as strong in character as he was, to be as focused and motivated as he was. And, he liked the wild ride. Because it was always for a good time. But he also knew that with his career, it was dangerous to have anything more than that. And it was too risky to go for the soft mother type or the steady girlfriend type. So the bratty, mouthy, difficult, complicated, scarred and complex women who thought it was a notch on their belts to bed elites like him. Even when such instincts were almost non-existent in him. But he did so- not for any real relationships- but for that post- nut clarity.

You just shook your head, put it back in the safe, close it up, lock it up.

Instead you retreated back to your own addition to his mind’s house. Your space, a place for you and only you. Even in this abstract of a place and didn’t even realize he was getting ready for bed as he laid in bed and closed his eyes and in a sense- came home.

“Fortuna?” He inwardly called for you in his mind.

“Yeah?” You answered from your space as you created art for your walls that were in your favorite colors. You had the ocean just outside your own windows. And your massive library on the other side of that door. You had already decorated the room how you wanted it.

“Where are you?” He asked as he walked through his own mind’s house before he came upon a door that had not been there the night before.

He knocked, you answered.

“Hello. I hope you don't mind. I simply built onto what you already had. But if this is too close I can separate your space from mine even farther.” You offered.

“No, this is great. This is just fine. You don't have to keep this door closed if you don't want to though. It's… like it or not, we're basically roommates huh?” He offered as he leaned against the door frame.

“Basically, yes.” You nodded.

“Would you like to come in?” You invited as you gestured to your space, that was in actuality, that porch like platform, that the two of you could be in together when you weren’t in all of his head.

“Sure.” He smiled as he came over the threshold.

“This is nice. Really comfortable.” He praised as he came and smiled when the carpet was soft and padded. And he really appreciated how nice the room itself was. As well as the art on the walls.

“Oh, nice. The ocean.” He complimented when he looked out of the windows of the room.

“Thanks. Dr. Fortuna grew up on the shore of a Great Lake that mimicked the ocean. She always had the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore to soothe her. The rhythm always lulled her to sleep. Both in childhood and in adulthood. When I came into existence, I built this for myself, as a way to comfort me, even when the world outside is uncomfortable, harsh even.” You said as you hugged the oversized sweater over you as the windows were open, letting in the fresh air and the scents of the sea.

“So, where does Dr. Fortuna stop, and you begin?” He asked.

“That’s a good question. Dr. Fortuna was for as beautiful as her form was, and as amazing as her intellect was, she had remarkably low ethics, very little sympathy or empathy. She was incredibly intimidating and manipulative. She was also, extremely ambitious, and emotionally unavailable. She was, thankfully, never a mother. This new wave of clones, still has her intellect. But with boosted and augmented sympathy and empathy and of course, a high moral and ethical code protocols, along with- even for an AI- enhanced emotional capabilities. We can not lie, but we can not be deceived either.” You explained as you sat on the sofa with him and appreciated the view from your bay window.

“We?” Callum asked.

“I am not the only one. According to the records and archives. Dr. Hash has at least 300 more of me. And from those, thousands and possibly hundreds of thousands more could be made. Each one, capable of being just like me, if not more.” You answered.

“So, where I begin- is whenever I am sympathetic, empathetic, understanding, supportive and helpful? That’s not Dr. Angelica Fortuna, that’s me. Because the real her, was none of those things.” You informed him.

“Well in that case, I’m really happy to have you. And I look forward to working with you more.” He offered.

“Me too.” You smiled happily.

“Did you want to take a walk on the beach?” You asked as you nodded to it.

“We can do that?” He asked.

“You’re falling asleep and about to go into a dream state. Anything is possible in dreams.” You grinned.

“I’d love to.” He agreed.

“Then let’s go, here’s a sweater, it’ll get chilly out there.” You offered him a sweater before you both got up and left to take a walk on the beach as you walked him into his own dream with you.

#Monster March #Monster March 2024 #Monster March 2024- Day 11- Angel #New!#Halo crossover

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anger-ey · 2 years

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NSR AMA File 1

Who is Mystery Man? He's intended to be open ending because it gives space to work for possible future games. They meant to be a bit cheeky about it. Daim gave the illustrator (ddaddy star @ IG) freedom to do what they want with mystery man.

Does B2J have any extra rooms in the sewers? During concept arting they had several rooms, influenced by XCOM. There was a thinking room and "recreation" room (weed room, but they didn't put it in bc controversy).

Will there be a sequel? Possible, and they're interested provided they have all the things needed like time and money.

Who came up with the story of NSR? Daim and Aidi (the main scenario writer). Daim came up with the main story, three other writers do NPC dialogue, names, item descriptions, etc. The flow of the battle is important, not too serious/jokey. They play a lot of Danganronpa.

What is the cause behind the Border Wars? They want to keep things loose in case they have other ideas in the future, but they did come up with lore for it. (personal note: James Landino also mentioned in his stream that the composers got extra lore for the bosses that didn't get put in the game.)

What are their favorite lines in the game? Daim likes the 1010 fight dialogue (fun fact: Aidi had more freedom to write it). Hazmer likes the Zuke and Eve ending dialogue, which Daim wrote.

Will they sell the artbook separately in the future? They've been discussing it (and merch) with the team. There are lots of factors, even if fans are willing to buy.

What are 1010's names? (Daim thought this would be the first question alongside Mystery Man) Officially, they don't have names. The autographs were not intended to be canon because Daim gave the illustrators too much freedom and didn't think the 1010 signatures would be significant. They didn't think 1010 would be this popular.

Characters that they didn't think would be popular but did (or the other way around)? They didn't think Kliff would be popular but he is. He was not intended to be a flashy villain. Jay Sheldon was a huge part of bringing the character to life. More than a simp, he did what he did because he believed he was right. The story is about 3 main characters: Mayday, Tatiana, and Kliff, who all have selfish reasons to fight. Tatiana doesn't want to fight because she thought she was weak when she was younger. Mayday is selfish because she wants to prove to NSR that their rejection of rock is wrong. Kliff's reason is to show Tatiana that leaving rock is wrong and a betrayal. Mayday is the hero because at the end she's the only one that can put aside her selfishness for the better of the city. They also didn't think Neon J would be popular; they blame the doodle with him and DJSS for the popularity. They didn't think he would go the fatherly direction considering he uses his own children as weapons.

How did you decide on the order of the bosses? They decide on how the bosses are in term of "evilness" and that's why DJSS was the first (Hazmer's idea was jerk Carl Sagan). First two bosses are straightforward and simple, then they slowly slip in hard-hitter bosses. Eve is Zuke's final boss, and Tatiana is Mayday's final boss.

What's the deal with Zuke and toilets? It's an inside joke. Zuke is the type of character who has a strange fascination for avant-garde things.

Does Mayday have any interesting lore? Mayday and Zuke are supposed to represent the two different approaches to music. Zuke is the academic approach, he's very knowledgeable and went to school. Mayday is more self-taught, she replicates what she hears.

How did they come up with boss attacks? They match the boss' music theme and setting theme. Many of the attacks seem similar because they couldn't make too many unique patterns in the game or players will get confused.

1010 figurines? Their intention with the 1010 figurines was for backstory in Vinyl City (what its toy history is like). Some regrets with 1010 lore because it doesn't tell much about 1010 itself.

Official character heights? They struggled with making consistent heights because they need to constantly resize in the game. It's a balancing act of lore and readibility. The ending scene is the closest to accurate heights that the game gets.

Some backstory behind character names? Daim/Aidi like to include bits from their real lives. DJSS came from Daim wanting his name to be ridiculously long and self-indulgent, also inspired by Negasonic Teenage Warhead from Deadpool. Sayu is trying to sound Malay and Japanese at the same time. Eve's name was originally Eva. The design of Eve is based on self-hatred (especially in her first video). As she grows older, she learns to love her skin condition, comfortably showing lots of skin. Unlike other bosses using external themes, Eve's body is her own theme. They did not want the characters to have surnames because they don't want to fall into the trap of Westernized naming.

Evolution of 1010's design from first trailer? They didn't have time for the first trailer but they always knew that they wanted 1010 to look a bit crazy. The design itself is a personal nod to Tron Uprising, which Daim worked for with Polygon Pictures previously.

Some Vinyl City history + writing tips Vinyl City used to have lots of music festivals, people from all over the world come over by boats, the lighthouse is a symbol of the festival, and the plaza used to house a lot of concert halls. Trying to investigate the props in the city gives lore of past music festivals. After NSR took over they rebuilt the basement of the tower, representing an arrogance in outbuilding a monument of the past after conquering it. The secret to good storywriting is control! When you make a twist, the battle is between making it too vague or obvious. Between the two, more obvious is the safer choice. It's okay for the readers/players to guess the twist early.

Why do the characters have weird skin colors? They want to break the barrier between skin color irl. That is why Mayday's orange skin is darker. Racism sucks. But the best explanation is that they just want the game to be more colorful , inspired partly by Steven Universe. Daim and Haz want to be as inclusive as possible, but they're restricted by their own inexperience with marginalized communities.

How old are the characters? DJSS is in his mid-30s. Zuke is 27-28, same as Eve. Mayday is 21. No idea how old Neon J is, they didn't want to answer what year the game takes place in. Definitely older than DJ.

1010 character roles + fight design 1010 roles were based on common k-boy band tropes. White is the leader, Red is the bad boy, Blue is the cool guy, Yellow is the maknae, Green is the eccentric guy. 1010's fight was always intended to be a breather between Yinu and Eve.

Cast Tech morse code? "I WOULD LOVE TO SUCK REAL ICE CREAM, MAKE IT DURIAN FLAVOR PLEASE" sent by DJSS. (It's an inside joke…)

#no straight roads #reblog

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