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#Fashion jedi content
dswcp · 1 year
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Everybody’s talking about the Andur finale!
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Damn, got by a lizard! That was so exciting! I can’t wait for Season 2; this Nomi seems like she’ll be a fantastic character!
“Tales of the Jedi, issue 3: The Saga of Nomi Sunrider, part 1.” Dark Horse. December 1, 1993. Writer: Tom Veitch. Penciller: Janine Johnston. Inker: Mike Barreiro. Letterer: Willie Schubert. Colorist: Pamela Rambo.
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david-talks-sw · 5 months
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When 'Star Wars' dilutes the impact of a "Kurosawa samurai standoff"...
It's no secret that one of the major inspirations for Star Wars was Akira Kurosawa movies. The Hidden Fortress influenced the basic structure of the first film, was a basis for Lucas' character archetypes and his use of narrative POVs.
But, really, all of Kurosawa's films were an influence on the making of Star Wars. Including the duels seen in his and other samurai films from the 60s.
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Dunno if you've seen a kendo fight, but they're pretty similar.
The duelists size each other up, and there's a lot of mind games going on before the strike actually happens.
If you hold your sword this way, the other guy adjusts his stance.
You move your foot that way, the adversary responds accordingly.
Cinematically, this process allows you to play with a whole treasure trove of elements to build up the drama and suspense. We see this slow-yet-tense approach to dueling reflected all over the Original Trilogy. And we've seen it again in recent Disney-released content.
The perfect and first real example of this in Star Wars is the fight between Ben Kenobi and Maul, in Rebels.
The tension increases more...
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... and more until the two fighters move, the music swells...
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... and then it reaches its climax.
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Beautifully executed.
Dave Filoni's done his homework, it shows, and while it's an awesome homage, narratively it also holds weight. There's a reason why this fight is so quick:
This time, Obi-Wan isn't fighting to avenge the death of his master, he's not fighting to save his own life... he's fighting to protect Luke's. And that means there's no time to fuck about. He'll end the conflict swiftly and decisively, he won't let it come to a prolonged acrobatic fight. So he lures Maul in by making him think he's taking Qui-Gon's form, and strikes true when Maul, increasingly consumed by his own rage to the point of blindness, falls for it.
Again: a wonderful fight and an excellent homage.
Then we get to Luke's stand-off with Kylo on Crait, in The Last Jedi.
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An interesting take on the trope, also with meaningful narrative impact. As Rian Johnson writes in the TLJ screenplay:
"This is not like a saber fight. This like an old-fashioned samurai duel."
Here too, the tension gets built up...
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... and every time we're close to getting that climax, Luke dodges.
It leaves a feeling of dissatisfaction, which is exactly what Kylo is feeling as he boils with rage.
Suddenly, we do get the climax...
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... and a twist. Luke was never actually there. Boom. Those inserts during the build-up phase? If you look at them again they're clues (Luke doesn't leave a mark on the ground, salt doesn't land on his clothes, etc). Luke wasn't engaging because he wasn't actually there, he was buying time for the Resistance to escape.
Okay. Cool.
Next time we see a "Kurosawa" duel... it's here, in The Mandalorian.
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Again, a lot of posing, slow movements and patience, as is expected from the trope.
But we know nothing about the opponent Ahsoka is fighting other than her name is Morgan... so no emotional impact, there.
At some point, Ahsoka loses a lightsaber. The apprentice to the Chosen One is struggling against some rando.
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We find out later on that Morgan is a Nightsister from Dathomir, and that's cool... but we already know how Jedi-trained folks fare against the Dathomiri.
If you ask me, it feels like manufactured stakes. But that's beside the point. In fact, y'know what? It's fine.
Though the impact of this duel isn't as great as its predecessors, the whole episode is filled with visual homages to Kurosawa's work.
It makes sense that the duel would be too. Also it's the first time we're seeing Ahsoka in live action, in a lightsaber duel, the hype is real. Let's cut 'em some slack.
So we come to the series Ahsoka... where almost every duel in the the show has the Kurosawa posturing and tip-toeing and... I dunno. I was bored?
Like, the primary purpose of this approach to duels is that it's meant to be suspenseful and intense... and now it's not.
Because we know Ahsoka is gonna beat the crap outta these droids...
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... so why even bother faking some semblance of "what's her next move gonna be?" suspense? There's a hole right behind her, gee, I truly wonder.
Oh, you think putting her against an Inquisitor's gonna make us fear for her life, wonder if she's gonna get outta this situation unscathed?
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She was wiping the floor with two of them at the same time, a decade prior. At 17, she was killing Inquisitors while disarmed.
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Do you really expect your audience to fear for her life in a fight against Marrok?
So we get to the fight with Baylan, and the posturing and studying opponent's next move would be welcome here (two Order 66 survivors, knew Anakin, both well-trained former Jedi)...
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... if we hadn't literally seen that same dynamic with Marrok who, again, we knew was gonna die.
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No tension was built in either moment, the only thing it achieved was me pressing >> on my keyboard.
It's not captivating anymore, it's just slow and un-dynamic.
Bottom line:
Tributes to Kurosawa are nice. They're part of what makes Star Wars what it is. But c'mon, we get it already.
Lightsaber duelists don't need to tiptoe around each other and change poses at every fight. Because when the actually meaningful duels come up (like the one with Baylan), the impact will be lessened.
The "Kurosawa samurai duel" is artistic and interesting, but it should be used sparingly in order to maintain its charm and not get old and trope-y. AKA too much of a good thing becomes a bad thing.
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antianakin · 4 months
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It doesn't happen as much, but some people said that Taron Malicos (that crazy ex-Jedi from Fallen Order) was right about the Jedi's decline, forgetting that Malicos is mentally-deranged and fallen to the Dark Side. Not exactly the most reliable authority on Jedi history and culture, if you ask me.
Yeah, the Cal Kestis games sit in that sort-of "soft anti-Jedi"/"Jedi critical" space where they have moments that are absolutely telling the audience that the Jedi were weak, or at fault for what happened or old-fashioned/behind the times, but that they were still GOOD PEOPLE and Cal is absolutely still identifying as a Jedi whole-heartedly and doing Jedi stuff etc etc. The entire storyline of Fallen Order is that Cal and Cere are trying to find the list of Force sensitive kids so they can try to rebuild the Jedi Order and it's sad when they have to make the choice to let that dream go in order to protect the kids from the Empire. Cal getting Knighted by Cere is a happy, triumphant moment. The whole flashback to Order 66 being included and being SO SO SAD is a major element of the game. Cal and Merrin literally bond over being survivors of the devastating tragedy that is the total loss of their people. (It comes up even less in Survivor, the one place it shows up is within his romance with Merrin.)
So the message getting sent is that sure, MAYBE the Jedi weren't always perfect, but it also DOESN'T MATTER because nothing they did warranted what happened to them and it's still a good thing to be a Jedi. So Taron Malicos might be "right" in the sense that the narrative doesn't really specify one way or another (but sort-of implies that he might be), but being "right" doesn't justify being a selfish asshole and hurting other people. So it stops mattering at all if he's "right" or not anyway.
Rebels does similar stuff, quite honestly. This idea that the Jedi might've made mistakes in places, but that ultimately their loss is still SAD and Kanan is fucked up by it and both he and Ezra learn to be better people as they learn to commit to being true Jedi. It's a GOOD thing for both of them to become Jedi.
They both sit in this middle ground of saying that being a Jedi is a good thing and the loss of the Jedi is still a tragedy, but the current Jedi are going to learn from the mistakes of their predecessors who fucked up enough that it might've led them to their own doom. It's kinda sad that some of the better Jedi centric content we've gotten recently comes with this need to criticize the Jedi for shit they didn't even do, but it's VERY common. Even High Republic has elements of this in it from the few of the novels I've read.
But I will say that, as much as it's annoying to me personally to have to deal with that, it's better than something like, say, I don't know, the Ahsoka show which has the darksider characters NOT come across as evil selfish assholes and none of the main "Jedi" characters ever seem to actually identify (or even WANT to identify) as Jedi and implies that being a Jedi might be a lesser or inferior way to identify just in general and that there's nothing truly sad about the loss of the Jedi themselves. At least there's a lot of other generally positive Jedi stuff in Rebels and the Cal Kestis games to enjoy. Ahsoka didn't give a single Jedi positive moment in the entire fucking show.
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anatee · 2 years
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Bloody Skywalker | Pt. 1 | Anakin x Reader
Summary: Obi-Wan knew that putting two young people together would result in too many emotions to handle, yet he just stood there and watched it all unfold for years. The most interesting things, however, are happening right where he can’t see the bloody Skywalker.
Content: Anakin x Female!Padawan!reader, jealousy angst, bits of fluff, Padme hate club, no mature content (yet 😏)
Word count: 6.6K
Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
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A set of memories - and she was in all of them, making it impossible for Anakin to fall asleep. He was staring into the dark ceiling before eventually drifting off to the land of memories, one he hadn't been able to escape for some time, one that protected him from the reality he'd been feeling uneasy in...
As he turned away from Padme sleeping at his side, the first memory clouded his head, the oldest one he had of someone else.
It was a very warm day years ago, one that reminded him of his life on Tatooine. He was walking through the Jedi temple with Obi-Wan, who was slowly explaining their upcoming mission to him, and nothing was out of the ordinary - that's why Anakin had no reasons to even suspect he was about to meet someone who would impact his life so much.
A young girl they almost bumped into after turning a corner.
"Oh, right, the two of you haven't met before," said Obi-Wan, immediately recognising her. "Anakin, meet Y/N, Grand Master Yoda's new Padawan."
"I didn't know Master Yoda had Padawans," said Anakin to Kenobi's apparent disappointment.
"Anakin..." He sighed heavily, covering his face with his hand and the girl just giggled, making the boy laugh, too.
"Pleasure to meet you, Anakin," she said confidently as they exchanged a greeting. "I've heard a lot about you from your master."
"Oh, have you? Wonder what that was..."
Kenobi just shook his head as Anakin took a moment to take her in. Y/N had to be around his age and, overall, looked quite pretty, even if the Jedi robe wasn't exactly the most outstanding fashion piece.
"Where are you from?" Anakin asked curiously.
"I'm from Nab..."
"Now, as nice as it is," Obi-Wan interjected, "Anakin and I have to excuse ourselves, Y/N. They are expecting us. You two will have plenty of time to get to know each other."
"Oh, yes, I see." She bowed her head slightly. "So until the next time, Anakin."
And they got to meet again just a week later, again in the Jedi temple. She was training with Yoda himself, trying to deflect each and every one of the swings of his lightsaber, which wasn't easy in spite of her being much taller than him. Anakin watched all of this in awe, and even after years he remembered how impressed he was, how he wondered if he were better.
Eventually, Yoda knocked Y/N's blue lightsaber out of her hand, and she fell to her knees, having completely lost balance.
"I'm sorry for failing again, Master," she said with her head hung low while breathing heavily, unable to look him in the eye. Yoda didn't seem to be angry nor disappointed - on the contrary, he hid his weapon with the faintest smile.
"Do not worry, still learning you are," he told her loudly.
"See, Anakin?" Obi-Wan turned to his Padawan. "That's what I've been telling you, too."
Yoda turned towards the unexpected guests as if he had just spotted them. Obi-Wan and Anakin moved closer as he spoke to them:
"Oh! Fight together the two of you should." He pointed at Anakin. "Your skills checking you should try."
Y/N raised her head in surprise, then used the Force to bring her lightsaber back into her hand.
"Excellent idea," said Obi-Wan as she stood up to meet them. "It will be good training for both of you."
Y/N, who was already standing next to the three of them, exchanged looks with Anakin.
"Shall we?" he asked with a small smile, one she had already come to like. Hell, the guy was handsome, and she didn't need to know him well to see that.
"Alright then," she replied, and even though she was still tired from her battle with Yoda, she was eager to find out how Anakin fought, to find out more about him.
"Anakin," Obi-Wan called him, and the boy turned to him one last time. "Be gentle, just gentle," he mouthed.
"Oh, I heard that, Master," Y/N said, clearly offended. "He doesn't have to. I can handle it."
"It has nothing to do with you, Y/N. You just don't know him yet," Obi-Wan explained, causing Anakin to chuckle. Y/N didn't even know she was about to find out her opponent wasn't aggressive - but just pure chaos.
"Leave them to themselves we shall," Yoda said to Kenobi, nodding wisely. "Not always their Masters by their side they will have."
Obi-Wan was a little afraid of doing that, knowing what Anakin could do, but he nodded eventually, not intending to disobey Yoda's ideas.
The Masters left, and before their Padawans knew it, they were fighting with each other, lightsaber to lightsaber, although neither of them was really trying to hurt the other. They both wanted to talk; and why not use the 'fight' for that?
"So you didn't tell me and I ask again," he said in between the swings of his lightsaber as if it was nothing, "where are you from?"
For a moment, she didn't speak, concentrating on deflecting his blows, until eventually she found time to focus on talking as well.
"Naboo, you?"
"Tatooine," he replied, barely avoiding the swing above his head.
"The sand one, isn't it?" she asked as he retaliated, almost poking his lightsaber through her hand. Anakin found time to nod in between his swift moves, then clashed his lightsaber with hers.
"I hate sand, though," he said, and this was when Y/N was lost. She stopped in her tracks for a second, and Anakin seized the opportunity to knock her weapon out of her hand, but she didn't seem to care - instead, she began laughing hysterically. Anakin lowered his lightsaber and watched her in confusion.
"I'm sorry, I..." She couldn't utter a word between her giggles. "This was the funniest thing I've ever heard. I can't." She kept on laughing, almost becoming out of breath in the process.
"Does that mean I win?" he asked with a grin.
"Yes, you can have it." She said between her chuckles. "Let's say you won verbally..."
"I don't know why it's so funny, but if I win, then I'm not going to argue." He shrugged and she just shook her head.
"I don't even know what's got into me." She was breathing heavily while using the Force to retrieve her lightsaber again. "One way or another... It's nice getting to know you. Maybe we should continue our conversation during dinner?"
Anakin agreed eagerly, feeling famished. He didn't notice it, but during that dinner it was sometimes difficult for her to look him in the eye - he was astonishingly handsome from up close, and it really made her act like an embarrassed teen. But they were both still young, so she hoped it could be somehow forgiven... And she hoped Anakin didn't see her as a silly girl who couldn't handle talking to a good-looking guy.
He didn't. He came to like her quickly, too, and they had much to talk about, including gossiping about their respectful masters. This was when he found out she was an orphan and used to work as a herbalist on Naboo, and how Yoda found her and offered to train her after he sensed she could use the Force. She admitted that the Jedi order was the first group of people that felt like family to her, especially because she had never met her parents. He, too, revealed his past to her, and how he missed his mother. This touched Y/N; she really appreciated the fact he opened up to her, what made her like much more than just his face.
"May the Force be with you, Anakin," Y/N told him as they parted that day, smiling to him sincerely. The long conversation they had made her think he was a truly interesting person, even if he acted a bit silly at times.
"You too... Y/N," Anakin replied, cracking a smile, too.
A few years have passed, but he still remembered that day very well, because it was the beginning of their friendship, one that lately was becoming more and more difficult. Now that he was laying in his bed, unable to sleep beacuse of nightmares that had been haunting him constantly for days, he tried to think of all these good moments just to feel better. Padme didn't understand him; at least that's what he thought. She wasn't Force sensitive, she had no idea what he was going through...
Padme was another matter that made things harder between him and Y/N. He remembered that day from a few months before when she saw them together for the first time. Anakin was terrified, but it was nothing compared to what Y/N was feeling.
It was the day her heart shattered completely. She had been falling for him for months - but how could she not when he was young and bright, when they had so much to talk about, when he looked the way he looked...? Of course, she tried to restrain herself, because the Jedi order didn't allow any attachments - but when she saw him with another girl, it became clear to her she wasn't able to let it go.
Her self-confidence dropped significantly after that, too. It was obvious Anakin would be more interested in someone like Padme - coming from Naboo, of course Y/N knew who she was... But Anakin had no idea what was going through her mind.
"Are you going to report it?" he asked her that day, and it pierced her heart. Talking to him after what she'd seen was agony.
One part of her wanted it, the selfishness provoked by hurt wanted her to run to Kenobi and tell him everything, make them split up or make Anakin leave the Jedi... But she couldn't do that to him, not when she loved him.
"No," she replied in a shaky voice. "Love doesn't choose, does it?" she added since she knew better than anyone that it did not, in fact, choose. If it did, she would never choose to fall for that bloody Skywalker.
"Thank you," he breathed out and she just nodded, unable to look into his eyes.
"But if I were you, I would be more careful. Especially around your Master," she muttered, then turned on her heel to leave, knowing she couldn't talk to him anymore.
Things got worse from then on. Anakin noticed that she was trying to distance herself from him, and thought it was because he was defying the Jedi code. He had no idea it was purely because she was hopelessly trying to lose feelings for him.
It was a burden, one that was getting worse and worse, especially when their Masters made them work together. Y/N tried to remain professional, tried not to look at him too much, tried to forget about him while he was oblivious to her tortures. And every time they parted, she thought about him going back to Padme, risking his position for her...
Anakin had no idea it became too much for Y/N a mere week ago. She had to at least talk about it to someone, having been suffocating for months, and she needed advice. Too afraid to confess everything to her own Master, she decided to turn to someone who knew Anakin best - and it was Obi-Wan.
It was a calm, warm evening when she found herself in front of Kenobi's quarters, then raised her hand shakily to knock. She sensed he was there, yet still had the slightest hope he wouldn't answer. Maybe it was a stupid idea to come to him after all...?
Eventually and inevitably, the door opened, revealing a surprised man who was apparently preparing for bed.
"Oh, Y/N," said Obi-Wan, clearly shocked by whom he saw.
"Master Obi-Wan, I'm sorry for disturbing you," she murmured quickly, "but can I talk to you?"
"Well, uh, yes, of course," he replied, trying to act as if he was completely composed and ready to act. "Did something happen?"
"I have a problem and..." She heaved a sigh, lowering her head. "I'm afraid to talk to Master Yoda about it."
This was when Obi-Wan immediately became more serious and moved aside to let her into his room.
"Come on in, then."
Before she knew it, she was sitting on his bed in a dimly lit room while he was standing in front of her with a concerned frown. She was already regretting coming to him, but the damage had been done.
"So what is it?" he asked, making her sigh again.
Now or never.
"I... I have fallen in love."
Obi-Wan closed his eyes as if bracing for impact. He expected something else... But now he understood why she was so nervous, and how hard it will be to help her.
"I know, I know, I know I must not," she said quickly, having noticed his expression. "That's why I'm here, asking you how to cope with it."
This was the man's turn to sigh. He crossed his arms on his chest and leaned against the wall, knowing how hard of a conversation it will be. He wasn't surprised she didn't want to talk to Yoda about it.
"I'm much older than you and I still haven't found the solution, you know?" He ran his hand through his hair. "It's as hard as it gets, I'm afraid..."
Y/N nodded, hugging her arms to herself. If even Kenobi couldn't handle it... Then how could she?
"Maybe I should leave the order. I cannot be a good Jedi if I..."
"Hey, don't say that." Obi-Wan immediately plopped down next to her to somehow have control of what she was doing. "You have the Force with you, you have the talent, Master Yoda wouldn't want to teach you if you didn't..."
"But what good can I be if I can't control my emotions?" she interjected, feeling completely helpless. "It's been months. And I can't let go, even though I tried."
"Listen, falling in love in itself isn't a sin..." he began, wondering how to begin. "It just depends on what you do with it."
"It's hard to control it if I see him almost every day," she whispered and then clasped a hand over her mouth as realisation took over.
At that point, Obi-Wan had to ask the question that was on his mind ever since she confessed her problem.
"It's Anakin, isn't it?"
"Don't ask me that question."
Of course it was him. Kenobi was afraid it would come to this - but could he blame her? Many times he thought putting two young people together would result in too many emotions to handle, yet he just stood there and watched it all unfold for years. If it weren't for the code, he would give these two his own blessing; his heart rose when they laughed with each other just to become serious the moment they needed to focus on the mission, and just how young, beautiful and blissful they looked together...
"I hate these rules," she said eventually, shaking her head.
"I sometimes do, too," Obi-Wan admitted. "But it's not the end of the world, Y/N, trust me."
"I will not disturb you any further." She stood up quickly, then rushed towards the door. "I have to go and... Reconsider my place here."
"Y/N, look at me." Obi-Wan grabbed her shoulder to turn her towards him. "I know it's hard, but you'll get through this. And I will help you if you want. Just... Don't make any impulsive decisions, alright? We can't lose people like you from the Jedi."
"I... I promise I'll think about it," she replied eventually, then left, now even more puzzled than before meeting Kenobi.
Now, a week later, Anakin still had no idea. He also had no idea what he was about to do to Y/N as he slid off his bed. He knew it was no use trying to fall asleep again; he had to talk to her and regain what they had. He threw on a robe to cover his bare chest, then, without even glancing at sleeping Padme, left the room as if in trance.
Y/N's temporary bedroom was just several corridors away. Anakin felt a bit weird about going to meet her; they haven't spoken for a few days, maybe even more if you excluded some forced dialogue, and it really upset him. He couldn't know, however, it was her trying to let go of him again.
She was fast asleep until she suddenly felt a shiver come down her spine. She thought it was a nightmare overtaking her body, but she quickly realised it was the Force, notifying her someone close to her was near.
No, why am I sensing him again... I'm losing my mind.
However, it didn't take much before she realised it wasn't a dream. Knocking on her bedroom's door was pretty much real, and she stirred awake. It was all so sudden that she didn't even think about it - scared that there might be an emergency, she jumped out of her bed just in her nightgown.
She sensed who was standing on the other side of the door - and yet, she didn't want to believe it. She opened before she could hesitate any further, and her mouth fell open.
It was him. Bloody Skywalker.
"Anakin? What are you doing here?" she asked sleepily, suddenly feeling very conscious that he could ogle her exposed shoulders and collarbone, even if there was only some city lights getting inside through the window, so neither of them saw too much. He was in a robe, his longish hair ruffled, and it seemed like he had just left bed, too. Y/N looked behind him, as if looking for any signs of commotion, but everything seemed perfectly peaceful. So why would he come to her in the middle of the night?
"Can we... Talk?" he asked quietly, then gulped, making her imagine the worst possible scenarios.
"Is it something bad?" 
"No... Yes?" He looked up at her. "I'm not sure."
Y/N sighed. Although she's been trying to avoid him, she knew it would be impossible for her to refuse him. Especially not when he stood there, looking like this, and the night protected them both. 
"Maybe that's not how I should've started," he added after a moment, having seen her uncertain expression. "I know you're avoiding me. Even though... I don't know why. Did I do something to you?"
Why did he have to ask that?
Y/N just stepped aside, giving him clear permission to enter - so he did, but he was still waiting for her answer, glancing at her hopefully. He hated the atmosphere between them now and was determined to change it.
Y/N closed the door, then leaned against it as if for support and crossed her arms. She had to answer; after all, it was her who began distancing herself, and they've been growing apart ever since she found out about Padme.
"It's not about you, Anakin," she muttered eventually, her gaze focused on anything but him.
"What do you mean?"
"It's not your fault that I'm avoiding you," she whispered, afraid that if she said that any louder her voice would crack and she would become a mess of a person.
"Then what happened?" he asked with pure concern. "I miss it when we... When we just spent time together. And laughed and... Don't you remember when we used to race in ships and Obi-Wan said you couldn't leave us alone for a minute?"
She couldn't bear it. Her heart was aching while she listened to all of that - she missed it all, too, of course she did, but...
"Anakin, just tell me why you came here," she said much more aggressively than she had intended, hoping to just get this over with.
He hesitated, but then took a deep breath before sitting on her bed. He immediately looked at her for approval - something he never needed before - but she just kept on staring at the floor. That's why he decided it would be best to just talk.
"I've been feeling so uneasy lately. For days now. And with Padme, I feel like she doesn't understand a word I'm saying, we've become... Different, somehow."
"Why are you telling me this?" She looked at him for the first time, now more woken up than ever. "Why don't you talk to her about it?"
"I tried. But as I said... She doesn't understand the Force. I see it clearer and clearer every day." He sighed and raised his head, hoping to look into her eyes. "And I know you understand me, Y/N. I've always told you that."
Anakin could see something was breaking inside her. Her expression was changing from somehow offended to sad, heartbroken even, and it hurt him to see her like this, too. She felt as if her heart was a knot which could not be undone unless Anakin did it.
"And most of all... I wish we could be close again," he admitted in a whisper.
This was her last straw. Tears appeared in her eyes as she immediately covered her face to hide from him, even if it was pointless in the small, dark room they were in.
Anakin stood up to stand next to her. "Hey, what's happening?" 
"You have your nightmares and I have my own nightmares, too," she admitted eventually, having no more strength to keep it in. "I've fallen in love as well."
She looked at him with glistening eyes. It was as though she could hear blood boiling in all of her veins as she realised what she had said. It was a nightmare and a bliss at the same time, because even if she didn't admit whom she loved, at least half of the burden was off of her.
"Oh," Anakin blurted out.
Shock took over him, and some unpleasant feelings, too. He didn't know why he didn't like that information or why it affected his body in a negative way, but he got a knot of his own, right in his stomach.
"He doesn't know, though," she continued as if she wasn't talking to the very man she had fallen for. "And he won't. But... I recently talked to Obi-Wan about leaving the Order."
This completely shattered Anakin.
"No!" he yelled immediately and grabbed her wrists, causing his robe to move and expose some of his chest. "I mean, you can't do that, you're a great Jedi, you..."
"A Jedi who can't control her emotions." She inhaled sharply, trying not to focus on his hands being on her. "You know something about it, too. I suppose you were right... I do understand you." She looked him in the eye and regretted it immediately, thinking she might melt from the inside.
It's been a while since she saw him like this. These bright eyes she liked so much, ones she loved to see light up when he laughed. Moreover, standing so close to him had never been so hard. She wanted to touch him, hug him, let him collapse into her arms or the other way around, do anything she could to help him, hell, she would even let him stay in her room if it weren't for so many obstacles.
"Don't leave. Please," he whispered and she shivered. Hearing this from him made all the difference.
"But I hate these rules. The people here may be like my family, but on the other hand, I want to live, too. Besides, don't you want to leave, too? For Padme?"
Mentioning Padme worked like a spell. He snapped out of everything and eventually let go of Y/N's wrists, having realised he was still holding them. At that moment, Padme seemed completely unimportant, almost like a stranger...
"That is... Another problem."
"What?"
"It's not only about the Force. Padme questions most of my decisions lately. And I don't think I'm doing anything wrong, I just..."
"What?" Y/N repeated, raising an eyebrow. "You've been, if anything, completely calm lately. That's very unlike you, if you ask me."
"I think so too. See? You do understand me."
Y/N took a deep breath and finally found a moment to compose herself. She wiped her tears and coughed.
"I suppose you're right... We've known each other for years now... Trainings, missions..." she confirmed, this time trying not to stare at his chest which was showing from underneath his robe.
"So about us... Will we be okay?"
She wanted them to be okay, more than anything. But at the same time, what good was it for if it would make her fall for him harder?
She looked into his eyes again.
"I don't hate you, Anakin, I hope you know this. I could never hate you." She took another deep breath.. "It's just... I'm going through some things, too. But if you're feeling unwell, you can always talk to me. You should try and sleep for now, sleepless nights won't help you. And maybe... Try resolving things with Padme, and if it doesn't work, then maybe this is just... Not it."
She couldn't believe she added that last sentence, but Anakin didn't bat an eye. Warmth filled up his body, because in spite of what she said earlier, he could hear sincere concern in her voice. She always cared for him, even when he had stupid ideas or injuries he basically asked for...
"Thank you. I will," he said eventually. "But more than anything, I hope we will... Reconcile."
After that, he left eventually, somehow hurt, somehow uneasy. The moment the door closed behind him, Y/N fell onto her bed to cry into the mattress.
There was no way out.
Now, more than ever, she understood why the Jedi Order disapproved of attachments - because that's what they led to...
Days passed, and Y/N still kept her distance, although it wasn't possible to forget that late night conversation with him. It made things even more awkward than before, because what did that talk change? She was still in love with him, he was still with Padme, and they both still had to obey the Jedi code.
Obi-Wan also sensed the tension, especially now that he knew her secret. He didn't tell a soul, but observed her quietly and tried to help, oblivious to the fact that he would worsen things. He called Anakin and Y/N to himself, intending to give them a mission - and a chance to sort things out. There was just one tiny detail...
"Y/N, while Master Yoda is busy, he allowed me to take care of you," Obi-Wan said, and it put Y/N's heart at ease. Yoda has been absent for a few days now and she couldn't do much.
"Of course." She bowed her head, standing next to Anakin but not daring to touch him in any way. He kept on glancing at her, hopeful for any kind of sign that they were alright.
"And it so happens I have a task for both of you," Obi-Wan continued, "you have to escort Senator Amidala to the Senate."
Y/N closed her eyes, then gritted her teeth to prevent crying or any other reactions, really. Obi-Wan thought Padme would be a good catalyst between the two Padawans, unaware of her relationship with Anakin... Unaware it will be torture for Y/N.
Anakin didn't look too happy, either. He sighed quietly, only hoping Y/N will keep her promise of silence.
"Is it okay with you?" he asked as they walked together towards the aircraft. "I can do this alone if you..."
"I'm a Jedi knight just like you," she cut him off, "I can handle it no problem," she claimed, although there was already something swirling in her chest and stomach. 
Jealousy. Jealousy she couldn't restrain.
"Alright, alright..." Anakin said, and he could sense the subject was sensitive for her.
This was the first time he thought... Maybe Padme was the real problem between the two of them? And if so... Was he to choose between them?
"If anything, it's you who should try to remain professional," she added with venom, one that she didn't even know she had in herself.
"I will, I will," he assured her.
A few minutes later they were by the ship where Padme was already waiting for them. She smiled at Anakin, but her expression changed quickly when she noticed he wasn't alone. Y/N didn't blame her - she wasn't exactly happy to see her, either.
"Good day to you, Senator Amidala," she said politely despite her feelings and got an equally polite response. Having entered the small aircraft, Anakin and Y/N looked at the pilot's seat at the same time, then at each other, as if competing.
"You take it," she said quickly, bowing slightly as though she was offering the seat to him. She hoped that if he had to focus on flying, he wouldn't even have time to look at Padme. It was selfish, but also a life-saver for Y/N.
"I was always the better flyer, wasn't I?" Anakin grinned as he took the seat, causing her to roll her eyes.
"Don't get too cocky. I just want you to do all the work while I relax," Y/N replied as she sat down behind him, causing Padme, seated next to her, to chuckle.
"But I've won all our races," he argued, turning to look at Y/N with a smirk.
"I would love to slap you now, Anakin, but I'll stay professional for Senator's sake."
He laughed again, and so did Padme, but Y/N didn't share their amusement. She was doing all of this to release the tension, to try and persuade herself it won't be that bad, but in her heart, she felt completely rotten.
"Anakin, just be careful, okay?" Padme asked as he prepared for take-off.
"I'm always careful."
Y/N snorted loudly. "Never heard a bigger lie."
Anakin smiled to himself. He took all her teasing as a good sign and was happy to see that she did not comment on his relationship with Padme at all. Everything was going smoothly: the journey, the landing, coming into the Senate... Until they were about to go back.
Y/N parted from Anakin and Padme just for a moment. She found them by the ship and was just about to tell them they were ready to go back when she realised she'd stepped right into the middle of the couple's heated argument.
"Why is she here?" She heard Padme's voice and, on instinct, hid behind one of the ship's wings. Did Amidala mean her?
"Padme, it wasn't my choice, Obi-Wan..."
"But you could've said something," she interrupted.
"I couldn't, you know he's my Master, besides, Y/N..."
"Y/N this, Y/N that, you've been constantly talking about her for weeks now! And today I could also see how you look at her. You've never looked at me like this."
Y/N felt as though her heart got stuck in her throat; she was glad she had the wing for support, because her legs were becoming weak. This information was news to her, and she simply couldn't believe in what she was hearing - Padme was jealous of her? 
Anakin heaved a sigh. "Listen, we just understand each other, we're in the same pos..."
"And I don't understand? Because I'm not a Jedi?"
And this seemed to work like a switch on Anakin. Y/N watched him from afar, yet she could still see his expression darken; she's never seen him like this, and it somehow terrified her.
"Well, yes, if I'm being honest, lately you don't understand," he almost growled.
Y/N gaped at him. That tone, that face, these words... It wasn't the Anakin she's known so far. Padme seemed to be just as surprised, taking a step back from him.
"How can you say that?"
"Say what? The truth?" he hissed.
Y/N wasn't able to take too much time focusing on the increasing speed of her heartbeat. She had to reveal herself somehow, especially before Anakin could calm down so he wouldn't sense her. Before Padme could respond to that, she quickly came out of her hiding and said loudly:
"I think we are ready to go."
She tried to act as if she had not heard a word of their argument, but, at the same time, it was particularly difficult not to watch their reactions. Padme still looked stunned - he still looked furious.
"Yes, we are," Anakin confirmed and gave Padme one last glare, then walked away to open the door of the ship.
Padme composed herself in front of Y/N, but the latter could see her clenched jaw clearly.
"Senator," Y/N said, gesturing for her to get into the aircraft first, and so she did without a word.
The journey back was silent and extremely tense. The moment they landed, Y/N, despite her jealousy, wanted to give them a moment to reconcile. She approached Anakin right after leaving the ship and whispered:
"You can stay if you want, Anakin. I'll go and report to Ob..."
"No, I'm going with you," he interrupted, his frown gone as he looked at her. "I don't need to stay here."
And so he did, surprising her even more. He was acting as if there was no argument whatsoever, often gracing Y/N with the beautiful smile she loved so much. However, she knew him well enough to see there was pain behind his eyes, and wondered whether she should ask him about it.
Eventually she decided to give him some time. If he argued with Padme because of her... Then talking to him about it might not have been the best idea.
Y/N spent the next day on waiting patiently for any sign from Anakin, any information about what she had heard - all of that while trying to process the fact Padme was jealous of her. Was it simply because they spent so much time together as Jedi... Or was it something else Anakin did or said that she had no idea about?
While she was preparing for bed in the evening, she heard knocking on her door, and it made her heart skip a beat. The Force, however, was hinting that it was not Anakin waiting for her to open. Seconds later, it was Obi-Wan whom Y/N was letting in.
"How are you? Did you decide anything?" he asked with sincere concern while she was sitting on her bed.
She took a deep breath.
"I'm not going to leave the Order," she replied, having decided this because of Anakin.
"Oh, that's good news. I'm relieved." Obi-Wan smiled at once.
"But nothing else changed," she added sadly, even though it was a lie. A lot changed in her heart after hearing that one argument, but, obviously, she wasn't going to tell Obi-Wan about it.
"Did you tell him...?"
"No, of course not! That would be madness." She shook her head vigorously. "But... It's still hard."
"I know, Y/N, I know." Obi-Wan sat down beside her, then put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "But at least you're staying here and I can help you. It'll be okay."
But it wasn't.
Just a few busy days later she had some time to breathe. She was eating alone at the Jedi temple, trying to process everything that has been happening lately. She told Obi-Wan she would not leave, but actually began considering it again, after spending almost every night dreaming about him. Padme's words were echoing in her head - I could also see how you look at her...
Her heart was jumping with joy every time she remembered them, however sadness overtook her body instantly as she realised that this love had no chance for a happy ending either way. Tears appeared in her eyes for the first time since talking to Anakin, and she hated them.
"May I?"
The unexpected voice almost made her jump in her seat. She looked up and saw - to her horror -  Anakin: standing there with his plate, smiling, and apparently willing to join her during the meal. She wasn't ready for this - and simply panicked.
"Yes, but... You know, I'm actually finished, so..." She stood up quickly and began walking away as fast as she could, even though deep down she knew Anakin would probably catch her.
"Y/N!" he called, then left his plate to go after her immediately. She was already on her way out of the room, new tears in her eyes as she tried to hide from him. Anakin didn't need much to catch up with her and noticed them immediately.
"Why are you crying?" he asked in a worried tone, standing in front of her and grabbing her hands. "Please, tell me what's wrong."
She didn't have any strength anymore.
"Listen, Anakin, I wouldn't want to get between you and Padme, so let's just..."
"There is no Padme."
Y/N's mouth fell agape. "What do you mean?"
Anakin let out a sigh, then looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping.
"I ended things with her a few days ago, I was about to tell you... She wants me back, but I don't want it. I just... I don't love her anymore. And, once again, she doesn't understand me at all." He explained quietly and it was hard for Y/N to even register it. "I decided I should end it while she still has a chance to find someone else. I shouldn't have been with her in the first place."
Having heard that, Y/N let out a chuckle, one she almost didn't have control of. It was relief washing over her, taking the place of jealousy for the first time in months.
"Anakin making sense. Seems unbelievable."
He smiled widely at that, seeing that the atmosphere already got better.
"And you're teasing me again. Seems unbelievable now, too."
She just looked down, unsure of what to say next. One side of her was extremely happy - on the other hand, she had to remind herself that the fact he didn't want Padme didn't mean he wanted her.
"So... Would you agree to eat with me?" he asked after a moment, and she looked up to see hopefulness in his eyes. "Like we did on that day I made you laugh hysterically just because I said I didn't like sand?"
She chuckled again. "It's still funny to me."
"Then I can say that again."
These words warmed her from the inside. It was a joke, just that, but underneath these words, she could feel how he cared for her. They walked back to the table where Y/N completely regretted her earlier reaction.
"Well, but about Padme... I'm sorry. I know you probably don't feel well..."
"Don't be. I'll be alright," he said reassuringly, gracing her with yet another smile.
"Still, if you need to talk...You know where to find me," she offered before she could think about it. "And I'm sorry for my earlier... Runaway," she added in embarrassment.
"Are you alright? I could see you were crying."
"It's... I don't know how to explain it. I just didn't want to... You know, can we talk about it some other day?" she asked quickly, having realised she was just digging a whole for herself.
"Obi-Wan has some tasks for me today, but... How about we meet on the roof tomorrow evening?"
Her heart skipped a beat. They haven't met there for months, a year even, and it was a thing she missed a lot. Intimate, special... And just theirs.
"Like we used to?" she asked with a small smile.
"Pity we stopped," he replied, causing her to smile even wider. She knew it wouldn't be good for her feelings, but simply couldn't refuse.
"I'll be there."
Anakin seemed sincerely elated.
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elucienweekofficial · 9 months
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AO3 Collection・Instagram・Twitter・Masterlist
Thank you so much to everyone who participated in Elucien Week 2023! We are so grateful to everyone who took the time to create content and engage with the week!
We'll be keeping an eye on any stragglers in the tags and updating the masterlists accordingly. Also stay tuned for one final surprise from the moderators before we finish out the week officially 👀
📝Fics:
Lead Me Into the Light by @velidewrites
A Blaze in the Dark by @the-lonelybarricade
Meet Me at Midnight by @starfall-spirit
Ars Amatoria by @fieldofdaisiies
DILF Daydreamin' by @labellefleur-sauvage
Elucien hate sex by @darklove9314-blog
I'll Take You To The Boba Shop by @areyoudreaminof
I Was Enchanted To Meet You by @c-e-d-dreamer
The Fire Won't Burn Me by @separatist-apologist
I can't face reinvention (I haven't met the new me yet) by @midnightmasterpiece
Weightless by @asnowfern
put your lips close to mine (as long as they don't touch) by @belabellissima
Both Forever and Rather Die by @foundress0fnothing
Love on Water Lillies by @vulpes-fennec
The Fox in the Garden by @writtenonreceipts
Across the Stars by @velidewrites
The Highland Fox and The English Rose by @labellefleur-sauvage
lost in your current (like a priceless wine) by @a-novel-blog
Modern AU Spicy Prompt Fill by @aldbooks
Frost and Fire by @aldbooks
🎨Art:
Flyboy Lucien and Naboo Senator Elain by @stickyelectrons
"Oh~there you are...♡" by @witchlingsandwyverns
Elucien embracing by @fieldofdaisiies
Elucien sleeping beauty AU by @devilsnightz
fluff!Elucien by @brielyasmin
The Boba Shop AU - comissioned by @separatist-apologist from artist @zolyna_
The Great Elucien - comissioned by @iambutmortal from artist @/vinc_ry
Las Vegas Wedding AU by @cursebrkr
Elain and Lucien | Outlander Inspired - comissioned by @acourtdelaluna from artist @/artcraawl
Modern Rio de Janeiro and Cyberpunk São Paulo by @westrangecollectionkoalaposts
Domestic Elucien sketch by @corcracrow
Anakin and Padme Elucien by @wittyrejoinder
Elucien secret garden vibes by @dopeartisanprincess
sleepy by @laxibbeb
Elain Archeron and Lucien Vanserra by @afoliveira
Furry AU by @mei_lfong
Elucien WIP by @mossytrashcan
Sith Elain and Jedi Lucien - comissioned by @separatist-apologist and @the-lonelybarricade from @witchlingsandwyverns
Elucien 80s fashion - commissioned by @sanktadu and artist @lib-arts
Lucien VanBowser and Princess Elain - comissioned by @kingofsummer93 from artist @carasalexandra
Golden Hour - comissioned by @foreverinelysian from artist @tropicoola
🎶Misc:
ELAIN & LUCIEN: MODERN AU moodboard by @octobers-veryown
Court of Ties and Destinies tiktok in English and in Portuguese by @lloorryy
Her Burning Light moodboard and drabble by @sunshinebingo
Reasons why Elucien is happening by @elucienhasmywholeheart
Elucien quotes: 1, 2, 3, and 4 by @ofduskanddreams
-
If we missed one of your contributions, kindly reach out to one of our event runners!
🎨: mallorydraws
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gaphic · 3 months
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I've been trying to expand the amount of queer YouTubers I watch (since right now it's mostly cishet white dudes playing games) and Jessie gender keeps coming up as a suggestion but I've never been sure about giving her a shot
Is she just like... Bad analysis like you were talking about in the HOTD post? (I haven't watched the show so I mostly skimmed lol)
Do you have queer YouTubers you'd recommend? Right now the only one I super trust is VerilyBitchie, but there are a few more I've started sipping into based on hbomberguy's recs at the end of the video
I cannot recommend Jessie Gender for even background noise. It's not just bad analysis, she also makes multiple objectively incorrect assertions in that video, and the way they're framed makes me suspect she's being intentionally misleading, not stupid. Worthless channel.
It's honestly hard for me to make recommendations here, because at this point I genuinely believe the 'queer/leftist video essayist' archetype is just poisoned. I'm off my ADHD meds rn so I'm struggling to articulate this properly but the field is fucking overrun with people whose approach to analysis is just a checklist of their own identities/political views and so many of them just run together. The media analysis channels I would most recommend are not Queer Youtubers TM but here's what I got
Pixielocks, fashion/magical girl content conure, political streamer Mike's Mic, Silly movie/tv content Lisa Fevral, fashion and pop culture Amanda the Jedi, fun movie commentary Haley Whipjack, I don't have proof she's queer but vibes. Nerdy media stuff Darling Dollz, doll content and related Girly Stuff like magical girls Jose, another one I don't have proof of being queer, but I'm confident. Media analysis NominalNaomi, political streamer CJ the X, I don't even know how to describe this. Recommended with slight reservation bc he often blurs the line between joking and serious in places where it would effect my opinion Orowen, REALLY good media analysis, deserves more subscribers
A COUPLE MISC RECOMMENDATIONS UNRELATED TO MY SUSPICIONS OF QUEERNESS I JUST THINK THEY'RE REALLY GOOD:
Li Speaks, girly content, mainly 2000's nostalgia related stuff, once in a generation GirlsGoGames expert Alexander the ok, engineering content, including THE definitive Oceangate video. Deserves 5 million subs
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pomplalamoose · 5 months
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Can we please have some luke fluff hc’s?🙏 from any era idc i just love your writing💗
Thank you so much, anon!!! <33
I'm so on board for more lighthearted Luke content to warm our hearts, it's what he deserves🤝🏻
Also I veered into kinda new territory for me; while many of these take place in the Star Wars universe as normal, I included some modern day AU ones too
• the Jedi are taught to take extra care of their clothing and appearance because whenever they're out and about they take on a mostly representative role, whether they want to or not
• this also includes learning how to correctly mend and take care of their belongings
• I don't think that this was at the very front of Luke's education though, Obi-Wan and Yoda really had more pressing conditions to work with
• however, as everyone can clearly see, nobody had to specifically tell Luke about this
• (just look at the man)
• not only did he grow up with maybe one (1) relatively good fitting outfit, I'm also sure that because of this he was taught how to fix holes and re do seams as well as sewing his buttons back on himself
• I'm even convinced he's able to make a simple pair of pants and a shirt from scratch should it be really necessary
• something about the picture of you and Luke sitting together on a warm summer evening or during a winter night and you watching him silently working away is just the peak of domesticity
• he enjoys fixing clothes, especially if by doing so he can do a favor to those he loves
• I think in a way it calms him too
• he'd definitely help out his Padawans with it as well
• I firmly believe he owns a small sewing kit, complete with a thimble
• (maybe two: one he's actually using and a second hand made one out of porcelain because he thinks it's really pretty)
• maybe, in addition and if he has the time, he'd try out similar activities like crocheting, knitting, stitching, etc.
• I don't think he'd be very good at it but everything he crafts is made with love and there is no one around who doesn't appreciate his efforts
• imagine him knitting little socks and hats and scarves for all of his students
• for some reason he really struggles with online tutorials though
• they're always going too fast, he can't see what exactly it is they're showing, and often times they're just overcomplicating really simple steps
• he finds this to be very frustrating
• he probably uses a very (very!) old fashioned book to learn instead
• its margins are full of scribbles of its previous owners and Luke adds his own
• he draws smiley faces next to the patterns he likes most
• Luke is a DIY king
• something that really comes in handy as a Jedi master
• at the very beginning, just at the start of his own academy, he definitely did most of the occurring tasks himself, also including preparing the meals for everyone
• he's a decent cook but I think he'd get really into baking
• baking bread is one of his favorite free time activities
• my sister insists upon the fact that he'd make the absolute best focaccia
• (or its Star Wars equivalent at least)
• he really likes trying out new recipes, especially those he never heard about before
• with varying degrees of success, as some of them are not meant to be made by humans
• but worry not, nothing is getting wasted
• Luke's collection of little fish friends is always happy to eat the remaining crumbs
• (for those that don't know what I'm talking about, check out my other random Luke headcanons if you'd like)
• he has special outfits for his training sessions, including many different shoes
• depending on what or where it is he's practicing, he chooses them carefully
• inside he's wearing soft slippers and soft slippers only, boots are a no go
• it's very much established that Luke is wonderfully emphathetic and always ready to stand by your side, may it be during your period or when you're struggling mentally
• he's still wonderfully emphathetic and caring when you're sick but like, only from very far away
• he'll refuse to come near you if you so much as mention you're not feeling well
• if you have to sneeze or cough even a little bit he's immediately asking whether you've fallen ill or are about to
• just say you feel like you're getting a cold and he's on retreat immediately
• he can't get sick as well!
• he's working with children!!!
• at least one of them is always sick anyways, he can't be contagious under any circumstances!
• he'd feel so bad if he were to be responsible for even more of them suffering
• he feels horrible for not being there for you too though
• so he still does his best
• he prepares warm meals and tea every day and let's R2 deliver them
• he always checks in on you when you're asleep
• he changes your bed sheets while you take a shower or a bath
• he'd totally make a doctor's appointment for you if you're too scared to make the phone call yourself
• he makes sure you're taking your medications
• he pats your back and strokes your hair using the Force
• Luke would absolutely hate quarantine
• at first he'd still be pretty optimistic, thinking it won't be that bad, maybe even fun?
• he'll just meditate a lot, right?
• after all he has mastered his temper now, his patience renowned among his friends and students
• this mindset works at the beginning and for a while he's happy to sleep in for as long as he wants to
• however he forgets about the concept of time quickly enough and soon has no idea what day it is
• when was the last time he had breakfast?
• since he's a very outdoorsy person, always on the move, always doing something, it wouldn't take long until he's getting kinda antsy too
• and while he does enjoy the calm and quiet, he's mostly used to being the center of bustling activities
• soon he takes desperate measures to pass the time, even trying out things he before swore to not be interested in in the slightest
• I see him taking lots and lots of Buzzfeed quizzes
• he texts you about every single result
• one of his first ones was about what kind of animal he'd be and he absolutely hated the outcome
• he eventually ended up making his own quiz because of it
• he likes watching you play video games more than playing them himself
• it's very relaxing to him, especially after a long day at work
• plus he gets to hold you extra close under the pretense of being very interested to see what's going on on screen
• he dozes off pretty quickly though
• while he's happy to let you play whatever you want, I think he has his favorites as well
• Animal Crossing being at the very front
• he loves when you show him your town or island, how you decorated your house and which villagers you're best friends with
• he too would have the newest game, simply because you were missing a few items and he was determined to get them for you
• it would totally escalate during quarantine though, and suddenly he'd have a fully decorated five star island
• (Luke Skywalker plays Animal Crossing with a passion and I'm ready to fight anyone about it)
• for some reason he gets really competitive during Mario Kart and Just Dance
• he unapologetically wins at every single Wii Sports mini game and no matter what you do and how much you practice, he's always better and not in the least bit sorry about it
• he is a Macher™ (please let there be some German fans who know what I'm talking about)
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Din and Grogu’s Story Arc
So one of the things that a lot of people seem to be struggling with this season is the direction of the storytelling. Where is the plot? Why is Din being made a side character in his own show? Why is Bo-Katan getting such a prominent role, when she’s barely been in the series thus far? When is the bad guy going to come into play? 
One of the things that the Mandalorian has always done is blend its storytelling techniques - balancing the episodes that have a specific crisis, solution, execution, and conclusion within that one 30-50 min block with episodes that are more focused on advancing the ongoing narrative. Allow me to offer a brief recap of the story as it pertains to Din and Grogu:
Season 1: 1-3 - Din is hired to deliver Grogu to the Empire and saves him instead 4-6 - Din makes a living doing what he does, but now as a single parent 7-8 - Din protects his child from Moff Gideon who is trying to steal him  Season 2: 1-3 - Din is looking for Mandalorians who can point him to a Jedi so Grogu can be with his own kind 4 - Din goes on a side quest that reveals why the Empire wanted Grogu 5 - Din meets an ex-Jedi who won’t train his son, but who shows him how to reach other Jedi 6-8 - Grogu is taken by the Empire; Din works with Mandos + friends to get him back; Din accidentally acquires an important heirloom; Grogu leaves with Luke The Book of Boba Fett Grogu decides to leave Luke and return to Din Season 3:  1-3 - Din redeems himself so he and Grogu can be accepted back into the Covert - they bring a now homeless Bo-Katan with them 4 - Din begins training Grogu as a Mandalorian; he and Bo work to save another Mandalorian’s child 5 - Din (with Grogu) and Bo lead a mission that gives the Covert a new home on Nevarro where their children can be free to “play in the sun” 6 - Din, Bo, and Grogo begin a quest to find other Mandalorians so they can reclaim their home planet and have a permanent place to call home; Din returns the Darksaber to the person he believes will best lead their people
There are two chapters left of season 3, but when we recap the story just focusing on Din and Grogu, is there any real confusion about what the focus of the plot is? It’s the same as it always was: Din is trying to do what is best for his little clan of two (perhaps soon to be three). First, he was just trying to protect Grogu from those who would harm him. Then, he was trying to what was best for the child by returning him to the people he thought were better suited to raise him. Then, in Book of Boba Fett (which is mostly about finding your tribe, a central theme to Mandalorian culture), Grogu returns to where he truly belongs - with Din. 
Now that Grogu is with Din, Din’s focus changes. He is no longer content to just be a bounty hunter or a mercenary for hire. He is a father now, so he is looking to lay down roots. He wants what all parents want most - a better life for their children than the one they had. His many adventures along the way have broadened his understanding of his own culture. He wants to restore Mandalore, but he doesn’t want to do it with the motivation of leading the clans. He wants to do it so his son can have a stable and fulfilling life. He never wanted the Darksaber. He never wanted to be Mand’alor. He just wants to be a dad...but if I’m reading the room right, I believe he’s starting to consider the possibility of raising his son alongside someone who he trusts and might be beginning to love. And in typical Din “reluctant main character” Djarin fashion - the person he is beginning to care for is the once and future Mand’alor, Bo-Katan Kryze. And I believe she is beginning to care for him. 
That’s the story they’re telling - it’s a story about a growing Mandalorian family. We’re still in the early days of “will they, won’t they” with Din and Bo-Katan, but the writers couldn’t be more obvious that they’re hinting it as a possibility. That may please you or disappoint you - but if you’re stuck on the idea of Din Djarin needing to be a powerful leader in order to be relevant to the show, you probably ought to be rooting for him and Bo-Katan to get together. If you want it to go back to being the adventures of Din and Grogu, Clan of Two...you won’t be rooting for the “Dinbo” ship to put to sea.
One last thought: if this isn’t the story that you envisioned them telling, I can empathize. After all, I did not enjoy the story they told in the Sequels, for all that it damaged the stories already written. But just because something did not go the way we wanted it to, does not necessarily mean that it is a bad story. We, as fans, must remember that we are not the storytellers. Sit back and listen to story being told. If, when you reach the end of it, you decide you didn’t like it - that’s your prerogative. But there are a great many fans who do enjoy the story that The Mandalorian is telling. And trust me, the plot isn’t lost. The story isn’t disjointed. It’s all right there. 
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simpingcowboy · 9 months
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🌈Pride On Navarro🌈
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Pairing: Trans!Din x GN!Reader, reader is implied to be queer
Word Count: 1.9K
Warnings: allusions to transphobia, discussions of queer visibility, coming out, grogus says trans rights
Summary: After settling down on Navarro with Din and Grogu, a new celebration comes to town!
A/N: HAPPY PRIDE!! This was written as part of @flightlessangelwings 's pride celebration!! I used their photo prompt(the large pride flag photo above!) and their dialogue prompts "Do you trust me?" "Hold my hand tight. I'll protect you." This was a bit rushed, but I hope you still enjoy <3 This is also the first trans!din writing to include Grogu!!
Trans!Din Masterlist
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It’d been less than a month since you’d first settled on Navarro. The humble two room cabin quickly became home to your clan of three. The morning, as most were, was slow. The twin suns are just beginning their journey through the sky, marking their path with a burnt orange hue. Grogu was content by the pond, refining his Jedi powers through his daily meditations. You watched him closely, keeping an eye out for Din; who had already headed out to care for the ranch you three resided on.
Though most of Navarro was typically just beginning to rise- there seemed to be an unusual amount of commotion on the horizon where the town center stood. You noted a mass amount of ships docking. Though there'd been many new arrivals as part of a reconstruction efforts, these ones seemed…different from the usual material deliveries. There were some standard carrier ships. Some vendors, the ones who hopped planet to planet selling their fine goods. A couple of personal ships. But most strangely were the rounds of passenger ships. Hoards of people seemed to be flooding the gates of Navarro, eager to breach the inner city.
“Cyar’ika?” A familiar modulated voice behind you interrupts. “What are you looking at?” Din approaches. Coming round to your side, shoulder rubbing against yours.
“The ships…there’s so many today.”
“Mmm I noticed too.” He confirms. “Karga hasn’t notified me of any disturbance-”
“No. I don’t think it’s anything like that. Look.” You say, pointing to the branded vendor ships. “Vendors…maybe a market?”
Din looks over the horizon, the heat signatures on his visor affirming the large crowds. “A big one.”
“Would you like to-?” At that moment you’re cut off by an insistent tugging at the hem of your bottoms. A familiar womp rat prying for your attention. You chuckle as you pick him up. “I think Grogu would like to go.” He makes a happy sound, purring under your touch.
Din sighs, seeming hesitant.
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen Karga…I’m sure he’d like to hear how we're settling in.”
He grumbles, never liking going into a situation blind. But his apprehension is quickly dissolved when Grogu coos. Batting his big brown eyes up at Din. A small pout plastered on his sweet face. Din huffs, giving Grogu a pat on the head. That is all the convincing it takes.
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The entrance archway is decorated in an unusual fashion. An assortment of brightly colored paper is swirled around the entirety of its length. A steady flow of confetti raining over the town. Peeking down the streets, you see vendors crowding the narrow streets. Flags of various colors and designs are hung up around town. Though your first assumption was that they belonged to different planets, as the large pride flag standing in the center of town comes into view…their meaning becomes very clear. You can’t help but smile, squeezing Din’s hand just a little tighter. Grogu’s eyes are wide as he takes in the beautiful array of colors. Each glimmering under the bright light of Navarro’s two suns.
Approaching the entrance, you see a table of pins. Small buttons of varying pride flags sit to your side, but before you have time to draw Din’s attention to it Grogu has already done so.
“No! Grogu! Put it down!”
You hear Din scold from behind you. Turning around you see the Din helplessly trying to wrestle the colorful pin out of Grogu’s mouth.
“Not food!” Din continues. He’s unsuccessful in his battle. Not getting Grogu to release the button until he decides the bitter metal is not an acceptable snack. “Dank ferrick kid…” He huffs, assessing the button in his hand. His helmet tilting as he surveys the curious array of colors. Finally, turning to you he asks “Cyar'ika, what is this?”
You smile at him, taking the pin in hand and wiping it of any remaining mess. “It’s a pride pin. Not for eating.” You emphasize, throwing a pointed look towards Grogu. “Like a mini flag to represent who you are. Each flag means something different.” Din and Grogu watch closely as you explain. “This one represents all queer genders and sexualities. It’s for everyone.” You say smiling as you attach the rainbow pin to Grogu’s collar. His small hands delicately run over the smooth surface.
“What are these other ones?” Din pulls your attention to the table, looking over the various colors.
“Well let’s see…” You discuss the ones you knew, before landing on the one you’d been searching for. “And this is your flag!” You say with a smile, holding out the trans flag pin out to Din.
His body stiffens, his face under the helmet suddenly getting very hot. “Cyar’ika can I-? S-should I?” Din asks nervously. You catch the frantic glaces he shoots into the crowd, and the uncertain sigh that escapes him as he looks at the child. “E-everyone will know…” he says quietly.
You retract your hands, covering the flag. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to wear it."
Din stops you, putting a hand over yours. "I want to but…"
Though words fail him, but you understand. There's a weight that comes with making yourself visible. Vulnerable. To identify himself in a way he's never done so publicly. Especially in front of friends. Before a whole town who knew and respected him. Though he held no reservations about holding you at his side, this was something more personal. Unearthing a struggle he'd been more than happy to bury and move on from since his teenage years. Though his fears were real, the banners of color that swirled around you told you he’d be safe here.
“Do you trust me?” You ask, placing one hand on his beskar-covered chest.
He nods hesitantly. His breath catches in his throat as he watches you carefully attach the blue, pink, and white pin to his cape.
“You’re safe here Din.” You affirm softly. “We’re safe here.” You reach to the table for a pin of your own, quickly pinning it to your top.
His body eases as he sees you attach your own pin. A small coo from his side pulls his attention. Grogu leans forward in his carrier, reaching out for the mandalorian. Din picks him up, sitting the child in his strong arms. Grogu’s small hands grab curiously at his father’s pin. Under the helmet, he goes warm. Turning to you he asks, “Do you think he knows?”
Looking down at the child, you’re certain. He’s not shy or confused. Perhaps it is something in his Jedi nature, but he seems unphased by this information. Something about his reaction makes you think he always knew. “He knows.” You say with a soft smile; enjoying the tender moment Grogu nuzzles his head against Din’s helmet.
The mandalorian leans into the hug. “Thanks kid…” he says quietly, silently struggling to keep it together. After a moment they pull away, the child happily cooing.
“Well, should we go look around?” You offer.
The pair nod. Din continues to hold Grogu in his arms, unwilling to let go of him. The comfort Grogu provides him is too good to give up at the moment. Catching onto Din’s nerves you slip your hand into his free one. Leaning in you whisper. “Hold my hand. I’ll protect you.”
Din can’t help, but chuckle. Though he was certainly the more intimating of the two of you, he can’t deny the feeling of safety he gets from holding your hand.
The market is beautiful. Bright colors adorning each pop-up vendor. You’re sure to stop by some of Grogu’s favorite stores in hopes it will convince him to be well-behaved; it is only semi-successful. The biggest treat of the day is getting to just watch Din relax. With each stop, his shoulders drop a little more. You catch his lingering eye on the transgender flags you pass by; almost in awe of the audacity to just be. Din lingers even longer in conversation with individual vendors who adorn the flag. Though you were usually the one to do the talking, he can’t seem to help himself. Of course, Grogu doesn’t mind…the more time Din spends speaking the more likely it is he will be getting something out of the exchange. Walking up to the town center, a familiar face appears.
“Mando!” Karga gleefully cheers, quick to greet his old friend. “How wonderful it is to see you out today! And with the little one too!” He smiles down at Grogu, who is happily chewing on a rainbow cookie. Karga greets you too, shaking your free hand. “I hope you’re settling in alright.”
You smile at the high magistrate, “Of course, it’s perfect for the kid. Thank you again for the offer. And thank you for holding this event! It’s lovely.”
“Well of course we had to do something for Pride! It’s important we establish ourselves as a free land! Navarro is open to all! We’re civilized now, nothing like the barbarians that once walked these streets. Speaking of- Mando, I was hoping to ask you. Is this something Mandalorians do? Pride- I mean. Is this accepted-”
You interrupt with a light cough, not to subtly nodding to Din’s trans pin.
“Oh! Well, I suppose that answers that!” Karga says with a chuckle. “In that case, tell your Mandalorian friends to come by for the festivities! And happy Pride to you Mando!”
“Th-thank you High Magistrate…” Din thanks him shyly, a sigh of relief escaping him at how easy that went over.
“That went well.” You say smiling at Din.
He shrugs, “As good as I could’ve imagined.”
“Now come on! Let’s see if we can get a good spot for the fireworks, huh?”
Hidden under the helmet, is a small smile spreading across Din’s face. He follows silently, letting the decision be between you and Grogu. You settle atop a ridge, in the perfect place to see the fireworks bloom over the town center. Din sits beside you, legs spread out in front of him. Grogu sits at the end of Din’s feet, happily digging through the bag of goodies he got through the day. You take your position at Din’s side, your head resting against his pauldron. Your hand entwined with his rests on his thigh. Anticipation building as the time nears.
He dips his head down to yours, “Cyar’ika?”
“Hmm?”
“Thank you.”
“For what, Din?”
“For loving me.”
With that an explosion of colors graces the skyline. A boom of cheers erupts from the crowd.
“You’re very easy to love...”
Tucked away under the safety of the mountain ridge, Din is unable to stop himself. Lifting the lip of his helmet enough to press himself to you. All the words of his unspoken appreciation for you translating themselves through the fire of his kiss. The fireworks are quickly forgotten, this moment of intimacy taking superiority. Not even the roaring boom of each firework is enough to tear you away. Only the high pitched cheer of the child is enough to draw your attention away from each other. You both turn away from one another, looking at Grogu who smiles brightly, pointing up at the sky. Where a sudden explosion of blue, pink, and white fill the sky. Matching perfectly to the pin attached to Din’s cape. And an unknown pride fills the Mandalorian’s once beskar-clad heart.
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𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬
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Pairing: Obi wan x reader
Contents: Obi wan comes to aid you in times of a fashion malfunction. (This scene got me through a day of work, so I had to write it down 🤣)
Warnings: none. Touch starved? Sort of
Word Count: 1000
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--
The conference was going to occur in an hour’s time and you were supposed to leave in a few minutes. But that was before the dress you had prepared had a large tear that could not be sewed back together in the limited time. The only other dress that you had brought with you hung within the wardrobe. It fit the purpose of the event but it was only that the corset would have to be laced from behind. Being the only person here, it would prove to be difficult. Nonetheless, you slip into the dress, trying to think of ways you could do this yourself.
Half your hair done up while the rest was let down, you did your makeup minimally in a rushed manner. This was going to be a problem, the back of your dress splayed open with no way of sealing it. You tried pulling the strings on your own but it didn’t budge. Letting out a frustrated sigh, you pace about. All the other senators would have already made it to the conference hall by now and you didn’t have a way of contacting them either. Hope surged when you heard your astromech droid enter your suite, you breathed a sigh a relief. “T2, I’m so glad you’re here. I need your help.”, you push past the door to meet your droid, that beeped notes of happiness but only did you then notice the man standing next to it.
Your droid beeped stating that he was your Jedi escort. This could not be worser timing. “Oh”, you state trying to hold the back of your dress from slipping from your shoulders. “I don’t think we have met.”, the Jedi smiles, and you return it. “I am Obi wan Kenobi, the council has assigned me to be your Jedi escort for the conference.”, he states and holds out his hand as a gesture of welcome from under his brown robe. But you don’t reach out to take his hand to shake on it, for they were already occupied with averting a wardrobe malfunction. So rather you smile at him while his smile wavered, he slowly closed his hand having sensed your reluctance. Burying his hand within his robes again, he took notice of your worried expression. “Are you quite alright, senator?”, he asked and you raise your brows to avert his suspicion. “Yes”, you give a curt response. “Then we need to get going.”, he takes a step towards the door when he notices you still rooted to the same spot, albeit a little uncomfortable with your hands tucked behind your back. His immediate thought was to suspect you of foul play but when he sensed your nervousness, he knew it had to be something simple.
You weren’t going to ask him. He sensed your reluctance in asking him something and so he began to listen to your thoughts. You needed help with something, only that much he could decipher. And when you looked straight into his eyes, he was caught off guard, he saw the end of an aglet down the side of your dress and suddenly it all made sense. Heat rose to his cheeks as he looked away.
“You need help with your … dress.”, he says softly and you look up at him in surprise. He was a Jedi after all. “Yes.”, you admit. “I could go fetch someone else.”, he turns to look at the door but catches your gaze again. “but everyone I know has headed to the hall already.”, he stated. You both stood there unsure of how to progress further when he broke the silence. “I could do it.”, he offered and you had to choose between accepting the help or turning up late to the event. This would mean nothing, maybe if you thought of him as a droid, it would help the situation. “I’ve fought wars, this should be nothing.”, he states, and you note his unusual level of self confidence that makes you smile. “If you don’t mind.”, you say and he comes close, you let go of the clutched lace. Before you could draw all your hair to the front, he does it for you, the edge of his finger skimming over your shoulder blades and you couldn’t think of him as a droid anymore for the warmth of his skin was so tangible.
Wars were easier than this. He stood close to you, the task at hand quite simple but it was as though his mind had been fried. He saw your skin gleam as soft daylight illuminated it, your shoulders well formed and taut. He looked away but it was a trap. He saw the expanse of your back, it’s depths barricaded by the loose lace and for a moment he didn’t want to tie up, he wanted the opposite. He wanted to unravel it to let the daylight work wonders on your body, to work wonders on his soul. He reminded himself of his duty and he began to pull the strings, the sides of the corset locking away the treasures behind it. The very hands that held blasters and lightsabers felt weak holding a pair of strings.
You felt the fabric tighten around you but you could only focus on the warmth from his nearness, his soft breath down the back of your neck, his fingers working steadily to knot the lace once the back was sealed and the oh so faint touch of his index finger near the middle of your spine. He stepped away and you let out the breath you were holding in for so long. He turned to you and you were lost in the deep blue of his eyes. He was no where near to be compared to a droid. He should have statues made of him.
“Shall we go?”, he asked turning away and you nodded in response. You walk shoulder to shoulder through your hallway when you both glanced at each other, as though your minds were in sync thinking the same thought. He noticed the glimmer in your eyes. You could see the red tint over his cheeks. You both looked away. This conference was indeed going to be interesting.
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sweetrevxnge · 1 year
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Like Phantoms, Forever
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Chapter Fifteen | In The Face of Evil
Pairing: Ben Solo x Reader
Summary: Your destiny had never been clear to you, only becoming so when it led you to leaving behind the life you knew to train with the galaxy's sole Jedi Master, Luke Skywalker. His Jedi Academy became your new home, bringing with it the promise of someday becoming a Jedi Knight. While navigating the ways of the Force, an inexplicable connection forms between you and a fellow student—the heir to the legendary Skywalker bloodline, Ben Solo. Together, the two of you must face your destinies and forge the path to your true selves.
What to expect: fluff, violence, sexual content, general angst, mentions/descriptions of injury and death
Additional info: this story is set in 28 ABY, six years prior to the events of TFA
*concurrently being published on AO3 and Wattpad as well!
Masterlist
Spotify Playlist
Word count: 5.9k
Chapter-specific CW: description of injury, violence, blood, abduction, implied domestic abuse, death
A/N: this. chapter. was. a. BEAST, but I'm so proud of it. I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it (even tho it had me questioning my sanity at times). also, in true george lucas fashion, I went back to ch. 1 and changed some of the details about Ben's introduction, but it was nothing major. anyways... cellphones on silent and shut your fckn mouths, the show is about to begin.
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If you had any weaker of a stomach, you would have vomited all over the Admiral’s polished black boots. But, in a stroke of luck, or perhaps due to the sheer emptiness of your stomach, you didn’t.
You were delirious, you decided. After everything you had gone through in the past day, you were hallucinating a false reality. But as you tried to blink away the image in front of you, it remained solid, too detailed to be an illusion. 
Dressed in a high-collared, gray uniform stood your father, a shadow of the man you had known your entire life. The man who had raised you alongside your mother, the man you should have known everything about. He had always kept his past close to his chest, as well as his family at an arm’s length, omitting the details of his early life when the topic would arise. To someone who didn’t know anything different, he shared everything that a loving parent should share with their child. Come to find out, that had not been the case.
Although you struggled to comprehend what was happening, you immediately thought of his business. Distributing crops to buyers in all corners of the galaxy was the perfect cover, in a way. A former Imperial captain disguised as a simple, Dantooinian farmer who made frequent business trips off-world, owing no explanation to his wife and child. 
At the realization, you thought of her. Your mother. What did she know of this? Did she even know? The meek woman you knew would never willfully marry an Imperial loyalist—let alone be involved with such an organization. You could hardly stomach the idea of her being aware of this deception.
A million questions crossed your mind in the span of a single second, none of which could be easily answered. Regardless, the likelihood of you surviving to even be able to ask her such questions was becoming more slim with every second that passed.
“Captain, I usually trust your judgment without a hint of doubt, but was this really the best option available to us?” Admiral Sloane asked your father, her skepticism evident in her tone. “Why not the Skywalker boy?”
Though indirect, the mere mention of Ben made acid rise in your throat. In your chemically-included sleep, what had become of him? Of all of your classmates, for that matter. All you could hope for was that he was sleeping soundly in his bed, unharmed and untroubled by his usual insomnia. It was all you could ever wish for him.
“It couldn’t have been him. He’s far too indoctrinated in the Jedi’s teachings to be compliant,” your father answered as he slowly moved forward.
Relief washed over you like a crashing wave, melting away your fear. Ben was safe—for now, at least.
“The same could have been said for Lord Vader, sir,” the Admiral argued, raising a dark eyebrow at him.
Despite never living under his reign, Darth Vader’s power still radiated through his name, carrying an indescribable weight. The air felt heavier at the mention of it, like a curse falling over you.
“I suppose you’re right, Admiral,” he said with a sigh. “Perhaps we can extract him later.”
An icy chill ran down your spine at the implication. With the location of the Academy now uncovered, there was no telling what lengths the First Order would go to to eliminate their opposition. 
Your father stalked towards you, his presence suffocating in the massive room. Everything about him was familiar, yet completely different—more refined. The scrape of his boots, a sound that once echoed throughout your home in the early hours of the morning, was now akin to the sound of nails raking over a blackboard. His poised shoulders and lifted chin, once the stature of a proud businessman who provided for his family, was now reminiscent of a soldier’s posture.
As his footfall came to a stop beside the Admiral, his narrowed eyes pierced yours, the eyes you had inherited from him.
You dropped your gaze to the slate floor, unable to bear the sight of him any longer. Besides, the floor wouldn’t betray you, given its composition of a material far more durable than your father’s morals.
“It’s good to see you, my dear,” he said, the sound of his voice grating to your ears.
You said nothing, your erratic breath the only response you were willing to offer. Your eyes stung as traitorous tears began to fill them, blurring the edges of your vision.
“Look at me when I’m speaking to you.” He snatched your jaw between his fingers, pulling your head up to meet his unavoidable gaze. “I thought you’d be happy to see me.”
“Happy?” you said, the muscles in your face straining against his grip. “You expect me to be happy to see you after what you’ve put me through?”
“You wound me, daughter. You are, after all, our guest,” he sneered.
“I’m honored.”
He stared at you for a long moment before directing his attention to the stout man still standing behind you. “General, I do hope that she was not too much trouble for your men to extract.”
“Not at all, Cap. The lecepanine darts you gave us worked like a charm.”
To your surprise, Brendol Hux was not the person who answered your father’s question, but rather the last figure concealed by the shadows.
Every set of eyes in the room locked onto the man as he moved towards the group, stepping into the low light. His face was shrouded by a mask, one with a dull charcoal hue and a collection of glowing, red lines etched into the center of the plate. Draped over his shoulders was a long, black cowl, the tattered fabric trailing behind him like a shadow as he approached the center of the room.
The most surprising aspect of his appearance wasn’t the helmet, or even the threadbare clothing, it was the lack of it. His chest was bare, the carved muscles covered with dark scar tissue from his neck to the waistband of his tactical pants.
“What the fuck?” you whispered, somehow more confused now than upon seeing your own father in an Imperial uniform.
Nearly simultaneous with your remark, the restraints on your wrists buzzed with a current of electricity. Fucking bastard. You shot the General a venomous glare, receiving only a pleased grin from him in return, his thumb still hovering over the remote as a warning.
“Where are your manners?” your father scolded you, quickly releasing your face to slap you across it. “I thought your mother and I had taught you better than this.”
At the mention of your mother, your heart sank. The thought of what evil she might have endured during her marriage, how your father may have treated her behind closed doors. A violent rage grew within your chest at the mere idea of him hurting her.
“My apologies, Sir Ren. My daughter has always had a tendency to speak out of turn, but I assure you, she means no offense.”
“I can speak for myself–”
You were interrupted by another surge of energy shooting through your cuffs.
“None taken. And please, just call me Ren,” the masked man said to your father before turning his shielded gaze to you. “Sorry that this had to be the way we met, kid. But sometimes, you just gotta work with what life gives you.” Despite being modulated, you could tell that his voice was rough—almost leathery—as he spoke to you. Each syllable sent an unpleasant chill throughout your bones.
“And somehow, this is still the most pleasant way we could have met,” you spat.
Ren laughed behind his mask, the sound rattling through the vocoder. Time seemed to slow as his thumbs grazed along the underside of his jaw, unlatching his helmet and lifting it off of his head.
Thick, white hair fell from the helmet, framing his tan face, a stark contrast to his dark brows. He was youthful, more so than everyone else in the room, but easily a decade your senior. His icy blue eyes scanned your form, his gaze lingering on your chest before finally pulling away. 
Pig.
“I like her. She’ll fit in just fine with my men.” Though he was looking at you, his statement passed through you like a ghost, directed at the uniformed men behind him.
“I doubt that,” you said, taking a step closer to him, as if you could even appear threatening right now if you tried.
“Gods, when will you learn to just shut up?” General Hux cut in, smacking you at the nape of your neck with the back of his hand. “You will treat your new Master with respect, or you will suffer dire consequences.”
“What, you’ll kill me?” you snapped. “Your bark is louder than your bite—all of you. If you wanted me dead, you would’ve done so already.” Your response was bold, probably too bold for a girl in restraints who was entirely surrounded by capable beings, but you didn’t care. You weren’t going to give in to their manipulation.
“Death isn’t the only consequence in this world, child,” your father said coldly.
His threat was enough to humble you, but you didn’t cower, slipping in one last jab before quieting yourself. “It’s the only consequence I want.”
“Enough.” Hux was firm as he spoke, stepping between the three of you in an attempt to redirect the conversation. “Ren, I expect a reconnaissance report from you by the end of the day. And Captain, will you do me a favor and put her back in her hold? I must see to it that her next dose is prepared.”
Dose? Your mind raced at the mention of the word. The context made it sound like they were already dosing you with something, causing panic to rise in your chest.
“Dose of what?” you blurted, hardly considering the repercussions of asking such a question.
Hux turned to look at you and as he did, you prepared for another strike across the face, but surprisingly, it never came. The only thing you felt was the bruising grip of your father’s hand around your upper arm as he steered you away from the group.
“Save your breath,” your father said, pushing you towards the dark corridor.
You met him with as much resistance as you could, trying to sow roots into the stone beneath you, but failed. The faces of Admiral Sloane, General Hux, and Sir Ren grew distant behind you as you were forced back into your cage.
The silence between you and your father was unsettling, yet you couldn’t bring yourself to make light conversation with him. What was there to talk about? The intricacies of the cracks running along the walls? Really, there was only one thing you wanted to speak to him about.
Once you breached the threshold of the cell, you found the courage to break the silence.
“Are you going to leave me here?”
You turned to face him, avoiding his gaze by counting the square tiles pinned to his uniform instead. There were six.
“No,” he replied, shoving you forward into the confines of your cell.
You stumbled over your own feet, landing just inches away from where you had initially awakened. Somehow, that felt like a lifetime ago. It was as if time passed differently in this fortress. An hour or a decade could have passed in your absence and you wouldn’t have known the difference.
He crouched in front of you, grabbing the bar that connected your cuffs in one hand as his other retrieved a remote from his breast pocket.
For a fleeting moment, the naive part of your soul foolishly hoped that he would release you, that he would courageously guide you through the maze and send you off in an escape pod to somewhere far away from here, to somewhere safe. But as he reattached the heavy chains to your wrists, the spark of your hope dwindled into a pile of smoldering ash.
You resisted the urge to curse him, to call him a horrible father and dishonorable man, but the ache in your bones and the exhaustion that clouded your thoughts were becoming impossible to ignore.
You tilted your head back against the wall and allowed your heavy eyes to close, the brief moment of rest so sweet and liberating.
You weren’t sure how much time passed while you sat there, eyes closed, and truthfully, you didn’t care. You were content there, drifting in a place between sleep and consciousness. That was until the squeak of boots treading across the wet floor filled the room. You forced your eyes open, finding that your father was still standing in your cell, watching over you like a sentry. He was adjacent to you, his back pressed against the wall as he stared down at you. 
“I see that you’ve been demoted to babysitter,” you said dryly.
“I believe ‘guardian’ is a more appropriate title,” he replied, seemingly unbothered by your jab. 
You scoffed. “Personally, I think ‘captor’ is the most fitting, but whatever helps you sleep at night, Pops.”
This time, your insult reached him. His nostrils flared as he sucked in a deep breath, letting it out shakily as he spoke. “From now on, you will address me as Captain.”
“Whatever you say, Captain,” you said, biting back the smile that tugged at your lips. You couldn’t help but feel proud to have finally managed to get under his skin.
As the air fell silent, the questions stirring in your mind became louder. If you were going to be trapped in a cage with him as your guard, you might as well make the best of it.
“How did you do it?” you asked quietly.
“Do what?”
You lifted your chained hands, motioning around you as best you could. “This.”
“That’s a broad question,” he said flatly.
“I feel like I’ve more than earned some answers.”
He drew in another breath, holding the air in his chest for a long moment before responding. “Fine.”
Every question was important, and every would be answered, but where to start? You settled on starting at the same place that the First Order did. 
“How did you find me?”
The question hung in the air. What if he changed his mind? What if you’ve just dug yourself into a deeper hole?
Finally, he said, “The First Order’s technology is cutting edge, but ultimately unnecessary in our pursuit. The lead landed on our doorstep.”
You narrowed your eyes. “What do you mean?”
“A few months ago, our scanners detected an anomaly leaving the planet’s atmosphere: a decommissioned X-Wing. After running a painstakingly long decloaking sequence, we discovered that the ship exiting our airspace belonged to none other than Luke Skywalker.”
“No,” you whispered. “That can’t be true.”
“I can show you the report, if you’d like.”
You stayed silent, processing what he was telling you. Admittedly, you were hesitant to trust your father, but you couldn’t deny your curiosity.
“Why was he here?”
“How am I supposed to know? We were not operating here on Zeffo at the time. He was gone long before we could investigate,” he said, pursing his lips in a tight line.
“Wait—Zeffo? As in, the lost Jedi civilization, Zeffo?” you asked, your eyes widening. The reveal of your location felt like a lifeline being thrown to you, but with nothing to communicate with, the information was trivial.
“Yes. I suspect that was why Skywalker was here in the first place.”
“But Master Skywalker says that he hasn’t left the Academy in over a year. It couldn’t have been him.” You were thinking out loud at this point, but you didn’t care. You needed to make sense of what he was telling you.
“Then you must be deceived,” he said. “His ship was here, regardless of what he may have told you.”
You struggled to believe him, sifting through every other possibility in your mind. Master Skywalker has been present at the Academy the entire time you’ve been there. And his ship, it hasn’t left the shipyard in months, not since—
“Ben,” you whispered. A glowing warmth radiated in your chest as you said his name.
That had to be it. When you met Ben, he had just returned from a Jedi artifact search in Master Skywalker’s X-Wing, rather than the Grimtaash. You wondered now if the choice for him and Lor San Tekka to fly smaller, separate ships had been deliberate.
“What did you say?” your father asked, his hearing evidently still as sharp as it had been when you were a child.
“N-Nothing—I didn’t say anything,” you stammered, clearing your throat. “What happened after that, after you discovered his ship?”
He watched you with suspicious eyes, but continued. “With a great deal of effort on our part, and the help of the Imperial archives, we were able to splice the ship’s navigational system remotely and extract the destination log from its data. It was there that we found the coordinates to an unknown location in the Outer Rim.”
You couldn’t tell if you were angry or saddened to learn that all of this stemmed from Ben’s artifact trip in his uncle’s X-Wing. Though, the blame wasn’t entirely his. After all, he had made the journey under the supervision of Master Skywalker and Lor San Tekka.
“I just don’t understand. Why only capture me? Why not destroy the entire temple when you had the chance?” As grim as the question was, you needed an answer to it.
“After some debate, it was decided that we would only extract one student as a candidate for our initiative, and after hearing word of my beloved wife suddenly shipping our daughter away to parts unknown, I proposed that we choose you.”
“But you didn’t even know that I was at the Academy. Mom made arrangements before you returned from your business trip—whatever it may have been for.”
“Truthfully, we were testing a hypothesis. I suspected that you had been sent to Luke Skywalker’s Academy, so, General Hux and I created a plan to infiltrate the grounds.”
Your heart pounded harder against your ribs with every word that left his mouth. Every step of this nightmare had been delicately crafted with malicious intent, and you weren’t sure which part of it was worse—the physical suffering, or the psychological torment of knowing that each day you spent the Academy, you were being hunted.
“It was simple, really. With the aid of an experimental formula created decades ago by Imperial scientists, as well as a contracted team of mercenaries, we were able to test our hypothesis.”
The drug mentioned earlier immediately came to your mind, the one the man named Ren had used to incapacitate you. What did he call it? Lelpanocine? No, that wasn’t right.
“The lel…lelpano—” you started to say before your father interrupted you.
“Lecepanine. No, not that. This task required something more complex than a paralytic alone. Diazexacin was created with the purpose of severing one’s connection to the Force. According to the reports, creating it was a tedious process, but the end result is highly effective. And, to our benefit, quite versatile.”
Why was he telling you so much? It felt too convenient for him to plainly reveal the First Order’s master plan to abduct you, but then again, you were already their helpless captive. What did they have to lose by divulging this information to you?
“Versatile how?” you asked, snapping yourself back into the conversation.
“It can be absorbed through a variety of routes, including the digestive tract,” he answered, a smug expression plastered across his face.
Your father’s words rolled around your head. His mention of the digestive tract illuminated a detail that you had overlooked in the chaos of everything. The day you were abducted, every student you spoke to at the Academy reported feeling off, or otherwise disconnected from the Force. But why? That had been the question you posed to Ben, Tai, and Hennix, who had all brushed off your concerns. In retrospect, you were right to question it, but it was too late now. Now, you needed to find the common denominator, the thing that everyone had to have shared that day.
Just then, the realization hit you, slamming into you like a fiery meteor colliding with a planet. The food. The First Order had found a way to spike the Academy's food supply.
“You drugged the food…” you said, nauseated at the thought.
“Very good, my child. But not all of the food,” he corrected. “Only a select amount of produce was able to retain the diazexacin after the cooking process. Carrots and potatoes were all that we were able to manage.”
The memory of that morning’s breakfast came back to you: diced potatoes and eggs. And that evening, the hearty tiingilar that had warmed your heart and belly. How naive you had been while eating it, trying your best to enjoy the stew as Tai and Hennix poked fun at you. The First Order’s strategy in this matter alone proved them to be a worthy threat to peace across the galaxy.
You rubbed the bandage taped to your neck in thought, digesting the wealth of information being given to you. “Well, congratulations. Your hypothesis was right. Next time, maybe consider peaceful negotiations before shooting a blow dart into my neck and dragging me out of my home. Perhaps I would’ve gone with you willingly.”
He raised an eyebrow at you. “Is that so?”
“Stars, no. Not in a million light years. But you never know,” you said with a small shrug. A bit of humor eased your discomfort, even if it was just slightly.
Across the room, you saw the corner of your father’s mouth twitch upwards before falling back into a hard line.
Silence filled the space as you closed your eyes again, letting out a long yawn as you did. If it weren’t for the sharp ridges of stone probing you like a human pin cushion, you would almost be able to fall asleep. 
“Dad,” you said weakly, fighting off the weight of sleep that threatened to take you. “I’d like to sleep, but I can’t get comfortable.”
“And what would you have me do about that?” he replied curtly.
“I don’t know. Tell me a bedtime story, or something.”
The request hung in the air for a long moment, as if he were carefully deciding his answer.
“I suppose I could do that. What kind of story would you like to hear?”
There was no cadence in his question, not like you remembered from your childhood. It was as if he had been replaced by a stranger—a staunch, heartless stranger whose lack of compassion rivaled even the most vile beings in the galaxy.
“I’d like to hear the one about the Imperial officer, the one who fooled the world posing as an ordinary farmer for the better part of his daughter’s life.”
His throat knocked as he considered, his lips tight. “Fine.”
At that, you pried your eyes open, looking at him expectantly. 
“Where do I even begin…” he said, lowering his voice. “When I was a young man, I enlisted in the Imperial army, with every intention of someday becoming a Commander. As it were, fate had other plans for me.”
“Before I could attain my goal, the Empire collapsed. I was left to fend for myself, searching the galaxy for a job that wouldn’t look too far into my history. That’s when I met your mother.”
“Neither of you ever did tell me how the two of you met,” you said quietly, the warmth in your cheeks vanishing at the idea of your mother somehow being connected to the Empire.
“No, we didn’t. You wouldn’t have believed us if we had,” he said with a chuckle, the first indication of emotion you had seen from him all day. “We met in a bar in the lower levels of Coruscant. I was a different man back then, placing large bets with credits I didn’t have and drinking away what little winnings I made.”
It was hard to imagine him like that, young and stupid, tossing credits down on a dirty, felt-lined tabletop in some seedy bar tucked away on Coruscant. The image almost made you smile.
“I remember it vividly. It was a particularly busy night, the heavy rain was driving everyone inside. I was already down five thousand credits, with only two in my pockets when I saw her. Your mother stood out from the crowd like a star in an empty sky. She couldn’t help it, of course. Despite her casual attire, she was stunning, and in my drunken stupor, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to ruin my life in a new and exciting way.”
You tried to picture the scene, imagining what she was wearing, how she had styled her hair. It was calming to hear about her, to piece together the image of the woman she was in her youth. 
Your father sucked in a short breath before continuing. “I was so drunk, in fact, that it did not even occur to me that the woman I had spent the evening buying drinks for was, in fact, a Rebel spy.”
The image you had painted in your mind crumbled at his words. “Mom was…a Rebel?”
“Oh, don’t look so surprised. How else do you think she knew about Skywalker’s precious Academy?”
The question simmered in your mind as you processed it. In the wake of the discovery of your Force sensitivity, you hadn’t stopped to consider how your mother knew about the existence of the Academy to begin with, being more concerned with getting there than asking such questions.
“If what you say is true and she really was a Rebel, then she would have never married you. Especially not with the knowledge that you were still loyal to the Empire,” you said, your voice raised slightly.
He took a step forward, careful to keep the distance between you wide. “Oh, but she did know. It was not by chance that we met in that bar, not at all. She had been watching me for weeks, learning my routine, just waiting for the right opportunity to strike. You see, your dear mother was operating under the orders of Chancellor Mothma, who had created a task force to exterminate all remaining Imperial officials in the galaxy. Evidently, I had pissed off the wrong person and they tattled on me to the New Republic. It was just my luck that your mother was the agent they had sent to investigate.”
“I…I don’t believe you.”
At that, he let out a low laugh. “You don’t have to. Our vows were proof enough that love conquers all, or rather, did conquer all.”
“What do you mean?” you asked wearily.
Ignoring your question, he continued. “For a long time, there was talk amongst my buyers, talk of a rising power in the shadow of the New Republic. I never gave it much merit, but after a while, the rumors became too much to ignore any longer. I knew I needed to do something, to help restore the Empire to its former glory.”
Spoken like a true sympathizer, you thought.
“I suppose your mother did the same, keeping her connections in the Rebellion just as close as I had kept mine in the Empire.”
There was a tonal shift in his statement, one that left you feeling uneasy. He was choosing his words more carefully now, holding you at a distance once more.
“Where is she now?” you asked, hiding the anxiety that was creeping in.
He averted his gaze at the question, which only made you more desperate for an answer.
“Please, tell me,” you pleaded, swallowing what little remained of your pride.
Reluctantly, he answered, “Somewhere safe.”
It was not the answer you had expected, but still not specific enough to ease your concerns.
“Where is she?” you demanded.
“I cannot speak to where she is at this exact moment,” he said, letting out a long sigh. “But I will say, shooting her was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.”
In an instant, the world around you shifted. It was no longer gravity that held you in place, but rather a different weight, one that crushed your bones and stilled your breath. You were sinking, plummeting backwards through frigid water as it filled your lungs, the reality at the surface becoming more distorted the further you fell.
“What…” The word left your lips slowly, tumbling through the dead space between you and your father.
Before he could respond, you felt it. A heavy swirl of energy surrounded you, filling your senses as it embraced you like an old friend. It was radiant and welcoming, but equally as dark and demanding, moving through you as if you were a vessel of its will.
“Don’t be mistaken, I did not take any pleasure in doing it. Truthfully, it was like putting down a sick dog, releasing it from its misery…” 
Your father’s voice faded into oblivion as your ears rang, the only sound reaching you being your ragged breath as the Force ripped through you.
Bolts and fasteners bounced across the ground as you pulled against the chains that anchored you, ripping them free from their base. The squeal of metal scraping stone filled the room as you took a step forward. You lifted your hands, sending warm blood running down your arms, cascading down your skin like a crimson rain. Hot, burning pain spread through your body, but you were unbothered. The sensation only focused your anger, channeling it like molten glass being poured along an iron cast, creating something violent and destructive.
“What are you—General! Somebody, please, get in here, NOW–”
Your father’s cry for help was interrupted by a strangled cough as the Force seized his throat, lifting him into the air until he was hovering, flailing his legs wildly. The only thing that could be heard over the sound of him suffocating was his leather boots dragging across the ground as you summoned him to your hand, gripping his windpipe tight when he finally reached you.
For the first time in your life, you saw fear in your father’s eyes. The sight of it fed the dark spirit in your soul, fanning the flames of its rage.
As if he realized this, he squeezed his eyes shut, baring his clenched teeth as he worked to pry your fingers from his neck.
“Look at me,” you said, your low voice almost unrecognizable to your ears. “I want you to look at me when I kill you.”
Against his volition, his eyes flew open, the whites of them now littered with broken vessels as the color slowly drained from his skin. He clawed at your hand, successfully peeling back a few fingers before the lack of oxygen took its toll, rendering his attempts to free himself futile.
“You…w-will always b-be…” he croaked, gulping down what little air he could manage. “Scum.”
His limp body fell to the ground with no resistance, and as it did, the fog lifted. As quickly as it had appeared, the energy surrounding you vanished, leaving you hollow and cold in its wake.
All you could do was stare into the vacant eyes of the man who had murdered your mother, his warm corpse mangled on the floor. No blood pooled around him, and every limb was accounted for and intact. He was nothing more than an empty shell now.
The urge to vomit was intense as you turned on your heels, searching for the exit. Acid burned your throat as General Hux came rushing through the doorway, clutching a cloudy syringe in his hand. 
His pale eyes widened as they fell on you, an image drawn from nightmares. You stood in the center of the room, dark, thick blood coating your arms and running down the broken chains like fresh paint, small drops landing on the corpse lying beneath you.
“What have you done?” he asked quietly.
You whipped your head around to face him. In a rush of adrenaline, you shot your hand out towards him in a desperate attempt to wield the dark energy from moments ago. But it had abandoned you.
The syringe in the General’s hand flashed under the waning sunlight as he barreled towards you. The diazexacin.
You scrambled for your father’s body, frantically searching his uniform for a weapon. The barrel of a blaster peaked out from under his tunic, tucked neatly into his belt. Before ripping it free, the horrid question of what this blaster had been used for crossed your mind, but you pushed it away. You couldn’t dwell on that right now. 
Wrapping your trembling finger around the trigger, you turned to face the General, lifting the barrel to aim at his broad frame.
“Drop it,” he barked, searching his waistline for a weapon of his own.
Shakily, you pulled back on the cold metal, closing your eyes in anticipation of the discharging laser beam, but nothing came. Shit—the safety.
“Idiot,” Hux spat, raising the barrel of his own blaster and firing a shot.
You felt the impact immediately, the tearing of your flesh as the blast ripped through your shoulder, every bone in your arm seeming to shatter. The blaster in your hand clattered to the floor, echoing in the tiny room. The force of the fall released the safety, sending it flying forward until it hit the metal body of the gun with a soft ping, as if to mock you.
“A reckless, idiot girl who–”
The words died in his tongue as you swept your leg beneath his, buckling his knees and knocking him onto his back. His blaster flew from his grasp, landing meters away as it clattered against the jagged rock. 
You were frozen for a moment, waiting for any movement from him. Did you kill him, too? Though his skull hit the ground with the same force as his body, his chest finally rose and fell with shallow, slow, breaths. Strangely, you couldn’t tell if you were relieved or disappointed.
“You talk too much,” you said, groaning as you pulled yourself to your feet and collected the two blasters, holding the smaller one weakly with your injured hand.
You clutched your limp arm against your chest to the best of your ability as you hurried through the hallway to the main chamber, blindly navigating the winding corridor as the edges of your vision turned black. 
When you reached the mouth of the doorway, you stopped in your path, using your good arm to lean against the wall for support. The nausea returned and you hunched over your knees, coughing violently to settle your stomach.
The chamber was empty, with only the flickering lights filling the space. It was an unsettling sight, but you were in no state for an outnumbered fight. There was no strategy in your escape from this prison, only pure instinct guiding you now. 
Distant voices rang throughout the fortress, quickly approaching you as you stood at the precipice of the room, forcing down the adrenaline that rushed through you. 
Just as you stepped into the room, you sensed an unmistakable presence, one that had grown more familiar to you than your own reflection. Immediately, you felt a calmness wash over you.
“Ben,” you whispered.
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unhelpfulfemme · 6 months
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@that-gay-jedi tagged me to list my top 7 comfort movies!
I'm gonna take "comfort movie" to actually mean "comfort movie" and not "favourite movie" because lots of my favourite movies I would absolutely not watch if I needed comfort or felt emotionally imbalanced in any way (Frances Ha, Atonement, True History of the Kelly Gang, Black Swan, The Secretary). Also I don't really watch movies a lot.
Sooo comfort movies in no particular order:
Cruel Intentions (unhinged oversexed 90s toxic teen romance based on an 18th century French novel, featuring manipulative bastards and the heights of 90s style? YES.)
Pretty Woman (look it's just a fairytale where everyone is sexy but it's also kinda seedy-feeling with all the prostitution and emotional repression and Richard Gere is so sexy in it)
Blade Runner 2049 (oddly comforting in its existential bleakness, beautiful imagery)
Romeo + Juliette (again the heights of 90s style and the toxic drama and just the general unhinged trashy yet refined aesthetic have made me a lifelong fan of this. the overdone guns with the Madonna painted on them and the beach shirts? feels just like home but if the trashy people were stylish!)
Inglorious Basterds (in true Tarantino fashion it's just vicious and unhinged enough to keep my attention and just overly dramatic enough so I don't feel too much for any of the characters, the second one is v. important for a comfort movie mind you)
Dune (2021) (beautiful imagery, based on a beloved book, very subtly done anticolonial reading of the book that flows amazingly and has an amazing soundtrack and respects the worldbuilding, lots of hot people in it)
Empire Strikes Back (it's Star Wars, I love Star Wars, lots of HanLeia content which always gets me in a good mood)
I feel like I've been really tagging so many people in so many things recently, so I'm gonna keep it short and perhaps try to get to know some of my newer mutuals? :) @goofygooberton @lifeinwisco @imperfectlibrarian @cheeseanonioncrisps
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adakechi · 11 months
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kinda interested in valor, any more info?
Anon, this is a marriage proposal I hope you know that. If anyone ever asks about my Star Wars OC we are getting married and I am on the floor in tears.
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You opened this can of worms:
Major spoilers for Jedi: Survivor, obviously!
CW: Implied major character death, drug & alcohol abuse.
Vaalor Kestis was born in 5 BBY, to Cal Kestis and the Nightsister Merrin on Tanalorr. Originally, it was thought that humans and zabrak were incapable of crossbreeding*, or at the least extremely unlikely.
(*I know in Legends that zabrak/human hybrids exist, but I'm a silly little Canon writer.)
When Merrin had discovered that she was pregnant, there was a lot of conflict over whether or not it was a good idea to carry the child to term. The obvious fact that they were currently fighting a war, also paired with the unknown of having hybrid child were the major points of contention between the crew of the Mantis. They had been rebuilding Tanalorr as a safe haven for refugees for several years now, and while they were stable enough, Cal and Merrin didn't know if it was a good time for them or their future child.
Kata Akuna, who had become a somewhat surrgogate child/sibling to the couple had been helping out with the Path at just 7, reminded them lightly of her own childhood and circumstances, that if they wanted a child, hardships would come no matter what time they had them. Eventually, Merrin and Cal decided to keep their child.
Vaalor, named after the galactic basic word valor, meaning courage, and the Dathomiran word v'aayr,* meaning soft steps, was raised in the refuge community of Tanalorr, mostly spending her time with Kata and the other children. She was close to her parents, although they were frequently busy. When she was older, they began bringing her aboard the Mantis to see the galaxy. Even though the universe was still ravaged by war, she found great pleasure in exploring and learning new things about the planets around her.
(*this is just me making up Dathomiran words.)
Due to her lineage, Vaalor was incredibly force sensitive, along with inheriting her father's force psychometry. Because of the amplified concentration of midichlorians in her blood, it made encounters with these echoes incredibly intense and overwhelming, causing her frequent distress.
Both her mother and father showed interest in teaching her both Nightsister magicks and Jedi force training, but even with her strength in the force, Vaalor never took particularly well to either paths, to her parents mild concern.
When Vaalor was 5, the news broke that the Empirical superweapon, the Death Star, had been destroyed by the Rebel Alliance. The refugees of Tanalorr celebrated, and Vaalor spent the night in jovial festivity with her friends and family.
As the war progressed, she began to see less and less of her family, and put less time into her training. She followed her father's interest in tinkering and scavenging, often making makeshift droids and models. Although she knew her parents admired her intelligence, she sensed that they wanted her to utilize her abilities in the force more, but didn't wish to push her.
At 7, a tragedy strikes, causing Kata, now 18, to leave the crew of the Mantis and the Path, seemingly cutting off all communication. Kata's leaving, paired with the devastating loss in their family, Vaalor begins to question her own purpose in the war.
4 ABY, the Death Star II is destroyed, marking the beginning of the end of the Empire. For years, Vaalor sinks into a depression, unsure of what to do with her life. At 17, she decides to leaves her mother and the rest of the crew, opting to figure out her place in the universe, in a similar fashion to her father before her.
For about a decade, she finds odd jobs in spaceship engineering and mechanical planning. Eventually, she finds a more permanent job in a Corellian scrapyard and trading depot, still estranged from her mother, only keeping in touch rarely through Greez, so she knows that she's still alive. In this time, Vaalor becomes more dependent on alcohol and the occasional narcotic to both distract her from her own thoughts and the intense visions of the past she encounters.
Ashamed of abandoning her family and her fractured connection to the force, Vaalor spends her time working and keeping herself occupied, battling with thoughts to visit her mother, or find her surrogate-sister.
Her weapon of choice is a modified handheld type H railgun, with the standard battery replaced with one of her father's kyber crystals. The other is still in his other lightsaber, which her mother is in possession of. The minimal training from her parents allows her to conjure magick fireballs and force push and pull objects, but this is a great strain on her, and she prefers to fight without the use of the force.
Her closest friend is Gev Haruche, a human cargo pilot she meets on a supply run to Nevarro. She also meets an assasian by the name of Neon Noctura, a mysterious near-human who is hired to capture Vaalor by an unknown benefactor.
If you read all of this, I am kissing you right on the mouth.
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antianakin · 4 months
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Personally, I believe that a lot of the anti-Jedi arguments are made because of certain EU works that painted the Jedi in a negative light. The Republic Commando novels, Knights of the Old Republic, the Legions of Lettow, Galidraan, etc.
I think having a lot of Jedi critical media in the EU/Legends has certainly helped encourage a lot of anti-Jedi and Jedi critical mindsets in fandom and fanned the flame of the idea that Lucas INTENDED the story to be Jedi critical. Which is unfortunate. But in fairness, those things got written as Jedi critical because those people already felt that way about the Prequels Jedi and their feelings leaked into the things they ended up creating. And if THEY felt that way, then many other fans likely did at the time already, too. It's an immensely popular feeling and interpretation of the source material and was even more so back when most of these things were being released. The anti-Jedi sentiment definitely came first, but the EU media that got released post-Prequels absolutely helped keep it alive to this day.
Which is WHY we need more pro Jedi content out there to help combat this stuff. It's why it's so frustrating that even in things like Rebels or the Cal Kestis games, which are generally fairly positive about the Jedi, there's STILL moments that push the idea that the Jedi were arrogant, the Jedi were old-fashioned and out of touch, the Jedi didn't understand love or relationships, the Jedi rushed into war, etc. Even in High Republic novels, which are set over 200 years before the Prequels happened, there's elements of this sentiment, particularly in Stellan Gios's storyline. I've seen several pro Jedi bloggers discussing recent novels or shows that specifically were critical of Mace Windu and they all have to convince themselves that the authors were totally just making the main character an unreliable narrator in order to enjoy the story at all, even though most of us are perfectly aware that that's not what's happening and it CERTAINLY wasn't the author's actual intended message. We pro Jedi fans have to literally LIE TO OURSELVES about the media coming out in order to enjoy it because Jedi critical stuff is so pervasive that it's impossible to avoid.
The only thing that's come out recently that I have seen that I felt like was genuinely pro Jedi was the Obi-Wan Kenobi show, and even that had a moment that was slightly questionable. It's dispiriting, it's sad, it's disappointing. Maybe one day some of the more pro Jedi fans will actually manage to end up writing things for Star Wars and we'll see the franchise start to turn a different direction. Until then, I'm just going to go into everything at least a little wary.
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thesmollestnerd · 11 months
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Star Wars Characters + their signature Burlesque songs
This is going to be mostly Clone Wars + Bad Batch era characters in this specific post. 
Links are available by clicking the song title.
Clone Wars
Obi-Wan Kenobi | “Feeling Good” Muse
The original version of “Feeling Good” is one of the go-to songs for burlesque, it in a lot of ways, it mimics classic big-band cabaret showgirl tunes. Obi-wan has a lot of respect for tradition and those who came before him but he’s also his own jedi and deviates where he wants to. This cover by muse has that element of showy, flirty-ness and the flaunt of a song that can hold its own. The tradition of the brass overlaid with more pop-rock elements mean Obi-Wan can showgirl parade and peel to his heart’s content.
Anakin Skywalker | “I See Red” Everyone Loves an Outlaw
The lyrics are about cheating but the overall theme of this song is about being betrayed by loved ones. This could work for the fix-it timeline where he feels betrayed by someone he thought was a friend (Palpatine) or canon where he’s feeling betrayed by the order. It’s an angry, broody strong with a lot of strong beats and would mimic Anakin’s aggressive fighting, and sparks of wrath. We’re talking a LOT of very assertive, physical dance here.
Padme Amidala | “My Strongest Suit” Aida
This song is about fashion being a woman’s strongest asset, literally its in the musical. I can see Padme doing this as a tongue-and-cheek number because she gets teased for her prolific wardrobe as a Queen and Senator. Everyone knows she’s a powerhouse and this ballad, even tongue-and-cheek- is a BALLAD. The audience is going to worship at the altar of this high-energy strip-tease. And the costumes? Oh, they are encrusted in rhinestones. 
Mace Windu | “Bad News” Melody Gardot
This is very in-line with classic lounge-style burlesque. Mace likes it because its slow and he has four + a half-minutes of the audience’s time and he uses them rolling around the stage floor with a thickass purple boa, eye fucking people and they thank him for the gift of that.
Cody | “You Make My Dreams” Hall & Oates
This act was created for one person, and one person only, others get to see it by the grace of the force. Obi-Wan has never missed a performance of it, which is good because Cody spends a majority of his time flirting with the man while casually whipping around tribute fans with impressively playful precision. It’s kinda like watching a bird do a courtship dance for his mate but with body shimmer. 
Rex | “Lost Without” Shane Guerrette
Rex heard this song in a cantina in the middle of nowhere and that was the first time anyone knew the man had rhythm. The raspy, vintage-feel, simple chords, and easy percussion with a vocals that have a brass-like quality mean he’s going to toe the line of flirty classic tease, and sultry slow-burn. He’ll be in the audience, flirting and soaking up their attention before he saunters back to the stage to do floorwork that is hotter than sex..  
Fives | "Betty (Get Money)” Yung Gravy
If you don’t expect this from that absolute sentient shit-post of a vod, I’ve got news for you: He does it dressed like a Chippendale’s Dancer and always loses his merkin.
Bly | “Mr. Sandman” SYML
This is a song about longing and we know how Bly feels about his Jedi. This is a soft cover, beautiful, elegant. It’s not a tease, its a tribute. I can see some beautiful fanwork happening, a lot of peel-cover-reveal. The choreo is slow but the audience is enthralled. 
Fox | “Smooth” Santana, Rob Thomas
Fox chose this song because it was playing at 79s and he liked how easy it was to dance to. He likes to slide back and forth between a raunchy bump n’ grind with some hits and just holding the stage and staring down the audience while dragging a piece of clothing. At least once during the bridge when he’s in the audience, he steals someone’s drink and downs it.
Wolffe | “Teeth” Lady Gaga
The Tempo of this song is very driving, very authoritative but the lyrics are  assertive yet dirty which Wolffe would appreciate. He’d bump n’ grind the hell out of this and probably howl for effect.
The Bad Batch
Crosshair | “Death Don’t Have no Mercy” (Stripped Version) Esterly, Eric McSpadden
This is a slow-burn about the inevitability of death. It’s very Crosshair. The twangy-bluesy guitar with the rolling drums and choral backing vocals make this an unexpected choice for those more familiar with classic burlesque but Crosshair plays everything close to the chest but with the presence to really make this song captivate. He’ll be walking the stage, staring down the audience, and peeling off clothing, slooooowly to keep the tease alive.
Echo | “Say My Name” KNGDAVD
No one was expecting this, even even Echo. The first time he performed, he wasn’t even sure he wanted to perform. This song kicked on, the dirty verb of the guitar, the kick of the beat, the croon of the singer summoned the Domino Twin in him and he went for it. There was bump n’ grind, there was parade and peel, there were so many credits on the floor that this boy slipped and went into the sexiest split of any of the rings.
(Echo now has rhinestoned plastoid plates that snap on to his legs, not head canon, canon, I will not be accepting feedback.)
Hunter | “Desperado” (Slowed TikTok vers) Rhianna, RH Music
The man is a tracker. The audience is his prey. This version is a sultry slowest-of-the-slow burns. It’s all about drawing the tease out, the audience on the edge of their seats, not to see the skin (but also yes) but to just watch this man who has complete control over every single muscle through fluid physicality take off one garment at a time. It’s about the connection he can maintain with the audience, the presence he takes up just by breathing (which is part of his choreo).
Tech | “People Are Strange” Tribe Society
Some performers tend not to engage with their audience because they are so into what they’re doing, enjoying themselves. Others prefer to  be observed, to be art. That’s Tech. This song is sultry and smokey and slow, anyone else would be slithering across the stage and stripping. Tech is using this song to showcase the flexibility of the human body, there are alot of acrobatic poses with very slow transitions. Since Tech is an inventive mind, he also likely likes to innovate new and interesting ways to remove clothing (such as an inverted hand-stand on a chair while removing a thigh-high from one leg with his toes of the other).
Wrecker | “I Believe in a thing Called Love” The Darkness
Classic-rock with a super playful vibe. I could totally see Wrecker choosing a hair-metal inspired track. It’s high energy, perfect for a guy with little impulse control and a whole lot of love to give. He’s gonna rip his shirt off within the first 30 seconds of the song, swing it around and then chuck it into the audience and they are going to eat.it.up. He’s going to have a lot of fun on stage, that’s what its all about for him, he’ll do bump and grind, he’ll do (his version of) classic flirty, he’s gonna tease but in a delightful way and during the clapping-bridge he’s gonna gonna reveal assels (they’re tassels for your butt). 
Bonus:
Yoda | “Pour some sugar on me” Def Leopard
He doesn’t take any clothing off and still ends up buried in credits.
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More crossover AU & Ahsoka/Chase thoughts:
Kaz (even before Chase himself) is the first one to realize there's something going on between Ahsoka and Chase, but he keeps it to himself because he finds the whole Oliver jealousy situation entertaining. Douglas, upon his first visit, is the second.
Ahsoka had been involved in helping Chase design the mission suit prototypes before Douglas arrived. And I swear if there is anything about canon that I want to change more in this AU, Ahsoka prevents Douglas from making the stupid high heels decision.
Ahsoka is Chase's first kiss. He confesses this accidentally.
Ahsoka and Skylar have a strained, but improving relationship. Ahsoka spent a few months at Mighty Med (post Order 66) before the Elite Force. As Skylar tended to back then, she disliked that other heroes treated Ahsoka as one of them, even though she wasn't a superhero (which also made Ahsoka uncomfortable. She didn't come to play hero, just to stay out of the Empire's reach). Skylar was very vocal about the fact Ahsoka didn't belong there. Ahsoka, on the other hand, couldn't reconcile Skylar's hero morals with the fact that she, and her species as a whole, keep sentient being as pets. The former jedi (as she should) can only see that as slavery. She accused Skylar of being a hypocrite, which certainly didn't help the Calderan's resentment of her.
Despite their contentions, after the destruction of Mighty Med, Skylar and Ahsoka mostly have a civil, tolerant relationship. Bree is essentially their common denominator. Bree considers Skylar and Ahsoka to both be her best friends, and they consider her to be their best friend, but they aren't close friends with each other.
Junk Food Fiend vs Health Food Nut Ahsoka/Chase dynamic; Ahsoka will, in fact, be devouring that entire bag of Doritos in one sitting. She did not purchase to share. Meanwhile, as we expect, Chase analyzes the nutritional content of every meal he makes.
Ahsoka HATES that her fangs were removed in Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Also that the tube top outfit bad fashion choice that she only actually wore for a month, tops, was used for two-and-a-half seasons). The animated show stuck with the accurate dialogue and plot from Ambrose's comics; Why did they have to change those little details? She does love that she was finally able to find out what trouble Obi-Wan caused on Mandalore.
I think in this AU, the entire Star Wars media in terms of movies and shows are animated, though not necessarily all the same style of animation. (As I want to keep most live-action appearances as their true actual appearances. Plus animation supremacy).
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