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smarchit · 3 years

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How Lucky We Are pt 3

Summary: A continuation of Look Around, Look Around. Mando and Reader continue their adventures with their young children.

Word count: 2.1k

Warnings: None

Notes: I remembered last night as I was falling asleep that I forgot to upload a chapter in a few days so... Sorry about that

Once back on board the Crest, you grabbed Mando's shoulder to get his attention. You didn't expect a lot of communication from him, hell, you'd actually be worried if he started prattling on. But you hoped he wouldn't keep a friend from you.

Mando tossed the body of the smuggler into a carbonite freezer with a little more force than was necessary. He stared at the chamber long after it had solidified before slowly turning to face you. "You still have blood on your dress," he remarked after a moment of silence.

"That's all you're going to say?" you asked, crossing your arms over your chest.

"What else would you like me to talk about?" Mando replied, moving past you to pick up the child.

"Who was that man you were talking to? Back by the cantina."

"Another Mandalorian," he said with a sigh. "There's a lot of them here in the outer rim. Hard to find, most of them. But they are out here."

"And you didn't think to introduce me?" you asked, shifting Trin to your other hip.

"They--- we try to keep to ourselves," he said, moving past you to go into the cockpit.

"He almost killed me!" you said. "He saw that I had the Child and---"

"He wouldn't have hurt you without warning," Mando said, depositing the Child into his pram. "Back on Nevarro, many Mandalorians died or gave up the Creed to protect the Child. The ones who remain are fiercely protective of him."

You sighed and ran a hand through your hair. He was probably right. You were probably overthinking it. There was definitely something he was keeping from you, but you weren't about to press it anymore for now.

"Alright," you sighed as you lowered yourself into the chair behind Mando's. You slid Trin into your lap and held her. "Fine. Where are we going now?"

"Siobhan Phanato," Mando said as he punched in the coordinates. "The ex-bounty hunter. Her last beacon came from Mos Eisley a few days ago. I'm thinking that's as good a place to start as any."

You sighed softly and looked down at your daughter. She looked up at you, her fist shoved in her mouth, and smiled.

As the Crest slowly ascended out of the atmosphere, you leaned back in your chair. Mando had seemed more closed off than usual ever since he ran off after your meeting with Greef Karga a few days prior. He disappeared for a while and gave no explanation as to where he went, not that he needed to, of course. But you felt that at this point, after all you'd been through together, he would be a little more open with you.

"Are you hungry?" you asked after several minutes of uncomfortable silence. "I can make something up for you, if you'd like. Noodles and broth?"

Mando looked over his shoulder at you. In the dim starlight, you saw the outline of his chin beneath the harsh T of his visor and you couldn't help but stare, fixated on the idea of the man under the helmet.

"That's fine," he said, briefly turning back to flip a pressure switch. "Use the meat at the front, it's open, but it's still good. Few more days and it won't be."

You nodded and stood up, much to the dismay of Trin, who had just begun to nod off. You shushed her cries and went to set her in the pram beside her adopted brother.

"I can take her," Mando said softly. "She might wake the kid and he's tougher than a mudhorn to put back down."

You smiled and handed Trin to him. As you gently deposited her into his arms, you nodded at the signet on his pauldron. "The mudhorn, huh? I never asked you about it before. You set a record for getting him to nap, and someone compared him to the beast?"

Mando chuckled beneath his helmet and looked down at Trin, who had immediately calmed down. "No, I fought one. Almost didn't win. The kid helped me."

You looked over at the child as he slept soundly. "He weighs five pounds!"

"I almost didn't believe it myself," he said softly. "He's special. I'm trying to find his people. His family, or someone who understands what it is exactly that he can do. Maker knows I can't figure him out."

Trin gurgled in his arms and reached for her reflection in his visor. She giggled and babbled when he lifted her closer.

You smiled and watched them for a minute before you slid down the ladder to the lower level of the Crest to head to the tiny kitchenette to boil water for dinner. While you cooked, you thought about Sherruk, the other Mandalorian you'd met. Mando had said that they were all fiercely protective of the child, and you found yourself wondering how far his love of children extended. If need be, would he go to the ends of the galaxy to keep Trin safe and protected?

By the time you poured him a bowl of noodles and broth, you figured that yes, he would do anything for your daughter. In fact, he already had. He refused to take you back to your husband, let you see the galaxy... and helped you bring her into the world. Yes, you thought, Mando would do anything for your child - or any child.

"I'm coming up!" you announced as you neared the ladder back to the cockpit. You ascended up to the cockpit and handed him the container.

Stars streaked across the window as you rushed through hyperspace. Its beauty always managed to take your breath away.

"Thank you," Mando hummed. He reached back with one hand to take the container from you. You saw Trin, fast asleep in his other arm, her tiny cheek smushed against the fabric of his shirt between the plates of his armor.

"Want me to take her?" you whispered.

Mando shook his head and popped the lid off the container with one hand. "No, she's fine," he murmured. "I don't think even an explosion would wake her right now.. I'll call you back up when I'm done, okay?"

You nodded and went back down the ladder to clean up and eat your own supper.

The next morning, you woke with a stretch and a hum in your little bunk. The ship was still humming through hyperspace on its way to the Mos Eisley port, still at least a day's travel away. You washed up and fed Trin before you made your way up to the cockpit.

"Make yourself decent," you called, your head just below the top of the ladder.

"You're fine, come on up," Mando said.

The kid cooed and babbled and Trin gurgled back at him as you entered the cockpit.

"Morning," Mando hummed as you set Trin in the pram beside the child.

"Morning," you replied. "Anything interesting happen while I was asleep?"

Mando shook his head. "Usual stuff. Old pings from empire ships, dead broadcasts. Nothing out of the ordinary."

You looked over his shoulder at the dash to peek at the radar. You saw the Crest, pinging away at the center, one or two blips here and there for asteroids. But every so often there would be a blip at the bottom of the screen.

"Dead pixels?" you wondered aloud, pointing at the anomaly.

Mando shook his head. "I've been keeping an eye on it," he said. "I'm thinking it's a courier vessel, or a travel pod. It's moving slower than we are."

You bit your lip and nodded. "Can it see us?"

"Doubt it," he said. "We're pre-Empire. Not required to put out transmissions like newer ships."

He didn't seem worried about it, so you did your best to stamp out the anxiety that was welling up inside you. Even now, over a year since you had left your husband, you still woke with nightmares about him taking you away. Taking Trin away.

You swallowed thickly and sat back down behind Mando.

"I know what you're thinking," Mando said, tilting his helmet back towards you. "But it isn't him. It won't ever be him again."

You took a deep breath and nodded. "I know."

When the Crest docked, it was well past sundown in the dusty little port. You bundled up in a spare blanket to fight off the bitter cold of the night. Trin was safely nestled against your breast in her sling and the child was tucked into a little bag against Mando's thigh.

Mando helped you down the ramp and onto the sand ground of the docking bay. He kept a hand on your lower back and guided you out of the bay and into the main streets of Mos Eisley.

"How is it we always end up on Tatooine?" you asked, your breath coming out in little bursts of fog. "It's a whole karking galaxy, you'd think there's only four planets..."

Mando chuckled. "Unless a bounty is good at covering their tracks, there's a few places that are good to start searching in."

"Cantinas, inns, and marketplaces," you hummed with a playful eye roll.

"And here I thought you didn't pay attention tom me," Mando teased as he moved his hand further up your back to lead you through a particularly crowded section of the street.

"Oy, Mando," someone called from a stall towards you. "You a taxi service now? Or is that your bit for the evening?"

Mando pushed his hand against your back and ignored the speaker as he led you away from them.

He didn't stop until you reached an inn, the door shot off its hinges long ago.

"You want to wait here or do you want to come inside?" he asked.

"If I stay out here, you'll have to unthaw me later," you replied between your shivers. "I'll come inside."

Mando nodded and went up the few steps before you did. Chatter, as it normally did when he entered a room, halted almost immediately.

You stepped in behind him, cheeks and nose nipped by the cold, a chubby baby held close to your chest for warmth. What an odd pair you two always seemed to make.

Mando wandered over to a group of young women hunched over a game of sabbac. He tossed the puck on the table, ignoring their cries of protest.

One of them looked up and immediately paled when she saw who it was that had ruined their game. "I paid my debt!"

"Not here for you," he said dryly as he nodded towards the puck. "I'm looking for this one. Siobhan. You know her?"

"Only passing through, love," one of the women replied with a grin. "One night only."

Mando scooped the puck off the table and pocketed it as the table erupted into boisterous laughter.

You took a seat at the bar as Mando made his rounds. Trin had fallen asleep against your chest, her cheeks still rosy with cold from your walk over.

"What'll you have?" the human bartender asked. "Something hot?"

You nodded and adjusted yourself on the stool. "Yes, please. And some to go, if you don't mind."

He nodded and set off to get you some hot food. The cantina was surprisingly busy, and despite the chill outside, the company inside was warm and friendly.

"You come in with him?" the bartender asked as he returned with your meal. He nodded towards Mando, who had wedged himself into a booth with a burly woman on one side and a rather intimidating looking man on the other.

You nodded, knowing he was most likely gonna kick you both out.

"Who's he hunting?" the man asked. "Maybe I could help."

"Oh, I'm not sure," you murmured, picking at your food. "A Twi'lek, I think. Siobhan, something."

"Shiv?" he asked with a laugh. "Haven't seen her for a few weeks," he said. "Last I heard she set off somewhere on a speeder. Said she had to make something right. She's Guild, right?"

"That's right," came the voice of the Mandalorian from beside you. You gasped and jumped in your seat. He really needed a bell or something. "Which way was she headed?"

"Said she was headed towards the suns rise," he replied, waving his hand in the direction she went. "A few days ago, I guess. There's a small village out there. No name of the place."

"Sounds like our next stop," Mando replied, dropping some credits on the counter. "Thank you."

You thanked the bartender and hopped off the stool. You were sure to grab your food and Mando's before following him out of the cantina.

Mando was scanning the crowd in the streets when you joined him. His hands were on his hips as he debated his next move.

"Are you up for a little drive?" he asked, turning to look at you.

***** TAGLIST:

@miscellaneous-mando @lestrange2703 @someplace-darker @letsgetfuckingsuperwholocked @poeticparker @blackbird337 @the-last-twin-of-krypton @divineangelix @c1996 @mell-bell @qhbr2013 @bookszazzy @marvelbros-oneshots @cuteboyking @boomtownboy @connor-challoner @fandom-lover-4 @itsmysticalmystery @love-struck-aries @lifeisapitch15 @cosmicwhisper @hybrid-huntress @whatismylife00 @remmyswritings @yodaboo @ginger-swag-rapunzel @mcrmarvelloki @lcandothisallday @ry0t @ravenclawbitch426 @keichainn @justacutelion

#my writing #din djarin x reader #din djarin x you #the mandalorian #the mandalorian fic #look around fic #no use of y/n

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shuuen-no-cimory · 3 years

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Ok now here’s a post about my Anemo sword user OC from Snezhnaya, the courier Praskovya or Pana (or who I usually refer as Panya because it just sounds better wwww

Courier - Pana, 25. A part of Adventurer's Guild of Snezhnaya branch who specifically works on mailing and package delivery to and from Snezhnaya. She never picky with whom her client is but coincidentally, most of her clients are either low ranking Fatui members or their relatives. It doesn't matter to what corner of Teyvat the package had to be delivered, she wouldn't mind doing it. Such a free-spirited anemo sword user.

When she was young she had a really close childhood friend she called Granya, a man coming from a well-known merchant family. The two was like two peas on a pod who understand each other deeply. That's why the time when they turned 15 and both of them had an argument over Granya's wish to run away from his family, she can't understand why did he left her too into thin air. Losing your best friend isn't something she can be used to, this is what drove her to join Adventurer's Guild to heal herself as she turned 17. That's where she met her senior, a well-known courier in Snezhnaya.

That courier taught her many things, about places in Snezhnaya and about the world outside it that she never had a chance to see yet, being a rookie and all. That courier was a good person and she was the first person that propose the idea of international delivery service for the people of Snezhnaya that has been separated from their family members. It was a hard fight but eventually, the courier idea got accepted.The night before her senior's delivery debut, both of them had a drink, told each other their story and how Pana wished she could also follow her senior's track. That senior had helped her heals from her young loss and if there's anything she wanted is that for her senior's ambition to be true.

But as the next day came and days turned months, she never heard of them again. It was only at the fifth month that news finally arrived that the senior had an accident and died. This affect the international shipping project's credibility which then was planned to be terminated.

This second loss she got,

This time she faced the Guild's head. Tell them she willing to replace her senior place and refuse for the project termination. They decline at first since she isn't credible enough for such job but she take it anyway. She wanted to face her loss better this time, not just by facing the other way and attach herself to some new good person to be her anchor. And she will.By the time she finished her first batch of delivery to Fountaine, she found her own bag to be heavier. That's when she got her Anemo Vision.

When she was 22, she met a Fatui man on Liyue, a Hydrogunner Legionnaire who catch her when she was about to move again to Snezhnaya.

"You are that Courier right? I heard you from the other men that you do delivery from and to Snezhnaya, right?"

She nods, and that man handed her a letter with his scarred, grubby hand, "Please, send this to my family."That was how she met Dmitri, a leader of certain Fatui Skirmishers' team that will stir up her life in an interesting turn.

About two months later...Dmitri's family want her to send a reply. It was not a message but instead a bulky box. She remember the time his wife and their children hugged her and told her how grateful they are to finally heard from him after many years, just like almost all the other families that asked her service.When she stepped onto Dmitri's camp, she was stopped by a tall man with a staff and bandage covered his face who stared omniously at her.

"What business an Adventurer had with a Fatui Skirmishers' camp?"

"Oh, I'm looking for sir Dmitri, the Hydrogunner Legionnaire." She then saluted at him, "Name is Praskovya of Snezhnaya's Adventurer's Guild, part of Guild's the International Delivery Service to and from Snezhnaya. May I have an audience?"

The man, a Geochanter, was frozen for a moment. He then slowly nodded and led her the way. There was silence between them as they approach the camp. It is not unusual since she does found some Skirmishers to be a quiet individuals.

As she approaching, there was also three other men at the camp: a Cryogunner, an Electrohammer, and Dmitri, the Hydrogunner. When all the eyes on her, the big guy clads in blue welcome her warmly as he introduce her to his other team members. That's when she learned that the man that escort her named Yevgraf, quite an uncommon Snezhnayan name that is oddly familiar.She then handed him his package and told him about his wife and children, Anatolya and Pyotr. He rejoiced, "Oh May Tsaritsa bless your work, dear miss Courier. Can you come again tomorrow? I will write a reply for them as soon as possible.”

Since then, it has become some sort of habit to visit that team every time she went to Liyue, for Dmitri had become her regular. Eventually, two other guy enter the team. First it was an Anemoboxer named Valentin who somehow hit it easily with her as a sparring buddy. Later, it was a new energetic rookie, a Pyroslinger named Konstantin who enters when the team was moved to Dragonspine after 2 years of knowing them. This guy was also another fun addition to the group who shared the same passion on Vodka with her.

Around that time, she also tried to get close to Geochanter, who somehow kind of unwilling to be around her. She even tried to get to talk to him by giving him some package from 'unknown origin' that actually came from her. Eventually they get closer and would sometimes he'd willingly accompany her when she left the camp.

But at one point, they become sort of distanced themselves when both starts to dig out that they indeed shared a past: for Grasha was her long lost childhood friend. This make their relationship became a tad bit awkward but eventually, they made up and get back on their feet once again.

Will it ended up with romance? How would it turns out? I’ll left it into your interpretation.

APPENDIXES (QnA):

Q. Why not make her a Fatui if she'd be kind of associated with them?

Honestly, I want her to be some sort of 'neutral' character. It'd give me (and her) more freedom to write and play with her character wwww

Q. Why 'Praskovya' and 'Pana'?

She wants other to not be too formal with her that's why she usually insist people to call her nickname instead of her first name.

Q. Does she has any relation to the higher ups and Harbingers?

Not at all. For one, I think those higher ups barely need her help for sending letters and communication for they had their own connections. On the other hand, I feel like the low-ranked Fatui and other Snezhnayan might not have such things and had to rely on common delivery services. With that idea in mind, I want Pana to be that person that provide such service. That's why while she had many contacts among the Fatui, she never had any with the elites and Harbingers. So yeah, basically I want an OC that can chill with the Fatui, without being a Fatui, but still can make sense. I mean, isn't it comforting when you, a homesick worker for some organization that works internationally who haven't be heard of your loved ones probably for months, years, or maybe never, one day finally met someone that can help you tied the loose ends? That's what kind of a person Pana is.

#Genshin Impact #Genshin OC #Adventurers' Guild OC #Praskovya 'Pana'#Panyaposting #Slight OC/Canon I guess???#Kinda shipping my oc with Geochanter but at the same time I wanna be lowkey with it jdbjsbdjvhsjhv #But is it gonna be refered as OC/Canon since technically these Skirmishers had no story of their own but I kinda made it up #Semi canon??? semi Au???#EITHER WAY #Fatui Skirmishers #Anemo OC #Snezhnayan OC

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singledarkshade · 3 years

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Time Masters And Amazons

Summary: Rip is sent to Thermiscrya to retrieve a suspicious pod released by Time Pirates. Author’s Note: It's RipWeek 2021, Day 1: “Time wants to happen” – Time travel is what Legends is all about, but it’s moved away from that lately. What historical or futuristic adventures should Rip have had? This is set in the same universe as my story Rescue. Enjoy ********************************************* “Captain Hunter,” Gideon’s voice woke him from his sleep, “You have a communication from the Vanishing Point.”

Stiffly rolling out of bed, Rip pulled on his clothes, pausing briefly to throw some water on his face so he could wake a little before heading up to the bridge.

“Captain Hunter,” Time Master Dereham stated when Rip told Gideon to open the comms, “We have a mission for you.”

Frowning Rip replied, “Ma’am, I was promised a few days of rest after my last mission.”

A mission where he’d ended up with three broken ribs and a broken arm. Even though Gideon had fixed him, rest was still required to get him back to peak fitness.

“Normally another Captain would be assigned,” Dereham told him, “But this is pertaining to Themyscira. During the apprehension of a group of Time Pirates, they jettisoned a pod which we have tracked to the island. We fear it contains something dangerous and needs to be retrieved. Due to your prior contact with the Amazons, you are the best choice for this mission.”

Nodding Rip noted, “If you send Gideon the details, I will head there once I have an entry point.”

“I have received all required information, Captain,” Gideon told him as Dereham blinked away.

Rip sighed, “Gideon, calculate an entry to Themyscira.”

“We can enter in forty-three minutes,” Gideon reported, “You have enough time to shower, eat breakfast and let Mrs Hunter know you will not make it home for the weekend.”

Rip grimaced, “Unless I manage to finish this mission fast.”

“Forty-two minutes.”

Forty minutes later, Rip was readying the ship to exit the timestream. Dressed and fed, he’d let his wife know about his unexpected mission, unfortunately not getting a chance to talk to his son who was sleeping.

“We are entering the window,” Gideon spoke up.

Rip nodded, “Okay, reconfiguring for entry to Themyscira.”

Due to the cloak that hid the island of the Amazons from the world and a few additional protections provided by the Time Masters, there were only certain windows to enter it from the time stream. Rip had made the trip more than any other Time Master, and thanks to his rescue of the young princess, was welcomed by the Amazons.

Exiting the time stream, Rip smiled to see the island below him, bathed in sunlight with the clear blue sea surrounding it.

“Gideon, see if you can track our pod,” Rip told her, “And then head to the landing zone.”

“I have traced the trajectory,” Gideon reported, “And our presence has been detected.”

Rip chuckled, “I would be worried if it hadn’t.”

Gently landing his ship, Rip undid the restraint and patted the central console before he headed to the cargo bay.

“Captain Hunter,” Queen Hippolyta greeted him as he walked out the ship.

Rip bowed, “Your Majesty.”

Hippolyta smiled, “What do we owe the pleasure? Is it by any chance to do with the falling star last night?”

“Unfortunately, yes,” Rip replied, “And before you ask, I don’t actually know what it is.”

She frowned, “Never a good sign.”

“I’ve traced where it went,” Rip explained, “But thought it best to check in with you first before I try to track it down.”

Hippolyta nodded, “I do appreciate that, Captain. We would not want any of our guards to believe you to be an intruder.”

At her amused smile, Rip chuckled, “Definitely not.”

“Captain Hunter!!” the excited voice of the young princess made Rip smile, as she rushed towards him.

Rip gave a small bow, “Your Highness.”

Diana beamed and wrapped her arms around his waist to hug him. Rip gently wrapped one arm around her shoulders briefly before letting her go.

“I have a present for you,” Rip said, smiling at the look of surprise in Diana’s eyes. He slid his hand into his pocket and found the small velvet bag, “I hope you like it.”

The little princess opened the bag and tipped the contents into her hand, letting out a soft gasp at the silver chain with the three small pendants on it.

“It’s a charm bracelet,” Rip explained, “My wife, Miranda made it for you.”

“She made it for me?” Diana gasped, holding her arm out so her mother would put it on.

Rip nodded, “Do you like it?”

Diana beamed, “I do. Please tell her I love it.”

“Captain Hunter and I need to discuss his reason for being here,” Hippolyta told her daughter, “You must return to your studies.”

Diana glanced at Rip.

“I will not leave without saying goodbye,” Rip promised.

With a grin Diana left with her current tutor, Rip turned to the Queen of the Amazons.

“It was a lovely gift,” Hippolyta noted as she started him towards the palace, “Thank your wife from me as well.”

“Miranda is very artistic and jewellery making is her new passion,” Rip explained, “Since our son, Jonas isn’t interested in the pieces she makes, Miranda hoped Diana would be.”

Hippolyta smiled, “I think the fact that it came from your wife made it even more special for her.”

The palace of the Amazons was somewhere Rip would have loved to spend time exploring, he knew Miranda would want to explore it too, but he was sure the guards could snap him in two without breaking a sweat if he went wandering.

“Captain?” the Queen’s voice broke through his musing.

“Of course,” Rip said, walking over to the map on the wall beside her, “According to Gideon, the pod crashed somewhere here,” he pointed to the mountain range, “I am hoping you can spare a guide to get me to the location.”

Hippolyta mused before replying, “I know that section of the island better than anyone so I shall guide you.”

Rip stared at her surprised, “Are you sure, Your Majesty? I did not expect you would…”

“This is something of great importance,” she cut him off, “I prefer to deal with it myself.”

“Then I’m honoured,” Rip replied.

Hippolyta smiled slightly before noting, “You may wish to change.”

Looking at his clothes, Rip nodded, “I also need to collect some things from the ship to ensure I can retrieve the pod safely.”

“We leave in one hour.”

*********************************************

“Gideon,” Rip said as he checked the equipment that he was taking with him including his pistol and a sword, “Have your scans revealed anything I should worry about?”

“Other than the trek, the heat and the fact you will have to look competent in front of the Queen of the Amazons?” Gideon asked.

Rolling his eyes, Rip ignored her, “Please connect to the courier and continue your scans. Let me know if there is any change in the pod.”

“Yes, Captain.”

As he headed out, Rip paused seeing the guards outside the ship, “Gideon, no teasing the Amazons.”

“If you wish,” Gideon replied, sounding slightly annoyed.

Resting his hand on the bulkhead before he left, “I’ll be back soon.”

“Be careful, Captain,” Gideon told him.

Nodding he walked down the ramp to where his guide was waiting to take him to the Queen.

“So, Captain,” Hippolyta said as they started along the trail towards their destination, “Have you ever spent any time within this type of environment?”

Rip shrugged, “We were trained in basically all possible situations. I have done exercises where I’ve had to fend for myself and get back to base in multiple environments. I survived those.”

Hippolyta chuckled, “Well that is good to know. I am assuming you know how to use the sword?”

“One of my specialist weapons,” Rip noted before resting his hand on his pistol, “And I’m not a bad shot.”

The Queen laughed, “Hopefully you will not need to use either weapon, Captain.”

They continued in silence for a while reaching the edge of the forest. Rip paused and checked his courier.

“Gideon,” he called, “Has there been any changes?”

“I am reading a stronger signal,” Gideon said in his ear, “It is possible the pod has been disturbed.”

“Captain?” Hippolyta asked.

Rip grimaced, “Gideon believes the pod has been found. Do you have any patrols in that area?”

The Queen frowned, “No. However it is possible a training group may have entered the area.”

“Gideon,” he said, “Keep me apprised of anything you detect.”

“Of course, Captain.”

Rip turned to the Queen of the Amazons who was waiting for him to finish his conversation, “I believe we should continue.”

She nodded, “The next part of the trail is especially steep. It will be best climbed before we reach the midday sun.”

“Excellent.”

The sun was beating down on them as they finally reached the summit of the trail into the forest, Rip wiped the sweat from his forehead before he checked his courier.

“The signal is stronger towards the east,” he told the woman standing waiting, “Please tell me it’s an easier walk.”

Hippolyta chuckled, “Going down the path is usually easier.”

Rip took the water she offered him before he grabbed some cereal bars from him pack offering one to the Queen who took it graciously. She suddenly frowned and held up her hand, walking over to a bush behind them she reached in and grabbed something. Rip watched surprised at the familiar girl pulled out who tried to look innocent.

“Diana,” her mother frowned at her, “I am sure I told you not to follow us.”

Diana looked up at her mother with wide eyes, “I wanted to help you and Captain Hunter.”

Hippolyta frowned before turning to Rip, “Excuse us for a moment, Captain.”

She drew her daughter to one side just out of hearing and Rip took a seat on a nearby rock. He hadn’t had the time after his previous mission to recover fully from his injuries, and it was taking a toll.

“Captain,” Gideon spoke up suddenly, “I am detecting an energy spike from the pod and, as it is sending out a signal, identified its origins.”

“Good,” Rip replied before noting the pause, “And bad. Where is it from?”

“Tracadia,” Gideon told him, and Rip swore.

Hippolyta frowned as she walked back to him, “Captain?”

“Gideon has found out where the pod is from,” Rip replied, “And it’s worse than I expected.”

Diana opened her mouth as though to ask a question but slammed it shut at her mother’s sharp look.

“How much worse?” Hippolyta asked.

Rip sighed, “The people this came from are slave traders and use technology to turn people into mindless drones.”

“How?” Diana spoke up.

Her mother frowned but looked at Rip for an answer.

“It’s complicated but basically it sends out a specific tone,” Rip explained, “This turns off the person’s conscious self and allows programming of those affected for specific tasks. If anyone is in the vicinity, they will become enslaved and protect the pod at all costs while it sends out a distress call.”

Hippolyta frowned, “Do you know how to stop it?”

“Yes,” Rip nodded, “If I can get to the pod, I can disable it but…”

“But?” the Amazonian Queen demanded.

“The pod is already sending out a signal,” Rip explained, “Which means that the moment someone gets within the range, they become a drone and it has protection. I would prefer to head back to the Waverider and retrieve additional equipment, but we don’t have time.”

Hippolyta frowned, “Can you get near the pod without being influenced by the signal?”

Rip nodded and tapped his ear, “I have a communicator in my ear that connects me to Gideon in my ship. She can neutralise the signal, but I need to do something for you both.”

“Both?” Diana asked with a smile, wincing when her mother frowned at her.

“At the moment, we don’t know how far the signal is stretching,” Rip explained, “It’s safer for Diana to stay with us.”

Hippolyta frowned before nodding, “I agree.”

“Then I better get to work.”

Diana bounced nervously as they waited for Rip to finish whatever he was making. She knew she was in trouble following her mother, but her curiosity got the better of her. Rip had visited a few times since he had saved her, but this was the first time he’d come for more than just a quick visit.

“Diana,” Rip motioned her to him, “Okay, I am going to connect this into your ear and clip it in, so it doesn’t fall out.”

She nodded and smiled as Rip brushed her dark hair back from her right ear before placing the strange looking device into her ear. She winced slightly as something pinched her skin.

“Sorry,” Rip said softly, “It’s just connecting to you. Let me test it now.”

Diana nodded.

“Gideon, test please,” Rip called.

“Hello, Princess,” the voice of the Gideon came in her ear, “Can you speak to allow me to know if the communicator is working both ways?”

Diana hesitated not knowing what to say finally deciding on, “Hello, Gideon.”

“It is working perfectly, Captain,” Gideon said, “Princess Diana is now protected.”

Rip smiled and squeezed Diana’s shoulder, “Can you ask your mother to join me?”

Diana nodded and bounced away.

“Gideon,” Rip said as he waited for the Queen to come and get her comm unit, “Any updates?”

“Unfortunately,” Gideon replied, “There are life-signs at the coordinates. The pod now has guardians.”

Rip sighed, “Wonderful.”

Hippolyta joined him and caught the look on his face, “I take it there is bad news and it is a good thing we didn’t return back to your vessel.”

Nodding Rip connected the communicator to her ear, “Precisely.”

*********************************************

Hippolyta motioned them to stop as they reached just outside the caves that Gideon confirmed the pod had been relocated to. There were several of her warriors guarding the entrance and Hippolyta did not want to hurt any of her people, but from what Hunter had told her, they would protect the item at all costs.

“Diana,” she motioned her daughter to her, “For defence only,” she said handing her a sword, “No matter what happens, you stay with Captain Hunter.”

Diana nodded, “Yes, mother.”

Turning to Hunter, she noted, “I will do my best to keep those affected away to give you time to deactivate the signal.”

He nodded, “Be careful of the communicator, if it breaks then you will become one of the drones.”

“It could be a welcome break from ruling,” she replied with a smile, “But I will ensure it is kept intact.”

An amused smile touched the man’s lips before he gently touched Diana’s shoulder and motioned her to follow him. Reaching out Hippolyta squeezed her daughter’s hand before allowing her to leave with the Time Master, knowing he would protect Diana.

Rip watched the Queen of the Amazons walk towards the entrance of the cavern, instantly the two guards attacked her, and Hippolyta moved the fight away from the cave allowing Rip and Diana to slip inside.

The cool air of the cave surrounded them, and Rip could also feel the pressure from signal relieved when Gideon began to counteract it. Looking around, he found the pod set up on a shelf well above his height.

“Look out,” Diana cried, and Rip turned to find one of the guards of the pod coming towards them.

Rip threw himself one way as Diana rolled the other way, drawing his sword Rip defended himself but knew he had little chance of surviving long against a trained Amazon warrior. Thankfully he got an opening and was able to draw his pistol to stun his attacker, who fell unconscious to the ground.

“Diana,” he said to the girl, “We need to turn off the pod. Can you climb up to that?”

“Easily,” she nodded.

Rip dug into his pocket and pulled out the disruptor he’d made earlier, “Once you’re there I need you to press this onto the pod, anywhere on the body. Then tell Gideon to activate.”

Taking the disruptor, Diana nodded but, before she could move, they were attacked again.

“Go,” Rip snapped at Diana as he managed to stop the sword coming at them with his own.

The little girl dodged around the warriors coming towards them and began to climb. Rip fired a few shots to deter those trying to follow her but by protecting Diana, he left himself open and cried out in pain when a sword slashed across his ribs.

“Rip?” Diana called worriedly.

“Don’t stop,” he replied, using the cave wall to keep upright as he continued to defend himself. Another of the drones attacked and Rip did his best but even as a basic zombie, this was still a trained Amazon warrior, and after a few seconds easily disarmed Rip and stabbed him through the gut. Managing to shoot his assailant, Rip tried to find his sword as he knew until the pod was deactivated, he had to keep fighting.

“Gideon,” he heard Diana call just as he managed to grip the hilt, “Activate.”

The sound of swords dropping echoed around the cavern, and all the Amazons looked around in confusion. Rip sighed in relief and fell back onto the ground.

“Rip!!!!” Diana screamed as Hippolyta appeared above him.

“Hold on, Captain,” the Queen soothed, “You will be fine.”

Rip gripped her hand, “Get me to Gideon,” he breathed before he couldn’t keep the blackness at bay any longer and fell into unconsciousness.

Hippolyta could see her daughter panic at seeing the man she looked up to unconscious and bleeding on the ground, with a sword sticking out of him. Wrapping her arm around Diana, Hippolyta was about to order her people to get him back to the palace when the voice of Gideon, Hunter’s artificial companion came in her ear.

“Your Majesty,” Gideon stated urgently “Captain Hunter’s injuries are grave, I have sent the JumpShip to your location. If you can take him onboard and return him to the Waverider I will be able to heal his injuries.”

A little unsure, Hippolyta however replied, “Of course.”

Glancing down at her daughter, Hippolyta gently touched her shoulder and moved her back ordering the warriors to carry Hunter outside. Keeping her daughter close, they watched the small vessel land, and the unconscious man was carried inside. The Queen followed on with Diana and entered the ship.

“Gideon,” she said as the door closed behind them.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Gideon replied, “Please all take a seat and hold on.”

Sitting her daughter down, along with the two warriors, Hippolyta gripped the seat as the ship lifted off the ground and sped through the air to where the Waverider sat. The moment they landed Gideon instructed them where to take Hunter. It was an astonishing place, Hippolyta followed Diana who knew where she was going and what she was doing so slid the cuff onto the man’s wrist the moment he was placed on the chair before Gideon could tell them.

“Please remove the sword,” Gideon stated.

Hippolyta rested her hand on the man’s arm comfortingly before pulling the sword from his gut, wincing at the cry that escaped him even unconscious. A green light covered him instantly and he visibly relaxed.

“Thank you,” Gideon stated, “I will have Captain Hunter contact you once he is able to.”

Hippolyta shook her head, “Diana and I will remain here until he wakens.”

“Captain Hunter would not agree,” Gideon told her before conceding, “However if you are determined to remain, then thank you.”

Nodding Hippolyta dismissed her two warriors to return to the palace before she and Diana took a seat to ensure that Hunter would not wake up alone.

*********************************************

Rip woke slowly, he was stiff and felt the need to go back to sleep but if Gideon was waking him then he knew he couldn’t. As he forced his eyes open, Rip was confused to find the Queen of Themyscira looking down him with concern.

“Your Majesty?” he forced out through dry lips.

“Welcome back, Captain,” she smiled at him.

Slowly sitting up, Rip blinked in surprise to find the royal family of the Amazons watching him.

“Gideon?” he called.

“The Queen and Princess Diana refused to leave while you were recuperating,” Gideon explained.

Looking at the mother and daughter who were smiling slightly, he nodded, “Thank you.”

“Well, we wanted to ensure you were healed as Gideon promised,” Hippolyta smiled at him, “Diana was worried.”

Rip smiled at the young girl watching him with wide eyes, “I’m fine. Gideon healed all my injuries and once I get some sleep I will be as good as new.”

“Are you sure?” Diana demanded.

Sliding off the couch he crouched so he was face to face with her, “I promise.” Standing again he looked at the Queen, “What happened to the pod?”

“We brought it to the ship and Gideon had me place it in a cupboard,” she told him.

“I have erected a level 5 shield around the pod, Captain,” Gideon spoke up.

Rip smiled, “Thank you, Gideon,” he turned back to the mother and daughter, “I should get it back to the Time Masters.”

“You’re leaving?” Diana asked sadly.

Rip sighed, “I have a mission to complete but I promise that I will come back another time.”

Diana hugged him and Rip gently patted her back, letting him go Diana stepped back to her mother.

“Thank you for your help, Your Majesty,” Rip bowed to her.

Hippolyta inclined her head to him, “And thank you for yours, Captain. It was a pleasure to work with you. The next time you visit, I hope it is less exciting but more of a family affair. I would like to meet your wife and son.”

“Miranda and Jonas would love that,” Rip smiled.

He escorted them to the cargo bay and, after another hug from the young princess, Rip watched them leave then headed to the bridge. Sliding into the pilot’s chair he readied the ship for flight.

“Gideon,” he said, “Let the Vanishing Point know we have the pod and we’re on our way back.”

“We are expected, Captain,” Gideon replied, “And have an entry programmed back to the time stream.”

With a smile at the island below him, Rip pulled the restraint down, and took the ship back into the time stream.

#fic #ripfic #legends of tomorrow #rip hunter #gideon #wonder woman #diana #hippolyta #crossover #RipWeek #Rip Week 2021 #Rip Appreciation Week

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ecoamerica · 1 month

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youtube

Watch the 2024 American Climate Leadership Awards for High School Students now: https://youtu.be/5C-bb9PoRLc

The recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by student climate leaders! Join Aishah-Nyeta Brown & Jerome Foster II and be inspired by student climate leaders as we recognize the High School Student finalists. Watch now to find out which student received the $25,000 grand prize and top recognition!

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robotslenderman · 3 years

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For the 21 questions otp ask, Elisa/Lettow, 3, 6, 11 and 12. I hope that wasn’t too much for you 😊

:3!!!!

OTP ask box game.

3. What is your favourite AU/prompt idea/trope for your pairing?

Favourite AU is the one where Lettow didn’t lose track of Elisa and managed to adopt her.

It did... not work out well at first, lol. Lettow had severe depression and had never had a childe before and had no idea what to do with her. Elisa had gone absolutely feral after three months of surviving night-to-night and sleeping in burrows she’d dug herself.

Over those three months Elisa had slowly gone batshit insane. In canon, Lampago scraped her out of it and taught her some survival skills, but this takes place earlier, before Elisa could do anything more than solve intra-kindred issues with “run away or claw their face off.” So in this AU Elisa has gone from a kind, generous and loving vet nurse that loved animals... to this near-wight who actually killed a couple of kindred over territory disputes.

Basically, she couldn’t control her Beast and was getting awfully close to wighting herself. In canon this was reversed by her watching Lampago and fighting hard not to be like her -- in this AU she doesn’t have a bad example to warn her away from going down that path, so she keeps indulging the Beast’s impulses by killing her prey and anyone trying to claim her territory.

Eventually it got bad enough that Lettow intervened before the Prince could put a blood hunt on her head (or his).

At first Lettow had a hard problem just keeping her around -- Elisa kept running away because she’d be overwhelmed or pissed off enough. Each time Lettow would give her a few nights then reappear at her burrow and talk her into coming back, because if she stayed out on her own there was no way she wouldn’t wind up killing someone else and he was highkey really worried the Prince would have her executed.

(Dove thought this was hilarious and that Lettow reaped what he sowed. “You left her so she could learn to survive on her own. Well, now she’s trying to do what you wanted her to do!”)

Needless to say, Elisa developed a Reputation among the Kindred of Tucson for being Lettow’s feral, low-humanity brat.

It did reach a turning point. In canon Lettow wouldn’t give her Stellaluna for thirty years, but in this one he had the same idea and gifted her her own famulus -- that little vampire bat she named Stellaluna. A bit of Elisa’s old humanity came back enough at the gesture that he was able to get through to her, and bond with her through teaching her animalism. Her love for Stellaluna, and her being touched at Lettow’s gesture, was a counterbalance to the Beast.

Yep, that’s right, Elisa had an emotional support vampire bat.

He’d been so desperate he’d seriously considered blood binding her to him until they both got her out of it; a blood bond would have made her so attached to him and desperate to please him it would have given her positive emotions to help lift her out of it instead of primal instinct and impulse, and would have given her willpower to fight her Beast at his behest.

Years later, she’d mention to Lettow that she attributed this phase of her life to severe depression. And he’d be like, “no, you weren’t depressed, you were turning into a wight.”

6. Least favourite canon moment of them?

I honestly can’t think of any explicit moments. All that comes to mind are concepts (that Elisa couldn’t bitch at Lettow about the blood bag thing) or moments that aren’t their moment (Lettow’s bizarre response to Jasper’s torture of Modian and his callousness to Dove), or something that isn’t even a moment (lack of more Reremouse-like missions in-game where you get to work with him hands on!).

11. If they aren’t a canon pairing, how would you get them together?

Their relationship didn’t happen as it did in canon.

Basically, canon moved too fast for them. Elisa strongly resented Lettow at least until the midpoint where he offered her the final three jobs, and she was terrified of him for the whole game except the epilogue because she kept waiting for him to throw her under the bus (the first half) or execute her for Diablerie (the second half). Even after he confronted her about Aila, she was mostly convinced that him having her be the bait was his attempt at killing her without having to execute her.

(Years later he’d tell her that that was sincerely not the case -- that he had her be bait because he firmly believed she could survive anything.)

Needless to say, that’s... not a healthy base for a relationship, even though she was crushing damn hard by the end of the game and was genuinely upset that he didn’t even intend to say goodbye.

But they did get together. After Lettow returned from the Middle East Dove wanted Elisa to do some dangerous jobs and was like, “hey, why don’t we get mister fucking invincible to play bodyguard?”

Lettow was genuinely surprised at how emotional she was at his return -- she would’ve been brought to tears if she could cry. They bonded better this time around, as equals. They talked about Aila and laid that to rest -- it was harder for Elisa to talk about than Lettow. Elisa talked about how Aila was still around. Lettow talked about how he resented Aila for leaving him and letting herself get Diablerised. Elisa got to be turned on by watching him beat the crap out of people who tried to hurt her.

But it was a slow burn because, well. Elisa ate his wife so how could she, in good conscience, ever make a move on him? And on Lettow’s side -- he absolutely despised himself and thought he wasn’t good enough for Aila to stay awake or even alive, and if Aila hated him so fucking much she basically killed herself and put an (in his mind) innocent childe at risk to get away from him, how could he possibly make Elisa happy?

Cue months of mutual pining, and occasionally doing couple things like sharing a bed or cuddling without acknowledging them as couple things.

At one point Lettow bites off more than he can chew even by his standards, which Elisa was able to see plain as day at the time. Their usual tactics when overwhelmed was for Lettow to distract the attackers and for Elisa to run, but this time the opposition was so overwhelming that Elisa knew if she ran Lettow would get destroyed, so she refused to run, which only made things more dangerous for both of them. They had a huge argument about it -- Elisa accusing Lettow of trying to kill himself, Lettow accusing Elisa of being an idiot who didn’t trust him to do his job -- but the whole “oh my god the other person almost DIED” helped them realise that

hey

maybe they should stop letting the Aila thing get in the way and just... get together anyway.

Because they loved each other.

So they did.

And they’ve been together ever since.

12. If you had to take them and plunk them into another fandom, what fandom would that be? Why?

Ooof I really had to think about this one.

There’s no one fandom I’d put them in, but I went into a lot of detail with just one so here’s the one I did:

Subnautica -- Human AU. Elisa is a courier on the Aurora delivering classified governmental data, stuff too important to trust to the post or the internet (or extranet, as it would be). She becomes the only survivor of its crash on 4546B. She feels guilty about falling in love with the planet she’s on and genuinely enjoying much of her time there (when she’s not pissing herself in fear) while knowing at home she has a boyfriend/husband who must be absolutely frantic with worry. She keeps a video diary of her survival there and documents the world as best as she can, tries to find other survivors, and wonders if she’ll ever make it out alive and see Lettow and her parents again -- and if she’ll ever be able to come back if she does.

Meanwhile Lettow is losing his shit, alternating between thinking she’s dead and hoping she’s alive. His subplot is him getting in touch with the loved ones of other survivors and harassing Alterra into mounting a rescue; his hopes are shot down, quite literally, with the discovery of the orbital canon and the fate of the Sunbeam. Alterra is refusing to destroy the orbital canon because uhh we don’t want war with ALIENS??? WE’VE GOT NO DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH ANY ALIENS??? DESTROYING IT MIGHT GET US ALL KILLED???,

but they have a satellite in orbit, out of range of the canon, and it’s looking for evidence of survivors. And it’s been picking up activity -- somebody they can’t identify swimming around near a life pod, or moving on one of the islands, or moving around the Aurora. It’s only when she one day takes a nap on the beach near the orbital canon, her face up to the sky, that they’re able to identify the first survivor -- Elisa Mulgrew, government worker.

That picture of her sleeping face and wet hair makes headlines across multiple systems.

So Lettow finds out she’s alive -- but there’s nothing he can do to bring her home. Nothing. And he doesn’t know how long she’ll live for, or how long Alterra will keep up the expense of the satellite. Because over time it’s becoming clear that Alterra is sinking millions into these efforts and there’s no evidence of any other survivors. There’s only camera recordings of one vehicle moving at a time, one person moving at a time, and the only person they’ve ever managed to record always has the same reddish-brown hair as Elisa. Alterra are trying to stop the search because they see it as essentially wasting millions on one person, who’s “only” a courier, who they can’t even save.

The only reason they’ve been humouring people this long is because of the amount of anti-Alterra political sentiment being whipped up in the wake of the disaster and Alterra’s handling of it, and how many people even within Alterra are upset about the whole thing, and how many people are behind the families of the people who were on the Aurora. And with less and less evidence that anyone other than Elisa survived, even they are starting to lose interest.

Yeah Lettow really copes badly in this AU. “Barely gets out of bed each day” badly.

(When Elisa eventually gets home she leaks the “the usual” audio, which starts a whole new wave of people being mad at Alterra and the guy on it almost certainly getting fired so hard nobody will ever employ him again. Elisa actually feels kind of bad for him.)

#missn11 #VTM #VTMNR #Elisa Mulgrew #Lettow Kaminsky #Subnautica #headcanon #aus and things

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meteora-writes · 4 years

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A New Start

Fandom: Death Stranding Pairing: None (possible Queer Platonic Sam/Deadman later, IDK) Warnings: Spoilers Description: Sam is finally free. No more being forced to work for Bridges. No pressure to be some savior to the masses. And no one he has to be accountable to but himself and Lou. His life is his own at last and he intends to live it how he chooses from now on. Authors Notes: This fic contains spoilers to the ending of Death Stranding. Do not read if you don’t want to know how the game ends. Chapter: 1 of ?

Sam felt the BTs gathering the moment he set Lou’s pod on the bed of the incinerator. They were the first he’d felt since the others brought him back from the beach. These ones felt different, though. Smaller. Like Mama’s daughter, almost... It only took him a second to realize what they were. The other BBs that had been ‘decommissioned’. Children that never got the chance to live.

He grabbing Lou’s pod before he can think twice. He has to try to save her.

And he did.

It’s like some invisible weight is lifted from his shoulders the moment she cries and opens her eyes to look at him. She’s alive and that’s all that he cares about. Giving her a chance at a life she deserves. Because even though everyone says he’s the one that saved America. It’s really all thanks to Lou.

He holds her close as he leaves the building. The BT’s are still there, watching, but he gets a feeling they just came to make sure Lou was okay. That she wouldn’t be alone no matter the outcome.

The rain is warm as he steps out into it. The timefall had stopped after Amelie severed the connection to her beach. And as far as they could tell, all BT’s were gone now as well. The ones that came for Lou had vanished back to where they came from as Sam left the building. He couldn’t feel so much as an inkling that there were any still around.

Lou makes a happy little sound where the warm rain hits her exposed skin. He had worried she would be cold, given that she’s spent her life in a pod that kept her temperature regulated at 98.6 degrees. But something in the air itself has changed, making the world feel warmer.

“Let’s get out of here and find you some clothes and something to eat?” Sam says to the wide-eyed little girl he holds to his chest carefully. He’s never actually held a baby before. It’s a little scary, but she seems fine. She makes a happy little gurgling sound before sticking her thumb in her mouth and blinking at him. Clearly not understanding him but happy that they’re together.

He takes the long way down the mountain. Taking care not to go too fast and jostle Lou, who’s got her head laying against his chest as she makes small snuffly noises and yawns. She’s fighting to keep her eyes open, he can see it when he looks down at her. A tune comes to him as he walks, one he remembers from the flashes he would get when connecting to Lou through the pod.

“See the sunset… The day is ending… Let that yawn out… There’s no pretending…” Lou’s eyes droop more and more as he sings to her. A phantom warmth wrapping around them both. A final hug from the father Sam never got to know. The grandfather Lou will be told about when she’s old enough. Because that’s what he is to her. Lou may not be his biological daughter, but he loves her like his own. More than he thought he could love someone after what happened to his family.

By the time he’s finished what he can remember of the song, they’ve reached the bottom of the mountain and Lou is sound asleep where he cradles her to his chest. There’s a truck in the distance, one that he knows was left by a fellow courier for others to use. It’s a bit difficult to get into without waking Lou, but he manages and once he’s situated with Lou safely tucked inside the now open upper part of his jumpsuit to keep warm, he sets off.

He heads to Mama’s lab. Knowing the place will be empty and have plenty of supplies for the time being.

The ride there goes much faster than he could have ever hoped. The roads he helped start have been upgraded and expanded on. Since the time fall stopped over a month ago the members of Bridges and the UCA have been busy strengthening the connections between the cities.

It takes maybe three hours to reach Mama’s lab. Before it would have taken a day or more, and he can’t help being impressed at the progress people have made in just a few weeks.

The contents of Mama’s lab are exactly as they were when the day he left to reunite her with Lockne. A bit chaotic to him, but untouched by another being. He knows Mama had been here since the bombing, and that she likely had her possessions dug out of the rubble once she was free. So if he’s right, he’ll find what he needs here somewhere.

Sam feels a little guilty as he begins to dig through Mama’s personal belongings, but he knows she would understand why he’s doing what he’s doing. And that she would give him what he’s looking for herself if she could.

It doesn’t take long to find a dusty old duffle bag that has what he was hoping for hidden inside. Baby clothes, formula mix, and diapers. One’s intended for the baby girl Mama and Lockne lost. The clothes and diapers are bigger than Lou needs, but he doubts he’ll find anything made to fit a premie anywhere nearby.

Not that Lou cares. The second he sets her down on the soft pink baby blanket that had been in with the baby clothes, she lets out a happy little squeak and wiggles around, kicking her legs out in what sort of looks like a little happy dance. It brings a smile to Sam’s face that almost hurts. She keeps dancing even as he scoops her back up wrapped in the blanket and gives her her first bottle of formula.

She sucks it down like it’s the best thing in the world.

It takes a bit of trial and error after that to get a diaper to fit her tiny body, but he manages. Same with getting her set up in a onesie that she practically swims in. But the clothes are warm and soft and Lou doesn’t seem to mind. Her little fists grip the ends of the sleeves as she wiggles around a bit. Testing out her newfound range of motion in open space. She spent 28 weeks inside of her mother, and then more than a year inside a pod as far as he knows. It has to be strange being out in the open now after so long.

“What do you think?” Sam asks as he gets the little zipper on the front of the pink and purple spotted onesie closed and carefully scoops her into his arms. She manages to get a hand free from one of the sleeves and pops her thumb into her mouth as she looks up at him with big blue eyes. It doesn’t take more than that to know she’s happy.

“We’re gonna be alright, just you wait and see. We made it all the way across this continent together, you and me. We can handle anything,” Sam says as he starts to rock Lou gently. “We can stay here a while, get you used to the world outside that pod before we find a place all our own. How’s that sound?”

The yawn he gets from Lou is all the answer he needs.

Cradling her in one arm, he uses the other to pull together a makeshift crib beside Mama’s old bed using a shipping crate, several spare blankets, and the remains of an old Odradek to act as a mobile. Once that’s finished he wraps Lou in a baby blanket and gets her settled in her temporary bed. She falls asleep to him humming and he falls asleep with one hand in her crib, a tiny fist holding one of his fingers tight. A connection to let them both know the other is still there.

#death stranding #death stranding spoilers #death stranding fanfic #sam porter bridges #sam bridges #bb-28 #bb louise #bb lou #louise bridges

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diredigression · 4 years

Note

resfeber - carrot or sole up to you :3c

Resfeber: thrill felt before an adventure

Bonus points to the person who catches the easter egg :)

——

Veronica was sleeping soundly in the large bed, an occasional small snore audible. Carrot hoisted the pack with a stifled grunt and slipped out the door of the Novac hotel room, ED-E floating quietly in her wake.

She found an old picnic table in the courtyard, most of its boards still intact, and dropped the pack onto it before sitting down. Then she upended the bag, and its contents spilled out with a clatter. Metallic bits and bottles glimmered in the gentle moonlight. She began sorting through them, ED-E beeping soft commentary as she worked. Spent bullet casings, old knives, a jug of turpentine, scrap metal and electronics. Crumpled cigarettes and assorted keys and ID cards. Some pouches with prickly pear and mesquite pods. A few beer bottles, a box of Blamco, some ancient silverware and a pile of clothing that wasn’t hers. An assortment of the latest loot she’d collected. The items got divided into piles. Things to keep always included keys, because why sacrifice access? Alcohol, especially now that she could store it in the hotel room instead of lugging the extra weight. Replacement parts for her guns, because that’s about all she could repair on her own, and just-add-water meals like the Blamco.

Her hands moved automatically while her mind wandered, multiple threads of thought chatting up a storm. Despite the late hour, her brain was fully active making plans for the upcoming adventure. Well, when she looked closer at it, it was less plans and more storytelling about what might happen. A rocket testing facility! There must be so many cool things to find there. What if there’s still some rockets ready to launch! What if she has to fight the ferals off from taking the rockets? Ghouls in spaceships! Now there’s a hell of a script.

ED-E trilled a soft question at her and she jumped, realizing she’d been staring at the shining tangle of metal in her hands. She gazed at the glimmering piece a little longer before tearing her eyes away and placing it in the things to sell pile. Most scrap ends up in this pile, along with spent casings. It’s not like she could get any use out of them, but plenty of other people were happy to pay for the odds and ends she tended to stumble across, or the casings they’d reload and resell. Without the patience to cook, ingredients got sold off as well. Weapons were always valuable for trade, and since she already had her trusty pistols and pile of grenades, she was happy to trade as much as she could carry. On long nights she’d sometimes occupy herself cleaning and repairing scrounged guns to get a better price out of them. It’s not like she’d be sleeping those nights, like tonight, anyway, and it was an automatic habit she was happy to get lost in.

I can definitely help you find him, Manny had said when she’d asked after the man in the checkered jacket. But I’ve got problems of my own.

She had been immediately curious and started digging, but as usual, most of it passed through her ears without comprehension. Too many letters and big army words. Names of groups that she swore she kept hearing around but could never care enough about to remember. He’d been sad, though. You’ve had your needs ignored for ages, huh? she’d asked. I can tell.

Yeah, I…everybody depends on you, you know? But they don’t ask you how you feel. What you worry about. She’d been cheered to see his face relax; the only people more boring than snipers tended to be gloomy snipers. What did he have to worry about with that big gun of his, anyway?

There’s something I like about you, he’d continued. You just seem really understanding. She’d caught Veronica muffle a snort behind her at that.

I can definitely help you find this guy you’re lookin’ for. I just… He’d paused, smiled a little, and shook his head. Can I tell you about this problem we’ve got here? Maybe we can trade. And so here she was, night before heading out to clear some ferals, sorting loot cause her brain was too excited to sleep.

ED-E beeped an alert, moments before Carrot heard the hotel room door open and watched Veronica creep out. “That’s cheating,” she grumped at the bot, who just bobbed a bit in reply. Veronica moved deliberately, crouched, gauntlet on her fist, scanning the area, until she spotted the two at the table. Carrot waved cheerfully.

“Why you all scaredy up there?” she asked as Veronica came close. “I already took out the old lady, there’s no one else to worry about here.”

Veronica’s face became a picture of surprise. “Why did you take out an old lady?”

“She sold Boone’s wife to Legion slavers.” The shock didn’t seem to abate, oddly. Carrot thought that was a perfectly reasonable explanation.

Veronica took a moment to gape, then rearranged her face into something more neutral. “Whatcha doin out here?”

“Organizing.” She gestured at the table.

“…so I see.”

“Then why did you ask?” Why did everyone always insist on asking questions they already knew the answer to? It didn’t make sense to her, that’s just a waste of time. You could be asking exciting questions with answers like ferals or grenades instead.

“…do you know what time it is?”

She eyed the moon’s position in the sky. “Imma say…real late. Or real early.”

“You’ve got a Pip-Boy you could check, you know.”

“Oh right!” She clicked through the screens. Rad levels were starting to grow, but nothing worth dealing with RadAway yet. No major injuries to speak of at the moment. The creepy auto documentation system seemed to be struggling to handle the pile of loot sprawled across the table. She read through the list with interest. Outfit, silenced .22, oh, she’s still got some gumdrops in her pocket, she should grab those before they melt. Pretty random on whether or not the loot was listed.

“Time, Carrot. You’re checking the time.”

“Oh right! Uh. 2:23 AM.”

“So, whatcha doin organizing at 2:23 AM?”

“Couldn’t sleep. Brain’s goin too fast. Too much thinkin’ ‘bout tomorrow.”

Veronica took a seat across the table and began repacking a pile. “You worried?” she asked, not looking up.

“Not in the slightest! A building full of ferals is basically the best thing. Just find the room they’re all sleeping in, chuck a grenade or three, and done. Only real worry short of flying guts is the building collapsing, but I’ve only had to deal with that a few times.”

Now Veronica looked up and grinned. “You done a lot of these sorts of jobs?”

“Since I got shot, yeah! Turns out lotsa people like having a little bit a’ crazy with a grenade go blow up their problems.” She showed her teeth, letting some of the late night delirium infect her smile.

“How about before then?”

“Don’t remember a thing. ‘parently I was a courier.” She shrugged and pulled a couple rough-looking 9mils and a rag in front of her.

“What, you? You got worn out going downhill! You didn’t have power armor to help you carry all those letters, did you?”

“Oh that’s a great idea! I’ll do that next time!”

Veronica was quiet for a few minutes as Carrot broke down and cleaned the guns. The barrel and sights on one were banged up and half knocked loose, but the ones on the other were perfectly salvageable. She started swapping pieces.

“You going to be out here a while longer?”

“Until I finish these fixes or fall asleep, yep.”

She smiled. “Well, I’m just glad my new companion…s…didn’t run off on me in the middle of the night with all our loot. Hope you’re gonna be capable of aiming in the morning!”

“Hey, same! See you sometime.”

“See you.”

Veronica returned to the hotel room. Carrot turned back to the guns. She had a lot of loose screws to find.

#ask dire #courier carrot #fallout #fallout new vegas #fnv #fallout fic

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