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The Short Fic Weekly Challenge Thread!


elliotcat

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I can't wait to start reading these! Judging by the responses to everyone's stories I am so excited to get reading.:) Anyway here is something I whipped up. I am going to write about Svein and Verana's "date" but I think this story is turning into something more.... I just have to see how this goes because I think a big idea is starting.:D

 

Prompt: Changes

 

Title: A New Master

 

Featuring: Verana, Darth Baras, and Darth Expirey

 

 

Darth Baras’ chambers never seemed so cold or dark than the moment Verana had been told that she would be sold.

 

Verana stood defiantly in front of Darth Expirey who examined her body in an almost invasive manner. Expirey walked around Verana expecting her muscle tone and other details that would be important to the back breaking work of a slave.

 

After making a full circle around Verana, Expirey stopped in front of her so that they both looked eye to eye. “Smile”, he ordered sharply.

 

Verana shook her head and made a zipper motion with her hand.

 

Expirey smiled slightly as she asked Baras jokingly,” Does she give you this hard of a time Baras?”

 

“Just get on with the inspection”, sighed Baras who obviously wanted to get on with other things.

 

“I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of a smile”, said Verana defiance thick in her voice.

 

Expirey grabbed Verana by the neck of her tunic,” Smile slave.”

 

“Why don’t you go fall in a sarlacc pit”, replied Verana her voice firey.

 

A wide smile formed on the Sith Lord’s face, and suddenly Verana felt a painful sensation course through her body. Violet lightning shot from his fingertips and Verana convulsed in pain on the floor.

 

“Smile”, yelled the Sith Lord as he edged closer to Verana.

 

“I’d rather die”, shrieked Verana as she shook violently on the floor.

 

Then the lightning stopped and Verana laid on the floor staring angrily up at Expirey. It took all of her concentration to resist the urge to cry. It would show her weakness and she was not weak.

 

“I like her”, said the Sith Lord approvingly,” Send her to my mansion.”

 

Expirey walked towards the exit but stopped for a moment and said,” Be careful with her. I have more entertaining uses for her.”

 

Verana gasped in horror and put her hands over her face in disgust. She heard about how Expirey treated his slaves. Some of them committed suicide or ran away though they were often caught. She would have to do his dirty work. She would be giving birth to his children.

 

Verana was alone and there was no escape.

 

“Slave”, said Baras sharply,” Get up, I will have an escort for you shortly.”

 

Verana glared at Baras hatefully,” I am going to kill you for this.”

 

“Obey like you have for me slave”, answered Baras,” Perhaps then you will find your freedom.”

 

Baras exited the room and Verana was left alone, her bones still aching from the lightning earlier.

 

“I will find a way”, whispered Verana,” He can’t keep me.”

 

 

 

Author Note:

I found it kinda funny that even though Verana threatened to kill Baras Svein kills him in the end. I thought it was a good way to connect the class' a bit. Also, this whole scene was inspired by this song

. Actually, the entire story I thought up might be inspired by that song:rolleyes:.

 

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SW spoilers

 

 

 

That's really the problem with Quinn's writing isn't it? That would be great.... and does not happen at all.

 

Quinn has no resolution you have to make it up for yourself. We need a word count for how many Fanfics were written trying to find a reason and a resolution for that character.

More SW spoilers

 

I agree completely! I haven't felt the urge to write fanfic for any of the other relationships... I think fix-fic is the main type that calls out to me, and Quinn's story needs that in buckets.

 

I've tried to handle it in some way in-game by taking a break from the storyline between the end of chapter two and the start of chapter three, in which my Warrior did flashpoints and bonus series and the romance started to go somewhere. It developed almost fully before Baras struck against my warrior, but Quinn didn't propose. I left the space between the start of chapter three and the Transponder mission to be filled in with my own imagination, perhaps with some uncertainties in the romance but it ultimately being affirmed. More imaginary fill-in after the betrayal, with both of them examining who they are and who they really want to be, both in their own terms and when it comes to each other. Once I finish my Warrior's class story (still on Corellia right now), then she will finally have the marriage conversation (and any others that might happen), symbolising that at some undetermined point after overcoming Darth Baras she and Quinn were reconciled. Sadly, that's the best I can do!

 

Edited by Estelindis
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I just want to say this is an awesome short fic week! I am so excited about like all of them!:)

 

@Kabe, I love Koa, Remi, and Scourge..:D And I can sorta relate because I didn't know all my parents could do. Being 15 and living in an apartment for 10 years I never knew that my mom could paint a wall (or be artsy at all) until I moved to the country where she is redecorating EVERY room with a fresh coat of paint. Now I'm going to ask my mom if she knows any other stuff....:cool:

 

@Bright, Boy Verice is awesome.:D I am feeling for you on messing up your marriage talk with Elara though. I bet your fix fics will be SO awesome though!:D

 

@ Tatile, Please bring out more. I am addicted to Broan.:)

 

@Mags, You have a way with the characters Mags.:) I love seeing what they think and how they react to stuff and pretty much all of everything character relate!;) Great job as usal!:)

 

@Elliotcat, I love the Zash/Meiyalii idea.:D You always have awesome ideas regarding her and I love reading about her and your legacy alot! Great job on this!:DMore! MORE!

 

@Iamnotawitch, Oooooo I love Talos stories! This is one of the best ones I have ever read.:D Great job.:)

 

@Fino, I really like Athra in both the Quick Quinn Quotes Universe and the more serious version. I do really like her as the torturer of Quinn alot in the Quick Quinn Quiniverse though.:) Great as always.:D.

 

EDIT: Lol I didn't see that I wrote Quiniverse. I meant Universe.:D But, now I think that would be a good word in websters....

Edited by SveinEternity
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@Earthmama Speaking of Alistair...(no DA:O or SWTOR spoilers here)

he's the guy who hooked me on BioWare romances, and he's the gold standard I have yet to see exceeded. Maybe I'll load up a save game and be nice to him. Maybe that'll knock the 'how could you be so horrible to Elara!?' out of my brain. Once upon a time, I replayed the first five segments of the game (intro plus four questy areas) three times just to get Alistair's romance right. Ah, if I still had the time to be that obsessive...nowadays it seems I must play, screw up, and then just write fanfic to correct everything I did wrong.

 

And speaking of fic, it was for DA:O that I first wrote a fic about a brunette dual-wielder trying to make the world a better place, getting badly burned on love, carrying out a semi-numb duty for just about fifteen years before running into a dark-haired servant/assistant type who ended up changing everything...well...apparently I wrote Ruth Means Compassion two years before Ruth existed. :o

 

 

@iamthehoyden: Agent roads-not-taken:

Kill Chance? :( He was a scared kid who got out of his depth! I spared his life. Then killed all his teammates and swore unending enmity to the Republic. The Agent I will likely play over again because there are so many interesting and truly tempting different paths.

 

My husband still chortles and softly repeats the femAgent's delivery of "You can't say the word, can you? ...Goodbye, Chance" whenever he's reminiscing over his Agent playthrough. He enjoyed leaving that guy to die.

 

 

@Estelindis Thinking about it too much? Us? Impossible.

 

(SW)

 

 

The gender-switch dynamic was on my mind from very early on. It was one of the reasons I was so careful with him. Turns out I can stomach nigh-infinite imaginary violence, but I insist on keeping the sexual harassment policy in place. But anyway, even with the intense awareness of 'this guy doesn't stand a chance against me,' I lost it and beat the tar out of him when he turned on me. That wasn't self-defense, either. That was pure rage. But when he goes back to the Warrior, he's not returning to the systematic abuser in his life. Within society as it stands, the Warrior is by far the most benevolent option he's got: she only hurt him after he hurt her. How nice for him, then, that he's guaranteed some level of welcome with her. (Rrrrg scum. If only he had said something rational about doubting my employers' credentials! If only he had fled/gotten away instead of just standing there in a fine mist of plot invulnerability! If only I had gotten to have a much longer, much more honest conversation about what it will mean for him to stay in my service! If only!)

 

Saying that the Quinn's crime in service to Baras is comparable to or less than the Warrior's own crimes is...an interesting argument. If he hadn't sworn explicit vows to my Warrior beforehand I might be more inclined to see things his way.

 

I haven't yet rerolled to do a romance right. Except for Quinn, but so far I haven't managed to put a second femWarrior past Balmorra.

 

 

 

 

@kabeone As for Trooper Taris,

apparently as I consult my records, I said "Who cares? She's gorgeous" instead of mocking Jorgan. I've wondered about Vierce's ship, though. Jorgan would likely end up defending Dorne just because Vierce is beng unreasonable every time he forgets to check himself. Then again, Jorgan doesn't seem to have any excessive attraction towards her...he's just trying to keep the squad functional.

 

 

@Svein :eek: Poor Verana! Hang onto that durasteel backbone...you're gonna need it.

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@Fino, I really like Athra in both the Quick Quinn Quotes Universe and the more serious version. I do really like her as the torturer of Quinn alot in the Quick Quinn Quiniverse though.:) Great as always.:D.

 

EDIT: Lol I didn't see that I wrote Quiniverse. I meant Universe.:D But, now I think that would be a good word in websters....

 

Quinniverse - when everything you write revolves around the Star Wars: the Old Republic character Malavai Quinn; such writings are filled with Quinn torture, though the author claims to genuinely enjoy the character; you may also write in multi-color text and appear insane half the time

Only half?

As for this little story, it's actually gotten longer and continues to get longer... My brain takes an idea and runs with it, no matter what my intentions actually are. I need to take it into the mechanic...

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@Estelindis Thinking about it too much? Us? Impossible.

 

(SW)

 

 

The gender-switch dynamic was on my mind from very early on. It was one of the reasons I was so careful with him. Turns out I can stomach nigh-infinite imaginary violence, but I insist on keeping the sexual harassment policy in place. But anyway, even with the intense awareness of 'this guy doesn't stand a chance against me,' I lost it and beat the tar out of him when he turned on me. That wasn't self-defense, either. That was pure rage. But when he goes back to the Warrior, he's not returning to the systematic abuser in his life. Within society as it stands, the Warrior is by far the most benevolent option he's got: she only hurt him after he hurt her. How nice for him, then, that he's guaranteed some level of welcome with her. (Rrrrg scum. If only he had said something rational about doubting my employers' credentials! If only he had fled/gotten away instead of just standing there in a fine mist of plot invulnerability! If only I had gotten to have a much longer, much more honest conversation about what it will mean for him to stay in my service! If only!)

SW spoilers, naturally.

 

I agree that when Quinn goes back to a Warrior who has only lashed out against him in the dark side post-betrayal cutscene (but who hasn't then gone on to torment him in any number of the ways I've seen in various creative fanfics :eek: ), he's not returning to a systematic abuser. But if she returns to him, is she returning to a systematic abuser?

 

I think it depends on how you look at it. If one sees him as having been fundamentally false for the majority of their relationship, always planning on betraying her but still pretending to love her (or maybe even kinda-loving her but just being too weak to turn away from her romantically so that she wouldn't be quite so hurt by his betrayal), then his single act of betrayal isn't a single act. He was betraying her every time they were together. In that case, the Warrior is hit with many different sources of pain, spread out over a long time in the past, all at once. On the other hand, Quinn could have allowed himself to fall in love with the Warrior once he became "sure" that he really wasn't going to have to act against her. Then, when Baras betrayed her, he could have hoped that he would never be called upon to fight her. After all, Baras worked through Lord Draahg before he called on Quinn - and, in my playthrough as in many other's, Quinn helped the Warrior to defeat Draahg. Each moment with the Warrior before Baras ordered him to betray her could have been incredibly precious to him if he really loved her. In such a situation, I can't view Quinn as a systematic abuser. What he does to the Warrior remains fundamentally different to what she does to him, since it was planned and he struck first, but it's still only one action, and one he deeply regrets "having" to do.

 

I don't think there's anything in the game's writing that clearly indicates whether it was one or the other. Personally, I think that if we're being realistic, the two situations painted above are extremes. Quinn probably rested some between them, though I'm not sure how near to either he was. I guess that whichever direction one prefers to take in one's interpretation of it should just be in keeping with one's overall visions of the characters.

 

 

 

 

Saying that the Quinn's crime in service to Baras is comparable to or less than the Warrior's own crimes is...an interesting argument. If he hadn't sworn explicit vows to my Warrior beforehand I might be more inclined to see things his way.

 

I haven't yet rerolled to do a romance right. Except for Quinn, but so far I haven't managed to put a second femWarrior past Balmorra.

 

 

I have the liberty of seeing it that way as Quinn and my warrior aren't married yet. I have a policy with my characters' romances of not progressing to the marriage conversation until around the Corellia stage of the plot. It's all too easy to just rush ahead given that one is often on max affection when one hits chapter three and all the romance conversations come in a flood, but I try to ration myself in this way. In this case, it really worked out well.

 

 

Edited by Estelindis
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SW spoilers, naturally.

 

 

I agree that when Quinn goes back to a Warrior who has only lashed out against him in the dark side post-betrayal cutscene (but who hasn't then gone on to torment him in any number of the ways I've seen in various creative fanfics :eek: ), he's not returning to a systematic abuser. But if she returns to him, is she returning to a systematic abuser?

 

I think it depends on how you look at it. If one sees him as having been fundamentally false for the majority of their relationship, always planning on betraying her but still pretending to love her (or maybe even kinda-loving her but just being too weak to turn away from her romantically so that she wouldn't be quite so hurt by his betrayal), then his single act of betrayal isn't a single act. He was betraying her every time they were together. In that case, the Warrior is hit with many different sources of pain, spread out over a long time in the past, all at once. On the other hand, Quinn could have allowed himself to fall in love with the Warrior once he became "sure" that he really wasn't going to have to act against her. Then, when Baras betrayed her, he could have hoped that he would never be called upon to fight her. After all, Baras worked through Lord Draahg before he called on Quinn - and, in my playthrough as in many other's, Quinn helped the Warrior to defeat Draahg. Each moment with the Warrior before Baras ordered him to betray her could have been incredibly precious to him if he really loved her. In such a situation, I can't view Quinn as a systematic abuser. What he does to the Warrior remains fundamentally different to what she does to him, since it was planned and he struck first, but it's still only one action, and one he deeply regrets "having" to do.

 

I don't think there's anything in the game's writing that clearly indicates whether it was one or the other. Personally, I think that if we're being realistic, the two situations painted above are extremes. Quinn probably rested some between them, though I'm not sure how near to either he was. I guess that whichever direction one prefers to take in one's interpretation of it should just be in keeping with one's overall visions of the characters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have the liberty of seeing it that way as Quinn and my warrior aren't married yet. I have a policy with my characters' romances of not progressing to the marriage conversation until around the Corellia stage of the plot. It's all too easy to just rush ahead given that one is often on max affection when one hits chapter three and all the romance conversations come in a flood, but I try to ration myself in this way. In this case, it really worked out well.

 

 

 

 

SW Spoilers (I should write something about dissecting Quinn since that's what I've been doing since yesterday.)

 

 

My SW never marries Quinn, but the oath he gave was when he first comes onto the ship he goes to one knee and says:

I'm here to pledge myself to you. I'm ready and willing to serve in whatever capacity you see fit.

 

Yeah so right there is his oath breaking no marriage required.

 

Also, one of the most common themes in people who return to their abusers is this:

1. You are also a bad person who has done bad things, so when he/she did something bad to you shouldn't you forgive him/her?

2. You hit him/her back doesn't that mean you are both at fault a little?

3. It is only this one time that it became violent, the lies don't count

4. He/She didn't want to hurt you.

 

*skin crawling*

 

As to whether or not Quinn betrayed the whole time, there's no definitive answer but he does say Baras was his true master and every time you said or did something that Baras would not want before the Quincident he -1 affections you. Any actions taken thereafter he + affections you. Pre-incident he questions every choice you make that is not in Baras's interest, like sparing people.

 

 

 

 

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Changes

 

Miriah and Corso, of course. No spoilers, short (476 words)

 

 

It was the middle of the night, and Miriah was unable to sleep. She and Corso were locked in a small room on Taris, “For your protection” the soldier claimed. She was frustrated and slightly claustrophobic. She’d been turning this problem over and over in her head. What was she going to do about this man? She couldn’t deny the reaction her body had to him, it was decidedly in the “for” column. It had been far too long since she’d enjoyed a physical relationship. And that was part of the problem.

 

Despite her reputation, she’d only known two men. Sure, she’d had occasion to know others, but regardless of what people thought they knew about her, she was careful and didn’t trust easily, if at all. How could you love, even physically, without a degree of trust? She did trust Corso, he’d proven himself time and again. That brought the other problem to the front of her mind. How could she even contemplate a partial relationship with someone who affected her so much? She sighed in the night, the room was stuffy and hot. He deserved more than she could give him, she thought. If there were ever someone she’d consider a full relationship with, it would be someone like him, her brain argued. He only came along to begin with to get his damn blaster back, she thought, so why is he staying? Risha had told her he was crazy about her, but so far, he’d done nothing but get tipsy and ask to court her. How did you even answer that?

 

She was in the top bunk, being smaller, so she figured she was safe in sleeping in just her underthings. Corso was in the bottom bunk, snoring softly. Okay, she thought, I’m human, I’m attracted. Just having him that close was doing strange things to her. The lazy ceiling fan was stirring only the heat, she thought as she listened to it turn. The droning noise must have lulled her to sleep, because the next thing she saw was his face, as he was shaking her shoulder.

 

“Captain, wake up. It’s okay, it was just a dream.”

 

Yes it was, she thought, and you were the star. Her musings before sleep had manifest in her dream, and what he thought were gasps of fear were actually, in her dream, of pleasure. She stared at him, wide eyed, as she processed this.

 

“Are you alright? Can I do anything?” His concern only confused her more, and she bit her bottom lip. He was just staring at her, and she leaned toward him for their first kiss. He was surprised but quickly adapted, stopping her after only a few seconds and stepping back.

 

“Not here, not now. Your last first time should be special,” he told her.

 

Change, she thought, just might be good.

 

 

Edited by Magdalane
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Changes

 

Miriah and Corso, of course. No spoilers, short (476 words)

 

 

 

“Not here, not now. Your last first time should be special,” he told her.

 

Change, she thought, just might be good.

 

Love this line. swooooon. :D

Edited by kabeone
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SW Spoilers (I should write something about dissecting Quinn since that's what I've been doing since yesterday.)

 

 

My SW never marries Quinn, but the oath he gave was when he first comes onto the ship he goes to one knee and says:

I'm here to pledge myself to you. I'm ready and willing to serve in whatever capacity you see fit.

 

Yeah so right there is his oath breaking no marriage required.

 

Also, one of the most common themes in people who return to their abusers is this:

1. You are also a bad person who has done bad things, so when he/she did something bad to you shouldn't you forgive him/her?

2. You hit him/her back doesn't that mean you are both at fault a little?

3. It is only this one time that it became violent, the lies don't count

4. He/She didn't want to hurt you.

 

*skin crawling*

 

As to whether or not Quinn betrayed the whole time, there's no definitive answer but he does say Baras was his true master and every time you said or did something that Baras would not want before the Quincident he -1 affections you. Any actions taken thereafter he + affections you. Pre-incident he questions every choice you make that is not in Baras's interest, like sparing people.

 

 

 

 

 

This is something that needs to be resolved with Quinn. During the cutscene he admits he "regrets" what he's about to do, but Baras has forced his hand. He's trying to convince himself he's willingly following Baras' order by saying Baras is the true voice and the Emperor is an absentee landlord. Quinn tells the warrior in one of the first flirt options that he's there "to do a job". His pledge to you in the beginning leaves "on Baras' order" unsaid, but it's obvious there's a bit of hesitation there.

 

The warrior, on her end, can aggressively chase Quinn, verbally badgering him into submission. Quinn, for his part, tries to get away from her advances and lets her know on several occasions she is making his life difficult (lol betrayal is hard when I like you or something). Eventually, he takes the path of least resistance and gives in to the warrior. Whether or not he really felt anything is another one of those things that needs to be resolved, but he does appear sincere.

 

In the end, it depends on how you played the romance and combine that with the complete lack of resolution with Quinn and his betrayal it leaves much to be desired.

 

Think of it this way: if he revealed he was a spy of Baras' beforehand, would he still be an "abuser" or would the warrior be the "abuser" for chasing him until he finally gave in to her aggressive advances?

 

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Off topic, but I've noticed from a lot of signatures on this thread that there are quite a few of us from The Shadowlands. Would anyone be interested in joining a player-made channel of fic writers, one for pubs and one for imps?

 

Yes, I will do this when I get home! Should be shortly. :)

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Off topic, but I've noticed from a lot of signatures on this thread that there are quite a few of us from The Shadowlands. Would anyone be interested in joining a player-made channel of fic writers, one for pubs and one for imps?

 

I would roll a character on Shadowlands just to party with you folks.

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SW Spoilers (I should write something about dissecting Quinn since that's what I've been doing since yesterday.)

 

 

My SW never marries Quinn, but the oath he gave was when he first comes onto the ship he goes to one knee and says:

I'm here to pledge myself to you. I'm ready and willing to serve in whatever capacity you see fit.

 

Yeah so right there is his oath breaking no marriage required.

 

Also, one of the most common themes in people who return to their abusers is this:

1. You are also a bad person who has done bad things, so when he/she did something bad to you shouldn't you forgive him/her?

2. You hit him/her back doesn't that mean you are both at fault a little?

3. It is only this one time that it became violent, the lies don't count

4. He/She didn't want to hurt you.

 

*skin crawling*

This is all extremely interesting.

SW spoilers!

 

 

 

I'll talk about the oath business in the second half of my post.

 

It's precisely those elements in your list that make my skin crawl too. But I don't think that anyone(?) here is claiming that it's somehow okay that Quinn did what he did in the way that the justifications listed there seem to do, or that the Warrior is somehow obliged to forgive him or take him back.

 

1. Everyone has done some bad things at one point or another. Of course, such a generalised argument can't justify anything and I don't think anyone would claim otherwise.

2. Of course just hitting back doesn't make you both equally to blame, or even split it 2:1 or any such thing; however, the fact that a person hurts me doesn't give me the right to do anything that I like to them, without limits to revenge.

3. How much of what happened between them was a lie? This goes back to my previous questions.

4. "Didn't want to hurt you" - to my mind, this is the kind of thing that comes up when someone has lashed out in a rage, not when they've planned and premeditated like Quinn, who automatically has greater responsibility than that for what he does and can't use this as an excuse (if it even is an excuse among those who last out first, vs. the Warrior's reprisal; I would argue that it's not, since it falls to everyone to control themselves). Ah, please excuse my long sentences and over-reliance on parentheses... Ahem. If there's any "didn't want to hurt you" with Quinn, I think it's more along the lines of not being able to avoid hurting the Warrior in his attempt to take her down, since she's so powerful with the Force that it's going to take significant combat to stop her. This just means that when he makes the decision to do as Baras demands, all the responsibility for what follows, including hurting her, falls on him.

 

Anyway, to reiterate, I'm not trying to excuse Quinn in this way. My aim isn't to say "well, the Warrior did such-and-such, so what Quinn did wasn't so bad." It's to say: "the Warrior did such-and-such, so maybe she needs to examine herself too." Perhaps, after examination on both their parts has taken place, a reconciliation between them that isn't totally squicky and doesn't have unfortunate implications can happen. In other words, I want to ask if true reconciliation is possible, not if the Warrior has some obligation to forgive Quinn or take him back. Of course she doesn't.

 

 

 

As to whether or not Quinn betrayed the whole time, there's no definitive answer but he does say Baras was his true master and every time you said or did something that Baras would not want before the Quincident he -1 affections you. Any actions taken thereafter he + affections you. Pre-incident he questions every choice you make that is not in Baras's interest, like sparing people.

 

 

I should have been more clear. Yes, I agree: Baras is absolutely Quinn's master the whole time, up to the betrayal. Quinn has worked for Baras not only before he started working under the Warrior's command, but from a time before the Warrior was even Baras's apprentice. When his loyalty to Baras became fixed, the Warrior wasn't even in the equation. However, that doesn't preclude him being loyal to her as a sub-loyalty (gah, more new sub-words!) of his loyalty to Baras. In other words, he is completely loyal to her as long as that loyalty doesn't come into conflict with the greater loyalty he owes to a higher-ranking sith for whom he has worked for a longer time. I mean, to form an analogy, Aric Jorgan is loyal to the commander of Havoc Squad as a sub-loyalty of his loyalty to General Garza. Maybe there's something wrong with me, but, unlike many other aspects of this business, I genuinely don't see a problem with this.

 

Just to get back to what you said at the start about Quinn's oath at the start of his service to the Warrior (since I think my attitude to it is best explained above with all that sub-loyalty stuff), I don't think this oath can reasonably be interpreted as an oath to serve the Warrior even if (to be completely facetious) she turned her back on the sith, joined the jedi order, and went about fighting the Empire. :) Obviously, nothing of the sort happened and you're not making such a claim! She did not betray; she was betrayed. All I mean to establish is that the oath is not ultimate, but subordinate, as so much else is in the Empire. In then falls to us to question whether Quinn was right to subordinate his oath to the Warrior to his loyalty to Baras when Baras demanded her death. Of course, I think he was wrong. But I could at least understand where he was coming from (without agreeing with him) if the writing had just given him the single justification of believing that Baras was the best leader for the Empire, given how effectively Baras uses his servants and manipulates those around him (minus the whole "Baras saved my career!" thing because, well, the Warrior did a lot for his career too, and this aspect of the motive just makes him seem senselessly self-serving, out of keeping with other portrayals of his motivations).

 

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I would roll a character on Shadowlands just to party with you folks.

I actually did roll a few characters on the Shadowlands earlier this week when I saw many of your sigs. :) The characters I've been playing since launch are on the Progenitor RP server in Europe, so I don't know how much I'd actually get to be on the Shadowlands server, but if I find time it would be delightful.

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D'aw. Corso. So not my style, and yet so sweet.

 

If player-created channels are simply a matter of typing /join CHANNELNAME, then yeah, just give me channel names for Shadowlands and I'm there!

 

Currently debating how heavily I want to write Vierce. This very thread got me posting fanfic to start with, and it kicked off Ruth's publication, Wynston's entire solo career, Nic's first actual story units (vs. thin journal-style notes), Nalenne's sequel, Colran and Dolarra's entire backstory...all of which is to say I'm spread thin. I should choose between disciplining myself to only post on this thread's schedule and topics, or disciplining myself to step up and better craft my wildly varying standalone fics to keep their styles distinct and worthwhile.

 

Wow, I love days where that kind of thing is my worst worry. shut up not thinking about Elara

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Okay, we are in business! To join our channel on Shadowlands, type in the chatbox /cjoin shortficthread. The channels are separate for Empire and Republic, so you won't be able to see people who are typing on the other side. :( I'm currently on the Empire side.

 

You do have to rejoin the channel on all your alts, fyi.

 

Come say hi!

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Okay, we are in business! To join our channel on Shadowlands, type in the chatbox /cjoin shortficthread. The channels are separate for Empire and Republic, so you won't be able to see people who are typing on the other side. :( I'm currently on the Empire side.

 

You do have to rejoin the channel on all your alts, fyi.

 

Come say hi!

 

Yay! Next time I'm on I'll have to say hi.:) I was going to get on tonight but.... School.:(

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Okay, we are in business! To join our channel on Shadowlands, type in the chatbox /cjoin shortficthread. The channels are separate for Empire and Republic, so you won't be able to see people who are typing on the other side. :( I'm currently on the Empire side.

 

You do have to rejoin the channel on all your alts, fyi.

 

Come say hi!

Awww, I wish I could, but this computer can't run the game. :( If and when I get a new one I think I will roll a character or two on Shadowlands (mine are all on Ebon Hawk).

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I'm still a week behind, and it seems inspiration for certain prompts take longer then others.

 

Here is "Like no one is watching."

 

Featuring my JK Kianna and Scourge.

 

JK Chapter 2 spoilers. I always forget to mention if I have spoilers....

 

Like no one’s watching

 

 

Kianna stalked through the empty ship, she was alone, she had made sure of it, she creeped into the cargo hold, Scourges usual domain. Why did she feel like she was invading his personal space, they did actually keep cargo here, maybe she felt like this because she wasn’t here for the cargo, she was here because it was the only space large enough on the ship. She also wasn’t here to train with the dummy standing limp in the corner, in fact her saber was safely put away with the rest of her gear. She was wearing a black leotard one piece, with a sheer pink knee length skirt that seemingly floated around her. She put down the music player and inserted the disk. A mournful voice started singing in Cheunh, and like a childhood memory coming to life she was back at the dance academy and five years old again. Her body remembered the basic first position, and her hands elongated her fingers, and invisible line holding her back taut and she started moving to the music. Of late she had been studying Chiss dance again, furthering her basic childhood knowledge, coupled with her martial training, it was easy to pick up.

 

The Force danced with her, keeping her spinning, or keeping her skirt a loft a moment longer. She felt joy, and freedom, and passion. As if by some unconscious instinct her movements took on darker more seductive movements, she imagined she was dancing for him, imagined his red eyes on her, and it wasn’t a day dream but a memory. He had watched her in that dark place when her mind wasn’t her own, many had watched her dance, and many had come to her bed when she had finished, passions inflamed.

 

Kianna stopped, the joy of the moment lost. The music came to an end, the singer having never found her lover again. This was a mistake, the council was right, this kind of pass time was a dangerous distraction. She moved to retrieve her music player, only to see his large red finger press play. Scourge stood up with an unreadable expression.

 

“Again.” He said.

 

“No, I can’t…How long?” She instinctively backed away when he came towards her, hyper aware of how little her leotard actually covered up.

 

“I’ve seen you dance before Jedi.” He replied not answering the question. “There is no need for shame.”

 

Kianna flushed despite herself. Scourge walked around her then behind her, the singer sang of heartbreak and betrayal. Scourge took her hands in his and lifted them into the proper starting position, her feet took position one, she craned her neck so that she was looking up and behind meeting his eyes, and she began to dance, entering the trance like state of body and motion. The light didn’t abandon her this time, she danced with more passion and intensity for her audience of one, a small approving smile played upon his lips.

 

He circled her as she danced, predatory as always, her arms and hands reached out towards his body imitating the longing in the song. She felt his energy, his darkness surge towards her, she inhaled the smoke and let it leave her again, she moved away from his fire, only as she spun away her hand was caught in his. With subtle but strong arm and wrist movements Kianna became Scourges lightsaber, her red eyes matching his blade, her passion of movement matching his fighting style, she moved and responded delicately to his direction. Her movements became stronger, aggressive, feet leaving the ground, cutting into the air. She closed her eyes, feeling the energy surrounding her, light and dark, soft and hard, she felt as if she had wings and she never wanted the song to end.

 

Scourge simply continued to walk circles around her, his hand lightly grasping hers, their touch a conduit. The song ended again, and Kianna found herself at arm’s length, slowly their fingers intertwined, and he pulled her closer, until their foreheads we’re pressed together. Breathing in time, red eyes locked on each other. Her hands crept up his chest, while his traveled down her back. With one small tilt of her head their lips met. His lips were surprisingly soft, tender. It was slow, almost shy, testing. Scourge tried to deepen the kiss, but Kianna stepped away, breaking the connection. They looked at each other surprised, unsure if they should be pleased or offended. The moment ended Kianna gathered her things.

 

As she reached the doorway she looked back at Scourge who had not moved, “Thank you, for the dance.”

 

“I hope to dance with you again soon.” His red eyes shone, Kianna smiled, had Scourge just flirted with her?

 

“I do to.” With that she left, knowing without seeing, that Scourge smiled wolfishly back at her.

 

Edited by Earthmama
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I'm still a week behind, and it seems inspiration for certain prompts take longer then others.

 

Here is "Like no one is watching."

 

Featuring my JK Kianna and Scourge.

 

 

Like no one’s watching

 

 

Kianna stalked through the empty ship, she was alone, she had made sure of it, she creeped into the cargo hold, Scourges usual domain. Why did she feel like she was invading his personal space, they did actually keep cargo here, maybe she felt like this because she wasn’t here for the cargo, she was here because it was the only space large enough on the ship. She also wasn’t here to train with the dummy standing limp in the corner, in fact her saber was safely put away with the rest of her gear. She was wearing a black leotard one piece, with a sheer pink knee length skirt that seemingly floated around her. She put down the music player and inserted the disk. A mournful voice started singing in Cheunh, and like a childhood memory coming to life she was back at the dance academy and five years old again. Her body remembered the basic first position, and her hands elongated her fingers, and invisible line holding her back taut and she started moving to the music. Of late she had been studying Chiss dance again, furthering her basic childhood knowledge, coupled with her martial training, it was easy to pick up.

 

The Force danced with her, keeping her spinning, or keeping her skirt a loft a moment longer. She felt joy, and freedom, and passion. As if by some unconscious instinct her movements took on darker more seductive movements, she imagined she was dancing for him, imagined his red eyes on her, and it wasn’t a day dream but a memory. He had watched her in that dark place when her mind wasn’t her own, many had watched her dance, and many had come to her bed when she had finished, passions inflamed.

 

Kianna stopped, the joy of the moment lost. The music came to an end, the singer having never found her lover again. This was a mistake, the council was right, this kind of pass time was a dangerous distraction. She moved to retrieve her music player, only to see his large red finger press play. Scourge stood up with an unreadable expression.

 

“Again.” He said.

 

“No, I can’t…How long?” She instinctively backed away when he came towards her, hyper aware of how little her leotard actually covered up.

 

“I’ve seen you dance before Jedi.” He replied not answering the question. “There is no need for shame.”

 

Kianna flushed despite herself. Scourge walked around her then behind her, the singer sang of heartbreak and betrayal. Scourge took her hands in his and lifted them into the proper starting position, her feet took position one, she craned her neck so that she was looking up and behind meeting his eyes, and she began to dance, entering the trance like state of body and motion. The light didn’t abandon her this time, she danced with more passion and intensity for her audience of one, a small approving smile played upon his lips.

 

He circled her as she danced, predatory as always, her arms and hands reached out towards his body imitating the longing in the song. She felt his energy, his darkness surge towards her, she inhaled the smoke and let it leave her again, she moved away from his fire, only as she spun away her hand was caught in his. With subtle but strong arm and wrist movements Kianna became Scourges lightsaber, her red eyes matching his blade, her passion of movement matching his fighting style, she moved and responded delicately to his direction. Her movements became stronger, aggressive, feet leaving the ground, cutting into the air. She closed her eyes, feeling the energy surrounding her, light and dark, soft and hard, she felt as if she had wings and she never wanted the song to end.

 

Scourge simply continued to walk circles around her, his hand lightly grasping hers, their touch a conduit. The song ended again, and Kianna found herself at arm’s length, slowly their fingers intertwined, and he pulled her closer, until their foreheads we’re pressed together. Breathing in time, red eyes locked on each other. Her hands crept up his chest, while his traveled down her back. With one small tilt of her head their lips met. His lips were surprisingly soft, tender. It was slow, almost shy, testing. Scourge tried to deepen the kiss, but Kianna stepped away, breaking the connection. They looked at each other surprised, unsure if they should be pleased or offended. The moment ended Kianna gathered her things.

 

As she reached the doorway she looked back at Scourge who had not moved, “Thank you, for the dance.”

 

“I hope to dance with you again soon.” His red eyes shone, Kianna smiled, had Scourge just flirted with her?

 

“I do to.” With that she left, knowing without seeing, that Scourge smiled wolfishly back at her.

Eeeeek!!! :D

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Jedi dance sounds awesome.

 

It occurred to me to do a major part of smuggler Nic's origin story, spoiler-free. It's a New Path, 1000 words.

 

 

I always have a plan.

 

In the interests of full disclosure, a lot of the time it's a bad plan, and usually my plan is under ten seconds old and already nearing the end of its viable lifespan in light of the current situation; but the point is, I always have a plan.

 

That all changed the day they evicted us from our ancestral home. The noble House Atalan of Alderaan was disgraced when Father was caught…was it money laundering, arms dealing, or tax evasion? I can never remember which charge they nabbed him on first. Anyway, the fortune he had inherited from his noble forebears and multiplied through clever dealings with the criminal element Alderaan so likes to deny was wiped out in a single court ruling. Father went to jail. Mother took me and my big brother to some awful dive in Aldera City. Wouldn’t live on charity, she said. We would live in some grimy apartment listening to Mother crying all day instead.

 

I was fourteen.

 

So you see, the plan about me finishing my education and growing up into a nice noble lady and marrying that guy from that other noble house? Out the window. It was only mediocre as plans go, but there had been a certain comfortable, financially solvent security to it.

 

I tried to talk Mother into getting a job somewhere, or divorcing and finding a smart marriage with the kind of guy who would want a noble name attached to himself even if it was a little tarnished, but she wouldn't hear of it. I tried to talk Deckard into doing something useful, since as a healthy eighteen-year-old he could go to work anywhere, but he just seemed paralyzed from the trial and the move.

 

I couldn't figure the shock-and-despair thing anyway. It's not like they never noticed Father's dealings. I know I'm the only one who ever showed an interest, but it still ticks me off that they swore 'til the end that they had absolutely no idea how his business success came about.

 

So yeah, I lost a lot of prospects. And a house. And my father, who taught me just about everything I know, except about being a lady. (Mother did a good job with that part; it's not her fault I left it at her doorstep.) And I couldn't get Mother or Deckard on board for a recovery plan. And the shabby little apartment in Aldera City was miserable.

 

So I did like Father taught me. I worked on making a bit of my own luck.

 

It took a little research, a number of rejected and disconnected calls, some outright slicing, but I finally got a holofrequency for one of Father's contacts, Lorne. He was a Mirialan, slouching into middle age, smiling, avuncular. Skilled with a vibroknife, they say, with a well-hidden but serious mean streak; you didn't want to get on his bad side.

 

But I wasn't on his bad side. Hell, I was the cute fourteen-year-old hanger-on of one of his best business contacts, a very loyal, very discreet one, one who made sure Lorne got away clean during the investigation. All that, plus I'm naturally adorable.

 

So I stared at my holo for thirty seconds or so, psyching myself up. The career switch I was contemplating was huge, and yeah, it freaked me out a little. But Father always said never 'em see you sweat. I told him once that ladies don't sweat, they glisten. (That's Mother's claim, anyway.) He messed up my hair and said I should never let 'em see me glisten, then.

 

So I worked up a brave face and called. Lorne picked up and immediately looked…cautious. "Miss Nicolana. Look, it's nothing personal, but I got nothing to say to you."

 

"Not looking to make a paper trail here, Lorne. I'll make it quick, I'm looking for a job. If you or Boss Ozma have an opening, I'd like to talk."

 

"You're…looking for a job?"

 

"Yeah. 'Disgraced noblewoman' just isn't doing it for me. You know I've been watching Father's dealings ever since I learned how to sneak, and I can tell you I learned how to sneak way before he thinks I did. I know some things about the business, I know blasters better'n half the people currently working for Oz, and I will be very, very happy to pull my weight if it means getting off this planet."

 

"Well, I won't fault you for lack of guts."

 

My heart was thumping, but I kept going, because staying where I was wouldn't do and this was my only way forward. "Please. If you don't need any kind of thief, slicer, gunman, loudmouthed distraction and/or shill, then get me in touch with Oz. I'll make it worth your while. Got certain artifacts reliably appraised at ten thousand credits if it'll get me talking to the right people."

 

Lorne goggled. "I don't believe it. You, Miss Nicolana of House Atalan, are offering to sell me stolen antiquities?"

 

"They're not stolen, they're legitimately mine. Sort of. Or would've been if I'd asked Mother or Father before I swiped 'em. I guess technically they were supposed to be impounded with everything else, but if the authorities were that sloppy on inventory, I can't be held to blame."

 

"Does your father know you're up to this?"

 

"Nuh-uh. We haven't exchanged a word about you or any of his contacts ever since the arrest. I'm here on my own account, Lorne. Tell me you can do something for me."

 

"I don't have the time to train up a kid in my business, but I can get you a meeting with Boss Ozma."

 

"That's all I need. Arguably stolen antiquities can be transferred at your earliest convenience."

 

"Honestly…" Lorne shook his head and laughed. "I didn't realize you'd been taking notes during your father's meetings. Once you're settled with Oz, stay in touch, would you? I'm glad you're getting off that rock."

 

"Can do. Thanks, Lorne."

 

"My pleasure, Miss Nicolana."

 

Better get the new career started off right. "Please. Call me Nic."

 

 

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