Eli Vanto

Indie Eli Vanto from "Thrawn" - Written by Arden (check my links pls :P )

[moonoverbourbon1-deactivated201]

what exactly constitutes a bribe?

[moonoverbourbon1-deactivated201]

reluctant-commander‌

To say that Eli was feeling a little overwhelmed right now would be the understatement of the century. The smuggler had leaned in again and now they were practically touching, his hand hovering less than an inch over Eli’s arm. And if that wasn’t enough his voice was low, with an intimate hint to it, and if he was implying what the young officer thought he was implying when he talked about them spending time on his private ship - it was more than Eli had expected when he’d been assigned to the inspection.

Not that he’d never dated before, but Lando Calrissian was more sophisticated, more charming, and more experienced than anyone who’d expressed interest in him in the past. And more importantly he was a hell of a lot closer. Close enough, and tall enough, that Eli had to tilt his head back a little to look at the smuggler’s eyes. Instead of his mouth. Which he had been staring at. 

Some of the tension drained out of his body as he realized the smuggler was giving him an out in the form of a less charged topic. And if his voice was a little higher, and a little shakier, than normal he would just have to hope that Lando didn’t feel like pointing it out. “Yea! We- we were out there just a couple of weeks ago fixing them up. It wasn’t our hardest fix, but they were a mess before we got to them so I’m glad we got there when we did.” He grinned. “I’m glad someone’s noticed at least. Feels like we’re spendin’ a lot of time out in the middle of nowhere for barely any thanks at all.”

“I can imagine. Being an Imperial must be a thankless enough job, especially when you’re in a position where only a few people even notice you. But, as it happens, you provided a very valuable service for me when you fixed those relay buoys.” Lando stepped away from the wall and gave a nod in the direction of the galley. “I was just about to put some caf on before you boys stopped me. Come on. If you guys are really going to go through every compartment, this is going to take a while. Let me make you a cup.” 

Without waiting for an answer, he headed down to the galley. As he walked, he couldn’t help but smile at the situation. Just his luck that he’d be boarded by Imperials, but really, it was incredibly lucky that it was such a small ship. They couldn’t possibly carry more than a dozen Stormtroopers, which meant even if they all came on board the Falcon, they had their work cut out for them. There wasn’t much for them to find that was illegal – a bottle or two of wine that was contraband on a few planets, but none in this sector – because he was most decidedly between jobs, so this was going to be fruitless frustration for them. Fruitless frustration for the Empire, but hopefully fruitful fun for him – or, at the very least, the chance to make a real connection with an Imperial. He preferred not to bribe people whenever possible – it worked for some, but for most people who were halfway decent, a bribe would leave both of them feeling bad – but trying to form a friendship with an Imperial was usually about as rewarding as massaging a block of wood. 

Usually. 

Lando shooed a Stormtrooper away from the espresso machine and got to work making two delicious cups, just in case that sweet boy decided to follow him in here. Eli Vanto. Eli Vanto, whose laughter seemed genuine, who didn’t quite seem to have his own confidence yet, who had sweet eyes and hadn’t demanded a bribe or roughed him up yet – a remarkable Imperial, and one well-worth pursuing, for any number of reasons. 

The galley smelled heavenly, and when he saw the trooper he’d shooed look over at the little white cup, Lando raised an eyebrow. “If you’re allowed to take that helmet off, I’ll make one for you?”

“Ah… thank you, sir, but I don’t think I’m allowed. Carry on.” 

“Always do.” Lando smiled. What is Vanto even doing in the Empire? Nice people don’t belong there. 

[reluctant-commander]

“Happy ta help,” Eli said with a grin. “It’s what we’re meant ta be doin’ after all. Helpin’ people, that is. Otherwise what’s the point in bein’ out here?” He was aware that as he started to relax his accent was beginning to get stronger, but for once he didn’t mind. Lando wasn’t exactly the type to judge someone for how they talked - unlike a good number of his fellow Imperials, with Thrawn being the obvious exception. 

Theoretically he was on duty, and therefore shouldn’t be taking a break with anyone, especially not the smuggler whose ship he was currently meant to be leading the inspection on. But Lando was friendly, and he’d been up late the previous night going over some documents for Thrawn, and most importantly there was no actual rule forbidding him from, say, leading the investigation from within Lando’s galley over a hot cup of well brewed caf. And technically talking with Lando counted as investigating. Sure, he was setting himself up for an awkward lecture once the Elapid’s resident annoyance ISB agent heard about it, however at the end of the day it wouldn’t even qualify to go on his permanent record. If the man was in a bad mood he might report Eli to Thrawn, but Thrawn was as likely to dismiss it outright as he was to start asking awkward questions.

And so Eli followed Lando into the ship’s galley, which was as sleek, clean, and well-maintained as the rest of the Millennium Falcon. Unsure of where Lando wanted him, he hovered awkwardly behind him for a moment, before moving to place his datapad on the counter and lean against it. He’d hear an alert if anyone needed to get in contact with him, and if he didn’t then the freighter was small enough that they’d be able to find him easily.

“Two sugars and plenty of milk please,” he said, feeling a pang of sympathy for the stormtrooper as the smell of caf began to fill the galley. That smell alone was enough to make a little of the exhaustion seep out of his bones, although he still gratefully accepted the cup once Lando offered it to him and took a long sip as soon as he had thanked him. 

For a moment he simply focused on the slightly unpleasant taste of caf, the far more pleasant alertness it filled him with, and the warm feeling of the cup in his hands; the main sound in the small room that of the stormtrooper opening and searching cupboards for contraband that, to Eli’s relief, he didn’t seem to be finding. Then the man’s search of the galley was obviously finished, as he briskly left to check over more of the ship, leaving Eli alone with Lando again.

The polite thing to do at this point seemed to be making conversation, although Eli wasn’t quite sure about what. He slowly set the half-empty cup on the counter next to his datapad as he tried to think of a safe topic. So what are you doing in this sector? was the start of an interrogation, not a conversation; and volunteering information about what he was doing in this sector was giving away military secrets. He doubted Lando cared about local Lysatran news, and he wasn’t about to start boasting about his progress at slicing to someone he barely knew, especially not when a stormtrooper could walk in at any moment. Although, that did give him an idea. 

“So, I heard you’re a pretty impressive pilot.” It wasn’t necessarily the deepest topic, but it was safe enough - Lando could volunteer and hold back any information he chose.

[jlassijlali]

Eli Vanto

[moonoverbourbon1-deactivated201]

what exactly constitutes a bribe?

[moonoverbourbon1-deactivated201]

reluctant-commander‌

It was nice, he reflected, to be chatting with someone so open and receptive for once. Not that he hated his job or working with Thrawn - far from it in fact. But he had to admit that it felt nice to have his comments reciprocated for once. Nice and a little…. shocking. Surprising. Unexpected. He hadn’t been flirting, but the smuggler seemed to think he had been; and had taken it as a challenge. Wait. Had he been flirting with Lando?

Either way his cheeks were now flushed bright red. He ducked his head, trying to hide behind his datapad and sort of, but not quite actually, reread whatever the last document he’d had open was. Lando’s shipping records apparently. The one’s he was meant to be comparing with the contents of the cargo hold. Oops. And now he was ignoring the man, incredibly rudely all things considered. Dammit. 

His head shot back up and he giggled nervously, hoping the blush had gone down. Judging by the warm feeling in his cheeks it hadn’t, but he hoped anyway. “I work for Captain Thrawn.” He paused for a beat. Did the name mean anything to Lando? And would it be worse to assume that it did, or to assume that it didn’t? “And he doesn’t have to authorize me to be anything.” Ok, so that line might’ve sounded better in his head. Change the subject Eli. He leaned in a little, hoping he pulled it off even half as smoothly as the other man did, and lowered his voice. “If not Nar Shaddaa, where would you recommend?”

“I’d recommend you come back to my ship. Seeing as you’re already at least somewhat familiar with it. Maybe, next time you get some leave,” he stepped a little closer, lowering his voice in response to the way Eli had, “you can come by. Let me cook for you. I promise, it’s a lot more fun here when you’re not on official business. And besides.” Lando relaxed again, looking Eli up and down slowly, appreciatively, before he met his eyes. “I have expensive taste. So if you and I go to a bar, and I buy you the kind of drinks and meal you deserve, someone might claim there’s some… conflict of interest. Or pressure. Fine dining, elixir of the gods – 

“But if you’re here, we can enjoy it in peace. No interruptions. No need to worry about some,” he shrugged one shoulder, “ISB agent deciding to check in on you. There’s a lot to be said for privacy. I can only imagine how much more true that is when you’re in the Navy. Especially on a ship that small.” Then, just as easily, he shifted into a new topic, an easier one, just in case this sweet Vanto kid needed to discuss something that wouldn’t make him blush. “You guys must do some good work. I heard the Elapid is responsible for fixing all those damaged relay beacons out by Morishim?”

[reluctant-commander]

To say that Eli was feeling a little overwhelmed right now would be the understatement of the century. The smuggler had leaned in again and now they were practically touching, his hand hovering less than an inch over Eli’s arm. And if that wasn’t enough his voice was low, with an intimate hint to it, and if he was implying what the young officer thought he was implying when he talked about them spending time on his private ship - it was more than Eli had expected when he’d been assigned to the inspection.

Not that he’d never dated before, but Lando Calrissian was more sophisticated, more charming, and more experienced than anyone who’d expressed interest in him in the past. And more importantly he was a hell of a lot closer. Close enough, and tall enough, that Eli had to tilt his head back a little to look at the smuggler’s eyes. Instead of his mouth. Which he had been staring at. 

Some of the tension drained out of his body as he realized the smuggler was giving him an out in the form of a less charged topic. And if his voice was a little higher, and a little shakier, than normal he would just have to hope that Lando didn’t feel like pointing it out. “Yea! We- we were out there just a couple of weeks ago fixing them up. It wasn’t our hardest fix, but they were a mess before we got to them so I’m glad we got there when we did.” He grinned. “I’m glad someone’s noticed at least. Feels like we’re spendin’ a lot of time out in the middle of nowhere for barely any thanks at all.”

[reluctant-commander]

Character flaws

reposted from and tagged by @hux-capacitor like 2 months ago but shush

tagging @thebestsmuggler @musesatyourservice @jorj-cardas @corelliaforgedand anyone else who wants to do this!!!

absent-minded | abusive | addict | adrenaline junkie | aggressive | aimless | alcoholic | anxious | arrogant | audacious | bad liar | bigmouth | bigot | blindly loyal | blunt | cautious | callous | childish | chronic heroism | cheater | clingy | clumsy | cocky | co-dependent | competitive | corrupt | cowardly | cruel | cynical | delinquent | delusional | dependent | depressed | deranged | disloyal | ditzy | egotistical | envious | erratic | evasive | fickle | finicky | fixated | flaky | frail | fraudulent | foul mouthed | guilt complex | gloomy | gluttonous | gossiper | gruff | grudge holding | gullible | hedonistic | humorless | hypochondriac | hypocritical | idealist | idiotic | ignorant | immature | impatient | incompetent | indecisive | insecure | insensitive | lazy | lewd | liar | lustful | manipulative | masochistic | meddlesome | melodramatic | money-loving | moody | naive | nervous | nosy | ornery | overprotective | overly sensitive | paranoid | passive | passive-aggressive | perfectionist | pessimist | petty | power-hungry | proud | possessive | pushover | reactive | reckless | reclusive | remorseless | rigorous | sadistic | sarcastic | senile | selfish | self destructive | self-martyr | shallow | skeptical | sociopathic | sore loser | spineless | spiteful | spoiled | stubborn | suspicious | suicidal | tactless | temperamental | timid | thief | tone-deaf | traitorous | ungracious | unlucky | unsophisticated | untrustworthy | vain | withdrawn | workaholic

[reluctant-commander]

Get to know your RP partners.

Take the Enneagram Test. Repost with your number and description. For fun, include some fictional characters who are also your number. Tag one or twenty or vaguely tell your followers to take the test.

My number: Peacemaker (9) Description: People of this personality type essentially feel a need for peace and harmony. They tend to avoid conflict at all costs, whether it be internal or interpersonal. As the potential for conflict in life is virtually ubiquitous, the Nine's desire to avoid it generally results in some degree of withdrawal from life, and many Nines are, in fact, introverted. Other Nines lead more active, social lives, but nevertheless remain to some to degree "checked out," or not fully involved, as if to insulate themselves from threats to their peace of mind. Most Nines are fairly easy going; they adopt a strategy of "going with the flow." They are generally reliable, sturdy, self-effacing, tolerant and likable individuals.

Nines tend to adopt an optimistic approach to life; they are, for the most part, trusting people who see the best in others; they frequently have a deep seated faith that things will somehow work out. They desire to feel connected, both to other people and to the world at large. They frequently feel most at home in nature and generally make warm and attentive parents.

The Nine's inability to tolerate conflict sometimes translates into an overall conservative approach to change. Change can provoke unpleasant feelings and disrupt the Nine's desire for comfort. Less healthy Nines seem incapable of motivating themselves to move into action and bring about effective change. When change does come however, as it generally will, Nines find that they are usually well able to adapt. They tend to be more resilient than they give themselves credit for. In fact, Nines tend not to give themselves enough credit in general, and their self-effacing attitude often seems to invite others to take them for granted or to overlook their often significant contributions. This can cause a subterranean anger to build inside the Nine's psyche, which can erupt into consciousness in occasional fits of temper which quickly blow over, but which more often manifests itself in passive agressive footdragging. Being overlooked is often a source of a deep sadness in Nines, a sadness that they scarcely ever give voice to.

Nines frequently mistype themselves as they have a rather diffuse sense of their own identities. This is exacerbated by the fact that Nines often merge with their loved ones and through a process of identification take on the characteristics of those closest to them. Female Nines frequently mistype as Twos, especially if they are the mothers of small children. Nines, however, are self-effacing whereas Twos are quite aware of their own self worth. Nines also mistake themselves for Fours, but Nines tend to avoid negative emotions whereas Fours often exacerbate them. Intellectual Nines, especially males, frequently mistype as Fives, but Fives are intellectually contentious whereas Nines are conciliatory and conflict avoidant.

[first-order-general]

Debrief | closed

[first-order-general]

reluctant-commander:

It was strange being back after all this time. Like putting on a once familiar pair of shoes that didn’t quite fit right anymore. Chiss politics weren’t necessarily more straightforward than their Imperial equivalent, but they did lack some of the pettiness and regard for one’s personal ambition over the greater good. There had been things and people he had missed from the Empire, but the pettiness wasn’t one of them.

Still, this wasn’t the Empire, a fact which the young man in front of him was proof of. “Thank you, water will be fine,” he told him, taking a seat at the desk. “Commander Hux wasn’t it?” Not that he was unsure of the younger man’s rank: if working under Thrawn had taught him one thing it was to always go into a situation as prepared as you possibly could be. And after he had discovered his talent for patterns made slicing easy to pick up that was very prepared.

The other man was less than half his age - a decade younger than he had been when he’d first achieved the same rank. Which meant he was either unusually competent, or that the First Order was desperate enough to promote on talent alone, without the experience to match it. Still, Eli wasn’t going to underestimate him because of his age. It was obvious that this situation was a test. One he intended to pass. 

“Not as much as you would think. Our people were kind enough to give me the chance to recover from the journey here before this interview.” He might have doubts about his own loyalties, but he wasn’t going to let Hux know about them. “I’ll try to answer any question you have, but I’m sure you understand there are some things the Grand Admiral would prefer I keep confidential.” No need to explain which one, so he kept his tone light and apologetic.

“Grand Admiral Thrawn,” his tone was low, vitriolic, “Isn’t with us anymore.” His jaw worked, he stood stiffly, hands folded neatly behind him. “And if you have information about his whereabouts, I suggest you share them immediately.”

Hux’s eye twitched. Commander, yes, he was a commander. A rank that, so far as he was concerned, meant all but nothing. And yet the man’s use of it– well, he had to take it a bit personally. As if using the word commander before his name was meant to differentiate him. To say that he was commander Hux, as compared to the greater General Hux, his father.

Greater in rank only.

He stiffened, his brows lifting, a stony facade falling over his demeanor in an instant. He got the water.

“How pleasant for you,” his tone was flat. If it had been his decision, they would not have been allowed creature comforts like rest and recovery. Like access to the holonet. The latter was a guess, but an informed one. He paced, rather than sitting, determined to keep himself higher than would-be-Commander Vanto, if only physically.

The last remark tested his temper, though. He paused, glaring down at him, trying to discern if it was meant as a threat. It certainly seemed to be. Some heavy handed implication that whatever Hux did, Eli could just go over his head. Well, that wasn’t how this worked.

[reluctantcommander]

Oh wonderful. It was obvious that he had managed to offend the younger man and, if he was reading the situation correctly, he had done it with more than one of his remarks. Hopefully the conversation wasn’t unsalvageable, but it appeared he was going to need to be a little more honest with the commander than he had originally intended to be. Not that he had been planning on lying, but he had hoped to only reveal most of his story to someone like Faro, who he already knew and trusted, rather than the first officer he was told to speak to.

Accepting the glass of water he took a long sip as he decided how to word his next comments. He inhaled, placed the glass down on the desk in front of him with a light tap, exhaled, folded his hands in his lap and met Hux’s eyes. Keep your posture relaxed, you can’t let him perceive anything he might interpret as guilt or reluctance. Eye contact is good; keep him engaged.

“Two years prior to the Battle of Yavin,” he had spent most of his travel time reading up on the major events of his absence, “Grand Admiral Thrawn sent me to investigate a threat in the unknown regions. He believed that due to my Wild Space background I would be more,” he paused, searching for the right word. “Qualified than most to make contact with several non-hostile species which inhabit those areas of space, and work with them to discover just how pressing a threat to the Empire it was. That far out, you’re more likely to find a Sy Bisti speaker than a Basic one. Because this investigation was occurring at the Grand Admiral’s discretion rather than being officially sanctioned, we agreed that it would be wisest for me to remain entirely out of contact until I was ready to return.” It wasn’t the full story, but it was a truthful one.

He picked the glass back up, taking another long sip which he struggled not to spit over the desk in shock as the implication of the commander’s comment set in. He had wondered why Thrawn hadn’t sent for him directly, but hadn’t imagined it was because he wasn’t here. A third long sip, leaving the glass half-full, as his mind whirled through the possibilities. Was the Grand Admiral dead? Had he turned traitor? And if either of those were the case, what was he supposed to do?

But none of those were helpful concerns to voice, certainly not to this man. His hand shaking as he set the glass back on the desk and a slight waver in his voice were the only cracks in his controlled facade when he spoke again. “What do you mean the Grand Admiral isn’t here?” He squeezed his folded hands together tighter, fingers itching for a datapad.

[reluctantcommander]

OLYMPIANS AESTHETIC MEME

tagged by @thebestsmuggler

tagging honestly i don’t even fuckin know i’ve been outta the loop too long so i guess @crimsonprawn and @musesatyourservice also shiv u should totes do this again for lando yea

Keep reading

[reluctant-commander]

putting under another cut so it doesnt get lost

APHRODITE:   laughter-loving.     sweet  smiles.     dressed  in  silk  and  satin.    flower  in  their  hair.  sees  the  world  as  a  runway.     unapologetically  sexual.   the  sea  washing  their  ankles.   in  love  with  love.   stirrer  of  passion.    cunning  concealed  by  painted  lips.     secret  daggers.   doves.  revolution  in  their  kiss.   delighting  in  the  waves.     flirtatious  winks.   strolling  along  the  beach.     staring  wistfully  from  a  balcony.  this  is  how  to  be  a  heartbreaker.     wants  to  be  adored.    gets  turned  on  by  danger.

APOLLO:    glitz  and  glamour.     art  galleries.     turning  the  volume up.     being  made  of  gold.     neatly-organized  music  sheets.    notebooks  filled  with  poetry.    bathing  in  the  sunlight. the  powerful  urge  to  create.     collecting  vinyl  records.    beautiful  cover  of  wonderwall.     playing  multiple  instruments.     tasting  like  sunshine.     healing  touch.  speaking  in prophecies.   smile  mingled  with  wrath.    shunning  lies.     sporting  shades.     hanging  out  at  music  festivals  with  their friends.     sleeps  naked.   arrow  to  the  heart.  paint  brushes.    probably  has  a  tinder  account.

ARES:     armed  for  battle.     wants  to  raise  a  dog  with  their  significant  other.    soft  spot  for  children.     gives  piggyback  rides.   scarred body.     blood on their hands and face.   willing to fight the world for the ones they  love.  fights against injustice.   warm  hugs.    well-worn combat boots.     boxing gloves.     bandages wrapped around bruised knuckles.   fist raised  in  protest.     ignites revolutions.     fear is a prison.   more  sensitive  than  what  their  tough  shell  would  have  you  think.     exhausted.  damaged  goods.  force  to be reckoned with.     red  roses.    curses under  their  breath.

ARTEMIS:      keen sense  of  a  hunter.      freckles  like  constellations  on  their skin. piercing  eyes.   disheveled  braid.     moonlight  peeking through  the  shadows.  the  calm  of  the  forest  at  night.     lying  on  the  grass  and  staring  at  the  stars.  mother  doe  and  her  fawn.     protecting their kin.     the  moon  shimmering  on  a  still  lake.     quiver  full  of  arrows  resting  against  the  bark  of  a tree.     running  with  wolves.  bonding  while  circled  around  a campfire.     not being much of a people person.     arrow hitting  a  target.      popping  egos.     patience  on  3%.  touches  heaven  and  returns  howling.

ATHENA:     discerning  gaze.      unreadable  face.   quiet  museums.    owl  perched  on  their  finger.   armor  that  intimidates.    eye for  architecture.     plays  the  sims  for  the  sole  purpose  of building   houses.     studied  the  blade  while  everyone  else  was busy  getting  laid.   big  fan  of  logic.     loves  brain teasers, ancient  buildings.   sweaters  in  neutrals  and  cool colors.   hair  done  up.   can  kill  you  with  their  brain.    heads  to  the  library  often  to  research.    sharpened  pencils.   abs  that  can  cut  steel.    stoic  statues.   pottery classes.

DEMETER:  soil-covered  hands.    smile  that  can  bloom  flowers.  skin  loved  by  the  sun.   being  the  mom-friend.   can  lift you  and  your  friends. flowers  kept  in  the  pockets  of overalls.     takes  pride  in  their  beautiful  garden.    speaks to  their  plants.       leaves  rustling  in  the  wind.     stalks of  wheat.     picking  fruit.     greenhouses.   heart  as  strong as  a  mountain.   values  simplicity.   daisies  dotted  across  a collarbone.   curls  crowned  with  flowers.     folded  pile  of sweaters  in  warm  hues.     pulling  out  fresh-   baked  bread  out of  the  oven  and  the  smell  wafting  through  the  air.

DIONYSUS:    drunk  shitposter.    on  their  sixth  glass  of  wine  before you’ve  even  finished  your  second.    seductive  smirks.    untamed curls.     rich  fabrics  on  dark  skin.     sleek-furred  panthers.     theater  masks.   stage  productions.   receiving  a  standing ovation.     rose  caught  between  their  teeth.     being  the  baby  of  the  bunch.    wild  parties  that  last  from  sundown  to sunup.     creeping  vines.     inspiring  loyalty.  grand  opera houses.     masquerade  balls.     rolls  of  film.     shattered chandeliers  with  broken glass  scattered  across  the  wine-spilled floor.   pouring  champagne  into  flutes.   lives  for  the   applause.

HEPHAESTUS: the  calloused  hands  of  someone  who  knows  labor.      sweaty  brow.   flame  burning in  their  eyes.    inventive  mind.   broad  shoulders.  steampunk  goggles.    nuts  and  bolts  stored  away  in  little  boxes.     ashes.    striking  a  match.     blueprints        for  future projects.     fixing  up  a  busted  up  car  motorcycle and  giving  it  cool upgrades.      wrestles  with  bitterness.  work  boots  have  seen better  years.     wrinkled  plaid  shirts.  iron  melted  in  blazing  fire.    huge  jackets.   crafting  masterpieces.     greased-    stained  overalls.     fascination  with  robotics.     pain  is  fuel.     stack  of  weaponry.             even   their  muscles have  muscles.

HERA:     resting  bitch  face.     dressed  to  the  nines.   cows  grazing  on  a  pasture.    cool  rain.   loving  and  hating  fiercely.     hand  clutching  a  string  of pearls.     large  chandelier  with  glittering  crystals.    plays the  sims  for  the  sole  purpose  of  killing  off  their  sims.   romance  to  realism.     pictures  of  the  sky  while  flying  on  a plane.   files that  under  fuck  it.   downs  glasses  of  wine as  they  relax  with  a  scented  bubble  bath  and  netflix.  like their  selfie  or  you’re  grounded.   knows  57  convenient  ways to  murder  a  man.  dark  eyes  that  penetrate  your  soul.   marble  and  gold.

HERMES:     devil-may-care  smile.   always  up-to-date  on  the  latest  technology. will  steal  your  french  fries.  does  it  for  the vine.     shitposter.    puts  googly  eyes  on everything.     meme  hoarder.    long  drives  on  the  highway.   ma  and  pop  diners.  spontaneous  road  trips.   folded  maps. fingers  dancing  across  the  keyboard  of  a  laptop.     shooting hoops  on  the  basketball  court.     chatting  up  strangers  as  you  all  journey  to  your  own  destinations.  goes  jogging  in  the morning.   mixes  redbull  with  coffee.    menace  on  april fool’s.    hoodies  and  sneakers.

POSEIDON:    storm  with  skin.    colorful  coral  reefs.    waves  crashing  against  the  shore.   stroking  the  soft  fur  of  a  cat.    their  heart  pounding  as  their  horse’s  gentle  trot  speeds  into  a  gallop.   tousled  locks.  clothes  smeared  with  paint.     owns  several  sketchbooks  yet always  yearns  to  own  more.     leather  jackets.  fondness  for diy  projects.   handwriting  that  flows  across  the  page.  nimble  fingers  playing  the  strings  of  a  violin.     velvety  singing  voice  that  haunts  your  dreams.  mood  as  ever-changing  as  the  sea.  the  roar  of  a  motorcycle.    compass  with  a  spinning arrow.

ZEUS:   thunder  in  their  heart.   running  on  coffee.     flash  of  lightning.     natural charisma. eloquence.   badass  in  a  nice  suit.   aficionado  of  history.    force of nature.    lenny  face.   nightmare-filled  nights.    proud  arm  around  their  lover’s  waist.  high-rise  buildings.   planes  soaring  through  a cloudless  sky.     technician  on  the  piano.  maintains  order.  strong  handshake.    juggling  multiple  events  on  their  busy schedule with  ease.   expensive watch.

[moonoverbourbon1-deactivated201]

what exactly constitutes a bribe?

@reluctant-commander said:  Technically he shouldn’t even be talking to the smuggler; not while on duty at least. Especially not while he was the officer in charge of the routine inspection of the man’s ship. But, well, he’d met Lando Calrissian before and despite his less than legal line of work he couldn’t help liking the older man. He was certainly more friendly than most of the people Eli worked with.

So Eli shot a quick glance around to make sure no one else was in earshot, then relaxed and grinned at the smuggler. “Tell you what Lando. I’m meant to be down on Nar Shaddaa next week. This inspection comes up clear, we can meet up and I’ll let you buy me anything you like.”

Lando returned the Imperial’s grin, hiding his surprise. He knew the inspection wasn’t going to turn up anything up – other than some delicious leftovers from last night’s dinner, which he couldn’t blame them for choosing to raid – but the conversation had certainly taken an interesting turn. It almost sounded like the Imperial was trying to get him to bribe him – an interesting proposition, but also a gambit Lando knew was rarely, rarely worth it.  He wasn’t about to say what he’d like to treat such a sweet face to – but, he decided, he could imply it.

He adjusted his position as he leaned against the wall, turning so that Eli Vanto had his full attention – or seemed to, at least. A warm smile, a focused gaze, and a softened voice all came with his next words: “Nar Shaddaa seems like an awfully dirty place for someone like you to go messing around in. That being said. Yes. When our paths cross somewhere a little less… formal, I’d love to spend time with you. But tell me, officer. This ship of yours. The Elapid. Quite a name. Beautiful ship, too. I couldn’t help but admire it as you came alongside me. Who’s your commanding officer? Does he authorize you to be this charming?” 

[reluctantcommander]

It was nice, he reflected, to be chatting with someone so open and receptive for once. Not that he hated his job or working with Thrawn - far from it in fact. But he had to admit that it felt nice to have his comments reciprocated for once. Nice and a little…. shocking. Surprising. Unexpected. He hadn’t been flirting, but the smuggler seemed to think he had been; and had taken it as a challenge. Wait. Had he been flirting with Lando?

Either way his cheeks were now flushed bright red. He ducked his head, trying to hide behind his datapad and sort of, but not quite actually, reread whatever the last document he’d had open was. Lando’s shipping records apparently. The one’s he was meant to be comparing with the contents of the cargo hold. Oops. And now he was ignoring the man, incredibly rudely all things considered. Dammit. 

His head shot back up and he giggled nervously, hoping the blush had gone down. Judging by the warm feeling in his cheeks it hadn’t, but he hoped anyway. “I work for Captain Thrawn.” He paused for a beat. Did the name mean anything to Lando? And would it be worse to assume that it did, or to assume that it didn’t? “And he doesn’t have to authorize me to be anything.” Ok, so that line might’ve sounded better in his head. Change the subject Eli. He leaned in a little, hoping he pulled it off even half as smoothly as the other man did, and lowered his voice. “If not Nar Shaddaa, where would you recommend?”

[crimsonprawn]

@reluctant-commander

Vos watched the man enter, a wrinkle forming between his brows. “I don’t recognise you.” He didn’t often consort with people he hadn’t thoroughly researched and, while it could sometimes prove diverting– something about it had his hackles raised.

“You’re new..?” There was a certain lack of job security, in this field, some impermanence in the ground floor. “What happened to the last one? Sarn..?” Was that the right name? At this point, why did he bother learning them. 

[reluctantcommander]

Kriff he was nervous. Vos’ reputation heavily suggested that if he found out who Eli really was, or why he was here he’d make sure he lived to regret it. Painfully. And even with his watertight cover story, the crimelord had a distinctly predatory aura that left his stomach turning. Like he could sense that Eli was lying to him.

He ran his hands down the sides of his pants, wiping off the sweat that had started to pool in his palms. Clasped them behind his back. Realized perfect military posture was probably a mistake in this case; not something Adan would do. And finally left them hanging at his sides as he fixed Dryden Vos with his most charmingly self-assured grin: the one which usually took a couple of drinks to appear. 

“Adan Corsvana, at your service.” Here he swept into a somewhat sloppy half bow, relaxing back into the character of cocky slicer which had served him well so far. “And I wouldn’t say new as such, I’ve made myself quite at home in your organisation in the month I’ve been here. Honestly I’m offended that we haven’t spoken before, but I guess the quality of my work speaks for itself.”

[reluctantcommander]

Ok so I was chatting with @thebestsmuggler in discord about Eli meeting one of their ocs, Adrian, who’s in the rebellion and that led to me typing out a whole massive rambly thing of meta i guess? about how Eli views the Empire, and what I think would’ve happened if he’d stayed instead of goin off to join the Chiss and I figured I’d put it on tumblr. little bit of a mess coz it’s from discord, but i really like this hc so w/e :D

like. eli’s a good person but he’s not a PERFECT person so i think there is a level to what he’s willing to ignore or excuse while he thinks the empire is doing the right thing in the long run, espc working under thrawn where he doesnt necessarily see all the nastier bits all the time, and who he can point to as a more moderate imperial when adrian gives him like. actual examples of what the empire is doing wrong. so i dont think just being mates with adrian and having adrian tell him “dude you kno the empire is doing kinda sketchy stuff right?” would be enough for him to defect. but like i said he is a good person and if he’s still present in the empire once smth happens he cant justify anymore, like say. the death star. he would 100% defect.

like. it’s canon in the book that there IS a level that eli is willing to justify/ignore. we see that in the bit where they find that the empire is using slaves and eli is noticeably UNCOMFORTABLE but not enough to leave the empire at that point.

where my own headcanon comes in is that. i think for eli a lot of it is growing up on a wild space planet, he’s probably had a lot of negative experiences in his life with pirates and not enough security and the general lawlessness of the republic focusing on the core and i think that’s WHY there’s a level he’s willing to ignore. like to him. the empire is doing Bad Things™ but he’s not actively doing them usually, and i think that combined with the fact that. the things he is doing is HELPING planets like the one he grew up on as far as he can tell is enough for him to justify it in his own head. i think he has a very “the empire is doing bad things NOW but in 20 years we can change it for the greater good, and we wont NEED to do these things anymore, and we’re already HELPING people and the alternative is WORSE” attitude.

he’s very much “the alternative is worse”. until the point where the alternative actually ISNT worse anymore because the empire just blew up a planet. so i think if he stayed with the empire he has a lot of little doubts that he doesnt act on until suddenly he cant ignore them anymore.

[reluctantcommander]

dice palettes

was bored so i made a dice palette for eli and also for some friends muses. in order: eli, thrawn, hux, qi’ra. @crimsonprawn @thebestsmuggler @musesatyourservice

[reluctantcommander]

Hey, Eli. Want to get a drink and talk about space sometime?

Technically he shouldn’t even be talking to the smuggler; not while on duty at least. Especially not while he was the officer in charge of the routine inspection of the man’s ship. But, well, he’d met Lando Calrissian before and despite his less than legal line of work he couldn’t help liking the older man. He was certainly more friendly than most of the people Eli worked with. 

So Eli shot a quick glance around to make sure no one else was in earshot, then relaxed and grinned at the smuggler. “Tell you what Lando. I’m meant to be down on Nar Shaddaa next week. This inspection comes up clear, we can meet up and I’ll let you buy me anything you like.”

[crimsonprawn]

📋 Eli blease

send  📋 and I’ll doodle your muse on a sticky note and post it

[musesatyourservice]

Missions have Distractions

@reluctant-commander

Qi’ra instincts had always told her to hide but under her training with Vos she knew that was not the only way. She was supposed to stand out with him, he had not been moving her up the ranks for no reason. Why he had done so so quickly seemed to be a mystery to her. So she wore clothes that would signal that she was powerful, he had sent her to do a job and she would complete it.

Still this was a job where she had to begin to be seen as normal on the planet, so no one would become suspicious of her doings. She was only a week into it, another week and she should be able to complete it. She figured that Dryden had been loathe to send her out for so long, but she was one of the best.

It was not long into her evening when she spotted danger, nothing she could not avoid, however, but she wanted them not to think of her as a threat. Qi’ra spotted someone who seemed to be a bit on the quiet side, and figured that she could distract from who she truly was in a simple enough gesture. She stared over at the window, taking in the beautiful sunset as she walked towards the man, and as planned bumped him and spilled her rose.

“I am so sorry!” She reached out to put her hand on his arm, looking at the spill of her drink. “I truly did not mean to, I was not watching where I was going. I will gladly pay for your dry cleaning, I am very sorry.”

[reluctantcommander]

It was funny; Eli hadn’t realized quite how overworked he was until he finally decided to take a couple weeks worth of the shore leave he had backed up. And yet, two days into his holiday he found himself missing his job. Working under Thrawn could be a lot of things: busy, exhausting, sometimes even frustrating. But it was never boring. There was always some mystery to be solved, or some new lesson to learn. And while this planet was nice there also didn’t seem to be much going on. He was about one more uneventful day from slicing into the hotel’s security system just to give himself something to do.

Even his fellow patrons weren’t particularly fascinating. They were high class enough not to be making obvious trouble, but not so high class that there were any really interesting scandals to watch unfold. He blended in well enough in his nice, but still casual, shirt and pants, his straight backed military posture with hands clasped behind his back the only tell setting him apart as he watched the sunset through the massive glass window in the hotel lobby. 

If this planet had one thing going for it, there were some absolutely stunning views. But no matter how beautiful the view was, he was still alert enough that he noticed the young woman heading in his direction out of the corner of his eye. He stepped to one side to let her past, and winced in anticipation of the few seconds of awkward social contact that were about to occur when she stepped the same way. He shifted again, thinking for a second that he had managed to successfully avoid the awkward back and forth of two people trying to get out of each other’s way, before she collided with him.

His reflexes kicked in and he caught her, steadying her on her feet, but not before most of the contents of her wine glass had sloshed onto the sleeve of his white shirt. Fortunately she didn’t seem inclined to blame him for the collision, instead becoming charmingly apologetic - almost too much so. Shaking it off as paranoia from spending too much time at work, he ran a hand through his brown hair, leaving it standing up. “It’s fine, it’s fine. Accidents happen,” he reassured her, then laughed quietly. “I’m sure I’ll survive. Although–” he added, glancing at the quickly staining spill– “I’m not sure if I could say the same for this shirt.” 

He offered her his hand with a grin. “Eli Vanto.” It felt strange introducing himself without his title, but although this planet’s natives had high levels of support for the Empire, this stranger might not. Better to keep his line of work quiet for now. After all, this was meant to be a relaxing holiday.

[reluctantcommander]

✨ MEET THE MUSE.

Muse: Eli Vanto

RULES: Don’t reblog, repost. ✨ TAGGED BY: @theveritasi​ ✨ TAGGING:  @hux-capacitor​ @irisanand​

► NAME ➭ Eli Vanto

► ARE YOU SINGLE? ➭ Currently, yes. ► ARE YOU HAPPY? ➭ Most of the time I am.  

► ARE YOU ANGRY?  ➭ Sometimes, but I don’t enjoy it. Still, it’s hard not to be angry sometimes. ► ARE YOUR PARENTS STILL MARRIED? ➭  Yes, happily married.

✨ NINE FACTS!

► BIRTH PLACE ➭ Lysatra ► HAIR COLOR ➭ Brown ► EYE COLOR ➭ Brown ► BIRTHDAY ➭  February 20th, 36BBY ► MOOD ➭ I’m not sure what the question means? Fairly neutral usually I guess?  ► GENDER ➭ Male ► SUMMER OR WINTER ➭ Definitely Summer. Lysatra is a fairly warm planet, so I’ve always preferred the heat. ► MORNING OR AFTERNOON ➭ Mornings. I don’t have a strong preference, but when you work for Thrawn the hour or so before you report in for the start of your shift is usually the calmest part of the day.

✨ EIGHT THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE!

► ARE YOU IN LOVE? ➭ …..unsure. ► DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT? ➭ I like to hope it’s real. ► WHO ENDED YOUR LAST RELATIONSHIP? ➭ It was a mutual choice. When I first went to the Academy on Myomar we agreed it was for the best, as our relationship was fairly casual and neither of us felt like it would hold up under the distance and lack of contact, so we agreed it was best to move on now and stay on good terms. ► HAVE YOU EVER BROKEN SOMEONE’S HEART? ➭ I hope not.  ► ARE YOU AFRAID OF COMMITMENTS? ➭ Not particularly, and certainly not with the right person, although I feel uncomfortable with the idea of rushing into things. ► HAVE YOU HUGGED SOMEONE WITHIN THE LAST WEEK? ➭ No. There isn’t a lot of casual physical contact while on duty.  ► HAVE YOU EVER HAD A SECRET ADMIRER?➭ Not that I know, but I suppose that’s why they’re secret. ► HAVE YOU EVER BROKEN YOUR OWN HEART? ➭ Luckily no.

✨ SIX CHOICES!

► LOVE OR LUST ➭ Either. It really depends on the person. If I had to choose I would prefer a more committed relationship, but I don’t dislike the idea of a more casual relationship, and I’ve had a few one night stands. ► LEMONADE OR ICED TEA ➭ Lemonade.  ► CATS OR DOGS ➭ Dogs. ► A FEW BEST FRIENDS OR MANY REGULAR FRIENDS ➭ I prefer, and am lucky to have, a few close friends, although I do still enjoy the company of my acquaintances. ► WILD NIGHT OUT OR ROMANTIC NIGHT IN➭ Romantic night in. My days are already intense from work, so I like to take the chance to relax when I can. ► DAY OR NIGHT  ➭ In space I don’t really have a preference. When onworld it really depends on the planet, as some are far more beautiful during the day or vice versa.

✨ FIVE HAVE YOU EVERS!

► BEEN CAUGHT SNEAKING OUT ➭ Yes, more times than I should probably confess to. ► FALLEN DOWN/UP THE STAIRS ➭ Occasionally. ► WANTED SOMETHING/SOMEONE SO BADLY IT HURT? ➭ Yeah. A few times. None of them were fun. ► WANTED TO DISAPPEAR ➭ …more often than I like.

✨  FIVE PREFERENCES!

► SMILE OR EYES ➭ It really depends on the person in question.  ► FAT OR SKINNY ➭ ^ ► SHORTER OR TALLER ➭ ^ ► INTELLIGENCE OR ATTRACTION ➭ ^  ► HOOK-UP OR RELATIONSHIP ➭ Again, depends on the person, although given the choice I prefer an actual relationship.

✨ FAMILY!

► DO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY GET ALONG ➭ We do! There was some tension when they felt my friendship with Thrawn was having a negative impact on my career, but we worked through it. ► WOULD YOU SAY YOU HAVE A “MESSED UP LIFE” ➭ Kriff no. ► HAVE YOU EVER RAN AWAY FROM HOME ➭ Once. Of course, I was 7 at the time so I “ran away” to my grandparents. Spent the night there and they took me home the next day.  ► HAVE YOU EVER GOTTEN KICKED OUT ➭ No.

✨ FRIENDS!

► DO YOU SECRETLY HATE ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS ➭ Nope. On the rare occasions where a friend has done something extreme enough that I disliked them afterwards I ended the friendship fairly quickly. I don’t see the point in willingly hanging out with someone you despise. ► DO YOU CONSIDER ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS GOOD FRIENDS ➭ Most of them yes. ► WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND ➭ Thrawn.  ► WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU ➭ Nobody knows everything about me. My family, Thrawn, and Faro know more than most people I guess.

[first-order-general]

Debrief | closed

with @reluctant-commander

“Welcome back,” Hux said stiffly, with little air of welcomeness about about him. He was watching the man carefully, almost distrustingly so. There were few left from the Empire– and those that remained were typically soft and rotten. His father among them.

As usual, there was some question of why. Why should he be returning now, why not when the Empire needed him. Had he been out of communication? Or had he been a traitor? And then, of course, the question for himself. Was desertion of the Empire necessarily equivalent to desertion of the newly risen First Order? It was gray, things so often were.

“Please have a seat, can I offer you something to drink?” He was treating this carefully, as if they were just here to have a chat. He had done this enough to know that most men reacted poorly to discovering that their fitness for duty was under evaluation. Even if they should know.

“You must be tired, after all that.” He would let Vanto explain exactly what all that was.

[reluctantcommander]

It was strange being back after all this time. Like putting on a once familiar pair of shoes that didn’t quite fit right anymore. Chiss politics weren’t necessarily more straightforward than their Imperial equivalent, but they did lack some of the pettiness and regard for one’s personal ambition over the greater good. There had been things and people he had missed from the Empire, but the pettiness wasn’t one of them.

Still, this wasn’t the Empire, a fact which the young man in front of him was proof of. “Thank you, water will be fine,” he told him, taking a seat at the desk. “Commander Hux wasn’t it?” Not that he was unsure of the younger man’s rank: if working under Thrawn had taught him one thing it was to always go into a situation as prepared as you possibly could be. And after he had discovered his talent for patterns made slicing easy to pick up that was very prepared.

The other man was less than half his age - a decade younger than he had been when he’d first achieved the same rank. Which meant he was either unusually competent, or that the First Order was desperate enough to promote on talent alone, without the experience to match it. Still, Eli wasn’t going to underestimate him because of his age. It was obvious that this situation was a test. One he intended to pass.

“Not as much as you would think. Our people were kind enough to give me the chance to recover from the journey here before this interview.” He might have doubts about his own loyalties, but he wasn’t going to let Hux know about them. “I’ll try to answer any question you have, but I’m sure you understand there are some things the Grand Admiral would prefer I keep confidential.” No need to explain which one, so he kept his tone light and apologetic.

[theveritasi]

“Happiness,” the Eli Vanto 2018 Cologne Collection