#coppermarigolds

[thievinghippo]

You're writing a Gault/Hylo fic?! Put that one in my eyeballs!

Yes! That’s on the list to hopefully write this year. Basically, I want to do something like five times hylo took gault to the cleaners and one time he settled the score.

I don’t have any snippets yet, but I envision it being from the time they first met until Gault decided it was high time Hylo made an honest man out of him. What I’ve got envisioned in my head is a lot of fun!

[tarysande]

@coppermarigolds replied to your post: Do you think that show's title may be a risk as...

If you don’t mind me asking, how would you say the show portrays God? Not having watched it I might be way off base, but from what I’ve heard, it sounds like they basically make him out as an abusive/manipulative figure. That makes me more uncomfortable than the Devil being the protagonist, honestly.

Honestly, it’s not at all black and white. I think the show (through Lucifer, often) asks some hard questions that are probably familiar to many religious folks. They are certainly questions I have asked and continue to struggle with.

For example: if God is omniscient, didn’t he know that Lucifer would rebel? Why didn’t He create things so that wouldn’t happen? If evil has to exist to contrast with good, didn’t God, who created everything, also create evil?

(Why do 9-month-old babies get massive brain cancer? If everything is a part of God’s plan, why are so many things truly shitty? If questioning isn’t a part of faith, why did God make me so full of questions? Why so much suffering? Why so much lesson-learning via tough love?)

In the show, God is mostly an absent or silent figure (then again, I think many many spiritually-questioning people also perceive God as absent or silent). But then again, in the show, we’re predominantly seeing things from Lucifer’s perspective and Lucifer is a lot of different things---and none of them is perfect; he’s fallible, as we all are. He’s obsessed with justice, and often sees God’s actions as unjust. He’s a rebel who feels he was manipulated and doesn’t want to be manipulated ever again (while still fearing his every action is the result of more manipulation). He wants free will but is also afraid that free will is a lie (because if everything is a part of God’s plan, how can free will matter?). He is portrayed as a child of God who questions whether his punishment fits his crime and doubts he was ever truly loved while, on some level, still really wanting that love. Other characters perceive God differently and those beliefs aren’t invalidated even though they’re different from Lucifer’s take.

And the show doesn’t answer these questions or claim to know everything. It doesn’t take a hard line one way or the other; there’s ambiguity because so many aspects of faith are personal or ambiguous. Sometimes, the audience sees God as Lucifer does. Other times, we’re asked to consider other perspectives. Can God make mistakes? Can God regret? Can God’s plans backfire? Does He want what’s best for us, even when the execution rubs us wrong or we don’t understand it, or we feel injured (or yes, abused) by it?

Part of the reason I love the show so much is because it asks, right out there in the open, so many spiritual questions that I have asked and continue to ask (and have sometimes been judged or criticized or outright been scolded for asking; there are lots of personal reasons I consider myself spiritual but don’t subscribe to a specific religion or attend a specific church, etc.). That was something of a revelation (no pun intended) to me because I don’t actually always feel perfectly loved and taken care of by God and... I appreciated seeing an honest representation of that instead of just feeling like I was Bad or Wrong for not just accepting everything. I can’t always accept things because I’ve been told they’re part of a plan I’m not privy to. I get angry with God. Sometimes I feel like adages and platitudes like “God never gives you more than you can handle” or “It’s all part of His plan” are downright insulting or harmful (to me and to others), even while I understand that they bring great comfort to some people and I don’t begrudge them that comfort. And then, yes, I also sometimes feel loved or supported or valued. Or sometimes I think I’m misunderstanding something because my knowledge and capacity for understanding are so small.

So, in amongst all this Tara-specific spiritual TMI---I can’t speak for how other people will see things. I think it’s like asking any two people in a church how they perceive God---you’ll probably get two different answers, even though they’re working from the same source material. It’s also why I would never throw out a blanket “EVERYONE WILL LOVE THIS SHOW” because I really don’t think that’s true. And that’s okay, too. What I need (or love, or respond to) is not universal. Some people won’t love or need this interpretation of spirituality. At the end of the day, though, I’m really, really glad it exists because I really was one of the people who needed it :)

[probablylostrightnow]

coppermarigolds replied to your post “Attempt #2 at this post since Jasmine sat on my mouse and managed to...”

Welcome back! Ah, the time-honored combination of cats and computers... :p

I swear she has spent most of the day on my keyboard tray, or at least most of the time I’ve been at my computer. Guess where she is right now?

thisonelikesaliens replied to your post “Attempt #2 at this post since Jasmine sat on my mouse and managed to...”

totally read that as "holy shirtballs"

It totally SHOULD have been! :D

[sinvraal]

coppermarigolds replied to your post “I was going to wait, but patience didn’t win out, and I picked up AC:...”

I have zero familiarity with the AC franchise, but I do love ancient Egypt. Is this something that a newbie could pick up and find enjoyable, do you think? Or is it more for established AC players?

From a story perspective, I don’t think you have had to have played the other games. Like I said earlier, the Assassin/Templar metaplot is... not the draw and never was. Arguably, in this game you’re seeing the beginnings of the Assassins anyway, so you’re not going to expected to know a bunch of it. Sure, you might miss easter eggs, but that’s not a big deal. All you need is the broadest strokes -- the Animus tech that allows people to revisit the memories of their dead ancestors, and powerful Maguffins left behind by uplifting ancient aliens, which are the focal points of the main freedom vs. control conflict. Besides that, the story is about the main character and his world, not the modern metaplot.

Gameplay-wise I’d say you’re fine. The AC games are system-dense, but there are three difficulty levels to choose from, and they ease you into the gimmicks. You can spend all the time you like early on faffing about and learning how to parkour and sneak. 

So far it’s shaping up to be a big political intrigue story, set all through the Nile Delta. Desert, delta, ruins and city zones in eye-popping amounts of detail. 

[agent-85]

@coppermarigolds replied to your ask post  Wait, what is this about Iain/Fitz being absent? He's not leaving the show altogether or anything, is he? (I'm just returning to the AoS/FS fandom after a bit of an absence, so apologies if this is old news.)

Hey!

Iain isn't leaving! Don't worry! He was working on a movie over the hiatus and missed the first two-ish weeks of filming for AoS. He is in LA now with the rest of the cast.

[thievinghippo]

Daffodil for Sith/Pirate!

This is new beginnings for Andronikos and Denravi! This got long, so it’s partially behind a cut. :D

#

“Think we should pick their pockets?” Revel says, looking down at the dead idiots who called themselves the Veil. Why would anyone challenge his girl and think they could live to tell the tale?

“You’re welcome to,” Devravi says, rolling her shoulders. “But I will pass.”

Revel lets out a chuckle as he holsters his blasters. Denravi killed all three of the Veil members without him even needing to take a shot. He’s just about to compliment her when he sees her staring glassy-eyed into the distance. 

His stomach clenches; that look means a ghost or two is currently badgering her. Fucking frustrating how he can’t kill a ghost. Or even see the bastards. All he needs is one shot…

“Sith?” he says, trying to bring her back from wherever she just went. 

Denravi shakes her head and looks over at him. She really does look so much healthier after Belsavis. Until she stepped out of that machine, he didn’t realize just how bad things had gotten. Now hopefully their upcoming trip to Voss will help just as much. 

“Sorry about that,” Denravi says as she looks down at the bodies, wrinkling her nose. “Should we tell someone?” 

“Nah, just tell your cult. They might want to strip the cybernetics. Those might be worth something,” Revel says, reaching for her hand. “Now let’s get out of here. I promised you a night out, and I keep my promises.” 

The smile that crosses her face is the one that always makes his knees feel like jelly, not that he will ever tell her that. It’s the smile that made him ask if she wanted to get married not too long ago. 

Part of him is still a little amazed she said yes. 

But the other part knows that the two of them are destined to be together, no matter what the damn galaxy decides to throw at them. And so far, the galaxy has decided to throw them a lot. 

They walk out of the cargo room, his arm around her shoulders, her arm around his waist. Now he’s got to rack his brain, because he’s not exactly sure where they should go.

As they enter the promenade, Revel’s eyes dart around, always looking for trouble. When no one seems to be paying attention to them, he says, “What do you say we head to the casino and pretend to be high-rollers for a couple of hours?” 

He does a damn good job of keeping Denravi’s finances in good shape, if he says so himself. They can afford to blow some credits on a gaming table if they want to. Might be fun to get a private booth and see what sort of trouble they can get into. 

His girl, it seems, has different ideas. 

Denravi stops walking. It takes a step or two before Revel realizes she’s no longer holding his hand. She’s staring again, but not the one where ghosts are talking to her. 

He follows her gaze to the Nar Shaddaa’s Clerk Office. The office is more like a store-front, with big glass windows and a ridiculous list of services. Not sure why she’d be looking there. “What, you want to finally register your cult?” he asks. 

“Not exactly what I was thinking,” Denravi says as she walks up to one of the lists. She points at one, that damn smile of hers sneaking up on him again.

Marriage licenses/ceremonies

Revel doesn’t hesitate. He’s not an idiot. With those ghosts in her head, she could die any day. But fuck it, if she does, she’ll die being married to him, not just engaged. 

“Should have known you wouldn’t want a big, fancy wedding,” Revei says, walking up to her. Even though they’re in the middle of the promenade, he puts his arms around her, resting his brow against hers. “You sure about this, Sith?” 

He’s not sure why he’s asking. He knows she’s all in, just like him. But even a space pirate needs a little bit of reassurance now and then. 

“As sure as I breathe,” she whispers and that’s enough for him.

“Then let’s get married,” Revel says, trying to keep the smile off his face. He does have a reputation to protect, after all. 

A bored looking Nautolan sits behind the counter. “Can I help you?” 

“How quickly can you get us hitched?” Revel says, squeezing Denravi’s hand. 

She looks Denravi then looks at Revel. “Depends on how quickly you can fill out the datawork,” she says, sliding a datapad across the counter. 

Revel picks up the pad and together, he and Denravi have it filled out within two minutes. “Done,” Denravi says, handing the datapad back. 

“You want the pomp and circumstances?” the clerk asks. She nods at a room to their left. “I’ve got fake flowers and a veil, if you want them. Might still be a couple of rings.” 

“I think we’ll pass,” Denravi says. She looks up at him. “I don’t think I need to deal with another veil right now.” 

Revel huffs out a laugh. Now he knows she’s feeling better if she’s making dumb jokes. “So what’s next?” he asks the clerk.

The clerk looks at him. “Do you want to marry her?” 

“Yeah, I do,” Revel says, looking at Denravi. Only person in the world he’ll ever want to marry. 

“And do you want to marry him?” the clerk asks Denravi. 

“I do,” Denravi says, her voice soft. 

“Then the terms of bonding are now complete. You may now kiss.” 

Well, Revel doesn’t need to be told twice. He brings Denravi into his arms and kisses her like they have all the time in the world. Which they don’t, but tonight he’ll let himself believe it. 

“That’ll be one thousand credits,” the clerk says. 

Denravi starts to laugh and Revel can’t help but join in a bit. Just seeing Denravi happy and healthy and now his wife is a little more than even he can handle. 

Revel finds a spare credit chit in his pocket and puts in the amount, with even a tip for the service. “Thanks for the assist,” he tells the clerk. Then he looks at his wife. His wife. “Let’s get out of here, huh?”

Once they’re back on the promenade, Denravi asks, “Do you feel any different? I can’t quite tell.” 

“Nah,” Revel says, taking her hand. A couple of spoken words and a form on a datapad isn’t going to really change things. He thinks. “However, we need to change our plans for tonight.” 

“Oh really?” Denravi asks, amusement on her face. 

Revel starts to lead them to one of the nicer parts of Nar Shaddaa. “We need to find ourselves a hotel,” he says, walking just a bit faster. “Time to celebrate our wedding night.” 

[thievinghippo]

coppermarigolds replied to your photoset “I was tagged a couple of times right before I left to go on vacation....”

Okay I need to hear all about "Vector eats out"

Understandable! It’s basically what it sounds like. :D It’d be a Vector-POV fic set after their reunion in kotet. 

I have a headcanon that my agent and Vector actually didn’t have sex all that often. Vector only wanted to have sex when he was separated from the rest of the killiks. But when they’re reunited, he can’t remember how to achieve that balance because it’s been so long. 

So he decides to dive right on in. I basically thought describing cunnilingus from Vector’s POV would be amazing. I really need to get this written. 

[thievinghippo]

"So, it was you" for SWTOR?

This ended up being Andronikos and Denravi, which pleased me greatly. And this is another fic where the prompt actually didn’t make it in there. But instead inspired the fic!

#

Denravi’s never considered herself a curious person.

Back in her slave days, curiosity killed the Jawa, and all that. Shemade it a habit never to learn too much about her masters. Far easier to pleadtrue ignorance than feign it.

And that followed her into her life as a Sith. She never bothered tolook up anything about Lord Zash. Or Darth Thanaton. Her personal life had thesame code. Even after she and Andronikos started sleeping together, she neverchecked the holonet to see what she could find out about him.

That is, until he revealed he was so much more than just a simplepirate.

They’re on the way to Quesh, and she’s nervous. She’s nervous aboutfighting Sith far more powerful than she is in order to save two apprentices shebarely knows. Everyday, Andronikos saying she should become the first Sithpirate sounds better and better.

More to distract herself than anything else, Denravi pulls up theholonet on her pad and types in Andronikos’ name.

There are far more hits than she expects. And they’re all over theplace. That’s when she has an idea.

She walks over to the console in her room and sit down at the desk shehardly ever uses. This console gives her access to the Imperial database and nodoubt they have a file on the famed pirate Andronikos Revel of the Sky Princess.

And they do. Though it doesn’t give her nearly as much information asshe’d like. There is an interesting paragraph about his Republic days.Apparently he made his career doing the tough jobs. Reading between the lines,it sounds like he was simply willing to kill whoever the brass told him tokill.

She can see why he was able to walk away so easily.

There’s a knock at the door and Denravi waves Andronikos inside. Herdoor is open and he’s the only one on the ship who wouldn’t announce himself.

He closes the door behind him and she smiles to herself. She likesthat he’s willing to come and go as he pleases. More and more, she’s realizingthat she likes him. And she’s notsure what that means yet.

Andronikos sits down on the edge of her desk. “Putting in some actualwork for once?” he asks, looking down. Denravi can see the exact moment on hisface when he realizes what she’s doing. “Seriously, Sith?”

“You can’t blame me for being curious,” Denravi says with a shrug ofher shoulder. “Did you know you have quite the bounty on your head?”

“Yeah?” he says, sounding a bit more interested.

“I could earn a great deal of credits by turning you in,” she says,sliding the palm of her hand up his thigh. “Good thing you’re pretty.”

He lets out a bark of a laugh. “Pretty, huh?” He stands and Denravilets him pull her up out of her chair. “And here I thought you kept me aroundcause I can fly the ship.”

Denravi sits down on the side of the bed, her eyes never leaving his.“The ship has autopilot,” she says, beckoning him over with a crooked finger.

“Guess it’s a mystery, then,” Andronikos says, pulling his shirt offand throwing it on the floor.

She bites her lower lip and doesn’t bother to keep from staring at hischest. It’s absolutely unfair how attractive the man is.

“No,” she says before pulling him down on top of her for a kiss. “It’sbecause you’re pretty.”

At least that’s the lie she’ll tell herself for now.