I wonder if Jasnah (who was locked away in a dark room as a child) is ever going to find out about Kaladins new mental health treatment (don't lock people away in dark rooms). I bet she'll like it.
"I was a bit naive as to how quickly AI could change what we do. Already friends of mine are refusing to sign contracts and losing jobs because they won’t give away the rights to their performance to be manipulated and used again. That’s another threat of AI. Will it put an end to human artistry? Humans always fuck it up, don’t we? I’m fully prepared for our dystopian future now!”
— HOLLIDAY GRAINGER
there's something about Rumi that makes fandom want to bundle her in a blanket and care her AND stick her in the angst blender on max and i just think that's beautiful
its true........ rumi is Always going through some shi
Fandom: Leverage, Leverage: Redemption
Compilation: Moments in the Life of Leverage Fam
Characters: Astrid Pickford, Parker, Todd McSweeten, Peggy Milbank, Maggie Collins
A/N: On the surface, this ficlet is about Astrid interacting with characters from the original series. In reality, I just think it's fun to write scenes where Parker makes Astrid scream internally.
Astrid carefully adjusts the case file on her desk. Her video call with Director McSweeten is about to start, and she likes having all the relevant materials prepared, so the meeting can run as efficiently as possible. Punctuality is sometimes a luxury, not a given, in their line of work, so she's pleased when Director McSweeten’s secretary starts the meeting right on time.
"We have a special treat today," Director McSweeten tells Astrid after they exchange pleasantries. He sounds truly excited. "Special Agent Hagen will be joining us in a little bit."
As the FBI Director of Counterterrorism, McSweeten makes for a curious figure. He's certainly competent at his job, but at times, he seems a bumbling sort of fellow. Then there's Special Agent Hagen, who Astrid has never met but whose work speaks for itself. McSweeten isn't shy about giving credit where he believes it's due.
"I've tried to put Special Agent Hagen up for so many promotions, but we just can't get her out of the field," McSweeten had told Astrid once. He had sounded quite enamored with her. He still sounds enamored with her.
He and Astrid go over the case at hand, making sure they're on the same page before Special Agent Hagen joins them with updates. Then there she is, popping up on the screen.
She. Special Agent Hagen. Who is apparently Parker.
"Hello, Inspector Pickford," Parker says, a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
Frustration clenches Astrid’s jaw shut, teeth grinding together. “You have got to be kidding me,” she mentally screams into the void only because she cannot say it out loud. First, she refuses to give Parker the satisfaction of an overt reaction. Second, Astrid doesn’t know if Director McSweeten knows—she doubts he does—and in spite of everything, she cannot expose Parker if he doesn’t.
Well, Astrid could. She should. Impersonating a federal agent is a crime. But then Astrid thinks of all the cases she's closed using FBI intelligence collected by Special Agent Hagen and all the cases the FBI has handled besides. If she says anything now, all those cases would have to be reopened. Some of those convictions would be overturned.
"As Parker likes to say, we're the good bad guys," Sophie had explained of the Leverage crew's work.
In the end, the right people had ended up in prison. That's what matters, Astrid tells herself. Not the fact that she feels she's been bested by Parker. Not the fact that Astrid is now being made into an accomplice. Not the fact that Astrid would like to scream.
"Special Agent Hagen," Astrid replies flatly. She absolutely will not play along and say that she's pleased to meet her.
Director McSweeten doesn't notice any of this. "I'm so excited you two finally have the opportunity to work together," he says.
Well, that makes one of them.
…
The next time Astrid is in New Orleans, her visit coincides with one from Parker's friend Peggy Milbank.
Apparently Peggy had met Parker, who she knows as Alice White, when they were doing jury duty in Los Angeles. Astrid has a very hard time imagining Parker doing anything as mundane as a jury duty, even in the midst of a con. It therefore comes as no surprise when she learns that, despite their longstanding friendship, Parker still doesn't feel comfortable with a girls day out.
Astrid admittedly has not attended a similar social event in years. She has successfully avoided luncheons where society women (aka her family) prattle on about the latest gossip. She has no time for such frivolous things. Except now apparently. Parker enlists Sophie's help, which means Astrid is pulled in as well.
"Oh, and by the way, Peggy thinks Sophie's name is Marge," Parker says as one last aside before they enter the cafe for brunch.
Astrid looks at Sophie with bewilderment.
"Not my choice," Sophie says with a heavy emphasis on "not."
The trio join Peggy outside in the courtyard behind the building. The combined ambience of cafe's music and the city around them gives each table a semblance of privacy. They don't need it. Peggy is so normal, her life so mundane. Astrid cannot imagine what many years of friendship between her and Parker would look like.
Since Peggy and Astrid have never met before, much of the conversation centers around acquainting them with each other. Astrid had been trained in the art of small talk since the day she was born, but she had left that all behind when she chose her career path. She relies heavily on it now, asking about Peggy's job as a chef and nutritionist and providing some minimal information about herself.
But then Peggy starts on her cats.
There are so many cats, seven of them.
Peggy regales them with stories about each cat: their origins, their temperaments, and their favorite activities. Astrid's considerable repertoire of original responses dwindles as they're shown picture after picture after picture.
Then Parker and Sophie's phones buzz.
"It's work," Sophie says apologetically as she and Parker begin gathering their things.
Astrid grabs Sophie's arm with a speed that surprises even her. "Do you need help?"
She has met Peggy less than an hour ago, but she doesn't know if she can spend another minute hearing about her cats. She would almost rather commit crimes than be left here alone with Peggy.
Sophie gives her a subtly sympathetic smile. "I think we'll be all right, but thank you, darling."
Peggy doesn't seem at all surprised or disappointed by Parker's quick exit. She leans towards Astrid and whispers conspiratorially, "Since you're an Interpol agent, I'm guessing you know the truth about Alice."
Astrid certainly does, but she doesn't know what Peggy thinks she knows, so she says slowly, "So you know Alice is..."
Peggy's enthusiasm doesn't let her hold back. "A spy!" To her credit, she had attempted to continue whispering, but in her enthusiasm, it had come out as a very loud whisper.
Astrid cringes and not just because of the clumsy reveal.
First Parker as FBI Special Agent Hagen and now Alice White the spy.
Peggy launches into a story about a bomb at the Venezuelan consulate in Boston. Once again, Astrid has to hear someone who doesn't really know who Parker is describe her as a good guy, a heroic one at that.
At least it's a better story than the cats.
...
Astrid likes Dr. Maggie Collins.
They've only just met, but Astrid can already tell that Dr. Collins has a good head on her shoulders. She's street smart in a way that Astrid rarely sees in museum curators whose brains seem so full of academic facts that they've forgotten about the world around them.
"I've heard a lot about you," Dr. Collins says. Astrid would like to attribute it to her professional reputation, but she has a feeling she's missing something.
Dr. Collins leads Astrid from the front desk to her office, so they can discuss the security of the upcoming exhibit in more detail. A tip-off of an upcoming robbery has brought Astrid to Los Angeles. Since it seems to be related to a string of international robberies, the local FBI field office has allowed her to take point.
When they arrive, Dr. Collins' office isn't empty.
"Hi, Maggie," Parker chirps and then scornfully, "Astrid."
Dr. Collins doesn't look at all surprised. Astrid finds that more surprising than Parker's presence.
Astrid glances at Dr. Collins, wondering what identity Parker has bamboozled her with. Harry Wilson had posed as an IYS investigator during their meeting at the Monarch Museum, and Astrid wonders if Parker has done something similar. But in contrast to McSweeten and Peggy's naivete, Dr. Collins seems too smart and grounded to fall for a long-term con.
In spite of all that, Astrid still doesn't predict what comes next.
"Parker," Dr. Collins greets.
What.
And is that affection in her voice?
Astrid finds herself slightly slack-jawed. "You know she's…"
"The best thief in the world," Maggie finishes. "Who likes to sneak into my office whenever she's in town."
Again, there's not a hint of rebuke. Astrid can't wrap her head around it.
"Dr. Collins," Astrid says, a warning in her voice.
"Please, call me Maggie," Dr. Collins says.
It feels rather fast to dispense with formalities, but the competitive part of her decides that, since Parker does it, Astrid will too. "Very well. Maggie, I think we have to consider that—"
"It's not me," Parker interrupts. "Why would I tell you I'm about to rob a museum?"
"Obviously, to taunt me."
"Well, you make it so easy."
"I'm not easy. You are superlatively annoying."
"Girls," Maggie cuts in.
The tone of it is so familiar that it stops Astrid in her tracks. Maggie's voice is more commanding, but the almost maternal undertone is enough. The thing Astrid's been missing. She realizes Maggie must know Sophie. Given her familiarity with Parker, it makes sense.
"You two will work together to make sure nobody robs my museum," Maggie orders and holds up a hand when both Astrid and Parker open their mouths to protest. "And you will do it with minimal complaining."
To Astrid's surprise, Parker is quick to acquiesce. "Fine," she grumbles.
Astrid follows suit. "Understood."
Two days later, the entire heist crew is in handcuffs. Maggie's ears survive the experience with minimum complaining.
I'm not much of a comics person, so I have never read Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, but I am intrigued by the Supergirl trailer. Normally when a movie/tv adaptation of a great written work comes out, I forego watching and add the original work to my reading list because it's undoubtedly better. This time though, I might watch the movie and then read the comics after, so I can build to the really good stuff.
Counterpoint: If I read the comics now, then maybe I'll get back in the mood to finish writing my Supergirl fics. Hmm...
Everyone in the Polytrix fandom on Twitter losing their minds over Rei Ami lurking is so hilarious because I remember when someone in the Supercorp fandom asked Katie McGrath to sign their own fanfic that they had printed and brought to an event. Katie read part of it and signed by the exchanged "I love you's" lol.
(I thought this was insane behavior, to be clear. I couldn't even imagine doing that.)
But everyone freaking out over Rei is so vastly different, it's funny. Fandom culture does change, I guess.
To be clear, Rei is very obviously hunting the fan artists and fic writers for sport and I support her in this. She has been very sweet and is just a chaos gremlin. Almost like a certain character she sang for...
I find it so interesting how much Era 2 romanticizes Era 1. Especially Vin’s life. Girls want to be her. Marasi wonders if she ever felt jealous, insecure frightened or angry. This is the kid who didn’t believe Kell when he said that Marsh didn’t beat him. Because of course, all older brothers beat their younger siblings. Which, this is very true to life, we glorify historical figures despite them being human.
Also Vin is like pretty important in at least two major religions in Elendel and yet there are still kids on the street. Like really?
I wish Maysilee Donner would've met President Snow. He wouldve said some corny shit like "Snow lands on top" and she would've eaten the words and chewed them right back up so nasty that he would've been so ashamed to say them ever again.
amandla
origamiaround
prguitarman
areudirty
germansingergirl
theartofmadeline
gummygunk
