GET OVER IT

[xnebula-blog1]

GAMORA ( sister )

            “ FIGHT BACK you cantankerous brat! ” there’s a distinct sound of metal grating metal as her sword carves a fresh splinter within nebula’s arm —– her last defense against an attack made all the more BRUTAL by gamora’s unrelenting anger. “ i know what you did. you thought yourself, what? superior? vindictive? seeking retribution for yet another ‘ supposed ’ thing i’ve done to you? that was HERS —— ” in ruin on the floor lay the remnants of a bracelet, charred beyond recognition. a weakness. where what should be a thank you for her older ‘ sister ’ freeing her from such nostalgic ties instead rests venom. “ were you worth the DULLING of my blade i would kill you where you stand. ”

@xnebula sc.

There’s purpose in all of this; a hand lifts to catch the blade that pierces metal --- take the hit and circuitry’s cut. All that it is now is a bunch of metals and wires that connect the two of them with a blade. A momentary shield, and proof that the feared assassin had faltered. Weakness she had picked up on. Weakness she knows the others would have too.

“ You think this makes you stronger? That this is not something the others wouldn’t do? ” Retaliation in the swift strike, in the way the arm injured is forced down to cut her motion and to give her an opening to attack --- limit the movement, steal the strength of an arm with suggested direction and hit her where it hurts. “ Blinded by rage, or did you forget your own advice, sister? ” She tempts, stokes the fire between them --- the hate nurtured over what cannot be.

[xnebula-blog1]

KRAGLIN ( fool )

An almost, not-quite smile, he takes as a victory, and she gets a blinding grin in return. Probably says something about him – giving more than he gets. Finding an inch, and calling it a mile, stretching every possible length out of it.

“I can do useful.”

Sure he can. Got not much else to do. Already, he’s found himself doing the same for Pete, for the others, all too aware that they ain’t got much reason to keep him around, excepting whatever bonds of family they can lay claim to. He doesn’t think Pete’d throw him off – even despite what he’s done, despite any distances they got between each other – but he’s not sure. It’s the uncertainty that drives him.

So he’s learning to use the arrow. He’s navigating and he’s piloting and he’s telling ‘em everything he knows – safe ports and drop points and trading hubs, where to pick up information and where to sell it. Everything he did for Yondu out of —- call it love, ain’t no-one here in his own head to mock him for it —- he does now out of something like fear, maybe.

    “ —- what’s useful?”

Because he’s got no clue what it is she wants. Thanos dead, that much he knows, but that seems like a crazy wish, like getting Yondu back. Drives you every day, but don’t mean you get it.

“ Where do I start? ” 

She purposely ignores the way the grin seems to bleed into his words, the way she can hear it. The way she doesn’t need to see it. Don’t think about it. Don’t think about how he seems to emanate warmth with the closest thing to a compliment he’s probably heard from her. First and last, probably. 

Controlled breath, no exasperated sigh, no roll of eyes. She treats it like a list. 

“ Your crew provides a good cover. Predictable. ” Nebula starts with them first. Reckless, dangerous, and completely opposite to how she operates. Too low on the food chain to garner attention. Thanos deals in extremes. They’re little fish. “ Thanos won’t cast a second glance at a bucket of rust. ”

Perfect.

“ Activities don’t have an order, but you have the payout. ” She’s crossed more light years than she really needs to, but it works. She takes her cut, saves it and gives a sadist’s smile. An army and a weapon that one step closer to her reach. Goals seem impossible, but she’s defeated it more than once before. Impossible to feel such a pain. Impossible to defeat her sister in battle. Impossible was just a limit set by those who’d boxed themselves into a situation without tenacity. 

A glance over. “ It’s a free ride, and I don’t have to make small talk. ” At least, not with most. 

[xnebula-blog1]

Nebula: Kraglin's last name is Obfonteri. I've seriously been considering marrying him just so my initials can be N.O.

[xnebula-blog1]

THOR ( thunder god )

“Very well.” His fingers tighten around the hilt of Mjölnir as he eyes her blades, but there is no need to act. Not yet. The wind kicks up, and with it he finds himself more at ease. She is more out of his element here than he is, it seems, and though his guard is not down he sees with clarity not afforded to many in a setting like this. “For what reasons do you seek it?”

“ You know my father. ” All the worlds know of him, all the worlds understand the threat that comes with the chaos he thirsts for. “ I’m going to kill him. ” She needs to, where always is the rage barely kept beneath her skin. Reflection causes reminder, and every minute she breathes she feels the pain that comes with tampering and the promise of improvement. Hate is a poison, something blinding. “ And I need your weapons to do that. ”

[xnebula-blog1]

KRAGLIN ( fool )

It’s impossible not to watch her.

Maybe she wasn’t born for this, hadn’t carried it in her blood exactly, but she’d been made for it. Every step, ever twist, every flick of weapon is exactly what it needs to be. No more, no less – no movement wasted, no momentum unchecked. Kraglin, on the other hand, hasn’t ever really had any of that careful planning, any of that knowledge of what’s coming next.

He just shoots ‘til nothing shoots back.

She’s killed before he’s even had time for his brain to catch up, already spinning on to meet the next. There’s swarms of them, feels like, and there’s two at her back, approaching too rapidly while more keep her engaged, not dying quick enough to let her handle this whole thing solo.

The whistle bites out between his teeth, shrill and clear and sharp, and the arrow leaps forward, trailing a clean red tail that doesn’t jitter or tremble whatsoever. Straight through the both of them, one then the other, darting in and out like it’s weaving a pattern between them.

Panic and adrenaline are high in his veins, and maybe that, tied with three-quarters of his attention fixed on her, is what keeps him from over-thinking, from letting the arrow skitter to the floor or spin out of control.

A low, rising whistle and it takes a wide arc, splitting the crowd, herding them like cattle to keep too many from reaching them at once. One, two, three, it peels through leather and flesh and muscle like nothing much at all.

Can’t last forever, though, and

      “ – whoops.”

Probably loud enough for her to hear, though he could wish it wasn’t.

It’s what she likes to hear; the splutter and cry of pain as those around her fall, whether it be by her hands, or by the arrow willed by the Xandarian behind her. Seems he’s not as useless with the weapon as she’d initially thought ( practice makes perfect; and perhaps in the dead of night when there’s less obstacles in the way, Kraglin has practiced ).

She feels his eyes on him, that sharp prickle at the back of her head. Not too distracting --- simply a reminder that she’s not the only one here; and a veer away from the common track: you’re on your own, survive and don’t turn back. It’s different this time, and she’ll argue loyalty --- doesn’t exist for anyone but herself. But, Kraglin’s here, part of a team, and she doubts she’ll be let back on board without him.  

The small turn of his head to see the temporary comrade was a good move, a thrust of a blade forward into a bandit’s gut, a twist for good measure and she pulls to use him as a shield, as a means to deflect an arrow that may potentially make it’s way towards her.

“ Watch it! ” She warns, before a roll, a weapon picked up and added heat to the obstacle in their way. The remaining few scatter for cover, and some turn for fear. Doesn’t look like they’d known who they were dealing with. Typical. “ Let’s go! ”

[xnebula-blog1]

KRAGLIN ( fool )

He’s a little taken aback by her sudden movement towards him – a deadly, violent grace that he’s seen turned to good use on those who deserve it. And those who don’t, probably, but who’s counting?

“Right, right.”

Words are accompanied by a nervous lick of his lips, smile that’s a little more like a stretched-out, silvered grimace. Her grip is tight, and he wonders if she realises. Seems rude, asking a gal what it’s like to be mostly robot.

“You can take care of yourself, I get it. Don’t need help. Or hats.” 

She made it sound like he’d suggested they cuddle lovingly for warmth. Even he, with his not-so-strong powers of self-preservation, with a certain recklessness that’s part learned and part inherent, perhaps hinging on a slight limit on intelligence he’d never acknowledge or perhaps even realise, is not that stupid. It’s just some cloth and fur.

     “But, y’know. It’s there. If you fancy changin’ your mind.”

He wiggles his fingers slightly, swallows.

“Don’t s’pose I could have my hand back.”

“ Good. We’re on the same page. ”

Gaze tells of suspicion, falling slow to settle on hands that grip the other’s wrist. A moment’s thought, where she knows with the strength she has and the way machines dull the sense of pain and stress, she could crush his hand then and there. Make an example, and show him what happens to those who get too close. 

But her breath remains steady, nothing white hot about the rage in her bones. Instead, she looks up towards him and releases his hand. This isn’t mercy, this is a decision made for future prospects. Nebula doesn’t know how long she’s stuck here with him --- with them. Fastest ship she’s found, and a route taken erratic enough Thanos’s chase was just out of his grasp. 

“ I don’t need it. ”

She can keep warm herself she thinks, abrasive cloth to wrap around her and provide insulation as she settles near the engine room --- steals the heat exerted from machines and keeps it within her with the thin robe. It’s sufficed. 

[motsticks-deactivated20160807]

why do ppl think its ok to waste my time

[captbexx]

Kraglin & Nebula XD

[xnebula-blog1]

keeses u thx bye

do that again and i break every bone in your body.

[xnebula-blog1]

YONDU ( the captain )

“Think anybody ‘ll give a shit? We’re DEAD MEN WALKIN’, sweetheart. Not a single one of us got a thing t’ live for.”

He turns his red gaze on her– low embers glittering in the slanted light of his cell. That’s the difference between Nebula and the Ravagers. She’s organized chaos: a cold-blooded assassin given purpose and perfection of form. The Ravagers are killers for the sake of being killers– spilling blood because the galaxy has yet to give them anything better to do.

“That’s what makes us DANGEROUS.”

“ I don’t believe that. Not entirely, ” she answers with those steps forward, eyes set and motion almost predatory in the way she circles him. It doesn’t come with much intent, no real reason to strike fear or pluck at the chords of intimidation. Yondu’s more than that, can withstand more. Barely flinches, something underhanded already in his mind. She doesn’t care. Their problem --- his, and she’ll be light years away when all of this would cease to be: rubble, debris caught in gravitational field.  

Fingers touch at the bars --- cool, as she taps a small rhythm like a clock or steady beat of one’s heart. She has no doubt of the danger that comes with something so raw and violent, not so much forced like a current through a thread that burns at the resistors put in place to impede the track. No, they’re different, something wild like a fire or the destruction of a star. She’s not scared, even if in this sense, those that betrayed him merely placed a lion in a cage --- one that seemed hungry.

“ A lack of purpose? Foolishness and recklessness? Perhaps more for yourselves than the ones you’re trying to scare. ”

[xnebula-blog1]

KRAGLIN ( fool )

He stops mid-sentence when she snaps the question out of him. Caught up now, he’s by her side, trusts that she’ll be able to see the casual shrug of his shoulders, the tip of his head.

“Only the ones what I like. You always try to avoid people who just want some conversation?”

Yeah, he’s aware that he’s prodding where he shouldn’t, that he’s being annoying. Pretty much his primary state of being. But she ain’t punched him yet, and he knows full well she wouldn’t think all that hard about it – so he probably ain’t entirely unwelcome. Probably.

“See, we’re gonna be spending a whole lotta time together, if you decide to stick around – and for the record, I sorta hope y’do – an’ seems a shame to be in close quarters like that without knowing all that much ‘bout each other.”

“ Only the ones that like wasting my time. ” No pause, words flow with a certain tactical grace --- sharp tongued, quick on her feet; delivery is key here where there is no upturn of lips, or sense of a smile. Talks to him like it’s the weather. 

Nebula spares a glance, turns her head towards him before her eyes face ahead once more. “ You, along with anybody else on the crew know all you need to about me. ” Rumours come with reason, and the fear that spreads and seizes muscles and freezes to the bone --- well, dirty hands and the walk away from a massacre has that certain effect on people. 

“ If you think I’m here to talk about feelings, favourite colours and flowers --- think again. ”

[xnebula-blog1]

KRAGLIN ( fool )

“ — ‘cause I like you.”

Feels like they’re talking in circles, here. Maybe he ain’t being all that clear, or maybe she’s being too stubborn to really listen, but either way, he’s sorta worried they might get trapped in this loop until the world ends, or one of them dies.

     (Him, probably. She’s made of hardier stuff.)

But something like sympathy, or empathy, or whatever it is that makes him want to make this easier for her, prompts him towards reasons she might find more palatable. Simpler to understand.

“I got no family left. Don’t think you got much, neither, ‘cept your sister. We gotta stick together, huh?” And then, because even that is perhaps a little too much like emotion for her to willingly process – 

              “ – ‘sides, always useful t’know someone as dangerous as you.”

He says it like it means something ( blame it on the rough touch, the burred edges --- the space in mind and heart where nothing soft exists ). 

Her response is silence at first, before her index rubs along the side of her middle finger; a small tell noticed only by those attentive. Rarely was there a step or beat out of place --- can’t make mistakes, where mistakes get you killed. Clockwork almost, predetermined and predefined --- precision key, coded into her blood and bones. She lifts her chin, jaw a little tightly pressed. Huh.

She works better alone. Most others considered dead weight --- collateral damage in the making. Nebula could make an argument then and there with a question asked as a means to push him away once again ( but, it seemed --- often too, that with every push and shove came a little more of that stubborn step forward ). 

Ah, and there it is, something understood that softens appearance enough for the curve of lips as shoulders loosen. “ Finally thinking with your head. ” Maybe she’ll stick around.  A free ride, quick intel, and a cover she can use for her own motive and desire.  

“ Well, I’m here because you’re useful. ” 

[xnebula-blog1]

KRAGLIN ( fool )

He stops mid-sentence when she snaps the question out of him. Caught up now, he’s by her side, trusts that she’ll be able to see the casual shrug of his shoulders, the tip of his head.

“Only the ones what I like. You always try to avoid people who just want some conversation?”

Yeah, he’s aware that he’s prodding where he shouldn’t, that he’s being annoying. Pretty much his primary state of being. But she ain’t punched him yet, and he knows full well she wouldn’t think all that hard about it – so he probably ain’t entirely unwelcome. Probably.

“See, we’re gonna be spending a whole lotta time together, if you decide to stick around – and for the record, I sorta hope y’do – an’ seems a shame to be in close quarters like that without knowing all that much ‘bout each other.”

She won’t answer his question. Presses lips tight instead and looks ahead as she walks.

But...

Rare are the moments where she’s caught by surprise. Rarer still, are those particular moments when it’s touch comes with a softness; something foreign. Confusing, where she thinks of the grand scheme of things, of the timeline shared when their paths had crossed at clearly opposing sides. 

( It didn’t take much to see the regret that came with a mutiny, how eyes had set their gaze and how teeth pressed to tighten jaw with every cry from those loyal to a Captain beaten. ) 

What’s tossed in his direction is a look, confused --- frown betraying the normally stoic woman. “ --- Why? ” 

She asks because she doesn’t understand, can’t quite put the two and two together as to why her company is welcome here; why it’s wanted; and why he’s so persistent. All she does, after all, is push him away. 

[xnebula-blog1]

someone: gives nebula affection and attention nebula: i don't want it

[bluetiefling]

[xnebula-blog1]

KRAGLIN ( fool )

    “ — mmhm.”

He was trying not to look pleased. Don’t mean that he’s succeeding. Means that he’s trying to fold his self-congratulatory smile back down as he turns to follow her, long legs awkward in comparison to her grace as he hurries to catch up.

       “’Course, y’could have just asked for it back. But I get it, guy’s rude, you think, what a dick. Wish I could stab him. Why not follow through? I mean, he ain’t ever gonna do it again. So I guess he’s learned his lesson.”

Unbelievable. 

She rolls her eyes, leaves it at that --- still sees the way he seems to have that puff in his chest and that crook in his lips of a pride in achievement. Annoying, bothersome, causes that bristle once more that straightens her spine and causes her gait to widen. Distance. She needs distance. 

But, Kraglin’s tall, walks funny --- but strangeness aside, he’s keeping up. Talking too. Far too animated. Fingers brush against the comfort of the fur of the hat, and she clenches it once more. Regret. This is what this is. 

“ Do you always try to talk everyone’s ear off? ”

[xnebula-blog1]

KRAGLIN ( fool )

If a blast hadn’t rattled the cargo box they were crouched behind, making the metal shudder and groan, he might have taken a second to construct a quip in return. Instead, he stares for a long second – clears his throat when she hands out instruction.

    Don’t screw this up. Easier said than done; added pressure of Nebula’s presence weighs heavy on his mind.

Whistle is low and a little tremulous, building into something more steady; arrow leaps into the air and the edge of panic makes it jitter. Pain may not deter her, but he don’t want to hurt her. She’s had plenty of that at others’ hands.

       “Well,” he says, tries not to sounds as nervous as he is. “Ladies first.”

“ Keep up, then. ”  

Women born from chaos and strife and bred in battle; it’s all she knows, it’s all she is: something built, the mad titan’s weapon fashioned from something she once was. So when she steps forward, the heart that remains beats steady, and her eyes flick towards the enemy to devise that pattern for fight. 

She’s fast, ruthless and comes out with a war cry as weapons extend and the fury of a current crackles the air. There’s a wildness, a madness in her motion and it’s clear just who she is, and what she’d come to be: the mad titan’s daughter, and a woman to be feared. 

Death comes quick, but there still remains the satisfaction in the break of bone, in the way a body shakes from the surge felt with her baton’s touch, in the way blood flies with impact and the limits breached. 

She’s clearing the crowd, feels the fear and how it clutches at their hearts. 

A smirk. 

( But, she doesn’t see all; there’s blind spots and still: an army verse the one ).