FIC: As the World Shuffles Along (Multi-Fandom) March Set
...And, the March Set.
Title: Things Past By
Fandom: Borderland trilogy
Characters: Jasper Pemberly, (Jaime Richards)
Timeframe: roughly 3 years post Jihad/Cameleer
Theme: The One That Got Away - Katy Perry
~*~
In another life
I would make you stay
So I don't have to say
You were the one that got away
~*~
The college campus is lying under a coat of fall leaves, and Jasper finds himself slumping over a desk in the library, staring out the window and already resenting the coming winter.
American winters are not his thing. Not after Pakistan. Winter had been bitterly cold in the mountains, for sure, but somehow it was still a different cold. Though he wonders if that memories distorting over time.
He’s been back in the US going on three years now. He’d spent another nine months in Pakistan after his ‘cross-border adventure’. Partly because he didn’t fancy changing schools again for his final year, but mostly because his father’s reappearance had meant piles of paperwork before he was allowed home, and Jasper was loathe to let him out of his sight.
He’s managed to keep in contact with Jaime though, this time.
It’s one of her emails he’s read that put him into a funk. Not that he really want to admit that.
She’s engaged. Some farmer’s son she knew in Adelaide with a property in the outback (Jaime assures him this is not an exaggeration). She’s still writing stories, studying journalism as well.
Really, he’s seen this coming for months now. But was still childishly hoping that it wouldn’t happen. Because he’s never let go of her in his heart. Everything they shared growing up, and everything they lost as well.
No one has ever measured up to Jaime Richards.
But now he has to smile, say he’s happy for her (and he does want to see her happy), and watch her move on.
Damn, it was going to hurt to reply to that email.
~*~
Title: Harsh Light of Day
Fandom: Sally Lockhart
Characters: Sally Lockhart, (Fred Garland)
Timeframe: Shadow in the North, immediatly post-fire.
Theme: Penthouse - Hunger Games Score
~*~
All she wanted to do was crawl into a little ball and wish this nightmare away like a child.
Except this was no nightmare. There are stinging burns on her hands, her lungs are sore from the smoke she inhaled, and her nightdress is covered in soot. But it’s her aching heart more than her aching body that reminds her that this is real.
The sun is shining, and she feels like the watery rays are piercing her soul. Webster and Jim have been beside her through the night, caught in the same state of shock and grief. She can feel Webster’s hands shaking as he clasps her hand.
She has a new appreciation for Isabel’s heartbreak.
But she still hates the woman in a bitter corner of her heart. She wants to blame her. Her stubborn refusal to stay and die in the inferno has cost her Fred.
It’s easier to blame the girl. Because underneath that, she blames herself more.
All the time she spent pushing Fred away. All the time she spent figuring out she loved him, coming to the realisation that he only made her better. Even in his overbearing moments, he only wanted to help her. Her stubborn pride just caused her to push him away.
Sally had finally sorted out her feelings, and then this.
The fire-fighters are removing his body, and she barely remembers walking over and asking them to stop. Webster is shaking like a leaf behind her as she kisses Fred goodbye, letting the tears fall.
“I have to go,” she chokes out.
This was no accidental fire. Axel Bellman heaped this on them. And she will end him.
~*~
Title: Inferno
Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Characters: Fire Lord Ozai
Timeframe: Preceeding 'Sozin's Comet'
Theme: Prince of Darkness - Immediate Music
~*~
There is a crackling under his skin, he can feel it down to his bones.
It’s the approaching comet. The power is building in his system and he craves more. The comet itself is still a couple of days away, but there is a crackling in his blood calling for destruction.
Idly, Ozai wonders how Fire Lord Sozin managed to be content with the mere power of firebending under one sun, after experiencing the exhilaration of the power of a thousand suns. Can one really be content with the ordinary after experiencing the extraordinary?
The thought is brushed aside. Everything would change with the comet. The Earth Kingdom peasants will be decimated, the world pacified. And as to the Avatar, well, no doubt the idiot child would challenge him. He will be the one to finish the work his great-grandfather started in destroying the Air Nomads.
And the destruction of the little group of friends would be easy enough. That weakling son of his would certainly be no challenge.
Ozai’s eyes glanced far into the distance, not seeing the horizon, but instead his new world.
A new order built from ashes in his image, the Phoenix King.
~*~
Title: Fears and Sacrifice
Fandom: Star Wars
Characters: Owen Lars, Beru Lars
Timeframe: Episode IV: A New Hope
Theme: Crewe & the Soldier - A Little Princess soundtrack
~*~
Owen is still looking for Luke when he spots the procession heading for the homestead, and his blood runs cold.
The Empire, like the Republic before it, has never bothered with Tatooine much. It’s been a periphery presence compared to the more tangible Hutt rule on the planet.
So stormtroopers on Tatooine are pretty much unheard of.
He’s racing back towards home, to Beru, and he feels like his nightmares are coming true. He can only think of one reason for Imperials out here.
Luke.
He’d harboured this fear for nineteen years, ever since Kenobi had arrived with the infant. He couldn't say no, though. Not to Beru who had held Luke with such tenderness, the boy soothing the wounds in her soul of her inability to carry a child of their own. He couldn’t say no to the boy, innocent and peaceful, who was Shmi’s grandson.
So he had accepted his new role of Uncle. And he loved the boy, more than he knew how to express, despite all the stubbornness and arguments he gave him.
He’s at the homestead only minutes ahead. Beru looks at him, a sad acceptance in her eyes. They know that this is their end.
“Thank Stars he’s not here,” Beru murmurs as Owen holds her close.
Owen’s agreement is non-verbal, not trusting himself to speak.
The first firebomb is launched at the homestead.
~*~
Title: Into the Abyss
Fandom: Tomorrow when the War Began
Characters: Kevin, Corrie
Characters: Book 1/end of movie
Theme: O-Negative - Breaking Dawn soundtrack
~*~
This was never meant to happen. Not to them. Not here.
Kevin supposes that all people say that when everything goes to hell in a hand-basket, though. But really, who expects a war to suddenly land on them?
The plan was crazy. It was almost a worry that Homer had thought about this before. This night has been moments of boredom, with only pure terror and adrenaline keeping them going. But somehow, it looks like it might actually work.
Then Corrie gasps in pain, and Kevin’s sees the blood as he moves to put Corrie in front.
He’s never prayed so hard until this moment.
On inspection of the wound, it’s so much worse. The bleeding won't stop, and she's losing consciousness. He knows what Homer’s saying is rational, but he can’t leave her. He already did that once, and he swore he’d never do it again. Ellie, he knows, agrees with him, and he sees the forgiveness in her eyes for that earlier discretion when he says he's taking her in himself.
He knows that driving into Wirrawee is a one way trip. But if he can spin a convincing story, a remote farm accident for instance, Corrie can live.
He wonders if he’ll see any of the group again.
But to him even the slightest chance of life had to be taken.
~*~
Title: Things Past By
Fandom: Borderland trilogy
Characters: Jasper Pemberly, (Jaime Richards)
Timeframe: roughly 3 years post Jihad/Cameleer
Theme: The One That Got Away - Katy Perry
~*~
In another life
I would make you stay
So I don't have to say
You were the one that got away
~*~
The college campus is lying under a coat of fall leaves, and Jasper finds himself slumping over a desk in the library, staring out the window and already resenting the coming winter.
American winters are not his thing. Not after Pakistan. Winter had been bitterly cold in the mountains, for sure, but somehow it was still a different cold. Though he wonders if that memories distorting over time.
He’s been back in the US going on three years now. He’d spent another nine months in Pakistan after his ‘cross-border adventure’. Partly because he didn’t fancy changing schools again for his final year, but mostly because his father’s reappearance had meant piles of paperwork before he was allowed home, and Jasper was loathe to let him out of his sight.
He’s managed to keep in contact with Jaime though, this time.
It’s one of her emails he’s read that put him into a funk. Not that he really want to admit that.
She’s engaged. Some farmer’s son she knew in Adelaide with a property in the outback (Jaime assures him this is not an exaggeration). She’s still writing stories, studying journalism as well.
Really, he’s seen this coming for months now. But was still childishly hoping that it wouldn’t happen. Because he’s never let go of her in his heart. Everything they shared growing up, and everything they lost as well.
No one has ever measured up to Jaime Richards.
But now he has to smile, say he’s happy for her (and he does want to see her happy), and watch her move on.
Damn, it was going to hurt to reply to that email.
~*~
Title: Harsh Light of Day
Fandom: Sally Lockhart
Characters: Sally Lockhart, (Fred Garland)
Timeframe: Shadow in the North, immediatly post-fire.
Theme: Penthouse - Hunger Games Score
~*~
All she wanted to do was crawl into a little ball and wish this nightmare away like a child.
Except this was no nightmare. There are stinging burns on her hands, her lungs are sore from the smoke she inhaled, and her nightdress is covered in soot. But it’s her aching heart more than her aching body that reminds her that this is real.
The sun is shining, and she feels like the watery rays are piercing her soul. Webster and Jim have been beside her through the night, caught in the same state of shock and grief. She can feel Webster’s hands shaking as he clasps her hand.
She has a new appreciation for Isabel’s heartbreak.
But she still hates the woman in a bitter corner of her heart. She wants to blame her. Her stubborn refusal to stay and die in the inferno has cost her Fred.
It’s easier to blame the girl. Because underneath that, she blames herself more.
All the time she spent pushing Fred away. All the time she spent figuring out she loved him, coming to the realisation that he only made her better. Even in his overbearing moments, he only wanted to help her. Her stubborn pride just caused her to push him away.
Sally had finally sorted out her feelings, and then this.
The fire-fighters are removing his body, and she barely remembers walking over and asking them to stop. Webster is shaking like a leaf behind her as she kisses Fred goodbye, letting the tears fall.
“I have to go,” she chokes out.
This was no accidental fire. Axel Bellman heaped this on them. And she will end him.
~*~
Title: Inferno
Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Characters: Fire Lord Ozai
Timeframe: Preceeding 'Sozin's Comet'
Theme: Prince of Darkness - Immediate Music
~*~
There is a crackling under his skin, he can feel it down to his bones.
It’s the approaching comet. The power is building in his system and he craves more. The comet itself is still a couple of days away, but there is a crackling in his blood calling for destruction.
Idly, Ozai wonders how Fire Lord Sozin managed to be content with the mere power of firebending under one sun, after experiencing the exhilaration of the power of a thousand suns. Can one really be content with the ordinary after experiencing the extraordinary?
The thought is brushed aside. Everything would change with the comet. The Earth Kingdom peasants will be decimated, the world pacified. And as to the Avatar, well, no doubt the idiot child would challenge him. He will be the one to finish the work his great-grandfather started in destroying the Air Nomads.
And the destruction of the little group of friends would be easy enough. That weakling son of his would certainly be no challenge.
Ozai’s eyes glanced far into the distance, not seeing the horizon, but instead his new world.
A new order built from ashes in his image, the Phoenix King.
~*~
Title: Fears and Sacrifice
Fandom: Star Wars
Characters: Owen Lars, Beru Lars
Timeframe: Episode IV: A New Hope
Theme: Crewe & the Soldier - A Little Princess soundtrack
~*~
Owen is still looking for Luke when he spots the procession heading for the homestead, and his blood runs cold.
The Empire, like the Republic before it, has never bothered with Tatooine much. It’s been a periphery presence compared to the more tangible Hutt rule on the planet.
So stormtroopers on Tatooine are pretty much unheard of.
He’s racing back towards home, to Beru, and he feels like his nightmares are coming true. He can only think of one reason for Imperials out here.
Luke.
He’d harboured this fear for nineteen years, ever since Kenobi had arrived with the infant. He couldn't say no, though. Not to Beru who had held Luke with such tenderness, the boy soothing the wounds in her soul of her inability to carry a child of their own. He couldn’t say no to the boy, innocent and peaceful, who was Shmi’s grandson.
So he had accepted his new role of Uncle. And he loved the boy, more than he knew how to express, despite all the stubbornness and arguments he gave him.
He’s at the homestead only minutes ahead. Beru looks at him, a sad acceptance in her eyes. They know that this is their end.
“Thank Stars he’s not here,” Beru murmurs as Owen holds her close.
Owen’s agreement is non-verbal, not trusting himself to speak.
The first firebomb is launched at the homestead.
~*~
Title: Into the Abyss
Fandom: Tomorrow when the War Began
Characters: Kevin, Corrie
Characters: Book 1/end of movie
Theme: O-Negative - Breaking Dawn soundtrack
~*~
This was never meant to happen. Not to them. Not here.
Kevin supposes that all people say that when everything goes to hell in a hand-basket, though. But really, who expects a war to suddenly land on them?
The plan was crazy. It was almost a worry that Homer had thought about this before. This night has been moments of boredom, with only pure terror and adrenaline keeping them going. But somehow, it looks like it might actually work.
Then Corrie gasps in pain, and Kevin’s sees the blood as he moves to put Corrie in front.
He’s never prayed so hard until this moment.
On inspection of the wound, it’s so much worse. The bleeding won't stop, and she's losing consciousness. He knows what Homer’s saying is rational, but he can’t leave her. He already did that once, and he swore he’d never do it again. Ellie, he knows, agrees with him, and he sees the forgiveness in her eyes for that earlier discretion when he says he's taking her in himself.
He knows that driving into Wirrawee is a one way trip. But if he can spin a convincing story, a remote farm accident for instance, Corrie can live.
He wonders if he’ll see any of the group again.
But to him even the slightest chance of life had to be taken.
~*~