#cold reception

I actually headcanon them with no powers at all.

Yep!

I even left hints and context clues to what it was in Cold Reception too…

Bold of you to assume it was the Galactic DNK. They’re gone too.

And bolder of you to assume it was destroyed.

In the context of my fanfics, and general approach to writing them as leaders, the breakdown would probably be as follows:

Rachel was more bureaucratic, or “by the book” because she believed what the book was about: kids fighting adult tyranny and oppression. However, she also knew the book inside-out, and at her peak, would use its obscure loopholes to get things done in unconventional, even sometimes revolutionary, ways.

Abby was serve first, lead second. In a lot of ways, it was inspired by aspects of Rachel’s leadership: striving to helping others but sometimes at the cost of putting them before your own needs. When it was time to lead, she always tried to do so by example.

And in the context of my AU/headcanons and Cold Reception, Kuki led by knowing when to delegate, collaborate, and knowing when to hold your hand to assure you everything’s gonna be okay, then taking the leap of faith herself to show you why you should believe in the happy ending.

The more I think on it, they’re probably all spending as much of as possible with Hoagie considering it’s the first time they’ve been able to in at least 2 years.

Except Nigel. Poor guy drew the short straw and got stuck with babysitt—BODY-GUARDING a group of delegates from the Andromeda HQ. Someone needs to make sure their eyes stay moist as they watch 4th-Dimensional paint dry (it’s an involved process. Takes about 3 Earth weeks to finish.)

…luckily, the holiday dates fell on the weekend that year! Which meant Rachel was able to surprise him by sleeping over and bringing presents from the gang along with pre-recorded video messages of how much they missed him. Also Harvey. He neutrally gave Nigel cookies as a peace offering—store bought, but it’s the thought that counts.

Now, was she allowed to do that? No. Yet, Infinity strangely never filed the disciplinary action form-order and Lizzie felt it wise to not look a gift horse in the mouth.

Here’s hoping GKND officially recognizes Earth holidays in time for next year.

Thank you for the compliment and I’m glad you liked my interpretation, but there are valid reasons the Sanban parents are villainized and I implore you not to be too dismissive of criticism of them portrayed as-is in the show; they are by no means functional or model caretakers.

Buying excessive toys for your kids is not a substitute for genuine love/affection and proper parenting.

The short (and sort of twist answer) is that it wasn’t the decommissioning itself that traumatized Harvey or caused him to retreat inward. Rachel leaving had a lot to do with it tho.

tldr: there’s a lot of subtext I put in about the McKenzie household and how dysfunctional it is. I promise it’s there. BUT there’s a lot more I cut for length that I’m working on revealing soon.

Also a lot of things Rachel did to try and make Harvey’s life as an operative easier ended up unintentionally making it worse, standard miscommunication, etc etc.

And yes! The parallels are intentional. Meant to speak to the “ideal child” being a propped up husk that’s “seen and not heard”.