#pre-canon

Bobby drops Evan off for his first deployment

Stede Bonnet is wrongfully imprisoned in a Barbados drunk tank. His cellmate is a handsome stranger who wants to kiss him. Then they get out of jail and someone gets railed!

Certainly not, I would never think it!

Alternate first meeting? I think yes!

I generally like my personal headcanon of Melshi as a working-class grunt who likes to learn all the things. But the idea of him as a journalist came up in the Discord chat and I thought it sounded like fun to play with.

Making Conversation

6 BBY

It started to pour just as the concert wrapped up. By the time Kleya came out of the concert hall, holding her cloak over her head, most of the taxis had been snapped up. She cursed and looked around for something to stand under, but just then a taxi turned the corner and pulled up to the curb.

She dashed across the plascrete, dodging puddles. The driver popped open the door and got out, holding an umbrella over her head and letting the rain soak him.

She wiped her face clear of rain water, tipping her chin up to look at the taxi driver. He was built like a shockball player, all broad shoulders and long limbs. "Can you go out to the Gravnis Hotel?" she asked. Some of the taxi drivers on this planet had very specific boundaries.

But he said promptly, "I can go anywhere you like, love." He had a strong Stewjoni accent.

"I'm not your love," she said. "What's your rate?"

"Cell," he says. "My crew have problem with cells. Many many cells die. Not infection. Not injury. No reason. But not me. Never me. Why, question? I not know."

*** *** ***

From a planet orbiting the fading Eridani 40, a crew of twenty-three Eridians board a ship, and start the long journey towards the blazing star Tau Ceti, hoping to find the solution to their dying star, thereby saving their world from extinction. They are the best and brightest on their planet, and while they are nervous, hope and camaraderie are high.

And then, one by one, and then all at once, they begin to sicken.

Except for one.

—————-

sly

by: feral_faucet e | 20k | eruri

Levi guessed that was the closest thing to thanks he would receive from Erwin tonight. He looked - well, he looked uncomfortable. Poor Erwin, no experience with women of the night. He was lucky to have a friend like Levi. “Well,” Levi said, putting his empty glass on the table. “I had best be off. I bid you both a lovely evening.” As he made his way to the door, Erwin moved - to walk him to the door? Levi couldn’t tell - Erwin had halted and stood awkwardly. He had a strange look on his face, constipated, concerned…Perhaps he wanted to thank Levi but didn’t want to be rude in front of Delilah? It was really quite charming how awkward Erwin had become in the presence of a whore. Levi decided to put him out of his misery. “You’re welcome, Erwin.” He said as he opened the door. “Enjoy.”

summary: After an unsuccessful expedition that leaves Erwin stressed, Levi misinterprets a comment from Hange and takes it upon himself to set Erwin up with a woman of the night…not knowing that what Erwin needs is something else entirely.

The Yellow Pagoda Tree

“There was a— a school, yeah. A government-sponsored academy. We had never even heard of it but it had the most exciting program, the most challenging. We could have sent her anywhere; we had the money, but she wanted to go. She wanted to learn. She was fourteen.” “How'd you do it?” “Money. And... and luck.”

This is that tale; that tale of money and luck.

Money. And, and luck—and preparation. The sacrifice of those who freed River Tam.

Read The Yellow Pagoda Tree on AO3

Rating: General Audiences Archive Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Status: In-Progress (part one of a two-part series)