"Do You Think I Could Use Horseradish As Fuel?"

"Do you think I could use horseradish as fuel?"

Kara paused in her hammering to cast the alien an apprehensive look, "It depends on how advanced your technology is."

"We don't usually rely on vegetables for powering up our spaceships, but this one- this one glows..." the alien trailed off, frowning at the luminous tuber clutched in her hands.

"Your vegetables aren't of the glowing kind?"

The alien offered an overwhelmed shrug.

"Will you show me another cool transmutation trick? From vegetable to fuel?"

Something creased the thin line of the alien's mouth, "That was just dried grape fruit. Astronaut foods. It wasn't a real sugar cube, it just looked like one."

Kara didn't frown back. She offered an helpless shrug instead, one that made the hammer slip out of her clammy grip. The tool plummeted to the ground, awkward and way too loud for what was going on. The alien chuckled at her clumsiness, sniffling and Kara ignored the wet note stuck in her voice.

The air grew quiet as Kara turned to stand shoulder to shoulder with the lost castaway. Together, they stared at the crumpled skeleton of the spaceship as smoke slowly rose from its corpse.

The alien crouched to toss back the horseradish in its crate, where other vegetables were mutely glowing in a rainbow of neon colours. The movement shifted the tattered bandage fastened around her head.

"It's not like-" Kara extricated her sweaty fingers around the hammer's handle, hoping that freedom of movement would improve her eloquence, "I mean, even if you had fuel, it's not like you could fly with a gaping hole in your flank, right?" she muttered, awkwardly pinching the side of her wrist.

The alien's shoulders just deflated, the slope of her spine tilting. Fingertips nervously drumming the side of the hammer, Kara felt she had never known such helplessness before.

(Maybe once.)

"Look, Lena-" the name rumbled like a sticky vibration on Kara's tongue, unfamiliar with the strangeness of such a foreign tonality. By the passing expression on the alien's face, the same weird feeling must have resounded in her ears.

Feeling a bubble of unease burst in her chest, Kara gnawed on her bottom lip. "It's going to be okay," she pressed, "Next time the cargo ship comes, you can come with me to the market. I'm sure you'll find something for repairs and-and..."

Lingering words got lost in the stark profile that Lena cast over rows of drooping gladiolus, under the twinkling light of the pair of suns. Kara swallowed, fighting the distinct urge to hug the lost alien, who was merely a stranger with a crashed spaceship and frowning lines.

"I promise."

But the frown didn't lift from Lena's forehead, settling deeper in the circles in her eyes. Kara had never encountered such a frowny alien before.

She fell silent, dreading whatever clunky attempt at comfort her mouth would sprout next.

(She used to be better at this.)

She aligned her knuckles back in her grip around the hammer and turned back to work. She let herself get lost in the rhythm of mindless hammering, palming dark veins in wooden planks. There was always something to mend or repair around the farm, dull tasks that became plain boring during the sourer days. But Kara didn't mind the dust and the boredom, she liked the hard work. Making something with her hands.

It took Lena three boards and seventeen nails to turn away from the broken remains of the spaceship.

"What are you doing?" she asked quietly, tugging at the loose end of one of her sleeves.

Kneeling in the dirt, Kara tossed an easy smile over her shoulder, grateful for the lighter tone of Lena's question. "Oh! Just trying to fix this pond. It’s been leaking something awful and I could hardly keep it full.”

Lena still looked caught up in her head, but Kara couldn't help a relieved breath when Lena sat down with her on the naked ground, legs folding over each other. The slope of her shoulders curled inwards.

"I was worried the ducks wouldn't have liked it anymore with such little water," Kara continued, conversational, eyes flicking to a grease stain on Lena's forearm.

Lena didn't reply to that. She just changed her position, the white of her pants brushing against the ground. It painted a smudge of dirt on the cloth, the only dainty pair of trousers Kara had been able to salvage from the crash and the blood. It was a pity to stain such a rich fabric, but living on a farm did tend to have that effect on things. And on people, too.

She looked like a lost person, with her crossed legs and closed eyes. Like a fragment of a star in a galaxy of asteroids.

Turning on the water to refill the pond, Kara straightened with a jolt, head snapping up. A couple of bones cracked in her back and elbow as she released a satisfying sigh. Cheek cradled in one hand, Lena peeked at her from the corner of one eye, "Ouch," she winced, offering a tight grin.

Kara shrugged cheekily. She rummaged for a moment through the pebbles at her feet, before choosing a single rock and weighed it in her hand. It was flat and small and she could hold it in one palm.

Lena's gaze got lost in the repetitive movement of the water, until Kara tossed the pebble across the surface of her newly repaired pond, watching it glumly sink in the middle of lazy ripples.

Lena turned to face her, both eyes open. Kara felt herself blushing under her stare, "I was trying to skip a rock."

"It didn't skip."

The blush reached the tips of Kara's ears.

"Why would you do that?"

Shuffling closer to the pond, Kara knelt to inspect the mended planks, if only to hide the redness dusted on her cheeks, "I thought it would skip."

A huff of laughter reached her ears and Kara watched the shards of a smile paint itself across Lena's frown. It was the first time she could see a trace of pure joy in the alien's smile. She should have tried to skip rocks earlier.

When Lena's laughter grew into a comfortable silence, Kara turned back towards the setting suns. She had just enough time before darkness to check on the grapevines, to check the soil for-

"Oh."

Kara watched as Lena's lips morphed into a mou of surprise.

A chaotic procession of ducks suddenly unfolded in front of them, a fluttery of green feathers. Two, three, six animals wandered past the pair, wobbling unsteadily on webbed feet. Only the bravest of the flock hobbled close to Lena to inspect the frayed hem of her nice pants.

"Uuuh," Lena's hand hovered.

"Ssh," Kara shushed gently, "I think he likes you."

The curious duck hesitated maybe three more seconds before he blinked his purple irises at Lena, batting one eyelid at a time. He lifted one wing and started preening. The other ducks were swimming lazy circles in the pond.

Kara leaned back on her feet to stare, flashing a proud smile.

Lena didn't meet her eye, busy doing some simple math under her breath. "He has... four wings."

Hammer tucked back in her belt, Kara sat again in the dirt, sending a fleeting apology to the grapevines, "Yes," the duck fluttered his wings, "You've never seen a duck before?"

"Of course I have- of course," said Lena, and then hesitated for a handful of choppy seconds, "We have ducks on... back on my home planet, but these... I've never seen alien ducks before."

Kara wrinkled her nose, "These aren't alien ducks," she pointed out.

"Of course they are, Kara. They have four wings, four-"

"That doesn't make them aliens."

"Ducks have two wings, Kara, two! Not four. Back on my...," she stumbled, "Back on..."

The first of the two suns the planet orbited around disappeared under the horizon, a trail of magenta embers left behind.

The breath that pushed out of Lena was long, sharp and Kara noticed the way it took another chip of tension out of her body. It dissolved into a hiccuping laughter, like syrupy bubbles clawing their way out of her throat. Lena kept chuckling even when her eyes filled with tears.

Done with his preening, the duck ambled towards the pond, tail wagging, his animal heart too young to comprehend the entirety of Lena's splintered feelings. Kara felt more in tune with him for a cursory instant.

Lena leaned back on her elbows, "I'm an alien."

Kara wondered if there was mercy in discovering another part of your soul, lost in such a minuscule place.

When Lena's tears dried, they revealed an hesitant grin buried underneath.

More Posts from Arckee-dreams and Others

4 years ago

How would one write a realistic argument?

How to Write a Realistic Argument

image

Everyone argues.

Whether it be with a friend, sibling, parent, or coworker—arguments usually break out whenever there’s a stark contrast in opinion over certain things, which can happen a lot.

There are a variety of different kinds of arguments involving a wide range of people with different tempers. Because of this, writing arguments can be a bit difficult, but fear not, for this post is here to help!

1. Know The Writing Style of an Argument

image

For a very serious argument, the characters probably won’t stop and listen to what their opponent has to say.

It’s quick, choppy, and broken—each character shoving their emotions at one another and trying to get their point across without bothering to understand the other side’s opinions.

There should be a lot of em-dashes and italicized words for emphasis, and if it’s between two people, you want as few speech tags as possible; because there’s going to be a lot of back and forth, speech tags can serve to trip up the flow of the argument rather than help them.

When you do want speech tags or if there are multiple people arguing at once here’s some examples you can use:

Roared

Screamed

Yelled

Bellowed

Barked

Hissed

Shouted

Accused

Interrupted

Growled

Snarled

Spat

Screeched

Shrilled

But you also must know that your characters won’t just be standing stock still and yelling at one another; they’re going to be moving around, so here are some things you can describe your character doing during an argument

Expression contorting

Eyes narrowing

Speaking through clenched teeth

Baring their teeth

Lips twisting (into a sneer/into a snarl)

Hands balling into fists

Trembling

Breaking things/knocking stuff over

Pointing accusingly

Shoving

Spittle flying from their mouth

Stamping their feet

Face getting hot

Vein in forehead popping

Blood roaring in their ears/heart pounding

And if you want, to build tension you can put it in a dangerous place, like at the edge of a cliff or something—so you know fully well that if one of them goes too far it may end up with the other’s accidental death.

Keep reading


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4 years ago
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

This necklace - a dark blue band with a silver pendant - was a promise, more than anything. A promise Asami intended to make to Korra that meant forever. That meant no matter how often the world called on Korra to save it, Asami would be here for her, waiting and ready to tend to her wounds and find her smile again.

Asami and Korra found their happy ending. If only the world would let them enjoy it.

So, for the first time in almost six years, I’m writing Korrasami again. To say that I’m nervous would be a MASSIVE understatement lol. Either way, Korra and Asami have completely taken over my life again and I’m thrilled about it. I had to write more - and I really wanted to dip my toes back into canon even though it’s scary. I’m not as knowledgable about the Avatar world as I probably should be writing this, but if you can forgive a few canonical slips ups here and there, I hope to tell you a fun story.

This story will have…a lot. The plot is wild and a little bit all over the place but the main focus remains the same, Korrasami.

It’s set into the future, and has elements from the comics in the like (SPOILER) President Zhu Li and a few characters are thrown in like Commander Guan, but the actual events of the comics aren’t canon here (even though I love them).

Anyway, that’s more than enough out of me. I really hope you like this one - it’s been a while…

This Necklace - A Dark Blue Band With A Silver Pendant - Was A Promise, More Than Anything. A Promise

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4 years ago
West Texas Panhandle [OC][3024x4032] - Author: Ashtondrewburnettt On Reddit

West Texas Panhandle [OC][3024x4032] - Author: ashtondrewburnettt on reddit


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4 years ago

the first of many I love yous


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4 years ago

lena just gets on with her life every episode even tho shes been manipulated into horrible situations by her abusive mother and almost murdered by her brother several times WHILST getting blamed for everything they do NOT TO MENTION been thrown off a fucking balcony and been absolutely sure that she would die in the fall yet she ISNT EVEN FAZED by it is honestly?? unrealistic


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4 years ago
Femslash February 2017
Femslash February 2017

Femslash February 2017

4. Korrasami

Full View Twitter


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4 years ago

Korrasami Week Day Six

Okay, I don’t quite like how this turned out. But, since I lost the momentum of Korrasami Week, I forced myself to write this one and post it. So, here it is. Enjoy :)

-------------

Prompt: future

Dear Asami,

I am flattered you wrote to me about this. What it feels like, loving an Avatar. How to be true to someone who will always put the world first. I shall do my best in aiding you.

The first thing I wish to write is this: you are entitled to ignore everything I say in this letter.

Life taught me that all lovers are inventors when they build a relationship, made of words, sighs, memories, touches. Every person is different, inherently so. It cannot be true that my love for Aang will be the same as yours for Korra.

Despite this, I can understand your concerns.  I promise I will do my best to meet them.

I believe it was fundamental to me to learn to love both Aang and the Avatar as the same person. This probably sounds confusing, so let me try to explain.

When I met Aang for the first time, frozen in that iceberg, I saw the Avatar. Not Aang, but the Avatar. It was a difficult truth to admit, one I recognized only many years later. The girl in me was fascinated by him, possibly starstruck. I was thrilled of being the one who had found him after a hundred years. I was sure he would save us all from the Fire Nation.

But he was just a child.

I was a child.

I had to grow a lot before even entertaining the idea of a relationship with him. We both had to. That first journey to master the different bendings had been a starting point for us, for our relationship. A start.

After those first days, the Avatar became Aang. And I started seeing Aang first, then the Avatar.

You might believe that to be the correct way to love an Avatar. It is not. Seeing first Aang - or Korra - and then the Avatar means denying an important aspect of their being, of their essence. You might see this in the simplest things, like spending an anniversary together or going on vacation. Other times it's rather unpleasant, like being separated for months and years to build a new city while you have to raise your children alone.

Asami, Korra is everybody's person. She has to be, because the world will always need her. They keep asking and digging for resources and answers and demands. I saw this with my Aang and now I see the same reflected in Korra.

But, my dear Asami, if Korra is everybody's person, who's gonna be hers? Everybody needs a person.

And, if I still know Korra, she'll argue about her being enough for herself. Don't listen to her and instead, make her listen to you. She's strong and stubborn, our girl, and even though she grew so much in these past few years, she will need someone to stand beside her.

You have to be Korra's rock, so she can be everybody else's rock.

There's a reason why both Aang and Korra surrounded themselves with loyal friends, team Avatar.

But I am sure you are already aware of all of that, or else you wouldn't have kept writing all those letters even without reply. Or offered to come and visit the South Pole during Korra's recovery.

Or stand back when she asked to do all of this alone.

Don't be surprised if I know of these events, Asami. This old waterbender still has a couple of tricks up her sleeves to keep track of her family.

Now, I won't lie and say things were always perfect between me and Aang.

We had our fair share of arguments, believe me. Communication is key, as it should be in all relationships, but I believe this is mostly true in our special case. I still cherish the memories of me and Aang talking at the end of the day, about everything and nothing, surrounded only by stars.

That is the reason, Asami, why I believe you are deeply wrong when you write that you feel you have to withheld your problems and thoughts from Korra for fear of burdening her. I know it might sound tempting to bottle everything up, shielding behind the weak reasoning of 'She is the Avatar. She has so many other things going on with the rest of the world, how could my issues compare to hers? Be of any importance?'

You're not the first to think along those lines.

Only because you have to be Korra's rock so she can be the best Avatar, it doesn't mean your feelings matter less. Despite having many people asking for her attention, you'll be the first one Korra wishes to spend time with, the one she confides into. Equally, you have to trust her with your feelings.

This is what means loving Korra as both Korra and the Avatar.

By not confiding your thoughts, you are creating a disequilibrium in your relationship. Simply because you aren't treating her as equal to you. Even though your intentions might come from good, Korra is your partner and you have to trust she'll be with you for every step of your journey. She can and wants to deal with your problems, as petty as they seem.

I learned this after a particular harsh fight with Aang, not too long after Kya's birth.

I was tired of feeling alone, especially in Aang's disappointment. He wished to have a child who could airbend like him, but Kya revealed to be a strong bright eyed waterbender from a young age. And while Aang didn't love her or Bumi any less, his desire for a new Air Nation was almost too strong, sometimes. There was a part of him that couldn't help but feel disappointed. Not because of me, nor for the children, but mostly himself.

It all comes down to legacy, in a sense.

Aang wished to rebuild the Air Nation. Korra lost her connection to all her previous lives and the next Avatar will have only her to rely to.

They are two different events, but connected nonetheless. Being the only bearer of a whole world feels overwhelming.

Both cannot be obtained by living alone, though. I believe I have some merits in restoring the Air Nation: I helped Aang with all of myself, after all. (Do not think of me as vain when I write this, Asami, because I have reached an age where I can say everything I believe, without caring about social norms. I may have picked up a couple of things from Toph in all these years.)

Similarly, Korra will need help. Sadly, my old bones do not quite agree with modern technology, but I am sure a brilliant mind loke yours can find a way to maintain Korra's memories and feelings alive, beside the spiritual plane. After all, and I know Korra herself is worried, nobody really knows what happened with Raava and if Korra will be able to talk with her future lives.

You are the future, Asami. Alongside with Korra and the rest of your friends.

And I am sure the world couldn't be in better hands.

With love, and say hi to Korra for me,

Katara


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4 years ago
..may This Joke Land With Y’all The Same Way It Did For My Sister And I Lol
..may This Joke Land With Y’all The Same Way It Did For My Sister And I Lol
..may This Joke Land With Y’all The Same Way It Did For My Sister And I Lol
..may This Joke Land With Y’all The Same Way It Did For My Sister And I Lol
..may This Joke Land With Y’all The Same Way It Did For My Sister And I Lol
..may This Joke Land With Y’all The Same Way It Did For My Sister And I Lol

..may this joke land with y’all the same way it did for my sister and I lol

4 years ago
A College Au Lena

A college au Lena


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arckee-dreams - The tortoise jumps in the lake with dreams of being a sea turtle
The tortoise jumps in the lake with dreams of being a sea turtle

Marbles and random things I enjoy

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