recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Sash

## Meta

**Date:** mid-December 2021

**Setting:** the 1st Darling-Jones house

## Text

"You're joking, ay?" Charlie crosses her arms and tilts her head meaningfully toward her belly. "There's no way I fit out that window anymore."

"Au contraire, mon amour!" Jackson turns to the window and fiddles with a clip inside the sash.

The upper pane pops free in his hands.

He sets the glass aside.

Another quick movement and the other pane comes loose to join its twin on the floor.

Voilà!" Jackson gestures to the empty frame with a flourish. Grins. "Leaving me home unsupervised has some benefits."

"You've learned to take the house apart. Great."

Jackson rolls his eyes, then scrambles out onto the porch roof. "Just give me your hands," he huffs.

Charlie puffs a sigh. Takes Jackson's hands and lets him lift her through the window.

She takes a controlled fall onto the shingles.

Jackson slides down beside her, stretches his legs, wraps an arm around Charlie, and pulls her close.

She hums.

He brushes a kiss against her temple. "I love you," murmurs Jackson.

"I love /**you**," she replies. "Even when you drag me out of bed before the sun's up."

"Hey! /**I'm** not the one who did the waking!" He pats her stomach. "That's all on the bean."

"Few days and you can talk about it face-to-face with them."

"Yep."

"Can't wait." Charlie rests her head on Jackson's shoulder as the sun peeks over the horizon.

"Me, either."
Liu and Meta

## Hiding the Tang clan

Liu takes a somewhat reckless approach to hiding the entire tiny Tang clan (he assumes the PPDC'll come after all the other cousins and then the aunts and uncles and then the grandparents) by sifting them/their identities into the big Tang Clan over a six-month period (that's the reckless part 'cause the plan can get found out). I would imagine the most hellbent organization would think twice about engaging a 25000+ person family.

Good lord, no, I wouldn't wanna mess with that. Especially when there are smaller families to go after.
Lamb

Name at birth
 Romantic & sexual orientation
 Language(s)
 Nickname(s)
 Build
 Hair
 Eyes

Maybe Sydney's best liar, er, actress.

## Special skills

* highly skilled actress
* exceptionally cool under pressure and able to think well on her feet
* morally flexible

## Quirks

* childish when beaten at anything she views as a competition or when she doesn't get her way
Jupiter arc (meta)

## Intervention

Juliet wants to do an independent blood and substance test on Charlie. She (Juliet) talked it over with Jamie who asked Liu who agreed. Juliet's also going to nab Charlie's prescription record and samples of each. They're going to find, as we know, a lot of what Charlie's taking doesn't match with the record.

## Ash

Part of the doctor's incentive for Charlie to keep Jupiter was a promise of second (and third!) opinions. They don't interfere with those but they /do plant someone in the pharmacy who swaps out prescriptions for the ones they want, they develop fabric-like circuitry gear that would go unnoticed in a blanket or heavy PJs, and I'm pretty sure they spike something with very mild tranquilizers that make her /just tired enough that acting out's too much of a bother. Also, lots of bedrest "because of reasons" (she's really stressed. Stress and babies don't go well together).

## Media

After Jupiter's born (like within the first week), does the PPDC try to get a picture of the three of them for the news? "On the eve of his deployment to Hong Kong, Ranger Jackson Jones of Vulcan Specter welcomed his new baby, Jupiter, with his wife of x years, Charlotte Darling, at the [hospital], early/late [date]." kinda thing?

I ... I think they do. All kinds of warm fuzzies in the press for the Corps and will make sure that when Jackson and Logan are killed (and the Corps knows they will be) it will be very tragic and heroic. Beautiful wife, orphans, a baby who'll never know Dad, yadda yadda. Lord only knows how many pictures they'll snap at the funeral.

Let's say, then, that the newborn portrait happens between "Smuggled" and "On Parting". Jackson looks /awful and he's weepy (stress of what he'll tell Charlie) and 'omg i do get to see Jupiter again!!!!') (Call it "Cassini", maybe? After one of the satellites that took pictures of the planet?)

Perfect dating for the portrait. And, yeah, Jackson would be a total wreck for the picture. Have to go with two kilos of makeup this time.

Two kilos of /waterproof makeup!

Yup!
Morning Person

Jackson slowly surfaces, grumbling.

Turns a bleary eye on his phone.

There is a bookcase where there shouldn't be a bookcase.

He stares at the bookcase.

He—is not awake enough to ponder bookcases.

He drops his face to the pillow and sighs.

This ... this doesn't smell like home.

Smells like ... Charlie.

Oh.

He grins into the pillow.

Rattling from the kitchen.

He squints at the bedside clock.

Five A.M.

Rubs his eyes, tries again.

Five A.M.

What. The. Fuck.

He drags himself out of bed, threads all of his limbs through the proper holes in yesterday's clothes, staggers in the direction of the noise.

"'morning," greets Charlie without looking away from the kitchen counter.

Jackson's reply degenerates into a jaw-cracking yawn.

Charlie snorts.

"Always awake so early?" Jackson croaks, drops into a chair.

"Only need five hours of sleep. Ish."

"You're fuckin' kidding." Jackson scrubs at his face.

"Nope."

Hot toast appears in front of him.

He perks up a little.

"It's Vegemite."

He perks up considerably, manages a bite.

/*Kachuck*, says the toaster.

Cupboard opens.

"Tea'll be ready in a couple of minutes."

Dishware rattles.

Jackson swallows. "Have any—" Yawns. "—decaf?"

Charlie settles in the other chair. "You're kidding."

"Don't touch caffeine."

Charlie lifts an eyebrow,

"Twitchy," he mumbles.

"Huh."

"What?"

"Would think a morning person like you would mainline the stuff."

/*Kachuck*, says the toaster.

Charlie gets up. "More toast?"

"'es pease."

More hot toast appears on his plate.

Jackson feels far too much emotion towards that piece of toast.

A jar of Vegemite materializes next to his plate.

Jackson hears wedding bells.

"Anything to drink?"

"Juice?" Jackson reaches for the jar and knife.

Dishware rattles.

Fridge opens.

"Apple okay?"

"'fank you." Jackson finishes applying wonderful burgundy goop to toast.

A glass clinks into being by his plate.

Jackson hums, manages the lid on the Vegemite.

Charlie sits back down. "Maybe you should try it again."

"Sleepy's better."

"Uh huh."

"Mrh?"

Charlie raises an eyebrow at the Vegemite jar, its lid askew. "So you have some fine motor control?"

Swallows. "Weren't complaining last night," he pouts.

"Last night you weren't sleeping with your eyes open."

Jackson huffs.
Escapee

The play sounds take on a sudden, negative tone; Griet and Charlie glance out the window just in time to see Jupiter, crown listing precariously, making a break across the yard, crawling, as babies are wont to do, far faster than her pudgy frame would suggest.

"It seems their princess is in another [kestle]," remarks Griet.

Charlie puts her teacup down quickly, dabs at her nose.

Anniek tears after Jupiter, wings fluttering madly.

A squirmy baby, however, can easily down opponents over twice her size which is exactly what happens and Jupiter resumes crawling.

Baby tries next, ends up doing a somersault when Jupiter mistakes legs for a gate and crawls right through.

Then Izzy has the bright idea to get their chariot and load Jupiter into it but Jupiter will not be denied and the whole thing starts again three minutes later.
Budding scraps

## Morning

Inspired by Rabbit scraps#Fawn and the subsequent tweak to Transplant

Nurse Minty gets the door, presents a row of pair desks by the far wall.

"Thanks," says Blossom.

The nurse smiles. "I'll be back in seventy-five to take you to tea," she chirps.

Blossom feels a smile, too. "Thank you!"

"You're very welcome," sings Nurse Minty. "See you!"

Blossom sorta waves, heads to an empty seat. "May I sit here?"

The person stirs, blinks sleepily. "Mmm?"

"May I sit here?"

"Go for it," they reply, voice gravelly. "So long as you don't mind me expanding over term."

"Expanding?" Blossom sits.

Nurse Minty waves.

Blossom waves back.

Nurse Minty leaves.

"Yeeep." Huge sigh. "I'm pregnant."

"Congrats?"

The person snorts.

"You don't want to be pregnant?"

"No. And I was getting an abortion but." Mouth goes tight. "They're paying me a lot to bring it to term, so."

"In this economy..."

"Yea." Chin on hand, elbow on desk.

Blossom arranges her pencils.

"What about you?"

"Wha?"

"You pregnant, too?"

"What? God, no. I--" Blossom swallows. "I have abdominal cancer."

"Christ. Sorry."

"S'okay. I--" Blossom clears her throat. "I should be okay."

## Homework

Inspired by a thought I had ... possibly in the last week.

Blossom jerks awake, sits straight, forces her eyes open as wide as they go.

She never slept through her classes in Townsville, she's certainly not going to start--

""Miss Collocott?""

Blossom jerks awake. "Yes?"

"Have you thought at all about an outline?" asks the instructor--

/Crap.

"No--"

"That's fine, Miss Collocott."

"Sorry, I've been really tired lately--"

"Miss Collocott, it's fine. You're going through a difficult process, and we've plenty of time before you start teaching."

Blossom sags. "Thanks."

"Would you like me to call someone to take you back to your room?"

"That would ... that would actually be really great," says Blossom.

The instructor smiles kindly, pats her hand.
SwanCon 51

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</noinclude>

"Stop fiddling—" Jamie swats Logan's hand away from his long, blond wig. "—with it. It's perfect!"

Logan grumbles, adjusts his bodice.

"Knock that off or I'll tighten your laces," threatens Jamie.

Logan responds with an obscene gesture, demands, "Why isn't one of the shes wearing this?"

Jamie smirks. "Because you drew the 'Buttercup' straw, Buttercup."

"It was rigged," Logan growls.

"A fixed contest?" Jamie smooths his brocade coat. "Incon/**cei**vable!"

Logan rolls his eyes.

Jackson ambles in, idly swinging his skinny sword. ["Lookin' good, Princess."

"Prepare to die, Jack."

"That's /**my** line," snickers Jackson.

Logan demonstrates another obscene gesture.

Jackson snorts.] "We all ready?"

"Just about," replies Jamie. "We're waiting [on] the kids."

"Here we are!" chirps Book, bouncing in.

Logan takes in the ears and whiskers. "What're you supposed to be?"

"We're Rodents of Unusual Size!" squeaks Izzy.

"Let's get this over with," grumps Logan, stomping for the door.

He only trips on the hem of his dress once on the walk to the con floor.

They turn into Artist's Alley.

""/**BUTTERCUP!!!**""

Logan whirls, eyes huge. "Oh /**fuck** n—"

Bubbles, black mask over her face, lifts Logan clean off his feet, swings him around, squealing in delight.

"Put. me. down."

"As you wish."
Fault

## Meta

**Timing:** if it makes the cut, a part or side story for "Birthday Present"

**Setting:** 1st Darling-Jones house

## Text

"Logan." Charlie jerks her head toward the kitchen.

He heaves himself to his feet{,} and strolls past her into the room.

Charlie places herself between Logan and the door, grabs a double-handful of his shirt, and leans her face very, very close to his.

[From this distance, Logan's eyes are ringed by the same sleepless-purple circles as Jackson's.]

Logan quirks an eyebrow.

"Listen /**very** carefully, idiot," snarls Charlie, "it's /**your** fault Jackson's caught up in this, so /**you're** going to protect him."

[He sniffs,] "And if I don't?"

"I will make sure you regret it."

Logan makes a show of considering, then his eyes take on a wolfish gleam. "I've got your permission to do whatever it takes?"

"Anything."

Logan studies her face. "You know what I can do, ay?"

"/**Anything.**"

He grins, nods.

She snaps a nod, releases him.

Logan smooths his shirt, gestures to Charlie to lead the way back to the family room.

She does.
Andrea and Meta

## Andrea’s coveralls

If the Darling-Jones family cosplays, then Andrea's Kaylee.

Andrea /would own coveralls with a teddy bear on them, wouldn't she? XD

I will put money on her having a pair in the main 'verse. They're not quite Kaylee-cosplay, but they are damn close (ie dark grey, bear may be a chibi Jaeger, etc).

These coveralls must make an appearance at some point. XD

She wears them for almost the entirety of 'Napped, just a matter of describing them >\_< And identifying what applique she's stuck on.

Heh. Be easy enough to mention them when she gets to Medical. Nurse sympathetically points out there's blood on chibi!Jaeger. /More reason for her to want to kill Jackson. XD

Good plan!

## Family

Does Andrea have any siblings that you've seen so far?

I saw them awhile back; she has two, much, much older brothers and a much older sister. They all appear white, however, so I'm wondering if she's a foster kid or a parent remarried. They are cheerful and loud and no visitors are allowed to leave the house without staying for dinner.
Capes

## Meta

**Timing:** while Blossom's still in Sydney

**Setting:** CDL playroom

## Text

The guard buzzes Blossom through and she pushes her laundry cart into the reception area.

A teacher-type spots her, bustles over, "You have the blankets?"

"Yup!" Tilts her head toward the cart. "I grabbed every one we had down—"

"Thank /**good**ness," pants Teacher-ish. "The meltdown was going to be /**epic** if some of the kids had to go without." Deep breath, indicates a path to a far door.

Blossom nudges the cart into motion. "They take naptime seriously, ay?"

"Oh, these aren't for napping!" Opens the door with their hip. "They're capes for our little superheroes." Smiles. "The Rangers are here, so we're fighting monsters from outer space."

The cart rattles over the threshold and Blossom grins. "Good thing I grabbed a couple of big, green ones, then."

"That's /**perfect**!" Teacher-ish turns to the class, claps their hands. "Line up for your capes everyone!"

Shrieks of delight and a stampede of tiny feet.

Logan and Jack bring up the rear, corralling stragglers and encouraging a somewhat more linear queue.

"And what can I get for you two?" Blossom asks a pair of fluffy blonds who must be siblings.

"Blue, please," says the taller.

"I want green, please!" chirps the shorter.

"Let's see ...." Blossom fishes them out, hands them over. "Here you are."

"Thank you, Officer," says the taller.

"Thank you!"

They skip off.

Logan sidles over, a brown-skinned curly-top snuggled against his chest, bobs a greeting.

"Well, hello, Gorgeous," greets Blossom. "What colour cape would you like?"

The toddler goes vacant-eyed and perfectly still.

Logan squeezes gently, murmurs against a tiny ear, "'s'okay. She's cool."

Gorgeous uncurls a little, scans the blankets.

"I recommend the cotton-y ones," says Blossom. "They won't get icky if you sweat."

"Purple?"

"I have a cotton-y purple blanket. One sec—" Blossom rummages in the bottom of the cart, nearly topples—

Logan snorts a laugh.

—flails her way back out. "Here you go," she says quietly, offering the proper blanket.

Gorgeous tentatively takes it.

Logan tucks it around Gorgeous' shoulders.

Gorgeous purrs.

Blossom grins. "You're a right baby-whisperer, Ranger Jones."

Logan huffs, pinking slightly. "Not doing too bad yourself, PB."

""Everyone have their cape?"" calls Teacher-ish. ""Then, let's go save the city!""

Squeals and a stampede of feet.

"Duty calls, Ranger," prompts Blossom, grinning and tying the last green blanket around his neck.

Logan rolls his eyes, heads off.

Blossom chuckles, aims her empty cart for the door.
Giggles

From somewhere off to Chuck's right, Max whuffles.

Chuck grumbles, pulls the blankets over his head.

Max pants happily, clicks toward the foot of the bed.

Chuck groans.

Max ... giggles?

Chuck flings the comforter back, sits bolt upright.

Eight eyes stare back at him from the end of his bed--four blue, two green, two copper.

"What the--? I locked-- How the fuck--?" Chuck rubs his eyes.

The kids're still watching him, giggling behind their hands.

The cat just looks smug.

"Get outta my room, you little--!" roars Chuck.

The girls shriek, recoiling in perfect sync, and flee.

The cat flicks his tail and saunters out.

A few moments later, Griet knocks. "They were supposed to tell you [thet breakfest] is ready, if you want any."

"Is there Vegemite?"

"Of course."

Chuck sighs. "I'll be down in a minute."
Visitor's Chair

## Meta

**Timing:** 3rd or 4th quarter 2015?

**Setting:** Tam residence

## Text

Jackson knocks on the door of the Tam residence.

Two cameras focus on his face.

He waves.

Footsteps.

The door's thrown open.

"Hi!" says a brunet. "I'm Juliet! Nice to meet you.

"Nice to meet you, too. I'm J—"

"Jackson, yes—"

His heart trills.

"—you missed Charlie by aaabout five minutes."

"Oh."

"But, in ... two minutes—" Juliet swings a waterbottle. "—someone's gonna realize they for-got something~. So." Opens the door wider. "Give her ten minutes."

"Am I that predictable?"

Juliet makes a noncommittal sound, then brightens. "You wanna come in?"

"Thanks." Jackson does, takes off his shoes.

"Riiiiight there, please," Juliet points with a foot.

Onto the rack go his shoes.

"Have a seat."

Chair with blue painter's tape around the base of one leg.

A chunk of wall makes sounds as if it's unlocking and then it opens.

"Hey, Dad," says Juliet.

"Hey." Juliet's dad tries really hard to lean casually against the counter. "Who is this?"

"Gentleman caller of Charlie's. He's sitting in the visitor's chair and his shoes are with the others."

"Good." Juliet's dad attempts to make sure of this discreetly.

"He's a stranger, you can check."

"This is true." Juliet's dad steps quickly to the front.

"Anything to drink?" asks Juliet. "From the visitor's cup!

"Just water, please."

"Sure thing."

Juliet's dad ambles back, much more relaxed. "Have fun, kids."

"Shall do, thanks, Dad." Juliet hands Jackson a cup.

"Thanks." Jackson nods a greeting. "Nice to meet you."

"Eh." Juliet's dad hurries through the door and the locks engage.

~Six Minutes Later~

"Gimme a sec," says Juliet.

"Sure."

"Awesome." Shoots down the hallway.

The front door opens.

After a moment, Charlie comes into the kitchen—

"Hi," says Jackson.

—and isn't sure why he's here.

"It's Friday night?"

"Yea." Charlie snags her waterbottle off the table and heads to the sink.

"Where're you headed?"

"Out."

"Want company?"

"No."

Juliet skids back into the kitchen. "Hey, Charlie! Sunday already?"

"Waterbottle."

Juliet grins. "Really."

Charlie rolls her eyes.

"So, Jackson dropped by to see you."

Jackson waves.

"And I figured, since you're making like a tree over the weekend, maaybe you two could hang out the Thursday after next."

Jackson goes for 'cool.' "Sounds good to me."

"Fine."

"Great. Eighteen-thirty good for you, Jackson?"

"Should I bring anything?"

"I'll let you know," replies Juliet.

"Thanks." Jackson offers Charlie a smile.

"Cool." She leaves for the hall. "Later."

"Bye!"

"Have a nice trip!" calls Juliet.

A moment later, the door opens.

"Did /**not** mean to abandon you," says Juliet. "Sorry."

"Totally fine," Jackson replies.

"Phew. That went well!"

"Really?"

"Yup! That was 'I don't know why you're here,' not 'you're a threat I'm trying to get rid of.'"

"Oh." Jackson preens.

Juliet beams.
Matte

"Thanks," says Owen. "I'll take care of it." Disconnects, places another call.

""How may I direct your call?"" asks AGNIS.

"GLITTER, please."

""Transferring.""

""This is Aikenhead in GLITTER.""

"Owen again, that rogue Bubbles signal was from a loaned-out jumper and a pair of socks. Will you cancel [it], please?"

""Sure thing,"" replies Cooper. ""AGNIS, fulfill.""

""Blocking GLITTER signal from [name of suburb] pending confirmation.""

""Thanks, AGNIS.""

Owen sighs. "Thanks, Cooper." Terminates the call, takes a moment to wallow, then heads off towards the nearest Rangers' rooms, that being those of *Striker Eureka.*

 Owen knocks.

Ranger Hansen (right hemisphere) answers, ready for bed. "Yea?"

"Bubbles here?"

Ranger Hansen throws an eye over the suite, shakes his head.

"Thanks."

Ranger Hansen grunts, closes the door.

Owen checks all the other Rangers with no luck, then catches a lift on two different carts to the VS suite. "Is Bubbles—"

"Hey," she grins.

"There you are!"

"Uh, yea? All evening?"

Gagnon, coming down the hall, greets, "Officer Levey!"

"'Owen', please." Grins. "We're colleagues now."

"Then you need to call me 'Noah'."

"Deal."

{They shake on it.}

Noah asks, "What brings you here?"

Indicates Bubbles. "Getting her to bed."

Noah nods. "Same."

Logan calls. "Jack's already asleep."

"Cool. Bedtime for you, too."

Logan pushes to his feet, disappears down the hall.

Bubbles scoops up her backpack, stands. "Night, Buttercup!" Saunters to the door. "Night, Noah."

"Goodnight, Ranger," says Noah, closing the door. "Owen."

"Noah," Owen replies. Offers an arm to Bubbles, "Shall we?"

She takes it. "We shall."

.

 Tag!: Figure | GLITTER | Generic Black Socks | **Matte**
Kathleen Grainger

Pronouns
 Romantic & sexual orientation
 Language(s)
 Ethnicity
 Children

The Jones brothers' mother.

## Brief biography

A perfectionist and a bit of a narcissist. Often condescending in conversation.

## Quirks

* strives to maintain a perfectly decorated house and immaculately pruned garden

## Relationships

* Nanny (mother-in-law); Charlie (daughter-in-law); Book, Baby, & Jupiter (grandchildren)
The Blacklist (reference)

There /is a show called "The Blacklist" in Turtles and ANSK, however the characters' names are somewhat different because the people therein exist:

* Raymond "Red" Reddington is the Concierge of Crime, and he more often puts people in touch win Liu's people than vice versa
* Ressler is teased /mercilessly for his resemblance to Yancy Becket
Juliet (meta)

Did Juliet still join up in this universe? If so, is she still a Team Vulcan tech?

I don't think she did because I have an inkling that she works wherever Charlie does. And that she has a family connection to that place.

Got it. Interesting ...

I am nearly almost certain she /would have but she stuck around 'cause she and Charlie were friends and Charlie wasn't going to enlist.

Aha! This puts an interesting potential spin on Jackson's early attempts at wooing Charlie....

I like the idea of Charlie renting a room in Juliet's (parents?) house which would also go along way in helping Charlie do the whole 'social' thing. Whether or not that's just me liking the idea or what actually happens \*shrug\* (I accidentally deleted a folder on the home external harddrive and have lost all faith in anything I do).

Well, Juliet just inserted herself as a friend of Charlie's early on in the story, we'll have to see where they go after they finish dinner.

Eee! I'm glad to have had that thought ^u^

You should be glad!
Aftermath scraps

## Near Death

"Jack, so help me, if you do not shut up, I will punch you in the throat."

"We just had a near-death experience and now you want another one?"

## Nanny

"Come along."

"But Nanny--"

"Logan Patrick Jones, you are my grandson and I will /not lose you again."

Logan sighs, holds the door for Nanny, and trails her to her car.

## Chuckles

"Fuck, you two take wingmen seriously. Am I ever gonna be rid of you?"

"Last time I checked, /Chuckles, we actually have lives here. No idea why you're here."

"Right, that's obviously why your kid's telling Pietr 'n your mouse of a brother about their day and not you."
Jupiter Ascending

Charlie, Jackson, Juliet, and Lily go see a showing of /Jupiter Ascending at UoS.

This definitely takes place after "Wash".

"Hey," greets Charlie.

Jackson tries turning down his beam (fails), "Hi!"

Charlie (shoulders rigid, mouth tight) offers her mobile. "This's a nerd movie, yea?"

Jackson studies the picture of a poster of--

"Jupiter Ascending!" He shrieks, almost glomps Charlie, clears his throat. "Yea, it's a nerd movie. Not the /best nerd movie, that's--" Jackson's brain helpfully points something out, so he says, "It may actually be the best nerd movie at this time." Chin hands. "What about it?"

Charlie focuses on his nose. "Friday, the school shows movies for a couple dollars, and I have the night off." Eyes slide to his ear.

"I have two dollars."

"I have my ID."

[supposed to be Charlie asking Jackson to the movie in a rather awkward and evasive manner (because Charlie is nervous and her charisma tanked) but then I lost control of Jackson and the bit died]

.

"Which movie is the best nerd movie?"

"I was going to say Galaxy Quest but that's the best /Star Trek movie and didn't do nearly as much for feminism. And then there's the question of whether it did do a lot for feminism or if it was just super-refreshing after hearing the same old "hero's journey" rehashed a thousand times."
Loops

## Meta

**Timing:** between "Mail-order Bride" and Blossom leaving Sydney

**Setting:** Nanny's flat, breakfast time

## Text

Logan strolls into the kitchen of Nanny's flat. "Trade ye," he greets, offering Blossom a smallish package.

"Deal." Blossom twists in her chair, hoists Button into his arms, takes the box.

Button shrieks, 「Up!」, hauls himself onto Logan's shoulder.

Logan hisses quietly, gets a better grip on the squirmy thing, shifts Button back against his chest. "Easy, bean, that's my bad side—"

"I's sorry."

Smiles reassuringly. "'s'okay. Lemme help you up, though." Lifts from under Button's arms and settles him properly astride his shoulders.

Button cheers.

"Uh, Logan?" asks Blossom quietly.

"Yea?" Winces, loosens Button's grip on his hair.

"What's this?"

"Dunno. Found it, has your name on it, and didn't explode when I shook it." Shrugs.

Blossom blinks.

"What? You look pale as Derek."

Tilts the opened box.

Logan peers in.

Two silver rings; one on a loop of pink ribbon, the other tied with green.

Logan's world gets very, very grey and wobbly.

"Whoa, no! No passing out with baby!"

Logan shakes his head, forces himself to straighten. "I got it. 'm fine." Swallows. "I'm fine."

"I'm gonna take that near faint—"

"Wasn't fainting," huffs Logan.

"—as evidence of total ignorance of what was in that box."

"No sh— kidding." Deep breath. "Don't suppose there's a note."

Blossom pokes about— "Aha!" —unfolds the tiny slip of paper, reads. Blinks, chortles, doubles over.

"You okay?"

Blossom wheezes, waves the note at Logan.

He snags it.

- You need rings if you're gonna be 'married', catloafs. -

Logan blinks. "'m gonna kill her."

"Killing is bad," chides Button.
Hopeless

## Meta

**Timing:** late 2019

**Setting:** a Sydney area park

## Text

Logan half-dozes in the evening sun, sprawled on the grass in the neighbourhood park, hands tucked under his head.

"'ey, Buttercup." Blossom drops beside him.

"'ey, Blossom."

"You're a hard man to find."

Logan does his best to shrug.

"All could be resolved if you just got a mobile."

"What, and make it easier for the cops to track me?" Huffs. "Those things are as bad as ankle bracelets." Cracks an eye. "Besides, the people who I want to seem to find me fine without one."

Blossom rolls her eyes.

Logan pushes up to sitting, stretches his arms over his head.

"You seen Bubbles lately?" Blossom twists her hair around her finger.

"Not since the party at Banksmeadow got crashed, what, a month ago?"

"You there?"

"Had a job in North Bondi that night." Logan rubs his neck. "What about you?"

"Haven't talked to her since the day before Banksmeadow." Swallows. "I was supposed to be there, but I pulled an overnight at the steady job and overslept."

Logan huffs.

Blossom twists her hair.

"You couldnt've done anything 'cept get yourself caught, too."

She keeps twisting.

Logan nudges her shoulder.

"It's been a /**month**, Buttercup. /**You** ever been held a month for fighting?"

"Nope." Scowls. "Only time I drew a month was for that thing with the cat."

Blossom's chuckle trails off into a sigh.

Logan watches the grass wiggle in the breeze.

"How do you think this life's gonna end for you?"

"I don't really think about it." Logan leans back. "I guess someone with a knife'll jump me someday, I won't dodge fast enough, and I'll bleed out in an alley."

Blossom stares at him.

"What?"

"Isn't behaving better than being dead?"

"I'd rather do things my way, do 'em for as long as I can, and have fun."

She blinks. "You're crackers."

Logan rolls his eyes. "I've /**told** you a hundred times, my brain isn't 'right'."

Blossom shakes her head. "Still can't believe how not 'right' you are."

Logan grins. "I'm hopeless."

She growls with frustration and drops her head to her knees.

Logan tracks the clouds scuttling by.

Eventually, Blossom props her head up.

Logan recrosses his legs.

"I'm thinking of giving this up and becoming a respectable, productive member of society full-time."

"/**You're** crackers."

"Really? Even after what's happened with Bubbles?"

"We don't know anything /**has** happened yet." Glances at Blossom. "'sides, I'd rather take my chances with my current lot."

Blossom goes back to twisting her hair. "I really hope that works out for you."

"If it doesn't, I'm no big loss, ay?"

Blossom sucker punches him—

"Oi!"

—scowls, growls, "You might be hopeless, but some of us would actually miss you, idiot."

Logan blinks, shoves to his feet, flicks a salute to Blossom. "Well, this's been nice, but, you know how it goes: places to go, people to steal from." Saunters off.

"You're always welcome on my couch!"

Tosses a wave without looking back.
Again

## Meta

**Timing:** right after Jackson and Logan 'graduate' from the Academy, probably the morning of 24 September

**Setting:** The 1st Darling-Jones house

## Text

The second time Charlie hears the footsteps from the master bedroom, she slips to the den—

A rush of water down the pipe.

—retrieves a small box from the safe—

Whine of a faucet.

—and hurries upstairs.

Jackson's pulling a lovely starfish impression, face-down and almost completely on the bed.

Charlie flops down beside him. "Hey, Jackson?"

"Mmmmr?" He drags his head around to face her.

She smiles back. Glances down, leans closer. "Will you marry me?"

He tears up and beams so brightly his cheeks must hurt.

Charlie's eyes prick.

"Yes," he croaks.

Charlie presses her forehead to his, puts the box between them.

"Later," Jackson rasps.

"It can keep you company." She kisses his crown. "Cold medicine working?"

He grunts in the affirmative.

"Need anything?"

"You."

She puts as much love as she can into her smile.

Jackson gets it.

"Try to sleep some more."

Unhappy but understanding grunt.

Charlie wiggles a little closer. "I love you so, so much."

'I know,' he mouths.

"Nerd." She kisses his forehead again and rolls up.

Jackson heaves himself into a more comfortable spot.

"Sweet dreams," Charlie says softly.

Thumbs up.

She closes the door over-gently, pads down the hall.
Ha Minh

Birthday
 Romantic & sexual orientation
 Language(s)
 Ethnicity
 Build
 Hair
 Eyes

Former nurse, now the default doctor for The Professor's fighters

## Brief biography

Ha has lived with chronic insomnia since university and generally only sleeps well when sharing a bed with another person.

## Special skills

* Incredibly calm and uncontrolled in stressful situations
Izzy Vos

Izzy Vos is Griet and Pietr's eldest child.

* **Full name:** Isaac TBD Vos
* **Pronouns:** He-him-his
* **Height:**
* **Build:**
* **Hair:** Pale blond, curly
* **Eyes:** Blue
* **Lifemate, Children:** N/A
* **Sibling(s):** Anni, Rika, Fenna
* **Parents:** Pietr, Griet
* **Birthday:** 10 October 2017
* **Language:** Australian English (mother tongue), BSL (native speaker), Afrikaans (basic understanding)
* **Ethnicity:** White South African (Australian citizenship)
* **Nicknames:** Izzy (everyone)
* **Relationships:** Book (friend), Baby (friend), Jupiter (friend), Katie (friend), Morgan (sometime friend), Andrea (sometime caregiver), Miss Carter (teacher), Fiona (tester), Caitlin (tester), Jackson (adoptive uncle), Logan (adoptive uncle), Chuck (adopted brother), Dafne (aunt), Val (paternal grandfather), Rianne (paternal grandmother), Isaac (maternal grandfather)
* **Special skills:** Universally Drift Compatible
* **Quirks:** wears his hair in beribboned pigtails and braids
* **Distinguishing marks:**
Dawn

They sit upon the roof, squinting into the dawn.

"When's the last time we did this?" asks Charlie, tucked up against Jackson's side.

"Hmm ... just before Baby joined the party, I think." He nuzzles her hair, "Missed it."

A pair of black SUVs purr into the cul-de-sac.

"I think my ride's here," sighs Jackson.
Glass

Jackson adjusts the ice pack under Charlie's swollen ankle.

"I'm not—" Charlie sneezes.

Juliet hands her a tissue.

"Thanks."

"No problem~!"

Charlie wipes her nose. "I'm not made of glass, guys; it's just a cold."

"And you're pregnant."

Charlie dismisses that.

"More tea?" asks Jackson.

Book looks up.

"I'm f—"

"That'd be great, thanks," says Juliet.

Charlie huffs.

"I'll be right back," smiles Jackson, presses a kiss to Charlie's forehead. He frowns. "You're still really warm."

"I'm a bonfire, Jones."

"And you glow—"

"This is neither of those things," says Juliet. "You're sick. It's fine. Let us pamper youuu!"

Charlie grumbles.

Jackson squeezes her shoulder, heads to the kitchen.

"You're gonna drink more tea," says Juliet.

"I'm already peeing every hour!"

"Another reason why you need to keep your fluids up."

Book toddles over, arms full of tea service, and sets Charlie's tummy.

"Are we having tea?" asks Charlie.

"Book!" Offers to pour tea.

"Thank you!" replies Juliet.

"Book." Carefully serves Charlie, then pours the bottom half into Juliet's cup and the top falls off and three toy cars tumble from the teapot.

"Oops!"

"Boook," Book replies sadly.

"That's okay!" Juliet dabs at Charlie's stomach and her own lap. "All better!"

"Book!" Thumps the teapot down on Charlie's tummy.

Charlie winces. "A little more gently, k, sweetheart?"

Book nods. "Book."

Charlie ruffles Book's hair.

"Thanks, love."

Book coos.

"How 'bout you go help Dad?"

"Book!" Off like a rocket.

Juliet nudges Charlie's shirt a little higher and starts drawing placemats around the tea service.

Charlie sneezes again.

Juliet hands her another tissue.

"Thanks," Charlie croaks. She blows her nose, throws the tissue at the bin, misses.

"I got it!" Juliet leaps over, brings the bin back with her, and then fluffs the pillow behind Charlie's back. "Want another one?"

"It's fine."

"I know it's fine. Do you want another pillow?"

"I'll just grab—" She sneezes hard, holds still for a good moment, grimacing.

"May I get you another pillow?"

"Yea, thanks."

Juliet helps her ease back. "Be /**right** back." She is; tucks it behind Charlie's shoulders.

"Thanks, Jules."
Matchmaking

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</noinclude>

Caitlin floats into the morning briefing, tablet hugged to her chest.

"Someone's awful happy for a Monday morning."

"I have good news~!" Caitlin sings. "We have a new volunteer for the Genie project!" Bounces, squees, "A Ranger-class XX!"

All murmuring ceases.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously. Checked into DCaMP over the weekend."

"This one's won't be a problem like the last Ranger XX we had?"

"/**Completely** different temperament. Much, much, much more stable. There shouldn't be /**any** problems this time." Caitlin taps her tablet. "I just sent the file to your tablets."

Tablets wake up.

Swiping.

Appreciative noises.

"A little short, though?"

"But look at the reaction times! More than offsets."

"Ooo. That's a hell of a strategy score."

"Will we be attempting another Golden Kid, Doctor Lightcap?"

Caitlin frowns. "No. This XX matches better with a different XY." Pokes. "That's the file."

Tapping, swiping.

"Really disparate physically."

A low whistle.

"You saw the COROs, didn't you?" grins Caitlin. "/**Soulmates.**"

"That's why we're risking a mixed-race offspring?"

"We /**could** run the Matchmaker process on the zygote, compensate."

"We saw how well that went the last time."

"The Genie project could still be successful."

"We're not going to run Matchmaker," declares Caitlin, "at least not on this cycle. The sooner we get an offspring, the better, no matter the health problems. I would prefer not to waste time germinating a 'corrected' fetus only to have it die two days after birth." Shrugs. "The volunteer's got a long-term contract, so we'll get multiple attempts. We can get fancy later."

"So we're going au naturel for this first one."

"Yup!" Ponders. "Well, mostly. I'd like to put the XX on Chemical X—did we /**have** to call it that?" Sighs, shakes her head. "Chemical X to give the fetus the best shot at being useful whatever weirdness comes with being mixed-race."

"Doctor?"

"Yes?"

"Doesn't Chemical X double the rate of miscarriage?"

"The formula's been tweaked and the Pharm assures me they've got that under control."

Grudging acknowledgment.

"Any other objections?"

Silence.

"Then the Bud project is a 'go'." Caitlin makes a happy noise. "What's next on the agenda?"
Kids Wife Family

## Meta

Original version of "Wife-Kids-Family" (should be "Kids-Wife-Family" but you can't use the original name of a renamed page \*shrug\*)

## Original Text

The Jones brothers' door is wide open.

Herc steals a look inside.

Jackson, wearing his inevitable heavy jumper, at the kitchenette table, hunched over something.

Logan sprawled on the couch, snoring away.

Pictures taped all over the walls.

A beautiful woman, toddler on her lap, baby in her arms.

The anklebiter napping, hugging a plush giraffe and looking angelic.

A dead-ringer for Logan booping the baby's nose.

The woman smiling at the photographer like they're the best thing on the planet.

Herc frowns at the hand twisting his wedding ring, peels it away.

A deep breath, shoulders back. "Jones?" he calls.

Jackson startles; tea sloshes onto the tabletop.

Herc winces. "Sorry."

Frowns at the puddle. "'s'okay. What do you need?"

"I just, uh, wanted to say you and Logan did good work tonight. That was a tough one for a first drop."

"Uh, thank you, sir." Jackson rubs his neck.

A spark of light from a gold band.

Kids.

Wife.

Family.

Metal under his fingers.

Quit it with the ring, Herc.

Steels himself, nods toward the photographs. "Wife and kids?"

Jackson follows his gaze. "Yea." Shoulders sag.

"See 'em often?"

Studies his hands. "Not nearly enough."

"Uh, Command sometimes lets fa—"

Jackson scoffs.

Herc's mouth clicks shut.

Stares at the puddle, mutters, "'d make it easier for them."

"It really would."

"You /would know." Jackson raises bloodshot eyes. "Is this parenting advice from the 'great' Herc Hansen?"

"Not trying t—"

"Think I should bring my kids here? Make it easier for /them?"

"Well—"

"Is that it?" Chair scrapes back. "Make it easier for the PPDC to turn them into little soldiers?"

"But, don't you thin—"

"Is that what you're suggesting?" Stalks into Herc's space.

Herc holds his ground, eyes locked on Jackson's.

"They can sign my warrant a hundred thousand times but they will /never get my kids."

"Sounds like you've made up your mind, then."

"Brilliant. Fucking. Observation."

"Right."

"Anything else to say, /sir?"

"Nah. I'm done." Herc steps back. "I'll see you 'round."

Turns and strolls off down the hall, feeling Jackson's stare on his back.
Jupiter Darling-Jones

* **Full name:** Jupiter TBD Darling-Jones
* **Pronouns:** She-her-hers
* **Height:**
* **Build:**
* **Hair:** Black, curliest of the Darling-Jones fluffles (lots of ringlets).
* **Eyes:** Green
* **Lifemate, Children:** N/A
* **Sibling(s):** Book, Baby
* **Parents:** Jackson Jones, Charlie Darling
* **Birthday:** 22 November 2024 (Sydney, NSW, Australia)
* **Language:** Australian English (mother tongue)
* **Ethnicity:**
* **Nicknames**
	+ Bean: Jackson, Charlie, Logan
	+ Jubjub: Jackson, Charlie
* **Relationships:** Nanny (paternal great-grandmother), Logan (uncle), Derek (uncle), Andrea (caregiver), Izzy (friend), Anni (friend), Rika (friend), Fenna (friend), Pietr (adoptive uncle), Griet (adoptive aunt)
* **Special skills:** instinctual synchronized movements with Rika and Fenna Vos
* **Quirks:**
* **Distinguishing marks:**
Gatekeepers

## Meta

**Timing:** after a 'double date' with Lily and Juliet, fairly early in the relationship

**Setting:** somewhere in Sydney

## Text

Jackson falls into step beside Charlie. "Did /**not** see that coming."

She shrugs.

A beat.

"They both keep up with fashion," she offers.

"If only the rest of the world were like that, ay?"

"'You like high-waisted shorts, I like high-waisted shorts, forget this war!'." Pause. "Kinda thing?"

"Yea. Nerdom'd certainly benefit."

Charlie nods.

They walk four sidewalk slabs.

Jackson adds, "Gatekeeper complex, 'n all that."

"Ah."

"'cause you couldn't really say 'you're not a real fan of /*Vanity Fair* if you only look at the September issue.' Trends change too much."

Tiniest frown.

"The layouts are cool. And they do features on movies. And /*Star Wars*."

Another nod.

"You read any magazines-comics-whatever?"

"Sometimes."

A beat.

"'Stupid Panda.' /*National Geographic*. Headliner."

Half a sidewalk slab.

"You?"

"Probably more webcomics than would be recommended. /*Vanity Fair* if there's a big name production on the way. Whatever Flipboard throws at me."

"Anything good?"

"Webcomics or Flipboard?"

"Either."

"Sci-fi stuff, fandom, the, uh, well, not /usual. For webcomics—I mean, I don't know what kind of webcomics people usually follow and I don't know what the usual content of webcomics is and I'm going to talk about news stuff to avoid digging this hole any deeper."

Charlie snorts a laugh and almost actually smiles.

"So. News. Giant aliens. A giant robot. Hopefully more giant robots. Would be really awesome if there wasn't one rotting on the other side of the city. Giant alien. Not robot. They don't—can't—really rot." Exhales. "You ever think of joining?"

"Nope."

"Same. I have one programming job, no point switching it for another."
Heroic Or

Everything's dim and scratchy and—

A cool, dry hand covers Logan's.

He jerks away, IV tugging at his skin, pushes—fails at getting upright—and, Jesus Christ, he fucking /**hurts**.

"Relax, love. You're alright."

Logan blinks at Nanny, eases back into the pillows with a hiss.

"Jackson's next door. Charlie's with him[;] the baby's fine."

Queries with an eyebrow

[Nanny smiles indulgently.] "Better than you, dear."

Scans himself.

Both feet still where they're supposed to be. Toes twitch when he asks. "'s'not so bad."

{Smiles.} "Of course not."

Closes his eyes, sniffs, 'obviously'.

"Those people outside are trying to decide if what you did was heroic or stupid," she says.

"'s neither."

"Since you did save all the other pilots /**and** the city, they're leaning toward 'heroic'."

Logan grunts. "'s the only thin' coulda kept us alive."

"Don't want to be a hero?"

"'m not." Logan yawns. "Just tired."

"Is there anything I can do?" Nanny asks softly.

"Lemme sleep." Wiggles into the pillows.

"Of course, love."

Logan smiles, fumbles along the sheet until he tucks his hand back in hers.
Extraction

## Meta

**Timing:** right after "Wilt"

**Setting:** Jamie's flat

## Text

The line connects with barely half a ring.

"Wei?" asks Jamie.

""Mr Walker,"" Wei replies.

"Up for an extraction?"

""Depends on the target.""

"Blossom Collocott, Sydney 'Dome."

Wei makes a soft sound that could be taken as surprise. ""Haven't heard that name for a while."" Exhale. ""It seems she's already in transit.""

Jamie hangs his head. "Shit."

""Time to look into DCaMP, then.""

"Oh. So she'll be okay?"

""Hm."" But in a 'laugh' kinda way. ""I appreciate your optimism.""

"That sounds ominous."

""As intuitive as ever, Mr Walker. Good day.""

Budding: Wilt — **Extraction** — Complete Set — Missed Connection — DCaMP — Breakout — Messenger — Breathe — Basketball — Decision
Six Months, Ten Days

## Meta

**Timing:** 27 Sep 2022, the Jones brothers' second day in the Sydney Shatterdome; the morning after "Research"

**Setting:** Jones' quarters, Sydney Shatterdome

## Text

Logan ferries three steaming cups of instant coffee to the kitchenette table and straddles a chair.

"Thanks," says Noah, unlocking his tablet. He sips, wrinkles his nose. "I'll get you guys some decent stuff. This's swill." Taps in a note.

Jackson swallows a mouthful.

Logan snorts, gulps.

Jackson grimaces. "This isn't decaf, is it?"

"Nope."

"You /**know** I don't do caffeine, asswipe."

Noah blinks, taps in a note.

"I know you need to wake up."

Jackson glowers, heads for the sink, dumps the black beverage.

"Hope you fellows enjoyed your free day yesterday--"

Logan /*hmphs*.

"--because you're going to be awful busy for a while."

Noah's back pocket /*chirrups*.

Jackson slouches back into his chair.

"Marshal Nguyen's asked me to bring you by his office at oh-nine-hundred--"

/*chirrup*.

"--for introductions. Then I'll take you on a tour of--"

/*chirrup*.

"--'scuse me." Noah retrieves his mobile, thumbs off the screen with a glance. He tucks it away, eyes softening. "Sorry about that. Where were--"

"Who was that?" asks Jackson.

"My wife." Noah grins sheepishly. "Forgot to tell her we were meeting."

"Figures," sniffs Logan.

Jackson's affect flattens. "You're married."

"Six months and ten days," Noah beams.

"Call her back."

"Excuse me?"

Logan interrupts, "Jack, let it--"

"Call her back," orders Jackson.

"You don't mind?"

"Just do it."

"Thanks. I'll be just a minute." Pops to his feet, ducks into the corridor.

Jackson drops his head to the table and sighs.
Boyfriend

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</noinclude>

"Hey, Jones!"

Jackson trips to a stop in the dorm lounge, buys time shifting his backpack, desperately tries to place the speaker's face. "Uh, Currey, right?"

"Yep," replies the beaming brunet, stepping well inside Jackson's personal space. A beat and they whisper, "[Does your girlfriend know you've got a boyfriend]—"

Jackson's brain vapour locks.

"—[on the side? A really /**cute** boyfriend?] A little scruffy, maybe, but, still, cute."

"Umm ... what?" chokes Jackson.

"Your gentleman caller? The one who let himself into your room?"

"What?!" Voice broke a little there.

"He didn't tell you he was visiting?"

"I don't have a ...." Jackson shakes his head, plods toward his room.

Currey pads along at his heels.

Jackson misses the lock with his key twice, manages it, eases open the door.

"'ey, Jack," greets Logan, sitting on the bed, Jackson's laptop balanced on his knees.

"That's— he's— not my— anyone's /**boyfriend**! That's my /**brother**!" squeaks Jackson.

Logan peers around Jackson at Currey. "You thought I was his boyfriend?" Shudders. "Ewwww, /**no**."

"He not your type?"

Is that hopeful note?

"/**No** /**one's** my type."

Currey sighs. "Of course." Claps Jackson on the back. "Enjoy your family reunion, Jones." Shuts the door.

Jackson stares at Logan.

Logan raises an eyebrow.

"What the /**fuck**, Logan? You don't talk to /**anyone** for /**three** /**months** and then you ... /**materialize** in my dorm room?!"

"I've been busy."

Jackson squeals in frustration. "We were starting to think you'd /**died**, idiot!"

Logan sets the laptop aside, crosses his arms. "Obviously not."

Jackson collapses into his desk chair, lets his backpack /*thump* to the floor, mutters. "Oh my [god. You're] not dead, you're still an asshole, and you're in my room." Looks up. "How did you get in my room? How did you get in the /**building**?"

"I said I forgot my building key inside and asked very nicely." Smirks. "Your lock, I picked."

Jackson tears at his hair.

"I feel the brotherly love, Jack."

Jackson looks up, a gleam in his eyes. "You want brotherly love?"

"Don't you—"

Jackson lunges, tackles Logan into the mattress, wraps him in a bearhug. "How's that?"

Muffled in Jackson's shoulder, "Lemme go before I break yer neck, Jack."

"Not yet, idiot."

Logan sighs, stops struggling.