Bits and Pieces of B5
Bits of things that I’ve been accumulating for years and never posted or finished posting.
On this front, I’ve been doing most work on being able to put up the rest of ‘Portraits,’ which is the one where we didn’t have the worst possible ending and Na'Toth fills in as a temp for bodyguard duties for G'Kar and she spends 2 or 3 months like 'what the actual Fuck has been going on over here with these two’ on Centauri Prime.
So everything exists in that world, really! This is already too much detail for a “do you want to read WIP chunks” post so let’s go look at BITS AND PIECES
I hope you enjoy these 🥲
This is part of Portraits:
“Why does G’Kar stay?”
“I do not know.” Mollari’s answer was unexpectedly swift as he picked through his food for bits he particularly liked. “I have reminded him that he is free to leave from nearly the moment he arrived, but… Well, he is stubborn.” He poked pieces of food as he listed G’Kar’s traits. “Persistent. Nosy. Likes being in the way.”
“Suited to you, then.”
“I don’t know whether to be insulted or flattered.” He tilted a small nod in her direction. “Well done.”
She took a sip of her drink. If Mollari was offering direct answers, Na'Toth was going to take them.
“Why did you choose G'Kar to be your bodyguard?”
“I didn’t. Delenn chose him for me.”
“But he stayed, Mollari. Long after he –”
“You would have to take that up with him,” Mollari said as he shrugged.
====
This is Probably? Portraits. Like the gentle falling off parts that actually include G'Kar in the flesh and not just in concept:
“Am I interrupting you two bonding?”
G'Kar stood in the doorway with a small pile of rolls and baked goods loosely wrapped in a bundle he had tucked into his elbow. He held some kind of jelly-filled confection in the opposite hand.
Mollari immediately tossed his hands up in frustration. “G'Kar, that is the third time! Save some for the guests, will you?”
“I’m hungry now, and I will need fortitude to deal with them later. This is insurance.” He grinned and took a comically large bite of his jelly-filled snack.
Mollari shook his head and set his papers and pen aside. “Come in, you aren’t interrupting.”
Na'Toth scoffed.
“You should discuss your issue with him, Miss Na'Toth,“ Mollari said. "I suspect your objections lie more with him anyway.”
“What?” G'Kar looked up from his food, and tried to talk with his mouth mostly full. “Wha’ 'ave I done mow?”
Na'Toth wrinkled her nose. “No wonder Mollari’s people continue to hate us. With you as the only example, even I’d second guess us.”
G'Kar swallowed. “I’ll have you know the highest authority on this world thinks I’m delightful.”
“And yet even I want you to chew your food,” Mollari said.
====
This is pre-Portraits, and is the story of the establishment of all the things Na'Toth finds there. It’s mostly called "Sleep” for now but could gain a proper title as it forms. There’s a Lot of this one.
“There is…” Mollari inhales deeply and then drops onto the bed with a frustrated sigh, legs dangling over the side, pillow still in one hand. “There is something happening. There is something wrong. I used to understand this place, but now I – No. No, I used to believe I understood. But it is very possible I never did.”
“Admitting that is a good start.”
Mollari looks out the large window and into the night sky. He’s just barely lit by whatever satellite orbits this planet, and the artificial light from the display in the ornamental gardens outside the palace. “I think it may be too late to be starting anything.”
“It is never too late,” G'Kar says gently. It is funny - considering their violent history with each other - how much 'gentle’ is required with Mollari lately. “Perhaps it is too late to save this thing or know that one, but starting now means there is something coming that you may yet know, save, or understand.”
Perhaps contemplating their past violence in his own way, Mollari holds his hands in front of him and regards them as though they are new, as though they are alien. He laughs softly, bitterly, and then lets his hands drop to his sides. “You found all this wisdom of yours in prison, did you?”
“I found it inside myself, but I happened to be in prison at the time.”
>>>>>>>>>>
From the same 'Sleep’ build up to the situation as it presents itself in Portraits:
“I will be dead before I can trust everyone underneath me to make a sound decision. Sometimes I don’t think I can trust myself to make them.”
“Then that’s why I’m here.”
When a few seconds of silence pass, Mollari looks at him. “Was that it?”
“Was what it?”
“I said something about my own decision making and you didn’t bring up anything at all?” Mollari laughs. “I thought of at least three ways you could have punished me for that sentence the moment I finished it.”
“I’m feeling charitable. You refused a flower budget today, you’ve earned it.”
Mollari shakes his head and laughs softly. The sound barely escapes all the layers of fabric he’s been draped in. He slows his walk as he gazes up at the portraits above them. “I think you are the only reason I am still sane, G’Kar.”
The sentiment is sweet, even for something not said in the safety of the dark. As much as G’Kar could make it personal and steer things vulnerable or frightening, he aims instead for the kind of comfort required in daylight. “I’m flattered, but considering I’m living here of my own free will, we may have reason for concern regarding you using me as a base for mental health. What if we are both mad and just enabling each other?”
“Mmm.” Mollari pauses at the end of the row of portraits, regarding the last one and the empty space next to it before looking back to G’Kar. “Well, I can think of worse people to go mad with.”