Session export: Armis Family Dinner

Sofila was wearing a black laced tank top with blue jeans.

“Yea! … I think!” Sofila grinned as she quickly slipped her hand into her backpocket.

“Let’s seeeeee here uh-” She muttered under her breath while checking over the message.

“Okay! 14th floor, let’s go.” She fought the urge to grab his hand and playfully drag him inside. She leaned down and quickly peck his cheek, “you ready?”

“Yep! Exactly, it’s been awhile.” Sofila grinned. She would hope her family won’t give Cole a hard time. She would hate it if… No. It wasn’t going to happen. They will like him. After all, they raised her, they knew exactly what Sofila was capable of.

She hoped.

Despite the fact she got hit by a blaster. Or two. She cleared her throat and squeezed his hand and was grateful. He… was actually holding her hand in public.

“This shhhhhould be it.” She knocked on the door and waited.

<@236356564125089792> <@264959101384130560>

“Okay, here we are. I know you’ll make a good impression but I also know my sisters are going to say something stupid or embarrassing, please ignore them.” Asani insisted at Meero as the two exited the elevator spotting Sagitta and Cole waiting by the door. Asani had insisted on formal wear as it was the first time he would be introduced and she may or may not have wanted to make a good impression. She dressed formally herself in order to not draw too much attention, if they were both formal everyone else may be underdressed instead.
“Seems like we’re all waiting then…” She said in a hushed tone as they approached the door. “Hey Gitta.” the elder sibling greeting the taller mirialan.

Meero chuckled at Asani’s comment as they exited the elevator. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. Though I must admit I’m a bit nervous. I do hope bringing homemade cookies wasn’t too corny.” He said looking at a small container he was carrying with cookies he baked himself.

When Meero saw the pair waiting by the door, he took a deep breath and whispered to himself. “Ok here we go.”

Sofila heard the elevator doors behind her and she grinned at seeing Asani then frowned.

“I was not informed we had to dressed formal.” Sofila sighed. Well. If her family was going to give her a hard time about wearing jeans, so be it. At least, Cole always dressed sharply and very well.

Oh well!

Sofila squatted down and hugged Asani, “Hi! Asani, you’ve met Cole, and vice versa and-” she switched to Kushiban without knowing she did so, “I’m sorry, she never told me your name?”

“Oh! Hello, I’m Meero. It’s an absolute pleasure!” He said with a smile and stretching his arm towards the mirialan to shake her hand. He was quite impressed she was so fluent in the language. “I’m very happy to finally meet you!“

The apartment next door would open, and a casually dressed man the girls would immediately recognize stepped out. Loose cut jeans and a grey thermal beneath a black jacket framed the man as he balked, then smirked, shouting back into the apartment.

“You owe me 50 Creds Lil. ‘Gitta found her way up here, she just went to the wrong door.” The Armis patriarch chuckled as he turned to address his guests.

“Girls! Welcome home. Plus ones, feel free to enter as guests. Blasters in the rack by the door, you can keep knives on you for comfort and utilitarian reasons.” The elder Mandalorian chuckled as he stepped out and swept his arm in for them to enter.

A loud cuss in mando’a could be heard from the depths of the apartment after Wulfram’s comment about a bet. Within moments a woman appeared in the hallway behind him, her arms crossed over her chest.

Lillian was dressed in a two piece suit, the legs of which were longer to accomidate the heels she was wearing, the coat cinched close with a corset leaving more exposed of her chest than most people were comfortable with. Her copper curls were gathered into a neat updo with some framed pieces hanging free.

Lillian never dressed up. The girls and Wulfram would be able to discern that the fact she did meant that she was taking this seriously. She wanted to make a good impression for the girls and their guests.

“Closer than she usually is, Wolsha. She’s getting better.”

“Just like the Knight whose name you borrowed Sofie, perpetually lost and tilting at statues.” The girls’ Buir chuckled as he wrapped his arm around Lillian’s waist.

“She is getting better, but she’ll always have a little bit of Sagitta in her. Grew up idolizing her and took the lessons to heart, a little too well sometimes.” His eyes met on the guests as he spoke, one he recognized, the other he did not.

Cole was a known quantity, Lillian and him had done research on the gentleman. Rough history, rougher associates, but in recent memory had been a ‘grey’ entity, and a massive boon for his ad'ika. The other Kushiban however. Wulfram’s eyes narrowed on him.

“I’m sure you’ve heard the worst of me from ad'ika, but, I’m Wulfram, Director of the Dajorran Marshals, and Buir to these two lovely women.”

Sofila gently grasped Meero’s paw as she shook his hand. “I’m happy to meet you to-” Before she could finish, she heard the door open and went to turn to face the… unopened door. Wait. What?

Then she heard his voice. Her head turned to where Wulfram was and frowned. Then Lillian chimed in.

Without thinking, Sofila had switched back to speaking common.

“At least SOMEONE had faith in me.” She stuck her tongue out at Wulfram and made her way in. Then she blinked in surprise at Lillian’s entire updo.

“What the kriff, holy stars, wow! Hi! I thought we can dress- wait, blasters.” She reminded herself as she removed her thigh holster and set them where Buir wanted them to be at. Her baskarr knife which was a gift still rested at her lower back. The entire family would know about it.

“Oh! Okay, so Cole, you already know who he is-” She pointed at Wulfram who already introduced himself. Her arm opened to the Kushibans, “Asani and Meero.”

Wasted no time, she approached Lillian and gently swatted Wulfram away so she could hug Lillian. “This is my other Buir, Lillian!” With a grin, Sofila hugged Lillian and gave her peck on the cheek.

“Why didn’t anyone tell me this is form-” She stopped herself when she actually was paying attention to Wulfram’s clothes.

“Never mind.”

A slight gaze at Cole but the lagomorphic sibling would play nice and nod in return. Then the realization that the sound of the door opening was in fact not in front of them but rather behind them. Ah of course she should’ve known to look at the doors proper.

“ I would never besmirch your name Buir!” The eldest daughter protested at her buir, grabbing a few credits from within her dress and tossing them his way. “I forgot to pay you for last time.” she chuckled remembering a previous bet on Sagittas navigational skills. It seemed it was the favorite family past time, guessing how well off or how poorly the girl managed to make her way to assigned locations.

“Ah Buir this is Meero.” She stated as she reached and hugged Wulfram, backing away and presenting her plus one.

“He’s a pilot!” she stated enthusiastically, her cheeks turning a faint light blue hue.

Meero chuckled at them all poking fun at poor Sofila but then felt incredibly intimidated as they introduced him to Wulfram. He was trying desperately to keep calm and not have his fur change color.

He had served in the recent war. This was scarier.

He reached out to shake Wulfram’s hand while hoping he wouldn’t notice the little lagomorph was slightly shaky. “O-oh, hello sir! I’m Meero. I’ve heard so much about you from Asani. It’s an honor to finally meet her uh… Buir? You’ll have to excuse me, my Mando'a is atrocious.”

Wulfram regarded Meero with a nod.

“Buir is the word for parent or caretaker, correct. But please, feel free to regard me in the basic tongue if you’re unsure. After all, it would seem Asani has been too focused on other matters than teaching you the basics of our language.” The man said in jest as he let go of the young Kushiban’s hand, then turned to follow the others inside.

“Sofie, how’s your heart? Any issues following the stabbing? Scar tissue, stress problems, or has everything healed with general ease?” He questioned as he took his jacket off and slung it onto a coat rack just inside, betraying his intentions to head out and search of Sofila moments prior.

Girl was always getting lost, and in Estle City he had no expectations for anything different. He was enthused and glad of Lillian being mostly correct that they made their way to the right building at least.

The redhead happily returned the hug, giving the larger Mirilan a squeeze. It was good to see the eldest two girls home again. Wulfram’s empty nest syndrome had been more obvious than her missing Sofila and Asani, but she missed them all the same. It was hard to get use to the sound of a bustling family again just for half of the family to leave either due to circumstance or tension. The mandalorian shook her head when Sofila began asking about the dress code, seeming just a bit frazzled and called out for dressing up

“No, I just uh… I wanted to look presentable.” For your Cyare, “I look like I just came straight off of mission most of the time, I wanted to put a bit more effort in today.”

She turned her attention to Cole, her expression becoming one of careful control.

“It’s nice to finally meet you in person, Cole. I’ve heard a lot about you. Please, make yourself at home.”

Emerald eyes settled on Asani, not missing the change of the hue of her cheeks, a change she had not seen before, for sure. Was that blushing? Could Asani blush? The female warrior blinked a few times, onviously stunned and seeming maybe a tad concerned. What had this small Kushiban done to the tiny terror she had come to know? Wulfram moved into the apartment and she followed suit, dragging the much larger Mirilan with her with seeminly small effort.

“I’m sure Sivall has been keeping a good eye on her, Wolsha. Our ad'ika knows better than to hide something so serious.” The look that Lillian gave Sofila out of the corner of her eyes betrayed the thought of ‘or at least she better’.

Finally letting go of the second eldest daughter, Lillian started moving towards the kitchen. While Wulfram had done a good bit of the cooking, she wasn’t absolutely useless when it came to preparing food. She had done a lot of the busywork while Wulf did the things that required more skill.

“Food should be ready shortly-ish. I hope you all are hungry, Mandalorians do not eat small meals.”

Meero felt a huge sense of relief as Wulfram let go of his hand, but still made sure to not let his fur change color. “Ok good I’m still alive.” He thought to himself.

He dusted his feet, followed everyone else inside and left his blaster on the rack along with the rest. His eyes widened as he saw the amount of different weapons that were already there. He walked towards Lillian and took out the little container of homemade cookies he brought with him. “Here! I made these myself. I wasn’t sure what everyone’s preference was, so I just made regular chocolate chip.”

“Oh!” Lillian’s answer made sense. “Well, you always look amazing! Even when returning from missions.”

Sofila rose her eyebrow at Asani’s changing colors but then said nothing else. Her own plus one was her boyfriend, who was she to judge? Then she visibly cringed at the mention of her heart. Aw. Come on!

“The heart itself is fiiiiiiiine,” Sofila responded to Buir honestly. Though she visibly gulped when Buir had mentioned that she knew ‘better’ not to hide anything. To be honest, Sofila answered his questions truthfully. The Mirialan looked to her side where Cole was with a reassuring smile.

“Ready to eat?”

“So he’s been teaching me how to care for droids and fly we just haven’t had the proper chance to get into Mando’a!” Asani said nervously at Wulfram, following him inside.

Hearing Sagitta’s answer she side eyed her sister. “It better be more than just your heart thats fine…” she chastised her sister. She wasn’t about to pretend her siblings mental state hadn’t been affected by her incident.

And she certainly wasn’t about to let her sister escape without a stern talking to. “If I hear anything about you acting brash and stupid again Ill personally hunt you down.” The elder sibling was clearly overly protective. Sometimes even more so than their father.

“I do agree with Gita though, it’s different to see you so well dressed Lillian.” the kushiban commented, she was trying her best to be on good behavior, trying. She was having a hard time succeeding by the feel of it. At least she though she was maybe not doing well but not terrible either.

Immediately, her jaw tightened. Her warm bubbly voice was dropped and completely gone. She squatted down to be eye level with Asani. She still respected her sister enough to do so. Her voice was replaced with more serious and stern voice, “I am not a child. I’m an adult. My decisions are mine to make and my consequences are mine to learn from.” Sofila already felt like she was being suffocated. No wonder why she felt like she could breathe when she moved to the barracks at the Selen Training Grounds and everything afterwards, she didn’t feel like she was constantly watched.

People have judged her for her actions but instead of chastising her for being dumb or a child, they simply taught her there was a better way to do things. Their Buir tried but some stuck, not all. Cole being another that’s also trying. Her new boss was another. Even the second Envoy mission for Darth Scimitar had went well as it could be. By no means, she wasn’t perfect but she was getting better.

Sofila had recently learned to put down her boundaries and she would be damned if she had to sit through the entire dinner being treated like she was nine years old. Teasing her about being shot (again) or even her fashion (again), suns, even her shitty navigation skills (also again) was fine… but to be treated like a child?

She was tired. She came here to introduce Cole to the family and have fun. Not this.

“The moment I feel like a child again is the moment I walk away to cool off for the night,” warned Sofila.

Then she smiled, her warm voice returned, “Restart?”

Wulfram smiled.

“There’s the woman I tried to raise.” The warmth behind his smile trailed to Asani as he shook his head and grabbed himself a cup of Caf, before turning to Meero and Cole.

“Drinks? We have Caf, various liquors, teas, and juices.” He questioned, while he let the sisters work out their moment.

While Meero would’ve liked to be there with Asani, it wasn’t his place. This was a family issue. He looked at Asani and gave her a warm smile letting her know he was there if she needed anything.

“Why yes. I’d love a drink, sir.” He said while following Wulfram.

Every fiber in Asanis being felt like lashing out. She felt like she was being challenged, her fur started to spike a bit at her tail and ears, eyebrows furrowing.

She looked to where Meero was, his being close by in some ways made her calm down, seeing his smile eased her a surprising amount. She took a deep breath and decided to not instigate further, her ears tilting back fur slowly receding into its normal direction. “Fine.” the lagomorph stated through tightly gritted teeth.

“Im going to the refresher.” she said turning away to find the refresher, looking to Wulfram for directions. The elder sibling didn’t take challenges with grace, her nature was to take challenges down. She needed to convince Marick to teach her how to handle herself better.

Ah, that was more like it. Like an open flame to gunpowder, tensions rose between the two sisters, and Lillian found herself pinching the bridge of her nose. It had been, what, five minutes since they had shown up?

Of all the things she wished the girls had inherited from her, her temper was not one of them.

Lil made a gesture towards the kitchen, lending a boon towards the smaller sister to follow her into the kitchen. She wanted to repair her relationship with Asani, if she could.

Things were… rough between them, and that in and of itself was probably a vast understatement. However, the older woman had tried her best to not be as abrasive as she normally was. Her family was so small now– she had to cherish what she had for whatever little time she had left.

“In here, Asani.” With that, Lillian turned from the group and headed into the kitchen. She had to check on the food, after all, and she wasn’t about to let Wulfram hide himself in the kitchen for a majority of the family “reunion”.

“We’ll be back.”

Sofila mentally sighed. It seemed like the message didn’t get through her if Asani felt like she had to fight or challenge. She can tell by the body language. But since her sister wasn’t going to pursue it, Sofila wasn’t going to jab at it.

You don’t poke a Kushiban.

Buir’s words surprised her but she said nothing. Now wasn’t a good time. She moved on as she stood up, “I’ll have juice!” She grinned at Buir. Even though she does drink Caf once in a blue moon now if the mood strikes, she still avoids it.

And tea.

Something Buir doesn’t let go of sometimes.

Sofila stood by Cole and her arms crossed, she was trying to hide the fact that she was shaking from that adrenaline rush. Her heart was pounding. Kriff. That was scary as fuck. She rather meet Darth Scimitar again than had to stand up for her-

She mentally frowned. What does that say about herself-

No. Dinner. Focus. It’s dinner.

Asani let out a sigh, deciding she may as well follow the sound of Lillian’s voice trailing toward the kitchen, although she still seemed like she was ready to pounce and punch at anyone who might get in her way. She looked to Meero again and eased out more.

Now the trouble was no longer with Sagitta but rather with Lillian who she still hadn’t spoken to and kept at a distance. The shift in her emotions from anger to aloof was obvious to even those without a trained eye or softer skills. At least she wasn’t a danger to herself or others anymore. Granted maybe aloof was not the best setting for the usually smirking mischievous yet mostly harmless furry woman.

Wulfram sighed as he watched the all too familiar scene play out between his daughters, the aftermath of which slipped his attention when Asani’s glare fell on Lillian. His assumption that the two had repeated the same argument and gone to their normal holding pattern placed him in his normal fatherly position of peacemaker, but with added company.

Worn hands pulled a few glasses down to prepare drinks for their guests. A mug of Caf each for Cole and Meero, and juice, as always, for Sofila.

He passed by Asani and Lillian as they stalked into the kitchen and he raised an eyebrow when he thought back on the day Asani learned about their marriage.

Now, really? He questioned internally, a shrug playing at his shoulders as he carried the drink tray past them and delivered the guests their drinks, handing them each a brightly coloured Ceramic mug or cup.

“Housewarming gifts from Sivall and Alex, ‘To add a splash of colour to my grey life.’” He said with a small laugh before finding himself a seat.

Lillian patted Wulfram on the bicep as he passed, a quiet sign of “I’ve got this, I’ll keep my head”. She led Asani into the kitchen and began to check one of the many things in the dual oven set. Her shoulders were relaxed and she tried her best to radiate calm.

Her and Wulfram had talked at length about Asani’s feelings on the matter of her depature and then their quickly following marriage, and the Mandalorian had taken some time to look at the situation from the Kushiban’s point of view and not just her own. She came to one conclusion after a couple of times discussing the situation with her now husband.

Would she had been in Asani’s shoes, she probably would have had the exact same reaction.

The legomorph just loved her adopted father, and while Lillian was a part of the family now, she hadn’t built that same level of trust that Asani had with Wulfram. The two had a special bond, and while she would probably never reach that level with the eldest Armistead daughter, she needed to try better to meet her in the middle ground.

“You and Sofila are so similar in ways. Both headstrong– it’s an admirable quality but makes for difficult relationships some times. I… You know as well as I do that I know that from experience.”

The redhead frowned softly, then shook her head and turned to face Asani.

“But that’s neither here nor there, and I don’t want to be the cause of arguments tonight. I just wanted to give you a moment to breathe, if you would take it.”

The lagomorphic woman followed along attempting to look or be busy before she heard Lillian speak.

Once the woman spoke she turned to her, arms crossed, ears pointed in her direction resting most of her weight to one side. Asani’s gaze was neither full of hatred or care, her eyes were a bit steely thought. She channeled every ounce of every memory of her new master and radiated nothingness. With Sagitta there were fights which could be fought and won, even if they also stopped at a halfway point. At least Sagitta understood that it was out of protective instinct. It was love, even if poorly channeled love.

But there was no battle here, there was just being. There was no way to change the situation, her trust had been shaken up. She knew her Buir, and was willing to be nice and not instigate a fight with Lillian. But she still felt hurt. Even if she refused to show it.

“I appreciate it. I’m not going to instigate further.” the shorter woman stated, no clear emotion discernible in her tone. How her master was like this at all times was baffling. She was always quite bold with her thoughts and emotions. Learning to be reserved was new and strenuous. At least this was better than fighting.

Sofila turned to look at Cole and gave him a reassuring smile. Her hand moved to rest on top of his and gave a squeeze. She was okay.

Wulfram returned with drinks, “Thank you, Buir!” She grabbed her juice and took a sip before looking over to Meero. Well. It was getting awkwardly quiet.

“So, a pilot? What ships have you flown?” Sofila has no knowledge of any ships whatsoever besides the fact it’s a good transport to take you to point A and to point B. She was just trying to make small talk to have Meero be comfortable.

While Meero joined everyone for drinks, he felt the shift in Asani’s emotions. But, even if he hadn’t, he could obviously tell she was feeling off after hearing her say “fine” through gritted teeth and seeing her follow Lillian to the kitchen. Of course he knew she could handle herself, but that didn’t stop him from worrying. All he could do was be there for her if she needed anything.

“Oh! Thank you so much!” Meero said happily taking the mug of caf that Wulfram brought. As he took a sip, the caf left a little brown mustache on his otherwise white fur which he politely wiped off. The young lagomorph discreetly looked around at everyone present. Despite the moment of awkwardness, he was happy to finally meet Asani’s family which he’d heard so much about.

When he heard Sofila’s question, his ears perked in her direction. “Hmm… well, to be honest, not that many. I’d say I’ve only flown three different kinds of ships.” He responded with a chuckle. He’s very passionate about starships but was really trying to keep his answer short because, otherwise, he’d end up rambling and talking their ears off.

“Ohhhh! Meero, have you ever flown- um- oh, Kark- hey! Buir, what kind of ship is the Somber Respite?” She hoped this work for Wulfram and Meero to talk some. Sofila never did well when it’s too quiet and she’s trying to lessen the awkward tension. She’s also racking her brain to think of something both Cole and him can talk about.

Kriff, why was this hard?

“A Gozanti.” Came Wulfram’s quick response as he settled into a seat and thanked Sofila for finding a good topic of discussion for him.

Meero’s eyes widened slightly as he put down his mug. “Oooh! A Gozanti Cruiser? That’s a good one! I’ve never flown one myself but I have performed maintenance on them. I bet she looks absolutely intimidating. How does she handle?” He said excitedly, not noticing his fur changed to a happy yellow.

“She’s a brick with engines, honestly. Middling maneuverability, good guns, RITZ and Winchester’s crew do a lot of the flying, situationally. Generally I only run the helm on Marhsal business.” Wulfram shot back, smirking as he watched the Kushiban’s fur shift, memories of a young Asani playing in his mind.

“Served the last few years as a good houseboat though, when we weren’t on the Armistice End, a Type B Shuttle. For what it was, the Type B was a smoother ride, but less secure, for sure.”

“Hehe, I’ll bet.” Said Meero while taking another sip of caf. “I can certainly relate. My ship, the Starlight, is an… antique. Old Republic model, not the best maneuverability. But she gets the job done and I love her still.”

He then glanced at the kitchen briefly hoping Asani was ok before turning his gaze back to Wulfram.

“Ooh!” Sofila grinned while she took a sip of her juice. She was getting none of this. But it was okay, Meero and Buir was talking. She looked over to Cole for a moment then to the area where they had to place their blasters.

“You know, the three of you should go to a shooting range someday. Cole here is pretty good shot. Might be fun.” She nudge Cole’s arm a bit.

“That sounds like fun.” Meero smiled gently at Cole since he could tell he wasn’t fully comfortable in this kind of setting. “I’m not exactly the best shot but Asani has been teaching me and I wouldn’t mind seeing an expert up close.”

It was odd, seeing Asani so subdued. She was aware that this was likely Marick’s influence. Hell, it seemed like Asani was trying to do her best impression of the Exarch. She could win a competition for it if there was such a thing as one. Lillian handed her luperine daughter one of the multitudes of multicolored glasses and poured her a drink.

“You’ve grown. That Mentor of yours is something else.” The Mandalorian tilted her head for a moment, listening to the conversation in the other room. “You can probably head back now if you’re ready. Tell everyone dinner will be ready in about ten minutes.”

Had she been trying any harder her impression of the Exarch might’ve been completely flawless. But she was still her usual kushiban self. Accepting the drink she was offered she nodded at Lillian the look still steely, voice even in tone. “I’ll inform everyone” she stated plainly nodding her head and walking away toward the rest of the family and the dinner they might all have.

“It appears the food will be ready soon.” she state in a semi-faux joy, she took a sip of her drink while emerging from the kitchen. She hoped acting more like Marick might make the evening go smoother, which is waht she would do. She approached Meero with a shy look “I hope you’re having fun.” she stated with that same smile, in hopes to ensure that both he was enjoying himself and that her father hadn’t managed to terrify him into silence.

Meero smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Oh yes I am, sweetheart. We were just talking about the three of us going to a shooting range.”

He held her hand gently and looked at her with a slightly concerned expression as if asking “Are you alright?”

Wulfram smirked at the thought of going to the range. It would either be an enlightening experience for everyone, or somewhat embarassing. A smile crept to his face as he turned to Sofila and chuckled.

“I would say you’re trying to make some friendly competitions between us, and I approve, ad'ika.” The elder Mandalorian mused for a moment before he shot his attention back to Meero.

“Old Republic ships are engineering delights. They suffer every indignity we’ve thrown at them and keep on pushing, and somehow, some way, their designs have survived all this time.” With a sip of his caf he thought of himself and his own hardships and survival.

“Just like us old warhawks, always bruising, but still there.” When Asani returned to the room and mentioned dinner being ready soon, Wulfram’s eyebrow quirked.

His oldest was, inordinately subdued. A sigh escaped his lips before he took another draw of his caf.

“Well if you’re up for it, it’d be fun.” she smiled at him, cheeks light blue. She was determined now to firmly push down any and all emotion that didn’t resound as ‘positive’. At least in that she could keep the dinner as normal and non-chaotic as possible. Maybe all her training with Marick would pay off if she could start mimicking him to perfection in situations with such high emotional tension.

She was able to keep it cool in front of Lillian, maybe it wouldn’t be so hard in front of everyone else. She still wanted to reassure him, and did so telepathically.

Sofila watched them and smiled at Buir. But… there still wasn’t really a - This still felt- Kark. More awkward than the time she and Cole- She groaned as she leaned over and smack her head on the table.

“You guys are really difficult to socialize. For kark-” Then she rose her head at Asani coming back in. There we go. Maybe there could be some lively conversations-

No.

Asani was acting weird. She squinted at her sister. Was it because of what she said earlier? That might had went over her head? Or was it because of her date? Was he changing her? Karkin’ suns no. He better not be the one that’s making her feel like she can’t be herself. Imagine if Sofila arrived all calm, quiet, and subdued to Cole.

Her family would react. Luckily, Cole doesn’t do that to her. He lets her be herself, to an extent that’s not a danger to herself and others.

Why was no one reacting to this oddity!?

“Is he abusing you, Asani? You aren’t acting yourself.” She glared over to Meero, watching him carefully.

“Ok good.” Meero caught Asani’s telepathic reassurance and gave her a gentle smile. “And, are you kidding? Of course I’d be up for it! I’d absolutely love to see you all showing off your skills! It would definitely help me learn as well.”

Then, when Sofila suddenly questioned Asani and glared at him, Meero panicked. Was it something he said? Something he did? Did he somehow offend a Mandalorian custom he wasn’t aware of? Caught completely off guard by this, his fur shifted from a happy yellow to different shades of purple. “W-what? I would never!”

Wulfram snorted as Sofila turned years of Wulfram’s own commentary about the girls on it’s head, then when the allegation of abuse came an eyebrow raised and the old man poured his caf into the decorative plant in the middle of the table, pulling a bottle of whiskey from a recess in the side of his chair.

“Well, that went about as smooth as I expected. Time for some whiskey, Cole would you like some?”

Her mind didn’t quite register the question at first. But after a moment more her fur began to change hues to a cherry red color, bristling in a near attempt to stand on end, yet it didnt manage to stand up.

Asani was doing her best to stay as calm as her master but seemed to be failing in keeping her fur from displaying how she really felt. She could be heard mumbling things to herself throught her teeth for a moment in an attempt to ease her nerves. “Its okay…its fine…deep breath. She doesnt know him, shes a little de-protective but I can work with it…”

“Gitta…Meero is a perfect gentleman and has been nothing but the kindest being in the galaxy. And he thinks I’m funny.” She corrected, her voice and gaze even althought monotone in order to avoid yelling. She might make the Exarch proud or maybe worried, hed be impressed by her self control at the very least.

Sofila squinted at Meero as he changed colors. What did purple mean again? Asani’s fur turned red. Okay. That was good. If he was hurting her, it wouldn’t be red. Last time it turned red, her ass got kicked.

Nah. She was safe. Ashamed or scared would be a different color.

Sofila rose an eyebrow and sighed, “You are still acting so weird,” she muttered under her breath. “Well. I’m glad then. Sorry about that, Meero. I’m glad you take good care of her. And someone should find her funny.” She playfully winked.

Her head shot up at the sound of whiskey, “I would love some, Buir! Please!”

Her fur began to shift back to its usual white color. Asani sat back trying her best to ease her tensions by shaking them off a little.

“Im hilarious I dunno what youre talking about” she replied then moving back up and sticking her tongue out at her sister. “Or did you forget the flour in the vents?” she asked maybe a bit too happy while thinking back at one of her pranks.

Meero relaxed, his fur shifting back to his usual white. He was glad he didn’t actually offend anyone. “Oh, no worries.” He chuckled. “I have a sister of my own so I understand the need to be protective.”

When he heard Wulfram offer whiskey, Meero raised his hand slightly. “I’ll have some too, please.”

Wulfram procured three separate clear glasses from a nearby cabinet, shaking his head as he poured whiskey for Cole, Meero, and himself. Handing Sofila’s guest his glass first, his eyes met those of his ad'ika.

“You know my rules, I don’t feed the beast. Disputes, arguments, and any other belligerences must be settled and passed before I pour after an argument like that. If you two manage another five minutes without getting after each other, I’ll pour. Don’t need you fighting drunk and doing or saying anything you’ll regret.” He finished before as he passed Meero a glass as well and returned to his seat.

Normally the man would have included Meero in his restriction, but the man’s genuine affront, timid nature, and the Kushiban’s inability to hide his emotions on his fur put the Mandalorian at ease that he wouldn’t be swept up in his daughter’s infighting.

It was nice, for a change, to be able to relax and see what his ad'ika were getting up to in life, even if it did result in the occasional argument. That had always been life before, and the recent few months had been lonely without the constant noise and interruptions they posed for him, coupled with the stress of his current job.

Sofila’s cheeks puffed in an angry pout as she groaned. She looked over to the clock and stared at it. 255 more seconds to go, 254, 253…

As far as she was concerned, things were solved.

Sofila yelped, “I didn’t do it!” When she was nudged by Cole.

“Oh. Hi.” She grinned at him and leaned over at the table, her elbow propped as she watch him drink the whiskey. Oh. Right. They weren’t alone. She quickly sat up and straightened her posture.

Which lasted for all three seconds.

“SO!” Sofila paused, trying to think of something to talk about and sighed, she slumped into the seat, her head rested the back of the chair.

“You guys are lame. Still love you all. Except you, I don’t know you, yet.” She pointedly said to Meero before turned her head to look at Buir, “What are we having for dinner, Buir?”

“Fair enough.” Meero chuckled, did a finger gun in her direction then took a sip of his whiskey.

“Hey im not lame, and Meeros a sweetheart!” the elder protested. She was clearly protective of him.

“So because clearly were so lame and soooooooooo boring…” the elder began swaying left to right “how do you two entertain yourselves?” she queried, eyebrow raised her arms crossed, right ear tilted downward to match her eyebrows expression.

“At least Meero said fair enough! I just don’t love people on sight-” She stopped herself and cleared her throat, remembering her past habits before Cole.

That was something her Buirs did NOT need to know.

Course, she would argue that it’s more lust than love, at the time.

“We actually work a lot. Missions and stuff. We just finished with one.” Sofila grimaced, remembering how rough that mission was. Specifically to Cole. She quickly continued to avoid dwelling on it.

“We go rock climbing, swimming, walking, you know, fun stuff that we do sometimes! We also spar against each other and go to the shooting range for a bit. On lazy days, he cooks and I read or talk to his ears off. There’s also lots of sex.”

So much for something her Buirs did not need to know.

“You know, it surprises me how much you two are like me even though we share zero genetics.”

Lillian’s voice carried from the kitchen as she brought out a beautifully glazed and spiral-cut Barve with what seemed like very little effort, as well as an asortment of other dishes precariously balanced on one arm. She placed the serving dishes on the counter with the serving utensils. The glaze and the actual cooking was all Wulfram, of course, but she helped! Around the roast was different vegetables, all roasted to perfection. There were also three different types of potato (au gratin, mashed, and pan fried) as well as a butter and herb pasta, and a gorgeous salad.

“A good man is one you can’t tell if you want to strangle them to death or kriff their brains out.”

The smirk that played across her lips as she glaced at Wulfram was mischeviousness incarnate, and some sane part of her brain stopped for a moment to think ‘and this is why Asani never takes us anywhere’. With that sentence wavering in the air, she moved back to the kitchen to grab the sides and the more vegetarian options for Asani and Meero– because of course they had made sure that there were options. They were soldiers, not barbarians, after all.

She was sure she’d hear it from Wulfram later about her antics, but it was worth it to see her daughters die a little inside. She reveled in the small chaotic moments, the ones that made life more fun.

The redhead appeared a few moments later with vegetarian options for the Kushiban, then took her seat next to Wulfram and deftly snatched the whiskey glass from him. She lifted it to her lips and took a sip, crossing one leg over the other and resting back against her chair.

Sofila had completely forgotten about the whiskey now the food had arrived.

She reached over for the au gratin first and paused at Lillian’s words with a smirk. She looked over to Cole, hoping he would look at her. The moment she thinks he does, she would nip at her lower lip and her tongue caresses at the bottom and winked at Cole before she resumed getting food on her plate.

“Luckily for me, it’s the latter.”

Meero was so stunned by Sofila’s comment that his eyes widened as he slightly choked on his whiskey and his fur quickly changed to a light blue.

Sure they were all adults, but he was amazed she’d just nonchalantly mention that in front of her Buirs. He was too stunned to even notice Sofila flirting with Cole and just focused on the food.

“Kark no…” Asani covered her face with her ears blushing a light blueish color in embarassment. Was this really the place to talk about physical compatibility? In front of everyone? Right before dinner? As they were getting to know each other?

Asani managed to compose herself and straighten up only to see Sagittas attempt at flirting with Cole.

“Im never recovering from this.” she mumbled to herself as she began to grab as many foods as possible in order to pretend that had not just happened.

Wulfram smirked as he caught Sofila’s gesture and his eyes fell on the young man, then turning to the other members of his family, seeing that they too had caught the gesture but Meero had seemed oblivious. His smirk raised slightly higher as he realized Cole was just as oblivious.

Coleblivious. He remarked internally as he sighed and did something rare outside of familial company.

A singular hand outreached and summoned a new whiskey glass to his hand with the use of The Force.

“You could have gotten your own glass, Lillian, and I would have even given you refills. Now you have to pour your own, sneak-thief.” He let out with a slight chuckle as he poured himself a new glass of whiskey and sipped carefully at it as he debated the words to explain his current situation.

“I have news that affects the family. My connections abroad and with old friends have brought me to an interesting place and I was offered an, interesting if nothing else, position which I intend to take, though it will require me to surrender my position as Director of the Dajorran Marshals.” He weighed how exactly to phrase his next sentence as he took a sip of his whiskey.

“I have accepted the position of Councilor of War in the Kiast System.” He said with a firm voice as he set the glass back down.

Sofila was surprised to see Wulfram using the Force in front of kriffin guests. She slowly chewed and swallowed her food, she felt like she was walking on thin ice. Was he already comfortable with Cole and Meero? Did he wanted to prove something to them? Wait, does Meero even use the Force? She glanced over to Wulfram as she shoved another heaping of food into her mouth when he announced that he had news.

She stopped chewing at the mention of him leaving his job as Director of the Dajorran Marshals. What….

Kiast System? Her brows furrowed and wrinkles appeared on her forehead as she tried to remember where that was. All she knew that it wasn’t home.

Then a big gulp.

A pause.

“What?!”

Asani stared at her buir with what he knew was confusion and questioning in her eyes, left eyebrow raising slightly. Making sure only her eyes moved, she looked down at the glass he had fetched and back up at him as if to ask why he’d done it that way. Yet the words that followed the strange behavior left her with an even stronger gaze of confussion, her brow furrowing and nose wrinkling.

“Congratulations Buir!” she said in cheer as she relaxed her face. She wasnt about to be the one to cause a comottion this time around. And it seemed her sister was happy to be the center of that this time around anyway. Kiast. It was probably farther than she wanted to remember. But for the time being she relaxed and continued to chew on her food.

A pout was the only response to Wulfram’s comment about not getting her more whiskey. Otherwise, the Mandalorian sat silent as Wulfram explained that he would be moving to the Kiast system.

She gave the girls a second to process the information and make their initial reactions. She expected Sofila’s reaction, but not Asani’s, and the woman took a second to wonder if the Kushiban was just trying to not show her crazy infront of her new boyfriend.

Which Lillian thought was ridiculous, because if a man didn’t love you at your height of batkist crazy, did he even deserve you?

The redhead sighed, taking a sip of whiskey.

“I’ll be going with. Our transfer to Odan-Urr has been approved.”

Sofila jolted to the back of her seat and stared at Asani in pure and utter disbelief. She was completely slack-jawed.

“What!? You-” Lillian chimed in that their transfer had been approved. She glanced over to her and felt a nudge from Cole’s knee against her leg. She scoffed. Fine.

She glanced over the whiskey bottle that was by Wulfram’s glass and used telekinesis. It wobbled but made it over without a spill.

“Five seconds until five minutes,” Sofila pointed out as she poured a glass and set the bottle down. Once enough time had passed, she took a sip and exhaled slowly. She set the glass down and was unable to eat anymore.

Meero felt more at ease seeing them casually using the Force. When Wulfram and Lillian mentioned they were moving to Kiast, he was quite surprised but took a moment to look at Asani’s reaction. She seemed calm but he knew that wasn’t really the case. He gently held her hand letting her know he was there if she needed it.

“Oh, really? I understand Kiast is a few sectors away.” He said also lifting his glass with telekinesis, taking a sip then putting it back down. “But Councilor of War, that’s really impressive! Congratulations! If you need assistance with moving, I’d be happy to help.”

“Im happy you’ll be together.” Asani said though her eyes were betraying her true emotions as her gaze seemed to shift between hurt and steely focused.

If she was going to commit to behaving this would be the best way to manage her emotions. Shoving them downward and not givin in to her base instincts of rage or yelling. She wasnt a child, though her height wasnt an indication of it, she needed to stop behaving like one. It was a good thing for them and even if she felt hurt it wasnt her place to comment anything involving her parents.

But she was hurt. They were leaving and the family would all be at a distance. Shed do her best to stay in contact. Feeling Meeros hand eased her, hearing his cooperative words ensured her shed be fine and wouldnt fall into feelings of lonelyness. “Any help needed, were here.”

“The distance isn’t too far and I’ll be working among friends, and admittedly, some old contacts I’m rather… Not fond of, to say the least, but with the blessed come the cursed.” The elder Mandalorian spoke as he took a long draught of his whiskey and motioned to the food.

“Eat, eat. Let’s not let our news sour the meal, or allow the conversation to cool such a fine cut of meat.” He chuckled as he reached and began to serve some for himself.

“As ever, my doors will always be open to you, ad'ika and to your cy'are, should you have need of me, or to just visit. And I’ll visit. I just didn’t want you to hear from others that I had abandoned my post without reason.”

Sofila looked over to Meero in surprise when he used telekensis. He was a Force User.

Then she grimaced. That left Cole vulnerable. Her eyes narrowed as she looked over to Asani who was still being eerily calm. Even was happy that they were ‘together’. Sofila was more concerned, was this a facade for her to try to pry Cole’s mind? She felt the sudden need and urge to leave. She did not want this to go south. Asani hasn’t really interfere with anyone’s minds anymore like she used to.

But Sofila wasn’t sure if she can even trust her as of right now, not with how much of a weird automatic droid statue she was acting.

Sofila then turned to look at Wulfram with a reassuring smile, “No! Of course not. You would never abandon us.”

She lost her appetite but she clear her plate at least. The Mirialan gently pushed it back. Which was unusual. Usually, the woman would kill off two or three servings. She still smiled and her shoulders relaxed. She didn’t want them to know she was bothered.

“Everything was great, Buirs.”

“Im sure Meero will be happy to show off his piloting skills by taking me there whenever Id like to visit.” The elder sibling said cheerfully. She had managed to start and finish eating quickly and was reaching for more when she noticed something.

Asanis eyes glanced toward her sister then as she continued to noticed that something, Sagittas food behavior.

Odd how she wasnt clearinng two or three plates at a time. She was strangely full and satiated when usually shed be throwing plate after plate as if it were an eating competition. The lagomorphic womans eyes squinted toward her sister as if trying to figure out what was wrong.

“Are YOU pregnant?” she asked acusatory. Her previous comments about her vivacious love life were not lost in the elder. She stared at Cole then, eyes narrow and now suspicious of the man.

“Oh for-” Sofila exhaled as she glanced over to Asani with a ‘really?’ expression on her face.

“If I was pregnant, I wouldn’t be drinking.” Sofila wiggled the glass that was in her hand with the whiskey before knocking it back. She had been taking careful measures to make sure she doesn’t get pregnant. Her and Cole already had that talk. They do want kids and they aren’t ready.

Meero nearly choked on his food after Asani’s accusation, only coughing slightly. He took a sip of his drink to help it go down and just sat there unsure of what to say.

However, he felt better after Sofila and Cole spoke. He knew Asani would not take it well if Sofila was pregnant and didn’t tell her. “Yeah that’s right, sweetheart.” Meero said to Asani while holding her hand. “There’s no way they wouldn’t tell you if you were about to become an… oh what was it? A ba'vodu? Did I say that correctly?”

Asani stared at both Sagitta and Cole, making a hand gesture akin to ‘I’m watching you’ at both of them individually. Now the lagomorph was suspicious of her sister and her surprising lack of appetite. “I know, but she’s acting weird.” She would look to Meero with a smile. “Yes you did.” shed say smiling nuzzling their noses together.

Wulfram snorted wistfully at Cole’s question and tapped his glass on the table as his eyes met with those of Sofila, before turning to Asani. Cold basalt pillars locked on each of them as he inspected the pair and shook his head pushed the glass away.

“Yes. Because the two of them care too much about one another, but are also too damned proud to admit they’ve grown up and are different women than the little girls that grew up darting the halls of The Armistice. I’m sorry you’ve gotten caught in the middle of their spat. The two of them never could see the other as an adult.” Wulfram sighed as he cocked his head to the pair.

“They’re also, probably offput by my apparent comfort in using my… Curse, for lack of a better word, in front of their partners. But what they don’t realize is that with my position as Councilor of War in Kiast, I will be working alongside the Jedi Praxeum, and I cannot keep my curse hidden perpetually. I’ve been slowly attempting to acquaint myself to using less damning abilities around those my acquaintances and family would find comfort in, if just out of necessity for my own sanity.” His eyes closed and head tilted back over the side of the chair.

“All I wanted was one… one… peaceful and quiet night with you girls, and I figured a night with you two and your partners would be good for that, because you wouldn’t want to fight with each other and them. Asani, I get you’re still angry at Lillian and I for getting married without consulting you, but we’re getting old enough as it is, can we learn to let go of spite and just talk to each other? And Sofila, I’ve missed you, fiercely, since the incident with your ba'buir and your infrequent checkins since, I know it’s been rough and you’ve been busy, filling your time with work and missions, injuries, and I’m not even going to bring up being stabbed in the chest. But, can we just… Can we stop fighting? Can we actually be adults instead of adult-sized children, for once?”

“No!” Sofila exclaimed, flabbergasted as they were kriffin’ NUZZLING after she was being accused. She looked down at her plate and scowled.

“I think it has to do with my eating. I used to eat alllllooot. But I haven’t eaten that much, not since I moved out and went to Selen Training Corps. Not like there’s abundant of food there.” Sofila pointed out to Asani.

The tapping of the glass did not go unnoticed as her head turned to look at Wulfram. She became quiet while Wulfram spoke. Her body tensed when he focused on her and how she hasn’t been checking in like she used to. Her arms crossed across her chest as she shifted to lean back against the chair. He brought up the way she always buried herself in missions and work. The Mirialan visibly grimaced when the reminder of her being stabbed was brought up.

There was a moment of silence from her.

“Sorry Buir…” She murmured, feeling embarrassed. She couldn’t imagine having to learn to use the Force, just for a karking job. And she felt guilty, for not checking in with her family.

She looked up to him, warm pink pairs meeting with Wulfram’s eyes, “I can do that, yea.” She grinned.

Quiet, Lillian was quiet, observing. She wasn’t sure where to help, or that she would even be able to help. While Sofila generally listened to her, it was hard enough to get Asani to heed her words before the accident with her own Buir. A soft frown pulled at her scarred lips and she placed her glass down in favor of laying a hand comfortingly on Wulfram’s bicep as he began to talk.

She had been trying her best to help him relearn, to become comfortable with the force again, to not see it as a “curse”. It was an uphill battle, not only because Wulf was out of practice, but because he was just as stubborn as she was. A soft squeeze when the elder Mandalorian mentioned Asani being angry at her, emerald eyes securing themselves to the table.

She was trying so hard. She just wanted her daughters to love her again. She missed the way things used to be, the way they all used to joke with eachother. Her talk with Asani was the first talk she had had alone with the Kushiban in well… forever. And even then, even though there wasn’t any fighting, the silence was worse. She wanted the fighting, the yelling, cause it proved that even if Asani hated her, she still cared.

But now there was just silence, and distance, and it hurt.

Lillian swallowed back tears, refusing to tear up and make a scene over a simple mention of a conflict. Her eyes flicked up once more to look at her husband as he tilted his head back, her frown setting deeper.

Kark.

“Working with Jedi doesn’t mean you need to push yourself to something that we all known makes you uncomfortable Buir.” she looked to him, letting him know she was paying attention. Her voice was calm monotone and even, perhaps she was spending too much time with Marick.

“Its none of my concern what you do together. You’re adults, you have a right to do as you will and need not consult me for anything. I overstepped and made peace with it, I let it go.” She wasnt giving way to any emotional extremes, no yelling no anger no fuss or shifting of colors. She was calm or at least appeared to be, there didn’t seem to be anything there that would betray anger other than the fact she seemed to refused to express any emotion when she spoke, positive or negative.

“And youre right Buir. I don’t want to fight, which is why I’ve been working on modifying my behavior. Im old enough that my usual emotional outbursts are unbecoming, I’m done embarassing myself. I’m not a child, I shouldn’t act like one.” her gaze hardened at the words. She was being overly critical of herself it seemed.

She then used the Force to moved some napkins scattered around the table up to Lillian. The kushiban was likely the only one who didn’t see their abilities as a curse. She looked to Meero then, seeminly communicating somethig silently.

Receiving Asani’s ‘silent’ message, Meero looked at her with a gentle smile. He placed his hand on her cheek and rubbed it gently with his thumb, seemingly communicating something in return.

He then went back to eating calmly. Even though things were a bit tense, he knew there was clear family love and affection going on at the table. They were just airing things out and he just needed to let them.

“Asani, I won’t pretend to know the inner workings of your mind. I won’t assume to tell you what to think, or how to act. One does not speak, unless one knows. While I’m not one to fall back on the many parables of The Creed, that has been an important lesson. What I do know is that to suppress your emotions, and to not discuss them with those closest to you, leaves you with regret when the inevitable happens.” His wearisome voice called as he placed his palms on the table and shifted his chair back a few inches, failing to notice the napkins shifting near his hand.

“I would rather the indignity of my ad'ika’s jealousy, confusion, and misguided fury, than impunity borne of her denying who it is to be herself. Learning to manage the worst parts of yourself is commendable, an honorable pursuit, one each of us should strive for. Denying that which serves you and will only bottle up into self-destructiveness? You’d leave me questioning every day will you speak your truth to me before I die, will I die with your regrets burdening me?”

Somber eyes shifted to Sofila.

“Your sister is no better, but her pain is turned inwards. Confusion, worry, and anguish she can’t process toward the family that gets buried in work, being the light for others, and being the big sister she feels she still has to be for everyone else. The big sister you were for her, before all of this happened.” A smile pulled at his cheek when he saw the smile that had formed on Sofila’s lips.

“Neither of you want to fight, but you each have greivances, and there’s no better place to air them, than in the comfort of a family home, over food, with whiskey, music, and loved ones to keep us from fighting. Plus, blasters got racked, so no one’s going to turn around and bolt someone in a moment of fury. Someone might get shanked, but, I know at least half of us can stitch, and we’re all trained in Close Quarters, so, it’d just become a case of smacking one another with plates or some'at.”

Her ears folded backward as her colors shifted from their near white to a darker hue of blue. She wanted to hide how she felt, she didn’t want to fight or be loud. It was easier to hide all of that. It was easier to deny those behaviors and base instincts. To be peaceful or at least somewhat peaceful.

“I don’t want to continue that pattern of behavior…because sometimes I am not angry at you, I am angry for you.” Her voice sounded even but seemed to crack gently, she was trying to hold back the emotions without sounding insincere. She looked to Sagitta then. “Because I want to protect you. I worry about you…” she looked at Cole, who seemed like something said had bothered him. She would consider asking later. “I worry…”

She looked to Lillian then. “For all of you.” eyes shifting back to Wulfram. “I have grievences. But I am not the best at speaking without it turning into a brawl. Which I want to avoid.” she tried to center herself again and keep her voice at least at a bit more cheerful. “Besides, Buir we all know youd be able to stab us easily and would choose not to.” she commented as a semi joke some humor laced in her tone in an attempt to lighten the mood.

“We love you just how you are, ad'ika.” Lillian commented with just the slightest waver in her voice. Her hand tightened on Wulfram’s bicep just slightly, just enough for her childhood best friend to notice. “Emotions and anger and outbursts and everything in between. It is you. In Mandalorian culture we do not hide ourselves, for any reason, for any person. You lose yourself, you lose who you are, you are dar'manda– without a soul, in a way more than I was. Worse than an Apostate.”

Why was she getting so kriffing choked up? The redhead swallowed hard, then grabbed her whiskey and took a sip. Let the burning in her throat center her.

“Having emotions does not make you weak, it makes you dral– powerful. When you are in touch with who you are, when you are one with yourself, there is no one who can beat you. That is why I do not change. I might not be… most people’s favorite. I am badmouthed, brash, combative. It would be easier to not be, but it is me. Ast ner'manda, it is my soul. There is a mandalorian saying, Kaysh meg liser va koor ti gar nitgibatuba malyasa'yr va motir de gar o'r cayatr. Someone who can’t deal with you at your worst will not stand with you in battle.”

Sofila’s hues flickered to Asani when she started talking. She hated the things she brought up. Did she really let it go? Emotional outbursts are unbecoming? A child? Sofila’s eyes went to her plate as she stared at it. She wanted to yell at Asani. Emotions weren’t a karkin’ problem. Something she’s been struggling with Cole about alone. Emotions was what makes them alive.

Buir had stepped in. And even pulled her under a speeder. Cole shifted by her side. She looked over to him for a moment and frowned. Her hand slipped to underneath the table and placed her hand on his thigh gently, a hand he can grasped and hold. Or would he nudge her hand away? It was her way of saying, I am here.

Asani added more about worrying about all of them.

“Worrying is normal. We ARE family.” She wanted to add that sometimes, her approach of the worrying was toxic and belittling but now was not the time for that. This dinner, which she was entirely worried about for Cole, ended up being heavy for them all.

Then Lillian started to talk. Cole’s hand slipped over hers and gave a soft squeeze. She squeezed him in return. Another reminder. She’s here.

For once, Sofila was quiet. She… wasn’t even sure what her grievances was. They were already being aired out at the moment and the grievances she had at the moment, was the hatred she develop towards Cole’s father.

Who was dead and unavailable for her to punch.

And it wasn’t her story to tell.

‘Kaysh meg liser va koor ti gar nitgibatuba malyasa'yr va motir de gar o'r cayatr.’ She gave him another squeeze, she wanted him to know, she already planned to stand with him in any battle that comes their way.

Deeply moved by Lillian’s words, Meero was on the verge of tears. He lifted his glasses slightly to wipe off a single tear that ran down the fur on his cheek. “That… sniff that was beautiful.”

Sofila had to change the topic. Quick. She can sense Cole and it was worrying her.

“So! Good news! Serpens, if yall don’t remember- oh right we have Meero, so Serpens is my dad, pure asshole, burnt my face, does not like force users blah blah. Long story. Anyways, he placed a bounty mark on me for a really kriffin’ long time and…. Removed it.” She glanced over to Wulfram and Lillian, looking relieved and confused.

“Which…. I actually don’t know to be relieved or concerned.” What if he was setting up a trap?

“But it’s gone now? At least! So good news!” Sofila grinned, trying to bring some light in this table.

“Dad, but not Buir, not taldin, ad'ika. Either he learned the hard way the tal'waad of tracking you, or your mother finally told him the truth she told you long ago.” Wulfram sighed as he shrugged his shoulder back, rolling a cut of his meat with his fork and piercing it through, before he lifting it to take a bite.

A subtle difference in her face, a slight change to her demenor, but gone before most could notice. This topic was not.. her best topic to talk about. Her hand fell from Wulfram’s arm and the redhead took a much larger drink of her whiskey this time. She then stood, gently scooting her chair back.

“I should go check on desert. Wulf’s got some sort of pie going in there.” And with that she excused herself to go mope silently in the kitchen.

“Yeaaaa, he prob-” Sofila cut off midsentence as she looked over to Buir in confusion. Lillian was quick to go check on dessert. Her eyes went flicked back.

“What? I mean, yes, you are Buir-” Her brows furrowed as she was trying to comprehend to what he just said. Not taldin. Her mother finally told the truth? What truth…

Then uncertainty was evident in her voice, “Wait. What are you saying? What truth? Buir, what do you mean by not taldin?”

“Not blood.” Asani stated with a raised brow. She stared in Lillians direction and upon detecting something shift she decided to follow.

“Be back soon” she said to Meero her fur lightening as she looked to him hoping that she wasn’t about to make a mistake.

“I’ll help you with that” she stated following Lillians direction into the kitchen, whatever it was she was doing, she needed to have a conversation with Lillian.

“O-oh ok.” Meero said as Asani began to follow Lillian. “Please be careful!”

Taken a little off-guard by Sofila’s confusion, Wulfram held a moment in consideration. Had she not explained? Had Sofila not understood? Questions of his own ran internally, but a measure of internal pride ranked that he raised the children well enough that none felt a pull of favoritism.

“Gar taldin ni jaon'yc; gar sa buir, ori'wadaasla. Sorry, guests, nobody cares who your parent was, only the parent you’ll be. I knew your mother, personally, before her marriage was announced by her parents. We were friends, met while I was working a security detail for her sister’s marriage.” Wulfram chuckled. “She snuck out to change her shoes and smoke away from her sister and parents and ran into me in the Speeder deck. Complained about dancing in platforms while she searched for her flats. She kept asking about our culture and bounty hunting, what it was like to just go where you want. Asked if we could keep in touch and if I’d send her photos of the places I visit. You know me, if a request is simple, why not?”

Wulfram poured more whiskey and took a tentative sip.

“So it went for a few years. I’d ping her with new photos. She’d regale me with tales of mundane living and her favorite books. Fair trade.”

“Then she told me about her arranged marriage. Messages in return became fewer. She talked about how bad her life had become, how… Obsessive the man was about her finances and having a controllable legacy. I got worried and asked if she needed someone to talk to in person.” A swirl of the whiskey before he took a long sip.

“Her heart wavered and we happened. She went to her parents compound for a few weeks with your sister, and her parents convinced her to stay the course, for the money, and contacts. She found out later she was pregnant. She didn’t tell me for years, but asked me to send more photos, we talked about Asani, and that’s when she told me, and how she was worried about how your father had treated you, and she was ashamed of how she had too.”

Silence fell on the table as Wulfram spoke. Her hand squeezed Cole’s and she didn’t relent. Sofila didn’t say a word.

After what felt like eternity, “No.” She sounded hurt and in pure disbelief. Her eyes burned with tears that threatened to overspill. This can’t be right. No. Her mother didn’t love her. But she never did lay a hand on her, ever. It was all him. But her mother didn’t stop him. She couldn’t love her-

But her mother didn’t encourage him either. She just turned cold. Stopped hugging her. Stopped giving her kisses. Stopped everything- Did she love her? Or was it all-

But- What- She bit her tongue. She wasn’t going to cry here. Her heart started to pound against her chest and she can feel her arms was trembling. She knew once she started, she wouldn’t be able to stop.

She felt hurt. Not by the reveal of her paternal line but the more info of her mother.

If anything, Wulfram was really her Buir. He always had been. Her view on him changed nothing besides the fact she’s relieved that she didn’t have that bastard blood in her.

Just the she-akk.

She looked over to Cole with a firm squeeze on his hand before she released him, “Please come home with me tonight.” Her voice was on the verge of begging. She got up and held out a hand to Wulfram in case he protested. She wavered in trying to stand still.

“Buir. I-I need time. I can call you tomorrow. Kar'taylir darasuum, Buir.”

Wulfram placed his own hand up towards Sofila as she tried to keep him from protesting, making a lowering gesture as he shook his head, then gesturing to the door.

“Whether this door or another. You’ve always been free to come and go as you please, Sofila. You know that. I’m sorry I dropped so much on you at once.” He offered with a sigh before he looked towards Meero’s plate and pushed one of the serving trays towards the young man.

“Call me, this time, don’t bury yourself in work again, please?”

Sofila froze for a moment and her eyes were met with Cole’s before back to Buir’s.

Kriff.

They were so much alike. Buir had brought it up a few times already. Cole had been saying the same thing, but less about work and more about running, sparring, or orbit jumping. Kark. She really has been burying herself, through her job or her activities. Cole was also the one that had been nudging her to call her family more often. She can trust him to remind her to call in the morning.

She didn’t realize how… no. Not now. With a deep breath to gather her resolve, she confidently nodded.

“This time,” promised Sofila. She had so many questions, she just needed time to clear her thoughts out and it didn’t help that her anger was starting to rise again. Anger creates illogical thoughts. Sofila made sure to grab her blaster as Cole grabbed his. They both placed theirs in the holster and stepped out.

Don’t listen, don’t listen, don’t listen, but she karking couldn’t. Couldn’t help but listen to the retelling of the story of Sofila, couldn’t help but listen to Wulfram talk about the one woman out there in the galaxy who got what she had always wanted, but may never get now. Her eyes burned, her chest hurt. Wulfram had been, so far, blissfully unaware how much that fact hurt and it seemed like that wasn’t changing tonight as the man seemed to barely notice her sudden departure. It’s not his fault, she reminded herself, it’s not his fault he’s an unobservant idiot…

She heard the pitter patter of Asani following and her words. Could it have literally been anyone else who followed her into the kitchen? She didn’t want to fight. Her soul was tired. She entered the kitchen and opened the oven, checking on the amazing smelling pie of some chocolate and fruit variety. Her riduur was… amazing, and other people were quick to also note that fact. She didn’t blame them. She didn’t blame Wulfram. She knew they had both hooked up with others during their separation, they had both had moments of weakness, and that Sofila had not been intentional– Wolsha had not set out to have kids with someone else, it just happened.

Why did it hurt so bad?

The redhead took a deep breath and closed the oven.

“Other five minutes or so. The crust could golden up a bit more.” She mumbled, her face a carefully constructed mask of passivity. She was determined to not let her walls crack, to not show how bad this hurt her. She had no right to be hurt.

She heard everything. All of the details of what she had already known was a past their buir hadn’t really kept from them but now it was different, the same story yet different. Buir did have blood and it was Gita who was lucky enough to share it. It stung, like bolts blasting straight through her, a bubbling in her throat and a clenched jaw, even the notch in her ear felt itchy. But it wasn’t her place to be upset, she took a deep breath and for once in her life, let it go. Because it wasn’t about her and it didn’t involve her, her newfound grey color didn’t help, but she could chalk it up to a million things. They were still family, this didn’t change anything. The grief threatening to swallow her whole could wait.

She detected something then as she was given the update on dessert, Lillian seemed stiff. Not quite herself not quite there even, her tone was even mimicking the deadpan sounds Asani herself had worked hard on, that was unnatural. A glance up at her revealed more, eyes threatening to overflow. Pushing Asani to do something she hadn’t expected to do. Hopping onto the countertop to be eye level she looked at Lillian. “If I didn’t know any better…I’d think youre feeling distressed about something.” she spoke cautiously, allowing her tone to show concern without seeming overbearing. “We could talk about it.” she offered. Distracting her own grief with comforting someone else wold help her. If Lillian was even open to the help to begin with.

That was… a lot. The tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife. As Cole and Sofila left, Meero gently waved at them while his ears drooped down and, by the time he opened his mouth to say goodbye, they were already gone.

The little lagomorph just sat there, not sure what to even say. He just took a deep breath and stared in the direction of the kitchen, hoping Asani was ok since he was sure she heard everything. He could feel it. A burning fury suddenly silenced by restraint.

He wanted to go to her more than anything. To hold her and tell her everything will be ok. But he knew she needed time. Either alone or with Lillian. So Meero just stayed at the table with Wulfram, waiting for when Asani was ready to come back.

Damn this bunny and her perception. Lillian’s lip twitched a little, in the corner where her scar touched her upper lip– she was fighting the urge for her lip to wobble. She didn’t want to talk about it, didn’t want to admit it, didn’t want to speak it outloud.. but if she were to fix the burned bridge between her and Asani, if she was going to make up for leaving, she needed to accept the hand offered to her.

The redhead pulled away then rested against the island counter. A soft frown filled her features as she stared at the oven, her arms crossed across her chest. The silence in the kitchen stretched for a few more moments before the Mandolorian could bring herself to speak.

“I knew about Sofila. I didn’t say anything because Wulfram was convinced everyone already knew– he’s an idiot, you’ll have to forgive him for that. He sees all of you as his children, like he sired you himself. In our culture, when you are adopted, you are just that.. blood. It’s just how we were raised. I know it’s likely not the same to you, and I’m sorry for not speaking up sooner. I was trusting in his judgement, trying to be better than.. before.”

Before, when she had gotten angry because she believed that he had been lying to her. When she tore their family apart.

“I’m not angry with Wolsha. The fact that we were separated was… my fault. My father convinced me that he wanted nothing to do with me. I didn’t even try to check the channel we always used. He must have thought I didn’t want him… So for him to go out there, to try to find some repreive from the pain we endured, to find some sliver of happiness.. I can’t blame him for that, I won’t.”

“It hurts because all I’ve ever wanted was to give him a family. And I feel like I can’t now. My time is up, my body can’t do that anymore.”

She huffed and waved one scarred hand lazily.

“I’ll spare you the details. I just feel like I’ve missed out on something important, and I hate that kist.”

The younger woman noticed the small details of Lillian’s lip and body language. This was hard for both of them. At least they found themselves on common ground.

Once Lillian spoke her truth pouring her heart out or however close she was to that, the small bunny-like woman’s colors shifted darker near her chest and throat, wrapping around her neck. Shades shifted, travelling up her cheeks to her eyes. An indication of where it was in her body she was feeling these surges of emotions.

“I remember…fields, hazes of green and blue. Hunger, cold, cages and screams. Its all a blur of color, sounds and feeling really. The thing I remember clearest is first sensing and then seeing Buir. Knowing the other was close by. I felt…hope. Like someone was listening.” She sat at the counter, looking at the floor.

“I think I…envy Gita for having something I wish I had. Maybe I’d have been better or luckier, born different or in a different body. I’m small, frail, no amount of armor will stop that from being reality. Buir has done his best to make sure we were all treated fairly and learned to protect ourselves. Even going so far as to show us where we’re from. We are family. But knowing they are blood, it hurts, in a way I can’t describe.” her voice dropped a bit, she was trying to find the words for this feeling.

“While you were unable to give him family the way you wanted, you can be family and make up for lost time. Considering his habit of picking up strays you’ll still be able to raise a family.” she looked at Lillian giving her a gentle chuckle. “I…have to learn to settle this feeling of hurt. To bury envy within the depths of me. Because they’re not at fault and Buir has always been fair, never showing preferences. I have no right to be upset in any way. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t.” she let out a sigh.

“If you ever want to talk about it, that feeling that you missed out, I’m open to listening.”

Wulfram sighed as his eyes trailed his daughter and her partner making their way out of the apartment. Somber orbs which turned back to face Meero as a thin smile came to his lips. At least everyone was being honest with one another, now, that had been the one thing he always sought with his family, to teach them the value in open communication and honesty amongst themselves, even if his own actions were often misinterpreted.

“I guess this means more desert for us, if you’ve still a stomach for it Meero, and I’m sorry, again, that all of this broke out in front of esteemed guests. I had hoped having our loved ones around would…” he paused as he weighed his words “I hoped it would prevent this kind of outburst, but I suppose, all-in-all it’s been for the best.” He mused.

“Things have been rough, for a while, between all of us. I’m sure Asani has at least mentioned it to you, how hard it’s been for some of us to even talk to one another, so for tonight to be at least civil… It’s something.”

Meero looked at Wulfram with a gentle understanding smile. The little lagomorph saw in the man’s eyes someone who had been through a lot. Too much, it seemed. But, despite everything, he wants his family to be happy.

“Oh, there’s no need to apologize.” He said. “Yes, Asani has mentioned it. Not everything of course. I want her to be comfortable and tell me things when she’s ready. But she’s shared quite a bit. I know your family has been through a lot. More than you’d like, I’m sure. But I can see you love them deeply and are really trying to do right by them. That much is obvious.” He chuckled a bit.

Meero looked in the direction of the kitchen, smiled a bit then looked back at Wulfram. “And I’ll say this much. Asani might get angry sure, but she really loves and admires you. All of you mean the world to her. And the fact that you’re trying so hard despite everything is very admirable. You have my respect, sir.”