The setting star of Dajorra hung low in the sky, a dusky, soft blue that, in a few hours’ time, would once more be a canvass of painted pastels with the Selenian sunset. Voices and laughter drifted on the air along with fallen flower petals and rich scents of sweets and spice. Though deep into autumn now, the tropical clime meant the evening was still warm, humid, and bright; though, blessedly, less sweltering that the summer months, a perfect and balmy temperature.
The large, rainbow-soiled fields of the Arconan Parade Grounds had once again been repurposed, as it was for the spring festivals the Selenians so boasted. Amidst the trimmed grasses and small concrete barracks that could normally serve for training of the Armed Forces were now crowds of regular citizenry, decorations, music, and stalls and tents of many kinds. Strings of tiny shaped lights glowed overhead, mingled with streamers of warm, deep colors, reds and oranges and golds. Garlands of bright orange and yellow island flowers were everywhere, in pots, on stalls, on strings, carpeting the ground here and there. Cinnamon, clove, and sugar drifted on the air, and Selenian children ran about with sparkling sticks in their hands hoisted high, parents trailing or talking in groups, all easy conversations and murmurs. Many of them wore ribbons in their hair with a braid or two, and many wore black ribbons in particular, but their striped faces smiled still, speaking of those lost with happy memory.
The chaos was nearly organized with great care: one section had concentrated the food stalls; another held games and races, face painting and an open sided braiding pavilion; yet another with long bench tables and crafts on hand; a stage from which various bands and performers were lined up to play, and an open space in front of them available for dancing or sitting. Fireflies were out in force, little glowing, drifting stars bobbing all about.
-
Overseeing it all, two figures stood side by side, dressed in white and black respectively. Both had their faces painted completely over. On Ruka’s part, white made an outline of a skull shape, while a bright, marigold orange mirrored the black Mirialan tattoos underneath and yellow spots decorating accents. Corazon’s was cotton candy pink and blue, moderately more neon than his skin and hair, but still held that decorated skull motif. They were murmuring to each other as two figures approached from different directions.
Leda and Noga, much like their parents, had painted skull faces and bold colors representing their Mirialan tattoos. They wore badges over their garments, black and white, declaring them to be staff members for the event just like the Proconsul and former cohort.
“Face painting booth line is getting long,” Noga informed. “Might wanna get one of the snack carts over there, ay.”
“Kid barfed in one of the apple tubs,” Leda said, scratching away at a clipboard she was insistent on carrying. She arched one thick brow. “Twice. Not like the same kid, different kids, but same tub. Feel bad for that guy, right after he clean it up too.”
“Gonna be a lotta that,” Ruka commented with a knowing look. He grinned wryly at the teens. “Sugar and kids.”
“Maybe we should relocate the apple bobbing to a bit closer to third barracks,” Cora murmured, consulting a small diagram. “They have a hose.”
“Anyone seen Zuza in a minute?” Leda asked, glancing around.
Noga looked out over the crowd, the tallest of the four of them.
“Pretty sure she was breaking up a toddler fight. Or starting one. I dunno. You know she, chaos.”
“Dioseczmi,” Ruka muttered, and the whole family repeated it with emphasis.
- Still, Cora was more than happy to have the Rollmaster’s help in organization of this entire party. There was a lot going on, between incorporating the Selenian traditions and some more common Coreward ones. Plus, well.
Arconans. And whoever else.
But so far things seemed to be going splendid. The hope was the chaos would stay organized at least until the families started trickling home, and then it would be nightlife.
- Zuza was in a clear patch of ground between games, a Kiffar toddler on her shoulders contently braiding her hair as the Human wildly gestured, telling a story. She’d been telling one of them a story, the little one had been upset over not being able to go on one of the activties, and trying to comfort them and give their father what looked like a well needed minute. But then another got upset that one kid was getting a story and they weren’t.
And then it escalated.
She was grinning though, telling a story of how she once took down a Krayt dragon to save a princess from its lair. It helped she was in character, wearing layered scales of darkened metal over her shoulders, highlighted green along the edges, a leather tunic and loose pants, as well as bracers on her arms. It fit the look of courageous young woman on a fericious journey into battle. The only piece that didn’t fit was the tiny ring of a firefly adorning her pinkie finger.
A circle had formed and Zuza was happily entertaining while keeping an eye on things. She’d do another round once her obligations of acting got wrapped up.
(Message deleted)
Work’t sat behind the counter of the arcade shooter, another round of improvements in the work. He grinned maliciously, tweaking the motors and servos of the machine. The children thought they could shoot his machines? That his B1 battle targets would be targetable by mere younglings?
He cackled softly, slamming in another circuit chip and increasing the speed ever so much more. He heard the disgruntled cries of the young ones as the targets began moving harder.
“You no get ducks.” Work’t muttered, pure evil behind his eyes.
Carr padded into the courtyard, the youth chatting away with a Selonian. The two were still in full uniform, having just returned from their afternoon classes. The Shistavanen looked surprisingly put-together, his tail looking like he had actually run a brush through it at some point in the day. The same could be said for the fur on his head. His satchel hung from its shoulder strap, carrying his ever-present datapad; he never seemed far from it. His droid, 53rv0 perched on his left shoulder. Back and forth, the two youths conversed, discussing something likely covered in the classes they were coming from. Carr’s grey eyes scanned the courtyard and only stopped when he spotted Leda and Noga, the Shista’s muzzle splitting in a wide smile.
Ro'ki’s darker eyes followed their friend’s, and their own muzzle split into a knowing grin. “So, going to introduce me to them?”
“Huh?” Carr’s attention snapped around, a brow arched quizically.
The Selonian motioned with a hand, which could mean everyone currently roaming the courtyard or the two who had drawn the Shistavanen’s attention. Carr frowned, eyebrow rising a bit higher, his left ear askew as if presented with a complicated puzzle needing solving. Of course, he was not given time to answer before the dark-furred shape moved past him.
“Let’s go say hey,” they chirped.
“I am kind of hungry, and I don’t have a costume this year, and…” Carr argued.
“There is food here, and you do have a costume,” Ro'ki gestured up and down the Shistavanen’s body. “You are dressed up as a respectable person. You even brushed your tail and hair, really topping off the costume splendidly!”
Carr rolled his eyes dramatically and opened his mouth to retort, but the Selonian was already walking away again, heading straight for his friends. Hurrying after them, he tried again, “They are busy, you know.”
“We’re just saying hey, you dork, not confessing your deep feels.” They grabbed Carr’s hand and pulled him along.
Noga was busily helping peel dried glue off of a young Selenian boy’s fingers while Leda assisted his sibling in applying glitter to her their little paper mask. As the littler effectively threw glitter in her face in excitement and elbowed her away to run over and show his guardians his work, the young woman sputtered lightly and just seemed to accept the sparkly new layer sticking to her. She took up a napkin dampened in some water and followed after the dry glue, the pair managing to get one hand clean just in time for the child to grow impatient and start squirming.
As Ro'ki and Carr approached, Leda leaned in and whispered to the boy, then pulled a tiny orange out of her pocket and handed two to him. She pointed at his brother as Noga finished up, and the boy ran off and – thankfully – shared his prize.
“Ay,” Noga blew out a breath, beginning to collect up a lot of wet napkins. The tables looked like a battlefield, but all in squeeze paint and popsicle sticks and popped corn. “Good thing we suggested the washables.”
Cora, bless him, had intended to supply normal paints and oils like he used, but had quickly heeded the advice.
“Yah,” Leda hummed back, and her attention was pulled from another group of children eating the popcorn instead of stringing it when her brother nudged her. “Hm?”
“Incoming.”
She turned at his nod, spotting their Shistavanen friend…and someone else? Her grin wobbled a little, but seeing their matching uniforms, she recovered, and beamed, waving.
“Ay, hey, Carr!”
Carr’s smile turned up a notch to match the one Leda gave him, muttering quickly to Ro'ki, “Please, please do not embarrass me.”
“Pfft… Like you need my help… So which one is your crush on again? Both? Hey!” They shouted a greeting before the Shistavanen could snap at him, hurrying forward with a wide grin, dark eyes alight with delight at the sputtering of their friend behind them.
Carr wondered if it was too late to drown the Selonian in one of the apple barrels. All he’d have to do is use some of that space magic and hold him under at a distance. No one will ever know it was him! With a heavy sigh, the Shistavanen managed to smile awkwardly, closing the distance. “Hey, Leda. The courtyard looks amazing, and the kids are having a blast.” He motioned to the Selonian who beat him over to them, “This is Ro'ki. He is a classmate of mine.”
“You mean friend,” The Selonian chirped.
“We’ll see…” the Shistavanen muttered. “Classmate of mine. He stays at the school dormitories but lives with Eilen,” he explained. “Ro, Leda and Noga are my best friends and totally awesome.”
“Pleasure to meet you both! Carr has told me a lot about the two of you,” He grins.
If looks could kill, Carr’s eyes would be setting the Selonian ablaze about then.
“Yo,” Noga greeted with his little two finger salute.
Leda started to reply similarly, though her brows pinched at Carr’s mention of Eilen.
“Oh, he does, ay? Guess she’s back then. Long enough for you to be in school. Voljniir kuci ta doso.” Her brother kicked at her ankle, and she hissed, shooting him a glare.
“Ay, and anybody with Eilen must be friend to us, right?”
“Right,” Leda grit out, smiling with bared teeth to the Selonian. She stuck out a hand. “Nice t'meet you, Ro'ki. Don’t mind the glitter, ay, it’s crafts. Eh, actually,” she took the limb back and wiped it unsuccessfully on her dress. “Maybe we just wave, Carr got the stuff in he fur one time and I think it still there.”
She stuck her tongue out at the Shistavanen and winked at him.
“Mum, could I pleeeaase go play the games? Or do crafts, or pet the animals?”
A young rosy skinned girl asked impatiently, about eight years of age, as she leaned dramatically against the picnic table. She wore a black long sleeve shirt and matching pants, accented by a pink and white stripes. A purple half-skirt tied around her waist. Her white hair was pulled back into two ridged braids ending in ribbons. One black-gloved hand raised to fix the dark ‘spy’ mask upon her face as she waited for a reply.
“Once your brother is all ready, then we can go, chika,” Zujenia responded, pulling out another wipe from her packed bag. The largest of her three sons, Natholae had apparently decided to shove a couple cookies into the yellow boots of his fluffy costume to share with his brothers later, crumbs getting all over his grey fur. The white zip up one-piece was fashioned to look like a cartoon waterbird wearing a blue T-shirt over a matching long-sleeve. It matched his siblings’ costumes, Kipp done up in green hoodie and Barsali in red t-shirt.
“I can go by myself, it’s just a bit over there and Noga and Leda are over there. Plus, I got to at the gathering!”
“That was…there was less people there, and your Aunt was watching —” The half-ryn finished fastening the sniffling toddler’s costume back up and turned just in time to catch the other two triplets fighting over the ball cap sewn to Barsali’s hood, “–boys!”
While Zujenia turned to break up that small tiff between the the tri-colored furred Kipp and his brown furred brother with a bit of an exasperated exhale, her mother set down several sippy cups and a drink for Shay'lra. Donned up as a holofilm character and archeologist widely known as ‘Dantooine Jones’ at the request of her third eldest grandchild, Vai gave the girl a gentle flick with her tail. “Don’t fret, Spy girl—” .
“–Princess Spy,” Shay corrected, even as she glanced over hopeful. She took an eager sip of her cider.
“Yes, right, Princess Spy,” the old Ryn chuffed and gave a wink, “I can take you and one of your brothers. We’ll go do some activities, okay?”
Zujenia glanced towards her mother after pulling Bars from the stroller and onto her hip, a hopeful and thankful look on her face. “Oh would you? I mean, you don’t have to take one of them, but if Shay wants.”
“Yes!” came with no hesitation from the girl.
“Nah, it’s fine. That’s why you brought the carrier yeah?” Vai responded, retrieving said item and strapping it on. She gestured for the brown furred ryn toddler in her hands. Zuji handed Barsali over, who was then secured into the carrier. Vai grabbed one of the sippy cups. “Right. Meet back here in an hour? Good. Shay, shall we?”
The youth nodded and grabbed her lukewarm cider and followed alongside. “Can we go to the petting zoo first? Please?”
“Yes, we can.”
Watching the trio go and left relieved of her mother’s divide and conquer tactics, Zujenia straightened the plaid scarf around her neck and the brown leather jacket she wore. The hybrid had dressed up in a simple old timey aviationist getup, complete with a cheap pair of goggles on her head and her ashen locks pulled back into a tight bun. She decided to stay here for a little while at the picnic table while Kipp and Nathe enjoyed their cider, both now sitting on the picnic table, the latter’s sniffles disappearing with his drink.
The place was crowded, like not as much on Port Ol'val but still. Long lines, too loud adults, and screaming kids. He couldn’t decide if half the time someone was in pain or just stupid happy to yell their lungs off.
Ugh.
The point of convincing the ol’ cybernaut to get out of the house was to have the sofa and holo-terminal all to himself, but the dude played the Orenth reverse card. So here he was wearing baggy black cargo pants with the knees ripped out and chains off his belt, and a dark hoody adorned with a white skull motif or whatever. The blue and orange mottled Rodian teen shrugged to himself and shoved a hand in his pocket.
“Okay, V, now what? Like you into games? You need some red face paint or what?” A.J. turned to the human man beside him. Despite his disinterested act, his body language suggested he was somewhat keen on this festival. He hadn’t been to one in ages, not that he’d tell his housemate that.
Whether it was the pointed presence of so many Ryn in one place, or something in Ruka’s senses that keyed him in to the collection of young children, his eyes danced over the raucous surroundings toward the entrance. There was Zujenia, trying to herd the triplets like uncooperative cats, albeit becalmed somewhat by sugary drinks. That would come back to haunt her, to be sure. Or they would crash after a short burst, if she was lucky. Closer by, though, was the familiar Vai in her adventurer getup, and a little girl he could only assume was Shay'lra, if the red skin and white hair were any indicator.
He nudged Cora and, while the kids were distracted with Carr, they slipped away toward the familiar matriarch. They caught up with them over by the petting zoo, peering at a pair of curious fathiers. WHile Shay commented on their enormous long ears, Ruka gave Vai a gentle tap.
“Oh, Ruka. And Corazon. Your makeup is very… unique. I mean that in the best way.”
“It was Ruka’s idea. A Mirialan tradition.” He dipped a gentle bow to Shay. “And who have we here?”
“I’m Princess Spy!” she belted back confidently. The fathiers jolted slightly, but there were enough noises that it wasn’t much of a shock.
“Oh, a Princess Spy! Well you’re certainly the best one here!” Cora replied, his smile broadened at the cute display.
Ruka offered an even lower, almost courtly bow as Cora had taught him. “Milady Princess Spy!”
“I thought I was ‘princess’.”
Ruka’s head almost snapped at the voice, clued in no less by the sound of Shay squealing slightly with the words “Auntie Kyew!”
The Zeltron offered a reserved wave. “Dobre noca, Ru. Cor. And hello Princess Spy Shay!”
Carr flushed, ears splayed, he returned the salute to Noga and smiled at Leda. “Y… yea. Quite likely.”
“All’s good. Glitter never hurt anyone, see?” They tilted their head this way and that, showing the glitter already dusted through the fur of their brows and a light bit in their cheek fur.
“Ro wears enough of it that it drives one of our instructors absolutely batty…”
“Nah, that is the orange brow and hair dye,” Ro'ki corrected.
“That is the other instructor.”
“Mmm… true. But that one has a stick up his a…” Ro sees the kids and clears their throat. “Behind.”
Carr smirked and shifted his gaze back to the two Mirialans. “Sorry I have been so busy with classes. With Caleb’s help, I managed to get the latest issues of those comics we were talking about, though! We can totally check them out when things wrap up here!” Ro’s grin grew absolutely shark-like, making Carr roll his eyes hard, “Go dunk your head in an apple barrel.”
“Oh will do! I hear them calling my name! Eat me Ro! Eat me!” The Selonian walked away.
“Oh gods… why would you say that?!” Carr groaned, muzzle palming hard. “I am so sorry about them, Leda, Noga.”
Ruka sputtered for a moment, though the fluster on his face was completely masked by the thick paint Vai had complimented.
“You are princess, you’re–” the Mirialan began, and then, seeming existentially torn between telling the little girl she was the best princess and his Zeltron as much, just muttered a little before crossing his arms, “you’re my princess. And not a spy.” His gaze softened, and he smiled back at her. “And you do look beautiful too.”
Cora laughed softly beside them, beckoning with a hand and gently summoning the other animals closer for Shay with a subtle nudge of Light.
“Dobre noca, Qyreia. Let us guess…a vampyr?”
Vincent had bought the suit the day before. It was a big purchase that he had regretted immediately after, so here he was with its debut. Simple horns had been stuck to his head in a half-hearted attempt at a costume. None of these people he knew directly. Any he did know even vaguely were little to him beyond names on an order form. This was his first chance to get out there. Meet people. Be sociable.
He hated it.
“Why don’t you lead the way? Have some fun?” Vince’s cybernetic blue eyes took in the sights around them. The colors and costumes and laughter were all a jumble of information to him. Overwhelming, to say the least. “Think those kids might be your age.” He tilted his head towards the group of ryn nearby, his tone betraying that he was not quite certain of the statement.
Noga snorted at the obvious phrasing, though with a slight eye roll. He raised one pierced brow after the Selonian, while Leda frowned a bit, then turned to Carr.
“Nah, it’s…fine. He didn’t haveta run off though. He’s your friend, we can all hang while we working. Ay, sorry. My fault,” the girl muttered. She smiled again. “Comics sound good. How’s classes? We missed you.”
Reaching over, she brushed a hand through his fringe and behind his ears. Noga came around the other side and draped an arm over uniformed shoulders in a one-armed hug.
“I just call it ‘vampire’ but… yes.”
How she still looked bashful was anyone’s guess, save maybe for Ruka’s compliments. Her blue locks fell onto her shoulders in a deliberately touseled look that meshed with the faux-tattered shin length black dress with its red trimmings and shoulder cape. The real cue to her costume were the fangs that showed when she smiled, and the deliberate blood trickle from the bruise on her neck.
“Bit of a cliché, I know, but at least I went for a more conservative version as opposed to what they were selling at the shops.” She tossed a glance over her shoulder at the entrance where a pale lady with what looked like a legless sheep wriggled in her arms. “Ileta’s a literal tater tot.”
When both men looked over, Ruka actually squealed, and so did Cora, if at a higher pitch.
“Tiny potato,” Ruka cooed in Mirialan, violet eyes emotional, the expression on his face closer to Shay’s as she looked at the baby animals, like something was so cute it would cause violence. “My Gods, okay, c'mere, I gotta hug you before my brain melts and she gets them all, c'mon.” He opened an arm at Qyreia, lifting the long, sheer full-body cloak too.
The Zeltron slipped into the hug seamlessly, enjoying the once-lost but now returned friendship. She looked up at the tall green man and gave him a purposeful expression, biting her lip and showing off a fang in the process. “Don’t suppose you wanna nibble too.”
Zig Kaliska watched as Zuza Lottson, the fierce and fearless mercenary who would put herself in harms way to complete her goals, also seemed perfectly at peace with regaling a group of children with her story.
The Zygerrian smiled, and felt something warm in her chest, causing her to unknowingly place a hand over the center of it. Intrusive thoughts probed at the edges of her attention, things like logic, reality, and how the future was still unknown. She did not have a desire for children, had no idea if Zuza did, had no idea how that would work, or even if she would hypothetically even want to with her? The thoughts flashed quickly across her consciousness. At least at this point the young scavengers her life. But there was something primal or deep witihn her in watching the woman she loved laughing and playing with a group of grubby children.
Zig shook her head. Not right now. Now wasn’t the time for that. Zuza was doing what she felt she needed to do to get through what she’d been through. And she had to keep being supportive, not a burden, with silly questions that probably didn’t matter at all.
But she could see, now that she focused, that Zuza looked…tired around the eyes despite her smile.
Well, I guess that’s my queue. Not all heros wear…masks I guess? Zig thought to herself as she donned her costume’s mask and did a double check of her attire.
Once ready, Zig burst out from where she’d been lurking, making her way towards Zuza and the group.
The Zygerrian was dressed in a brown desert “robe” that tied around the waist, but then was sheared off to cover none of her toned legs that were wrapped in waist-high fishnet stockings and leather boots that came up just before her knee.
The most impressive part of the costume, of course, was the hood and black-spandex face cover with two glowing ochre eyes piercing from beneath the pointed hood.
So, a Jawa with long legs. But she did make it herself, so it was okay.
Zig padded over towards Zuza, listening in to the story and waiting for just the right moment to swoop in…
“Utiny! I mean, m'lady! I am here!”
Carr blushed a little at the brushing of Leda’s hand, then blushed deeper still as an arm was draped across his shoulders. He chuckled a bit, trying his best to swallow the crazy nerves assaulting him. “Nah, don’t worry about Ro, he’s cool. If he says anythign about me though, don’t listen! He is kidding!” Carr rushed out the last of it, “If he does, let me know so I can drown him in one of those barrels.” They knew him so they would knowbeyond a doubt that he was joking.
True to his word, Ro'ki was bobbing for apples, taking turns with the kids and laughing with them.
“They have been living with Eilen when not at the dormitories, but apparently she is away a lot. They don’t seem to mind. They are learning ship and vehicle mechanics at school. I figured I’d bring them along so they could make some friends.” Carr explained.
The children squealed at the appearance, gasping. Zuza had been wrapping up the rescue, speaking of finding the princess when this weirdo showed up.
But Zuza beamed.
“My princess! My eyes couldn’t be uh, blessed with a finer view.” Zuza crossed over to Zig and wrapped her arms around her.
The children collectively had a moment of silence before absolute chaos broke out over ‘the princess’.
Zuza called out to them, “Calm down, I must go now that my princess is here but I hope ya all enjoyed the retelling of how we met.” She waved, pressing on Zig’s side and running off away from the story telling circle she’d accidentally made. Once clear, she laughed, looking up at Zig.
“Thank you.”
Zig lifted the mask up momentarily, her ears pinned back with her hair in some kind of elastic skull cap. Her eyes gleamed as she smiled, leaned down, and kissed the pretty Archer’s nose.
“Of course. But you were really good with them, though,” she commented, looking down and getting distracted a bit in her eyes.
“Bite me,” the Mirialan returned affectionately, though that close, the Zeltron could both see and sense his blush; on the tip of his one remaining ear, which didn’t have any paint. He squeezed tightly, breathing in a moment before something tugged at his head. “Wh–”
Ruka was yanked back with a yelp, though not far, his hold on his Zeltron only falling more out of shock than force of any sort. His neck craned as he tried to look to see…one of the fathiers trying to eat one of his long dreadlocs. Cora had hands clasped over his mouth in shock while Shay'lra laughed.
“Ayayayay! ya stupid thing I AM NOT GRASS LET GO!” He flailed a little, struggling to turn enough to try and pull the strand out without disturbing the placid animal, but it just pulled the back of his head closer to its floppy muzzle.
Zuza giggled, leaning up to peck Zig’s lips before looking out on the crowd.
“You think? The plan worked then. They were getting fussy about the games and stuff, I didn’t mean it to last that long but then more showed up and well- I have a braid now?” She raised a hand to pull the braid into sight. It was done by a 3 year old, to a 3 year olds standards. Not that Zuza minded.
“You look.. great.” Zuza slowed down, getting to properly consider the costume and having to bite back laughter.
Qyreia’s expression deadpanned. Foiled again. With the same attitude she usually reserved for her fellow Arconans when they got into mischief, she stepped forward and swatted the animal’s nose. It was swift and snappy, but lacked any true punch. Just enough to get its attention and free Ruka from its grasp. It seemed perturbed by the affront, but only insofar as it lacked the newfound snack.
“No. Bad floppy-ears.” She shook a finger at it, and Ruka could feel the motherly disappointment radiating off her as much as in her voice. “No.”
Zig wiggled her eyebrows up and down, ran her hand through Zuza’s the now unbraided hair, smiled, and then winked before sliding the mask back down. The glowing eyes were bright against the dark spandex material. She also had a little bandoleer that looked like ones the junkers tended to wear.
“I can keep it on when we get home, bay-bee” she snapped off a quick pair of finger guns.
“Another genius like you, ay?” Noga commented, seemingly content to rest against Carr for a moment before he stretched and straightened up. “Ya know, ain’t that cheating? If he like Eilen, can’t he breathe underwater?”
Leda’s hand nearly slapped her forehead before she remembered the very intricate paint Cora had done.
“I’m sure he’d only say good things, Carr,” she encouraged, and linked arms with the Shistavanen, heading for the barrels. “C'mon, nobody cheatin’ a buncha kids on our watch.”
Looking at you, Ewok, said the narrator.
The animal gave a low sort of whinny, tossing its head, and then shuffled back from the fence. Cora cooed after it, his expression bemused as he smiled between the lot of them.
“He felt quite lectured,” the Pantoran Jedi informed, and chuckled slightly. “Our hero!”
Grumbling, the Mirialan was making a face as he ran a hand down the nommed loc and actually squeezed slobber out of it like a wet towel.
“Why is it always the petting zoo?” he groaned, and then looked to Qyriea. “Thanks, my princess.”
“Nema problema…” She hesitated. “…vitezomi.”
“Are you showing off your latest habit?” Keira, holding their puffball-costumed child, sauntered into the conversation quite appropriately, looking like a neon gangster out of a hologame. “She’s been practicing at home.”
“Mama!” Ileta screeched, little arms barely able to reach past the golden brown crust of her costume. She really was a tater tot.
“Hey baby girl,” Qyreia said as she scooped the child into her arms, temporarily taken from the conversation. “You look like you need a nibble.”
The baby Zeltron cackled at the playful feasting Qyreia gave her, tickling the exposed appendages and rocking her gently. It was a sharp contrast to only moments before with the fathier. Keira looked to each of the familiar faces, giving them all proper greetings.
“I love the skull makeup, you two. Did one of you do all the painting, or was it a trade?”
“I mean, fun’s the plan–” A.J. snapped his snoot shut, his beady amber gaze falling on the ‘kids his age’ Vincent was pointing at. And stared incredulously. The Rodian shook his head, crossed his arms and pinched his fingers together. “V…those are babies, like, actual babies…Tell me you don’t get out much without telling me you don’t.”
Finished reciting the holo-net meme, A.J. scanned their surroundings. Plenty of games about, any of them would be dope. His gaze caught a group of actual teens near the craft area and a couple at the apple bobbing, and he hesitated. Instead, he jutted a hand at the shooting gallery, not really interested in conversing with peers.
“Bet I could school you there, dude, later or sometime. Don’t like gotta do stuff together if don’t want to,” he shrugged.
It was just a festival. What could go wrong? Those were the words that drove Ellisyn Kendis to the decision to turn what was supposed to be a day of relaxing with her darling daughter Sulla into a day of noise and fun. She had initially heard about the festival from someone named Zujenia while taking a pit stop at a random playground during her travels to Selen. After a day of listening to Sulla begging to go, Elly gave in. And that’s how she ended up in this new, anxiety inducing scenario.
Noise. That’s the best way Elly could describe an event like this. It’s just a whole lot of noise with some activities sprinkled in. The lawyer was out of her suit for once and instead opted for a pair of nice fitting blue jeans, some boots, and a simple red and black flannel to match the red of her flowing hair. The Twi’Lek child holding her right hand was dressed in a much simpler outfit of a basic long sleeved shirt with comfy pants and shoes to match. Her green shirt had a swirling bronze-colored pattern going across it.
The pair had been wandering the festival for a few minutes now, feeling quite out of place. Neither of them were sporting any sort of costume, and it quickly led to Sulla feeling left out. So caught up in her own emotions, Elly almost missed the pout Sulla was sporting.
The Firrerreo crouched down and lifted Sulla up into her arms abruptly. “What’s wrong, Jelly Bean?” She asked, worried that the young girl was just as anxious as she was.
“All the other kids are dressed up, and I’m just wearing this boring shirt…” She pulled at her sleeves with distinct frustration.
“What’s wrong with your shirt?” Elly asked, “If I remember correctly, you were pretty excited when your aunt Thea gave it to you.”
“I was!” Sulla defended herself. “I just wish I was wearing something like them.” She pointed to a group of kids all dressed up as different things.
Ellisyn frowned, unsure of what to do. There wasn’t any room in the budget for a costume if they wanted to partake in anything festival related.
Another Fathier was leaning in close and inspecting the young rynlette strapped to Vai’s chest. Barsali’s face was a comical mix of curiosity and suspicion as the creature sniffed and lipped the air as if it wanted to nuzzle the carrier. Seeing the shenanigans one of the beast’s herdmates had been up to, his grandmother kept her tail out of reach and ensured his that was sticking out of a makeshift hole in his costume, was tucked out of sight. Vai had a good mind to walk away when Bars let loose a giant sneeze in the Father’s face, causing it to snort and take off in a short sprinting burst after it’s pal.
Crisis averted.
She turned to see Shay'lra, who had abandoned the creatures and turned her attention to the gathering of adults to no surprise, lingering at the edge of the circle and giggling at the tickle-nomming display. So, she shifted over and joined her, content to quietly observe save for a nod and smile in greeting to Keira and Ileta.
“N-no!” squirmed the smallest triplet. Kipp fussed and grumbled, resisting the confinement of sitting in the stroller. Zujenia sighed and settled him on her hip for a moment.
“You, are not makin’ this easy, mister.” She booped his perfect Ryn nose gently. Kipp was busy fiddling with her scarf.
“You want go watch the ducky fishin’?” Yellow eyes met hers to no response, although she could feel his stump tail shift beneath his costume, the only one not needed to be modified for a tail. She gave him a small smile and pressed her forehead to his. “You do want to. So, why don’t we sit down so mum can take us there, okay?”
This time the toddler complied, sitting calmly in his seat but not without first stealing his absent brother’s toy. She finished strapping him in when she noticed Nathe attempting to wave at someone nearby. She turned and followed the lil man’s gaze and noted a familiar pair.
“Elly!” Zujenia called as she approached with the two toddlers in the stroller. “Glad to see you’d decided to come. How are you both? Hey, Sulla.”
“Hi, hi,” echoed Kipp who was always eager to meet people, while his brother waved lightly.
Elly perked up when she heard the somewhat familiar voice of Zujenia. She turned around to see the woman approaching, a stroller in front of her. A relieved sigh escaped her chest and she smiled.
“Hey Zujenia,” Elly said, instinctively pulling Sulla closer. “We’re doing alright, just trying to figure out what we want to do first. Definitely relieved to see a familiar face, though.”
The young Twi’Lek in Ellisyn’s arms waved back to the trio in front of her. Without excitement or intrigue driving her, she was rather shy.
Ruka looked a little choked up at the pet name, trying to not rub at his makeuped eyes. “You doing amazing,” he encouraged of her rudimentary Mirialan.
“Yes, much better pronunciation than when I started,” Corazon added. “Goodness, even now. I simply cannot roll my consonants with my accent.”
Of course, both men appropriately cooed over the baby, which took far too much attention from the Spy Princess, who, while less babyishly demanding than she’d once been…was still her.
“Cooooora, bring back the faviers,” she demanded dramatically. “Can I ride them? Plleeeease?”
“They’re not riding animals, peanut,” the Pantoran attempted, shooting a look at the others and smiling and waving at Kiera while turning back to Shay. “They have to be trained for that.”
“But you can make ‘em!” She stuck her hand out, scowling, evidently trying to use the Force as she once had with duckos, and knew the blue man could with animals. Her father did all sorts of things to people. “Coooomreere.”
“Sweetheart, that’s unethical.”
“Wha’s that?”
Aside, Ruka was trying not to laugh. He covered his mouth, and turned to play peekaboo with Ileta while he answered her mothers.
“The make-up’s all Cor. You know how he paints. When we was growing up, I’d do some smudges with whatever we had for the kids, but it weren’t good. Used ash actually. Actually that’s traditional, but it was just cause we ain’t had paint.” He cooed at the baby. “Hello, my little potato. Hello, my love. You’ve gotten even bigger! Who said you could grow yesterday, ay?”
<@244242409678962689>
Karran made his way through the crowd, which wasnt hard considering his attire, the people seemed to give him a wide berth as he lumbered down the path.
He silently cursed Zig and her bets. She had promised to dress him ‘as a great red beast’. In reality the color was closer to pink and the beast was more akin to a massively oversized version of a child’s stuffed plush toy. He was confused by the strange symbol located on the belly of the suit, but Zig had assured him it was just a symbol of strength, honor, and unity.
He vowed to ruin the suit as soon as possible so as to be able to remove it. Less out of his distaste for the embarrassing situation, and more because it was certainly not combat-ready. On Selen, one always had to be combat-ready.
“My vengeance will be swift and merciless.”
Zuza snorted, raising her hand to her mouth as she tried to stop herself from completely bursting out laughing.
She grabbed Zig’s hand with her other, kissing the back of it, “Sure, I can work with that. But now? I must go my lady, duty calls.” She bowed low, before scooting off elsewhere. The black and white pinbadge was on the shoulder of her armour, notating the fact she was staff. She should probably act like it.
Work’t watched as another batch of soul crushed children walked away. Their cries brought him amusement. They thought a mere child could defeat his festival games? That a master mechanic such as himself could be bested by those even more vertically challenge then he?!
Work’t paused a moment, reflecting. Perhapes he was going abit over the top. He shrugged, thinking of the last few missions off world with Zuza and the fact he most certainly deserved a break, and was entitled to judgement free entertainment.
“Or maybe your just an ass, old man” Tyk’s voice came unbidden, as judging him from the inside. Work’t nodded at the thought, it was probably correct afterall. Then he reached down and pulled the trigger on the next set of improvements, just in time for the next batch of customers to come in.
Zuza noticed the upset group heading away from… Work’t’s chosen place.
Ah kist.
The Human jogged over, getting in front of the small group and stepping in through the side door. She looked at Work’t, still prodding at the various and wires and mechanisms and crouched down to look.
“You realise this is.. meant for kids to be able to do, right?” A small laugh escaped her. She’d picked up some things from Zig’s tinkerings and knew enough to see that.. he was improving things. In his way.
“Kid learn gun better if hard!” Work’t snorted in basic. Then in Ewok; “Look Zuza, it’s been a long month. And anyway, it’s not the kids I’m trying to crush…” He stared out hungrily at the Brotherhood members hidden within the crowd with his senses. “Our friends are here.”
Zuza shook her head, smiling as she switched to the Ewok language herself.
“Can you save what you’ve done so far in some way and put it back on later? It’ll be primarily just drunk friends in a few hours and you can torment them as much as you like. Without.. upsetting the kiddos.”
Thwack
The magnet smacks against the head of a floating rubber duck, sending it rolling in the water away from the edge of the water pool. Mikhail frowned, his grip on the wooden handle tightening as he swing the magnet into another duck. This time it slapped against its side, but the duck didn’t move away. It slightly spun, following the magnet as it swished past. The Arkanian’s crystal eyes narrowed in focus, and despite his self training, the tip of his tongue poked out the counter of his mouth.
With no small amount of patience and effort, the duck was slowly lifted from the water. A breath, held perhaps too long, escaped him. Now all he had to do was drop it in his bucket.
Sploosh
“Блять”
The duck was moved too fast.
Zig smiled as she watched her go, admiring the whole of her, and not just her backside, of course. She then wandered off to see if she could scare anyone by fully pretending to be a Jawa.
Carr chuckled a bit, “He is smart if we’re talking mechanical stuff. Oh…” he frowned, “That sounded rude. He is smart.”
Carr leaned into the one-armed hug, tail wagging. He watched Ro'ki, then grinned wide, “Yes, yes, he can.. I doubt you have to worry about him cheating the other kids, though,” the last said as if they were not kids themselves.
Sure enough, arm and arm with Leda, they approached, and the Selonian was both helping the kids play the game or capturing apples for them and handing over the bounty to cheers. Carr thought about what Ro'ki would say to the two siblings, given the chance… it was annoying that the older Selonian had figured him out so quickly. Was it because he really did talk about the two that often to his other friend? His brow furrowed in thought. That’s right, I CAN’T drown him! He chuckled to himself.
The two seemed pleased on approaching the bins and seeing Ro'ki being so nice. Good. It won him points quickly in both their books.
“Best apple bobber and an engineer huh?” Noga asked the Selonian as they drew closer, their heads still on a swivel. Happy to see their best friend though they were, they were on duty, and intended to make sure everyone attending stayed safe and had fun.
Leda’s navy gaze scanned the game booths, spotting Zuza speaking to…another little kid dressed as a bear? Beside one. And her girlfriend, maybe? That booth had no line anymore, but they’d thought it would be popular. Others seemed to be doing fine.
And over there was Missus Zujenia and two of her four. Dressed as ducks.
“Aww,” Leda cooed softly, and chuckled, thinking of their Papi. Their mama was talking to another lady, who had a little Twi'lek girl hugging her leg.
Ro'ki started juggling the apples with a goofy grin on their face, “Carr been talking? Am no engineer, just a mechanic is all.”
“You like to say that, but I’ve watched you working on machinery,” The Shistavanen argued. He followed Leda’s gaze, “Okay… that is adorable.”
Ro'ki stopped juggling, catching the last one in the air in their mouth, again to rowdy cheers of the kids hanging out by the barrels. They munched with a grin, “Good apples these. Great setup overall. I am definitely going to have to try more of these games. Hopefully, there is not too much candy; I won’t be able to help myself and hafta watch the figure, you know.” They watched Noga, “Protective sort, huh?”
“On duty. I told you they’re running the festivities.” Carr corrected.
“Mm. Good to take your duties seriously, I suppose, just don’t forget to have fun too!” Ro'ki chirped in that high voice of theirs.
“We’re not here to have fun, ay” the siblings said at nearly the same time in an almost chastising tone, overlapping, and then looked at each other, then awkwardly back at their guests.
“Erm, anyways. You have fun, yeah. With the games. There’s a lot. And a lot of candy, but food too.” Leda flapped one hand, letting go of Carr. She gave his tail a brush before shoving at his shoulders, nudging him towards Ro'ki. “Go on, you too! We’ll be around if you need something, or ask anyone with one of these!”
She waved her badge.
“Oh my gods,” Noga muttered under his breath, but just shook his head and faux-saluted again. “What she said. Text you later, hey Carr? Or find ya when we’re done. There’s after dark hours and ain’t no drunk ass idiots gonna listen to us then.”
Zujenia rested her arm against the stroller and listened along, her sandy tail curling at her calves. She offered a warm smile before glancing at the surrounding festival. “Well we were going to go watch the duck fishin’ game. There’s a few other games too. A maze, face paintin’, crafts – no shortage of activities here, heh.”
The small calico Ryn toddler dropped the beaded ring toy he ‘borrowed.’ It might have been a small throw, a silent invitation of play to the Twi'lek girl. But his mum was not aware as she stooped to pick it up and gave it back to him.
“If any of that sounds fun, or want to explore. What do you like to do, Sulla?” She regarded the girl gently with a smile. “The boys love to build and color themselves.”
“Mmhm.” Zuza grinned, glad she’d at least saved some people’s patience tonight. It was a win.
She followed Work’t’s gaze. “It’s going good. I just had story time with a bunch of kids, no fighting, its been pretty smooth sailing. Though the face painting stall is under stress so we’ll see how long it lasts. And no, I have no idea what Karran’s doing with the pink.. thing suit. Thing.”
Work’t narrowed his eyes. “It is very ugly.” He said, still in Ewok. “But some of my kind find dyeing themselves pink a sign of great power. It displays the rejection of a need to stealth, and that violence is the only response to their sight”
Ro'ki arched one fabulously shaped orange brow; now he had a puzzle to figure out. He opened his mouth to speak, then cut himself off when he saw the casual brush of the Shistavanen’s tail by the Mirialan.
“Your slacker ways will not gain traction here, my Selonian friend,” Carr snickered.
“So now I am your friend again, am I? Does that mean I get to brush your tail?”
“No,” he gave a seething look before grinning at Leda and Noga, tail wagging. “I’ll catch you both later! I’ll keep Ro out of trouble.”
“No, you won’t.”
“I’ll try and keep Ro out of trouble.”
“No, you won’t.”
“I’ll stay by Ro…” Carr relented with a heavy sigh. Wasn’t that Mune’s job with him? Or Zig’s job?
“I’ll make sure not to get our cute canine friend here into too much trouble!” Ro'ki announce before grabbing Carr’s hand and dragging the Shistavanen off to the game booths.
“I somehow doubt that that’s the case here but challenge him later. Again, no traumatising children. Once the booze is out, free game ok?”
Zuza held her fist out for a fist bump.
Work’t went to aggresively headbutt it before remembering the local custom and bumping it back. “Your customs are strange and your face is still weird.” He said with a friendly smile. It had a…number of teeth.
“You better not!” Leda called after, and the pair watched them walk off. “He… something.”
“Yeah,” Noga agreed. “Good Carr makin’ more friends though. Needs em.”
“Yeah. ‘Specially in his league.”
Putting her hands on her hips, Leda turned about again, another visual sweep, but there didn’t seem to be any trouble here. It was just a festival, after all.
“Do you wanna go say hi to Miss Jena?”
“You mean hi to the babies?”
“Look. Priorities.”
“Yeah okay.”
The teens wandered over, smiling in case their face paint, even so colorful and fantastic, was too scary with the skull shapes. But that was part of the point; you weren’t meant to fear the dead. The spirits were friends, loved ones, those who came before.
“Hey, Mrs. Bleu! Hi, ma'am,” Leda started politely enough. She beamed down to the seated toddlers and the little girl. “Hi there, Kipp, Nathe. Hi, neea. I’m Leda, and this is Noga. We’re helpers. Just checking in, are we all having a good time?”
<@301514304845381632> <@244244400488710155>
Dressing up had been surprisingly easy this year. It definitely didn’t have anything to do with the mountains of flimsiwork still waiting for her back on Ol'val, or the fact they’d just ventured beyond the realms of space and time to prevent the total cataclysm of the Force as they knew it. Oh no, she’d just figured out a clever disguise.
With her lekku tied together with a few loops of black satin, the imitation ponytail was as well as done. One of her white exercise tank tops and a pair of black jumpsuit pants paired with some industrial grade mechanic’s boots she ‘borrowed’ from the Phantom Complex’s armory later and she was practically done. Attaching one of her older Brotherhood issued communicators to her wrist and the ensemble was almost complete.
Almost.
“You know that number of eyes is a touchy subject. Isn’t this like, offensive to Miraluka or something?” Vicxa Varis chirped in between mouthfuls of funnelcake, the frosting smeared halfway up her cheek tattoos.
“It’s her most iconic thing,” Tali Sroka replied. “Besides, it’s not like I’m pretending to only have one eye.”
As she said so, a pair of small amber orbs blinked into existence within the massive white expanse that was a singular cyclopean eye painted over most of her upper face.
“Hey, I hadn’t even heard of Leekla before you told me. The Twi'leks sure have some interesting shows. Courier frozen in carbonite for a thousand years by accident and gets into hijinks while making deliveries across the Galaxy? I’d watch that for a season or two. Definitely not more than seven though.”
“Andt vho are you supposed to be again? You know Cora insisted on no funny business andt I can already feel Ruka’s eyes on me. You better not be carrying a real blaster…”
The Mirialan was clearly wearing armor, or at least a chest plate in bright orange over a black shorts bodyglove. The plate in question looked suspiciously like her light Mandalorian warplate. On her hip, attached by a length of elastic to her belt was a blaster pistol, though she had made doubly sure the thing had absolutely no power clip, nor did the resourceful Mirialan have a spare tucked in anywhere. Even so, she’d insisted on confiscating the Tibanna gas cap, to no small amount of grumbling. On her back, Vicxa carried a round backpack and for once, she had let her hair down and dyed it completely black, an accent reinforced by the heavy eyeshadow and black lipstick.
“Who me? I am the epitome of honesty!” Vix insisted, hand on heart and pilfered funnelcake in the other. “We moved around a lot when I was a kid, for umh, reasons unrelated to parental shenanigans. So when we were sitting in those long interstellar commutes, mom gave me a holoshow to watch. Coincidence or not, it was about this ragtag group of kids fighting Force ghosts! Somehow recent events made me remember it. Funny how life goes sometimes?”
“Hilarious,” ‘Leekla’ replied dryly. “Vas it a goodt show?”
“Extreme,” Vicxa winked.
Zuza grinned. “Your customs are strange and your face is very fluffy.” She chirpily responded before pulling away from the stall and leavin the children to hopefully have a less stressful experience. While Work’t worked on making it much harder for everyone later.
She wandered off, keeping an eye out for any one in need of a hand or a friendly face to say hi too for a moment.
“The magnet is.. not the best.” Nathan commented, watching with some concern as the duck now bobbed away. “That or the rubber is too thick for the other magnet to work. Or both.”
The pair were wearing pirate costumes, not quite matching in any way directly but they were on theme at least. Not that fishing was going so well. Were pirates meant to be good at fishing? Nathan had no idea.
“Do.. do you want to give it another go?” He asked softly, not wanting Mikhail to get frustrated.
Qyreia grinned at all the attention for their daughter, but her brow quirked at the sidebar between Cora and Shay. She gave Keira a mental nudge and seamlessly handed Ruka the baby, his cooing sufficient to distract him until the Zeltron was already a step away and squatting down by the little Ryntron.
“May I, Cor?” she asked gently, looking up at him as she put a hand on Shay’s shoulder.
Keira kept Ruka occupied enough. “Ash paint? That almost sounds like something you’d do on one of Qyreia’s camping trips.”
Cora looked visibly relieved even through his beautiful paint, murmuring, “Oh, please,” in Mirialan lest the young girl be alerted to how out of his depth he was. While Leda had been Shay’s age when he’d first come into their lives, their children had always been more…mature, and Ruka had been the one in charge, guiding him until they got a bit older. Between toddler and adolescent, the Pantoran was doomed.
Meanwhile, Ruka was thoroughly occupied. As soon as he had Ileta in his arms, he was a man gone. The man immediately began bobbing at the hips and swaying, his hold as easy as breathing even around the bulky costume, occasionally tipping her this way and that gently to make the tot squeal. He just kissed her cheeks and hair and forehead and nuzzled when she yanked on his dreadlocs.
“Haha, don’t it though? War paint for our warrior queen,” he said, but all in baby talk. His accent made it thicker. “Burn some wood and offerings – like the kind we leave out at Life Day, and on they solstices – and once it’s all charcoal and cooled off, just smear it on. Get the skull shape. Decorate with flower petals for color instead. But paint’s sure easier.” He managed to look up long enough to smile at the hybrid. “So which character are you?”
“No particular character. I just saw some of the Holopunk artwork while I was coming up with ideas, and I just sort of played around.” Keira gave her hip a little bop in time with Ruka’s, letting the lights embedded in her suit fluctuate between hues of yellows, greens, and pinks. She caught her wife’s movements and her smile weakened. “She’s been… I dunno, worn out? Rough? Ever since you all got back.”
While the conversation continued between the adults, Qyreia took Shay’s hands in hers. “Shaybee. You remember when I taught you about playing with people?”
The childsighed, averting her eyes. “Kinda.”
“Shay.”
“Yes, I remember.”
“And how it’s not fun if you make someone play with you because they’re not having fun too.”
Her lips pursed and her white brows furrowed. “Yeah.”
“Forcing someone to do something is wrong. It’s one thing if it’s your job,” she chuckled as she poked and tickled her adoptive niece into fits of giggles, “like doing dishes.” More pokes, more laughs. “But not playing. You can’t force fun.”
Just as Elly had feared, it seemed there were plenty of options and choices for Sulla to choose from. Frantically, she tried to think of a way to narrow things down for the child in her arms. Zuji’s question couldn’t have come at a better time. Ellisyn looked to Sulla expectantly, waiting for her to answer the other mother’s question.
After a few moments, Elly bounced Sulla once while still holding her. “It’s okay, sweetpea, you don’t have to worry. She just wants to know what you like, that’s all. Why don’t you tell her about what grandma got you?”
“Well…” The young Twi’lek hesitated. “I like to draw and paint, so she gave me a big sketchbook to draw in.”
“And she’s pretty great at it, too,” Elly confirmed, noticing the pair of teens approaching. After they introduced themselves, she found it only polite to answer their question. “We’re having a good time so far, just trying to figure out where we should start.” <@244244400488710155>
Ruka’s joyful, adoring expression for Ileta only tightened a little around his very purple eyes at Keira’s implied question, and he stopped giving kisses long enough to answer, instead turning the toddler in his hold so that she could sit on top of his forearm, braced against his chest, and watch her mother’s costume lights flicker. The half-Zeltron clapped and cooed.
“She…yeah. It was a lot, out there,” he said. They’d talked a little about it; specifically about what he remembered, and what she didn’t. Not entirely. About frosted berries, and purple eyes, and a chance. It was a funny thing. His visions gave him glimpses of the future, and he’d known his fate for a long time, unable to change it but rising to meet it. But knowing anything about the future was basically still the same as knowing nothing at all. “It always is, ay, but that place… This time with everything she got on her shoulders… It’s worse. She just. Keeps giving everything for everybody yanno? I think it’s gonna be a little while, this time. ‘fore she’s up again. Maybe a really long time. But…”
And here, the normally – if everyone was honest – pessimistic, beaten-by-the-world Mirialan smiled a little.
“But I think it’s going to be okay. I think we’ll get there. She told me to look towards the light, anyway, so, we gotta try.” He winked, and then kissed the top of Ileta’s little head again. “Ain’t that right, tiny potato? Yes, yes it is, you beautiful little star? Who’s our starshine? Yes you are.”
Meanwhile, as the very Red Qek they discussed consoled Shay, Cora was marveling at the tactics, and seemed to be trying to take notes in his own head. He chimed in in hopes of reinforcement.
“I certainly have fun with you, Shay'lra. Maybe you can help show me how to play with your brother?” He nodded at Barsali in their grandmother’s hold. “I’m afraid I don’t have a lot of experience with babies. A princess’s wisdom would be much appreciated.”
The two teens smiled and nodded at Elly, though Leda stayed taking the lead with the young Twi'lek who was being held.
“That’s great! I know there’s a lot going on, so if that’s scary, we could help pick, maybe?” She leaned in a little conspiratorially. “I get scared at big places with lots of people. Talking is hard. But my family helps me be brave, and so do my friends! If you want, we can be friends too, okay?”
She offered up another tiny orange from her pockets to the Twi'lek child. Beside her, Noga pulled out two more and looked to Zujenia with raised brows, asking silently if the two triplets would want some peeled for them.
“Sofila you do not have enough money to buy the entire cart.” Cole went to pinch the bridge of his nose, only remembering last second the make up adorning half his face and stopping.
Sofila lips curved into a frown as she turned to look at Cole, “Sure I do! I mean, I may have to work a little bit extra and that’s okay! I just want to make the children’s day! I mean, what’s the harm in this? It’s just money for smile on their faces! All he-” She gestured to the man who was, smart enough, slowly backing away from this conversation, “have to do is hand a candied apple to each child he sees until he runs out!”
“Their own parents can make their day.” Cole looked at her, awkwardly glancing at the retreating tender before focusing back on his rampant girlfriend for a moment, “Look getting some for the triplets or whoever else we know, fine. You won’t have money to do anything else here and still have free time to yourself for the next month. Do you see how many apples there are?”
There was a lot. It was still early in the night and there were still a lot of apples.
Sofila sighed, “but some of them don’t have parents. Ah, um, how about we compromise, he hands out apples for free to the kids that are being escorted by adults that aren’t parents.”
“You don’t know the number. Plus they could be being brought by family members because their parents are busy tonight.” Cole pointed out.
Why was he having to be the bad guy dammit?
“How about just cover the next ten? With or without parents, whatever. Ill do another ten on that and then we can get the ones for the kids we were actually purchasing for. Twenty kids get free snacks and you still have creds. Deal?”
Sofila frowned as she wanted to up those numbers but the fact that Cole would cover some, she sighed in defeat.
“Okay. As well five please. One for both of us and for the triplets.” Sofila grinned, hoping Zujenia wouldn’t mind her buying some sugary sweets. If she did, Sofila can always hand them out to the other kids.
“Oh look, they have chebureki!” Vicxa chimed as the pair made their way along the fairgrounds, passing by a stall selling golden brown pastries filled with mysterious season’s meats. Before the Twi'lek could inquire whether the Mirialan actually had any credits on her to pay for it, the Force Ghostbuster had slipped the proverbial leash and descended upon the stall with ravenous intent.
As she approached, she discovered to her delight they did not just have chebureki, or something reasonably close enough to them. Oh no, they had her favourite. They had flavors.
With the worried Twi'lek hot on her heels, the wide-eyed Mirialan made her way past the line of waiting customers to have a sample–or three.
Soon the transaction was complete. Cole couldn’t help but notice the man relax once they started walking away.
He carried three of the apples, looking at them a little skeptically but contently leading the way back toward the Bleu crew, glancing back every so often to make sure Sofila hadn’t wandered off.
“This way, uncle,” a small but brazen voice said.
Kirra Aarave-Tyris made a beeline for where she knew she was supposed to go, and be. She silently looked forward to when her legs would grow or get longer, and let her move more nimbly, like her father perhaps. She settled for her current pace, her tanned hand reaching up and behind her as she lead her Uncle Wyn by the hand.
“This is the way,” Wyn said with a low, raspy voice that had nothing to do with the plastic, resin-made costume helmet with T-shaped visor. Beyond the helmet, however, her Uncle wore a wet-suit, like the ones divers used to go explore the ocean, and a pair of squeaky flippers that prevented him from walking normally.
She, too, wore slippers that fanned out to look somewhat like webbed feet. That was what Uncle Wyn had based his costume around. ‘Solidarity’ he had said.
Turi, who was secured in the baby-holder harness at Wyn’s chest, was too small to wear much of a costume. The toddler wore a knitted hat with cat ears on it and black pajama onsie.
That was why they were taking so long to get to where they had to go, but she did not hold this against him, because he was doing his best, and that was just so.
So Kirra giggled, even though the joke was as plain as a summer leaf, and lead the way until she spotted them.
“Aunt Zoojee!” she called out excitedly. Her mismatched eyes seemed to widen and brighten at the same time as she saw the Ryn triplets dressed like the most perfect space ducks from the classic holovision show.
“Your costumes look delightful,” she said, offering a tiny curtsey. “And I hope mine is okay.”
The spindly girl wore a purple and pink dress (not much of a costume there) but had a bow in her hair to the side and then a duck-beak that fit just beneath her freckled nose and had strings tied around to the back of her head. “Quack!” she said excitedly, as she seemed to notice Kipp, bounced in place, but restrained herself so as not to startle him.
Sulla hesitantly reached out and accepted the small orange from Leda, an anxious smile crossing her lips. “Thank you,” she said, too nervous to ask for help peeling it. She was content to hold it for now until she could ask her mother for help. In the meantime, she decided to try and make her mother proud. “What would you pick?”
Ellisyn smiled while watching her kiddo try and socialize.
Mikhail frowned, glaring at the ducks that have so far escaped him. Did he want to? He glanced to the man at his side, shoulders relaxing slightly along with his grip. “Perhaps.. I do not wish to live my life knowing I’ve been bested by a plastic duck.” He flicks the magnet out again, trying to maintain the relaxation that had settled into his arms.
This time the magnet landed on a duck, capsizing it. When it resurfaced, the magnet was locked in place above it. With a steadying breath, the Arkanian lifted it slowly and carried it over to his bucket. It dangled in the air, jiggling as the pole was wiggled in an attempt to shake it loose. Finally, with a yank, the duck comes loose and bounces into the bucket.
Victory was bittersweet. Yet he didn’t want to seem to excited at the measly effort as he handed the pole to Nathan. “Want a turn?”
Sofila grinned as she sees the group. It was getting bigger.
“Awwwww, Cole!” She beamed as she looked over to him, “look at the children! Aren’t they adorable?” Not soon after, Wyn approached the group with young Kirra and Turi.
“Annnnd there’s Turi! Oh, I don’t know if I told you but I agreed to babysit Turi for a little bit so Wyn could keep an eye on Kirra.” She approached the group, “hey guys!”
Noticed that Leda has offered the apples to the triplets, well shoot. She can’t overload those kids with sugar. Then an idea!
“Kirra! Would you like a candied apple? And look at you! Wow! Hello, Wyn.” She side hugged Wyn gently and leaned forward to smooch Turi on the forehead and laughed when she realized she left a small bit of a black smear on Turi’s forehead. The facepaint was water proof but it wasn’t smear proof.
“Whoops! Typical of me, mmm?” She gently brushed it away with her thumb. Sofila looked at her surroundings and noticed a shy child behind Ellisyn. “Oh! Hello there.” Sofila squatted down to be eye level.
“I need your help if that’s okay.” Her brows furrowed, “you see, I was silly! I lost count and ordered waaaaay toooooo many candied apples. If I eat them all,” she puffed out her belly, “I wouldn’t be able to move! If it’s okay with your mom,” she glanced up to Ellisyn with a friendly smile, “maybe you can help me by eating one? Mmm?”
Wyn, playing the character of Scuba Djarin, aka Scuba Mando, nodded from behind his resin-helmet. “You can bring him in hot, or you can bring him in cold,” he recited the line, voice gruff despite the fact that it could be heard perfectly without any actual modulation.
He whispered as he carefully handed Turi over to Sofila. “Thank you, he’s honestly not fussy who holds him, especially women. I swear I don’t know where he gets it from. Wink,” he said as he adjusted Turi’s cat-ear knitted beanie before sharing him with Sofila.
Kirra looked up at the tall Mirilan with her mistmatch eyes. She smiled from behind her duck-beak mask. “Hello Princess Sagitta,” she said brightly. “I would love a candied apple, thank you kindly,” she continued, offering up a hand and to receive the gift while doing a little curtsey with her frilled dress.
Cole didn’t have a chance to respond to Sofila’s question, smiling fondly instead for a bare moment. He watched, leaning down to hand “the duck” a candied apple from Sofila’s other side. Save the risk of her falling over in the dirt to hand it over to Kirra while also trying to encourage Ellyisyn’s child to take one.
“Here you go.”
“Thank you kindly, Mister Farrow,” she curtsied again, taking the apple gracefully. “Your vest is pretty and holds many secrets, I can tell.” She then fiddled with her mask to slide it down so it hung around her neck.
She spent a moment to feel sorry for actual space ducks. They couldn’t eat Candied apples easily with their beaks, could they. How dreadful.
The moment passed quickly as her sweetooth got the better of her.
Cole hesistated, confused but just shrugged it off. Kids man, weird.
He was suddenly rather aware of the knife nestled into the inside of the vest though. After being caught off guard once, even at a friendly event and not just wandering around he didn’t even consider being unarmed. It was hidden though, for a reason. He had no intentions of frightening anyone unless they gave him a damned good reason.
…He was definitely overthinking it.
“I like the ducks, because birds are my favorite. But you can draw at the crafts too!” Leda told Sulla softly before more arrived. Seeing Sofila come roaring on in, the siblings exchanged glances and retreated. Better not to overload the shy little girl with four sets of strangers.
They gave greetings to Wyn, the baby, and Kirra, not too familiar with the lot, and glanced also at Cole as they passed. Noga tipped him a little two fingered salute as they headed off to check on someone or something else.
<@301514304845381632>
“Why do I get the feeling I’m being pushed?” Vince replied with a chuckle. “Fine, go hang out with the youngsters. I’ll grab something to eat. But I’m not letting a challenge go. Meet up at the range later?”
Elly nodded down at Sulla and Sofila, prompting the young Twi'lek to take the candied apple from the Mirialan woman. Another snack for the collection.
“Thank you,” The five year old said politely, quickly taking a bite of the sugar-covered fruit. Unlike the orange in her opposite hand, this was ready to eat. Sure, she had lunch just a couple of hours ago, but who could say no to sweets at a festival?
With a mouth full of apple, Sulla waved goodbye to Leda and Noga. “Bye bye!”
“Bye bye for now! Dobre noca!” the Mirialan pair called back, smiling and waving.
Cole noticed the glances, nodding back to Noga’s gestured but otherwise remaining quiet, smiling a little at Sulla’s eagerness for sugar.
She definitely already had something that was sugared too. Kid was gonna have a ride of a time with all that.
Citadel Refresher 10 minutes ago?
“Tickle tickle tickle.”
Turhaya squirmed and giggled underneath Wyndell’s playful waggling fingers as the infant lay on the changing table, folded down from the refresher wall. The gunslinger picked up a diaper and skillfully prepared it while Socorra rummaged around the diaper bag in the repulsor pram.
“We not pack wipes? Seriously?“ Frustration furrowed her dark brows, as a shock of white locks fell into her face, adding to her exasperation.
Wyn looked down at his baby mama. “What about a towel? That’s why I–
“Not right now! And.. gross. What you do, stuff it back into your poc–”
Suddenly, a stream of yellow liquid erupted from the table like a whimsical fountain, spraying upward in an arc and splattering Wyndell first (thank Ashla for the wetsuit) before landing on Socorra beside him.
"Oh buddy/Oh no!” they both exclaimed, scrambling to use the new diaper to cover the baby’s bottom. Sensing their excitement, Turhaya looked up and rewarded them with an infectious smile and another adorable giggle escaped the little one’s lips.
“Wyn,” Socorra growled, her good eye narrowing at the man, her tattooed and scarred hands covering his. “I think it in my mouth. It in my mouth!”
Sporting a large shit-eating grin, he glanced slidelong at her as they stood side by side, their hands securing the diaper. “Duh. Never leave home without a towel.”
She shot him an even dirtier look and aggressively hip-checked him, before swiftly snatching one of the towels from his belt to clean up the mess.
Socorra stayed behind to clean her costume, which was not nearly as flashy as last year’s. She dressed as a filthy sea pirate, with a black eye patch over the already missing eye and black kohl rimming and streaming from the good one. The massive raven and white streaked mane was in long and messy beaded and feathered braids. The rest of the costume was a blood red bustier and dark skirts with a captain’s tricorne hat with a massive plume. And there were…flippers. Shoes of some sort she was unfamiliar with, but something something solidarity. She did have a little pirate hat for Turi but he had kept grabbing and eating it, drooling and teething on the fabric. Maybe next year he could choose his own.
The Mando-Sith didn’t bother with even fake pistols, Ruka knew her well by now. Underneath the costume she was armed to the teeth regardless, with access to her plethora of cleverly concealed blade holsters where the weapons would stay concealed unless absolutely necessary. The Mortis war might be over, but the internal Brotherhood battles were neverending.
With a last look in the mirror Socorra tilted her hat and stepped out, the flippers flip flopping awkwardly and slapping loudly on the ground as she made her way into the hall.
<@189568236201705472>
Wyn saw Socorra enter, broke character for a moment, and waved so she could find where he was. He tried to mime with his hands and act out “I gave our child to the excitable Mirilan because she said you had said so”, but the interpretation could have been many things.
“I– yeah, sure, later then,” AJ replied, shooting a look at the groups of ‘kids his age’ about. He covered a reluctant grimace with a chuff. “Go rub elbows with some like, I don’t know, a doctor or something.”
The Rodian started walking off backwards a few steps in the direction of the games, intent to disappearing into the tests of skill and luck but not without a final goading comment. “Trial of marksmen, don’t forget! I promise I won’t smoke you too bad, V.”
And then the teen slipped into the crowds to become the very best there ever was in non-arcade games.
“You’re welcome. I’m Sofila, what’s your name?” The Mirialan asked the young Twi'lek. She gently and carefully took few steps back so she can have the children in her entire view.
“Dobre Noca!” Sofila said to the pair, just wanted wanted bid them a good night too. Then Wyn practically almost gave Turi to her, caused her to stumble for a moment but she was quick.
“Of course,” Sofila waved him away when Wyn thanked her. Then she laughed and shook her head. Wyn was always an odd one. He actually said wink, who does that? But she doesn’t mind his company.
“Your father is silly,” Sofila giggled as she gently grasped Turi’s hands and made playful nomming noises as he squealed with delight.
In fact, was there anyone that she doesn’t like to be near by?
Besides the usual basta-
Her thoughts were snapped out when Cole had given Kirra one of the apples. She paused for a moment when Kirra mentioned about his vest being pretty and holds many secrets. Her head turned to look at Cole and rose an eyebrow.
What was she talk-
Can’t be-
Nah.
“Okay! So guess what,” She whipsered to the children while cradled Turi close to her chest, “I think I saw some awesome people making dolls and masks! We can do that! Or maybe we can try go through a fun maze?”
Kirra looked up from her apple, mismatched eyes getting bigger somehow with wonder. “I ever so much love mazes!” she proclaimed proudly.
Socorra’s facial features scrunched as she tried to understand what Wyn was saying. Was it even in sign language? She mimed a huh? and flashed a bunch of gibberish in reply, ending the charades with one hand making a circle and the other one pointing to it.
The area was absolutely crawling with unfamiliar babies and kids but the Force lit up her own like a beacon, being carried by Sofila. And Kirra nearby.
She smiled softly and mimed ohh as she flip-flopped her way over.
<@216702440140046336>
Wyn flashed two thumbs up, but did somehow manage to make a “circle” with his pointer and thumb, while making a “poking” gesture through the circle and tilting his Mando-helmet head.
Not in front of the kids!
It was difficult to pout and avoid gazes when one was being tickled. The mild feeling of embarrassment and remorse dissipated, replaced by the sweeter scent of glee. Shay'lra gasped to breath after a good fit of laughter that continued even past ‘Auntie Kyew’ ceasing her attack. She fixed her skirt and mask for a second, then glanced up at the Fathiers now munching on their food. Chewing on her lip briefly, Shay muttered a little apology to them, more to assuage her own feelings before bouncing on her heels and turning her attention to Cora.
“A Princess Spy,” Shay'lra corrected, her grey tail flicking and a returned bemusement in her eyes. She made a flourishing gesture that no doubt likely came from a cartoon holovid, possibly the inspiration for the intellect agent side of her costume, “knows all the top secret secrets! Like…uhm, peek-a-boo! And he likes his light up puzzle board but that’s at home so…”
As the ryntron flipped a switch and started spewing proud big sister details while shuffling over to her family, Vai glanced up to the trio, literally up given her short stature, and gave Qyreia an appreciative nod. She had been just about ready to step in and redirect the youth with a gentle brushing nudge of her tail. The Zeltron’s approach was far better a lesson than her own, so the old Ryn just listened while allowing Barsali to hold her finger in his tiny grip.
“Hi, how’s it going? Welcome to hold the tyke if you want,” the matriarch offered, preferable choice to someone leaning into their space. “Don’t be offended if he fusses, he’s a picky lad.”
Kirra watched the adults quietly as she finished her apple. Her eyes seemed to keep going back to the middlest Rynlette, Kipp. She couldn’t explain why, of course, she just knew she should be near him, so she tried to not impose or get in anyones way, but waited patiently just off to the side of her godmother.
As if the kids don’t already–
As if on cue a pair of the surprising dozens of children started giggling and mimicking the gesture. Her eye widened and she immediately spun away from them as well as the shoes would allow.
Nothing to see here!
The woman beelined it over to her own spawn and company with a bow to Kirra first.
“Lovely costume, Princess Kirra.”
She waggled her fingers at the baby while behind Sofila, silently playing peek-a-boo while the Mirialan was not noticing. He squealed and started kicking her and flailing in delight, little fists going up into the green-skinned woman’s chin.
Osik.
Socorra shuffled to Wyn’s side quickly and threw up her hands. I did nuffin’, I just got here.
<@216702440140046336>
Kirra looked up, smiled behind her duck mask, and gave a polite curtsey in return. “Thank you kindly, Aunty Sock!”
Things certainly had exploded to a more crowded and busy state around them in seemingly a blink of the eye. One moment Zujenia was praising Sulla on her artwork passion, and the next while she peeled a gifted orange did the Tyris’ and Sagitta approach and join them. The half-ryn had given a quick wave and another thanks for the treat to the Mirialan teens before they dipped, then busied herself with dividing the citrus between Nathe and Kipp. The vibrant and energetic Sagitta was still something to get used to, though her passionate friendliness seemed genuine and reminded her much of Atyiru’s. Her companion, however, was unfamiliar and the hybrid reflexively kept her body angled in such a way he was in her line of sight at all times, her tail curling at her calf.
“It is a lovely costume. Funny how you and the boys match,” Zujenia chuckled. There was no doubt in her mind that either Atyiru had a premonition with the triplets in such costumes and Kirra matching or the young lady in her own ways foreseen such coincidence. Regardless it was cute.
“Socks, welcome. Good to see you, Wyn and lil Turi. Oh, yes, this is Elly and her daughter, Sulla,” she repeated the introductions in kind for Elly, including Sagitta in and Kirra, the latter being similar age may be nice for the Twi'lek girl to connect with. It was then when the half-ryn turned her amber eyes to the man in a purple vest and gave a small smile, “Sorry, e haven’t met yet, you are?”
Meanwhile as his mother mother-hawks, Nathe started offering a slice of orange out to Kirra when a flash of brown and white fur beat him to it. Kipp half knelt, half stood in the stroller with his arm outstretched to the girl boldly. “Here…Want, have? Yes?”
Cole nodded slightly, respectful of the woman, “Cole Farrow, ma'am.”
He still had a spare candied apple, unsure of which kid to give it to and glancing toward Sofila because kriff he had no idea anymore.
“Of course, Princess Spy, my apologies, my secret stealing lady,” Cora had said, watching appreciatively and gasping at right moments, nodding along to the advice given quite seriously and listening as he was led over. He smiled and dipped a half bow to Vai, though looked a bit apprehensive around his visible gold eyes when she offered holding Barsali and pickiness. His gaze shot to Ruka handling baby Ileta like he was born to do it, mid conversation with Kiera, then to Qyreia with some worry, then to Vai again.
“Ah…perhaps…I could if someone showed me how?”
While Ileta had been over to theirs, and they to the Viru Arronen’s, many a time for gatherings of their families, the Pantoran had so far…tacitly… avoided being left as the sole holder of the baby. Which was not difficult by any means, given that Ruka, Noga, and Leda silently, unintentionally warred over who got to hold her every time, and had decided on a sort of round robin system one day over dinner when he brought it up (a whole affair, Corazon was certain, the Zeltron mother had noticed, as he’d seen her roll her eyes nearly across the floor several times too). Several times Cora had been handed the baby by Ruka, but only for a moment and generally then with a very available countertop or chaise closeby to settle with before she got taken to another’s affections.
Kirra took a careful step, light as a leaf, and moved closer to the Ryn siblings. She tucked some stray strands of hair back behind her ear and inclined her head forward. “Oh, how ever so kind. I would love to have a slice, yes,” she extended her hand and took the orange slice delicately.
She figured out a way to fit the slice carefully through the duck-bill mask and to where she could chomp down and eat it without seeming indelicate.
“Likewise,” Socorra nodded to Zuji, her eye perusing the crowd of children she had brought with her. Where did they all suddenly come from?
“Elly,” the woman repeated at the introduction, a nod her way as well, studying the girl near her. She wondered if this one was also Darrio’s. But knowing the father was unfortunately nowhere to be seen, she would refrain from asking questions.
“It has been some time. Hello Sulla. Welcome to Dajorra.”
<@301514304845381632>
Nathan watched with quiet concern, letting out a soft sigh of relief once the duck dropped safely into the bin.
“Oh uh, sure.”
The Pantoran hybrid took the rod, looking out on the ducks and trying to identify one that wasn’t wobbling as much as some of its fellows. It was hard. They were all hollow, clearly, bar for the magnet. Which was really destabilising.
He hovered the magnet of the rod, taking his sweet time.
Sulla, the poor girl, was trying her best to keep up with the commotion around her. If not for the sugary treat in her hand and the presence of her mother, she’d surely be in tears. The young Twi’lek pondered the options offered by Sofila for a few moments before coming to a rather selfish conclusion. “I wanna make a mask!” She said with mild excitement. All the kids around her were dressed up in some sort of costume, and she felt like an outsider wearing just her regular clothes.
Ellisyn nodded back to Socorra, a near-constant smile on her lips as she watched her daughter do more active socializing in a few minutes than she had in the past week. “That it has,” the lawyer responded to their observation.
She was more than happy to spectate as Sulla responded to Socorra’s greeting with a respectful “Hello” and “Thank you.”
<@216702440140046336> <@141239709291511808>
For the Lady Second, it had been a long journey to finally get here. Following the end of the war and returning to the Caelus system to deal with senatorial duties and handle advancements from the Traditionalists expanding outward in eastern Kasiya, it was a truly chaotic time. Even combining the trip back to the portal and abck to Caelus, the journey to Selen was substantially longer given it was nearly on the opposite end of the galaxy. This was also Cassandra’s first time in Arconan space as well, and she was entirely unfamiliar with both their worlds, customs, and nature.
Anders had came ahead of her and cleared that it was a safe and non-hostile environment, so the odds of being captured or betrayed were virtually non-existant. Her ship, the Lancelot Albion, had touched down at a starport outside Estle City which was the Arconan seat of power. She transferred to a shuttle which began the journey out towards the location where the gathering is.
As it shot across the landscape, she sat quietly and pondered. It was something she had done a considerable amount these last days.
Selen was tropical, the humidity lessened due to the evening but ever present until the shuttle rose into the mountainous heights of Estle City itself.
Cassandra was dropped off on the edge of the event grounds, banners and signage noting the various directions to go. To food, to games? There were costumes and trinkets to be bought, face paint to be applied. Music was audible over the hum of the crowd, hay bales visible in the distance thanks to her unusual height, a sign noting that there was a maze of them in that direction.
The hubbub of activity didn’t stop at the entrance. A pair of women stood, looking around at the moving crowd with a frantic energy until, relief breached through on their expressions.
Following their gaze, was a short brown haired woman with a even shorter child atop her shoulders in a droid outfit was quickly stepping out of the crowd. The child squealed, scrambling down from Zuza’s shoulders and running into the women’s arms. They’d charged forwards as well, hurried and profuse thanks being called as they walked further into the speeder parkings.
Zuza looked around, unable to not spot Cassandra. She recognised her, two Brotherhood events now shared between them even if they hadn’t spoken.
A grin broke across her face as she walked over, rolling one shoulder as she came to a stop far enough away she didn’t have to crane her neck too far to meet Cassandra’s eye, “Hey there! You’ve come a long way haven’ ya?”
Cassandra smiled as she placed her right hand on top of her left in front of her body before she bowed forward with her eyes closed.
She spoke in a forward, yet respectable and kind voice. “Indeed, it has been quite the journey. Much further than it looked on the holonav. I am Cassandra Oriana Tyris, Lady Second and Supreme Chancellor of the Taldryan Republic. It is an honor to meet you.”
Zuza, adorned in her knight costume, returned the bow as fully as she could without bending the foam.
She was still grinning when she straightened up, “I’m Zuza Lottson, Leader of the Selen Training Corp or the Rollmaster of Arcona and, uh, lady of the Dajorran Confederacy.” There was a pause, Zuza’s gaze flicking to the side before returning to Cassandra. She was pretty confident that was right. “It’s good to meet you too. If you were just passing through you’ve hit it lucky with the festival being on. You want a tour? Food or anythin’?”
Socorra felt a miniscule pang of sadness that Kirra had grown so fast and used Basic so correctly now. She would miss the days of being called Aunny Sawks.
Socorra perused the large amount of games and events set up on the parade grounds and nudged Wyn. “I no familiar with these ah, activity. What is your favorite? We do that.” <@189568236201705472>
Wyn surveyed the options. “You expect me to search the galaxy for the home of this creature and deliver it to a race of enemy sorcerers?” he said, voice gruff, as if modulated, despite the fact that his helmet was just plastic resin.
He pointed at the ring toss game. "This is the way.”
It was a safe environment indeed, though that didn’t mean Anders wasn’t cautious. It wasnt the Arconans he was worried about, but the threat of Taldryan Loyalists on the horizon. The Supreme Chancellor could be in the sights of an expert assassin. A prospect she seemed to have conveniently forgotten about now that she was lightyears away from the Caelus System.
He mentally scoffed. That woman was a constant headache.
However, there was one pressing matter dividing his attention.
“You’re sweating, Draca,” Anders barely glanced at the young Zabrak as he made his observation. “Breathe.”
“I can’t help it,” Draca could barely mumble the words out of his mouth. “I want to make a good impression…”
Anders spun and placed his hands on Draca’s shoulders. He had been mesmerised by the rainbow fields until realisation dawned on him. “Draca, listen to me. Do you doubt the way I raised you?”
Draca shook his head. “No, but…”
“Then you will be fine. Stop panicking and just be who you are. You will find it’s what Ms Luxor finds most pleasant about your character.”
Draca’s face turned slightly red at the comment, but he did as instructed. He took a deep breath and steadied himself.
“This is where we depart. I will keep an eye on the Supreme Chancellor whilst she’s a guest in Arconan territory. The last ordeal we need is upsetting the First Clan of the Brotherhood,” Anders scoffed, thinking of all the trouble Cassandra could likely cause if she wished it. He had more faith than that, but this was a more delicate situation.
A cold breeze wafted past them both as Draca gave a small nod, walking in the direction of the festival.
“Draca.”
The young Zabrak paused, giving Anders his immediate attention.
Anders lightly smiled at him. “Enjoy yourself. Moments like these are few and far between. Treasure them while you can and make the most of it.”
Draca smiled back at him, then disappeared. Of course. He didn’t want to keep Melissa waiting for him. BUDD-E waved a mechanical leg at the Jedi as he departed.
Anders’ eyes suddenly shot open as he hitched a breath. “Don’t do anything stupid! You are far too young to have offspring!”
Judging by the crashing sound he heard nearby, he assumed had gotten his message. Satisfied, he turned his attention to his objective.
“Come, BUDD-E. It can’t too hard to find our Supreme Chancellor.”
As the younger of the Tenbriss Ya-irs diligently patrolled the festival, stopping at various points to help guests with various things, supplying directions, handing out oranges to children and complimenting costumes, and even giving out a warning or two, they eventually completed another circuit and arrived back at the games area. They kept their eyes out for anything that might need them, and a little bit for their friend, wondering if Carr was still around somewhere, and if Melissa had settled okay. Leda once again noticed the child she’d seen earlier with Zuza at one shooting game, dressed as a bear, but now alone. She frowned.
“We should check on them.”
Noga looked over. And squinted. “That a kid or an Ewok, ay?”
“Oh, kriff. I dunno, I thought– well, let’s check.” Under her paint, her cheeks sweated shamefully, but she told herself it was a common mistake.
The pair walked over.
“Yo, hey there,” Noga began. “You doing alright, ay?”
<@350377017713360907>
Turi got excited in Sofila’s arms as she laughed softly. His tiny fists hit her chin and legs moving wildly. “Easy there young one, you’ll get there. You’ll be big and strong, like the rest of you.” She grinned to the children as she gently grasped Tuir’s fist and gave few kisses and nomming noises.
For Socorra: Kriff, why are children so adorable? I wonder what Cole and mine would look like. I should have a talk with him. Is he okay over there? How do I make sure the children have fun? I hope everyone is doing okay. The kids are alright at least and that’s the best part honestly. Oh, did I turn off the oven? Wait I don’t have a karking oven-
Kirra wanted to do the maze as Sulla chimed in she wanted to do the mask. And Sofila considered for a moment. “Kirra, would you like to come to the mask making with us? Let’s have our new friend be what she wants to be for the night! Then we can go explore the mazes! What do you two think?”
For Socorra: I hope Kirra is okay with this idea, I don’t want poor Sulla miss out on the fun on dressing up! Wait, did I turn off the shower at the hotel?
<@189568236201705472> <@301514304845381632> <@141239709291511808>
Kirra didn’t seem to mind. She listened attentively to Princess Sagitta’s words, then nodded primly. Of course she didn’t mind making masks. She could wait for the maze, as it likely was not going anywhere. Mazes didn’t get up and move, unless they were fairy mazes, but the one she saw earlier looked like a regular maze. Or maybe that is what the Maze wanted her to think…
This was a party the grown ups had worked hard on, so it was important to try everything.
“I would love to help make masks,” Kirra bounced back and forth on her toes, pressing her palms together.
Work’t turned, looking up at the two teenaged creatures standing above him. Rudely, he pulled his datapad and begun scrolling through his Collegium access. “Mirialan. Hello.” He said in stilted Basic. “I Work’t.” He nodded and began looking at the pad again. He scrolled to a page that Leda could see from her side on view was a document titled Standard compliments according to Zuza. “You nice earring.” He said, seeming accomplished.
It became very evident as he then turned and began looking around again then he was looking for something. The two young ones stood taller then him by far and began looking around to try and work out if they could see anything interesting to an Ewok. Nope.
Work’t looked back up at them. “Help you?”
Turi seemed to process the words to heart. He stopped flailing and instead seemed to go pensive, inquisitive green eyes studying his surroundings as he made himself comfortable. He did keep looking over towards his Mum and Da, but seemed content at being held.
“… thanks,” Leda replied to the compliment, not seeming all that phased by the Ewok having notes. It wasn’t like their family wasn’t supremely socially awkward, aside from Cora. “Hi, Work’t,” she tested the pronunciation.
“We can help you, yeah, ay,” Noga said to the question. He had to crane his neck some to look down at the Ewok. “What are you looking for?”
Cole handed off the two candied apples to the the remaining triplets, making sure all three got one and that none were stolen before making decent space from them for Zujenia’s sake. He was a stranger, he didn’t want to impose.
He came back up beside Sofila, hands slipping into his pockets as he let his gaze wander of the crowd.
Mask making was.. over there. Right. Good. Wasn’t far then, they were quite small after all.
Turi started to kick his legs slightly, then slowly started to wave his hands. Not at his carrier-warrior-godess that was Sofila, but at the serious-looking man beside her.
Turi was too young to scheme, truly, but something in his genetics, his programming, spoke to him…
So he made grabby hands towards the serious looking man. He made a short little babble of a laugh and then flexed his fingers and tried to wiggle his barely-visible eyebrows.
Cole noticed the slightly grabby movements aimed towards him, raising an eyebrow and looking behind him but nope. The child wanted him.
“Hey Sof, I can take him if he.. wants?” He suggested slowly, unsure but the little uns eyes were on him.
Sofila looked to what Turi was looking at and she hesitated for a moment, she didn’t want to burden Cole if he didn’t want to hold him and she knows as well as any parent would be if the baby doesn’t get what they want, they become fussy.
Then she was caught off guard at Cole offering. “Oh, um.” She smiled and nodded as she handed Turi over to Cole, she knew that Wyn and Cole had some history. And if his parents didn’t want her to, she could always take the baby back.
Once she handed the baby over, she grinned to Kirra and Sulla. “Ah, my sweet brave adventurers! Now I can hold you both! Would you like that?” With her muscles and strength, she can hold one toddler per hip and arm.
<@189568236201705472> <@301514304845381632> <@432543120635461643>
Cole took Turi carefully, getting him settled on his back, neck supported but a little open so the little one could still see.
He didn’t really know what to do, awkward but keeping an eye on the now priority charge in his care. Turi was cute.
Kirra considered this. She worried she’d be burdening Princess Sagitta. But like the stories, Kirra knew Sagitta was very powerful and strong, not just from her muscles.
She pointed at Sofila’s shoulders, and then tilted her head. “Papa usually has me ride with my feet over his shoulders if that is okay,” she said a bit shyly.
Turi laughed, made a little burb, laughed more at the burp, and then stilled and looked up at Cole. She then moved his hands and tried very hard to shape his fingers into “L” shapes.
A vein attempt at finger guns.
“Thief.” He said, going to open his mouth. Then he flipped to another document, again forgetting that his pad was visible to the second of the kids. How to say you don’t like someone without explicitly demanding their head on a pike, Work’t; By Zuza. It seemed to be a short guide on some basic none violent ways to express distaste. Leda noted a long list of screenshots of short notes seemingly hand written in Zuza’s hand script, listing things not to say. The top three seemed to be: Do not say Imperial ass sponge to describe someone your mildly annoyed with Do not describe people as furless tree lickers. Baldness is a serious condition, Work’t. Threatening to light someone’s eyes by shoving your lightsaber up their arse is rude, Work’t
Work’t sighed deeply, looking back up. “Imperial ass sponge child take token stock. Finding.” His eyes burnt with a low rage.
Passing into the throng of excitable children, the Mirialan managed to make her presence scarcely noticeable. A more discerning eye might have caught her fuller figure, but her short stature and the helpful accomplices who didn’t know they were helping, kept the stall keeper busy while her crimson cybernetic pilfered the baskets of fried treats for a spot of illicit gourmet. By the time Tali had managed to catch up with her, Vicxa was already retreating from the stall with a fistful of pie in each hand.
The Twi'lek tapped her foot impatiently, a look of disappointment on her face not dissimilar to that of her chosen character.
“You know the free samples are only meant for children, right?”
“Everyone’s someone’s child,” Vix replied merrily. “Don’t you have a mother?”
“Do not talk about my mother. I was intending to enjoy myself today,” the Twi'lek hissed.
“Sheesh, you get so upset when you’re hungry,” Vicxa sighed, before propping one of her stolen treats at her. “Here, have a cheburek, they’re delicious!”
For her part, Leda was just impressed by Zuza’s notes. Someone had really edited that for her. There was even like, grammar.
She was also, however, obviously taking note of important bits, like that this Ewok had a lightsaber, and was prone to VIOLENCE.
And apparently had it out for some kid.
“Imp– what,” Noga began, scowling slightly, but Leda cut in.
“Hey, that’s fine, we’ll get you more tokens. At the front, ay. Don’t gotta find nobody. Let’s go.”
Noga gave her a strange look, but just nodded and gestured for Work’t to head towards the erected gates made of tent poles and garlands of orange flowers, where the ticket booths were.
“We should get him outta here,” Leda said to her brother in Mirialan with some urgency, eyeing him as soon as the Ewok turned. “Can’t believe Zuza let him stay! Actually, what am I saying? I can.”
“That bad?”
“He got notes about stickin’ heads on spears and sabers up asses! Yes that bad! Tell Papi.”
Noga already had his datapad out, typing as they walked. “Mhm.”
It was times like these the older of the two sometimes wished he’d accepted Qyriea’s offer of teaching him to shoot. But then, they shouldn’t have to know. It was a kids festival, for crying out loud.
Vince caught hesitation in the Rodian’s tone, and to be honest he was also hesitant to part ways for the festival. Without his social buffer, he would need to actually talk to people. And the sea of people before him seemed to be, for the most part, certainly not those his age. He was starting to understand why AJ had laughed at him.
A sea of people with families. Maybe he should have gone it alone for the second half of the evening. Maybe he would have wound up just as lost.
He wandered toward the food, as he saw more of the adults were congregating there to feed their monsters, robots, princesses, and those in between. Since the line was short at this time with many of them at the games, Vince took the chance to grab a funnel cake. He’d take a look at the meats and veggies later for an actual meal.
He took his prize over to a set of tables near the food. Sure he’d stand out as a lone old fogey, but at least his knees could have a rest.
She raised back up with a smile to Zuza. “Food and a drink would be awesome, actually. I would leave the rest in your very capable hands.”
Mikhail’s eyes focused on the rod, watching magnet hover and slowly move over the water. His attention drifted from the pole, up the Pantoran’s arm, to his costume. They had both spoke briefly about what they were going to wear, and Mikhail finally decided he was going to make his outfit pirate themed. Not the spacer variety, but the old tales that intrigued him when he was younger. He didn’t mind Nathan wearing the same theme, after all, they were friends, right?
The gaze lifted slightly to Nathan’s face. The Arkanian focused on the intensity with which Nathan watched the ducks, caught up on the side profile of the man. He perhaps was staring for a bit too long, memorizing the features of the Pantoran like one would a piece of art they intended to make a sketch of later
Work’t saw the nervousness of the child called Leda, though he didn’t know their name. A quick skim of their mind showed… oh no. He had gone too far. He rapidly turned to So now you’re being arrested again and began reading.
“Mmm… bad translation. I…catch thief. To give. Correct legal offical custody of adoption?” He squinted at the Basic. Damnation this was easier with a translation visor. Why Ewokese was such a niche package he didn’t know.
“Thief bad.” Work’t said assuredly. “I good guy, me.” He followed, he got the impression these tallthings were taking him to the officals, but Zuza was an offical so hopefully…
The two rather staunch teenagers seemed remarkably unmoved, as steely of resolve as beskar itself. With a nod from Noga indicating he’d sent their parents an update, Leda turned and stopped again, crossing her arms, navy eyes narrowed at the Ewok.
“Good guys,” she began, “don’t hurt people. Or go after kids even if they steal. Yeah, stealing is bad. But they’re just a kid, ay. They don’t need to be punished. They need to be taught better to share, or helped. You can put that on one of your lists there.” She nodded at the datapad. “We can get you more tokens. But if something happens, you don’t go hunting somebody down looking all mad like that. Mad ain’t good guy. Got it?”
Sulla was hesitant. She looked up to her mother for approval and at her nod she turned back to Sofila and raised her hands up towards “Yes please” she mumbled. Her legs were plenty tired from a day of walking around and she definitely appreciated the break
He stopped as well, parsing that. He paused long enough one of the teenagers almost spoke before he finally responded. “Hmmm.” He opened a new file called Festival rules, by unaccompied minors and began writing it down. “How catch now? Must catch, or no…taughting?” He really wished someone here spoke Ewokese. Or Binary. But unfortunately as he’d discovered early on in Social taboos and how to spot them telepathing random people was apprantly rude. Shame.
“Well, yeah, can’t teach ‘em if we can’t talk to them. But that’s not the most important part, right? It’s not your job to teach random kids either.”
“Try practicing,” Noga finally cut in, not sure what the hell the vibe was of this anymore, and if they needed to be throwing this dude out or giving basic manners lessons, “forgiving, yeah? Acceptance and stuff. Somebody took your tokens. Now they’re gone. That’s just how it is. So you let it go and move on. Do something else fun, or get something to eat.” He waved a hand around them. “You know Zuza, ay? We can hook you up with her.”
Leda huffed, but nodded along.
Evelyn’s elbow was propped on the table and her head was resting on her chin. She was just people watching. She was wanting to be more here for the more adult part but wouldn’t mind having some festival food and get out of her house a bit earlier than that. She felt the bench shift and her emerald hues gazed over and saw an older male, presumably human with those eyes.
‘Cybernetic?’ Evelyn mused to herself. Being in the military so long, the scars and seeing technology replacing limbs doesn’t bother her as it did the first few years. She also heard of stories that it still causes pain and discomfort sometimes.
Both eyes.
Evelyn sat up and had a more upright posture instead leaning over like she was earlier. Might as well say hi.
“Evening, sir. Having a good time?”
And she now wants to go back home. This was enough socializing for her.
Sofila listened to Kirra and heard Sulla wanted to be carried. Well.
“Okay! You both can get on my shoulders then. Come here you two-” She gently lead them to her side as she knelt down, not minding that she was getting the robes a bit dirty. Leaned forward, she gently grasp both of the girls’ legs when they sat on her shoulders. “Upsy daisy we go!” The Mirialan stood up, anyone who knew Sofila for years would noticed she was much more careful and graceful with a toddler on each shoulder.
Hyperfocus.
Her arms rested on their legs, not tight, but snug enough to feel their muscles twitching and ready for her to catch if she needed to.
“Onward, my brave ones!” Sofila turned to look at Cole and smiled at him seeing holding a baby.
For Socorra: Okay, I am certain I did not leave the shower running. Maybe we should leave the party earlier than expected so I can just jump on his bon-
“To the masks! So what are you going to make, m'lady Kirra and m'lady Sulla?”
<@189568236201705472> <@432543120635461643>
Sulla giggled as she was lifted up into the air, a small squeel of excitement escaping her lips. She waved at her mother as she was carried away, then responded to Sofila’s question “I ‘unno” she said, throughly unprepared
“This is higher than when Papa picks me up,” Kirra commented. She gently placed a hand on the back of Sofila’s head to help balance.
And, quietly focusing with the Force, she balanced herself so that she wouldn’t set Sofila off of balance.
“I already have one, so I will help everyone else with theirs,” she explained.
Vince had just taken a bite as he was addressed. Powdered sugar wafted in a cloud as he coughed. He covered his mouth briefly as he chewed.
“Yes! Great time.” He fought back his coughing fit. “Figured I’d get out to see everyone. Participate in the community. Ha.”
Once the coughing had subsided, he went to clean his hands. Napkin, not pants. He scrambled to grab one from nearby. Once he had wiped off his hands, he held a hand out to her in greeting. “Vince Moretti. I run a small clinic in the Port.”
Evelyn just deadpan stared at Vince while a cloud of powdered sugar went everywhere. He went to wipe his suit, paused, and wiped on a napkin instead. He extended his hand as she took it. He was at least kind enough to cough in his elbow.
Ah. A clinic. Of what sorts?
“I am sorry for starling you, Mr. Moretti,” withdrew her hand, she opened her coat and got out a handkerchief to pass it to Vince.
“You have …” She gestured to the lower part of her face. “Powdered sugar. I’m Evelyn Wyvern, captain of Siren Squad. What kind of clinic?”
“Oh, no problem, uh, thanks.” Vince took the handkerchief offered, and found it far more useful than the crumpled napkins that had come with his desert. He didn’t know whether to hand it back to her or not, so he placed it on the table between them.
“Cybernetics. Mainly prosthetics.” He tapped at his temple. “Just started laying down roots. Found out quickly that people are a bit spooked by all of this, so… Well, my work finds me.” He spoke cautiously, uncertain of how she viewed him. He shrugged and leaned back a bit in his seat as he regarded her with narrowed oculars.
“Siren Squad, huh. A pilot?” He sounded impressed.
“Do you have a business card, Mr. Moretti? In my line of work we have wounded soldiers as I am sure you know. Especially after war, the people at our clinic are overwhelmed. If you don’t mind, I can refer them to you?” Evelyn wasn’t sure if he wanted to work in the shadows, away from the military’s eye, especially being all the way at Port Ol’Val.
Evelyn looked around for a moment before looking back to Vince, “Yes sir. A pilot. Not that impressive I assure you.”
“If one’s definition of not terribly impressive is ‘One of the best we have,’ that is,” came a growling, softly-spoken voice from their right, approaching from the rainbow-soiled turf between other tables. The two would turn and look up and up at a copper-furred visage, shiny, reddish, silver-streaked locks tied back in a tail and bouncing. Lupine ears atop the head were folded down and back slightly, belying the otherwise upright posture of the broad-shouldered, one-armed, grizzled man. Very baggy, loose pants of a bright blue and white stripes cover long digitigrade legs, a seam at the hip, and matched the equally baggy track-suit style jacket zipped up. One sleeve was tied off at the shoulder, hanging loose. The other arm lifted in a crisp salute.
“Wyvern, Sir,” Jax greeted Evelyn, looking for all the world less certain than anyone who knew the Mandalorian had seen him looking when defusing a bomb.
Zuza started walking, hesistating after a few steps to confirm that Cassandra was following before taking a more confident gait and leading the way toward food.
“Well there’s a kriff tonne of options. We’ve got roasted meats like for a feast, fried everything, wraps, dessert thingies. Drinks are plentiful but nothing fun comes out till the sun is down properly so if you’re planning on staying over night and getting drunk you’ll have to hang on a bit”
She chatted along as she led the way, glancing back every so often to ensure she was still leading somebody.
Cole followed along, not rushing just in case something happened so he’d have time to react. It wasn’t exactly hard to follow Sofila. He knew where she was going and she had two toddlers atop her shoulders while also standing taller than most of the people present here.
Yeah, he wasn’t too worried.
He offered Turi his hand as he wandered after Sofila.
Turi took the hand, gripping a finger and waggling it.
“Yes. Zuza wise. Young, time long people.” He nodded in a very authoritative way. “Zuza teach kid?” Work’t asked, seeing the wisdom in letting a professional handle the case. After all children weren’t machines and when you took them apart for slicing they complained more then droids. He remembered that much from watching his old Imperial masters at work. He let the teens lead him on.
“Forgive… hard. Kid, mistake make. Mistake make other kids sad. No tokens. Had leave Solution to help.”
On the other side of the event, the very confused but polite B2 battle droid (weapons disabled under event rules) had begun writing IOU notes out for the kids dealing with the now only mildly unfair shooting gallery.
It wasn’t hard to find Cassandra in the slightest. How could you miss a nearly seven-foot woman in a crowd of mostly moderately heighted sentients.
He positioned himself in such a way that he could easily be spotted by anyone. Maybe he should grab a drink? There was no telling how long he was going to be here for with Cassandra’s dillydallying and Draca’s date night.
The Sephi wandered into the square, her helmet tucked under her arm, the wind rustling through her purple and black hair.
She had just returned from a hunt and it was nice to breath fresh Arconan air again. Seeing that there were some festivities happening, she made her way over to her clan mates to find out what was going on.
Upon seeing the “dry festivies” sign she let out a sigh of exasperation… No drink… Really… Uurg.
She headed in the direction of the dart throwing , should be interesting and she can provide her own blades.
It was hard to be lead, given how slowly she had to walk. She was used to taking far longer strides and her guard was equally as waddling to keep up with her usually.
She was sure Zuza was surprised she was staying up with her, but she would never say it was a trivial task to do so.
Vince patted down his pockets. Of course he wouldn’t have thought that far ahead to grab a business card. The suit and horns had been a last-minute choice in itself. Though he did have a pencil and notebook handy. A habit. “Of course! Can write down the address…”
The human looked up from his furious scribbling to greet the voice that spoke to them, then looked further upward. “Huh. Uh, hi.” He was definitely not used to craning his neck.
“Always happy to help out,” Vince said as he handed Evelyn a torn scrap from his notebook with a number and address. It was a residential area. Likely a very small clinic, if what he said was true, and not entirely above board given its location.
“Figured the captain was selling herself short.” He gave her a warm smile.
“A habit, I assure you. And greetings, sir. A pleasure to meet you. I hope I am not intruding.” Jax dipped his head to the man, rather than salute.
Sofila listened to both girls. “Well! M'lady Sulla, it can be anything! Your favorite person, animal, or even food! Or even your favorite color! Here we are!” She gently knelt down and leaned forward enough for their small feet to touch the ground.
“And it’s a beautiful one you have, M'lady Kirra. How about you make one for your mom and dad since they aren’t here right now?” She glanced over the options. Paint, markers, glitter, even small little fake ‘gems’, fake petals, and so much more. Oh is that fake fur too!?
“I think I’ll make a mask too!” Sofila grinned towards the girls as she blinked at the small chair.
Oh well.
Very carefully, the tall Mirialan sat at the edge of the chair and her knees was right by her ears but she still had room.
“Hmmm. Do you think I should do blue or orange, m'ladies?”
It didn’t take long before Zuza noticed that Cass was walking.. oddly. Right. Height.
Zuza took to a slight jog, more than fit enough to do so with ease while still navigating the crowd as she led the way through. The smell of food had already been prevalent across the festival got stronger as they reached where the food stalls were. The strongest scent was the meat, many places were indeed frying a huge array of different foods while various meats were roasted, some even over open flame.
“So, were you just passing through? It’s a long way to come from Caelus just to visit, the festival is gret and all but I’m sure you guys have to have stuff like this too?” The question was genuine, spoken with a smile on her face.
Kirra’s eyes widened a bit. Oh goodness, how could she have so easily forgotten that Mother and Papa didn’t have masks! How selfish of her. “You are so very right, Princess Sagitta. A mask for mother and papa is needed.” She furrowed her brow, angry at herself for forgetting something so simple. Then she saw the glitter, and her eyes sparkled.
She climbed down and was content to just stand next to Sofila, not straying from her side, but grabbing the required bits and bobs for the crafting at hand. She did spare a glance up though. “Blue!” she said confidently. “It is the same family as purple, so just so.”
When he looked down next, Turi seemed to be mimicking Cole. Scanning his surroundings for ‘threats’. Not that he had any idea what those were, but it seemed important to mimic whatever Cole was doing.
Anders had to restrain himself from laughing at the sight of Zuza dragging Cassandra around. Nonetheless, he repositioned to keep his eyes on the Supreme Chancellor.
BUDD-E chirped in his ear.
“No, you cannot go explore. Who knows where you might get lost.”
BUDD-E whined lowly.
Evelyn quickly spun on her seat and was behind her chair in a flash at hearing’s Jax voice, her hand went up for salute.
He knew her long enough that her eyes had a hint of amusement. She did not expect him to be here.
“Erinos, sir.” Evelyn saluted back. Once their arms dropped, she gestured to the chairs around the table, “Of course you are not intruding, Erinos. Want to join us?” She sat back down and sighed at both of them believing that she was selling herself short.
“I simply believe my abilities in piloting could be better. That is all.” She glanced towards the paper with Vince’s address on it and looked over to Jax. She… never asked him if he was ever interested in getting a cybernetic arm. She knew of his foot but would he be interested?
“What do you think?” She passed the paper to Jax, “I never did ask, were you interested in getting a cybernetic arm?”
<@227960499948486666>
Cassandra matched her pace just as quickly, now walking more comfortably, but still appearing as if she could yet do more.
She considered if Zuza had somehow noticed, but made a more conscious effort to appear like she was happy.
“Actually no, just for the festival and the fact I had yet to see this side of the galaxy. Its quite refreshing knowing how far from home we are.” she responded in kind with a soft tone and an equally pleasant smile.
Sulla shuffled down from Sofila’s shoulder, steadying her balance. “I think you should do blue too!” She said to Sofila’s question.
She very quickly started to peruse the variety of objects and options for mask making until coming to a decision. She turned back to Sofila and asked “Miss, what does an angel look like? My grandma is an angel and I wanna be like her”
It took until after Sofila sat down to notice Turi looking around. He’d been considering the chairs, too small to be comfortable and looked over the babe just as he did a plain copy of the same sweep Cole himself tended to perform.
He froze in place, staring at Turi for a moment before moving his gaze to the mask making. Kirra collecting items.
He.. didn’t like that. It was a habit he’d had for years but seeing a baby do it. It was almost disturbing. Uncomfortable. Cole kept those emotions off of his expressio, it wouldn’t do to let that discomfort show but he made a point of keeping his gaze on the activities. Wyn and Soccora’s son or not, nephew to one of the biggest spymasters in the Brotherhoood or not, that was not something he wanted Turi copying off of him.
“I would be most pleased to,” the mutant replied kindly, and lowered himself down with some maneuvering. Thankfully for everyone’s necks, he was slightly more level with them when he sat, much of his over eight feet of height being culprit in his wolven legs. As he twisted into the bench, large letters could be glimpsed on the back of his blue jacket in stark white. His ears perked forward, nose twitching slightly as bright blue lupine eyes landed briefly on the funnel cake with absolute focus following the scent, and then flicked back over to Evelyn. “Oh?”
He took the paper, glancing at the listed address. He knew of the neighborhood, and had overheard just the end of the man explaining he ran a cybernetic clinic, but had not anticipated being asked this particular question.
Nonetheless, he responded freely, “No. Well, specifically, yes, but only as a wishful sort of thing. As you recall, I had a forearm, previously. However, this injury too badly damaged the remaining nerves. It is incompatible with any present cybernetic networking interface available. There is simply nothing left to connect to there that would not involve direct connection to my spine, which my doctors advised against.”
Unzipping the jacket somewhat, he shrugged one shoulder off, partially revealing the strap of a very tight top that didn’t seem to go down very far at all beneath. He turned and presented the stub of his arm in demonstration, little more than a nub jutting from the shoulder cradle, a solid spread of dense and spiderwebbing burn tissue that eventually met skin and warm brown fur again closer to the clavicle. He waved with it, bifurcated bicep flexing underneath the scarring.
“It’s fun getting away sometimes.” Zuza nodded, understanding that feeling. She’d been raised on ships, always travelling. It did feel odd to be planetside more often than not these days.
It was why she ran off to the Voidbreaker II as often as she did. Well. Her girlfriend being too helped but anyway-
“Well, Selen is the place to be for a lot of things. Tropical planet, folk holiday here a lot for the weather. Plenty to do in the rest of Dajorra too though. But for noooow… What were you thinking of eating? I don’t think there’s a lack of options.”
Zuza gestured to the array of stalls set up.
It took longer than it should have, Nathan focussing on the weight of the magnet as he lowered it carefully upon the chosen duck.
But he got it!
Nathan smiled, the Pantoran-Human hybrid straightening up to gently drop the duck into the provided bucket. The prize choices were small but cute little trinkets or plushies but as the stall runner gave him a moment to pick one, his gaze landed on Mikhail. Mikhail who was perhaps a little closer than he’d expected and looking.. intensely at him.
Heat rose in his cheeks, purpling them as he quickly looked away, clearing his throat. “I got it!”
<@160141735354171394>
Turi seemed to notice that Cole was growing uncomfortable. His lip started to wobble, and then he considered crying. After another moment he decided yes, he wanted to cry, and began to do so, softly.
Mikhail blinked, noting the difference within the cheeks of the Pantoran. The purple that rose, carrying heat along with it. His mind spun loosely, confused by the reaction until his gears catch their teeth. Embarrassment, perhaps it took longer than he wanted it to. Understandable, logically. The Arkanian swallowed the other emotion that tugged at him as he too turned away, facing the prizes.
“And thusly we - the conquerors of plastic and magnet - shall rightly claim our fee.” He mused while his fingers wavered over some of the trinkets. He lifted a small bracelet, the cheap plastic face of an orange fruited plant noted, connected by a length of fibrous cloth that was easy to stretch.
Would he regularly wear it? Perhaps not. But as his eyes fell back upon the pantoran choosing their own reward, Mikhail knew that he would keep this little trikent safe, stored with his valuables. He couldn’t decipher why the urge overcame him, but he didn’t bother to resist either.
What- Oh. Kriff. How did- What-Okay stay calm. The baby is clearly just, following lead. Find a distraction, redirect and everything would be fine. Probably. If Turi wasn’t hungry or tired or something else that a tiny Human can’t tell him he needs but might need.
Cole took a steadying breath, bouncing Turi slightly as Sofila kept the other two kiddos occupied.
As he bounced, and the effort and attention was given to him, it seemed that Cole was no longer upset at him copying him. He was now doing what other adults did when he started to cry, which was normal. He slowed his crying down, then sniffled a bit, made a hiccup, then burped. Then he blinked, giglged at the sound, and kicked his feet happily.
Leda pinched the bridge of her nose delicately, a gesture that distinctly mirrored their father. Noga, unsubtle, snapped a holo. She shot him a look as he lowered his pad.
“Nobody said forgiving was easy, ay,” the male teen advised. It was pretty kriffing hard, actually. “But back up a bit. You sayin’ this one kid took a buncha other kids tokens too? And that…you had to get help from…the help? Like staff? Like Zuza and us?”
“Do we know anybody that speaks Ewok?” Leda wondered to herself, chewing on her lip. Zuza certainly didn’t need to teach any kids anything. Ancestors only knew what she taught adults, since giving some guy that regularly stabbed people a list of things to say and then letting him loose around children was fine.
“Zuza do,” Noga reminded.
“Right, ay. Then yeah, let’s find her…”
“Solve problem. No staff yet. You staff.” He said, nodding. “I fix. Not good much talk. Not good finding kid…much?” Work’t sighed deeply. “Yes. Zuza”
Work’t had only been planning to suspend the child upside down and fleece the tokens back off it. But he didn’t think that would be reassuring at this point.
The teens shared a grimace of mild confusion, sighing too. “Alright, let’s go find her.”
A quick text exchange told them Zuza was by the food stalls, so they redirected that way. Along the way, both teens continued their general watchful duties, and one or the other would go over to encourage a child or children and hand out an orange while the other, more or less, kept close to Work’t for the little perp walk. As they neared their destination, Leda eyed the Ewok, then reached into her cloak pockets.
The Mirialan girl offered him a tiny orange too.
“Here you go, Work’t. Dobre noca. That means good evening in Mirialan. We celebrate our ancestors and they spirits, they deeds. Like we have ours on our faces. Oranges are for happy futures and being better, good people with our actions this next year.”
Cole smiled down at the little one, glad that he hadn’t made Turi cry beyond a point of return.
This was fine.
Nathan found one that was a green-wooled sheep, plucking the small fluffy plushie out from the offerings of a singular duck being won.
“That we do.” Nathan laughed ever so slightly, nervously, “Do we want to get some food next? Or a drink at least, I think we’ve done most of the games that aren’t completely rigged.”
He didn’t know where to put the sheep so just held it delicately in both hands.
Work’t stared a moment, before taking the fruit and biting into it whole, not peeling it. He chewed with enthusiasm, his Ewok teeth mulching the fruit. “Thank you.” He said looking at the fruit. Then he looked up directly at the kid meaningfully. “Thanks.” He reached into his belt and pulled out a small electrical device consisting of a battery and LED set. It flashed between the primary and secondary colours, tied to a belt of wires. It seemed designed to plug into something else.
“Work’t.” He said firmly. “Out later.” He held it over to Leda, the socket connector at the bottom hanging out of the palm of his furry hand.
Sofila chuckled at both of the girls, “Blue it is then.” When Sulla asked for her attention, Sofila turned to look at her and her face softened when Sulla asked what an angel look like.
Oh. Kriff.
H-how should she do this? Her culture that she was learning as different than Sulla? How to approach this without accidently upsetting Elly?
“Well. I like to think that their colors are their favorite colors. And don’t worry if you don’t know your grandma’s favorite color, why, I’ve heard that grandmas has same favorite color as their granddaughters! So, let’s try that! Then we can add some glitter, I’m certain angels have sparkles and glitter to them. Maybe we could-”
She stopped when Turi started to cry as she turned to look at Cole who immediately started to bounce the baby. Then the little one burped and laughed wildly. She grabbed big set of fake fur and stood up to head over to Cole.
“Here. Babies like textures and exploring with their hands and mouth. This is really big so he shouldn’t choke on it. And it’s pretty well made, I already tugged on the fur few times, it should be good.”
Sofila kissed Cole on the unpainted side of his cheek and then on the little head of Turi.
“Two handsome boys, right here.” Sofila grinned before going back to the craft and grabbed a pair of fake fox ears and started to paint it blue.
<@432543120635461643> <@189568236201705472> <@301514304845381632>
Leda, looking deeply confused, hesitantly took the thing. She wasn’t even certain he was giving it to her, or what ‘out later’ meant. Or why he was saying his name.
Or was he telling her to work it out later????
“… thanks,” Leda said, and stood there.
“Oh, there’s Zuza,” Noga offered, also boggling over the lump of tech. It looked like something Carr had shown them before, but he couldn’t remember exactly what. He pointed at the short Human next to a giant red haired woman. Nearby other people chatted and ate at the tables, including Mister Erinos, who they’d seen once or twice at other parties. “Uh, think he knows a buncha languages too if that helps ya,” he told Work’t.
Turi kicked his feet in delight, and tried once again to point his fingers in “L” shapes at Sofila. He seemed fixated otherwise in the piece of fake fur, turning it and waving it around excitedly.
“Ah, thank you.” Cole responded, tucking the piece of fur so it wasn’t like to just fall to the floor if Turi let go and smiling somewhat in relief to have guidance on what to do.
<@61385159655559168>
Zuza was standing with Cassandra, but her attention was drawn away by the appearance of Noga and Leda. She waved to them to come over.
Work’t was with them. Hm.
“Do you mind if I go help them out for a minute, or they can come over here.”
“You can go help them, I’ll explore for a bit.” Cassandra replied as she looked around the various options and began walking and looking more.
Zuza gave her a thumbs up, “I won’t be far if you need and there’s a bunch of people around. I think Anders said he was coming too so, I’ll catch you later.”
The Human trotted off toward the teens and Work’t.
Mikhail’s eyes rested on the little sheep being held like a fragile egg. Another feeling tugged at him but he nodded, responding to Nathan “I think food would be good. I’m fairly certain I have not eaten yet today.” He muttered the second part, turning and looking around for the food. He adjusted the leather strap holding his shoulder piece in place and started off, hesitating for just a moment to make sure Nathan was following.
“Oh thank kriff,” Noga muttered quietly as Zuza approached. He gave a two fingered wave. “Yo, Zu. This one yours?”
“We’re having trouble…communicating,” Leda said. “But there’s some. Worries.”
“Why did he up the difficulty back up again?” Zuza asked, looking to <@350377017713360907> and switching to Ewokese.
“What’s going on?”
“Something about finding a kid who took his tokens and…well, teaching them a lesson. Which ain’t what we meant.”
“A kriffing assspleen stole my tokens. Little human kid, maybe 10 or 16 years old?” Work’t looked annoyed. “These two are worried I’m an actual murderer, which is fair I suppose but they’re Arconan and not being a menace so I hardly feel the need. And they’re kinda nice. One gave me a really bright red fruit and it tasted quite nice.”
Zuza blinked, nodding.
“And… teaching the kid a lesson? Apparently you said something about that?”
The rapid fire yub noises had the teens exchanging shrugs and turning to look around the food area, as if to make themselves useful while they politely waited as non-speakers.
“Yes, he should be humilated in front of his peers and laughed at by at least 30 of his peerkin, as is the way of the Ewok. That or mildly to moderately tased until it drops all the tokens.” Work’t shrugged. “I’m happy to defer. But if fairness on the children is a goal, this menace child must be stopped!”
“Agreed on the point but not the method. That is seen as.. uh.. Not good. Like, really bad. We don’t tase children to get things off of them, we just.. take the items. We can get you more tokens though until we find the kid if we can, did you see what they looked like so we can find them?”
Work’t telepathed the image of a small human boy, more likely 8 then either of his previous numbers. “Wow. You have alot of rules considering we’re a literal group of dark side rage fuelled lightsaber wielding maniacs.”
Zuza looked mildly stressed but nodded, looking to Noga and Leda finally again, “Okay, so yeah a kid stole his tokens. Ewoks handle this.. stuff different but he’s happy if sarcastic about deferring to how we do things. He sent… gave? I know what the kid looks like now, he just needs some tokens to replace the lost ones.”
<@244244163002892288>
“Sarcastic? No, after the ritual humilation we then steal their hamstrings” He muttered
“Yeah, we got the kid part, and said we could get him more tokens,” Noga replied.
“It’s more the whole…why you just gotta let it go, part. It’s just a kid. Kids do stuff. We’re not gonna chase down some little one around a whole fair. It’s a kid.” Leda seemed to be growing agitated again by this point, the both of them as protective of children as their Papi was in turn, but her particularly struggling with the very concept of explaining why that was right. Her hands were getting shaky hidden in her cloak. “You’re not seriously going looking for them, are you?”
“Niania,” Noga nudged her. “As long as you’re not gonna do anything.” He eyed Work’t. “Deferrin’ works. Right?”
“Kids don’t learn if they just.. get away from stealin’ from folks. I’m not going to send people after them but if I spot them I’ll talk to them or their parent or guardian or whoever. I ain’t saying punish them but they also shouldn’t just.. get off for doing stuff that hurts others.” Zuza frowned, noting Leda’s reaction but unsure how to.. handle that. It wasn’t fair to everyone else to let a kid steal just cause.. they’re a kid.
She glanced to Work’t before nodding to Noga, “But yeah, he said he’s happy to defer.”
Work’t got most of that from Zuza, he struggled speaking the damn Basic not listening to it. He nodded affirmingly. “Justice!” He said enthusastically. “But Zuza problem!”
Leda’s eyes rolled at the idea of a kid “getting off” as if from a charge. How many kids had Zuza even been around? Sure, teaching better was good and so was fairness and ‘justice’, but kids were kids. They took things sometimes. They said mean things. They made messes. Fixating on correction wasn’t the answer here.
“Sure,” she ended on. “A Zuza problem. We’ll leave ya to it, then.”
Noga cocked a brow at her, and she shook her head.
“Have a good time, Work’t. We’ll be around.”
“Maybe update Papi, so he don’t freak out when he check his messages,” her brother suggested, then to Zuza, “we mentioned being worried before we found ya. So you better tell Work’t to be really good.”
Zuza glanced between them.
“Did.. he say something else or something? Cause I don’t see why you two needed me for this and you both seem way more stresed than you should be? Espeically if you messaged your dad that you were.. worried about it.”
Leda huffed. Well since they were doing this apparently.
“He has notes on his pad,” she explained, and then at least gave the Ewok a somewhat ashamed grimace, “sorry, hard not to see over your shoulder and it was just– right there and alarming. Stuff about ‘Zuza says no putting heads on spikes’ and ‘Zuza says no threats to shove a lightsaber up they asses.’ There’s kriffing families here, Zuza, and he wants to hunt down a kid for taking tokens? Yeah we’re STRESSED.”
“Papi hasn’t replied yet,” Noga informed offhandedly, typing as he spoke. “Probably busy. But I told him it’s cool…ish.”
“I’m worried about anyone being here that needs to be told stuff like that is wrong.” Leda stared down Work’t now. “Kids or no. But especially.”
Vince’s smile drew into a thin line as his address was passed along to the Zygerrian. However his demeanor soon changed to one of curiosity. He leaned in forward to watch more closely as Erinos showed the remaining musculature and scarring of his shoulder. Vince nodded as the Zygerrian spoke, clearly focused. His anxiety seemed to ease when discussing the familiar topic.
“I would have to agree. Yeah, I wouldn’t suggest poking around the spine unless you plan on replacing the whole thing, and that’s pricey maintenance. Anything along the CNS is… Military, though…” He looked between the two of them then shrugged. “Depends on how much you need the arm, I would think.”
“… oh,” the Mirialan teen murmured, and dropped back slightly on her heels. She floundered a little coming down from a very high stress point. “Well…I didn’t know that.”
“You’re fine, Leds,” Noga said in Mirialan, anticipating some more anxiety of a different kind. Then again in Basic, “Yeah, stressed. But cool if it’s fine. Our bad.”
“Sorry,” Leda muttered. “I’m just– want everybody safe.”
“Mhm. It has been…six years, now?” Jax mused, ears flicking. There were some shadows under his bright eyes, but he smiled with closed lips that scrunched those bright blues at the edges, revealing deep smile lines all over and dimples. “Some difficult, of course, but I have been blessed by Kikalekki to have gained so much more than I have lost. And we are not defined by our parts, besides. Though it might be nice to be able to wear my ring on my finger, I am happy enough as is.”
A happy yip emerged in his careful elocution. He turned back to Vincent, able to smell the anxiety and its recession.
“You are a cybernetic engineer or specialist, I take it? A doctor? Haha! This thing, it is the only socially acceptable time, in most places, to ask a brand new acquaintance if they would like to examine my foot.” His grin was cheery despite not showing teeth as he shrugged back into his jacket and zipped it back up high, hiding the top underneath. “It is like finding any fellow specialist. Great fun, to think of how conversations seem from the outside. Especially I have found when discussing explosives.”
“Yeah no I get that, just, check with me next time before you let yourself get this stressed okay?” Zuza smiled gently, letting herself relax.
“But, it sounds like everything is good so, I’m glad I could help.”
“Oh you haven’t?” Nathan looked a touch concerned but was indeed following Mikhail toward the food. “We could have gone earlier if you were hungry.”
“Yeah, thanks,” Noga said, and nudged his sibling. “We’re gonna keep making rounds, check in later?”
Leda made an affirmative noise, blowing out a breath and shaking herself. She straightened up, like their Cora had taught her.
Chin up, beautiful girl. Hold your head high.
“Yeah, we’ll see you two around, hey. Gotta keep things goin’.”
With that the teens headed off to continue their more normal job of attending.
Work’t waved politely and turned to Zuza as the kids left. ”People are hard. Thanks Zuza. Did you tell them my notes were jokes?” he squinted at her. It was probably meant to be intimidating but… well. Ewok.
”I believe many of your comments contain wisdom. Even if you don’t.” He said sincerely. ”You should still find this child. An action committed once with no retort is an action to be repeated.” He shrugged again. ”But I should get back to Solution with more tokens. He’s too polite for his own good!”
Work’t sighed contently, another problem successfully delegated. Honestly this clan business was super useful. Walking back to his own stall, he found himself walking past the darts. Looking around just in case The Kriffing Kid was nearby he failed to notice he was about to impact into a raven and grape haired Sephi
“I’ll catch you later Work’t.” Zuza smiled, letting herself relax and starting off to wander around again.
Little legs or not, she wasn’t losing steam on making the rounds.
Having moved on to see what else could be helped after The Work’t Incident, Noga and Leda started making rounds checking in with other guests, stopping and speaking to families, parents, children, and individuals, checking with the food stall runners too and asking if they needed anything. Most of the Selenians were happy, wearing ribbons and flowers, pleased to be working with the Citadel on all this – a more welcome change than either teen knew.
As they went, it was pretty dang easy to spot a standout in the crowd. Not only was the lady huge and bright haired, but she carried herself like the nobles and Sephis on Kiast always had; like she was deigning to walk amongst dirt or tools in people shapes. She was followed kinda obviously by a Chiss man that was either being hella creepy or a bodyguard, and his demeanor screamed both. Plus hadn’t Zuza been escorting the cceeqa? Frowns pulled at their faces, but they gamely squared shoulders, lifted chins instead of cringing or scowling, and gave smiles on approach.
“Yo,” Noga called out, lifting one hand from his cloak to wave. Leda have a hello as well. “Hey miss, just lookin’ to see if you’re doin’ okay. Sorry we had to pull Zuza away, but if you need anythin’, we can help too.”
Their badges displayed their full names, and the pair of politically savvy Taldryanites were likely to recognize the surname Tenbriss Ya-ir.
Three different creatures had stopped next to the point where speeders were left by other visitors. Also three different age Shistavanen slowly started to get off from the mounts. Former Aedile promised to spend more time with his two orphans, and now was the perfect time to do it. He slided down off the Tee-muss easily, and made steps closer to the Tajga’s mount. Female Shistavanen was getting ready to jump off when “Happi” the Happabore yawned, opening his large jaws. She lost the balance, and fell to the side, luckily Archian was there to catch her. He stood her up at her hind legs. They both heard a sound behind them, which could be mostly described as the strange kind of laugh. Aksel was swaying at the oversized insectoid which calmly and patiently was waiting for a rider to come off from its back.
Red came closer to Gelagrup and with his paw moving alongside the insectoid’s side, grabbed still smiling Aksel and carefully put him on the ground. The usually black fur, small Shistavanen now was wearing the very fluffy, pink Porg costume, made from real Porg feathers collected and colored by Archian at his camp.
Aksel’s enthusiastically jumped into air, waking up Gork which was sleeping in the pouch, hidden in front of the young Shistavanen’s costume.
In the meantime Tajga was ready to go and visit the dance floor. She wanted to check if anyone of her age had shown up. She was wearing the Red Feather Omwati costume, which was also made from real feathers collected in the jungle. Tajga also made a ruff around her face and neck from standing up Ruby Feathers. She made it inspired by meeting Flyndt and the look of his race.
Aksel started to run to the crafting corner, and Archian, without a given choice, followed small Shistavanen to keep an eye on him. He had made additional two arms, the two antennas at the top of the head with white thick fur all over him. He also had the small drums hanging at his waist with drumsticks hanging from his side - he wanted to appreciate friendship with his Chillaks, so he made a costume which looked like it with addition of the favorite companion’s instrument.
Vincent nodded in understanding. He seemed to warm up well to Jax and Evelyn’s presence. His posture was relaxed as he leaned back in his chair.
As for the foot… “Hey, it’s not the strangest request I’ve had,” Vince said with a chuckle. “I’m off the clock, so I don’t have my tools on me. But you’re welcome to come by sometime and I can take a look at it. Show you my resume?” He raised a brow.
“Hah! Perhaps so!” Jax’s chuckle was affable, and he lifted his one hand in a placating gesture. “Please, I did not mean to imply you should do work now. I apologize if such exploitation came across. The offer is more for in case of interest.”
So said, the massive hybrid scented the air again and eyed Vince’s plate.
“Would you be so kind as to point me to whichever stall sold that? I think I need it.”
“Nah, no exploitation here.” Vincent held up his hands, worried he had also implied something he didn’t mean to. “My work brain never shuts off, ha.” He scratched at the back of his neck.
“But the funnel cakes are at that stall over there.” He pointed out the stall. “Pretty good!” He took a bite of his funnel cake after he realized he had barely eaten it.
“No trouble, friend. It is very much so for many.”
When Vincent pointed, Jax’s ears perked in excitement, and his leg jiggled the table briefly.
“Oooh, very good. I shall return posthaste! Evelyn, I am bringing you some. No arguments, soldier.”
With another closed grin he hopped up, surprisingly spry for his size and handicaps, and loped over towards the food. Now able to see his retreating back, the two at the table could see the white lettering on his jacket spelled out: CEILING and see the tassles of a single pom-pom hanging off a handle wedged in a back pocket for safekeeping. It shook as he moved, somewhat like a tail.
While in line for the funnel cakes, nose twitching rapidly all the while, Jax spied two familiar figures. Nathan, of course, he knew well from their tenure. Misha was familiar to him only in passing, and mostly from the last featurette on Zigarashe’s blog he had proof edited. The man waved to them, big and friendly overhead.
“Nathan! It is good to see you out and about!”
Mikhail lightly brushed off the worry from Nathan with a shrug. He had gone much longer without eating, at least this time he had the chance to eat when he needed to.
As the two of them neared the line to some funnel cakes - An item which mikhail has heard much about but never tasted - They were waved at by a… unique looking man. He eyed them curiously, not entirely sure what he was as he began spoking to Nathan. The Arkanian turned to watch the Pantoran’s reaction
Nathan jolted slightly at being recognised, looking over with a slight smile and waving.
“Hi Jax. Yeah it’s uh- been a while. Are you.. alright?”
The awkwardness was real. Jax was nice though. This was fine.
“I am–” Ears swiveled, a slight stumble to measured, considering, but cheerful tones, before the hybrid continued on, smiling small, soft. “I am finding a new way, my new place. I am well, thank you for asking.” Blue eyes as bright as Mikhail’s, only lupine instead of crystalline, turned on the other man. He nodded to him. “And hello to you too, Mikhail Kadnikov, is it not? The Voidbreaker is always lucky for more crew. You shall not find better compatriots. My name is Irian'Jaxerias, but you may call me Jax, or anything else you may wish. Good to meet you.”
The Neti wandered around the edges of the room, every now and then dipping into the masses before escaping again. The Force seemed to cling to him with every movement.
Some hours earlier,
As the Force hidden Neti entered the room, a few of the more sensitive beings took note. The Elders present warily moved in such a way to shield the younger ones without giving indication it was happening. Those familiar with the Neti seemed to also notice his presence.
A quick illusive mental wave rippled out of the Jedi Elder, projecting a few impressions to those who had noticed his entrance.
<Amusement>
<Peace>
<Curiosity>
<Childish glee>
Present time,
Over time, most had dropped their wariness as the mostly hidden being dipped in and out of the party. Seemingly at random, it would be quite some time before the majority of the non-Elders present realised nearly every holo-image would have a Neti-dressed-as-a-lumberjack photobombing in weird poses in the background.
Evelyn felt slightly bad. She had been avoiding talking about Jax’s arm because it brought some painful memory due to association with his arm. All the funerals. One being her late wife. Today, her grief wasn’t so bad, the gulit was more from never talking to Jax about his wound. Evelyn was perfectly happy while she listened to Vince and Jax chattered. She glanced around the festival, admiring the people’s creative choices in costumes. Especially the children. The adults were more straightforward and obvious that you can tell what the costumes were. But the children? A whole other world. Though some of them could need some thread work. Evelyn’s eyebrow rose in curiosity when Vince had brought up about strange requests. She wanted to ask, just to get an idea of what goes on in some people’s minds.
Jax got up fast to go to the stall that had that fried sweet with the sticky white stuff. Jax mentioned he was even going to bring her some.
“Wait, sir-” It was too late. Evelyn silently groaned while pinched the bridge of her nose before she shook her head and emerald hues rested on Vince. She waited patiently and didn’t want to be rude or pull him away from the food he bought.
“I’m a bit inquisitive, I would like to know what odd requests you had in your work, Mr. Moretti.”
<@227960499948486666> <@244244163002892288>
Keira rounded on that last note, a brow quirking amidst her mixed expressions from the joy of the child and the mothering of her wife with Shay. “The… the light?”
She didn’t know how else to broach the topic. She knew Ruka’s Sith leanings, even if it was a ‘path to hell, good intentions’ sort of thing, but they’d never talked about it. Keira usually left all of that to her Red Qek. Ruka was more her friend, after all. But this was… concerning.
She watched as Qyreia, Vai, and Cora began meandering, however close by, around the animal enclosures. Shay was as willful as ever, but with her aunt there, things seemed to stabilize to simple fun. That left her with Ruka and Ileta. Not awkward at all.
“Mhm,” Ruka hummed, transitioning half from baby talk and into cooing about half a step away from singing to the tater tot as he bopped and bobbed with her. He lifted her up under the arms, beaming, and then would carry her back down while going, “Uuuuuhhhpsydaisy! Uuuuuhhhpsydaisy! Yes, baby. That’s you flyin’, just like mamati.”
He seemed nearly oblivious to both the fact that his pad had buzzed once or twice and that his husband, Qyreia, Vai, and Shay and Barsali had all left. Otherwise, he’d probably be acting a lot more fumbling and turtlish, like he normally did when he and Kiera were left to their own devices.
“I dunno how she meant it, mind ya, ay,” the Mirialan went on eventually, shooting the pale woman a sheepish, bemused look. “Coulda been like, have hope or something. Coulda been like the Force, but that seems weird to me, ‘cause she knows I can’t reach the Light no matter how hard I tried. And I’ve. Tried. Over the years. Not just when we was Padawans.” His smile for Ileta waned a little, resigned. “Ay, but s'what it is. I’m taking the advice either way. Be positive and stuff. We’re gonna be okay. Don’t you think so?”
Mikhail nodded at Jax, eyes drifting towards the man’s missing arm for a moment. He knew these Arconans had their fair share of war experiences, he’d seen two by now, it was surprising that this man only displayed a cybernetic leg while missing an arm. It was not the time or place to ask questions though, so he offered a greeting in response.
“ Irian, a strong name. It’s nice to meet you as well. As for the Voidbreaker… I am unsure if that’s where I will end up, but I have heard a many good things of them.”
His arms swung behind his back as he passively takes a stance trained into him by the first order. They would have to wait in line with the man, but it didn’t seem to bother Mikhail as he glanced over at Nathan again.
Jax seemed mildly surprised by the use of his given name, having expected Jax. He mulled on it a moment, examining the little possessive twist in his chest that did not like it, found the very sound foreign spoken by a tongue other than Kobign’s.
Hmm. Something to consider further. If the feeling persisted, he could always request a different address.
“It is Twi'lekki,” the Mandalorian decided to supply for small talk as they waited, taking small steps forward when a single guest ordered and larger ones when a family moved off to the side to await theirs. “My mothers gave it to me, under the Goddess’s gaze. Thank you for your appreciation.”
Another small step, a quarter of one for his long legs.
“Forgive my assumption for your port of call. I was under the impression you had joined the crew, between Nathan’s presence and Zigarashe’s blog, but see I have been too hasty. What are you thinking of doing, here in Dajorra? How do you find it?”
“The… blog?”
Why was Mikhail in the blog? Oh dear.
The idea of his name being Twi’lekki was quickly diminished by revelation a blog referencing him. His eyebrows furrow, and he made a mental note to check it later. “I.. do not know of this blog. As far as the presence of the Praetor, I was lucky enough to make his acquaintance at the academy. He himself has been gracious enough to grant me a chance to befriend him. I originally came here as a medical volunteer, as they are always necessary.” He gestures to his marred cheek, glistening and glowing in the light of the celebration. “I was saved by the clan, and decided to continue that volunteering in a more official manner when I recovered months after.”
Blue lupine eyes merely gave Nathan a look, as if to say, you know Zig, friend. He nodded to Mikhail, not having intended to ask after the crystal on his person, but noting it. “Then I am glad you are saved, and glad that the winds and rains bring you here to our meeting now, with Nathan as your friend. You have my respects on your recovery. I know well how hard such physical therapies can be. You strike me as an individual of great compassion and determination, Mister Kadnikov. If that is the appropriate address? Would Doctor be correct?”
Praetor. Nathan’s cheeks flushed. The title still felt wrong to him. Beyond wrong, really.
Thankfully the focus wasn’t on him and he could have his internal scream without pressure.
From the edges of the party, a Zygerrian dressed as a “Sexy” Ewok felt her ears ring, a sense that she was possibly needed…
“A lot of requests for - err - below the belt enhancements. Though there were a couple odd ones besides that come to mind.” He chewed on one side of his mouth as he spoke, though tried to finish his bite before continuing.
“One wanted their middle finger replaced with a blade. Sounds cool in theory, but you’re replacing a bit of the hand to make that all work. Can’t just replace the finger - which was what the guy wanted to pay for.” Vince could tell he was rambling a bit, so he refocused. He brushed his hands together to clear some of the powdered sugar from them. A part of him regretted adding the sugar to begin with.
“Other guy wanted a refrigeration unit installed in his chest so he could have a drink wherever he wanted.” He shook his head with a dry laugh. “He definitely wasn’t in the space for any sort of work.”
Mister Kadnikov. It almost made him shudder, but he swallowed his disgust and shook his head. “There is no need to refer to me as Mister. Doctor could be correct, as I am educated in matters of cybernetic prosthesis, as well as general medicine. Not to mention the experience I have as a combat medic. Though I also do not care should you decide to call me Mikhail. That is a name I am quite comfortable with.” His eyes glanced towards Nathan, once more noticing a heat rising in his face.
He looked concerned for a moment, unclear why he would be upset this time. Perhaps he was unwell?
“Mikhail, then,” Jax said warmly, and briefly turned his attention away as it became his turn to order. He smiled to the sellers and spoke a greeting in Selenian, earning himself surprised but delighted looks and a small back and forth of conversation. At the end of it, he made two orders, then looked down and over to Nathan and Mikhail.
“What would you both like? Please, allow me to treat you.”
Keira’s lips tightened, the Firrerreo in her nearly making it a snarl of worry. “I think you overestimate what she knows about the Dark versus the Light.” She looked past Ruka again to make sure the others were out of earshot. “She’s… worried. About you. And knowing her, she’s wasn’t just suggesting you try to be more positive. She was telling you to change polarity to save yourself.”
And in so doing, take care of everyone she cares about if she’s gone. It was an unspoken thought, but it was so loud in her head, the implications so obvious in her words and voice, that there could be no confusion. As someone that walked the gray line between the two extremes of the Force, she could at least sympathize with her wife’s thoughts, if not agree outright.
Ruka’s face grew more serious then, and he took a step closer, still swaying with Ileta, but feeling the mother might want her daughter back from him in a second.
“We got separated, for a little bit out there,” he said softly, as if that unspoken thought had been broadcast right into his own head. “Or– she had to do something. Knew what she was doing. And she told me to stay. So I did. But she also told me that if anything happened, then to take care of… Both of you.”
The way his tattooed, scarred hands cradled the half-Zeltron baby so gently, like she could have been his own, said enough.
“I know she’s worried. You and me both know how much she’s gotta be worried to be askin’ for help like that, giving that trust. I’m not– M'not saying she doesn’t know anything about the Force, K. I’m just saying that somebody needs to have hope for us all, and kriff, I guess it’s finally time for me to step up and do it.”
He looked down at the baby again, then slowly, as if it pained him, offered her back to Kiera’s suited arms.
“I don’t know if I can ‘change polarity.’ That not philosophy talkin’, it’s– the Light doesn’t answer me. But I’ll be here anyway. I’m not going anywhere. I won’t let anything take me away.”
She glanced at the individuals after looking at the food options, and then the badges, before giving them a small smile.
“I’m doing well, thank you for asking. And if I do need anything I will absolutely let you know, I appreciate the kindness. For now I just plan to eat.”
“Okay,” Noga said, and tipped his little two fingered salute. “Enjoy the food, ay. The itapas is best. Spicy though. Look for anybody with the badges if you do need somethin’. You look kinda…”
He glanced to Leda, obviously hoping she’d have some better way to say something, like Cora did.
“Outta place,” the girl suggested, and winced internally know it definitely could’ve sounded fancier or more like she actually wanted someone so noble-seeming around. “If you need a tour we can help too. Or you can talk to our parents. They’re running this thing. Or,” and here she leaned a little closer, speaking a little lower, “if you need any other help. That Chiss guy followin’ you around give you any trouble you just let us know, we got your back.”
“Funnel cake sounds nice, with chocolate sauce.” Nathan knew that Jax was unlikely to withdraw the offer without it being extremely awkward and hey, funnel cake sounded very nice.
His yellow eyes looked to Mikhail, wondering what the Arkanian would request.
Ignoring the unusual individual that bumped into her she headed to the dart section. She nodded at the attendant and picked up a handful of darts, with a flick of her hand she had the darts gliding gracefully through the air, impacting on the target in a rather artful patter, she smiled to herself and picked up some more.
Keira took the baby, as much out of Ruka’s motion as from instinct as mother, her face still slightly pained. Ileta seemed to be too full of positive vibes though to care, so the Force user was almost at odds with herself and the emotions wafting off of Ileta. “If it doesn’t answer… Maybe you’re just not asking it the right questions.”
Rather than her usual wit and sarcasm, she sounded perfectly genuine. Looked genuine. She couldn’t get into the philosophy of it — her views were obviously so different from Ruka’s — but just like Ruka had to hope, she had to as well. And she hoped that, for all their sakes, Qyreia’s recent night terrors wouldn’t become a reality.
“I’m hardly causing her any trouble. She likely already realises that I am here,” Anders took the opportunity to introduce himself to… Noga and Leda was it?
Yes, the Arconan Proconsul’s children.
“Good afternoon. I am High Inquisitor Anderson. Though you may call me Anders if you prefer. I believe I have already met your parents.”
“Yeah, ay, maybe…” The Mirialan’s tone didn’t convey a lot of the hope he spoke of for that, but he did crook a tepid grin at her, trying nonetheless to be hopeful anyway. Ruka’s gaze drifted off after their partners for a moment as the pair stood there in the unsteady ground of that moment, save for Ileta’s little noises, before he turned back.
“So, you two take any pics yet?” The man nodded to their little spud of good vibes, drawing an old, beat-up holocam out of his voluminous robes. He titled it in question-offer.
The emphasized title earned the Chiss two looks of first shock-mingled fear, and then glares. Navy and blue eyes narrowed at him, Leda taking a step back and closer to her sibling instinctively.
Still she lifted her chin, even as her gaze darted about.
“Met how? Here?” Her tone, for all its nerves, was sharp. Noga was tense.
Archian following the excited, jumping forward Aksel waved to pass by familiar faces of the other Arcona’s with an eyes which could be read as “help”. He raised his arm with the second “Chillaks” arm lifted as well and rushed to catch up with the young power of the small, now pink furry ball.
Tajga started to feel the atmosphere, relaxed her muscles, and moved her paws to the rhythm. A small waving dance move came out from her arms, and wiggling jiggling movements of her legs. She smiled making circles, while air was lifting her red feathers up almost like she was flying above the dancefloor.
Anders smirked. Oh, how he loved to see the reaction of people when he introduced himself with his title. It often said something about their knowledge of workings outside of their homes, as well as Brotherhood History.
These two were educated, then. It should be no surprise, given one of their parents was part of nobility. Though Lefa’s tone reminded him of Ruka.
Like father, like daughter.
“A different party, one hosted by the Deputy Grand Master. I have a sort of… understanding with your parents regarding Miss Luxor and my protégé.”
A moment of recognition passed across the teens’ faces, and though their hackles went down a little, they still didn’t seem settled quite yet.
“What you care about Mela?” Leda seemed more defensive now if anything, just in a different way; less truly afraid, and more sizing Anders up.
“Wait, is you supposed to be the dad of that guy she crushin’ on?” Noga asked. “Drac…”
“Draco?”
“Ay, Draca?”
“Yeah that.”
Noga pointed at her. “Him. You’re him, jvhon?”
Anders nearly sputtered. Dad!? Is that what Draca had told them? Yes, he’d raised the boy since he was eight. He’d been with Anders over half his life.
“I… am Anderson, yes. I have a vested interest in Miss Luxor’s wellbeing thanks to Draca. I’m pleased to hear that she likes him. He is a fine young man, and she is a pleasant girl. He’s as smitten with her as she with him.”
Anders felt himself go a little hot under the collar. What exactly had Draca been saying about him? He had a reputation to maintain!
Scrutinizing eyes peered at him, but the siblings seemed to accept as much.
“… right,” Noga said. At least they were both familiar by now with how people could talk like Anders did. “Well, Papi and Dad are over by the petting zoo last we saw ‘em if you wanna talk. Enjoy the food.”
“Try the itapas,” Leda suggested, moreso to the tall red-haired woman, giving Anders a last once over that could have meant anything before the two moved on. The Chiss could see them whispering to each other as they went.
They continued their rounds, eventually recognizing little Tajga dressed up in feathers, and waved to her. They still didn’t speak signs like she did, but they remembered the other girl as friendly. They made big smiles to what seemed to be a little brother too.
<@571544963607822336>
Tajga waved back at them, put her both palms of paws at her abdominal and then opened them with thumbs out with the dancing move, showing the question in her eyes. She wanted to know how both of them are doing, as she hadn’t seen them for a long time.
At the same time Aksel noticed the wave and turned his attention from the toy parts of the crafting are and ran straight to the waving couple of people. He jumped to them from his pink puffin costume feet and start to hug them one after another.
Archian quickly followed him.
“Apologies…” He tried to smile apologetically, but instead his face made a strange grind with his teeth…
<@244244163002892288>
“Oh!” Leda let out in surprise, but was quick to hug back at the pink feathered ball of hugging speed. For such a little kid, sure was solid when they came running at you. “Hi there!”
“Hey, bud,” Noga laughed, smiling, as he hugged the kid too, then knelt down to get on his level. “Cool costume. That’s a lotta feathers. What’s your name?”
“I love it! Birds are my favorite, are you a porg? So pretty and pink!” Leda enthused, crouching a little. The pointed little ears didn’t move towards her though, and the boy didn’t respond to either of them, though he was motioning a lot. Did he sign like Tajga?
“Uhh…” she looked up to Archian. “It’s okay, seems like a friendly kid. Uh, can he understand us? What’s Tajga saying?”
She looked past them all briefly and waved again at Tajga dancing shooting her a thumbs up.
Her shoulders slumped, relaxed, and she smiled as she adjusted the squirming tater tot in her arms. “Plenty. But,” she said with a step into him, her back against his chest, “I doubt she’d say ‘no’ to more.”
Truthfully, the Mirialan had been expecting to stay behind the camera. But to this, he wouldn’t say no either. At least, not any more.
He thought to float the camera around in front of them and get a better picture. But Qyriea often nagged him about using the Force for such things, feeling like it was less authentic, less real or solid to her, maybe. And he wanted this holo to be one she found genuine. So he just stretched his arm out as far as he could in front of them, other shoulder rolling as he leaned back with Kiera leaning into him, and reaching around the woman to tickle at Ileta’s dangling foot. The baby squealed, and he snapped the picture, a few in quick succession.
They separated after a few seconds, and he turned the cracked display to her, showing one laughing baby and the two of them with smiles to the camera, costumes and all. With all the paint on his face, you could barely pick out the scars unless you knew to look for the texture. It was probably the nicest picture of him that existed. And little Ileta…
“I like these,” he murmured, grinning to Kiera. “What you think, good to keep? I’ll send ‘em. And you better send us the others too.”
Keira’s ice blue eyes danced over the image, a soft, appreciative smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “It’s lovely.”
Rather unplanned and unbidden, she reached around the Mirialan and pulled him into a tight hug. Ileta seemed content with the warmth and the pleasant feelings radiating off her mother and Ruka both. The pale Force userleaned up on her toes and planted a quick, chaste kiss on Ruka’s cheek before resuming the hug.
“Thank you for being there. For her,” she said quietly into his costume.
Red started to move his paws and speak at the same time. “I will speak and sign, otherwise Aksel won’t understand if you agree.” Aksel took Leda’s hand in his paw, and started to carefully look at Archian’s moving paws and mouth.
“Aksel is deaf.” He looked kindly at him. “He still learns how to read lips, so me and Tajga need to do everything very slowly.”
Archian looked behind at Tajga who showed to all four of them thumbs up, while making a pirouette and making a smooth change into head “chicken” move, and sliding her straight to front arms in swings from side to side. Aksel laughed frantically when he saw that. “She doesn’t speak, but reads lips perfectly, also she uses her datapad to write and sound her messages if she has time.” Archian started to chuckle while still watching Tajga’s dance moves.
After a momentary, awkward squawk not unlike the dastardly avians he feared, Ruka cleared his throat and lifted arms to give a hug back, camera hanging from one hand.
“Thank you,” he muttered back into her dark scalp, “for letting me.”
“OH, okay! Yeah that’s fine. Translate away.” They smiled at Aksel, and laughed and applauded loudly for Tajga’s dancing. Noga stuck thumb and forefinger in his mouth and whistled a cheer. With another grin and a thumbs up to Aksel, he stood up and went over to join Tajga, studying her moves for a moment before joining her. The young man twisted and bobbed in place, mimicking huttball drills, just without the ball.
“Aksel,” Leda began, trying to contain her mirth to take the paw he’d grabbed her with in both hands. “Do you want to dance too?” She waited for Archian to translate.
Cassandra intently listened to the conversation going on between the kids and Anders. It was proving to be quite interesting, if anything plenty to tease him with later potentially…
<@837236610684813342>
She looked at the pretty pattern she had made on the dart board, a lovely rendition of the clan logo, but the face of the attendant showed she had perhaps overstayed her welcome…. And she had used all the darts…. Oh well, she chuckled to herself and headed over to the shooting stand to see what that one was all about, just a shame there wasn’t a fruit saber stand, those were fun, she made a mental note to mention that idea to someone.
Archian translated very quickly Leda’s words to Aksel who was looking at both of them with excitement. When Red finished, Aksel squealed from excitement and nodded with blurping word which was similar to “Yes” by sound of it.
He hugged Leda and while holding Leda’s hand started to mimic the bopping of the head like others to the dance floor, and with exciting jumping waited for Leda to lead a way.
Tajga happily came closer to Noga and offered paw to dance together.
<@244244163002892288>
Noga dipped a bow that Cora had taught him and took the young girl’s paw, holding on while they bopped around and did mostly whatever.
Similarly, Leda giggled at little Aksel’s excitement, jumping in place and practically vibrating, his tiny tail and hips wagging, shaking the pink porg feathers of his costume. She pulled gently on his paw to lead him over, then took the other and started leading him through a silly dance, not minding if he sometimes stomped on her feet or jumped into her to hug again altogether.
“Excellent choice!” Jax enthused, taking Mikhail’s order as well and ordering one for himself and Evelyn. When he was handed the lot, the hybrid chuckled good-naturedly, holding up his one hand.
“I can take, perhaps, three of these things, but only if you do not mind me using my mouth!” he joked with the shopkeep and his companions, balancing two plates on wrist and hand like a waiter to hand down towards Nathan and Mikhail. He winked. “Here you both are. Do not worry! I shall not interrupt your time together too much longer. But, if you would like to join some of us, we are sitting just over there at the tables for the moment.”
That said, Jax claimed his own plate and Evelyn’s in the same manner and bustled off, his pom pom cheering on the ceiling as he walked.
<@160141735354171394> <@432543120635461643>
Watching both of whom he was taking care of, having fun and dancing, Archian sat down at the nearest bench and opened the datapad with the new reports from the villages about the poachers.
Even during this time of relaxation he was still keeping a close eye on what was happening with Tajga and Aksel.
Vincent enjoyed talking and eating with his new acquaintances. Later in the evening he met up with AJ for their duel at the shooting gallery. A close call, but AJ took home the prize. Though neither of them planned to stay for the second half of the night, Vince would be sure to keep in contact. They left the grounds for home, the rodian carrying a bantha plushie under his arm.