Savran, I'm planning a mission on Ol-Tun to clear out a known pocket of Children of Mortis cultists. Would you be interested?
An opportunity to kill more of those bastards? Do you even have to ask?
Meet me on Selen, in the Citadel. I can explain the details to you in person better than like this.
The Citadel? Am I allowed to go to the Citadel?
You fought with the clan, I doubt they'd deny you access. They throw parties there often enough.
...They throw parties. in the Citadel? Why the hell haven't I received an invitation? Have you?
No but the only one I've attended was when I first arrived and it didn't go well. We'll be able to meet there, either way.
Alright, fine. I'll met you there in twenty.
And Savi did exactly as they said they would, arriving at the Citadel not long after they sent Cole the last message via comlink. Once they got through the security posted outside the gate leading into the edifice’s prominent courtyard, they stepped over to where Cole was standing.
“Hey,” they said simply.
Cole was a little later than intended, having been in the port area of the city and needing the time to actually get to the surface of the mountain in the first place. It wasn’t long after he arrived that the familiar Shani entered the courtyard, Cole raising a hand in greeting before they came within a reasonable talking range.
“Hello.” He shifted his stance slightly, forcibily relaxing it. Though even positioned in what should be a relaxed pose, there was a certain stiffness to the stance. Not that it caused Cole any hesitation in diving straight to the point. Their relationship had always been pointed, without bothering with small talk. “The Children organised and caused the events that led to what happened at my family’s compound. They still have a contingent there, though I’m unsure of the scope for now. It’ll weaken them to lose a foothold like that.”
Savran sucked their teeth. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that the Children were involved,” they commented with a roll of the eyes, “If I weren’t so old, I’d start asking myself if they were somehow responsible for my past druk, as well.”
“You’re right. With their defeat in the war, they likely won’t have many strongholds like that left. But that also means the bastards will defend it more aggressively.”
“Most likely, though there flaws in the compounds defences. Not obvious ones, and certainly not ones the children used themselves. They created unrest in the Force users in our group and infiltrated with their aid. If it can be achieved in one fell swoop during the night, catching them off guard, it should be reasonably easy in comparison to most missions we seem to get caught up in.”
Cole shrugged slightly, “Or at least more familiar. They’re Force Users but at least the galaxy won’t be cracking in on itself and there won’t be weird traps or games to play to get in.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. This galaxy has a way of surprising you.” They said with a shrug. “But regardless, we’ll get the job done. I have to ask, though. Why’d you reach out to me, of all people?”
Cole paused for a few second.
The completely true answer was that Savran was the only person outside of Sofila that he knew would agree and trusted to not kark him over for no reason. They’d at least want to be paid for it.
They were about the only person he could ask. Though that wasn’t a good answer to give.
“You know the area and I know your skills. We are proven to be capable of cooperation.”
They quirked a brow at his response. It was noticeably more robotic than his answers thus far–a possible sign that he was uncomfortable. Or maybe he was lying?
“What a colorful way of saying that you want me around, Cole,” they replied coolly with a wink. “I take it the place hasn’t changed much, then? It has been a few decades since I last saw it, after all. Memory could be spotty. A lot of details have been fuzzy since … well, since I died.”
Their lips tightened at that comment.
Cole shook his head slightly at her initial comment before pausing. A slight frown. It was hard to forget what had happened in the temple.
“I doubt it. More fortified, maybe. I haven’t seen it in a few years.” He commented, hesistating. Savran wasn’t.. a friend. But he knew they didn’t exactly have much either in the way of people. Maybe… Well. Kark it. “You disappeared for a while after that. Are you.. better?”
Internally, Cole cringed though he did his best to not let that be visible.
“Well, I’m not having nightmares every night anymore,” they answered matter-of-factly. If anything, that the Shani had returned to the frank and somewhat blase way of discussing such a serious topic was a sign that they were in a better place. But whether Cole could take that answer at face value when Savran was just as – perhaps even more – guarded than him, was another question entirely.
A pause to consider their response.
“I’m managing. Life doesn’t slow down for you just because you go through something traumatic. I’ve been relying on some old tricks to help me get through it. Tools from another life.”
They shrugged.
Well they were doing better than he was. At least if he took their word and didn’t read past it. Somehow, he doubted that the nightmares had stopped.
“No it doesn’t.” To agree with that was easy enough though his curiosity was piqued. “Another life?”
Cole was aware they were old but that was about it. It was something he’d never really thought about in their prior interactions, at worst the Shani had been a inconvience and one that only came when one of their own pulled a dumb stunt. Research hadn’t been priority of any kind. Though maybe it was the time to start learning.
Savi looked at him for a moment, considering. They had told Sofila the broad brushstrokes of their history ages ago, and their relationship with the youngest member of the Farrow line had grown considerably since their fateful meeting so many months ago. And they were kindred spirits, in a way. The list of people Savi knew could actually understand and relate to them, to what they’d been through, was a short one; Cole was at the top of that list.
What harm could come from sharing a little with the man?
“How old do you think I am, Cole?” they asked, “Surely you must have considered it.”
Cole leaned slightly in place, considering it. His father had known of Savi from his own father. Which would place it around a hundred years at a minimum for at least how long they’d been hanging around that corner of the outer rim.
“I don’t have a precise number. You must be at least a hundred, considering maturity times and how long your nickname has been around, though I wouldn’t be so arrogant to presume that that’s all you’ve done with your life.”
They nodded with a slight grin. “You’re right. I could fill a holocron with the number of lives I’ve lived. Mostly out of necessity, given how karked up the galaxy has been for so long. I’m pushing three hundred years old, Cole. Still young for my people.”
Cole blinked once, considering it and then hummed. That.. explained a lot. Some of the worst periods the galaxy had seen had passed in the last 300 years.
“You’ve done well to still be around this far, all things considered.”
“It wasn’t easy,” they said with a sigh, “Especially during the Imperial era, as I’m sure you can imagine.”
In that moment, their eyes became distant, hollow; as if they were recalling something from long ago.
“But I did what I had to. I disappeared. Again.”
Cole looked to them, blue eyes meeting amber, though he doubted they were looking. He knew that look. He looked away, toward Selen’s sky. The horizon was blue, clear bar wispy clouds hanging close to the mountains the city was set into.
“How many times have you disappeared?” The again had said enough on that it had been more than once.
They shrugged their shoulders, “I’ve lost count at this point. But three times in particular were the most difficult for me, for several reasons I can’t bring myself to discuss in detail. Why do you ask?”
Why had he asked? It was a sensible question to follow through, but it was personal. Not something that you would ask a opponent or a simple acquaintance.
After a long few moments, he shrugged, “I was curious, I suppose.”
“I honestly would’ve never expected you to be interested in my history,” they admitted, “Even if we’ve been on better terms, lately. Though, it’s not like I ever gave you a reason to be. What with being intentionally guarded and all.”
“I haven’t given you much reason to share it either.” Cole pointed out.
He paused after, not entirely sure what to follow up with. He resisted the urge to shift in place, remaining steady.
“Well, I already told your girlfriend, so in the interest of getting ahead of her accidentally spilling the beans to you one day, I’ll just share myself.”
They took a deep breath to steady themselves.
“So, I’m old. That much is clear. Back when the Order was in its ‘golden age’, so to speak, I was taken in and trained by the Jedi after my planet was destroyed. Even became a Jedi knight.”
Cole hadn’t expected that. A jedi. Savran Has. The Tekuani. A Jedi.
He blinked a few times, a small hum escaping his as he considered that revelation.
“Well, kark. That- Kark.” That meant they not only survived the order 66 but were a karking Jedi through it.
“And you’re sure that, in the last mission, was the only time you died?” The shock was evident in his voice, an edge there that usually wasn’t for Cole but he allowed it this once. It was fitting and there was little need to disguise it.
Savi nodded, accepting the air of gravitas that had filled the room with all the grace that one might expect from a classically trained Jedi. But despite the coolness with which they explained their history, there was an unmistakable note of sadness echoed in every word they spoke.
“I’m sure,” they affirmed, holding his gaze.
“I left the order a long, long time ago, though. I couldn’t … I couldn’t live up to those ideals anymore. Not after what happened. I had to become something else. Someone else.”
“A new life.” Cole commented. “That’s a hard decision to make, to completely change what you are and do from the ground up.”
“I can say that it’s gotten easier over time,” they noted with a shrug. “It’s something I’ve come to expect. And with how things have been going in Brotherhood territory, I may end up having to do it again.”
A breeze rolled through the Citadel grounds, producing a distinctive ring as air passed over small chimes hanging from a few of the courtyard’s trees.
“What about you? You seem on edge, yourself. What’s up?”
The instinct to retract struck strong. To deny that he was on edge, that anything was up. He was alive, healthy. Status unlikely to change without exterior actions.
And yet… Savran was likely the one person whod actually understand exactly where he was at. To lose everything. To face almost total isolation.
Do better.
He shifted, uncomfortable even as he settled into the decision. “The last few years finally caught up to me some months ago. I’m still working out how to do the whole new life thing myself.”
Savi could tell how uncomfortable Cole was. Hell, even a Miralukan could see it. But instead of using that as an opportunity to wiggle their way under his skin like they would have earlier in their relationship, Savi listened intently.
“What about it has been most difficult to you? The relationships?” That was what was hardest for them. Maybe they were similar in that regard, too.
Most difficult. He’d lost his father, Corvo. Friends and allies many of which he’d known most if not all of his life. But there was more to it than that.
“I lost many, though…” Cole trailed off, frowning in a rare show of emotion as he tried to gather the thoughts into a coherent statement. “I knew exactly what I was, what my future was. I was trained to follow a path and now the path no longer exists. I knew someday I’d lose my father. That I’d lose others along the way, that’s the nature of that life. It’s hard but I never expected… this.”
“Losing people close to you is never easy,” they said. They were far too familiar with that than they cared to admit. “But it sounds like what you’re really struggling with is finding a new purpose in life. I can relate.”
They really were more similar than they had expected.
“I still feel like an outsider here. Don’t really know what my place is.”
“Yeah.” Cole mumbled, sighing slightly.
“I don’t have anywhere else to go. Even if I left the Brotherhood…” Cole shook his head. He was already dead to anywhere that mattered to him. Anywhere else would be as much of a lost man walking through a fog as it felt like here. Less eyes, maybe. “As many enemies as I have here, it’s something.”
At least he had Sofila. She had been the one thing keeping him sane. Alive. He wouldn’t still be standing if it hadn’t been for her.
“Did you ever find a new purpose?”
He felt like a child, asking such a question. Weak. Vulnerable. The instant regret was visible on his face, already shaking his head once more, trying to wave it off. “You don’t have to answer that.”
You’re exposed. Could be a threat. Even if they aren’t, others could be listening. Watching. Karking stupid.
“Seems like you’ve found a place here, with Sofila. As karked up as the Brotherhood is, that’s worth plenty, I’m sure.”
Savi tilted their head when they noticed how he reacted after posing his second question. Did he think he’d crossed some kind of boundary by asking it? Surely the time for that particular worry had come and went when they discussed their Jedi past. “It’s fine,” they assured him, waving a hand to dismiss his comment.
“I haven’t found my place, no. Selen is nice. Reminds me of my home in some ways, but it isn’t a good fit for me. Maybe I’ll see what trouble I can get into in Port Ol'val one of these days. It’d bring me closer to you two, as well.”
“Sofila would like that.” Cole knew it, for even as tense as Sofila was getting these days, as avoidant and angry, she still cared for her friends and Savran was counted among them.
He was still uncomfortable but the ease that the question was waved off was something. It hadn’t immediatley spat back into his face, at least. There was no one else around for it cause consequences- And he was thinking crazy again. Focus. Cole inhaled slowly, resisting the urge to glance around the courtyard.
“She’s made staying worth it. I’m not sure if Ol'val could handle all three of us there at once though.”
Savi’s lips stretched into a grin, flashing the elongated that narrowed into a deadly point.
“Are you kidding? They wouldn’t know what hit them,” they replied while tightening one hand into a fist. “Maybe that’s what I’ll do, then. Show up in Ol'val and harangue the local riff raff. Show them what a real boss looks like.”
They took a step forward and, while hesitant at first, reached out to place a hand on Cole’s shoulder. “The path you’re meant to walk on will reveal itself one of these days, Cole.”
Cole huffed a laugh, a short noise that almost sounded unnatural. It would be like them to show up purely to show off, but then Savran stepped forward and… He wanted to move away from the contact initially. A threat. It was like static, but just as clearly as static it cleared away.
It was almost comforting.
“I.. hope so.” He admitted. “For Sofila’s sake, if nothing else. She can’t be all I’m here for.”
Savi smiled at him, before retracting that hand to give him a light punch in the arm.
“We’ll figure it out together.”
Cole winced, more so at the unexpectedness of the action than any actual pain. He’d had a brother growing up, afterall. He sighed after, shaking his head but a sliver of a smile lit his face.
“Something like that.”