Session export: The Academy

Ruka could count the number of times in his life he’d felt like this much of a schutta on one hand.

Or, well, he’d used to be able to, anyway. His station as Proconsul had made that number expedent…expo…exy…way worse really fast. Much more than even marrying into a noble family under the Vatali Empire had. Which was saying something.

“Lord Proconsul,” someone in Collegium staff robes said, and bowed. Ruka, who had been at this for over a year now, managed not to say, guh.

Instead, he nodded back, keeping his shoulders clenched straight so he wouldn’t cringe. It served to remind him of the bareness of his back, bereft of the weight of either sword or jacket hood. Instead, he had his robes on full display, and his sapphire sword – along with all his other gem weapons, and his former teacher’s Inquisitorious dagger – were belted on his hips in a way that would get him utterly destroyed if he were in combat. Cora had tied them on for him, tutting about angles of display, smoothing out invisible wrinkles in his sleeves and tucking an Envoy emblem pendant securely over his chest. Wrinkles that had surely come back in the trip here.

Still, it all had a point. While it wasn’t a battlefield, they were on a mission, and looking like an absolute asshole or not, he was going to use everything he had at his disposal from rank to award if it opened more doors.

Sivall had already been denied so much in her life. If they could give her anything, when she deserved everything, then it was worth it.

-

So it was that the Mirialan tried not to think about his belt snapping and pants falling down from the weight of several pieces of sacramental stabby things as he stepped down the landing ramp of his ship and onto one of the Shadow Academy complex’s many landing pads. His arm reached up, fingers brushing over handprints in a rainbow of paints as he went, a familiar grounding gesture, as if for luck. Violet eyes glanced back over his shoulder at the bottom of the ramp, and he turned fully next to the person who had come to greet their arrival to look up at his passanger as she stepped out. His expression gentled from its anxious scrunch just to look at her, spine straightening.

“Welcome to Arx, Sivall,” Ruka called softly, checking in. This could be a lot already; perhaps too much. The kids had mentioned their garden time with the Chiss woman. “You ready? We can take however long, ay. It’s a big place.”

Kriffing understatement. Might as well be its own city. But that was fine. He’d packed for a lot of possibilities, and allegedly, they’d be welcome to small quarters if needing a break.

After the party on the Voidbreaker, she had given herself some time to heal on Selen. Though she had yet to take that tour that the kids and Melissa had offered, she did take some time to rest while staying in Estle…. And by rest, what she meant is she spent three entire days sleeping. After she had awoken from her slumber, she had gone to Ruka and talked to the Proconsul about all the things she wanted to do in the Dark Brotherhood—and why she wanted to do them.

And now she was here.

Stepping out of the transport, Sivall was immediately wowed by the scale of the Shadow Academy. She had taken a few remote classes online but had yet to grace the presence of the actual campus. Sanguine eyes flared to life with awe and excitement; every moment of being in the brotherhood introduced her to new and amazing places, people, and things. The Chiss felt a giddy feeling bubbling up inside her; the Grants would have never let her have this much access to books and information that they couldn’t personally sensor.

Ruka’s voice brought her back from her mind and her eyes moved back from the structure to fall on him. She hadn’t told him everything, not yet, but somehow she sensed he knew. Maybe he had been as broken as she once upon a time. It was easy to sense when someone was as damaged as you, made it easier to see the signs. The medic let a soft smile fill her features, trying to reassure the Mirialan that she wouldn’t burst into tears like she did in the conservatory.

She still felt so guilty exposing Leda and Noga to that.

Slender blue fingers brushed non-existent wrinkles from her brand-new Envoy robes as she bowed to the associate who greeted her. Their navy and dark blue fabrics complemented her own sky-blue complexion. She was without a cape today as she knew it would make her feel uncomfortable amongst the others here. Once she was done returning the person’s greeting, she passed them to join Ruka on the stairs leading from the landing platform.

.

“I’m ready,” Siv responded, then hesitated for a moment before continuing, “And… Thank you for bringing me here, Ruka. I truly do appreciate it.” No matter how many times she thanked the people around her, it never seemed like enough. She felt like she could never truly make them understand how much they saved her.

She would spend her whole life trying though, no matter how short it might be.

“Zis is unacceptable!” Adalinde exclaimed. Her thick, aristocratic accent was on full display as she bared down on a poor staffer at one of the main service desks of the Great Library. “‘ow can you expect anyone to show a modicum of decorum when zere is a distinct lack of proper educational material?”

The Inquisitor took a deep breath, pushing back against the ever simmering rage beneath the surface of her demeanor. As her fingers adjusted the long, side-swept strands of her crimson hair, she hardly presented as one might expect. Rather, she looked like she just hopped off a transport from Nar Shaddaa. Adalinde wore her usual dark leathers that showed off the variety of tattoos that nearly covered her at this point.

“Take zis,” the woman declared, placing several datadisks on the counter and gesturing another threateningly at the unfortunate staffer. “I 'ave prepared a rigorous nine step program zat will solve zis error of yours.”

Proud with herself, Adalinde folded her arms across her chest and preened a little. “Should take no longer zan 'alf a year to complete. A simpleton can do it.”

Adalinde’s temper flared for the briefest of moments, her hand finding its way to her saber. Instead of a crimson blade igniting, however, she merely let out a long sigh. “Astounding. You ‘ave said so much and yet nozing at all.”

Again, the red-headed human pointed at the stack of datadisks. “I 'ave brought material to add to your collection.” She paused for a moment before continuing. “Alzough, I shall take zese materials of yours. To compare, yes?”

“Ay, ain’t a problem at all, yeah? But you’re welcome. Thanks for letting me.” He smiled, easy to do when he’d been watching her face go through different turns of shock, awe, and joy up on the ramp. She looked like Leda had the first time Cora had taken her to a real dress store. “So…unless you know where you wanna start, I’m gonna suggest we go find Breeze– eh, Nathan. Dropped a comm with him on the Voidbreaker, he can show us around here.”

He started walking down the causeway, eyes on a constant move to take in Sivall as much as the area around them. So many enormous superstructures, between the four satellite buildings and the enormous ziggurat of the main one. All the landing pads and strips. That comms tower, the turbo lifts and tram tubes. His brain was doing cartwheels imagining it all from the perspective he’d been in before: a faceless laborer, one of thousands, as likely to be crushed under machinery or fall from bridge scaffolding as to survive to see another day.

“I haven’t been either,” he offered while they walked, the humid, hot wind of Uskil’s wetlands buffeting them out in the open stretch between the landing pads and the edge of the nearest building. The enclosed walkways up ahead promised more regulated environment. Maybe. The kids had mentioned Sivall had seemed to like the garden. “Not like, here, I mean, to the campus. It’s all new. But not to the Academy really either. Me and Cora were recruited off our homeworld, Kiast, by Odan-Urr’s Jedi. They weren’t friendly with the Brotherhood then. Even when I ended up having to leave and meeting the Arconans, the people I knew didn’t trust them either. So the whole academy route, didn’t see it. Probably better, honestly. All the smart stuff…not really for me. But I bet you’re gonna love it. Or I hope so anyway.”

Approaching from the side, and only hearing the last bit, Aru Law waved vigorously at the Mirialan. He hadn’t been around for a long time and the first “friendly” face he laid eyes on was Ruka.

“When did that ever stop anyone?” He said. “I mean, look at me. I’m not smart, I just look smart.”

Besides the Human, a shorter lady stood smiling. She had long blue hair, strapped in a braided ponytail and wore big thick glasses. She was carrying Aru’s porg, Plee, on her hands against her belly.

“So this is the Ruka you’ve been telling me about? The…” She tried to remember “Kaka?”

“Yup, that’s him right there.”

Aru approached Ruka, arms stretched for a hug.

“How’s life been treating you Kaka?”

Words couldn’t compare to the real thing. That fact lingered in Bril’s mind as he approached the towering complex at a protracted pace, and admired the assorted buildings that composed the fabled Arxian academy. The Shadow Academy stood unchallenged amongst even the most revered scholastic institutions, boasting a vast collection of treatises, tomes, and manuscripts; Unsurprisingly, this made it both the envy and the delight of bibliophiles and scholars throughout the galaxy. He had finally arrived. His road to acceptance into the Brotherhood was an unconventional one to say the least; a series of notorious escapades in the Outer Rim while working as a private investigator and bounty hunter had caught the attention of a few within its ranks, and Bril’s exemplary test scores had put him on the Wayfinder Society’s radar. And it earned him a spot alongside the Academy’s best and brightest.

He had arrived on Arx via shuttle as part of a large group of matriculants who would be studying there. Many took the time to introduce themselves and talk amongst themselves, but Bril mostly kept to himself. One thing that caught his attention was how many of the new students expressed disbelief that they were actually here. Some even said they didn’t feel like they deserved it, that they weren’t good enough to be here. Fortunately, Bril didn’t share those concerns. He knew that he was precisely where he was supposed to be. The fact that he’d gotten himself here without a formal education was proof of that.

-

Eager to get the best view of institution’s facilities, Bril ensured that he would be one of the first people to enter the Academy’s walls by moving to the front of the group, stopping across from a Chiss woman and a Mirialan man when a Collegium attendant came to greet them. He spent a few moments observing them both, before offering a smile and a quick nod. Based on his attire and the way the attendant addressed him, the Mirialan seemed to be of particular importance. Well-armed, too. At least that answered his concerns about bringing his own gear with him on the tour. As if on instinct, his hand brushed along the section of his waist-sash that concealed the lightsaber he kept on his person. Knowing full well how easily druk could hit the fan, he never traveled without it. The woman next to him seemed as floored by the Academy buildings as he had been. He was glad he wasn’t the only one who recognized the significance of what they were witnessing.

He leaned in just a bit so she could hear him better and gestured toward the academy complex, “Impressive, isn’t it? This your first time seeing it, too?”

The expression that suddenly came over Ruka’s face was akin to the moment right before a sneeze, frozen and unblinking, only this one was more a rictus of horrified rage than anything else. They only thing that twitched repeatedly was his right eye.

Overall, it mostly looked like someone having an aneurysm standing up.

Then the Mirialan blinked, and his face went blank (except for the eye twitch) even as his posture had gone rigid, fists clenching. He looked about ready to verbally and physically punt the Human that had approached, especially when he stepped in for that hug.

But Sivall was right there, so was another student who was approaching her, armed, inquiring – Ruka’s eyes catalogued the Zabrak quickly, as if assessing a threat – and Law had a woman with him who had done nothing to deserve anything at all except call him the nickname Aru did. So instead of shoving the man away, telekinetically or otherwise, Ruka just stepped back with a firm look warning Aru do not touch me.

“Fine,” he deadpanned, regardless of any actual summary of events. “And I told you not to call me that.” He turned to the blue-haired woman, forcing his tone to soften. “It’s Ruka, ma'am.” Retreating another step from Aru put him in a better view to look at both sets of newcomers, and closer to Sivall’s shoulder. “And you both are…?”

“…written in a bastardized dialect of Zabraki. A hybrid between it and…something else. Not Sith.”

He sighed.

Karran set down the scroll he had been studying and rubbed his good eye. Even when he had had two fully functional eyes, reading had always been a chore, but he had loved it nonetheless. The letters always seemed to flip themselves around and rearrange themselves.

As he opened and closed his eyes to rehydrate them. As he did, his ears caught the faint sound of a voice he had not heard in a long time.

Law.

And then a voice that brought much less stress to his mind.

He stood, tidied up the borrowed documents, tucked them under his arm, and went to find the source of the other Arconans.

“Ruka, arrarmio, it is good to see you.” He turned his attention to the familiar human, “Aru. I hope you are well.”

Sivall watched Ruka with a pleasant smile on her features, absorbing all the information he gave her about his history. She filed it neatly in the ‘Ruka’ folder in her brain— every detail brought her closer to knowing the man as a person, more than just an superior of Clan Arcona or her Proconsul. His true self. She would hold that knowledge close to her heart.

She was about to respond to the Mirialan when a voice drifted to them and Ruka’s entire demeanor changed. Mouth still slightly open, she watched Ruka turn to a human male and his female companion. He had the air of taught, but carefully contained, wire. She wondered what this human had done to make Ruka so hostile. Aru didnt seem to hold any sort of malicious or ill intent for her Proconsul.

Siv didnt get much time to wonder as a Zabrak addressed her, pulling her attention away from the trio. The Chiss woman blinked a few times, surprised that anyone would bother talking to her when there were clearly more important people about, before turning to Bril.

“Ah, yes,” she muttered, her hands clasping in front of her, “its magnificent. I can only imagine the wealth of knowledge contained here.”

Sivall extended one hand for a handshake, giving the Zabrak a smile as another came into view in her peripheral vision. “My name is Sivall. What is yours?”

I hope you aren’t staying, Ruka mentally answered, but didn’t say. Instead, he tried to let himself be glad to see Karran. Pushed away flashes of bloodied sand and screams.

Pushed them away.

Focus, he told himself, clocking his gaze to Sivall again as she replied to the Zabrak stranger and reminded himself why they were here. Her learning. Meeting people. Those were good things. This was a good thing.

“Arrarmio,” he murmured back, and opened his arms. “Good to see you.”

Karran wrapped his arms around the Mirialan and squeezed tightly, holding the embrace.

“What brings you here, old friend?”

As he released Ruka, he turned to the Chiss and offered a hand.

“I do not believe we have been introduced. I am Karran Val'teo.”

“Karran Val'teo,” Aru said slowly with a smile. “You horny man, how are you? Last time I saw you was on that sand ball of a planet!”

Meanwhile, Alana took her time to address Ruka.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Ruka.” She tried to extend her hand to greet the Mirialan but Plee was in the way, so she put him on the ground. “I’m Alana. Alana Mistar.” She smiled with her eyes closed. “Archaeologist, Linguist and Xenobiologist, only as a hobby though. I’m from the Hapes Cluster.”

“I heard many stories about how you saved Aru and took care of him in many occasions. I have to thank you for taking care of him while I was away. I know he can be hard to deal with sometimes.”

She was looking at the Human being all friendly towards the Zabrak, and then back at Ruka.

Wealth was certainly a good way to put it. Because although having a sizable cache of credit was ideal, it wasn’t the only form of wealth, nor was it the most valuable. Knowledge was the greatest boon one could ever hope to receive, at least, that’s how Bril saw it.

Mirroring the Chiss with a smile of his own, he gave her hand a firm shake. “Bril Teg Arga, but Bril is fine. Are you a student as well? Or are you here on other business?”

Having taken note of the sudden appearance of three more people, he shifted a bit to see them a bit better and gave a polite nod to each of them; however, for the other Zabrak who’d joined them, he opted for a traditional Zabrak greeting. After offering his hand to shake, he inclined his head to show the crown of his head and the seven horns that poked through his hair. “Volks nuin,” he added, a more formal way of saying hello in Zabraki.

“It seems like we have ourselves quite the group,” Bril announced to those gathered there, “Should we begin our tour of the facilities?”

Ruka reached out with none too little awkwardness, clearly uncomfortable with the thanks and praises, especially given his meaner thoughts. He shook the woman’s hand quickly, eyeing the loose porg like it was a grenade all the while, and then stepped back and telekinetically lifted the demon bird back into her arms. “Nice to meet you, Alana. Don’t, ay, worry about it.”

He glanced over at apparently a Bril, noting the Zabraki hello and the gesture; not one Sera or Karran had taught him. He filed it away mentally.

“Sivall and me were just gonna meet up with the Headmistress’ Praetor, Nathan Breeze. We know the guy. You can join us if you want to,” he offered. As he spoke, he noticed a blonde Pantoran coming out of the nearest building, carrying…

A skull?!

That. That had to be normal here, right? Right. It was Academy stuff.

Kriffing hopefully.

The Pantoran, seeming to hear him, approached quickly.

Karran smiled at the presence of the other Zabrak and the words, a bit formal compared to what he had grown up with, but he returned the gesture.

“Volks nuin, new friend. May the ancestors smile on our first meeting.” he responded in their shared tongue.

“Hello there, I see you’ve taken an interest in this skull. I’ve been calling her Ontul. We excavated her from Dathomir not too long ago and I hope she can provide some insights into the Nightsisters’ culture,” Kadrol said, “Oh, yeah, I’m Kadrol by the way.” The Pantoran had been on Arx for almost a week at this point, doing research on various artifacts from his excavations. Being huddled away in a lab for most of the day had made him most welcoming to any sort of social interaction.

The Mirialan just blinked rapidly at the kid– young man. He guessed staring counted as taking an interest.

“…right,” he said, and tried to make it sound friendly. Dathomir. Did he have one not bad memory of kriffing Dathomir? And speaking of Nightsister ways…Ruka side-eyed Karran. Hard. Focus. Sivall. Tour. All these folks. It was a lot of new faces looking to learn things, half of them young, and his instinct to take charge and keep order reasserted itself from the socially awkward tailspin he’d gone into. “Nice to meet you too, Kadrol, ay. That’s really cool. Hey, I bet a medical expert might help you, yeah? Siv is one. You’re welcome to join us if you want. We were just going to go meet up with the Praetor for a tour.”

Gesturing at those beside him, he added, “This is Sivall, Karran, La– Aru, Alana, and Bril Teg Arga. I’m Ruka.”

“Other business.” Siv kept a smile on her face, although her thoughts were telling her to slip away from the group. There were so many people here already. The itch for solitude began to naw away under her skin. Siv returned Karran’s handshake, trying to keep the wall of pleasantries up. Keep it together, she reminded herself, you have a purpose here and people are watching.

The Chiss woman turned to look at Ruka and noticed that his rigid body language had only gotten worse. Quickly and quietly she pocketed the reaction to the large Zabrak male as well. More pieces to the puzzle. She wanted to comfort the Mirialan, to make him relax, but wasn’t sure it was in her place to do so.. so she didn’t. Instead she made a mental note to ask Ruka about it later, to perhaps understand the situation better so she could better help next time.

Clasping her hands in front of her once more, trying to put a physical barrier up between her and the forming group, Sivall addressed those she had not already. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all.” The sky-colored female bowed her head in a show of respect before continuing, “I am new to the Brotherhood, but overjoyed to be here.” She took a subconscious half-step closer to Ruka, seeking to be closer to the only familiar face present. She was really out of her element here.

Kadrol nodded in acknowledgement. “It’s nice to meet you. I would love to join you, but first I need to run this back to storage in my quarters real quick. Why don’t you tell me where your next stop is so I can meet up with you there In a few minutes.”

Like he had a second sense for such anxieties – and really, he did, between watching for his daughter’s and handling his own – Ruka adjusted again to Sivall’s edging closer to him, subtly turning so he was between her and the larger group.

“Sounds good, Kadrol. Think Nathan is waiting for us in the main building. We’ll head that way.”

He pointed at the enclosed, lit walkway that went between the building they were all by now and the central ziggurat with its spire tower.

“Come on. You guys all go on ahead, me and Siv will be right behind you, I just need to talk to her a bit before we get there.”

This was directed to Karran, Bril, Aru and Alana.

Alana grabbed Plee and turned to Aru.

“Aru, dear. Did you get us a room?”

Aru smiled goofily.

“I did not. However…” He checked his datapad quickly and requested one. Then, he sliced into the ACS terminal and accepted his own request. “I have now.”

With a few more clicks he also added some extras.

“And you’ll have a bubble bath waiting for you when we get there.”

Alana kissed the Human and pointed towards the main building, after hearing Ruka.

“Shall we get inside? It’s getting late, and cold.”

They both headed towards the main building.

Kadrol hurried off towards his dormitory to put away the skull as fast as he could without jeopardizing the security of the artifact, using the Force to aid in his speed and due diligence. Upon arrival, He carefully set the Nightsister skull inside a protective case before exiting the dorm and heading back towards the group.

Nathan was stood in the main hall, occupying space near the reception desk and doing his best to not pace. For once, the young man wasn’t in engineers gear or medical robes but an actual uniform that gave way to his position.

He hadn’t really expected to be accepted for Praetor and while Nate was flourishing, the formalities were beyond him. Not in understanding, but in the reality of dealing with them. This was only one of the few times he’d had to pull out the fancy stuff however, so that was something.

Still, it was only Ruka and two recruits. It wouldn’t be so bad. A tour of a building he knew, with at least one person he knew.

It would be fine.

He had to say, it was nice to have another Zabrak in the group, especially one who was familiar with their customs. Sociable by nature, Bril had no trouble engaging with large groups of people, but having someone with whom he could relate (especially on the level of shared lineage) made him feel a bit more at home on a hitherto unfamiliar planet amongst all these strangers. With the two acquainted, the arrival of yet another person, this time a Pantoran, caught Bril’s attention. Of particular interest was the skull he carried along with him. Did he say that that was a Nightsisters’ skull?

“You’ve been to Dathomir?” asked Bril, his eyes narrowing as he took a step closer to examine both Kadrol and the skull. “When did you go? And why are you just carrying it around in the open?” Surely, more respect should be paid to the dead.

He had been so focused on the man parading around the varping remains of a Dathomirian, that he missed what Ruka said about staying behind with Sivall. It wasn’t until the others began to leave, and Ruka gave him a look urging him to head out that he realized that he’d overstayed his welcome. A light jog back to the others placed him nearest Karran, who he took the time to address as they walked. “What do you think about that one? Carrying around the Nightsister skull,” he said in Zabraki, lowering his voice a tad in case there were others who could understand them. He briefly glanced in Kadrol’s direction when he returned.

Aru, leading the group, was the first to enter the ACS main building. Inside, a somewhat familiar face awaited them.

He stared at the man for a few seconds, until it hit him.

“Nathan!” he yelled. “You’re Nathan! You’re an engineer on the Voidbreaker right? Pretty sure I’ve seen you wander around the ship.”

He then turned towards Alana. “This man is part of Qel-Droma, love, he’s a good friend.” he assumed, despite this being their first real interaction.

The Seer then grabbed Nathan’s hand and shook it vigorously. “That is my wife, Alana, and that’s Plee.” he pointed at the Porg Alana was holding.

She nodded with a smile and tilted her head. “Hey oh.”

Nathan didn’t have time to process the fact that Aru Law was even back in the systems before the man was shaking his hand aggressively.

The Praetor did his best to cycle through the panic to get to a polite if cautious smile as he stood there with his wrist captured, nodding to Alana, “It’s- uh- it’s good to meet you both. And- well a surprise that you’re back, Aru. It’s been a while.”

The ex-Aediles sudden departure had been even more of a surprise, so really it wasn’t as surprising that he’d show back up in such a sudden way.

Karran responded with a matched lowered tone and tongue.

“The former residents of Dathomir are…like cousins. But the witches did keep our distant brothers enslaved, so I find it difficult to pity their end. As for the skull, I am also in possession of one. But I tend to keep it at home in my personal shrine.”

He smiled. “Life is complicated, friend. And history even more. But the Witches of Dathomir had many secrets. They understood the Force differently than you or I. It is invaluable to seek them out.”

Alana was quick to notice Nathan’s discomfort and grabbed Aru by his shirt, pulling him back.

“Love, step back now.”

She then pulled a little bag from her pocket and took a small heart shaped biscuit from within, handing it to Nathan.

“Here you go dear, made with love.” She smiled at the Human. “Be quick or this fella will eat it before you can spell Wookie.”

Nathan retrieved his hand, shaking it slightly but relaxing at the shoulders and chuckling nervously, “Thank y-”

A cookie.

Huh.

He was surprised, and very much thrown off but instinct worked its way and he took the biscuit and nibbled it. Butter and lemon. Nice.

“Thank you.” He spoke, taking a more substantial bite from the biscuit.

Ruka dismissed the group around them and Sivall felt the air rush back into her lungs. The woman let out the breath she wasnt aware she was even holding and let her shoulders relax. She gave Ruka a look of thanks, relief visible on her face— but also a hint of disappointment. She should be better with this by now, better at being around people.

Images flashed in her mind of Ju’lia’s hand on her shoulder, gripping so tight it felt like the joint would shatter. A command— stay. Being trapped in a crowd of people, some sort of charity ball. Her dress was too tight, neither Grant had bothered to see if the dress had fit—

Slender fingers busied themselves with fiddling with the hem of her right sleeve. Siv’s smile faltered a little, the woman taking a deep breath to center herself, forcing the memories and emotions down deep.

“I’m sorry. I thought I would be better with this by now.”

Only barely watching the others walk on ahead, Ruka saw her fiddling and the smile slip, but the apology was just too far. He gestured at her to pause in their stride, mindful of not reaching out to touch.

“Hey,” the Mirialan said, soft but firm. “Never gotta say sorry, okay? And especially not for having a hard time with,” his wave encompassed socialization, people, outside, “any of this. Maybe somebody else told you to feel bad about that, but they was wrong. Okay? You’re doing fine. You’re doing amazing.” He offered a smile. “‘Sides, being crowded bothers me too. Too many people, new faces, stuff to worry about…I panic sometimes. I’m sithspit at all the people stuff, and this is me with years of practice now. I bet it’s obvious. Cor is great at it, but I kinda just…try not to kriff up– er, ay, mess up too much? The real hard part isn’t doing it, really. It’s being nicer to ourselves about it, ay. I say a lot of really… Really bad stuff to myself in my head. But I’m trying to be better about that. I think it…maybe helps. Even if I don’t feel like I deserve it for a second. Even when it feels wrong. So.”

He looked back to the group, then back to her.

“We both came out here today. Do I seem like I’m relaxed? 'Cause I’m really not. I feel like a jackass with all this on,” a nod to the extra swords and uniform bits, “and I’m already having like, two mini freakouts just from seeing people, and a third from being on Arx at all. And if you asked me from five years ago, I wouldn’t have said anything. Just said I’m fine and kept going. But I’m kinda startin’ to get that it’s okay not to be okay, sometimes. Lean on people. Get yourself some space if you need it, when you can. So if you don’t wanna join the tour with all these guys showin’ up and jumping in, we can just wait til later. Pretty sure if we just pick any door we’ll end up somewhere with a book. It’s up to you, okay? And anything you pick is okay.”

Karran’s eyes widened when Karran told him that he too owned a Dathomirian skull. Folding his arms behind his back and adopting a more rigid posture, he pondered his new companion’s words. Their people had known their fair share of tragedy and conflict alike, and had emerged from each of them stronger in some way. Hadn’t they? Most of the Nightsisters’ magick had been lost in the Massacre but those who survived forsook the old ways and learned to adapt to new worlds as a result. For new growth to occur, they had to first destroy the old.

Bril shook his head, “Not pity, my friend. Their end was a foreseeable consequence of their actions in life. They were far from perfect, as is the case with us all – but they were our kin, nonetheless. Shouldn’t we honor them as such? A shrine is good.”

His shoulders rose and fell in a sigh. Karran was right. Unlocking the Witches’ understanding of the Force was a worthwhile undertaking, and he’d be foolish not to pursue it. “And I suppose learning and preserving their secrets is a way to honor them, as well. It just doesn’t feel right.”

The Zabrak duo were the second to enter the main building after Aru and Alana. They had already struck up a conversation with another Pantoran male, who he guessed was the “Nathan” whom Ruka had mentioned before they left. A wave of the hand was all he offered for now before continuing his conversation with Karran. “I noticed the design of your jato, you’re a member of the Kell, right? And of the chief’s lineage no less.”

-

Once they came of age, every Zabrak underwent a rite of passage to mark their transition into full adulthood. The specifics of these rituals varied greatly depending on if a family lived in a city or in the wilderness of Iridonia, and saw even more diversity between tribes; however, one thing they all shared was the tattooing process. Karran had his on full display, and his jato, the specific tattoos that related his family history, told quite a story. To be a close relative of a tribe’s Ul'ayrak, its chief, was often a source of great pride and untold strife.

“I’m a member of ru Arga. Fairly new compared to Kell but none fought harder in the battles to liberate the Feldrona colonies,” he pressed a closed fist to his chest, beating against the spot where his first heart lie, then the second. “Something tells me that our meeting wasn’t an coincidence, friend.”

“My grandfather was the last Val'teo to lead Kell. My father abandoned that path for love. Some call it dishonor. Others do not. My good friend, Sera Kaern of Lod’s, father leads Kell now, as he was the next most rightful present heir.”

Karran looked off to the distance. The weight of his lineage weighed on his hearts.

“My father told me once of ru Arga. He said that none of the clans were as honorable. Save maybe for Kell, but that could be a personal bias.”

He looked at Bril and smiled. He would have to duel this Zabrak. Victory or defeat did not matter. Simply how he held himself. If he honored himself and his ancestors.

“I believe you are correct. The Force, or the Ancestors brought us to meet for a purpose. I suppose we shall see.”

TuQ kicked his feet up on the coffee table in his assigned apartments and set the datapad he had been combing through down on the couch beside him. Pinching his eyes he sighed, a plate of food from lunch sat barely touched and long since cooled on the table. He had been at this for days, spending hours at a time day after day searching through the academy archives for information to strengthen the confederacy Plagueis had been building. In the week since he had arrived, TuQ had only left his room to acquire new tombs to scour through.

The Kel Dor’s grumbling stomach startled him. Maybe he should take a break and stretch his legs, maybe even eat something other than the nutripacks he had stocked in his kitchen. Taking one last deep of the Durin gas-helium mixture being pumped into his room, TuQ affixed his mask and goggles and began to wander the halls of the Shadow Academy.

Adalinde strode confidently away from the Great Library, clearly finished with the potentially exasperating tit-for-tat with the senior librarian. Still, she muttered under her breath distractedly while juggling a variety of snacks she had picked up along the way. Her icey blue eyes narrowed as she inspected the pastry held carefully between her fingertips. At the same time, she paid little attention to her path, managing to bully her way past several students who had to desperately part around her.

Finally, offering a few tentative sniffs, the woman took the smallest of bites. One…two…there was no third bite. Her face contorted in disgust and she crushed the remaining pastry. Adalinde’s gaze rose and rapidly scanned the room, looking for anywhere to offload the poison the Shadow Academy tried to masquerade as ‘food’. With a dismissive flick, the fiery redhead bent the Force to her will, crushing it around the pastries, and flinging them across the hall into the trash bin.

Still, flakes remained upon her fingers and they curled revoltingly. A few rapid shakes freed her of the unwelcome guest.

Unfortunately for the owner of a rather impressive hat walking past, the remnants of the pastry chose them as their new home.

TuQ heard the patter of something lightly raining down on the brim of his hat. Was there a leak in the ceiling? He looked around and no, it wasn’t that. Removing his hat he inspected further. All across the back of the hat was a smattering of…CRUMBS?! How? Why? WHO?! He brushed them away, attempting to return his treasured hat to its pristine condition. Yet, as he brushed his hand along the brim many of the minuscule crumbs simple smeared across the black nerf wool. It had been a long week, and this was the last thing he wanted to deal with, but his rage boiled over and something snapped inside of the Kel Dor. You can mess with him, but not his hat. Hat in hand, gaze lowered to the ground, he collected himself.

“HEY!” he shouted at the top of his lungs, the area went silent as all eyes were drawn to him. He slowly lifted his eyes from the ground. “Who. Did. This?!”

TuQ raised his hat above his head and gazed across the people gathered before him, an accusatory look aimed at each and every person. Everyone looked back with a mix of confusion and nervousness at the outburst. All except for one. A red headed human stood wiping her hands clean, completely oblivious to the commotion occurring.

“You!” his voice seethed with anger as he stomped towards her. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? This hat is one of a kind, an heirloom, and you’re going to pay to get this cleaned. I don’t know what backwater you’re from, so I’ll say this slowly so that you can understand. You. Don’t. Mess. With. My. Hat.” He accentuated every word with a jab of his finger towards her chest

Adalinde glanced at the Kel Dor stomping towards her, the woman’s eyes narrowing as she evaluated the potential threat. She could feel the anger radiating from him like a familiar blanket. It was warm. Cozy, even. And then he was in her face, and the Inquisitor was glaring up at his goggle-covered eyes.

At first, her rage flared to match his, clawing to be released. Ada contained it, however. Her eyes flit around trying to figure out the cause before finally understanding what had happened.

Oops.

So, she wasn’t going to react. What would be the point? Then TuQ kept talking. Why did he have to keep talking? Hell, Adalinde was even going to offer an apology for her transgression. Backwater, though? Backwater?! How dare he?

“If you ‘ad 'alf a brain, you might see zat it wasn’t intentional,” she spat back at him. Ada straightened her spine as much as she could and raised her chin, all while refusing to go onto her tip-toes but still trying to get as in Tuq’s face as possible. “Zere is no excuse for you.”

At this point, there was a pale fire lit within Adalinde’s icey eyes. The tight, scarred skin marring the right side of her face made her glower all the more potent. After narrowing even more, the two orbs shifted towards the hat itself. “To you, 'at, I apologize. I am sorry you 'ave to rest upon ze 'ead of an uncultured, nerf'erding, witless bore zat traded 'is intellect for zermal detonators and wasn’t even left enough to blow 'is own nose wiz.”

This time she did go up onto her toes, which caused her nose to butt against Tuq’s mask.

The tension was palpable. Not a soul dared move as the two stood nose to mask. Ada’s icy blue eyes bore straight past TuQ’s goggles, he nearly had to cross his eyes to keep her in focus.

“You look like you have some experience with thermal detonators, my lady. Maybe this time you won’t be so lucky.” He pressed his mask tighter against Ada’s pale nose attempting to get her to back down, she wouldn’t. “Are you even able to sit down with that pompous, aristocratic pole shoved so far up your a…”

He caught himself, the gathering crowd was beginning to part allowing security droids through to break up the argument before it went too far. TuQ felt his hat crumpling between his and Ada’s bodies and his weariness and exhaustion finally took hold. His shoulders began to shake and despite his best efforts, he could not hold it back. A deep rumbling laughter erupted from his mouth and he took a step back.

What was he doing? This was neither the time, nor the place, nor the person…nor the reason (though that last part was admitted reluctantly) to start a fight like this.

“You know, despite the attitude, I kind of like you.” He clapped Ada on the shoulder. “Plus, you respect the hat, and that’s a plus in my books.”

TuQ turned to leave before he could get into trouble with security, all the while still choking back laughter.

Siv stared at Ruka for a moment, sanguine eyes intently watching as he spoke. As always, he was so kind so her. Firm, but kind. The Chiss took a deep breath, closing her eyes, then nodded. “Okay.”

It was clear where Noga and Leda had gotten their kindness and understanding mindset. He had raised them well.

Opening her eyes again, her excitement seemed renewed. She smoothed some non-existent wrinkles from her top and smiled sincerely at her Proconsul. It helped knowing he was anxious too.

“I’m okay. I can do this,” she assured Ruka, “Lets go rejoin the others.”

Their evening in after the initial directing around and touring of the place – because there was just so much to tour, hours gone to just listing what was there, nevermind studying – was quiet. Ruka ended the night with a comm home, checking in on the Clan and most importantly taking the time to say goodnight to Cora and the kids, even though it was midday on Selen. He passed their well wishes on to Sivall, and had settled in to meditate overnight.

Come dawn, the Mirialan rose for some exercises and washing up, then after a few quiet words to Sivall went ahead to the building’s mess area, assured she’d be down when she was ready. He was slightly surprised by the relative lack of people, though he recalled sensing them moving about in the smallest hours of the morning. A researcher’s life, perhaps.

Grabbing a tray with thanks, he settled down facing the doorway, so he’d see his Chiss companion whenever she came in.

Adalinde’s evening had been…unproductive. She was on edge and hadn’t been able to scratch her particular itches. Being behaved was cumbersome at best, but she had committed to Thane as much. That was her mistake.

The woman sauntered into the mess hall closest to her assigned apartment—if you could call it that—in a state of questionable awareness. Her crimson hair defied gravity as it stuck out in various new and interesting directions and her eyes hung half-lidded. Ada’s crop top became her main attire with her leather jacket slung lazily over her shoulder.

Somehow, she found her way to the buffet. It was only an act of God that kept her from faceplanting into the breathguard above the serving trays.

When Aru woke up, Alana was already dressing up. Putting on a more casual attire than yesterday, she leaned in on the bed and kissed him.

“Good morning sleepyhead.” She said. “You and Plee are quite a pair when it comes to sleeping.” She laughed.

Aru turned his head to find his Porg all tuckered on his hair, arranged like a makeshift nest.

“Did you sleep well?” the Human asked. “I know you don’t like new beds.”

The Hapan woman sat by the dressing table and Bob, her KX-series Security Droid, began combing her hair and braiding it while she did her makeup. “It’s been a while since we’ve slept together, so that gave me comfort.” she told him.

“That’s sweet.”

Tinker, Aru’s R2 unit approached the bed and a small slot on its body opened up, revealing a freshly brewed cup of caf, just how the Arconan liked it. He drank it and got up, looking out the window.

“What’s your plan for today?”

“I’m gonna have these texts translated,” she explained, “and then I’ll study them. After lunch, if the translation goes well, I’ll be planning my next trip.”

When Bob was done with his work, the woman got up and handed Aru his robes, hugging him in the process. “What about you, love?”

“I guess I’ll take Kaka for a walk and then help you prepare for your trip. Maybe see if someone around wants to play a few rounds of Sabac.”

Alana noticed the discomfort in her man’s words. “You seem down. What’s wrong?”

“It’s just,” he hesitated, “you only just returned and you’re going away already…”

“You’re gonna miss me?” she teased.

“Of course! You are my home.”

She took his hand and placed it on her chest, where her heart was. “And you’re mine. But you know the importance of my work. I love what I do.”

“Just be quick then. I miss you already.”

“Of course, honey. I can’t wait to be back in your arms.” they embraced. “Shall we go down for breakfast? I’m starving.”

Aru nodded and they left the room.

Sivall didn’t sleep much, she never did. She had spent a majority of the night studying a book on communicable diseases, curled up in the bed with the blankets wrapped around her. What sleep she did get was disjointed and unrestful. Then, before she knew, it the sun was up and she was awake.

The Chiss began her morning routine; meditation, then a shower, then her hair and clothes. Ruka had checked in on her at some point and she had assured him she would join him shortly in the mess hall. She never was one to eat breakfast as it was something she grew up without, but she definitely needed something caffeinated to get her through the day. Siv took one last look at herself in the mirror, smoothing invisible wrinkles. She was dressed down— at least as dressed down as Sivall got. She wore a soft, oversized knit beige turtleneck sweater with similarly colored semi-formal slacks, white heels, and pearl earrings. Today her hair was down in shoulder-length raven waves instead of her normal updo. Appeased with hear appearance, Siv left and made her way to the mess hall.

It was easy to find Ruka once she was there. She made her way to the beverage area nearby and made herself the strongest cup of coffee possible— tested by taste and followed with a face scrunch of disgust —before she sat beside her Mirialan companion.

She detested coffee, but the amount of tea she would have to drink versus the number of espresso shots was a clear indicator of what she would be drinking today. Still, she grumbled mentally about how nasty it was. She took another sip once seated, her indigo lips twitching slightly in disgust, then offered a soft but exhausted smile to her Proconsul. “Good morning.”

Nathan had had it relatively easy the previous night. Tired by the travel, the tour was quiet enough and he had basically just listed things for a few hours before getting people situated in various dorms. Including himself, and while he slept well enough Nathan still felt tired. With the tour handled, maybe thered be less required of him when it came to being at the front of things.

He entered the mess hall dressed the same as the previous day, in the more formal clothes of a Praetor, crossing the room for some toast and citrus juice. At the counter, a woman was staring intensely at the food kept warm upon it.

He worked around her awkwardly, getting his fill before pausing, looking at the barely conscious one and asking cautiously, “Are you.. okay?”

“‘o would be okay sleeping on a bed made of rocks?” Adalinde managed to hiss out through fits of drowsiness. She willed her eyes open, leaving them wider than she perhaps should, and worked some eggs and whatever meat protein they had shipped in for today onto a tray.

Naturally, the elitist woman didn’t have high praise for the accommodations.

“Zere is caf, yes?” Ada inquired with a tinge of hope in her voice.

“Svijetuenand,” Ruka replied automatically, half into his own cup of caf. It got another dose of the weak hot sauce on offer from the bottle he’d brought over with food and another sip as he repeated, smiling back at the Chiss, “Good morning, Sivall.”

Amethyst eyes missed absolutely nothing, noting her disgust, the tiredness, but the put together appearance. He very firmly elected not to say anything about her looking tired, instead offering, “Nice outfit. Pretty sure Cor would love it. Say you look powerful or something good like that.”

Watching the others who arrived in various states of zombiehood and dress, he debated calling Karran over, and then decided to stop debating it.

“Oi, arrarmio,” he began, and then in his slow, clumsy Zabraki, “join… us.”

“Uh, usually you have to request that..” Nathan frowned, recalling one historic instance and then internally shaking it off. Not the time.

Not a caffiene drinker himself, the Human/Pantoran glanced around the room before answering, relieved to know there in fact was a way to revive her. He pointed as he spoke, “Just over there.”

Karran smiled and stood to transfer his breakfast to their table.

The sun finds you well, brother.“

As he settled, he saw that both of them seemed to be finding the morning more difficult than he had.

"Or perhaps not so well.”

He quickly went to work unpacking his caf kit, began brewing something much stronger than the stuff available here, and slid a bottle of homemade hot sauce across the table to the Mirialan.

“Tatooine reaper.” was all he said

“Well enough…ooo ay, yes,” Ruka said, a happy noise at the bottle, grabbing it eagerly. The Mirialan proceeded to pour some straight onto a spoon from his tray and stick it in his mouth like some would soup or ice cream. “Mjierda. Vagraci. This stuff was like warm water.”

Bril had always been a morning person. His father, Qeta, had taught him the value of starting one’s day off early, and that wisdom had stuck with him since the day he got to watch his first Iridonian sunrise. The night before had gone by well enough. He’d spent most of his time engaging in light meditation before he retired for the evening. The trip to Arx had been a long one, so it hadn’t taken him long to fall into a deep slumber. A chance meeting with a zabrak of like mind seemingly had conjured up sentimental feelings within him, because his restful psyche was visited by images of his family’s Iridonian homestead, of his mother and father, and of his siblings. It hadn’t been that long since he’d seen them but the vastness of the distance between them felt more real to Bril, now, then it ever had.

Make sure you call them today, he thought to himself as he rounded the corner leading to the cafeteria. Giving a subtle nod to the various faces he’d come to know the day before, he grabbed a tray and headed straight to the table where Karran, Ruka, and Sivall were sitting.

The smell of a caf kit at work brought a smile to the young man’s face, and he leaned over to see what Karran was brewing. “That smells like home,” he beamed, “You all are in for a treat.”

The Sith nodded at the appearance.

“Excellent timing. I believe I will have just enough for four cups.”

He poured the caf, saving his own cup for last, then pulled out a small pouch and produced a piece of dehydrated root, pinched off a piece, and ground it to dust in his palm. It smelled slightly of cinnamon. He portioned it out to the various cups.

“It cuts the bitterness a bit, also adds some extra energy kick.” He paused for a moment, looked at Ruka, then added, “Completely natural and non-addictive.”

Just before he was about to distribute the cups he took another look at Siv and gave hers another pinch.

“Good morning, Bril Teg Agra” Ruka greeted, again in plodding Zabraki made unmelodious by his own heavier Mirialan accent, dipping his head down enough to show the top even though there weren’t horns there. To Karran, he merely gave a half-hearted scowl as he looked back up. “Sera gave me some when we visited the tribe. Said the same thing, more or less.”

Nonetheless, Ruka took the cup with a thanks in toast, sipped it, poured a large dollop of the hot sauce in, and then tried again. His groan was soft.

“Sera took you home? How is Nitha?”

Karran didn’t feel like he deserved to know, necessarily. He had been absent and out of the loop for a long while, but he did feel left out.

It was at this moment he realized that though he had been absent and reclusive, Ruka had not reached out to him since the events of Tatooine.

The Mirialan’s smile turned almost embarrassed then, shy, but his tone was reverent and soft, “She did, ay. Introduce me the right way after,” he waved a hand. “Nitha is amazing. Terrifying as my aquayla. I love her. Was really honored to meet her. I still don’t really feel the whole tribe thing, dunno if I ever will…but it means a lot, to see your people.”

He trailed off, clearly beginning to feel awkward, and a weight of regret as his throat closed. To be speaking of Sera’s famous nitha and tribe Lod when he hadn’t even had much chance to meet the senior Kar since they’d helped free him…he didn’t even know where the man was now.

That was wrong.

“How’s your dad, arrarmio?”

Karran was snapped from the dark rabbit hole of thought by the question.

“He is well. He has been spending most of his time at the old Tusken camp we reconnected at, but occasionally visits. I have been trying to convince him to move to Selen or even return to Iridonia, but he is a stubborn old hornhead bastard.”

Karran sipped his caf quietly, but he barely tasted it as the intrusive thoughts returned to his mind.

Ruka snorted. “My grandparents would never leave Mirial either. Not sure I’d want to bring them here though. Enough stress having the kids on a planet that gets targeted by the Collective and the Children”

His face and tone both soured, and he shook his head, flicking fingers over their cups like dispelling bad spirits.

“Ay, not right now with that though. Maybe next time you guys visit…we can do something? The family. He can meet everyone, we can have dinner. Or I could just say hi if that’d be too much bother for him.”

“Perhaps.” Karran smiled as he straightened up.

Don’t let Ruka think you’re falling. Don’t disappoint him.

He had to think quickly to change the subject.

“That does remind me, I need to return to Iridonia. Perhaps I will visit my own tribe while there.”

He cringed internally. Sera’s father was leading Kell. He had taken the seat as the most rightful candidate. That would likely be unpleasant if he returned out of the blue.

“Good morning to you, as well,” Bril responded in Zabraki, mirroring Ruka’s use of the same greeting he’d used the day before. Ruka making an effort to speak to him in his native tongue inspired him to do the same; his own attempt to speak in Mirialan wasn’t nearly as fluid as his counterpart, but he managed toutter a “thank you” without mispronouncing too many syllables. He rubbed the back of his neck with a forced chuckle before taking a sip of caf. He closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat while savoring its taste. It wouldn’t be long before it cleared away any mental fog that lingered in his mind.

As Karran and Ruka spoke, he tried his best not to pay undue attention to their conversation. It didn’t seem like his place to do so. The mention of both the Collective and the Children of Mortis caught his attention. He’d hadn’t read a lot about them, but he knew enough to know that Ruka’s gesture was certainly called for. Many back home considered the mere mention of one’s enemies at the same table at which they ate to be a bad omen. Bril couldn’t say they were wrong.

Changing the subject of his thoughts, he directed his attention to Karran again. “Has it been a while since you’ve last visited?” he inquired, referencing his mention of returning to Iridonia.

“Iridonia? Not particularly. My clan?”

He hesitated. He did not speak for a long time.

“Never.”

It was not as if he knew nothing of them. He simply had never had the courage to face his father’s shame.

“I need to. I know. But there are many complications.”

Ruka’s face pulled into a frown over his cup, his brows furrowing. He set the drink down, hesitated too, and then reached across the table to grip at the Zabrak’s flesh wrist.

“You don’t gotta do none of it alone, ay. If it’s complicated– I mean, we’ll help. Even just being there. If you want us.”

Bril looked Karran over for a moment and nodded in agreement with Ruka, “He’s right, nuin. I don’t know your history but if you’re wanting to connect with your clan, then I’ll help you.”

That would give him a chance to see his parents, as well.

The sky-skinned chiss was quiet, observing as she always did. Sanguine eyes trailed back and forth from each member of their little group as she happily sipped on the cup of caf that Karran had handed her. While just as strong, if not stronger, as what she had been drinking previously it definitely tasted better. She made a note to ask the mountain of a Zabrak for the secret to his delicious concoction at a later time… And to ask Ruka if adding hot sauce to caf made it any better.

She of course didn’t know. She had eaten carefully crafted dishes most of her life, which were sadly mostly plain.

The shared culture between the other three in her group pulled at her heartstrings. She had never felt connected to her people, never felt connected to her culture. Every time she spoke Cheunh, she felt like a fraud. She had been raised as if she was human, and she almost felt it too, but at the same time she didn’t. An outsider who didn’t really fit into any group or race. She longed to have that kind of connection; a shared history, a shared culture, a shared bloodline.

Nothing about the group missed Siv’s tired gaze. She could not only see Karran’s turmoil in the way he held himself or the look in the eyes, but she could feel it. Feel the sorrow just underneath the surface. Something deep in her heart pleaded for her to help, to say something, to heal the hurt. Her brain recited all the steps she had read in books, all the lectures she had watched curled up in her tiny part of the Arconian ship that brought her to Selen.

Smiling softly, trying her best to radiate calm in her tired state, she placed her gifted cup of caf gently on the table. “I, too, would like to help if that’s alright with you.” Her voice was soft, understanding, sympathetic, “I also have a place I feel that I cannot return to, but need to. If I can help anyone else heal that kind of wound, I would do so in a heartbeat.”

And it was true. She had nightmares often about returning to Coruscant, about returning to the planet of cities that had been her prison for most of her life. She had thought over and over in her mind what she would say and do, how she would confront Connor and Ju'lia for all of the suffering they put her through. Yet the sheer thought of doing so quickened her pulse and froze her blood.

She might never return.

Siv’s sanguine gaze distanced for a moment– visions of freezing naked in the basement, of burying Fia, of needing to cry but being unable, of a switch across her knuckles when she’d fall asleep reading Sith tomes flashing in her mind. The Chiss took a deep breath, her hands gripping the cup in her grasp, and dragged herself back to the present and out of her past. Yes, if anyone understood needing to return ‘home’ but being unable to, it was Sivall.

The aristocrat turned not just her head but her whole body towards the direction Nathan had pointed. “Ah, zank ‘eavens!”

A sudden burst of energy surged through the heavily tattooed woman, leading to her spinning about on one heel and nearly falling into Nathan. Adalinde stabilized herself with a quick grab of Nathan’s face—the poor sod—and gave him two quick kisses. Her sanguine lips fell upon each cheek before she practically shoved him away from her. Rapid footfalls brought her to the caf dispenser, nearly at the cost of her existing food tray.

In fact, the Grand Inquisitor managed to bully her way past multiple academics that had woken recently and held a youthful hope. That hope was one of caffeinated dirty bean water and perchance be alone with their thoughts. The smallest moment of quietude.

Nope.

They got the red-headed breakfast demon.

Adalinde practically collapsed into a chair with her cup of caf firmly pressed to her lips, showing no reaction as the steam stung her glassy eyes.

Of all the sentiments that had been shared, it was Sivall’s that touched his heart the most.

Of course, none of the present company owed him anything. But she was an absolute stranger; she knew nothing of him, and yet still wanted to help.

“Thank you, all of you. I appreciate each of you.”

His gaze, one good eye, golden brown, soft, and kind, the other clouded white with cataracts, leaving him half blind, fell on the Chiss as he spoke.

“What does everyone plan to do with their day?”

Please ancestors, anything to take attention off of me.

Violet eyes turned to Sivall with a look that brimmed with concern and sympathy and the need to move mountains if it would offer even the smallest bit of comfort. Ruka didn’t know what to do for her, every time her gaze drifted off, every time she fiddled with her sleeve or picked at a nail, got too quiet. The kind of quiet that came from fear of being noticed. The way she started and stopped and hesitated when she talked, always offering anything carefully as though not used to being heard at all, or being yelled at when she spoke.

It made all his parental instincts and all the brotherly ones too get up and start shouting. But he wouldn’t push. That wouldn’t be right either. And he’d strained enough relationships caring too much.

So he saved offering the same help to her for later, and caught the line Karran was throwing out, practically tasting the anxiety of being in the spotlight bleeding through their bond from his apprentice.

“Sivall’s a medic, so we might go tour the medical wings, or dig up some of the tomes about bio-engineering,” the way he said the word was like it had too many syllables to fit in his mouth, and he felt like it did. Nevermind that a lot of Mirialan words were longer and more complex. They weren’t words that meant incredibly complicated scientific stuff so beyond his league it was like trying to plan a hyperspace jump by looking up at the constellations from the ground through a foggy window. He propped his hand on his chin, side-eyeing the entrance and speaking more lowly. “Honestly, ay, I’m scared what we’ll find it we go looking. You know the kinda kriff they get up to.” This sentiment was more directed at Karran, given he wasn’t one of the newlings.

With her turning away, Nathan hadn’t expected her to do anything but beeline for the caffiene.

So he was even more shocked than he would have been anyway when she pulled him down by the face to kiss his cheeks. The trio of golden crescents upon them squished momentarily by the firm grip. By the time it processed enough for his eyes to widen and confused garble to escape him, Adalinde was already plowing past the group chittering by the coffee and conquering it for herself.

The Praetor stood there, blue cheeks turned lavender and eyes wide with shock.

What even- why- who?!

Aru Law and Alana came down to the room everyone was gathered. The Hapan woman was starving, and went straight to the tables to serve herself some high protein breakfast.

The Human meanwhile, pondering on his great ideas, as usual, sneakily made his way to Ruka.

“Kaka, I had an epiphany last night.” he said. “One that will make us closer.”

He waited to be acknowledged by the Mirialan before proceeding.

Ruka’s eyes closed as if with pain or penitent prayer for patience, the divot between his brows deep. his hands knitted together as he pressed both thumbs to either side of the bridge of his nose, just into the very outer edge of his orbital sockets, below the brow, and inhaled.

When he spoke, his tone was even; it didn’t make it to polite, despite the deliciousness of properly spiced caf and hot sauce combination, and despite Sivall’s presence. But because of her presence, he did manage even, and didn’t simply say no outright like he should have.

“What, Law.”

“I’m glad you asked!” Aru was overly excited.

He pulled out his datapad and opened up a holovid which he showed Ruka.

“So, I read about this on the archives, and apparently there’s an ancient culture where two male specimens can get closer by taking a bath together!”

The holovid depicted two humanoid figures in the nude, scrubbing each others backs with sponges inside a hot and steaming pond-like feature.

“You see?” he asked Ruka. “I already asked and there’s a place in Selen where they have these sorta baths!”

Law then nudged the Mirialan, waiting for his reaction.

“What do you say? Huh?”

Said Mirialan blinked once. Twice. His eye twitched, and his face screwed up like he might sneeze.

Or just scream, it could be screaming.

As it was, he took three deep breaths, inhaling hard on each and exhaling through his nose. His still-steepled hands lowered.

“No.”

Karran could not resist an interjection.

“What Mr. Law here is suggesting is not wildly out of the ordinary. Communal bathing, when non-acidic hot springs can be found, is common on Iridonia. It is a great bonding activity.”

Sivall couldn’t help, her curiosity got the best of her. She leaned in slightly to see the holovid, one eyebrow cocked up in confusion. Karran’s contribution to the conversation confused her even further. Was this truly so common?

All she could manage was a “huh” before she settled back in her seat, sipping her caf. While it didnt seem like something Ruka would EVER do, she would still slot it in her memory for others down the line.

She wondered what Alex’s comment would be.

“I am aware,” Ruka said, with his eyes still closed. Do not, he told himself, lose your temper. Do not. At least it was some old depiction, and not literal actual porn playing at breakfast. Given it was Aru, this could be worse. Think happy thoughts. He pictured Leda, barely three years old, telling him about owls in her dreams. Noga saying ‘hey’ in Basic nonstop for two weeks when he first learned it. Cora pouting.

Cute, happy thoughts. Happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts.

“There’s nothing wrong with that. I’m sure it’s great, especially for your people. Cor and people do similar things plenty, saunas and spas, all that stuff. Just not for me.”

Sivall’s quiet huh made him open his eyes to glance over, noting some confusion. He worried he sounded dismissive of the Iridonians, or judgey. It pressed him to try to awkwardly explain without actually getting into The Law Problem.

“I don’t really want to bathe with anybody but my husband, and I’m not really comfortable showing all that skin. I know scars mean a lot to some people, but I’m not big on mine.”

And there he still sounded like an asshole. Making it about him. Comparing. Goddammit.

“But– thanks,” he grit his teeth, “Aru, for the thought.”

Happier than ever for the unexpected, yet more than welcome, niceness of Ruka, Aru nodded with a smile and pointed finger guns at the Mirialan.

“Anytime Kaka. You know how to find me.”

He then turned towards Karran and whispered “Thanks for having my back mate.”

Lifting his voice again, he said “Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a pretty Hapan over there which I must assist with some tasks. Have a great morning!”

Ruka seemed to be in a stunned state that Aru actually just left. He said no, and for once, the damn Human actually took said no as a no and left him alone.

He stared as if witnessing a minor miracle, then whispered a prayer in Mirialan and buried his shriek of repressed stress into his caf cup. It bubbled.

When he came back up from his sip, the Mirialan asked, “Speaking of Zabrak traditions… Though this is more a Karition…*Bril, did Karran get you to fight him yet?” He arched a thick, broken brow, eyeing his apprentice and then pointedly eyeing his chrono. “You’re coming up on eighteen hours here, *arrarmio. Few more and I’ll have to start asking who you are and what you’ve done with my Karran.”

A quiet storm of emotions swept through their table. He didn’t need to be a force user to sense that, but his sensitivity in the force made the heavy mood even more palpable. He took a deep breath to steady himself, accepting the moment for what it was instead of closing himself off to everything he felt. What followed was an aura of calm that allowed him to more easily sit with what he was feeling. He hoped that it would touch his new friends and allow them to do the same. Recognizing that Karran’s desire to change the subject of discussion, Bril obliged, “I’d like to peruse the Academy’s collection of books pertaining to different philosophies of the Force. You can never learn too much about that topic.”

When Aru and Alana arrived, and the former began showing Ruka a holovid of two people bathing with one another, Bril had to cover his mouth with his hand to stifle a chuckle upon noticing Ruka’s reaction. The poor man looked like he’d been stung by a wasp-worm. He collected himself enough to nod in agreement with Karran’s point. “That’s correct,” he concurred, “Several communal activities are common amongst our people, with tribes often acting as an extension of the typically smaller family structure common amongst other cultures. Tribal people often live harsh, dangerous lives; so, communal child rearing is the norm. And that’s a lot easier to do if you are familiar with whose helping raise your young.”

“But this isn’t for everyone, of course.”

Once Aru took his leave, Bril finished the last of his caf while trying to come up with words to best describe that sequence of events. “Well, he’s an … interesting character, isn’t he?”

“We haven’t had a chance to cross blades just yet, though I’m sure we will eventually,” he said, shaking his head. “Though, I’m not sure the big guy will be able to keep up.” His lips stretched into a toothy grin as he looked at the Mirialan sitting across from him. Perhaps as central to the culture of Iridonian Zabraks as combat was their love of banter. They were a confident people, and many who weren’t familiar with their customs mistook that confidence as arrogance, but their inclination toward playful banter was often used as a way to keep one member of the tribe from thinking himself more important than the rest. It kept them in check. It also just made competition between them more exciting.

Titius strode into the refectory. Well, he assumed it was a refectory, judging by the amount of food present and the pervading scent of caf. His eyes widened as he took in the smell. caf…I need caf

A loud ruckus began at the entry to the hall as a human in a tight jumpsuit hammered over to the caf station and proceeded to guzzle an entire pot, pause and then scream as the heat registered on his face.

Ruka refrained from commenting on Aru’s character, because he didn’t have anything nice to say and was still deciding whether or not to warn Sivall away from him privately. Instead, he just served a brow at Bril’s taunting, shaking his head slightly.

“You’d best not underestimate anyone you meet, Bril. Especially in the Brotherhood, but in general too,” he began, only to be cut off by some guy wandering in and just dumping steaming a caf pot onto his face. The Mirialan swore as he leapt out of his seat, half shouting something to the effect of “what are you doing?!” but more focused on summoning a water pitcher to one hand not unlike a parent running to a child who’d touched the stove. “Hey, hey, calm down, here, c'mon, cold water, cold water, we’ll grab a healer…”

Gathering himself, Titius grabbed a more reasonable serving of caf, muttering his apologies and took a secluded spot at the end of a bench. Stretching his arms above his head, he adjusted his tunic sleeves, grunted and pulled out his data pad.

Despite causing such a commotion and alarming a nearby Mirialan, he seemed to be completely unfazed by his brazen act mere seconds before.

The Human just…wandered away. Typing on a datapad. When his face was splotchy with burns. Ruka wondered for a moment if he was seeing things. Or if it was synthflesh without nerve sensors. Or. Being high as hell on stims? Something?

Him overreacting and overbearing, as always, probably.

“Or…not…” he muttered, just lost. Still. It’d do to check before he made the blisteringly awkward retreat back to the table he’d just abandoned like there was an emergency. “Uh, are you okay?”

The human flinched. “Im…fine? I think? I just got off a base class fare from…” trailing off, the Human fixated on the contents of his data pad awkwardly. He had said too much He almost seemed almost intimidated by the attention. “Sorry for disturbing your meal”, he said quietly.

He waved his hand to dismiss Ruka’s concerns. “Don’t worry,” he assured him, “I’ve been in enough fights to know that you can’t count anyone out. I have no doubts that he’s powerful. I just believe in my own skills.”

Bril hadn’t noticed the new arrival at first but the man commanded the attention of everyone gathered in the cafeteria when he started shouting. This earned a frown from the young Zabrak, who sent a cutting glare toward the human man.

“Try to keep it down, okay? It’s a little too early in the morning for that much excitement.”

The flinch drew a frown from Ruka, who eyed the Human up and down, straightening up slightly, protective instincts pinging and embarrassment evaporated. A glare met Bril’s before he turned back. He softened his tone when he replied, “It’s okay, ay, don’t gotta apologize. Just got out of class now, huh? I know how tough overnights are. Used to work three jobs, including nights. Make sure you eat something too with your caf, yeah?” He slowly pointed over his shoulder. “We’re all eating over here if you want company, kay?”

“Class?…” the Human looked up, glassy eyed. The caf had evidently not hit his brain yet. Reaching to the side of his head, he produced a faint tone from his… space where most humans had ears. Blinking, his head tilted to properly address the Mirialan. “I do apologize, I sometimes forget to turn my implants on. Could you repeat that?”

“I was asking if you were okay, and saying you don’t gotta apologize for yelling when you burn yourself. No worries,” Ruka repeated, more or less. He reached up and tapped the ear nub on his left side in indication. “And that I get being tired from working overnight. You’re welcome to join me and us if you want while you eat,” he hinted, hoping the assumption of food would mean the dazed kid got some.

“I think that is a good idea actually. My thanks.” He stood and pivoted from the bench. As he moved, Ruka noticed a cold, almost droid like gait from the human. The attire seemed out of place as well, compared to the rest of the students in the hall.

“Greetings, fellow students. I am Titius.” A grin bloomed across his face. “Your classmate invited me over. May I join you?”

Ruka felt a chill watching the man walk by. His movements were too reminiscent of some of the cyborg marines that he and so many others had fought in their first war. That had done–

Light in slashes. Red. Klaxons. Smeared on the floors. Burning. Screaming. Void.

The Mirialan shook himself, jolting back to the present with a knot right in his throat. He willed his body to relax, the Force moving through him where he was weak, and briskly strode back to the table to retake his seat beside Sivall before this Titus could get anywhere near her.

“Ill take your lack of protest as permission then.” Titius unholstered his datapad and a pistol from his hip. Setting both on the table, he sat and took a tentative sip of caf.

Bril shifted his gaze to Ruka with the hopes of getting a read on how he felt about this new person, but he didn’t take his eyes off the human for long. Something seemed off about the man, but he couldn’t quite place it. One thing that did strike him as odd was that he wore attire markedly different than the robes he saw other Academy students wearing. Though, the same could be said for himself. Who was this guy? And what was with that previous outburst of his?

“What’s your name, friend?” he asked, noting the blaster he placed on the table. Bril slipped one hand underneath the table and placed it on his knee, not too far from where his saber secured on his hip.

Ruka’s face twitched.

“Ay, no weapons on the table,” he said in a tone that was definitely that of a Dad. It was pointless to forbid them at the table; everyone practically carried an armory around on them in the Brotherhood. Most people were weapons. “Put it away or you’ll have to sit by yourself.”

A loud thump woke TuQ from his uncomfortable slumber. He had fallen asleep on the couch of his apartment while digging through logs on his datapad which now lay face down on the ground. Some sleep was better than none he suspected. With a groan he stood up and stretched. Maybe he should take the day off and rest his mind, he had really only seen his rooms and the hallways on the way too and from the library. Selika didn’t need to know if he rested for one day.

It was decided then, he had no plan other than to rest himself a bit. But first, he needed to find some caf. He couldn’t drink it, of course, the anti-ox made sure of that. But the smell of caf had a way of clearing his head and shaking the proverbial cobwebs loose.

TuQ found his way down to the central eating area already bustling with activity and quickly poured himself a tall cup of caf and inhaled the aroma. Letting out a deep sigh he turned and saw the red headed woman he had confronted the day before. His crimson cheeks deepened in their colour as a wave of embarrassment washed over him. He really had made a fool of himself hadn’t he. TuQ grabbed a cookie from the buffet and made his way over to her.

“Uh, look, I’m sorry about the way I acted yesterday.” His gaze dropped to the ground. “So, I got you this, a peace offering.”

His hand shot out, to offer Ada the cookie.

Sivall visibly stiffened at the sound of a scream, and she was about to jump into action but Ruka had beat her to it. The following moments were some of the most unsettling moments she had had so far while being in the brotherhood. The medic settled back into her seat, having been in a state of half-standing up, but her muscles were still tense. Something was… off. And something inside her made her believe that the placement of the pistol on top of the table was a purposeful intimidation.

Or maybe she was being paranoid.

Then again, she wasn’t the only one seemingly set off by the human. Her eyes flicked to Ruka, quickly assessing the Mirialan’s expression and body language as he returned to her side. The Chiss moved closer to him, despite wanting to give the new guy the benefit of the doubt, the way he presented himself reminded her of Ju'lia.

She forced a smile to her face and gave the human a simple nod. She knew she was safe with Ruka here, and she wouldn’t be rude to Titus just because he was… odd. Still, she couldn’t help the uneasy feeling that settled into her bones.

Karran’s nostrils flared at the sight of the weapon. He recognized it, of course. Standard issue across the Brotherhood.

“I must agree with my friend here. Sitting at a peaceful table with a drawn weapon is poor manners. I do not know you, therefore i cannot trust you. Holster it, or be removed.”

He leaned his left forearm on the table as his right hand rested in the holster that held his lightsaber. His head leaned forward, eyes unblinking, in what was known on Iridonia as the ‘Gaze of Koo'brik’.

“Ah, yes, bad habits.” Titius slipped the pistol haphazardly into his left boot.

“Unfortunately, with a master like mine, you tend to be a little numb to social norms. Anyways, what brought you all to the Academy? Im here for medical studies!” Titius excitedly starts rambling on while gesturing to notes on his datapad.

Nathan approached the table and sat at the end of it. The drawn gun wasn’t something he could do anything about, but the Praetor could always pass on a message further up.

If he survived whatever encounter would require such a thing?

Maybe he was overthinking.

The Pantoran hybrid started on his own breakfast, observing.

“We’re touring in general,” Ruka offered up, glancing to Sivall, and then nodded to the Pantoran that joined them. “Morning, Br– Nathan.”

Or should he go with Praetor, here? More formal, not less? Ugh.

The woman barely moved the cup of caf from her lips, opting to cast an icey side-eye towards TuQ and his subsequent offering. Adalinde allowed herself to take the time to swallow a long sip before tilting the cup away—just a tad.

“‘ardly an offering. Zese cookies could chip transparisteel,” the Grand Inquisitor stated, before finally acquiescing. “But, accepted.”

“Morning Ruka.” Nathan responded, unsure if he should use more formal.. form too but following Rukas lead on this one.

Karran looked to the Pantoran. He knew he was Arconan, but could not place him.

“Good morning, Nathan, was it? I do not believe we have met before.”

He offered his hand think a friendly greeting.

“Nathan, yes. I work on the Voidbreaker as well as here, so probably not.” Nathan was hesitant, but shook the hand with a polite smile.

“He’s one of our best in Engineering,” Ruka offered up. “But maybe took on after you resigned the captaincy.”

Removing his hand from his saber hilt after Titius acquiesced to the demands of his new friends. He offered a curt reply to the stranger’s question, “Knowledge.”

Then, he waved to the new arrival, the same Pantoran man he’d seen when he arrived the day before. “So, you are all a part of the same clan, then?” The question was far all of the gathered Arconan members who sat at their table.

TuQ lifted his gaze to meet Ada’s. The tension in his shoulders released like a heavy weight being lifted.

“I haven’t had any myself,” he chuckled half heartedly. “I’m sure if the Death Star had been made of these, the empire might still rule the galaxy.”

The Mirialan inclined his head, fanning his fingers from his caf cup to gesture at himself, Sivall, Karran, and Nathan. “Yeah, ay, so happens,” he said, and then, with a grimace, “Aru too. Didn’t all plan to visit the same day here, but yes, we’re all Arconan, to some extent.”

He debated a second longer, then decided it felt dishonest not to add, “I’m the current Proconsul, but I wasn’t a Clan member before that. I was Lotus. We worked within and around the Brotherhood.”

A look of surprise appeared on Bril’s face. Usually, he’d expected a Proconsul to have a more formal air about them, but Ruka had thus far shown himself to more laid back. “I’m the newest member of Plagueis. Haven’t had the chance to interact with many of them yet, though.

"Lotus is a name I’m not familiar with. What’s their story?”

A grimace passed over the Mirialan’s face at mention of that particular Clan, and he made a staying motion towards Karran as if to say, don’t. “Well, welcome to the Brotherhood, I suppose. As for the Lotus…”

Karran did his best to hide his internal reaction at the name Plagueis. He had heard of them, certainly, but had never been allowed to go after their more unsavory dealings for political reasons.

But he swallowed his distaste and continued where Ruka left off.

“Helping wherever we can. Spreading peace. Lifting up the downtrodden.” He paused and looked at Ruka before continuing. “Through a variety of methods.”

The last line was quieter, but audible.

“I work directly with a handler within Arcona, the nature of our system is sensitive, so I cannot reveal anymore.”

Finally, he pulled the wide strap of cloth that covered his right pectoral to reveal the Lotus tattoo that was framed by his Zabraki ink.

Ruka’s wary grimace took on a sad cast, disappointed, somewhat, but most of all was a flare of anger to those sensitive enough to feel it. He looked away from Karran, focusing back on Bril as he briefly mirrored the Zabrak in unzipping and shrugging off the shoulder of his hoodie, baring the same flower in bold black on his bicep above Mirialan geometries.

“They came about in a…hard time. It’s about doing what’s right. Regardless of the Clan or Brotherhood lines, order, power, division, any of it. Anyone in need…anyone, we’re there.”

“Zig hired me, so most likely yes.” Nathan nodded, then quieting as the conversation turned. He didn’t react to the name Plagueis, knowing the reputation but his work as Praetor left him with less room to judge based on any clan name.

Even if she wasn’t force sensitive, even if emotions didn’t sometimes drift across the force to her in sudden tidal waves, Siv would have been able to pick up the extreme distain from Ruka and Karran. The Chiss’s face gained a careful inquisitive look, looking between her clan mates with equal measure concern and interest. She ate up their description of the Lotus like it was a child’s fairytale, the two explaining exactly what it was she hoped to achieve while in the Brotherhood.

She put a pin in the idea to talk to Ruka about it some other time, and maybe Karran.

Finishing the last of the cup of caf handed to her by the larger Zabrak, Siv forced a half-hearted smile to her face. “In contrast to the other three of my Clan, I am no-one. A newer member of Arcona, if not one of the newest, hoping to help people where I can. No matter who they are.” And she left it at that, batting away old memories that drifted to the surface.

“You’re not no one,” Ruka was quick to interject, voice going soft again. “Arcona ain’t been saints either. This whole Brotherhood is – ay, not good. You are amazing, Siv. You’re the future that might actually be better.”

You are amazing, Siv. The Chiss woman felt a purple blush creep across her face. She looked away, unsure what to do with the compliment, but still smiling softly. That kind of praise coming from Ruka of all people…. She hoped to continue to do him proud. Even if, or more appropriately when, things got more difficult in the future.

“Nobody is no-one. A single thread in a tapestry may never see its purpose in the pattern of the grand design.”

Karran smiled at the small Chiss, “You simply have not seen the full extent of your role in the galaxy. But do not worry, you have plenty of time.”

The sudden change in atmosphere surrounding his section of the table was hard to miss. The contortion of Ruka’s face upon Bril’s mention of his affiliation, the extended hand toward his new Zabrak friend, and the sudden spike of anger that flashed across their recently established connection in the Force made it clear to the young Zabrak that he had unwittingly broached a difficult subject. Perhaps, he should have known better than to speak so freely amongst those he had to truly know. His eyes flicked from one Arconan to another, then to the insignia etched into Ruka and Karran’s skin. The latter’s description of their work brought a small smile to his face, but it didn’t last - not with the tense energy lingering in the air.

“That’s a noble goal, my friend. One that I would like to help achieve, if I’m able,” He had seen his fair share of injustice growing up, and he wanted to do his part in helping make the galaxy a little better for others in whatever way he could. “My grandfather, Paxa Brek, spent most of his life advocating for our people, especially for the tribes - who were often the targets of those who would seek to take advantage of them. He taught me the importance of helping those if you have the means to do so.” His gaze settled on Karran again as memories of their conversation about the Nightsisters returned to mind.

Then, he turned his attention to Sivall, and offered a short but hopefully impactful response: “It’s not our accomplishments that matters. It’s the quality of our character. That’s what Paxa Brek would say.”

“And I must say, if I have stirred up … troubling memories, by mentioning my clan affiliation, then I apologize. I wasn’t aware that you all had history with them.”

“It’s also reputation. Though, your clan has taken good moves recently in.. stopping certain practises.” Nathan spoke softly, feeling very out of place, but obligated to comment that much at least.

“Your aquaylo sounds like a good man,” Ruka commented, and tried to wave off the apology. “Ay, it’s not your fault, Bril. You don’t gotta apologize. Could have been any of us ended up there too.”

The Mirialan debated a second, then sighed, and thought best to rip off the bandage given the noticed tension. Nathan’s answer was good, but vague probably wasn’t going to help.

“Plagueis is…or was, until very recently,” he spoke stiffly, recalling whispers and rumors and then a lot of full blown propaganda coming along the news feeds from Aliso and declarations from their Consul on holo, “a slaving empire. We don’t have the best memories, no. But it’s not you. And it’s not every Plaguien. People don’t control where they born or grown. It’s about what they do when they know, and what they can do, even then, and if they change or not.”

His gaze drifted back to Karran and narrowed. Then back.

“Like I said. Arcona ain’t innocent either. The Brotherhood isn’t.” His tone was soft now, like Nathan’s, but with a certain trepidation of speaking dangerous things. He’d met the Brotherhood in a time when the things he said next would’ve been worth execution, for all of them. “Neither of you have come to a good place. But we can make good of it. Try to make it better. Help where we can, and use our powers and resources for that. It’s… complicated.”

A brief snort came from Titius overhearing the conversation. He looked quickly down at his datapad and assumed a neutral expression.

Stopping certain practices? Well, that was vague. What the kriff had Plagueis done that made everyone react like this? “Sounds ominous.”

“Is something funny, friend?”

Karran turned to stare with one good eye at the human. His fingers brushes the lightsber in its holster.

He was beginning to regret coming here. Perhaps he was better off as a hermit in the woods on Selen.

“Hmm? Oh, sorry, I just found it humorous all this rumination on philosophy and the place in the grand scheme” Titius couldn’t resist a tone of sarcasm ensnaring his words. “I suppose we are in the right place for it, being an Academy and all”

Looking dead eyed at Karran, he casually intoned “Get your digits off your sword if its not too much trouble. No sense in starting a fire here.” He finished his cup of caf.

“Shall I grab a pot for the table?”

Bril nodded, “He was a great man. I was fortunate to have known him, and I will continue to follow the example he set just as my father has.” He could only hope that, should he decide to sire children of his own one day, that he would leave the same impression on them.

When Ruka elaborated on Nathan’s words, he had to ask him again to make sure he was hearing correctly. “A slaving empire? That’s the lot I’ve been thrown in with?” No wonder they reacted the way they did when he mentioned them. Images of a certain Togruta woman who had mentored him in his youth and introduced him to the Brotherhood came to mind. Funny. She had failed to mention Plagueis’ troubled past when she advocated for his acceptance in their ranks. He suspected that was intentional, and that didn’t surprise him. Be that as it may, he’d have words with her later about her deception. With his thoughts thoroughly fixed on his mentor, Bril hadn’t noticed the anger that swelled within him, but those sensitive to the Force around him surely would have. He didn’t become aware of it until a loud crunch caught his attention; when he looked down, he realized that he’d crushed the small cup that Karran had used to serve him caf.

“My apologies, nuin,” he said to Karran, “I’ll get you another.”

“No worries friend, I ordered them in bulk on Czerkamazon.”

Hoping to diffuse things before they escalated any further, not that he didn’t understand the reaction, Ruka added, “The man has a reek that lives under his house. Things break.” His attempt at a smile was too stiff, and he sighed, going on, “Your anger is understandable, Bril, over something like that this. Feel what you’re gonna feel. Just don’t let it take you over. That’s a danger for anybody, but especially Force Sensitives.”

“And.. it is worthy of note that they chose to do stop doing it themselves. It speaks of the people currently within the clan.” Nathan added on again, still ill at ease with the growing tensions around the table but wanting to hammer that point home at the very least.

“It does,” the Proconsul agreed. It wasn’t as though he and Qyreia had very different policies from some of their predecessors, not to mention the clan members themselves.

Bril heaved a sigh and briefly close his eyes to address the emotions stirring within him. A few deep breaths followed before he got himself under control again. “You’re right, Ruka. Thank you. I should know better than to let myself get worked up that easily,” He shook his head.

Adalinde munched on some food, contemplating the statement. Was it a joke? A test?

Irrelevant.

“And what difference zat would make?” Ada remarked bluntly. Didn’t matter who was in charge. They all were…well, they were buttholes. Once more, the woman tried to focus on her caf but there was just so much happening in that mess hall. Eventually, she cast a sidelong glare at the slowly growing group.

“Annoying,” she grumbled quietly.

“That’s good, at least. Hopefully, we’ll continue to follow their example,” he said, “Maybe, I can help to change Plagueis reputation in the future.”

The Mirialan smiled, more genuinely this time, and lifted his cup as a toast.

“You honor us. I believe in you, Bril Teg Arga.” Then, his glance turned to Sivall, worried for the discussion upsetting her as well; she’d gone quiet. “And you,” he added, softer, then to Nathan and with a solemn look, Karran, “all of you.”

Nathan’s cheeks purpled slightly, and he took more from his breakfast as a way to avoid needing to respond while hoping others filled that gap.

Teebu strolled out of the room, followed by several naval officers from various clans who were there to learn more about advanced naval combat, tactics, and command. He had a datapad held firmly at his side and motioned ahead as they all proceeded down the hallway.

It was only several rooms down before they descended a long staircase into a large room. As the lights came on, it revealed a full replica of a Vindicator-Class Heavy Cruiser. The officers looked around, some of them expressing surprise on their faces while others looked excited.

“Now,” the Ewok Grand Admiral started, “This is where your first exam will be, and it will be conducted today.”

This caught the officers by surprise, with one young human male speaking up. “If I may, sir.”

Teebu gave a soft nod, and he continued. “We have barely gone over etiquette and procedures, do you feel it is right to go straight into an exercise such as this?”

“I do. Each of your clans says you are among their brightest up-and-coming officers, and I want to see exactly where you stand in terms of raw skill and ability. Which, this exam, will tell me,” the Ewok replied back before looking at another officer, a female Pantoran, “Mirelle, you will be up first. Return here in one hour. The rest of you, monitor your datapads and return to your studies. I will call for each of you as your turn comes.”

They all nodded and gave a solid salute before filing out of the room one after another. As the last one left, a small smirk crossed Teebu’s lips. This was going to be fun.

Bril nodded in appreciation of Ruka’s words, “Thank you. I can see why they seem to admire you so much. They’re lucky to have you as their Proconsul.”

Slavers.

The Chiss woman went still, very still, and her skin flushed a few shades paler. Everything that happened after the mention of Plagueis’ history faded away in the background– sound muffled, her senses dulled. Her “slavery” was not something she actively went into detail about, even to Ruka, especially to Alex. While she had a kinder fate than most, that time left its scars. Ju'lia’s nails in her skin, Conner’s gaze pinning her like a butterfly to a corkboard.

While she had no doubts that her newly introduced comrade had no ties to slavery, this was the first time since her freedom she had been actively faced with any mention of the practice. Realizing she had been staring, unmoving, unbreathing, for far too long at the wall opposite of her, the woman sucked in a breath. She let the force enter her, dulling her emotions and bringing her back to clarity.

She turned to Ruka as he toasted her and the other two members at the table, plastering a half-hearted smile on her face. Under the table her fingers had dug themselves into her slacks, black-painted nails gripping the fabric there hard enough to tether her back to the present.

“I will always try my best to honor you all…” she replied, her voice soft.

Ruka turned a notable shade of uncomfortable muddy brown in his cheeks, the result of a blush on green skin, at Bril’s comment. He muttered a thanks, sidestepping the praise for the most part and looking instead to Sivall as she spoke up again in n for the first time for awhile in the conversation.

His violet eyes widened in worry, then brows furrowed, before he reined in the expression to something subtler.

The Chiss had gone pale, her smile sickly, and worse, her nails were making bunches of her pants enough that he’d have been worried about breaking skin if the fabric weren’t in the way. It didn’t take much listening to his senses to notice the way she had gone somewhere else for a moment, and the dread associated. Deciding to risk it, and praying not to push too far, his free hand at his side slipped sideways. He brushed the woman’s white-knuckled fist with a touch, nudging to curl their fingers so she could squeeze the absolute hell out of his hand instead of crumpling her slacks.

All the while the Mirialan took ahold of the conversation again, redirecting and hopefully offering a reprieve soon to be had.

“Well, don’t let me go on too long, ay. Heard two for medical studies, you up for whatever, Bril? Karran, you mentioned translations yesterday? We can probably head to one of the libraries soon, when everybody’s eaten something.”

Nathan didn’t respond initially, almost forgetting for a moment that he was technically leading this group. Sivall’s distress caught his attention, but between Ruka’s response and the Chiss’ all too relatable expression the Pantoran got the hint to follow the distraction.

“Medical will be a long one probably, it’s.. well it’s- I know quite a bit. It’ll be as long as you want it but- yes we could swing by the library on the way so Karran has something to read up on while we’re there or let you stop there while we move onto medical?” Nathan stumbled his way through responding.

Not one to ignore a hint, Bril shrugged his shoulders upon ruminating on Ruka and Nathan’s suggestions. “I’m fine with viewing the medical area,” he said, “I’m not a medic by trade, but learning more about it wouldn’t hurt. May even give me more creative uses of my force healing.”

Ruka’s comment about everyone eating reminded him that he needed to place his tray in the dispensery, so he got up to do so. On the way back, he got himself another cup of chaf. Then, he continued speaking, “After that, I’ll probably delve into the literature on Force philosophy, and of ancient artifacts.”

Having finished his meal, Aru accompanied Alana to her lab.

“Will you be alright by yourself?” he asked.

“Of course, dear.” She smiled at him. “Nothing’s going to harm me here. And if they do, you’re here.” the Hapan kissed him on the cheek.

“I’ll go find Ruka then. If you need me, just call ok?”

Alana, already organizing her books and scrolls, quickly got lost in her texts. “Yes love!”

Aru exited the lab and made a stop by his room before going back to the mess hall to find Ruka.

When he reached the Mirialan, surrounded by people, he felt no shame whatsoever.

“Kaka.” he said. “I made this.”

Promptly presenting a large plushie. A teddy bear. Although there was a rather striking difference from a common bear. This one had a picture of Ruka framed in flowers, looking serene and as beautiful as ever glued to the face of the teddy bear. Also, there seemed to be a cucumber strapped in a rather NSFW position on the teddy bear.

“It’s teddyruka!”

“What.”

It was blank, automatic. Ruka looked, in a word, like he wanted to detach from his skin and climb up a tree.

There just weren’t words. There really weren’t. He seemed to have stopped functioning and just stared, slowly cringing further and further into his own shoulders.

“What.”

Bril got one look at the gift that Aru presented to Ruka before burying his face in the palm of his gloved hand, massaging his temples. “I don’t even…” he had no words.

Nathan blanked for a full few seconds as the plushie was drawn out, and placed on the table.

The Pantoran hybrid stuttered a few words before managing to blurt out in a voice of soft panic, “Please put that away-”

If one were even the least bit Force Sensitive, or knew the Mirialan at all, or had eyes, they would be able to tell that his entire being was screaming, nO at the top of his lungs.

“Um…I have a solution for that” Titius pulled a silvery globe out from one of his pockets. “Anyone mind if I just…”

“Oh I’m sorry.” Aru said picking up the plushie again.

“Lana helped me come up with the frame. Although she did forbid me from bringing it to bed for some reason…”

The Human handed the plushie to Tinker, his droid. “Take this and put it back in my room please.”

“No you cannot. Teddyruka is a precious keepsake that will remain in the Law family for eons to come.”

The Mirialan put his face in his hands and. Sort of. Screamed. Thankfully for any bystanders, it was very muffled, only audible to those at the table.

Nathan followed suit from Ruka and buried his face in his hands once the plushie was out of sight being carried away by the droid.

Aru placed his hand on Ruka’s shoulder and tried to cheer him up

“Having a rough day are we?” He was oblivious to the real reason Ruka was acting like that. “I hug my teddyruka very tightly if I’m feeling sad. You should try that sometime. Want me to make you a teddyLaw?”

“I think our friends here are deeply uncomfortable with your gift, my friend,” noted Bril to Aru, hoping that he got the hint. Both Nathan and Ruka’s embarrassment were practically screaming at him through the Force, but how they felt should have been obvious to anyone who was simply looking at them.

The young Zabrak stood from his seat and moved to Aru, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Maybe tone it down for now. What do you say?”

The Mirialan had flinched at the touch and cringed down further under it, looking like he was about to slide under the table to get away. While Bril spoke, the Proconsul managed a very articulate and reasonable, “No.” Whether it was actually heard from behind his hands, though.

Karran took a deep breath. He was fine with the occasional joke at Ruka’s expense. It was so easy because the Mirialan was so quick to rattle under those circumstances. But this crossed a line. This was harassment.

Aru had been lucky that he’d picked a target that was very slow to anger and rarely one to fight for no reason. Karran was none of these.

The Zabrak stood, coming up to around a foot taller than the human, not counting the horns. He walked toward Aru calmly, almost serenely. The only giveaway was his good eye. Normally golden brown, now the white had turned a sickening bloodshot yellow. He tapped the human on the shoulder, waited for him to turn, and promptly picked him up by the shirt. The Sith walked Aru to the nearest wall to press him against it before he spoke, very quietly.

“I am not going to hurt you in this room with all of these witnesses, purely because that would be a food safety violation and these people have done nothing to have their breakfasts ruined by that kind of mess. However, you will not pull this kind of stunt concerning Ruka again. If you do, I will find you in a dark alley, with no witnesses. And not even your master, who I respect greatly and owe much to, will be able to stop the actions I will perform upon you. The largest pieces left of you will be washed away into the gutter by the rain. Do you understand, little man?”

Aru smirked at Karran’s attempt to scare him.

“It takes more than that to frighten me, horny. I was trained by Alaisy after all. And I may not be as tall as you, or as sithy as you. But I wouldn’t have a problem making that head of yours fully bald if you know what I mean.”

He grabbed his Blastech RSKF-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol and waved it in front of his face.

“See this? One shot from this baby and your head turns to goo. Don’t make me use it. Ruka would be sad by your loss and that’s something I wouldn’t want. Now Kark off and run away again to your little planet like last time.”

Bril, sensing the anger radiating off of his Zabrak companion, took a step to the side upon noticing his approach. He was glad he did, as well, because Karran seemed like he would have run him over to get to Aru. “Tried to warn him,” he muttered to himself with a shrug while watching the scene play out before him. Karran seemed in control of himself, so he didn’t worry about having to step in just yet. Watching them carefully, he catalogued away any notable information they mentioned while speaking. Alaisy seemed to be Aru’s master, a person that Karran himself respected. When the blaster came out, Bril seized his opportunity to interject.

“Wouldn’t be wise, my friend,” he fixed his gaze on Aru, maintaining a calmness in his voice despite the increasingly tense energy in the air he was feeling. “An attack on Karran would force my hand. And I doubt taking on both of us would end well for you. It’s been a while since I’ve had a good scrap, so it’s up to you.”

Nathan stood suddenly, having used the moment bolster himself and doing something a year ago he’d have never dared think of doing. His hands clenched at the hem of his shirt, eyes not picking any one perso nto focus on, but the wall behidn the trio. The room had gone silent entirely, he couldn’t do nothing.

“This is an academy. If you want to fight, leave. And Aru, you just- you don’t harrass people with perverted toys. You can leave the cafeteria now, or security will be called for a full removal. This isn’t the place for- for any of this! ”

He took a shaky breath, half expecting something to be thrown at his head but remaining stood to at least… try.

Karran’s eye twitched. The blaster didn’t scare him. He’d been blown up for the Ancestors’ sake. Besided, at this close of range, he had the upper hand, but Nathan’s words rang true.

He tightened his grip on Aru’s shirt before suddenly dropping him with a sharp exhale through flared nostrils.

“Aye aye, Praetor.” He leaned in to whisper in the Human’s ear. “Watch your back, Aru.”

Ruka finally peeled out of his own hands, pale and unable to meet anyone’s eyes. His tone was quiet, posture abjectly ashamed.

“Please stop,” he whispered, and then, louder, more aggravated, but only at himself now, “please, just– stop. It’s not worth it. I–”

Shouldn’t have needed Nathan, or Karran and Bril, to intervene. He should be a better Proconsul by now, able to keep his people in order. He should be able to keep a handle of a situation. They were guests here, representatives of their Clans. And he was just letting this devolve? To the Praetor having to call security…

Ashla’s sake this visit was for Sivall! Not him to shut down over Law of all franging things!

He stood up blindly and bowed in the Pantoran’s direction.

“Our deepest apologies to you and the academy, Praetor Breeze,” the Mirialan recited. “We will take our leave to our studies and cause no more incidents.”

“Hmpf, fine.” The Human lost his good mood. “Y'all are no fun.”

He ignored the Zabraki and went straight for Nathan with a warm yet clearly faked smile.

“It’s good to know I left the academy in such capable hands. You’re doing great mate.”

He then turned towards Ruka and waved. “No need to be flustered Ruka. I know when I’m not wanted. I just hoped y'all would have an actual sense of humor. It seems it left this galaxy a long time ago though.” He turned away and waved. “I’ll leave and you won’t hear from me again. Just hope a certain blue man is careful. I hear there’s a Zabraki wannabe running after a certain Mirialan. Now if you’ll excuse me. I’ve got places to be.”

That got the Mirialan to tense all over. His head snapped up, jaw clenched, eyes flashing gold too. But he bit down and breathed out, letting it go. It wasn’t a threat to his husband. Just a dig at Karran, and him. No fun, no sense of humor, what else is new?

“I’m sorry,” he repeated, this time much more softly, again as much to Nathan as to the others, but especially to Sivall. “You didn’t need all that on your tour here. We’ll try to make it better.”

Eye twitch.

Veins pulsing. Desperately straining to deliver blood to muscles that begged to wrap hands around the throat of a smart-mouthed Human.

Orders. Orders to stand down.

Arrarmio. Not worth it.

“Later. Not here. Too many witnesses. Too messy.” He whispered to himself in Zabraki. He hoped no one heard him. Then it would be considered premeditated.

Bril’s gaze shifted to Nathan, whom Karran and Ruka both referred to as “Praetor.” He paused for a moment and then his eyes widened when their words dawned on him. “Praetor? Like, the Praetor?” he stammered, before burying his face in his hand again. If he had realized that such a high-ranking member of the Brotherhood was in attendance, then he would have carried himself far differently than he had been. What a kriffing idiot he felt like, now. He was a new student for ancestor’s sake. This wasn’t the impression he wanted to make.

“My apologies, Praetor,” Bril lowered his gaze in a subtle bow.

It was hard to avoid eye contact when someone was altogether to close for comfort.

His turned his gaze down slightly, meeting Aru’s gaze and feeling his heartrate increase. The thrum of it in his ears.

When Aru started to walk away, he seemed to slump in place. Aru was a dangerous person and the tensile smile was too close to expressions he’d be given before in less… safe times. He didn’t feel safe.

He heard the word Praetor, then the Praetor. A distraction but not much more welcome. Nathan’s expression distorted, awkward, panicked, unsure.

But he raised his hands, “T-there’s no need for any of that. Nathan is fine. You’ve been fine. You as well Ruka, it’s just.. neither of you did anything.”

“That’s the problem,” sighed the Mirialan, shaking his head. He was at least of enough mind to notice Nathan’s discomfort, the slump and averted gaze of fear, then more awkwardness. Protective urge was something else to focus on. “I should have done better there. Thank you, Nathan.” Get the spotlight off him. He turned to the Zabraks, still not meeting their eyes, and dipped his head. “Thank you both for my defense. I apologize.” And finally back again, “Maybe now we can go study?”

Bril’s proximity to the larger of the two Zabrak allowed him to catch part of what he’d whispered; that combined with feelings of malice and disdain that occasionally flared from Karran was enough for him to put together a picture of what he was planning. That wasn’t good.

He gave a quick nod and curt reply to the Pantoran man, “Okay, Nathan.” He had hoped it didn’t come off as rude, but he felt that his attention would now be better served addressing his Zabrak friend, so that’s what he did. He placed a hand on Karran’s shoulder and gestured for him to step away with him for a moment. If he obliged, he would lead him closer to the entrance of the cafeteria so that they were outside of earshot of the others.

He gave him a stern look and spoke with a hushed tone, “Don’t go doing anything rash, nuin. Surely, there are better ways to settle conflicts than that.”

Karran smiled. The yellow faded from his eyes.

“Worry not, friend. I am sworn to kill no member of the Brotherhood, except those that pose a direct threat to me, or my clan.”

Kneecaps however, are a touch fuzzier.

Karran moved to return to his seat and finish his breakfast. His hand hovered over Ruka’s back.

“Brother, are you alright?” He asked in slow, very broken Mirialan, as he was confident no-one at the table spoke it.

Bril nodded and returned the smile. He hadn’t any experience with Sith prior to his introduction to the Brotherhood. It was good to see that they came in more colors than what the rest of the galaxy had seen or heard about them. Though, that brief outburst directed at Aru was clear evidence that the same capacity for rage and violence lurked within Karran as it did any Sith. Just, as he had sensed, as it did in himself. Perhaps they weren’t so different.

He followed Karran’s lead and took his seat again, which was when he realized that he had failed to respond to Ruka before they stepped aside. “Don’t mention it, Ruka. You all are the first friends I’ve made here. I’m not going to let anyone kark with you,” he paused for a moment, and shifted his gaze from Ruka, to Karran, to Sivall, and to Nathan. “To any of you.”

“Anyway, I think Ruka is right. Studying sounds like a good idea after this … eventful breakfast.”

“How are you with languages? I am working on a translation that may be of shared interest to us. I have been struggling because words have always been…difficult to read.”

Karran said the last part a little quieter. Reading had always been hard, and it had brought him much embarrassment in his youth.

“Well, I have a strong command of Basic, Zabraki and Togruti,” noted Bril, “I used to read my mother’s field notes when I was a kid, really technical stuff. I haven’t tried, but I’m sure it wouldn’t be very difficult to pick up another one if I needed to.”

Confidence tended to manifest in different ways in different people. For Bril, it tended showed in his matter-of-fact manner of speaking about his skills. No boasting or embellishments on his part - he simply stated the facts. “I’d be happy to help, of course,” he offered an encouraging smile, “What did you have in mind?”

Ruka looked surprised at the stumbling words, and rather than respond verbally, especially as Bril and Karran continued to discuss studies, the Mirialan leaned back into the hand, allowing the touch as much as bracing in it, for a moment. It was accompanied by a prodding of their Bond, one that hadn’t really been opened since Tattooine, and all that had been felt through it. Just a trickle; enough to reveal the assortment of shame, embarrassment, failure, discomfort, violation. Muted, guilty appreciation.

It was more of an answer than words would be anyway.

He let the conversation just sort of move over him while gathering up his thoughts.

“Reading is hard,” he contributed. And then, more slowly, “There’s some linguistics specialists in the Clan too. Erinos, right? Big guy on your crew. Not that there probably aren’t here…”

Sivall took Ruka’s hand like a lifeline, pale blue fingers gripping tightly onto his dark green ones. The physical touch helped ground her a bit more to reality. She was not one to like unraveling in front of others, and now it had happened twice. She felt like a mess, and an embarrassment. Was she really so fragile she couldn’t get a grip for longer than a few heartbeats at a time? Her grip tightened a bit more, but she tried her best not to hurt Ruka in the process.

Unfortunately, her lifeline to reality was pulled from her as quick as it was given. Soon Aru appeared again, and despite wanting so desperately to give Ruka the same calm that he had given her, she couldn’t. Her hand lifted, her expression crumpled into one of worry, reaching for Ruka as he muffled a scream into his palms.

She was a medic for kriffing sake, and yet here was someone who needed her and she couldn’t help.

The Chiss woman swallowed past the lump in her throat as tensions rose even further, her breathing quickening as veiled threats were thrown back and forth. Just like with Fia she couldn’t move, couldn’t breath, couldn’t act. Sanguine eyes misted over and she was frozen. Once again, in a place she had felt safe, it had been proven she wasn’t.

To top it all off, Ruka was the one suffering and she was making it about her.

Aru was gone now and she could move, but all she wanted to do was run. Run back to her dormitory room, run back to Selen. To hide. Intaking a short, sharp breath the sky-blue woman pushed herself up from her seat, hands shaking. She had promised, promised Ruka and Alex that she could handle this. She wanted so badly to handle this.

-

“Ran'vott'ehn ch'ah…” she all but whispered, excuse me. She would not come undone here and ruin her new group of friends’ conversation. With quick, purposeful steps she exited the mess hall and into the corridor outside. Her vision blurred and her breath became more erratic– she needed to find somewhere and fast. Those same quick and purposeful steps brought her to an empty classroom.

Once she was sure that the room was void of other students or academy officials, she slid down the wall and held her head in her shaking hands, trying so desperately to control her breathing. In– two, three, four. Out– two three four. In– two, three, four… Just like Leda and Noga had said, had coached her in the conservatory.

Ruka didn’t understand the Chiss language, but he did know upset when he saw it.

The minute or so leaning back into Karran was enough. Already an indulgence.

Back on duty. Big brothers and parents never weren’t on.

“I’m going to get her,” he said, giving a touch to Karran’s hand and then look to the rest. “Meet you guys in the libraries, ay? Don’t wanna crowd. That’s an order if it has to be.”

With that, the Mirialan stood up and headed right for the door, the Force making his figure a blur less awake eyes might mistake as a mirage.

He had to pause out in the halls and focus to pick out Sivall’s aura, less used to it than others, but once he did, he had it. It was quickly becoming familiar. He rushed to the door of a classroom, then paused, hand over the handle.

Faintly, he heard breathing. Counting. Very familiar counting.

One, two, three, four…

His heart spasmed in his chest, feeling like it was breaking and mending at once.

He didn’t want to crowd her. Sivall seemed…like Cora, in some ways. Concerned with keeping on a noble face, maybe. Or just used to getting hit for showing it– he knew that look too. Ruka debated fiercely for a moment before he decided to give her some space…but he wouldn’t leave her alone entirely.

Uncaring of appearances, the Mirialan sat down right there beside the door in a lotus pose and centered himself as if meditating. Their backs met with a solid stone wall between them, and breathing in the Force, he reached out to her presence, wrapping around it and grounding.

In…

…and out.

Breathe with me.

nathan had taken the moment of everyone’s distract to calm himself. At least enough to get to somewhere that he could reasonably go missing for a few minutes. Sivall and Ruka’s exit wasn’t… unexpected, but it didn’t mean he was any less responsible for the tour group.

So, deciding the remnants of his breakfast was proof he’d eaten enough and not just teh leftovers from a stress-reduced appetite, the Pantoran hybrid broke back into the conversation, “If you want, I.. I can get you two the linguistics sections as the rest of us go to medical. It wouldn’t be out of the way for us, and likely quicker than trying to navigate alone. The transport systems take.. some getting used to.”

“That is agreeable for myself if it is acceptable to Bril.”

Karran took in a deep breath through his nose, held it, and released it slowly. He allowed the calming essence of the Force gently replace the rage that had filled him moments ago. He would need a clear head for their studies.

Bril nodded in agreement to Nathan’s suggestion, “That’s fine with me. We can always catch up with everyone else later. When shall we depart?”

Without a word, Thane entered the mess hall with a sense of calm and purpose. He carried a natural sense of belonging as he walked past the various academics that didn’t mark him as out of place.

Clearly, this wasn’t his first time sneaking through.

His black-gold eyes scanned the buffet and—with a subtle gesture—a plate glided into his hand. By the time he had finished his pass along the trays, he had amassed quite the impressive stack of bacon, eggs, and a variety of meats. The Justicar took his bounty and parked himself next to Adalinde. The woman only spared him a sidelong glance which he returned with a raised eyebrow. Their lengthy history lent itself to a certain degree of unspoken dialogue. Ada twisted her lips and let a blast of air escape towards the strands of bangs hanging to one side of her face before returning her caf to her lips. Thane was equally silent, merely consuming the calories laid before him.

The Chiss woman rocked back and forth, painted nails gripping raven locks as she tried to calm herself, her face still firmly buried in her palms. While her body was here, her mind was not. Memories of Connor and Ju’lia played behind her eyelids, their cruelty coming alive once more. Ju’lia picking out every small insecurity, every chink in her armor, every imperfection.

Ruka’s voice struggled to reach her at first, being lost in the haze of her racing thoughts.

’Failure.’ ‘Waste. ’I’m sorry, sorry, sorry/’ ’No one wants a skeleton, dear.’ ‘-resolve is weak, like everything about you.’ ‘I can be better!’ ‘Don’t let them down- You told them you were okay!’ ‘Get a damn grip-‘

The cacophony of voices, both her own and not, swirled in her mind. They caught and cut, pulling at her heartstrings. She would have been drowned in it too, were it not for the efforts of a certain Mirialan.

Breathe with me.

Siv gasped, her consciousness snapping back to reality. It felt like all the times she had surfaced from those ice water baths— the first deep breath into burning lungs. Siv listened, letting her exhale out through her lips, then back in through her nose. Sniffling she covered her right hand with the sleeve of her sweater and began to wipe her tears away. She wasn’t as good as Ruka with telepathy but she focused and answered back, her mental voice quiet and wavering.

’Thank you…’

Titius began to laugh. It had a cutting malicious edge to it as if he was enjoying the emotional disaster happening at the table. “Well that was unexpected, but the reactions. Well, suffice to say, I am energized for my studies. Shall I bring teddybears tomorrow as well?” Titus was mocking them, savouring the mental anguish like fine drink.

“Ah kark, is that the time? Thank you for the exquisite morning but I must be off. Stop by the medical labs if you can.”

Titius jumped up from the bench and hurriedly departed, neatly swerving around the crowd.

Nathan didn’t have much to say anyway, staring in open shock at the mocking exit from Titus.

Karran’s eye twitched as the human departed. He mentally added another name to the list of people to avoid whenever possible.

Bril just shook his head, “Let’s hope that’ll be the last of people prone to unprovoked antagonism today. Once Ruka and Sivall have returned, let’s begin the tour. I think a perusal of the Academy’s libraries will do us all some good.”

Descending from the skies above the academy, a black Upsilon-Command Shuttle approached the landing platform. As the vessel, Providence touched down, the hatch opened revealing a black uniformed Chiss. A highly customized Droid walked beside him and brining up the rear was a Sephi woman making notes on her datapad.

“Aada, check in with the headmistress. See if she is in today. It has been too long we have spoken, and I am eager to reclaim my laboratories.”

“Right away, Lord Rhylance.”

With that, the PR specialist of Rhylance’s Umbrella left to do as was requested.

“Let us be off M.O.R.S.E. as always, SISSMA requires new minds to mold, and scientist to cultivate.”

“Of course, my master. Anything for you, "Master Rhylance.” “

Mikhail was no stranger to flying in shuttles, but it was always strange to be the one in the back as opposed to behind the controls. He didn’t totally mind however, as it gave him plenty of time to peer out the window at the passing terrain. Something he was trained to avoid, else it get him killed.

So he took his time, taking in the lush jungle forest they flew over. Such a place was far from his home world, having been much more accustomed to tundra and snowfields than swampy marshes. It was something he worried about, whether he would enjoy the climate or not. But it was not enough of a worry to put him off requisitioning time at the academy.

Cold, crystalline eyes watch as the terrain slows, then is torn as the towering pyramids come into view. An impressive structure, undoubtedly. But the Arkanian withheld form making any mental conclusions until he had time inside. He was far too familiar with how easy it was to set up a facade to make fools out of the imperceptive.

As the shuttle landed, he checked his clothes out of habit. Ensuring the pockets of tools felt as they should, with no forgotten equipment. Satisfied he glances down at the bag stuffed under his seat. He didn’t have much, but he had what he needed. He reassured himself of that by giving the heavy case next to his bag a kick. Perhaps here would be the perfect place to perfect his project.

Karran looked up. He sniffed the air as if there was a scent to catch on the breeze.

A disturbance in the Force.

A presence he had managed to avoid in all of his years as an Arconan. He wasn’t afraid of Doctors. He wasn’t afraid of Rhylance. But something about his presence put the Zabrak on edge.

He simply thanked the Force and the Ancestors that he had a destination in mind. Surely the good doctor had little interest in linguistics.