Beauty of the Rain (for PSF)

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

The day had started out fairly normally actually. She’d been working on the farmstead, several of the new ‘helpers’ from the military arriving early as requested. The day had stayed dark, however, threatening looking thunderheads thickly blanketing the sky. At the time, Italia had been feeding what remained of their chickens, before going to greet the men, and woman since there was only one, and instruct them on their duties. She’d shown them how to feed the few cattle they had, how to turn them out and pen them into the enclosure before moving on to the fields. This was where things started to go wrong….

It had only been a few minutes into ridding the large field of plants of their weeds, a few minutes doing this (to Italia anyway) was the span of a half hour, two of the men had started to complain. Lia, not being one to sit out on the chores, had looked up from her stooped position and glared at them silently for a moment to see if they would stop. They didn’t. When she straightened and called attention to herself by clearing her throat loudly, they’d finally stopped and looked over at her. She was half way down her row of plants, they were near the back…she’d pointed this out, informed them they were here for a reason, and that they’d needed to stop complaining and get back to work. If she didn’t complain, they didn’t complain. “K’atini”…simple as that. “This is your etyc’borar, vaar’ika, not ours” ((dirty work, pip-squeak/runt)). That had been the last straw for her with that man…one Sgt. Vo’kah Ethe…she gave him a different job. Cleaning the animal pens. He wanted dirty work, she’d give him dirty work…she also noted the incident on the datapad containing the files of the soldiers sent to work for her to be turned in at the end of the day with their performance on it. Something she casually failed to inform them of. There was little point in telling them such a thing so that they would be on their best behavior and not learn the lesson they were supposed to learn…she’d made a note of that decision as well.

With the field now cleared of the weeds, it had been time for the noon break and some food. She’d sat a little way away from the group of soldiers, silently munching on the sandwich that had been hers and drinking the water…she would get no better treatment than those working for her, she’d decided…and had watched them surreptitiously. It was a good thing she had been, as a scuffle over something, she still wasn’t quite certain what, had nearly erupted, stopped only in time by her walking over to ask if there was a problem. The two involved had swiftly deflated. This did little to better her already souring mood, including the mounting frustration at the darkened thunderheads above. Things went from bad to worse when she found that one of the pipes that carried what little water there was to the thirsty plants had sprung a rather nasty leak in the form of a long crack created by the baking sun making the piping brittle, swiftly followed by one of the workers (she wasn’t surprised to find it was Vo’kah again) starting up a fight with one of her clan with a snide remark to the general effect of “because I’m a soldier I’m better than you.” She’d had to break it up by practically knocking Sgt. Ethe out after he managed to escape the officer who had accompanied them here (the only other female soldier there besides the one worker). With little patience left, she’d made her final notes and dismissed them to return to the base. She would finish the work herself, but it would have to wait until tomorrow when there was, hopefully, more light. So she patched the pipe best she could, fed the animals again, turned in the cattle, and left.

As she ran through the gathering gloom, her boots crunched along the dry, baked, gravel and grass of the plains. Another rumble of thunder and she glared up at the rain filled clouds that seemed to refuse to drop their precious payload, taunting her with it just to frustrate her further. She could smell the rain, hell, she could practically taste it on the cooling air as the three sets of beads, newly returned to her hair, struck against her shoulder. Another deep rumble and she prayed that this time they would finally get the rain the farmers so desperately needed. Grey short sleeved shirt clung to her thin form gently as she ran, tan pants not leaving much to the imagination as they too fit her form snugly. There was little pain now, and no more bandages. The stitches had been removed, the blaster injuries, shrapnel and stab wounds, and various cuts and bruises healed from the two kolto treatments. Her ribs still hurt slightly from where they’d been cracked, they were still healing, but for the most part even they were well mended. It was a big relief.

The anger and frustration at the day coursed through her readily, and from there it branched out into her other negative emotions, pulling on them for more energy. All the hurt, the sadness, the worry, the uncertainty…it all melded with her anger and frustration to concoct a potent conglomeration that fueled her muscles with adrenalin.

She only stopped running when she had no more energy to spare.

The sun, had it been visible, would have been setting over the horizon, the first stars beginning to twinkle high above. Given the looming storm clouds, however, there was only a deep twilight that set the whole world into a morose slate grey. As she stood, there in the middle of nothing and panting with her fatigue, Italia gazed into the distance where the world seemed to blur…like some painter of a god had taken a damp brush and slid it downward at the diagonal, barely touching the picture that was the planet. Forms were still easily discernable…what few there were…but they were far less distinct, softer than the world around her. The world around and behind her, as she turned to look at the surroundings, was desolate. There was, perhaps, a twisted and gnarled old tree here or there…an outcropping of jagged rock that stood sentinel on the vast plains…a flock of birds that rose up like smoke from the dried grass…but the forms of farmsteads were far off in the distance, their roofs just peeking over the curve of the planet.

The woman slowly regained control of her breathing, settling her interlaced hands at the back of her head and stretching out her burning lungs, filling them with the sweet, clean, damp, smelling air. Concord Dawn was nearly silent around her, the only sounds that of wildlife and the crisp breeze that was beginning to rise up around her. She felt at peace, finally, being away from everything, having run out her frustration…left it behind her in the gathering gloom. I wish I had a bedroll. I’d stay here tonight. Even her thoughts seemed to break the tranquil peace of the moment and she sighed slightly, allowing her mind to go silent again.

Only images played through her head now, quiet and flowing rivulets of thought that didn’t break the beautiful calm that settled around her. Her mind paused on one thought…one thought that, surprisingly, branched into two people. Daryn, yes, she would have liked to show him this…to spend a moment here with him in the silence, but…she found it difficult to imagine that he would appreciate it for the beauty of it. Not fully anyway, not the way she did. The other, and very much to her surprise, was Solus’ad…Mandalore himself. Though she knew that he was old enough to potentially be her father, and though she did see him in that light, it was only partially. Something about him connected and she didn’t understand how, or why. Lia didn’t know that the man had led such a parallel life to hers, that he had grown up on a farm, had been a mercenary…she didn’t know, but she felt it there.

Emerald eyes gazed about the silent land as another rumble of thunder sounded and light flickered in the far distance, reflecting briefly in those green orbs. No, the poetry of the moment, the peace and solitude, the utter tranquility and beauty of the moment wouldn’t have been lost to him. They thought too much alike for him to miss it. Even after so few meetings with the man she was nearly certain. Sighing, she pondered returning home. She didn’t want to…not yet…so she didn’t.

She stood there in silence, simply absorbing the beauty.

Just for a little while longer…

[projectsunfire]

It had looked like it was going to rain all day. Weather reports said it was going to be like this for at least 2 days. Mandalore had just been takeing one of the Bas'ulik prototypes out for a spin. It was like no vehicle he'd rode before. It hadn't had most of its programming put in, but it was more than just a vehicle. Rideing around on something smart was a new experience for Solus'ad, but not entirely unenjoyable.

It would go where he directed it via its onboard control system, but it would calculate trajectories, and distances. Just to see what it would do, Mandalore lead it through some fallen trees. It wandered up slowly, investigated the broken trees with its photoreceptors, and other sensory outputs. Without Mandalore really being ready for it, the Bas'ulik leapt over the logs useing the repulsor engine to give it a bit of a boost and landed on all four feet on the far side of the grove.

Mandalore gasped for air as his breast plate smacked against the back of the Bas'ulik. It took his breath out but he was ok. He tightenned his harness a bit and lead the Basulik onward.

And it rained. So much rain fell. It was as if the sky openned up and the very tears of Manda rained down on the planet. The first few drops made dust kick up, and then there was just too much water. Mandalore's Armor kept the rain out, for the most part, and his rain slick kept out the rest. It was an old rag, torn and ragged. Then again nothing beat a good all natural rain slick worn from use.

Now, Solus'ad wouldnt call himself a fanciful man, but he loved a good rain. Rain meant life to simple folk, and simple folk were the beating heart of a people. Mandalore leaned back in his harness letting the Bas'ulik walk onward curiously. It was quite an odd droid. Mandalore had never met such a curious droid, aside from the T4 series. With a little confidence Mandalore looked to the skies and let the Bas'ulik walk on its own through the soaking grasses. He couldn't smell anything but his breath.

Damned helmet needed to come off. He hit the snap and slid it off his head, and let the rain splash down on his face. The water made everything smell wet, and alive. He could almost smell the grass as it began to soften. The water was cool on his hot face and it made his hair steam. His breath came out in huffs of light steam. He stowed his helmet in the forward compartment, and took it all in.

Mandalore lit the Chrono in his Multi-Gaunt and saw it was around sunset. The light had been fadeing slowly since about 1600. The Bas'ulik had wandered into the farmlands outside of the HQ and was reading someone on its short wave scanner. Or so the readout said. Mandalore lead the Bas'ulik toward the reading wondering who would be out in a downpoor like this so close to sunset.

The fadeing light shined on Auburn hair. Mandalore thought he recognized the color before he got too close. Sure enough, there was Italia Firians. Standing wet in the rain, arms outstretched. He'd have laughed accept he had been doing the exact same thing just a moment ago. If only he'd been a few years younger. Mandalore had noticed before, but hadn't paid it much mind. Perhaps he had tried too hard.

What she was wearing had likely fit to her form nicely before it rained. Somehow, the rain hadn't done much apart from makeing everything cling like a Telosian Tick. To some she may have looked like a wet Coruscanta rat. To Mandalore she looked as natural as a pretty sunset, or a serine moonrise.

As the Bes'ulik stopped about 10m away, Solus'ad gave a shout. "Hey their Mando'ika." He said in his familiar barritone. "You practicing to be a Melodie?" Mandalore hoped she'd travelled to Yavin 8. Otherwise his little joke would be lost on her. He smiled genuinely. "You shouldn't be out here dressed like that. You'll catch cold." Mandalore sat a moment before he unbuttoned he offered her his hand. "Come on hop up, he wont bite." He said nodding toward the Bas'ulik. When she took his hand he sat her down in front of him and put the spare folds of his rain slick around her. He hoped she wouldn't mind the smell. It was a bit old after all.

With great care he reached around her waste, and gripped the controls of the Bas'ulik. "Where to Mando'ika?"

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

((omg, I totally just thought “A Knight’s Tale” when he’s riding through the rain in London’s Cheap Side!))

At last.

At last the heavens had opened and let loose the torrent of rain that the land needed to be fertile and survive. Now she knew what it was that had made the world in the distance blur. It was the rain in all it’s glory. It arrived like a curtain of silver, washing over the land and drenching her as it came, first in light patters, then in a torrential downpour. She couldn’t help but laugh at the joy of it. Oh how it was needed…both the laughter and the rain itself. For the longest time she felt herself alone in the world, nothing but her, and the rain, and the animals and plants that surrounded her. As that life giving liquid fell around her, she brought her hands out to the side of her, tilting her head back to allow the water to fall upon her face. Rivulets of that silvery liquid streamed down her face and arms, soaking her hair until it dripped and her clothing until it clung to her like a second skin.

That was how he would find her, standing there in that cross like position, head back and grinning like a madwoman. Even as the feeling of something coming up behind her prickled at her mind she didn’t move. Right now Italia felt invincible. Foolish as it might seem, the young mercenary honestly didn’t care one bit if anything tried to attack her, and though she knew she was far from invincible, she sure as hell felt like she was. And so, it wasn’t until she heard his voice that her head snapped upward and she turned to face him, a wide smile on her face, hands coming to rest behind her back as she stretched them out behind her, feeling almost foolish for how she’d been found.

Almost.

Oi Solus‘ad!

Italia took a moment to look at him, thinking he looked very much like he’d come right out of the old myths and pre-hyperspace stories she’d been so fond of as a little girl. He looked like some knight, clad in armor and cloth and riding a brave steed, scarred from battle and dripping wet in the heavy rain, looking for home…a lost soul taking a short moment to enjoy the life around him…but that was fantasy, a world that no longer existed, if it ever had, and Solus’ad was just a man. Though, she thought, perhaps he WAS a lost soul looking for ‘home.’ Lia chided herself mentally for thinking so foolishly and chuckled sarcastically at her own idiocy. Finally she trotted the few steps over to him and his mount…a very large, very new looking, basilisk droid…and grinned up at him. It took her a moment to get the joke, her mind sifting through the files of her memory swiftly before she let out a laugh and shook her head. She’d never been to Yavin 8, but she’d had a few friends who had and had told her about the people there. That, and she’d done a little bit of research herself.

Bah…nah, too MUCH water for me with that kinda thing. ‘Sides…not really into the whole fin for legs thing.

A bright smile and wink greeted his smile, and only broadened as he scolded her about her clothing choices for the weather. She shrugged.

Eh…was workin‘ on the farm. Had a bad day an‘ needed ta run it off. Didn‘ really have time or thought to change into somethin‘ for rain. ‘Sides, I figured the clouds were just out ta tease me again.

Lia pushed away some of the hair that clung to her face as she watched him move, unclipping that harness as water dripped from his face as well. The rain slick he wore, little more than a beaten cloth and leather poncho wrapped about his neck and shoulders, was dark with the water it fought to keep away from him. It likely wasn’t working very well by now, but the armor she could see beneath it was probably doing wonders. The armorers who were adjusting Ark’s old armor to fit her weren’t done yet, and even when they were she would have her own adjustments to make to the suit so that she could move as was required for her abilities. In all truth she’d needed the scouts armor her ba’buir’s wife had worn, but Itani needed it more than she. Shaking these thoughts away, Lia wiped some of the water from her eyes and looked between the large droid Solus’ad rode and his hand.

His words made her chuckle, but she still wasn’t entirely certain about riding on the beast that had its photoreceptors trained on her, it’s giant head turned in her direction as it studied her. Deciding that she would trust the man not to let anything happen to her, she placed a small hand into his larger and nodded. As she clambered up with his help and he placed her in front of himself, she blushed slightly and noticed that it really wasn’t so bad after all. She still didn’t like being so high off the ground without something beneath her feet, but she didn’t exactly feel she was going to fall either, especially not with the feel of Solus‘ad‘s armor plating behind her. The sudden addition of extra material around her made the mercenary stiffen slightly before relaxing again, the cloth of the rain slick holding a slight musk that was distinctly masculine and told of years of use in all terrain and situations. It was an oddly calming smell for her. Coming from a farm, and having one of her own, that was, perhaps, not so odd…but it was unlikely that any but a mando’ade or someone used to hard labor would enjoy the smell. To her it had the smoky, spicy, smell of camp fires, the dusty scent of deserts and heat and sweat against the leather that was stitched around the edges of the slick to make it more sturdy. She took a deep breath and relaxed a little further. Even when he reached around her waist to take hold of the controls Italia didn’t tense much, though…for some odd reason the space just below her ribs seemed to tingle and twist slightly.

“Where to Mando’ika?”

Italia blinked slightly and twisted her head and upper body slightly to look at him. He was far closer than she’d first believed. Green locked with green as she looked him in the eyes, the tops of her ears and cheeks becoming ever so slightly more pink than her typical tanned coloring.

Lia‘s fine if you need another name.

She stated with a slight wink added to her teasing tone. It wasn’t that she minded the title he’d seemed to attach to her, far from it…she actually found it sort of endearing…but everyone called her Italia or Lia and she wanted to make sure that he knew it was fine for him to do so as well.

Well..eheh…I don‘ really have anywhere I was plannin‘ on bein‘, but I suppose the farm‘d be best. I need ta see to that blasted pipe anyway, an‘ get some food cooked. If ya like I‘m sure mum wouldn‘ mind ya stayin‘ for dinner. Everyone‘s out tonight ‘cept me anyway.

A mild shrug of her shoulders was given to the statement to effect a rather nonchalant and carefree attitude. If this was really the case or not was uncertain, but chances were that it was nights like these that both women felt the pangs of loss that Italia’s father’s death had left behind so recently. Itani’s presence typically helped to ease that, and again, to some extent, so did Daryn’s or other members of the clan, but the silence that seemed to pervade the house with only two people seemed to weigh the two down. Italia would never admit to it, however, not easily anyway.

It‘s back west of here…not far from the base really.

She’d shifted around a bit more to indicate the proper direction since it wasn’t DIRECTLY west from where they were. Smiling at him again she chuckled a bit and shook her head, the beads holding her hair clicking together gently as she did. Lia took a breath, opening her mouth to say something when she decided against it and shook her head again, chuckling to herself as she settled back down to her original position, only her head staying turned long enough to speak.

Thanks, by the way.

That hadn’t been what she’d been about to say, but that was fine. It was likely better that she kept her thoughts of what he looked like to herself anyway. It might raise questions that could be uncomfortable for one, or both, of them.

[projectsunfire]

'Your welcome." He said looking down at her. He wasn't sure how he looked when he said that. He had meant it genuinely of course. But it was an odd feeling haveing a personal relationship of this sort, with anyone. It had been a long time for him. She had been about to say something but he decided it would be better to let her come to it in her own time.

The rain pelted down as she got cozy there between his arms. He gripped the controls of the Bes'ulik lightly so as not to squeeze her too tight. A warm meal and a roof seemed like a good idea right now. He considered, for an awkward amount of time, but eventually he put his right arm around her belly to help steady her. "If you'll excuse me Lia." He said in a soft voice that could be heard over the soft splash of the rain hitting the ground.

With a subtle twist of his left wrist he pushed the Bes'ulik westward. It turned slowly and went into a walk. He made a point to avoid fallen trees. The Bes'ulik tromped through the tall grasses and planted fields. A clap of thunder rumbled like some beast hungry for a meal in the distance. Mandalore held her close makeing sure she couldn't slip.

Before long a hazy shape of a few houses and some livestock pens came into view. The lights were on now as it was getting very dark. The way Lia looked at it told Solus'ad that they were in the right place. She seemed overjoyed to be back, and who could blame her. She had dry clothes waiting for her likely. He pressed the accellerator plate on the Bes'uliks flank and it broke into a quick paced trot.

"Where to now?" He said his voice soft, a slight gravelly quality comeing out in his throat.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

((my gawd...serious ramble...I couldn't stop typing really, and sorry for dragging poor Solus'ad along, but I just kinda moved them around until I could get them into the house. >_> Hope that's okay))

Lia smiled up at him gently, the rainwater pattering against her face. His face was kind, a less stony look on his features. Certainly it wasn’t exactly what one would call ‘gentle’ but it was likely about as close to it as was natural for him. That kind look in his eyes also showed that he seemed to be as uncertain as she was herself. Turning her head back around, she settled back against him, the drenched folds of that rain slick still wrapped about her, the armor he wore sturdy against her back, it helped her feel a bit more at ease about being up so high without something solid beneath her feet. The chill of the air made their breath visible as soft clouds of fog. A strong arm wrapped itself around her waist, pulling her further back and steadying her on the still awkward ‘saddle’ of the basilisk droid. His voice sounded softly behind her, half asking for her permission. The younger woman simply nodded and smiled. She thought that her name sounded nice in that baritone voice.

The gentle sound of the rain falling against the ground, like a thousand whispered voices mingled with the rush of water over smooth stones, soothed the dala’s heart and energized her soul. He turned the great metal beast back in the direction of the farms and the nearly unexpected motion had her stiffening slightly. The sensation was odd, even as it started ambling gently through the open fields. She’d been on riding animals before, dewbacks, spats, horses, but nothing moved quite like this metal creature. Italia tilted her face up slightly as a wave of light passed above them, followed nearly immediately by the angry roar of thunder. Green gaze shifted around the expanse of the grey land around them. It didn’t take long for the droid to travel the distance she had run. It didn’t really surprise her, however. Finally, over the horizon, the half shrouded forms of the tiny clan’s farms started to form in the thickening gloom, their windows little beacons of light for the two travelers.

She smiled, feeling rather proud of her little clan. They weren’t large, or influential, nor did they have any great honors attached to them, but they were mighty in the way that they persevered in this harsh climate as farmers and the way they stayed together….for the most part. One family had moved, their field now sitting fallow, to try their luck on the planet Mandalore. She sighed at the thoughts that followed, shaking her head slightly before pressing her thoughts onward. Her darkened look changed to a slight smile as she realized that she’d be able to change into something a bit more…dry. That was when the beast below them started forward at a faster pace. Startled by the sudden shift, she tensed again, but Solus’ad had a good hold on her and she didn’t slip from her perch betw….before him.

She blushed again.

Those were NOT the kind of thoughts she should be having about this man. He was the leader of the whole Mando’ade culture, he was older and more wise than she, and she HIGHLY doubted he was interested in her as anything more than a daughter. That was as it should be anyway, right? Well…perhaps…it didn’t mean she necessarily thought that way. Who’s to say he isn’t though? Perhaps he’s just as interested as you are, an’ since you two seem ta think so alike, maybe he’s thinkin’ the same way, and is just as uncertain? ‘Sides, older men need love too…everyone does…Erg! Gorramit girl, get a hold of your thoughts, eh? His soft, slightly more rough, voice caught her ears again and she turned her head to gaze at him from the corner of her eye, green blinking curiously at green. She gave him an impish smirk.

I suggest headin’ south a bit an’ come up behind my house where that barn yonder is. Pretty sure your mount here’ll fit inside it to keep outta the rain, so long as we back ‘im in so’s ‘e doesn’t move about too much and spook the cattle…well, that’s only if ya don’ feel like makin’ a scene of your arrival. If ya do then by all means keep headin’ west there’s a lil’ gravel roadway goes straight down the middle of the houses.

She pointed out the back house on the right, a sturdy looking old barn settled there behind it near one of the cattle pens before chuckling as she said the last part, teasing him with a wide grin. She had a pretty good guess that he wasn’t interested in making a ‘grand entrance’. Lia seemed to be in thought a moment as she gazed intently at the barn.

Actually, I should likely turn ‘em out for a bit ta enjoy the rain and get some of the softer grass while they can. Weren’t out much today so I think they could use a stretch anyway…..damn…forgot about that kriffin’ pipe too.

Did the work never end? No. She knew that already, but she couldn’t help but complain about it in her mind even as she reminded herself aloud.

Well, I suppose that’s a job for tomorrow then.

She chuckled even as she shrugged slightly. They turned in the direction she had indicated, coming up to the barn swiftly where, upon stopping, she untangled herself from the folds of his rain slick and his arm, shifting one leg enough to slide down to the ground relatively easily. The chilly air on her back and the full extend of the rain hitting her again made the woman shiver slightly as she trotted of into the barn. Heading to the back of it, she spoke gently to the cattle in the pen there before she climbed over it easily and pushed her way through the now moving beasts to the back wall. A gentle clanking could be heard as she unlatched the pen gate and swung it open before moving through the small herd and pressing them into motion toward the gate with gentle pats to the flanks or sides and talking to them still. Once they were all out, she shut the gate once more and clambered over the front one into the main part of the barn.

Grinning at Solus’ad as she exited the barn again, she’d wait for him before helping guide the basilisk into the barn after she swung the other door wide for it to enter. With a satisfied nod after they shut the doors to the barn, she beamed another grin at him and motioned toward the house with her head as she started walking again. She glanced over her shoulder at the small green, leafy, plants in the field and the cattle in their pen as she walked before returning her head to the front and bounding up the four steps to the porch. Shaking her head, her hair spattered the extra water everywhere as she turned to sit on the two person bench along the wall and unlacing her boots. She paused a moment and looked up at Solus’ad a little apologetically, uncertain of if he was used to taking boots off before entering the house. Most likely since it was typically seen as polite in the culture for a guest to remove their boots before entering. Setting her own aside, she stood again and waited for him before opening the door, allowing him inside first.

Olarom.

She said gently, smiling as she welcomed him to her home. She was still dripping wet, not that she particularly minded, but it would be nice to change. Auburn head turned in the direction of the main room. No sign of her mother, not until there was a rustling in the kitchen. Grinning impishly, she pressed a finger to her lips and crept off toward the place, waving him to follow. Motioning for him to stop, she slipped into the kitchen and out of sight.

MUM, I’M HOME!

The sound of a yelp followed by several loud “thwacking” noises and Italia’s loud laughter and soon she was backing into the hall again, her mother smacking the girl’s arms. Kiva was dressed plainly enough, a simple blue dress hanging about her thin frame. The woman couldn’t have been more than 50, but she looked older because of the illness she’d so recently gotten over.

“…Between you and yer brother! I’m gonna have a heart attack one of these days Lia!...what am I gonna do with ya, you silly girl?”

Finally the older auburn haired woman put her hands on her hips and smiled, chuckling. It was then that she noticed the man standing there and tilted her head slightly.

“Olarom vod…Lia? Who’s this?”

Lia paused a moment, looking between the two and debating what to tell her mother. Best to tell her the name first and see if she recognized it, she decided.

Mum, this is Solus’ad…Solus’ad, this is Kiva Firians, my mum.

Blue eyes narrowed slightly, gazing at the older man for a minute before a knowing little smile crossed her face and she nodded to him. Indeed, Kiva had heard the name once or twice in conjunction to the Mandalore, but she wasn’t about to go pressing the topic. If Italia introduced him informally, then informal it would stay.

“Come in an’ have a seat at the table, please. Ad’ika, go fetch some towels m’girl…an’ for Manda’s sake go get some proper dry clothes on…ya look like a drown’ rat an’ yer drippin’ water all over the place.”

Lia chuckled, kissing her mother on the forehead before turning to Solus’ad and giving a mild shrug as if to say “mothers, what pains” before darting up the stairs to the left of them. Kiva led the way into the kitchen and pulled out a chair for their guest to sit before offering to take the wet and dripping rain slick from him. The house was plainly decorated, what one would expect from a poor country farmer, and a few pictures hung from the walls of the family of five.

“Would you like something to drink? I don’t have much, water, some shig…teas mainly…I believe I still have some…ah, yes…we still have a bit of ne’tra gal as well.”

Kiva was, if nothing else, a good mother and hostess. As she spoke, Italia returned in her dry clothes, black pants that fit her fairly loosely around the legs and a blue long sleeved shirt that was surprisingly soft, and carrying three towels. Two of these she handed to Solus’ad, the other she held onto as she started pulling the beads carefully from her hair, taking the blades hidden within before the fell to the ground.

[projectsunfire]

Mandalore wasn't too comfortable leaving his armor outside for anyone to walk off with. Then again, if somone did, he'd be sure to punish them till they thought that torture was a sport, and suicide was a good option. He ruffled the water out of his hair and brushed it back into place. He reached under his left arm and got to unsnapping the myriad of buckles and clips that held his breastplate on. He lifted its bulk over his head and let it down with a soft thud against the synthwood floorboards. His thigh pads, and shinguards came next. He took his gauntlets off next and before his boots came off he seemed to have a revalation.

"Wait here a nano." Mandalore left Italia there a moment while he ran back to the barn to stash his armor in the droid. He stole a second to give it a treat the engineers told him would help it bond with him. He plugged an energy feed into a special fuel cell he'd brought with him. Locap Plasma, around an unrefined Narcolethe core. He padded it on its metal side and made his way back to Italia.

He kicked off his boots and folded down his armor padding, so it hung loosely like a pair of pants. Underneath he wore a sweat soaked sleevless shirt. Somewhere between a tank top and a T-shirt. He hoped he didn't look too ungainly.

He stepped into the house in his bare feet, feeling the synthwood with his toes. It had been a while since he'd laid feet on anything warmer than metal. Mandalore smiled and nodded as he took in the rural comforts of Italia Firians home. She was a site, soaking wet, as she welcomed him. It had a kitchen, a front parlor, kitchen. It had a coziness.

Her mother seemed a salty sort. Not much older than him, and Mandalore saw where Italia got her looks. When she introduced him to her mother, Mandalore bowed his head and took Kiva's hand, for the breifest of moments. "Jate bah'urcir gar." Mandalore said, and he leaned low and kissed Kiva's first knuckle. "It's good to meet the mother of such a fine warrior as your Italia. She has brought you much honor."

Mandalore let Kiva lead him to the dinner table, and he looked over his shoulder at Italia, with an almost what have I gotten myself into look on his face. He sat, and leaned back at the table. The wood creaking. Mandalore sighed, and he could swear that he was just a man once again. Being Mandalore wasn't easy. He handed Kiva his rain slick and thanked her kindly.

"Water sounds jahaal'got." Mandalore said as he sighed and rubbed his neck. Before long Italia returned with towels. She handed him a couple, and he got to drying out his hair. He hung the damp towel on his neck, and gave back the spare he knew he wouldn't need. "Thanks" He said, his eyes closeing. The heaviness on his brow seeming to lift slightly. He openned his eyes slightly and spared a glance at Italia as she undid the beads from her hair.

It all seemed so familiar to Solus'ad. The home, yet it felt as if it had been years since he'd set foot in it. A flood of old memories seemed to wash their way back to him. Agricombines chewing their way through fields on Dantooine. His barefeet pelting their way joyfully. They were like an entirely different life. He almost caught himself hateing the life he chose. Then he thought better of himself.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Lia had watched silently as Solus’ad had removed himself from his armor. She’d honestly not expected that, she’d expected a dripping wet, ARMORED, mando’ad to be pacing into her house. The fact that he was going to trust her enough to take off his armor meant a lot to her. As he’d finished pulling off the various pieces, she’d been about to tell him to bring it inside to dry out some when he’d told her to wait and darted of with his armor back into the rain. Tilting her head, she had shrugged and waited until he returned. It didn’t take him over long to return, and once he did and had straightened himself out, she had led him inside. Really, she didn’t care what he looked like, she’d grown up with four other men (her father and three brothers), all of whom and worn armor of some sort, and heavens knew, her father had come in from the fields looking more bedraggled, uncomely, and muck covered after a rain than a bantha who’d been dropped off in a swamp and rolled around in the muck for a while. Needless to say, a man who had just come out of the rain with nothing but some rainwater and a sweaty shirt from his armor did very little to phase the young woman, or her mother.

As he greeted her mother, Italia tried not to snicker, rolling her eyes slightly behind the man’s back and gave an impish grin before allowing her amusement to melt back into one of a more neutral smile as he brought his head up to where he’d be able to see her expression again. Such a gentleman….hmm. It’s a damn shame he’s not younger or I’m not older. Kiva had seemed pleased enough with the greeting, though she shot her daughter a “I hope you’re not up to something” look when he couldn’t see it. He was a good looking man to be sure, and the fact that he, Mandalore, had given her daughter a compliment, and thus herself and her departed husband….yes the woman was quite pleased, though she did little to show it but smile and nod her head with a simple “thank you, we tried to raise them all to be strong,” before leading him away. Italia had paused part way up the stairs, catching the movement of his head, and so she had caught the look as well. Beaming a grin down at him and chuckling, she shooed him away with her hands, mouthing a “you’ll be fine” before bounding up the rest of the steps like a kath hound.

Now, as her mother brought him a tall glass of water, she took the extra towel from him and smiled, slinging it over her shoulder. Lia furrowed her brow slightly feeling herself slipping into another of those dratted coughing fits. Why NOW?! Of all times…now, here, at home with her mother and Solus’ad of all people…she cursed the toydarian and that dratted wookiee under her breath as she stepped into the hall, paced up the steps to “return the towel.” Once at the top, she leaned against the wall. It felt like she was trying to cough up a lung…well…technically. Her chest burned and after a little over a minute of coughing she finally managed to get hold of herself again. She’d slid down the wall by this point and now, wheezing, she put her face in her hands. Some mando’ad she was, letting some coughing get to her. Heaving a wheezy sigh, Lia stood again and put the towel away in the cupboard there before returning to the kitchen.

Kiva wasn’t stupid, nor was she blind. As she’d put down the water for their guest, she had caught the look her daughter got as she took the towel from him. Even as the young woman left, Kiva sighed and shook her head slightly having caught those muttered words. She turned blue eyes to the man at the table and gave a slight smile.

“You seem miles away, Solus’ad. Much on your mind or are ya just relivin’ old memories?”

Italia had reappeared then, the last of her beads gone as she picked up the others from the table, as well as the blades that had been sheathed within. Vanishing for another moment, she appeared once more, her hair considerably more dry, the various layers cut into it making it fall around her face at odd intervals. Resting a hand on Solus’ad’s shoulder, she gave him a bright smile as she looked over at her mother.

Good to see you two didn’t kill each other while I was gone…I would have hated to clean up the mess.

With that teasing out of the way, she moved around the kitchen, shooing her mother away from the cutting of vegetables after she’d started a pot of water to boil. After a moment of chopping, she glanced over her shoulder at the man sitting there with a mischievous look. Kiva, who had been pulling down various spices, paused as she heard the cutting stop and glanced at her daughter.

“Don’t get any ideas ad’ika…”

Turning her head the other direction, she gave Solus’ad an apologetic look. Behind her mother, Lia acquired a resigned look and grudgingly went back to her chopping.

“…forgive her. I think Itani, the third youngest, has started getting to her. The two have always been a couple of jokesters. Hmph. Maybe the military can straighten you up like it did Cor…at least he doesn’t go about frightening his mother and teasing guests, OR officers.”

This last part was to Italia, and the young woman groaned slightly, giving that same embarrassed look that she had gotten the first day she’d met Solus’ad, and cringing slightly.

Mum, I already told ya that I apologized for that. As for Cor…bah, he’s always been so stuffy…you really wan’ me to be stuffy mum? Can YOU see me as being a stuffy person?

Her question was directed, then, to Solus’ad. She gave him an impish smile before her face went stony, her posture becoming perfectly straight, almost rigid as she went back to chopping the vegetables with her nose slightly in the air and an aura of “I’m a machine” about her as she flawlessly cut and moved on to the next item to chop.

You are perfectly correct, buir, I should have known better. Please forgive me, I shall strive to act more appropriately from now on. Now, what else shall I do to earn your favor, buir? Perhaps I shall sing and dance for the entertainment of our guest? No? Juggling perhaps? No, I can’t juggle…hmm…never mind then. I can’t seem to think of anything, so I fear I shall just have to content myself with chopping these vegetables.

Her country accent had vanished, all slang going with it, as she adopted a more “core world accent.” Never once did she look down at what she was chopping. Her mother had stopped pouring the rice into the boiling pot of water as she listened and watched, unsure if she wanted to laugh or not. It seemed she’d touched a nerve without meaning to. Letting out a slight chuckle she dumped the rest of the rice into the pot and set the lid on it again to start the boiling once more, then turned and patted her daughter on the shoulder.

“No, ad’ika, I don’t believe it suits you. Now, if you both will excuse me, I have clothes to put away before the night is done. Lia, let me know when the rice is ready.”

The younger woman nodded simply, only relaxing again once her mother had left, her face showing her discontent. She stole a sideways glance at Solus’ad and paused in her chopping to turn and look at him, toying with the knife as she did so.

I’m sorry about that. I was only going to ask you to cut the meat for tonight so it didn’ have to be done later. Didn’ mean ta drag ya into somethin’ like that. Happens sometimes though, havin grown up with three brothers, bein’ the only girl an’ the oldest ain’t easy.

She gave a mild shrug to the words, once again seeming to not care one way or the other as she went back to chopping the last carrot. Italia did care though…she cared very much about what her mother thought, and Cor, the second oldest, had always been the “good one.” He’d been good at school, at training, in his attitudes and mannerisms, his verd’goten had gone flawlessly, he’d gone on to join the Mandalorian Army, been promoted several times…he was the poster child. Orlo was the baby, he could do no wrong…not that he ever really did…and he was the sweetheart who followed her around like a little puppy. He was clever too, knew how to get his way without causing problems for anyone, and if he did he took the blame. Itani and she had been the black sheep. Itani was the prankster, always playing jokes and never seeming serious about anything, he came and went as he pleased, and devil may care, but he sure as hell didn’t. Itani was intelligent though, and he’d done fairly well at school and excelled in training, and like the slinky assassin he turned out to be in the end, even in childhood he got away with causing problems and she’d had to take the blame or fix the problem…sometimes both. Italia, well, she knew she wasn’t that intelligent. She’d had to work hard to keep up in school, training had been easier, but it still wasn’t easy. Her verd’goten had left her scarred, she’d become a mercenary and a good one, and though her parents had arranged the deal with the man she’d joined, it had never really been to her mother’s liking. Despite that, she’d done her best as a child, and even as she grew older, to help, and keep track of, her brothers. Keeping them out of trouble wasn’t always easy…boys WOULD be boys after all. The only way she’d been able to keep a grip on reality and keep from killing small animals, starting with her brothers, was to develop a sense of humor and understanding…to adapt that softer side of her that most mando’ade chose to shut down…and use it to her advantage. It also left her open to emotional injury, self doubt, and self depreciation more easily. It was this caring side of her that had goaded her into confronting Bane, and it was this side of her that Kiva’s words had stung so badly when she had compared her to Cor.

Tossing the last of the carrot into the bowl she’d been putting the chopped veggies in, Lia turned and prodded the rice with a wooden spoon to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pot as it cooked. Only a moment after she’d just finished talking, she glanced at Solus’ad again. Canting her head to the side, she leaned on the edge of the stove where it wasn’t too warm and gazed at him through clever eyes.

I would ask if you have brothers or sisters, but by your name I would tend to think that you don’t.

She paused a moment, still studying him from her well practiced position of false relaxation.

I hope you won’t take offence to my sayin’ this, but…I’ve noticed that we seem ta have a lot in common, and I can’t help but wonder why I get that feelin’. You look around this place like you’ve seen it before…an’ that leads me ta believe that you grew up in a place not so dissimilar. There’s also somethin’ else, though. Somethin’ I can’t…quite….get a good grasp on.

The rumbling of thunder made her pause and look up at the ceiling as if she might be able to see through it to the sky. The rain pattered lightly against the glass of the windows and the roof, tinkling on what metal there was around the place, then the boiling of the rice caught her attention and she stirred the stuff once more, idly gazing into it as if trying to puzzle it out.

That rain slick of yours…it’s seen a lot of use. Smelt like desert an’ campfires. You didn’ seem so bothered by my county accent either. Not what I’d expect from a city boy, or someone with degrees. Mostly fringe an’ dirt poor farmers like us talk like this.

A little huff of air was given and she tucked some of that lengthening hair behind her ear as she stopped her stirring and leaned against the stove again. The back of the hand holding the spoon came to rest against her hip, her weight shifting one shoulder rising and unlocking slightly to keep her balanced mainly on one foot. Lia offered up a small smile and blinked at him before chuckling and shaking her head. Well, now he knew another little part of her. She didn’t open up this much to most people, hell, she couldn’t even think of anyone aside from family who’d seen so many sides of her…now she was even letting him into how she thought. Why? It was dangerous for outsiders, anyone other than family, know how she thought. Knowing how she thought would lead to knowing just how, what, and why she felt and the reasonings behind her actions.

Only thing I can figure is you were a farmer once…don’t think it was for long though. Th' slick tells me you were a traveler. My guess, you grew up like this…went fringe. You don’ have the feel of someone who’s been raised up in military…likely joined late. Mmm, fringe meets the bill best.

A sigh was given and she set the spoon down on the holder on the stove before giving him another small smile, almost apologetically, before she let out another light chuckle.

Ya know, you’re a dangerous man without even meanin’ to be.

With that, she moved further into the kitchen, opening a cupboard and pulling out a frying pan. Bringing it over to the stove as well, she set it down before pulling a slab of meat from the conservator ((aka refrigerator.)) and plopped it down on the cutting board. She’d already wiped it down so there was no need to do it again, either way, the mando’ad began to cube it up for cooking.

[projectsunfire]

Miles away, he thought. Yeah that about summed it up. Mandalore cleared his throat and took a drink of water from his glass. With a distant look in his dull green eyes he stared into the contents of his glass. "I was," Mandalore hesitated, "remembering Dantooine. I grew up in the farming communities there." Mandalore smiled down into his water. Its contents sloshed slowly in his cup, reflecting a shattering of liquidous light. "It feels like a long time ago."

Italia returned from the recesses of the house and suggested the possibility that Solus'ad and her mother might have attempted to kill one another. It made him wonder if there was a reason for that comment or if she was just being mischievous. He assumed it was the latter. Mandalore was silent, and his mind indeed far away. He missed the look that Italia gave him, so when Kiva began berateing her, he looked up and shook his head. Parents were the same everywhere.

Mandalore listenned intently as Kiva related her hopes for her daughter. They were high hopes to be sure. Then again, Mandalore knew the universe didn't work that way.

Italia's embarassment was natural, he just hoped that was what it was, and not that some stitches had come loose. He sat back in his chair with a creek and kept silent. Listenning to the pair talk. Mandalore felt comforted by the voices. He couldn't understand why. Maybe because he'd been alone for so long. Sure he was Mandalore, but he didn't have... anyone. There were throngs of people he was responsible for. Would any of them have invited him into their home the way these people had.

Mandalore blinked as he realized he was being asked to cut the meat. He shook himself from his own introspective thoughts and got up out of his chair. He approached softly on his bare feet. The soles made no sound on the wooded floor, and his motions seemed slightly awkward. When she had finished chopping a small share of the meat, he took the knife from her with a delicate motion, so he wouldn't accidentally cut her.

When Kiva left Italia was worried that he had been offended. What a silly thought. "Not a problem. Believe it or not I had a mother once too." Mandalore chuckled at the thought of him haveing a mother. He washed his hands in the sink and noticed how old they looked. Not wrinkled. But worn, and scarred. With a swift grab he slapped some of the meat to the cutting board and began sliceing away the fatty bits. Once the meat was quartered and sectioned he began diceing it. The knife he used tapped against the synth wood with a rythmic cadence.

Family was a touchy subject for Solus'ad. He had been born to a republic family on Dantooine. But it was his Nana who'd been his real mother. He knew it, though however much he denied it. He felt he could never have the honor of being born Mandoade.

"No, and yes. All Mando are my brothers and sisters. But if your asking if I have any siblings by birth, thats a negative." he felt tense over Italia's words, though he hid it in all but the way his muscles tightenned. Mandalore finished diceing the meat and snapped his wrist sending the carving knife into the cutting board with a satisfieing thunk. It made him feel a little better.

He sighed, and let his muscles relax. "Im not offended Lia. We do have alot in common. I grew up on Dantooine in a farming community there. My Ba'buir taught me to be a Mandalorian. What it was to be Mando'ade." Mandalore scooped the meat into his hands and subtley crowed Italia at the stove. He dropped the meat into a waiting pan and searched a moment for oil. Solus'ad cleared his throat, "Uh, Oil?" Mandalore said looking a bit out of place. When Italia pointed it out to him took it and added enough to cook and eventually brown the meat.

"My mother..." His words cut off a moment as his memory washed over him in a flood of sick feelings. He suppressed the guilt and hate as best he could and continued. "was kidnapped, violated, and murdered by a hutt crimelord. I used what my Ba'buir taught me and took vengence upon the slug. In all honesty its a Miracle I'm here today. The Hutts have a thing about family. Fortunately for me I was able to make them see it my way." He stared at the burner on the stove as it flared up, and set the pan down on it, shakeing the meat to get the oil spread around.

Realizing he was still crowding Italia he gave her the run of the stove. He washed his hands off again to get the little bits of meat off them, and dried his hands on the towel hanging from his neck. With a heavy sigh he leaned against the counter near the stove and slumped. "From then on the Hutts saw me as a way to bring their debts in. I went about doing their dirty work for the next 15 years. I did some pretty terrible things for money." His eyes seemed to glaze slightly as he stared off into his memory.

"Things that make a Sith Lord seem charming." Screams and blaster shots seemed to echo through his memory as a flash of lighting lit Mandalore's face before Italia paused for its thunderous roll. He shook his head, shaking the memory away. "I had a ship once too, not as fancy as the Ghost Star. I'd trained in fighters in my career with the hutts. so I stuck with what I knew. I had a small mutli-role fighter. Nothing like your Ghost, but she got me through a few scrapes. I gave her up to answer the call of Mandalore." He unfolded his arms and brought them up behind his head. His eyes shut gently and he sighed softly. Another rumble of distant thunder rolled its way across the plain, rattling the windows in their panes.

"The Rain slick has been with me from the beginning. I've had it since I was a kid. If you can imagine a gangly little boy wearing a tent while he shovelled nerf muck in the rain." Mandalore smiled a little at the memory of it and sighed. "Can never really get the smell out, just cover it up with other smells. Once I tried to wash that damn thing. If you can believe it, it actually smelled worse afterwards."

A little string in Mandalore's heart twinged with guilt. His eyebrows seemed to fold painfully as he ran his fingers through his dark hair. The smell of the vegitables cooking and the spices seemed to wake him up to the situation at hand and he pushed it all to the back of his mind. "That smells good. Been a long time since I had the pleasure of a home cooked meal. Seems like all I've eaten for the past 20 years have been MRE's and food made on mass." Mandalore wafted some of the steam from the pot into his face and breathed deeply through his nose.

"ahhh" he sighed, almost as if the heated froth melted everything cold and icy within him. The steam fogging his mind. Makeing him forget. "That'll be good." Mandalore said softly as he made his way back to his seat at the table. He reached for his water and brought the cup to his lips. He watched Italia as she cooked, over the rim of his cup. He was quite taken with the little auburn haired Mando'ade. He felt old just looking at her. She was so young and full of life. He stared at her conflicted in his heart. He was a man, after all. But he was Mandalore.

He realized he was stareing and he closed his eyes, polishing off his cup of water. Solus'ad took the cup away from his mouth with a smacking of his lips. He set it down his and chewed on his own thoughts, his eyes downcast. "So tell me about your father Italia."

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

She’d just started trimming up the meat when he appeared silently behind her, startling her. After a slight jump, she chuckled and shook her head slightly allowing him to take the knife from her and ignoring the way their hands had to touch slightly to pass the blade from one to the other. Really, it wasn’t as if his was the first male hand she’d ever touched. Lia rolled her eyes slightly at herself as soon as her back was to him again while she moved away to work on the rest of the food. Turning, Italia gave him a look of mock surprise and gasped slightly as he informed her that he too once had a mother. Men were funny that way, taking something someone said and being facetious about it.

Really?! I would have never guessed! I thought you had sprouted out of the ground…or perhaps hatched from an egg like a chicken! You shatter my dreams sir.

Now it was her turn to be facetious. She watched for a moment as he chopped the meat, trimming the fat off as he went, before she went off to get the frying pan and setting it on the stove before retrieving the oil that would be needed. Instead of putting it down, however, she blinked at his remark about his ba’buir and being raised on Dantooine in a farming community. As he brought the meat over, she moved to give him more room and leaned against the cabinets there, arms folded across her chest, thinking. Well, she was thinking until he mentioned the oil…then she blushed.

Oh, uh…heh…sorry, forgot to put it down.

A mild chuckle of embarrassment escaped her as she unfolded her arms and handed the oil to him. Green eyes watched closely as he started talking about his mother. Yes, she understood the want for revenge. She’d learned it in her teens, and remembered it again during this past month. Putting a sympathetic hand on his shoulder she nodded slightly before he moved away. Adding the green onions and the numerous spices along with a couple ounces of a golden substance that almost looked like a type of butter, she watched Solus’ad from the corner of her eye as she cooked the meat up. By the time he’d gone through his short tale and had talked over his fighter, Lia had already added the cream, minute amount of sugar and shavings of fruit along with settling the rest of the veggies into the mixture and starting them to simmering with the meat and spices. She chuckled gently at his allusion to a boy wearing a tent to shovel muck in the rain. Yes, she knew THAT scenario all too well. The young mercenary smiled as he complemented the scent of the cooking and enjoyed some of the steam from the rice.

Ugh, I can’t imagine a life without some decent cooking every once in a while. I think I might…ouch! Blasted…hmph…I think I might go insane.

Yes, Lia had managed to catch a bit of burning hot liquid from the bubbling concoction on her arm as she’d reached for the salt and pepper. Checking the flame she huffed as she realized she’d not turned it down. That was swiftly remedied. Brushing off the hot liquid, she shook her head a bit and put a bit of both seasonings into the mix before taking a spoon and tasting it after allowing it to cool slightly. It was, indeed, tasting good. Rinsing off the spoon, she got another bit of the sauce, walked to the table where he sat, and held the handle out for him to take so he could taste as well. It was rather spicy, in all definitions, and that was just how she and kiva (and most of her family) liked it…hopefully he was one of those mandos who had a craving for spicy foods. Taking his cup, she refilled it again before placing it down before him once more and returning to the food. She hadn’t even noticed his looking at her, not fully anyway, as she had been busy poking at the rice once more. The water was evaporating nicely, leaving the golden and dark grains just above the level of the water. She’d just returned to shifting the simmering concoction around in the pan when he asked about her father.

A slight stiffening of her posture and a pause in her motions came just before she let out a heavy sigh and forced her muscles to relax again, if only slightly. Her father…that was one of the worst subjects that could have been brought up. She paused in her stirring again and leaned against the edge of the stove heavily, her elbows locking, shoulder blades coming up and shifting the skin of her back as her head drooped down between her shoulders slightly while she gazed at the simmering food.

There’s so little, an’ so much to say ‘bout him that I don’ know where to start.

Another slow sigh and she straightened up, setting a timer for thirty minutes before starting to clean up after the cooking that was happening.

He used to be part of Ordo clan, apparently, though my brothers an’ I never believed him. From what we were told, he left Ordo to join mum here in Shiros as a farmer.

The water she turned on in the sink slowly became warmer and she washed the few dishes that were there, allowing her to keep her back to Solus’ad. It was difficult, even now, not to cry over the loss of her father and so to keep him from seeing the tears in her eyes she opted to keep herself facing away from him until she could get better control of herself.

I’d always felt closest to him, spendin’ time with him over spendin’ time with mum even before ‘e started my trainin’ at three. Heh…I remember goin’ into his room an’ pesterin’ ‘im about tellin’ me how he got this amazing replica of a Hammerhead ship he had. Didn’ find out ‘til just after a month ago when he died how he really got it. Kept tellin’ my brothers an’ I that we’d never believe him if he told us. He was right of course…turns out Ark gave it to ‘im when my dad was a boy after findin’ out that they were related.

Turning the water off again and putting the last dish in the rack to dry, Italia ran a hand through her hair. Both were still damp so it didn’t matter to her if her hands were dry or not. Moving back over to the stove, she stirred up the rice again to make sure it wasn’t burning on the bottom.

Anyway…he was a nice man, simple really, not much to him. He was straight forward, kind, liked ta help people in general…he loved this farm too. Used to have me doin’ all kinds of crazy things around here…well, crazy from a kid’s standpoint. I never really loved the farm life, but I loved him an’ so I followed ‘im around doin’ whatever he asked me ta do. I turned five an’ he started teachin’ me how ta fight an’ take care of myself. Took me out huntin’ with him…he was actually kinda surprised how good I was huntin’ the small game rather than anythin’ big.

Tapping the tall wooden spoon against the rim of the pot to rid it of the extra rice, she stepped away and leaned back against the counter opposite the stove, her hair shading her eyes just enough that only a slight glint of green could be seen every so often as she gazed at the floor.

He was the one who understood me an’ tried, I mean really tried, to help me when he knew I was strugglin’ in school. Understood that it was tough for me tryin’ ta keep three brothers outta trouble an’ takin’ some of the blame myself when I couldn’ succeed at that. Mum never really understood that I think. She was too absorbed with Cor and Orlo…the second and youngest…and Itani almost always managed to wriggle himself outta tight spots either by himself, or with my help, to take much notice of anythin’ I did. Dad noticed everything. Sometimes I wonder how he did it…managed to keep track of all of us like he did.

He was the one figured out I just didn’ feel comfortable here an’ set me up an apprenticeship with Rish, the merc who owned the Star. Mum never approved, she would have rather I joined the army like Cor, but dad seemed to know better. He’d always allowed me the freedom to choose anyway.

She paused again, a painful tightening of her heart making her stop as she wished she could just cry and not feel like some blubbering idiot. Lia let out a shaky sigh and closed her eyes for a moment as she got hold of herself again. Slim arms folded across her chest as she leaned there, listening to the quiet pattering of the rain on the window behind her.

Dad was the first one ta tell me that just because I was mando’ade, didn’t mean I needed to be emotionless…I just needed ta be more careful with ‘em. ‘Bout a month and a half ago he contacts me, askin’ me ta come home an’ help mum here ‘cause he couldn’t get hold of any of my brothers an’ mum was sick so he couldn’t take her with him to make a deal on the land across from ours that’s fallow now. Member of our clan moved to Mandalore near 3 months ago I guess, an’ dad wanted ta buy it up since they weren’t sellin’ it to anyone else yet and nothin’ was happenin’ with it. He’d been on his way back when a group of pirates destroyed his ship. I found out the day I decided ta join the special ops for the mission to Coruscant…

Italia was forced to stop again, her throat closing on her voice slightly as she gazed unseeingly at the floor. He’d gotten dangerously close to her, he likely didn’t even know it, but she did, and so it was time to bring up her defenses again if she could. After a moment of silence where all they could hear was the rain and a distant rumble of thunder in the background, she took a breath and stood straight once again, her head coming up once more and shrugging slightly.

It surprised me, that day, since not only did Itani reappear, but I found out that Ark is related to us through dad. Itani and I both had heirlooms from Ark’s family and we didn’t even know it until I saw the replica of the Hammerhead he was making in his hangar and showed him the necklace I got from dad after my verd’goten. Turned out it was his daughter’s, and Itani had his wedding band…now I have his wife’s band.

She chuckled a little and put a smile on her face as she checked the rice once again. It was nearly done, but not quite yet.

It’s a bit odd ta lose one family member, regain a brother, and find that ya have a 300 year old cyborg as a ba’buir…not to mention that you’re father’s clan was indeed Ordo.

Despite the pain she felt, Lia smiled again and gave a light little laugh as she stirred the simmering meat once more. Her mask could be flawless at times, so much so that she fooled even herself into thinking she was the carefree woman that most saw, but like her brother’s mask of carefree fun and humor, that was only a mask, and masks could not always hide what you wanted them too…there was always the eyes that showed. The black sheep of the family had grown a thick hide and developed a better mask than their siblings, but now, Italia wasn’t so certain that it would work against this man.

Not any more.

He too wore a mask, after all, and that made it easier to see a mask for what it truly was.

[projectsunfire]

She handed him a spoon laiden with the spicy sauce and Mandalore stared at her a moment before blowing some of the steam away and eating it from her hand. He tested its texture and rolled the spice around in his mouth. He could swear three little hairs just popped out on his chest. relocating from the now burned out place in his nose. "Mm, thats spicy. Thats damn good." With a subtle swish of his hand he wiped away a tear that had begun to form at his eye. "Not much can get me quite like that these days besides a punch to the nose, and some of that good old fashioned Mandalorian Hetikles." Mandalore knew that the now full glass of water would be useless since water only made spices spread. Bread would be wiser. That or the steaming hot rice.

He noticed that she stiffenned slightly at his question and he worried a moment that he might have said something painfull. Her father had been an Ordo. She was related to Arkanos. Now that was interesting. I wonder if Ark had green eyes too once upon a time.

He seemed like an ordinary Mandalorian at first, then it dawned on him that perhaps he had been more. A student or soldier for Cay Severn, Solus'ad's predecessor. That was a hard thing to think about. He realized he really had stepped in the poodu this time. She was still mourning his loss. As a Mandalorian he wanted to tell her to tough it out, but he couldn't be that cold to her. He liked her alot, and being cruel to her wouldn't do her any good. They'd had a lot of the same experiences. At least her mother was still alive.

Quietly he stood, and walked toward her on his bare feet. She had exposed herself to him. Something that hurt her still. That wasn't good, But Mandalore realized that integrity about this was a far better option that giving her a lesson in being a Mandalorian. Mourning a lost loved one, was part of a Mandalorians Honor. He hadn't been completely silent in his approach. Synth wood was notoriously squeeky at times.

She turned and he stared into her emerald eyes. He wrapped his arms around her in a firm, yet tender embrace, and squeezed gently. "I'm sorry Italia. I would have very much liked, to have met him. He sounds like he was a true Mandalorian." He gave her a mirshmure'cya, and pulled away, without letting go. "I'll wear a stripe of Red for him, on Shogun."

With a heavy sigh he pulled her to his chest and held her there for precious moments. Silent.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Italia blushed slightly as he ate from the spoon while she was still holding it, savoring the spices and texture. At his words she had grinned and chuckled lightly, heading over to the sink with the spoon.

Ah good, you do like heturam. Don' know why I thought you might not...

After she'd gone through the painful explanation and description of her father, she poked at the sauce and meat for a while before she heard one of the floorboards protest under a new weight. Looking up, she half expected to see her mother coming in, but instead pine green eyes found Solus'ad there. Her heart stopped for a moment as his arms wrapped around her comfortingly. Uncertainly, almost hesitantly, she wrapped her own arms around his larger form, her face pressing lightly against his chest. As that baritone voice came up once again, she moved away just enough to nod slightly and give a half-hearted smile. She agreed...but then, she was also biased. Already the pain was starting to dull again, and the young woman was taken by surprise as he rested his forehead against hers as she looked up at him.

The subtle, tender, motion had her eyes closing against a new set of tears that threatened her, and still she refused to cry. There was no point in it. Nothing except a release for your pain...it was almost as if a different voice aside from her own thoughts had entered her mind, even though she knew it wasn't the case. That was the truth speaking, but her pride just refused to allow it. Even as he pulled away from her slightly, she didn't open her eyes, her head lowering once more, a mixture of pain, resignation, and anger (directed at those who had killed her father) on her features.

"I'll wear a stripe of Red for him, on Shogun."

She nodded slightly.

I'm honored that you would do that for him Solus'ad...it...means a lot to me. I too will be wearing red for him, and that red will never leave my armor.

Her voice was dark with her emotion, but even so it was steady and quiet in its resignation. Lia knew that nothing would bring her father back, no matter how much she wished it, and she wished it with every fiber of her being. Finally, the man holding her sighed and pulled her close once more. Instinctively she held on to him a bit more tightly, her head lowering a little more so that her forehead was pressed against his stronger chest before turning it and settling the side of her face against him. In the end, despite her mind's urges not to, the tears slid down her face. She wasn't sobbing, there wasn't even any sound from her...if it hadn't been for the tears themselves, she wouldn't have been crying at all in fact.

When was the last time I cried over this? Have I even ever done so? I found out the day before Coruscant and I don' remember crying once since then...have I really never cried for my father?

This realization hit the woman hard, and she held her breath for a moment, her entire body tensed once more, so stunned was she. A shaky breath followed and she urged her body to relax as she gathered herself together again. All she wanted now was to cry, but she hadn't invited him here to be emotional support. She could cry to her heart's content later....when she was alone. No one else need suffer with her, especially not him or her mother. With an iron will, she bore down on those emotions, strangling them and cutting them off. As they died the tears died...and as the tears died, her mind told her to move, to back away from Solus'ad and refuse further comfort....

She didn't move.

Instead she simply stood there with him, allowing the sound of the rain, the feel of him holding her, and the sound of his heart sooth her.