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[cinlat]

Fictober/Whumptober: Day 13

I’ve been running like crazy and haven’t gotten nearly as many of these done as I’d have liked. But, I had some time today, so have some young Sith learning how not to use the Force.

Prompt: Fictober “I never knew it could be this way.” Whumptober “Adrenaline” Genre: Suspense Word Count: 411 Characters: Young Ari Drellik, Nuada Techtmar (belongs to @kunoichi-ume) & Ma’at Stasma Story/series: Sithy Bunch Timeline: While Tully is trapped in carbonite. The boys are eight years old.  Fandom: swtor

Dromund Kaas Estate of Darth Imperius

Ari pressed the attack, embracing the Force as it boiled through his veins. His heart pounded, adrenaline and the Dark Side blurring his opponent’s features until they no longer represented his brother and best friend, but a thing that needed to be destroyed. Red crept into the edges of Ari's vision, blotting out everything except his target.

With a cry of rage, Ari channeled the Force from his core, down one arm, and into the chest of his adversary. The form buckled, rolling away in a stunned heap that gave Ari room to advance. He rushed forward, practice saber raised to deliver the final blow. Then, the world snapped back into color a moment before Ari struck the floor three feet from where he'd been. His breath left in a whoosh as shadows raced past.

Ari jumped when one touched his face, blinking to realize that it was his father. Awareness slithered back into his mind, clearing the fog of battle to show his mother kneeling next to Nuada. Ari’s throat tightened with fear and he scrambled to their sides.

Ma’at let out a relieved breath and pulled Ari into a fierce hug. Her warmth seeped into him, soothing any vestiges of anger that had seemed so important moments ago. “My sons,” she whispered, pulling Nuada in with her other arm when he sat up. Ari met his brother’s gaze, unsure of how to apologize or explain his actions. It was all a blur, hazy memories that slipped away with every passing second.

When their mother pulled back, she cradled each boy’s face in her palms. “You do not ever access the Dark Side of the Force without me, Jeasa, or Ashara to guide you, is that understood?”

Both boys nodded, but Ari knew her admonishment was directed at him. “I--” he stumbled over the words, seeking answers that his mind couldn’t comprehend. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know it would be like that. I thought I could handle it.”

Ma’at dragged the boys against her again, arms tight around their necks. “Promise me.” Ari and Nuara obeyed, their words muffled against her shoulders.

Fear raced through Ari, not only at how easily he could have harmed Nuada, but of the anger that had come with it. He needed to examine it from every angle, to understand where the hatred had come from. Until then, Ari vowed not to touch the Force unless his life was in danger. Maybe not even then.

[kunoichi-ume]

May Drabbles, Day 15

Prompt: awake without them (Anticipation)

Characters: Jedi Dina Volezz and Sith Prince Ari Drellik (who belongs to @cinlat who made the beautiful banner)

Word Count: 1536

Dina pulled her knees to her chest as she huddled against the headboard of her bed. It was late, enough that everyone else was asleep. During the day it was hard to imagine the Zakuulian palace ever being silent, between the constant guard shifts, the twins’ antics and the sounds of someone training – because there was always someone training – the background of the palace was a constant source of the white noise that comforted her so.

Then night would come, and everything seemed to stop. The guard changes were quieter and the large, eclectic royal family retired for the night.

On nights like tonight it was torture. The silence. It was like going back to those dark days when her world was defined by silence, by her inability to communicate with anyone. Days when her mother would shove her away if she approached her and father’s eyes glanced over her like she didn’t exist. The only comfort in her life was her big sister, Rasiel, who comforted her when she was hurt and snuck her medications when she was sick.

The older girl had even tried to teach her to read, but that was mostly a lost cause until she got her hearing implants. After leaving their parent’s home, Rasiel had almost never left her side. She alone knew how the silence terrified Dina.

Even Ari didn’t know how these nights weighed on her. Until Rasiel had moved into Nuada’s room recently, they had shared one, so she could fall asleep to the sound of her sister’s breathing. It was a reassuring sound, one reminding her that she wasn’t trapped in that soundless hell and that she wasn’t alone.

Tracing her finger in mindless circles on her kneecap, Dina hummed softly. The sound of her own voice was the best she could do at the moment, unless she wanted to sneak out of the palace. It was tempting and if she didn’t have one of her fevers she might have. Instead she was restricted to her bed, in a room far too large for one person, in a palace that sounded like a graveyard.

“Why’d you have to move out Ras?” She whispered in the darkness, even though she knew exactly why. Her sister loved the crown prince, they were even speaking of marriage. It wasn’t fair to continue to cling to her anymore. Their entire lives Ras had been the responsible one, the strong one, the one that made sure they had a place to sleep and food to eat.

Then there were the countless times she had tended to Dina while she was sick. When the doctors found her heart problems and the poor condition of her health was finally discovered to be birth defects from alcohol. Their mother drank like an Imperial sailor and being pregnant with her second child hadn’t stopped her from reaching for a bottle at every opportunity.

A sob worked its way up her throat as she realized this was her future. Ras wouldn’t share a room with her again, not as a married woman – and that was one sound she did not need to hear no matter her fears – and for almost half of every day cycle on Zakuul she would drown in silent misery.

Pushing her loose hair out of the way, Dina cupped her ears angrily. “Why couldn’t you just work,” she snarled into the stillness, both venting her frustration and soothing her paranoia, “why even grow ears if they won’t do anything?”

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she shook, her quiet sobs deafening against the silence around her. She wanted, desperately, to go to her sister and take whatever comfort she could get, but it would be selfish to wake her. Dina had even temporarily blocked their force bond as soon as she felt Ras fall asleep, a habit she had picked up in the first few days since the room change occurred. She was determined to stop holding her older sister back from having her own life.

Another ragged sob escaped her a moment before she heard a knock on her door and froze.

“Dina?” She squeaked when Ari’s muffled voice came through the door. “Are you awake?”

Slowly, Dina unfolded her legs and pushed herself off the bed. The room spun slightly as she came to her feet and she braced herself against the bedpost for a moment before making her way to the door. Stopping to make sure her hair was covering her ears, she opened it slowly, she peeked out to see outside her room.

“Oh Dina, do you have a fever again?”

While him immediately knowing she was sick was disheartening, she must look a mess, the genuine concern in his voice made her smile. It was still such a novelty, hearing that in another voice besides her sister’s. “It’s just a mild one,”

Placing his hand against the door, Ari slowly pushed it open further so he could cup her cheek with his other hand. Brushing her tears away with his thumb, he frowned, “then why were you crying?”

“It’s nothing,” Dina said with a sigh as she stepped away from the door. Hit by a sudden wave of dizziness, she stumbled, and Ari caught her.

“Alright, let’s get you back to bed sweetie.” Supporting her with an arm around her waist, Ari helped her back across the room to her bed. Once he had her lying back down, properly on the fluffy pillows and covered in a warm blanket, he sat on the side of the bed next to her. “Will you tell me what’s wrong?”

Sniffing, Dina turned her head away from him. “It’s really not important.”

“Hey now,” Ari said softly, lying down on his side next to her and turning her face to look at him, “anything that can make you cry is important to me.”

Dina wasn’t sure if it was her fever or her heart condition, but she could have sworn her pulse skipped a beat at his words. She hadn’t wanted to bother anyone else with her problems, but when he looked at her with those beautiful green eyes, she couldn’t deny him. “It’s too quiet,” she said, “it’s like before, when there was no sound.”

Ari frowned, “it was pretty bad back then wasn’t it?”

With how little she had told him about her childhood, she couldn’t blame him for asking. She was ashamed of how much those days affected her still and telling someone who grew up loved and cherished that her parents hated her? That she was definitely not brave enough to do.

Wiping away the fresh tear on her cheek, Ari leaned over and kissed her forehead. “You don’t have to answer that, I’m sorry.”

Dina caught his hand, lacing her fingers between his, and smiled softly. “Please don’t apologize for those people, you’re nothing like them.”

“Good, I’d hate to make you feel like that. So, silence is hard to deal with?”

“I know it’s silly,” Dina sighed, turning her head to stare at the ceiling, “it’s just so hard not to be scared. Implants are imperfect, you know? Someday these are going to stop working and my world is going to be silent again.”

“Dina look at me,” Ari said, waiting until she turned her face down to meet his gaze. “I swear to you, that is not going to happen. If something happens to your implants, we will get them repaired or replaced. Zakuul has the best medical tech in the galaxy, I want to take care of you. Just let me.”

“Thank you, Ari,” Dina smiled softly even while her heart hurt. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate and adore him for what he said, and even more so because she believed him, but just once she wanted to be strong enough not to be a burden on the few people she loved. She was such a mess that Ras was just barely starting to have a life that didn’t revolve around her little sister and now it was like that caretaker position was being foisted onto him.

Fingers carding gently through her hair brought her thoughts back to the moment, to the feel of Ari’s weight on the bed next to her and – most importantly – to the gentle sound of his breathing. It was a soft, comforting sound and filled the silence and settled her nerves.

Dina didn’t want to spend her whole life relying on others, but maybe it would be okay just for tonight. Scooting closer, she wrapped her arm around his waist. “Would you stay with me? I can’t sleep in the silence.”

“I can stay,” he answered right away, before frowning, “has it like that every night? Not sleeping I mean?”

“Since Ras moved out,” Dina nodded, head laid against his chest where she could listen to his heartbeat, “being able to hear her breathing helps.”

Ari wrapped his arms around her and settled more comfortably in the bed. “We can’t have that, not sleeping is going to keep you sick,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “According to Nuada I can even promise to snore in your ear.”

Dina smiled at the thought, “that sounds perfect.”

[cinlat]

Ari Drellik. Prince of Zakuul. Loyal Brother. Neither Sith nor Jedi. Looks Like His Father. Takes After Tully. Archaeologist. Warrior. Watchful Big Brother. Hopelessly In Love With His Jedi. Mostly Obedient Son. 

[kunoichi-ume]

So @cinlat and @dimigex talked me into a month long prompt list a few months ago that got pushed back to May cause school and life suck. They chose dialogue prompts with a bonus word to include (that I often ignored).

Prompt:  “It’ll only hurt a little, I think…” (Dance) Characters: Bridae, Zaria and Nuada Techtmar and Ari Drellik Story: Sithy Bunch Word Count: 1367 A/N: Nuada and the twins are Tuahtal and Ma’at’s children, Ari is her son with Talos who is every bit a part of the family as any of them. Bonus points if you can tell which movie was an inspiration for this.

Eleven-year-old Zaria Techtmar paused at the end of the hallway to peak around the corner. Hugging a freezing cold bowl of ice to her chest, she scanned the connecting corridor for any sign of an adult that would want to know what they were doing. The Knights didn't bother them much, as long as they weren't being attacked, they were safe enough for the guard's satisfaction. It was the family that was the problem. Uncle Pierce might not ask what they were up to or might not stop them if they answered honestly. He was kind of cool like that. Almost anyone else would put a stop to their plans and this was one of those times where it was better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

Once she saw that the coast was clear she looked over her shoulder and nodded at her twin Bridae. Together they hurried around the corner and down the hall to the royal family's private apartment. Once inside they repeated the process two more times before finally reaching their bedroom. 

Zaria set the bowl of ice down on her desk next to their other supplies: candles they had snuck out of their parent's bedroom, a lighter Bridae had nicked out of Uncle Andronikos' jacket, and a needle from Uncle Mal's infirmary. Bridae deposited her bowl of cut geldan sun apples pilfered during their kitchen raid next to the ice and grinned.

 "That's everything!" She declared, turning to eye Zaria. "You ready? You're first."

 "Who says I am going first?" Zaria stepped back from the table, eyeing their supplies warily. "Why not you?"

 "Because you're the oldest remember?"

 Zaria groaned at the reminder. Usually she liked to make sure her sister couldn't forget that she was older by a whole whopping 3 minutes but this time she wasn’t sure she wanted to be first.

Though, going second would mean actually preforming the act first... Zaria wasn't sure which was worse. 

While she was debating about which was the lesser evil, Bridae had started playing with the lighter after lighting the candle. Both girls had always loved fire, but she was by far more enthralled by flames than Zaria. The slightly older twin was far more drawn to explosives and the rush it was to see something explode and know she had caused it.

Watching Bridae playing with the flame, playing a game of chance of whether she was moving her fingers fast enough to avoid being burned, Zaria had an idea.

"Rock, flimsi, scissors. Winner gets to wield the needle."

Bridae looked up from the fire and grinned impishly at her. "You know I always win rock, flimsi, scissors."

"Keep telling yourself that," Zaria said, holding her hand out in front of her. Bridae mimicked her gesture.

Together they pumped their fists while they chanted "rock, flimsi, scissors!" On the third word Bridae flatted her hand to make flimsi as Zaria kept her hand fisted tight as rock. 

Clapping her hand on top of her sister's fist, Bridae let out a cheer. "Told ya! I always win!"

"Yeah, we both know you cheat." Zaria muttered, stomping over to the ice bowl and fishing out a cube. She pressed it to the back of her earlobe and shivered at the chill. "How bad do ya think this is gunna be?"

Bridae shrugged as she held the needle over the flame. “It’ll only hurt a little, I think…” She pulled the needle out of the flame and blew on it, "now pass me an apple and sit down."

Nodding, Zaria grabbed the biggest slice of apple in the bowl and sat down on the edge of one of the two desks in their room. Bridae moved to stand next to her, needle and apple in each hand. "Ready?"

"Yeah, on three?"

"On three."

Like the rock, paper, flimsi chant they counted in harmony. "One, two, three."

On the count Zaria pulled the ice away from her ear, Bridae replaced it with the apple and stabbed the needle through her earlobe.

Zaria bit down hard on her lip to keep from crying out as her ear started to bleed. 

Bridae's eyes widened as her blood dripped down her hand. "Are you okay?"

"I think so..." Zaria said, her voice trembling slightly. "Is it bleeding a lot?” 

"More than we thought it would." Carefully Bridae pulled the needle out of the apple and her ear and held her hands up to show her the blood.

Zaria grabbed a shirt off the floor and pressed it against her ear to soak up the blood. The cloth was white and immediately started to turn pink. After a moment she pulled it away and tilted her head toward her sister. "Is it still bleeding?"

Bridae was just moving into check when their door slid open. Both girls swung around to look at the door without thinking about trying to hide the evidence.

"Girls, mum says its-" Ari's words died on his lips as he took in the scene, frozen just in the doorway.

"What the hell?" Nuada snarled, pushing his brother out of the way to stalk into the room and grab Zaria to examine the damage. "What were you two doing?"

The twins exchanged a glance and their brothers knew them well enough to know it meant they weren't planning on talking. Ari moved from the door to get a closer look at his sister's ear. "You better tell us, before one of the parents finds out. And why is it always Zaria covered in blood?"

Bridae mumbled an answer that neither could remember before Nuada poked her in the shoulder to make her repeat herself.

"It looked easy in the movie and mum said we were too young for earrings."

The boys stared at them for a moment while they tried to process that explanation. Finally, Ari spoke.

"Let me get this straight. Mum said you couldn't get your ears pierced and your solution was to stab your sister in the ear?"

"Well it sounds stupid when you say it like that," Zaria muttered while Nuada tried to clean her ear with another item of clothing he found on their floor.

"No, it sounds stupid because it is," he said as he wiped the blood off her neck. Realizing it was a lost cause until her ear stopped bleeding and that he needed proper supplies Nuara sighed and took her by the arm. "C'mon let's get you patched up and then you two can tell mum about your grand idea."

Both twins protested as they were herded out of the room. Ari knew Bridae well enough to know that if he didn't take her along with Zaria to the medbay they'd have to hunt her down later.

"It could be worse," Ari said trying to offer some comfort. "We could make you go tell your dad what you did to your sister."

Zaria stopped and turned to look at him, her expression shocked as what color was in her cheeks drained.

Bridae gave him an identical look. "You wouldn't."

Tuathal Techtmar, former Emperor's Wrath of the Sith Empire, Commander of the Eternal Alliance and current Emperor of Zakuul was far more protective of his daughters than his sons. That wasn't to say he would let any harm come to either boy, just that he fretted over the twins when one was hurt or sick. He claimed it was because the boys had the Force to protect them, especially during their training sessions while he wiped the floor with them, but Ari suspected it was because he worried about their budding interest in fire, explosives and far too many of Uncle Andronikos' stories from his pirate days.

"It's your choice," Nuada said firmly, taking advantage of his position as the oldest of their generation to use what little authority that gave him with his siblings. "You come clean to mum or I'll call dad myself."

Bridae glared at him, obviously planning retribution before spitting out her concession. "Fine, but fix Zaria's ear first, she's bleeding all over her favorite shirt."

Nuada grinned triumphantly, turning back around to continue toward the medbay. "That's what I thought you'd say sis."

[cinlat]

May Drabbles - Day 22

Prompt: “Running seems to be all you’re good at” (Storm) Characters: Brothers Ari Drellik & Nuada Techtmar ( @kunoichi-ume) Story/Series: Sithy Bunch Word Count: 912 A/N: Yes this is Ari all grown up, but swtor won’t give me child characters and I have zero talent with art. :P Besides, this will not be the last “Talos” style speech Ari has to give Nuada.

Ari parked the bike on the edge of the clearing and looked up. A hidden entrance opened into a cave roughly two hundred meters up, but sheets of rain concealed it from view. Gathering energy into his legs, Ari pushed off the ground and landed on the narrow ledge, arms flailing when his foot slipped. With a quick glance to make sure no one saw, Ari straightened his tunic and entered the cave.

“Go away.” Nuada’s voice echoed off the onyx walls before the boy could finish shaking the water from his hair.

“It that any way to greet your brother?” Ari ducked as a rock zipped overhead. “That’s more like it.”

The projectile clattered past as Ari moved on to Nuada’s favorite hiding spot. The older boy thought that he was clever, but Ari had taken more lessons from their mother on tracking people through the Force. Originally, it had been his pitiful attempt to find Uncle Tully, but Ari had found more practical uses for it.

With a sigh that resonated through the large chamber, Nuada dropped from a notch above Ari. “I don’t want to play, right now.”

“And, I don’t want to be out here freezing my ass off in the middle of winter,” Ari snapped back. “Guess we all lose, huh?”

With a grimace that looked just like their mother, Nuada’s tone hardened. “No one asked you to come out here. Now, what do you want?”

“In short?” Ari began, moving to start a fire by the vent they’d found last month. “For you to stop being such a dick.”

Nuada flapped his hands. “You better be glad mum isn’t here.” Ari snorted a laugh. There was a reason they had this cave. It was a secret place where they could escape the rigidity of Nuada’s birthright and be boys. Neither dared to swear in front of their mother, or Ari’s father, for that matter, but this spot allowed them to practice some of the freedoms that they might experience as adults. Like Uncle Nik or Pierce. At those two understood what young boys needed.

Flopping onto the cushion across from Ari, Nuada shot a string of lightning into the fire pit. Ari yelped and fell back, landing on his rear. “Could’ve warned me,” he grumbled.

Nuada had picked up that talent not long ago, and enjoyed rubbing it in Ari’s face. Nuada grinned in reply, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “He’s been gone for most of our lives, and now that--man wants to waltz in and be a part of it again?” Crossing his arms, Nuada shook his head. “That’s not how it works.”

“Looked to me like he limped in,” Ari stated, poking at the small flame with a stick. When Nuada didn’t reply, Ari pointed the smoldering wood at his brother. “He’s your dad, Nuada. Man up, and get to know him. Uncle Tully’s been a prisoner for five years, don’t you think that’s punishment enough?”

Nuada’s scowl deepened as purple electricity danced along his fingers. “Fine, be the asshole that everyone thinks you are.”

As expected, that got a rise out of the other boy. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Nuada had spent most of his life battling the stigma of the typical Sith child. Add onto it that his father was the Emperor's Wrath, plus a mother on the Dark Council, it had made for more than one tough lesson when they were little.

Meeting his brother’s angry gaze, Ari stood with hands on hips. “I mean, ever since Tuathal returned, running seems to be all you’re good at anymore.”

A storm of emotions swirled behind Nuada’s eyes, making them glow a dim purple. Their mother’s did that from time to time, usually when she was too angry to speak or preparing for battle. This was the first time that Ari had seen it in Nuada, and he had to fight the instinct to retreat. If you can’t to one, do the other. It was Uncle Nik’s motto, and Ari hoped that it worked this time. “Go on, hit me," Ari goaded. "Let’s see if there’s enough Sith in you to strike your own brother.”

That succeeded in startling Nuada. Ari breathed a sigh of relief when his brother shook out clenched hands, then fell back into his cushion. Ari squatted next to him. “He’s your dad, Nuada. Didn’t you see what they did to him? Don’t torture the poor man more.”

“What if he leaves again?” Nuada asked, anger still evident, but manageable. It was the first time that the boy had admitted to being anything but furious with his father for abandoning them. Even when they all knew it hadn’t been by choice. In Nuada’s eyes, Tully should have stayed with his family instead of going to that meeting with Darth Marr.

Placing a hand on the back of his brother’s head, Ari smiled. “Wouldn’t you rather have a few good memories of your own, than be forced to share someone else’s later?”

Nuada snorted. “Now, you sound like your dad.”

“My dad happens to be great,” Ari responded with mock indignity. “I’m proud to be a Drellik.”

“Wish I was,” Nuada mumbled. Ari sighed and pushed to his feet. His brother was as stubborn as Vette and their mother combined. He wouldn’t come around to logic until he was ready. In the meantime, Ari would stand vigil and offer whatever support he could, even when it wasn’t wanted.

[kunoichi-ume]

I'll see your three and raise you... 10, 34, 44 (Nuada/Rasiel) 47, 50, 35 (Ari/Dina) 32, 21, 23 (dueling outlanders - because I need to know, haha)

angsty relationship asks

I totally deserved this haha.

Nuada and Rasiel

10. if something already happened to tear them apart, what would make them come back together? is it even possible?

I really think what would bring them back together would be one of them asking for help - specifically to help their younger siblings. They are both super over protective older sibling types. Once they are a thing it would be hard for them to be torn apart I think, so it would need to be something drastic to make them come together again.

34. what scent reminds them of the other?

She would be reminded of him by the smell of cinnamon, from his favorite candies, and vanilla, his bodywash, while floral scents remind him of her and the hair products she uses.

44. who ends up yelling first? are they always yelling when arguing, or do neither of them yell at all?

They are both people with tempers, they take turns bring the first to yell but they both totally do. In Ras’ defense, she tries not to yell longer than he does.

Ari and Dina

47. who has more dreams/nightmares about the other?

Dina for sure, and almost only nightmares. Usually they have to do with her ears, like dreams that she woke up and couldn’t hear him snoring even though he is there. Dreams of never hearing him again in general are hard for her.

50. if one of them were to come back after a long time, who would come to who? would it go well? would the other person take them back?

Ari would tear apart the galaxy looking for her. If she had hidden herself away for some reason she wouldn't be thrilled to see him at first but his charm and concern would win her over for sure. 

35. do they have any regrets (regarding the other, or just in general)?

Dina regrets waiting so long before accepting him, it was hard to get to the point where she was willing to trust anyone other than her sister but trusting Ari is one of the best choices she has ever made.

Mily and Xie

32. who would be the first to say they hate the other? would they mean it?

Mily for sure. Xie is more bothered by her influence on him than herself but she reacts strongly to his presence and actions. To make it worse, she doesn’t always understand why she is reacting that way. Add in young Cathar hormones and he is even on the short list of her favorite people.

21. what’s the thing they miss most about each other?

Mily will never admit it, but if they were finally allowed to be apart she would miss his irreverent humor and behavior. Even when she is frustrated and annoyed at him she is a bit in awe of his upfront, brash attitude. Often he does or says something she wished she could but can’t bring herself to do.

Xie would say there is nothing about her he would miss, but it would be a lie, As much as he turns down her random acts of kindness, like offering tea, it means a lot to him that after everything she is willing to make the offer. 

23. who’s more jealous?

They both have terrible pasts the other is very privy to thanks to Valkorian. they don’t talk about it but they both understand one another better because of it. I would say Mily is the more jealous one, not of anything he has, but the way Xie seems to ave dealt with his past. Whenever she broaches the subject he is the one to casually shrug and say “its ancient history” which if someone openly ass about her time in carbonite or under the emperors control she finds it hard to breathe.

[cinlat]

May Drabbles - Day 1

It’s time for another monthly challenge! @dimigex and @kunoichi-ume and myself got together a few months back and made up our own prompt list. We chose dialogue prompts with a (bonus word) to make things interesting. Then randomized it all to come up with these.

Prompt:  “It’ll only hurt a little, I think…” (Dance) Characters: Ari Drellik/Dina Volezz Story: Sithy Bunch Word Count: 616 A/N: Ari is the son of Talos and Ma’at, though still counted among the princes and princesses of Zakuul by Tuathal because he loves all of the kids. Dina is Ari’s Jedi girlfriend.

Ari swallowed as he approached his new girlfriend. There had been a lot of women over the years, but all were passing flings. None came home to meet the family or stuck around for more than a few weeks at most. The life of a young prince was high paced, and he and Nuada were constantly on the move. Then, Dina had needed their help in that dingy little bar, and taken hold of his heart.

Petite and pale, Ari saw past her sickly exterior to the strength inside. Dina had a good heart and more courage than any other woman he’d known. She rarely worried for herself, but cared deeply about the wellbeing of others. Her smile had done him in the first time they’d met. Even while weak from fever, it had lit up the room.

Sensing his approach, Dina turned with welcome delight. Ari watched the way her long hair sway with the motion, resisting the urge to pull the clips back so that it wouldn’t cover her face. He didn’t. Ari knew how much Dina hated her implants, why she chose to hide them behind a wealth of thick, snow colored locks. Stars, she was beautiful though.

“Hello, beautiful.” Ari loved the way Dina blushed when he complimented her. A light pink colored otherwise pale cheeks, giving her a becoming glow. She tipped her head shyly, looking at him through blonde lashes as he pulled her into a hug. With a kiss to her forehead, Ari steadied his nerves. “Have you considered my offer?”

Dina’s shoulders tensed against Ari’s chest. If Dina refused, he simply wouldn’t go, prince or no prince. It would be pointless to show at a royal ball without a date, and no other woman would do. Pulling away, she offered a meek smile. “There will be so many people.” The words were nearly a whisper, trepidation dripping from every one.

Dina took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “I hate the thought of everyone staring at me.” How could they not, Aric wondered. She was a vision in normal robes, in a ball gown, she would appear as a goddess.

Ari nodded, thinning their link through the Force so that his disappointment didn’t make Dina feel guilty. He was about to offer an alternative, when she continued with a long exhale. “But, for you, I would do anything.”

Sputtering, Ari bent to look Dina in the eyes. “You mean it?” That Dina would accompany him to the anniversary of his parents taking over Zakuu, that she’d allow his mother to doll her up in traditional fashion and dance with him in front of the entire empire, meant everything to him.

Suddenly, Ari’s chest felt too small for his rapidly beating heart.

Dine nodded, capturing her lip between her teeth. Unable to contain himself any longer, Ari pulled her into a kiss. She shook her head at his excitement. “Oh come on, it’ll only hurt a little.” Her surprise backhand to his stomach drive a grunt from Ari, and he closed one eye to rub at it playfully. “I think.”

“You owe me,” Dina reminded, nose wrinkling as she turned toward the door that let to Ma’at’s dressing chambers. His mother waited impatiently, hoping to finally be able to dress to decent girls, as she so often teased. Not that Ari blamed her. There was no telling what the twins would arrive wearing or who they would drag along. And Ari’s baby sister was still too young for such formal dances.

Pulling Dina’s back against his chest, Ari wrapped her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. “I promise, I’ll make every second worth it.”

[kunoichi-ume]

21) collapse Nuada and Ari

micro story prompt list. 

So this story got so far ahead of me. I went “Oh! I can write that thing from them being kids we talked about once” to “oh but then this needs to happen…” and then “this” and here we are. No long micro, a full on drabble for you. From my Sithy Bunch story with @cinlat​ this features the children as kids, the boys 8 and 7ish, the twins 3. Ari and Bridae both belong to Cinlat.

Nuada Techtmar and Ari Drellik:

Zaria Techtmar and Bridae Techtmar:

Ari’s arms shook at the strength of the blow he just barely managed to block in time. Nuada grinned, sensing his little brother was going to have to give in soon. They were dancing with trouble, playing with some of Uncle Talos’ vibroswords they found. Never mind that they shouldn’t have been poking around in the store room alone, Ari was sure his father wouldn’t mind. Much.

This was far more fun than following unspoken rules.

The boys had snuck into the training room while their mother was out of the house. The uncles were home of course, Mal and Pierce very purposely staying on opposite sides of the house. While most of their strange, large family got along well those two interacted as little as possible. That was how the boys managed to sneak off for their impromptu “training” session.

Nuada jumped backward, the tip of Ari’s vibrosword just missing his arm. They had the vibro-generators turned down as far as they went, but the edges were still sharp enough to cut. Swinging his own sword around, he forced his brother to retreat before spying Uncle Quinn’s workstation behind him.

Remembering his strategy lessons on the importance of gaining the high ground, Nuada darted over to the table and leapt up on to it. He turned just in time to see that Ari had the same idea, landing on the other side of the table.

Facing one another again, blades held at the ready like they had been taught, they exchanged feral grins. 

They were about to lunge at one another when the door opened, and the twins came tearing in. At three years old they were terrors. The girls ran into the room calling for their brothers, though it sounded more like Bridae was saying “brudda”.

“Get out,” Ari yelled, voice raised to be heard over them, and looking away from his brother. When the girls didn’t listen, running around the room as they took turns trying to catch one another, both boys stepped closer to the edge of the table. It was one thing for them to be in here, but the girls could get hurt and they knew who would be in trouble if they did. 

Zaria turned toward them, grinning before she started running toward them as fast and her little legs could carry her. Ari started looking for somewhere to put his sword when Nuada shoved his into his brother’s hands. Struggling to get a hold of both hilts, the staggered backward and the table creaked terrifyingly before collapsing beneath their combined weight. 

Several things happened all at once. The boys fell hard to the floor, Ari’s precarious hold on the weapons failing as they flew out of his hands toward their little sister, two hands stretched out, reaching with untrained Force connections to try and catch them.

Neither boy noticed the other doing the same and tried to stop both swords.\

One stalled midair, Nuada’s focus on it overwhelming Ari’s and sending it clattering to the ground, but the other was caught between their simultaneous pulls. It twisted in the air, spinning dangerously. 

Zaria tried to stop when the boys fell but her forward momentum was too much for her small body to overcome. To Ari’s horror she was headed straight into the rogue blade’s arc. Abandoning the attempt to stop the sword, he pushed her backward just as the blade swung toward her head. He was fast enough to stop her from taking the full blow as she stumbled backward, but not enough to stop the tip of the sword from tearing open her chin. 

She fell to the floor with a shriek as the sword struck the wall. For a moment both boys stared in shock at the blood pouring down her chin to soak her shirt before Bridae screamed when she saw her sister’s wound. 

Rushing over to her, Nuada pulled Zaria into his arms and tried to get his hand over the wound. He had never seen so much blood before but remembered Uncle Mal telling him how important applying pressure to a bleeding wound was. Uncle had been speaking about a cut on Nuada’s hand, but he hoped it would work the same. 

Ari had grabbed Bridae, trying to stop her from getting too close to the blood. “Is she okay?”

Nuada looked up at him, eyes wide with fear when he realized he didn’t know. “Go get Uncle Mal,” he snapped. “Now!” 

Malavai Quinn was in his room, reading the newest reports about Zakuul’s activities in the galaxy and searching for any sign of his lost love. It had been just over a year since Tuathal Techtmar, his lord and lover, had disappeared. The Empire had declared him dead, but Quinn and Tuathal’s wife Ma’at, refused to believe it. 

He needed Tuathal to be alive. 

However, it seemed the news of the day wouldn’t be any help. Soon he was going to need to take more proactive measures to find him. He would be gone already if Ma’at hadn’t asked him to stay for a while. Quinn had a suspicion that she felt it was her responsibility to keep him safe in her husband’s absence, but when she asked him to stay for Nuada and the twin’s sake he couldn’t refuse. Ari still had his father, and Talos loved Nuada and the twins as his own but they were Tuathal’s children. He owed it to them, and to Tuathal, to be there for them as long as he could. The selfish part of himself was acutely aware they were the only bit of Tuathal he had left. 

He sighed heavily, setting his datapad down on the table and picking up his tea. Looking out at the Dromund Kaas rain he tried not to remember relaxing mornings spent with Tuathal, the man who should be sitting opposite him. 

Quinn’s contemplation, because he refused to admit he was sulking over his grief, was interrupted by the loud pounding of feet and a voice yelling his name. He was already standing when Ari burst into his room, panic evident on his face and gasping for breath. 

“What happened Ari?” Quinn asked, his mind supplying countless horrific scenarios.

With Ari the one running for help it was likely something had happened to one of the other children, one of Tuathal’s children. 

“Uncle Mal, hurry,” the boy gasped, leaning with his hand against the doorway. “Zaria’s hurt in the training room.”

Quinn didn’t remember sprinting out of his room as soon as the words were out of Ari’s mouth, or that he took the stairs two at a time – something he often got after the boys for doing – only that he needed to get to her as soon as possible. He hadn’t stopped to ask how she was hurt, or the severity, but could only imagine the worse and it made him feel sick as he ran. He was their doctor and he didn’t think he could live with himself if something happened to any of them.

He was in a state of total panic by the time he reached the training room. It wasn’t until he saw Nuada holding his baby sister, Bridae close by, and her blood dripping down into her lap and coating his hand that he was able to push the panic down and get into what Tuathal had once lovingly called “medic mode”. Quinn crossed the room quickly, barely hearing Nuada’s panicked explanations and the twins crying as he visually assessed her injuries.  

Kneeling next to the children, Quinn took a quick moment to smile comfortingly at Zaria and brush her hair out of her eyes before motioning for Nuada to move his hand. To his relief the cut on her chin was deep, severing much of the orbicularis oris muscle on her chin but the laceration didn’t cut all the way through to her mouth. She would need stitches and an application of kolto, something for the pain, but she would be okay.

Quinn released a breath he didn’t realize he was holding before looking up at Nuada. “Is anyone else injured?”

The boy shook his head. “No Uncle Mal.”

“Good,” Quinn nodded, taking Zaria into his arms. She grabbed his short tightly, getting blood on the pristine cloth but he didn’t mind. His thoughts were already several steps ahead, thinking out how he was going to treat her wound and trying to decide if he should alert Ma’at right away or if it was better to wait until Zaria was taken care of.

The decision was made for him when he arrived at the infirmary and saw Ari and Pierce waiting for them.

“What happened?” Pierce growled, taking in the blood covering both Quinn and the child in his arms.

“I am not sure,” Quinn answered honestly, ignoring the other man’s hostility. If either of the boys had said, he hadn’t heard in his panicked rush to reach Zaria. “It doesn’t look life threatening but she will need stitches. Alert Lord Ma’at and Talos so I can start treatment.”

If Pierce objected to being ordered about, as he usually did, Quinn ignored him. He had more important things to worry about at the moment. When he reached the exam table and was trying to convince Zaria to let him go so he could work, he looked over his shoulder to see the soldier punching numbers into his holo.

“And keep an eye on the other three, we don’t need anymore injuries today.”

Ma’at’s heart had been in her throat since Pierce had called. She had been a mother for eight years but they had been lucky, injuries and scares few and far between, so getting a call while she was attending to matters in her office that one of her children was hurt, bleeding, and getting stitched up while she was away was a shock. It was a blessing that Talos had been with her, she wasn’t sure she would have been able to pilot her speeder in her current state.

Pierce had assured her Zaria would be okay and that Quinn seemed to have it all in hand but she couldn’t help but worry. Force she wished Tuathal was here, he was always so composed in a crisis and feeling his calm focus when things went wrong always helped steady her. Ma’at was far from alone, her lover in the seat next to her proof enough of that, but it felt so wrong that Zaria’s father couldn’t rush to her side as well when she needed him.

Clutching her hands in her lap, Ma’at tried to force her thoughts anywhere else. The pain of Tully’s loss was still so raw, even after all this time, despite her firm belief that he couldn’t be dead. And then there was the even more troubling thought, if he wasn’t dead what in the galaxy could keep a man like Tuathal Techtmar away from his family?

Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good, and her heart ached at the possible theories for his absence. He could be hurt, or being tortured, right this moment and she wouldn’t know it. Ma’at’s only hope was that he could survive whatever trial he faced and returned to them someday. She’s wait, no matter how long it took.

Talos pulled the speeder into an open space on their penthouse’s balcony and Ma’at was jumping over the side before he had even put the vehicle into park. She hurried into the house, heading straight for the infirmary. She wanted an explanation for how her child had been hurt, but first she needed to see Zaria for herself. She needed to hold her baby and know that she was alright.

Outside the infirmary Nuada and Ari were sitting, the former wearing a shirt stained with blood that made her heart miss a beat, under the watchful eye of Pierce. Bridae was in his arms, and tried to reach for Ma’at when she stopped in front of her son’s. Ma’at smiled tightly at her daughter before looking down at the boys. “Are either of you hurt?”

Neither would look up at her but shook their heads. Satisfied for the moment, she swept past them to see out her other child. She froze just inside the doorway, unprepared for the shock of seeing her baby in a hospital bed, gauze taped to her chin. Her eyes were closed and for one awful, terrible, second Ma’at feared the worse.

“She’s sleeping,” Quinn spoke, breaking Ma’at from her shock. He had been standing at one of the monitors in the room and truthfully the Sith hadn’t noticed his presence.  He moved to stand next to the bed and Ma’at followed, sitting on the edge and running her hand across Zaria’s forehead. “I gave her a mild sedative, to help her sleep though the stitches.”

Ma’at looked up at him. “She will be okay?”

Quinn nodded. “Yes, there may be a small scar but the cut was not deep enough to do any irreparable damage.”

“Oh thank the stars,” Ma’at sighed reaching across the bed to grasp his hand. “Thank you, so much, for being here to take care of her.”

Clearing his throat, Quinn nodded awkwardly. She could almost see the guilt coming off him in waves. Whether he felt guilty for her getting hurt in the first place while he was one of the adults in the house, or because she was aware how much he wanted to tear across the galaxy to look for the man they both loved she didn’t know. Ma’at wasn’t going to ask and force him to admit either one.

Taking her hand back, Ma’at turned back to Zaria and longed to hold her but didn’t want to disturb her rest. “Will she sleep long?”

“A few hours perhaps,” was his reply before he moved back over to his monitor. “I am putting together a low dose of pain medication that won’t be too strong for her for when she wakes.”

“Good.” Ma’at stood, wanting nothing more than to stay there with her baby but knowing she needed to address the boys in the hall and learn how Zaria ended up injured.

When she exited the infirmary Talos was there, Bridae now in his arms and Pierce leaning against the wall with his eyes fixed on the still sheepish boys. Talos looked to her the moment she was in view, the question already on his lips.

“Is she okay?” Ma’at’s heart soared at the concern in his voice. There weren’t enough words to express how much it meant to her that Talos loved and cared for all of her children as much as he did Ari. It wasn’t ideal, raising three children without their father present, and having him there to help fill that role was a blessing. He could never replace Tully, not as their father or as her husband, but he was always there when she needed him.

Ma’at smiled as she nodded. “Yes, she’s sleeping at the moment. I’m going to sit with her,” she said before turning her attention to her sons, “once I get an explanation.”

The hallway settled into silence as they waited, the boys fidgeting uncomfortably where they sat. She gave them a few minutes to see if one of them would volunteer to speak up before clearing her throat. “Anytime now.”

Nuada stood slowly and Ari followed his lead. Finally they looked up and Ma’at frowned at the pained expressions on her face. Whatever had happened, it was clear the boys felt terrible about it.

“I’m so sorry mother,” Nuada said, “it really was an accident.”

Ari nodded his agreement. “I tried to get her out of the way, I was too slow.”

Taking pity on them, Ma’at placed a hand on both of their shoulders and guided them back to the bench before kneeling in front of them. “I know you wouldn’t hurt Zaria on purpose, I never once thought so. Just please, tell me everything.”

When all was said and done, the boys were grounded from watching their favorite holotoons for the next two weeks for getting into Talos’ things and playing with dangerous weapons. During that part of their day Ma’at decided they would instead start training with practice sabers. If they were so anxious to start combat training that they would sneak off to do it unsupervised she hoped official training would deter them from trying it again. Between Ma’at, Ashara, Xalik and Jaesa they could more than make up for Tuathal not being able to start their training himself.

And Ma’at would hold on to the hope that he would return to finish it.

[cinlat]

OC Kiss Week - Day 3

For OC Kiss Week, I’ve chosen to do one romantic, and one platonic kiss. Below are the previous days. Enjoy!

Day One|Day Two

Prompt: being unable to open their eyes for a few moments afterward (Ma’at/Talos) Word Count: 285

Talos let out a shaky breath. He’d known a few Sith, and all had appeared at a distance to be exactly like his brother. It was one of the many reasons why Talos had chosen the career path as a reclamations officer. Force users had little interest in the search, only the results. Talos could carry on in relative safety while his superiors dealt with the more volatile members of the Empire.

Talos had been so nervous to meet Lord Ma’at when word reached him that a Sith had been directed to Hoth. He remembered the day clearly, when she lowered the fur lined, white hood to display a plethora of wild, black curls. When she smiled, Talos felt all of his apprehension melt away. What had followed was a complicated mission that led them all over the planet’s frozen surface. With each new detour, Talos knew that his Sith would reveal herself to be the impatient creatures that haunted his childhood dreams.

Instead, Talos found himself constantly guiding Mistress Stasmas back on track as she sought out the rumors of shipwrecks, ruins, and artifacts not pertinent to her mission. Talos grew giddier with each passing moment, sure that he’d found the one woman in all of the Empire who understood his love of history.

“Breathe,” Ma’at whispered, her lips ghosting against Talos’s as she laughed. “Otherwise, I fear that you might pass out.”

Talos opened his eyes with a wide grin. “How can I?” He asked, daring to lift a hand to brush the hair away from her cheek. “When you’ve stolen my heart so completely.” Golden eyes lit with joy, and Talos knew that he couldn’t let this woman, this Sith, leave Hoth without him.

A/N: So while this drabble actually takes place when they are much younger...it never really changes. 

Prompt: “You’re a terrible liar.” (Ari/Twins) Word Count: 297

“Whatcha’ doin’?”

Ari cursed and slammed the case closed. Carefully, he pushed it back under his father’s workbench before turning to face his sisters. “Nothing.”

Matching sets of golden eyes looked first at each other, then back at him. Ari had always hated that scrutinizing stare from his mother, but when combined with their grins...a shiver ran the length of his spine. “What do you want?”

Ari shouldn’t have snapped at them, and he recognized the mistake when Bridae’s smile widened, then Zaria’s eyebrow twitched. They were only nine years old, Ari wouldn’t let himself be cowed no matter what devious plan the two concocted. “Can’t you go bug Mal, or maybe Nuada?”

With a synchronization that terrified Ari, the girls crossed their arms. Bridae began a slow circle around him while Zaria spoke. “You’re a terrible liar, you know.”

“And you’re a pain in my ass,” Ari replied, refusing to look at Bridae, but keeping her in his peripheral.

“What do you think?” Zaria asked when her sister came back around. “Should we let him off the hook?”

Bridae’s lips twitched. “For a price.” Ari rolled his eyes, and she kept going. “We get to sit in on your next lightsaber drills, and you have to teach us how to hold one.”

Ari’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not my choice.” Zaria shrugged as she started to turn. He should have let her go, but something in the way Bridae glanced at his hiding spot said they’d make him regret it. Ari sighed. “Fine, I’ll figure something out.”

With happy squeals, two sets of arms wrapped around Ari’s neck, and his cheeks pressed in from both sides as the girls showered him with playful kisses. “You’re our favorite brother,” Bridae grinned.

“Until Nuada sweetens the deal,” Zaria finished.

[kunoichi-ume]

Oc Kiss Week: Ari and Dina

This is what was going on with the other siblings during this fic from @cinlat. Ari Drellik is her character, the son of Ma’at and Talos, and Dina is Rasiel’s little sister.

Ari Drellik had spent a fair share of his time in medcenters and infirmaries, though he was rarely the patient. His older brother, Nuada, and the twins were both very talented at getting themselves hurt. Remembering the day Zaria got the scar on her chin still made him feel sick. For a horrible moment before Nuada yelled at him to go get their uncle Malavai he was terrified that they had killed her.

Ever since then he had become very accustomed to sitting next to a medical bed and waiting for someone he cared about to wake up but this was a first. It wasn’t one of his siblings lying next to him, heartbeat echoing through the room as a reminder that she was alive. At first he had thought Rasiel had exaggerated when she told them how often Dina was sick enough to require hospitalization but he was starting to learn the truth of it.

When her fever spiked and she started complaining of difficulty breathing he had almost panicked. They had been alone on Zakuul, Nuada having taken Rasiel to Dromund Kaas to meet the rest of their family. Dina had been welcome to join, but her shyness won out and she refused the invitation. The idea of Rasiel’s reaction when she learned how quickly Dina’s health had turned for the worse after she left worried Ari but not as much as the fevered hallucinations Dina described as he got her to the hospital.

Not long after they arrived and got her set up with an IV of fluids to keep her from being dehydrated and a strong dose of medication to fight the infection causing her fever, she had fallen asleep. That had been over a day ago. Rasiel and Nuada hadn’t called to check in, but he knew they would soon.

Gently, Ari took her hand in his, squeezing her fingers lightly and rubbing his thumb back and forth across her knuckles. Leaning forward, he pressed a soft kiss to her hand. She shifted at the contact, making a soft humming sound, and he sat back up just in time to see her eyes flutter open. He watched her glance around the room, confusion and a slightly panicked expression on her face until she noticed him. He could tell the moment she realized who was with her, the sudden tenseness in her body melted away and she gave him a sleepy smile.

“Ari,” she said, her voice soft and heavy with the combination of drugs and sleep still in her system.

“Good morning beautiful.” He grinned, hearing her voice easing his earlier worries.

Dina groaned and turned her face away from him, “I’m sure I look terrible. How long have I been here?”

He was about to answer, and assure her that even with her hair disheveled and her face pale and drawn, he found her lovely, when she gasped and turned back to him. “You didn’t tell Ras did you?”

Ari moved to sit on the side of her bed, brushing her long hair out of her face but making sure it still covered her implants the way she preferred. “I didn’t, I was waiting for her to call and check in today.” He smiled, “to be honest I was hoping you’d be awake before then.”

“Oh good,” she sighed, relief evidence on her face. “I don’t want to make her worry, I know how anxious she is about meeting your family.”

“They will love her.” He cupped her cheek and leaned in to press a chaste kiss to her lips. “And when you are ready they will love you too.”

[cinlat]

While Ari Drellik might take after other dads Tuathal and Quinn when it comes to his stance on fighting, he still enjoys a good archaeological find every now and then. I think he and Talos will be hunting more of these for some father, son time. 

[cinlat]

OC Kiss Week 2020: Day 5 (Ma’at and her sons)

Day One (Balic/Elara) • Day Two (Fynta/Jorgan) • Day Three (Theron/Zolah/Vector) • Day Four (Fynta/Jorgan)

Sadly, I have not commissioned any art with the Techtmar children yet, so this will have to do. Enjoy some fluffy, family antics. If you aren’t familiar with our massive, poly Sith family. Nuada (who belongs to @kunoichi-ume) is the son of Tuathal (also hers) and Techtmar heir. Ari is Ma’at’s son through Talos. The boys were born less than a year apart because oops, even Sith make mistakes. 

Prompt: Cold Word Count: 535

Icy crystals bit into Ma’at’s skin as they slid beneath the collar of her shirt. Her hair was soaked, freezing in unattractive black strings instead of its normal fullness. She ducked behind a rock wall, boots slipping on the hardened layer of ice beneath the snow. She considered calling out to Tuathal, but feared giving away his position to their relentless pursuers. 

One of the twins kicked, taking Ma’at’s breath and causing her to gasp in surprise. She lost focus for a mere second and lowered her defenses. It was enough. 

“I found her!”

Ma’at considered running but in her bulbous state, it would likely hinder her more. She’d have to fight. Pulling on the Force, Ma’at commanded a snowdrift to collapse as the sound of rushing feet grew closer. Someone yelped, followed by sputtering and a vague curse that she’d keep in mind for later. 

Sure that she’d bought herself time, Ma’at stepped from the shelter of her cavern wall and was blindsided by the sting of snow hitting her cheek at a rapid speed. She staggered and nearly fell. 

“Got her!” 

Ma’at braced herself against the wall with one hand while wiping her eyes clear with the other. Nuada stood in all of his childish glory, basking in the accomplishment of having found his mother through using his wits and instinct. Ari scrambled from a pile of snow not four meters back, grinning the same way Talos did when he’d made a breakthrough on a tough project.

Ma’at made a show of limping along, luring the boys closer. Neither were jaded enough to interpret her trap. "Mother?" Ari asked, casting a worried glance towards his brother. When they’d neared her, Ma’at yanked her sons with the Force until they were trapped in a firm embrace. They cried out and complained while she smothered them in kisses.

Nuada attempted to break her hold with the Force but Ma'at overpowered his attempt and dumped snow down their backs. High pitched squeals echoed off the canyon walls. Only then did she release them.

“That’s cheating,” Ari complained, dancing around to shake the cold from his clothes. “You were tagged. That means you were down.”

Ma’at laughed, rubbing her stomach when one of the girls jabbed at her again. “Never underestimate your opponent. Even a wounded man can still kill.” The boys deflated, sending a pang of guilt through Ma’at for stealing their victory. She closed her eyes, searching for Tuathal's hiding spot. With a conspiratorial smile, Ma'at leaned between her sons and lowered her voice. “I believe you’ll find the Emperor’s Wrath in that direction. Work together, and you may take him by surprise.”

They wouldn’t, not unless Tully allowed it. A shiver of playful betrayal traveled along her bond with Tuathal and Ma’at laughed. He knew the boys were coming, she could sense his plan forming even as they rushed headlong into an ambush. 

Taking a breath, Ma’at rubbed her stomach. They’d perform these exercises with the twins one day too, honing their skills through games that would hopefully keep her children alive long enough to begin families of their own. It was all a mother could ask for while war raged throughout the galaxy.

[kunoichi-ume]

May Drabbles, Day 27 Prompt: hurts to be close (stranger) Characters: Sith Warrior Tuathal Techtmar, Sith Inquisitor Ma’at Stasma and their children - Ma’at and Ari belong to @cinlat but at this point let’s be real, we totally have shared custody of all of these dorks.  Word Count: 510

“Again papa, again!” A childish voice said, giggling loudly, and Tuathal’s heart plummeted. He didn’t have to look behind him to know that one of his daughters was playing with Talos.

Instead he stayed put on the couch angled toward one of the few windows in the Techtmar/Drellik wing of the Alliance base. Ma’at had sequestered several connected rooms to create a home for their family. She had said it was important for the children to have a sense of normalcy even if there was nothing normal about the situation.

While it should have felt like home and he had his own room, one to share with his wife, Tuathal had yet to spend a night there. She hadn’t questioned it but then, Ma’at always did have a way of understanding her husband even when he didn’t speak.

It hurt to be so close to his children and have them look at him like he was a stranger. Nuada had openly rejected him, his son far angrier at being abandoned than relieved to have this father home. To the twins his presence didn’t even have that much of an impact, they never knew him and Talos had always been their father.

It was probably not that surprising that of the four perfect children his wife had brought into the world Ari, the only one not of his blood, was the only one to ever approach him. Sure the boy had only wanted to know if some of the stories he had heard were true and ask about lightsaber training, it was still more of a conversation than he had managed with his own son.

At first Nuada had simply avoided Tuathal, if he tried to approach his son there would suddenly be somewhere else the boy needed to be. The last time he had tried, Nuada had yelled at Tuathal, claiming he didn’t “need” another father. Ma’at had scolded their son for it, but the sincerity in the boy’s words stuck with Tuathal. 

Valkorian had told him that his family would move on without him, that they would replace and forget about him. He hadn’t believed it was possible but now that faith was starting to waiver.

Another peal of laughter from behind him made Tuathal both smile and cringe. He wasn’t sure it was possible for a sound to both fill his heart with joy and pain, but it did.

“Tully?” Ma’at’s voice was soft as she sat next to him, hand resting on his tightly clasped hands. “Are you okay?”

Taking her hand in his, Tuathal nodded. “I am alright my love.”

Ma’at smile sadly, “no you aren’t.”

A smile tugged at the edge of his mouth and instead of responding he pressed a gentle kiss to the back of her hand. He didn’t know what to say, she was right after all. He wasn’t okay, wasn’t even sure what being okay looked like anymore.

But looking into Ma’at eyes, the warmth and love he saw there, was more than enough to reassure him that someday he would.

[cinlat]

May Drabbles - Day 23

Prompt: “I hate watching you do this to yourself.” (Uncomfortable) Characters: Ma’at Stasma/Talos Drellik Story/Series: Sithy Bunch Word Count: 682 A/N: Set while Tully is locked in carbonite  

“Ma’at?” Darth Imperius looked up at the sound of Talos’s voice. He hovered in the doorway to her study, waiting for permission to enter. With a wave, Ma’at beckoned for her lover to approach.

Talos sat close enough to offer comfort without encroaching on Ma’at’s personal space. “Can’t sleep, darling?” She'd tried not to wake him when slipping from their bed, but Talos always knew.

With a furtive glance towards the dark frame that led to her own room, Ma’at shook her head. She’d shared Talos’s quarters almost every night since Tuathal had gone missing. Ma'at refused to believe that her husband was dead, but the emptiness of that space pushed her to the point of panic. Tully was still out there, imprisoned on the far reaches of their map. She would know if his life had been snuffed out, their connection was too strong for Tully to pass into the afterlife without her knowledge.

Every night Tuathal called in Ma'at's dreams. They battled forces that she couldn't see, and his combined fear and rage were overwhelming. Yet, no matter how strong the sensations in the dream realm, they became muted once she woke. It infuriated Ma'at that she couldn't track him, and terrified her as to what that could mean.

“I miss him too,” Talos whispered into the dark room. Shadows from the fireplace danced across his sharp features, making him look older, tired. Green eyes so different from her husband's turned to greet Ma'at with a sad smile. “But, you must sleep. I hate watching you do this to yourself, and Tuathal would not approve, either.”

Ma’at shifted to lean against her lover, sighing when Talos slid an arm around her shoulders to pull her closer. “It’s been nearly a year. His children no longer remember him past the stories we tell. I don’t know what to do.” The idea of admitting defeat soured on Ma’at’s tongue, but they were running out avenues to search. With Malavai on his own mission, Pierce and Ashara starting a family, and Vette working freelance, Ma’at felt like her world was falling apart. She felt helpless.

“We soldier on,” Talos answered as if it was the most obvious solution. “Lord Tuathal will not give up, and we will find him.” With a gentle squeeze, Talos kissed the top of Ma’at’s head. “I will aid you in whatever way I can, and his children will never lack for love.”

Sliding her arms around his lean waist, Ma’at hugged Talos tighter. “He always respected you.” Tuathal had liked her chipper archeologist from the start. He was the one who urged Ma’at to trust her instincts where Talos was concerned, and had loved Ari as his own. There was little doubt in Ma'at's mind that Tully would appreciate Talos stepping in for his own children.

Talos’s chest expanded in a light chuckle. “He was always something of a hero to me.” Ma’at angled her face to see the almost shy smile on his lips. With a shrug, Talos continued. “Well can you blame me. I’d never met a Sith who didn’t throw his weight around...or mine.” Ma’at snickered, though she had no reason to believe that he was joking. She’d met his brother, after all.

Settling deeper into the cushions, Talos sighed. “It warmed my heart to see him dote on you and Nuada. Then, to know that he openly approved of my seeking your favor. It was more than a man of my station could hope for. And when Ari was born...” Ma'at had sensed her lovers fear when they realized who her second son belonged to. Tuathal could have chosen to destroy the child and Talos, it was his right as Sith. Instead, he'd counted Ari as another extension of their ever-growing family and made sure that none would ever threaten the boy.

A sad light entered Talos's eyes before they hardened with a determination that Ma'at had seen before. “I count Tuathal amongst my closest friends, and we will bring him home.” Brushing a knuckle under her chin, Talos kissed her lips. “Together.”