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thecoffeelorian · 26 days ago

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Chapter Title: Loosening Knots

Word Count: 2,489

Brief Description: Captain Howzer x Female Reader, Captain Howzer x Chandrilan Reader (Singular Love Interest). In the midst of all the wedding planning, two mysterious guests are at your door one day...

AO3: Link Here (Must Log In)

Extra Notes: The white braid divider in this chapter was created by @v6que. Also, for those brave enough to read this chapter to the very end...you're going to get a little surprise in return for your concentration. :D

Chapter Masterlist: Link Here

The No-Pressure Tag List:

@crosshairs-dumb-pimp-gf @cloneflo99 @vrycurious @gun-roswell @padawancat97

@littlefeatherr @yeehawhijack @knightprincess @masterjedilenawrites @skellymom

@orangez3st @ci-avmovies14 @523rdrebel @tink1221 @lucyysthings

@hellfiresky @feral-ferrule @the-rain-on-kamino and anybody else on the lookout for more Howzer fics.

Nine rotations remain until all of the celebrations begin. Nine days of preparation for you and your family, after which come three rotations of a ceremonial dinner where half the district will be invited; a traditional hike up a holy mountain followed by another ceremonial lunch; and finally, the big day where you lose your second braid almost two weeks exactly after losing your first.

According to the teachings of Raiyen, one of the hallowed Elders of the Fourteenth District, this path leading from the betrothal to the wedding ceremony is meant to mark your journey from childhood to adulthood, never mind being a great source of personal joy for you.

Unfortunately, as you were more or less ignored by almost everyone until three rotations ago...all you can feel right now is annoyance.

“So...what’s this Captain Howzer like?”

Annoyance at your immediate neighborhood, annoyance at the reporters who showed off your betrothal announcement as soon as it fell into their hands—oh, but most of all?

“Not now, Bri. I have to finish making this thing.”

“Yes now, Katie! What’s he li-iiiiiike?”

You’ve never felt more annoyed in your whole life than how you’re feeling at your own veil right now.

Like any other bride-to-be who’s unable to purchase her own, you’ve begun knitting the first several rows purely on your own time. At least in the photo below the directions, it’s meant to come together in a neat, triangular arrangement with just a bit of needlework to bind it all up in a grand finish.

“Well, I know he’s a very good listener, all right...otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to deal with talking to me in the first place.”

“Ooh, a conversationalist? Interestiiiing!”

Unfortunately for you…all the rows you’ve tried your best with are all crooked, since almost every time, you either didn’t think to count the amount of rows; your yarn-overs were performed in the wrong sections; or worst of all, you lost your concentration entirely and had to start over at least twice.

Not exactly the spot you want to be in, especially considering your days at home have officially been numbered.

“And he doesn’t seem to like pitch and catch very much,” you mutter in frustration, still a bit annoyed at yourself for your failure to grasp this veil’s directions. “Apparently, me throwing a side table at him wasn’t the best way to welcome him to our house—oh, dank ferrik!”

As if to add insult to injury, though? One of the two old wooden knitting needles that you had been using up until this point suddenly decides to break in half, thus ending your grand attempt at fiber arts long before you could hope to get started.

Clearly, somebody up there must be annoyed with you, because they've decided to sabotage all of your efforts, starting today.

“Oh...that is unfortunate.”

“You’re telling me.”

Frowning at what’s left of your knitting, you just barely manage to pull the stitches further toward the unbroken end of the faulty needle, and so save all of them from being dropped by accident.

“Well, this is gonna set everything back a few days...think I should go put some credits down for a domestic droid, and hope for the best?”

“Actually, I might have a better idea in mind...”

You look up just in time to see your sister brandishing a newer looking needle, one that you can only hope might be the same size as your fallen one.

“...How about a switch?”

“Hey, hold on a second. Don’t you need that one for your own sash?”

“I can finish that one in a day, Katie. Don’t you think this is more important?”

And, lucky for you, she’s surprisingly willing to share. Willing enough to start transferring your stitches over, even, and making it look a lot less difficult in the process.

“All right…”

You suppose that’s got to be a lot better than squabbling at each other nonstop, though, so instead of fussing or fighting, you’re careful to turn on your family’s holo-screen just in time to catch the morning news.

Just a little distraction to calm yourself down, perhaps, or at least until you can go back to figuring out your next move with this knitting thing.

“…And now, an important update to an ongoing story from yesterday. The first of many survivors from the Venator accident on an unnamed moon, an Arc Trooper known as Jesse, has just been released from Republic care and is expected to make a full recovery…”

A series of images is shown upon the screen in succession, beginning with the scene of a massive smoking wreckage; the disoriented forms of several members of the 501st; a massive rescue operation involving Troopers and medical droids alike; and finally, one particular Trooper with a Republic symbol tattoo upon his face. You’re not sure if it’s just the one photo giving you this impression, or if this particular clone always looks this disgruntled as a matter of habit, because this news broadcast doesn’t seem to want to offer anything else by way of visual records.

“…He will soon be leaving for a more quiet location out of the public eye, and is said to be meeting his commanding officer, Captain Rex, as well as an associate known by the name ‘Ashla’, as he waits for his fellow Troopers to join him…”

Nevertheless, if this is one of the many former soldiers of the Republic that you’ll end up meeting in person, you quickly make the mental note to assume absolutely nothing about him until you see him.

“That Trooper’s either extremely lucky, or slightly cursed.”

Briana makes this quiet observation as she hands the transferred knitting back to you, her eyes just about glued to the screen. She doesn't know yet about Captain Rex's new assignment for Howzer, and neither have you told her a single thing about her future brother-in-law's role in this curious plot. Would she make the same judgment about your Captain as she’s done with Jesse, and merely write him off as some kind of danger magnet? Or, if she knew the full truth up front and wasn’t shocked by the whole arrangement...would she go so far as to offer her own assistance in this matter?

“Who knows, Bri…? After all that they’ve been through, maybe it’s a little bit of both.”

Judging from the information Howzer's already given you, and all about how certain people shouldn’t be given any reasons to interfere in this mission...perhaps it's best that you keep her in the dark for some time yet.

After all, as you once heard from a Republic broadcast during the war, what the galaxy doesn’t know can’t hurt it.

Eight days left and counting, and it’s sinking into your mind a bit more that you’ll have to begin figuring out which of your belongings you’re going to take with you when you leave, and which of your things will end up going to Briana after you’re gone. This, of course, is standard procedure for any Chandrilan woman who’s recently lost her left braid, and in the case of one or more younger sisters, ease the next transition process within the household.

Trouble is, as you’re unable to concentrate on choosing anything today...you decide instead to buck tradition just a little, and instead start catching up on any and all holonet messages you’ve missed since your meetings with Captain Howzer.

“Hey, Katie, it’s me! Your bestest friend in the whole galaxy, alive and in person...though you’re strangely not on this planet. Anyways...comm me back as soon as you get this, we’ve got a lot of talking to do. Take care!”

This means an instant chat room invite sent out to Verta Goring, one of exactly two friends you’d stayed close to during the war; the first of your friend group to make it to Naboo; and, as of now, she’s the very first person on the outside that you decide to get in touch with.

I’m here, Katie. Tell me everything that’s happened, good and bad alike.

If I did, Ver, I’m not sure you’d believe me!

You mean this sentence as something lighthearted rather than horrific, for your husband-to-be has given you no reason whatsoever to be wary of himself or his intentions.

At this same time, as Verta is currently studying to be a lawyer with an emphasis on domestic disputes, she wastes no time in digging a little bit deeper into things.

How so? Is everything all right at home?

I’m not getting into any fights with people, if that’s what you’re worried about.

There’s a small pause of a few seconds as Verta types out her next response, then:

Okay...so your father didn’t pressure you into this at all? Do I have this statement correct?

You do. It’s more like I was brought around slowly, and with no furniture broken on my end.

I think the courts would have understood even if you had, Kate.

Maybe it’s not the courts we need in this case, Ver. Maybe there’s someone far from home who needs us more than any Republic official, so we have to go through with this ceremony in order to start looking for them.

Another pause, and then Verta has this to say in the comment box:

All right, Kate...please pardon my bluntness, but are you sure you know what you’re doing?

I don’t think I would have been trusted with certain things if I didn’t.

Would you be sure to tell me if something bad was happening over there? Or would you just keep everything to yourself as usual, and end up letting it wreck your temper?

There’s a rotten word or two that you’d love to throw in Verta’s direction now, some well-placed insults to counteract her scathing reminder of all of your bad habits—yet, as there’s still so much planning left to accomplish and she’s also received the added blessing of not picking any fights with you...perhaps it’s a better idea for you both if you don’t let your anger show once more.

If the worst should happen, you’ll be the first person I call. Sound good?

There’s a minute or two of silence between you, the symbol of someone typing as the only indicator that Verta’s still there at all—then, when you believe this conversation to be over and yourself abruptly cut off out of spite, that’s precisely when she surprises you.

Of course, Kate. Helping people in need is kinda supposed to be my job now.

Thanks, Ver. I’m hoping it won’t come to this at all, but I’ll know where to turn to if it does.

Seven days and counting as of today, yet it’s only now that the panic is at last upon you. There’s still alterations to be made to an old light blue gown of yours so that it’s ready for the ceremony; seating arrangements to be fixed so that no political fights break out at the reception; a dinner menu to be decided in order to avoid allergies and other dining issues; and a veritable laundry list of other unfinished tasks both within and without your family’s gates.

In other words, it’s going to be a miracle if you don’t end up cracking underneath all of the stress, never mind the continuous flurry of comm messages and other forms of dialogue needed to make sure these celebrations go off without a hitch.

Ah, Mom...however did you manage when it was your turn to leave home?

Somewhere in all of the chaos, however, when you’re pacing the hallway and nervously awaiting two visitors from the bridal shop to aid you in fixing up your gown...who should come to your front door instead but a small stranger in a large hat?

“Er…good morning, madam! Is the master of the house available?”

Correction…two small strangers in large hats, one of which has a voice that is suspiciously switching from a male soprano to an alto at the oddest possible time. There’s also something a tiny bit familiar about this pair, though you can’t really put it something into words just yet.

“That would depend on who’s looking for him,” you reply, barely suppressing a laugh. “May I ask your names?”

“Er…”

The second Large Hat whispers quickly into the ear of the first Large Hat, after which you’re doing your best not to crack a smile at his answer:

“…Tell him that Professor Cran and Professor Blin have arrived for Briana’s lessons…please?”

“Professors Cran and Blin…whatever you say, gentlemen. Do come in.”

No sooner have you admitted them inside than Briana starts sneaking down the staircase, her gaze turning behind her now and again as she’s listening good and hard to guarantee that Dad never spots her. Orinna’s conveniently out of the house as well, having gone to post a holomessage to some relatives back on Ryloth.

“Hey DAD! I think some of Bri’s new teachers just arrived!”

“Very well...feel free to send them up!”

As for you…well, you might be willing to play along for now, but not without a few guardrails in place.

“All right, you…”

This is the thought you keep in mind as you step in between her and ‘Professor Blin’, taking hold of her right sleeve before she does anything punishable.

“…If we’re going to do this your way, Briana Minola, I had better be allowed to join you as a chaperone.”

“What for?” Her usual pride is a little through the roof today, something that won’t exactly do either of you any good.

“You’re betrothed to Howzer anyway, why can’t I enjoy myself now?”

“Because both your braids are still untouched, silly. That’s why.”

She pulls away in a huff, but not before staring dejectedly at the ground and shoving her hands into her pockets. Good. If she ever has the hope of going out there without any troubles following close behind, she’ll want to toe the line a bit longer back here.

“Good girl! Are we doing music first, or Huttese?”

“Music,” Briana mumbles, blushing ever so slightly in the direction of “Professor Blin”, who manages to lock eyes with her before they both look away.

“I—I still have to memorize a few chords for later this week.”

Might this be that Admiral’s son you caught sight of a few days ago, but had no time to interact with because of your attempted escape? Or is this the Senator’s son instead, and are any attempts to court your sister about to get tied up with a few awkward political discussions?

“Say no more, then—if it’s quadjitar practice next, I’m joining you.”

Whoever the lucky boy is, though, he’s not going to get away with anything foolish under your watch…or, for that matter, neither will Briana.

“Fine…but no breaking the instruments this time!”

“It’s a deal, sis. Feel free to lead the way.”

[a/n: Bonus for you all--This is what I imagine the wedding dress to look like when all is finished, and yes, I drew and colored in everything with my own two hands here. Hope you like it as much as I do! <3]

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