#erithon

[shimmersing]

Constellation [Masterpost]

Masterpost: Part One | Part Two | Interlude | Part Three

Rating: General Audiences Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: F/M, Gen Relationships: Female Jedi Consular | Barsen'thor/Male Republic Trooper, Jedi Consular | Barsen'thor/Republic Trooper Characters: Female Jedi Consular | Barsen'thor, Jedi Consular | Barsen'thor, Qyzen Fess, Yuon Par, Parkanas Tark-Lord Vivicar Additional Tags: Angst, Tython, Emotional, Mentioned Mutual Pining, Fluffy, Sad, Melancholy

Returning to Tython after shielding the last master suffering from Vivicar’s Force plague, Aitahea is faced with more struggle in her efforts to heal the Order and keep the Force in balance. Tired, injured, and longing for someone she can’t have, perhaps ever, the lines of her responsibility as a Jedi and her own convictions begin to blur. As Aitahea nears the end of her quest to save Yuon Par and the other Jedi Masters, she’s confronted with painful revelations and answers that only give rise to more questions. Shouldering the lives and minds of Jedi across the galaxy – alone – may prove to be more than Aitahea can bear. Part One [AO3 | Tumblr] Part Two [AO3 | Tumblr] Interlude [AO3 | Tumblr] Part Three [AO3 | Tumblr]

AN: This story follows shortly after the events in Best Intentions and closes out Chapter One of the Consular storyline for Aitahea (and Erithon, peripherally). The one-shot, first-person piece Impending occurs in the interim between Parts 2 and 3. Thank you and enjoy!

Bonus! Soundtrack at Spotify

[claudela]

Commission for @shimmersing of her OCs Aitahea & Erithon. Don’t judge the background I never draw buildings lmfao. Yay more lighting practice too.

[the-sith-in-the-sky-with-diamond]

Reward of the art giveaway, first part! ~

The sweet sithy, Jela Bril of @dottiechan​! I have already draw her a while ago, here! :p It was a nice challenge to do, thanks you! ~

Aitahea and Erithon, the cutest couple who belong to @shimmersing!! I already wants to draw something for you since a long time who I was happy that your name had been pick up! ~ I like them a lot :p

And the awesome and badass Razi'lziveri from the legacy of @melissagt!! One of my favorite jedi! :p

I’m still working on the other gift, don’t worry, I have forget nobody!! :)

[kunoichi-ume]

7. List your NoTPs from each fandom you’ve been in. 8. How did you get involved in your latest fandom? 17. Who was your first OTP and are they still your favourite? 23. Name a fic you’ve written that you’re especially fond of & explain why you like it. 41. List and link to 5 fanfics you are currently reading: 46. If someone was to read one of your fanfics, which fic would you recommend to them and why? 😁

ThisFanfiction Questions

Wow that is a lot of questions, nosy much? Jk thanks friend :D

7. List your NoTPs from each fandom you’ve been in. 

I don’t know that I have proper NoTPs just ones I am not really fond of - especially in fanworks. Idk why but for some reason fanfiction about a canon couple is just boring to me, I already know they are together so why would I need more stories about it? 

One Piece: Luffy and well... anyone. He is too in love with adventure to have a romance and lets be real, always feels like a little kid unless he is in one of his “gotta win or everyone is screwed” serious moments. 

Fairy Tail: I do not like Ju.via and Gray, enough that I don’t even want to chance her name ending with this in her tag because many people in that fandom are toxic and last time I dared say I don’t like this ship I got bitched at for it. Sorry, I just don’t find stalking someone until they give in to be romantic. 

Naruto: I do not get people liking Sasuke with pretty much anyone, but especially Sakura or Naruto. He is an ass to them repeatedly and they both deserve better - and being very honest, he deserved much stricter punishment for all the ship he pulled. 

Star Wars: I am going to preface this with this: I haven’t seen Clone Wars. Not all of it. Probably won’t. But I don’t like the Obi-Wan and Satine relationship. Everything I have seen of it just doesn’t jive for me, even though both voice actors are adorably sweet and meeting them was a blast. 

Swtor: I have not done all the romances yet, so this may change, but the SW and Jaesa is just... disappointing. Its mostly about her being possessive and manipulative and very little actual romance. The other SW relationships prove is doesn't have to be that way, so why is she? I get that they were probably going for the whole “fallen Jedi going balls to the wall crazy” but yeah, didn’t need to happen and I hated it so much I cut the romance planes I had for her and Tully even though I already planned to write it differently. 

8. How did you get involved in your latest fandom? 

I started playing Swtor and didn’t know about the romance options so when I could suddenly flirt with Doc I even stopped playing to turn to my husband and go “omg I can flirt with this guy?” He knew this of course and was just like “yeah...” (Honestly I had made a trial account for swtor when it first came out and if I had known about the romance options in the stories I probably would have staying with it instead of forgetting about the game). It was only a matter of time before I wanted to write a story about Noara and Doc, because I did totally ship them until a certain blond Mandalorian made his presence known.

17. Who was your first OTP and are they still your favourite? 

First otp... I think that would be Nami and Trafalgar Law from One Piece. I love them so much, even now despite not being active in the fandom and soooo behind on both the manga and the anime. They are not my current favorite though, that has to be Noara and Torian. 

23. Name a fic you’ve written that you’re especially fond of & explain why you like it. 

Oh goodness a fic I am especially fond of? And why? Thats a tough one because I have little bits of love for all of them but I mean.... A Poor Stand In is probably one of my favorite things I have ever written for many reasons, the subject matter, approach and reactions mainly. Plus it just makes me laugh, I find it very funny on a lot of levels. Still waiting for someone to ask me wtf is wrong with me that I wrote this but since no one has maybe people are more into Khem then they like to admit? ;)

On a more serious note I am very fond of Well Played Cadera because I like the blend of Noara’s anxiety and fears, the arguing, the humor. Torian is a little shit in it and is so right to be, and it works too. He is figuring out how to get his Jedi to listen to him, even if it means taking off all his clothing. 

41. List and link to 5 fanfics you are currently reading: 

I have been terrible about reading fanfiction lately but  seeing as how my Goodreads challenge is sitting at 98/30 for the year I am going to cut myself some slack and just say I am on a sicfi romance novel kick that is taking precedence over fanworks. That being said there are some that of course I am following and even if I am a little behind on I totally intend to catch up. 

Heart on a Trigger by @cinlat

Part 4 of the Meet Me On The Battlefield series about Mandalorian turned Republic Trooper Fynta Wolfe and Aric Jorgan, plus a large cast of other amazing characters (like Cormac, I love that big fluffy teddy bear). I am sure anyone paying attention to my blog is surpsied I am keeping up with this one, I get sneak peaks at updates before they come out (or are even edited properly) and my girl Noara is a small background character. 

Something Better by @shimmersing

This was recently finished and omg, I need to go read it all but I just know it’s going to be good. I adore the way Shimmer writes Aitahe and Erithon and, honestly, it being a non-canon couple availabe in game makes it just that much more appealing to me (because no matter how this JC and Trooper end up together, it’s new to me and not just rehashing the game, makes it exciting!).

Abundance of Faith by Laivaaja

The Summary: Star Wars Fan Comic: Emperor Palpatine's suspicions of Darth Vader grow intolerable, which will cause the Empire and the Imperial Navy to be torn into two separate directions. Several officers will step up in this time of confusion, and Darth Vader will form new surprisingly faithful alliances.Yeah that’s it, great art, comic book story telling, Vader being surprised by his men. It’s a fun ride. 

Chaos and Opportunity by @inquisitorhotpants

I haven’t read it in a while, but anything I have read as many times as I have this one needs to be on this list. I love the dynamic between Marr and Kryn and how their relationship develops and the way this story doesn’t accept canon (I was so concerned about Marr’s in game death and at least in this story about them that didn’t happen and I for one am thankful for it).

The One That Got Away by @punsbulletsandpointythings

Another SW but not Swtor one, this one has so much wonderful angst, fluff, humor and love in it and every update has left me dying to know what was going to happen next. Give me some time travel possibly doomed from the start romance any day. 

46. If someone was to read one of your fanfics, which fic would you recommend  to them and why? 

Humm... of works only written by me probably I’ve Got You even though I haven't updated in ages (I have been working on it the last few days though, that has to count for something) because it is what really got me back into writing after not doing it in a long time and the main story really exploring how a Jedi and a Mandalorian can work out in a relationship. 

Of things I wrote with @cinlat Thunder and Scars for sure. The whole undertaking of this fic was both so much fun but also such a labor of love and heartache. There is one scene in it that even thinking about it now makes me tear up a little and I am not usually that emotional. Exploring those emotions through Noara and the family she found with Fynta, Cormac and Aric was a wonderful learning experience both for her as a character and me as a writer. 

[isedonsdndgame]

Game Night 2019-11-23

With access once more to the shops back in Neverwinter, Driscoll acquires an enchanted shield to replace his, and considers some muffled armor but instead settles on a cloak of protection. Ignys mulls over the selection of weapons and armor to see if there is anything that might benefit him, but nothing immediately stands out. While browsing, the party learns of a new tinkerer shop set up in the docks district. They decide to investigate the new location and head towards the docks. Upon approaching, they notice a sparking bluish smoke coming out of a chimney and several clockwork creatures in the yard including small insects, a bird watching them closely, and a dog wagging with a ticking noise and making distorted barks.

They ring the bell above the door and are met with the two owners, a gnomish man named Bropple, and his husband Dagdag; a clockwork humanoid sphere known as a Modron. Inquiring about their histories reveals that Dagdag was previously known as ‘Descent Adjacent Gryo tightener, 47th Tertiary assistant’ and lived on a mechanical plane of order which ran away from after realizing he could never pursue his desires to try to craft clockwork life otherwise. He ran into Bropple a tinkerer and enchanter and the two realized they could work together to bring their dreams to life. They both decided to seal the partnership and relocated to their present location in an abandoned shipbuilding warehouse.

The party is fascinated by the various constructs littering the warehouse in various states of construction but are not looking at acquiring anything at the moment. The next day they returned with the damaged sanctuary guardian to see if perhaps they can repair its control runes. Bropple agrees that he could probably work on it in his spare time if they provide him with some gems to use for the enchanting process, and not to expect any quick turnaround. The party think this a good deal and take him up on the offer. After acquiring other enchantment supplies in town, Ignys and Iskafar use the Mythal instructions found in the amber temple to begin work on enhancing the sanctuary with a clarity of mind enchantment. After correcting some initial mistakes with the assistance of Iskafar, Ignys is eventually able to see the work completed two weeks later.

Iskafar decides to purchase a small piece of property on the outskirts of one of the nicer districts in town, and also buys a fine pair of horses, a fancy carriage, and then hires on a driver to chauffeur him around. Taking some time before starting the next enhancement of the sanctuary, the party decide to travel to Waterdeep for Driscoll to reconnect with the order of the Silence and also his adoptive father. The journey is an uneventful couple weeks with the warm weather of late summer and a view of the ocean to the west. They pass a lot of traffic on the main road and eventually arrive at the outer walls of Waterdeep. Pressing on to the some of the poorer districts, Driscoll leads the part to where the order of the Silence is located and presents a donation totaling some 500 gold to aid with their work. They spend another week or so visiting with Driscolls father Erithon, who also agreed to assist Driscoll with learning some of the skills of his trade; stealth, traps, and infiltration.

After they return once again to Neverwinter, Iskafar and Ignys begin work on two more of the sanctuary enchantments. The first one to create and shape basic materials and another to repair and change the structures within the sanctuary. Thanks to the practice from their first enchantment and the aid of the clear mind boon already in effect, they make excellent time in their work and even save on materials. Iskafar finishes the item forge first and has it craft some mechanical gears and other parts for the tinkerers. Once Ignys’ project is also complete, they bring a trunk full of various parts for the Dagdag and Bropple as a down-payment for the work on their guardian. Dagdag is particularly excited with the provided components and provides them with a detailed list of other items he would find helpful. 

Bropple shows them to their guardian and explains that its control enchantment is complete, but very basic at the moment. They agree that in exchange for providing additional parts Bropple will add some additional features such as remembering who the guardian interacts with and a way to record an illusory projection of anything out of the ordinary that it encounters. As they head back from the tinkerers, they encounter an individual who seems out of place. They strike up a conversation to see what the story is with them and learn that they are seeking a way to break a curse. Admitting that they are no stranger to breaking curses, they invite this person back to Iskafars new lodgings to both share and gather more details. They explain their own histories and how they overcame Iskafars curse in particular showing the difference in the axe, both before and after the acquisition of the sun sword. The new individual explains their own family history disturbing some horror in times past and now are occasionally overtaken by its essence, committing horrible acts without the ability to control the change. She pulls down her hood to reveal that she is a tiefling. The party agrees to do what they can to aid her in ridding her family of the curse. (New player Samantha joins the party)

[shimmersing]

Flirty OC Giffy Meme

Thanks for the tags @dottiechan & @kunoichi-ume! 

Smuggler Tember Daviin

Sith Inquisitor Isme

Trooper Erithon Zale

Jedi Consular Aitahea Daviin

Jedi Knight Erianthe Tihomir

I tag.... @taraum & @mara-lune (COME ON I NEED THIS)

BONUS: Lana & Theron

[shimmersing]

Something Better

[Tumblr Masterpost] [AO3 Link] [Soundtrack] [Previous Chapter] [Next Chapter]

Chapter 1: The Unaccounted-For Child

“Younglings, this way! Hurry!” Jedi Master Faron called, sweeping the children past him into a small classroom. His five – no, four - young charges scampered through the open door and darted into the shadows, feeling their minder’s urgency. Master Faron glanced down the hallway before silently closing the door behind him. Children scrambled under tables and behind benches as the Jedi Temple quaked around them.

“M-m-master Faron?” a wavering voice called.

“Hush now, younglings. We must be silent,” Faron shushed, reaching out in the Force to brush each young mind reassuringly. In return he felt fear, confusion, and anxiety, though it calmed minutely at his touch. Beyond their tiny study room, there was even worse: pain, anguish, and… death.

“Little ones. Listen to me,” the minder whispered, “Search your memories. Find the very happiest one you know and meditate on it. Live in that memory.” Faron closed his eyes, an instant of regret, an instant of concern. Then he detached his lightsaber from his belt.

Master Faron hadn’t powered on the weapon in more than twenty years. He carried it as the symbol it was: to demonstrate that he was a member of the Jedi Order. He’d never had to kill, only rarely had to defend himself even at the worst of times. The empath had spent much of his time as a Jedi training initiates like himself, some of the most vulnerable of Force-sensitive children.

He continued to observe his young students, settling into peaceful meditations as he’d asked. He projected one last soothing aura and then left the room in silence, lightsaber gripped in his hand. They were coming.

Sith.

Master Faron ignited his lightsaber: green, traditional for a consular. He gazed into the blade’s bright glow for a moment, and then the attackers swept around the corner. The sage found himself recoiling from the aura of dark side energy surrounding the three Sith who approached.

“Well, well, well, my friends. What is this now?” The closest – human, barely more than a girl - sneered, whipping the ruby blade of her lightsaber around in a lazy circle. Master Faron shifted to a defensive stance and remained silent.

A Zabrak female, her horns tipped in black, sniggered. “A minder? Like a nursemaid?” She edged up behind the leader, leering. “Obviously he’s protecting some little innocent Jedi younglings around here.”

Master Faron stiffened, a shock of panic racing up his spine. He felt one of his students falter in his blissful meditation, surprised and curious. The final Sith, a rangy human, lightsaber unlit, pushed past the other two and stood face to face with the consular.

“We aren’t here to play games, you two nitwits,” he hissed, circling to Faron’s left side, away from the classroom door. The Jedi followed his movements closely, keeping his lightsaber as a ward between himself and the Sith, between his charges and the darkness.

“Fine, then, if you’re going to be that way about it. He looks too soft for me, anyway,” the first replied, shrugging and deactivating her lightsaber with a snap. The Zabrak giggled again, no mirth in the sound at all.

“You can’t protect them, you know,” the man said. The gaze of the Sith was tinged with red, just the slightest glow marring otherwise perfectly normal human eyes. Faron shook his head.

“It is not whether I can or cannot, Sith. It is what is determined by the Force. You cannot understand.”

The Sith smiled maliciously, his eyes blazing brighter for a moment. “It’s not that I cannot, poor Jedi. It’s that I simply don’t care.”

And then he attacked. Master Faron blocked the first two blows, but a third seared deep into his shoulder, a jolt of fiery agony that left his weapon hand numb. His lightsaber dropped from nerveless fingers, the blade sizzling out instantly. A vast roar sounded, the rumble of stone and mortar breaking apart. Dust fell between the two opponents as they glared into each other’s eyes. One of the younglings in the classroom screamed.

“See, Master Jedi? There is nothing you can do. We will tear this temple down atop you; it will be your tomb. The Jedi are finished.”

Jedi Master Faron straightened boldly, facing the Sith. “Our work is never finished, young man. The Jedi live on. The galaxy will see peace again.” He paused, reaching out to his initiates, a final touch of calm and… love. “You cannot win.”

The Sith smiled bleakly, shook his head, and raised his lightsaber. “On the contrary.” His blade struck-

Aitahea shot upright, grasping the sheets to her throat. A cry was trapped in her chest, binding her heart into a knot, painful and tight. Where am I?

The room was shadowed and unfamiliar. The viewport across from her opened onto star shine. Ah, yes. She was on the Luminous, the ship entrusted to her by the Council upon her departure from Coruscant. They were en route to Taris, fearing that a Jedi studying the planet was suffering the same malady as Master Yuon. With a heavy sigh, Aitahea touched a hand to her brow, feeling the weight of Yuon’s shielding in her mind. The burden was worth it.

She looked to her left in the faint light, eyes drawn to the metallic cylinder of her lightsaber hilt on the bedside stand. It lay there solid and real, and she reached out with a trembling hand to touch it, to feel the reassurance of cool metal and crystal. Her fingers curled around the weapon and she pulled it into her lap, the comfortable weight soothing.

More than ten years later and the Sacking of Coruscant still haunted her. She had been only a child, an initiate, when the tenuous peace began in the wake of the Sith Empire’s attack – Aitahea now held the power and prestige that could have saved them all. Her fellow younglings and Master Faron, all gone, and only she remained.

Wakeful but now calm, Aitahea considered the vision, taking it to pieces and examining each part without emotion. Part dream, part memories that were not her own, shared through the Force. She hadn’t been in the Jedi Temple when was attacked and couldn’t know of this specific event. Saved by a twist of fate, a simple scheduling occurrence that had placed her safely elsewhere on Coruscant as the temple was razed. She was the fifth youngling, the unaccounted-for child.

An exceptional empath, young Aitahea hadn’t needed to be near the temple to feel the suffering of her friends and teachers. Aitahea and her younger sister sat on either side of their father, gleefully watching as their mother was honored for her work as an educator. Aitahea had gone rigid and white as snow when the Sith attack on the Temple began. The young initiate had gasped like one drowning, and moments later the doors crashed in. Imperial soldiers had flooded into the academy, weapons aimed and ready.

Though they weren’t Jedi, it was Aitahea’s parents who saved everyone that day. After calming the audience, Aitahea’s mother negotiated a detainment period for the faculty and attendees of the academy in attendance that evening. Rather than the devastation that could have occurred, the Daviin family kept their precious community calm, and two days later when the Treaty of Coruscant was passed, all the captives had been released unharmed… including Aitahea, her Force-sensitivity and Jedi training carefully hidden.

And she knew she owed everything to them. Her parents, who continued to teach. The remaining Jedi who whisked her off Courscant and continued her training. Her master, her friends, and those who had perished at the hands of the Sith.

When Aitahea dreamed of the Jedi Temple, all her trials, all her knowledge, all her triumphs against the Sith felt small next to the sacrifices of those who had come before her.

There was no point in lingering on the sadness of the past; that way lay the dark side. With a sigh, the consular set her lightsaber down again and rose from her bed, smoothing back the soft coverlet before tapping the control pad to brighten the room. Her quarters on the Luminous were austere but comfortable in typical Jedi aesthetic.  It was even starting to feel a little like home.

She plaited her ashen hair into a neatly woven braid coiled around her head, then dressed in the earthtone robes of the Order. She wore almost no armor, relying instead on more peaceful methods of interaction. When diplomacy failed to diffuse a dangerous situation, the light tunic and robes allowed for the agility and speed she preferred. She’d just slipped into the subtly-patterned chestnut cloak when the comm in her room pinged.

“Master, are you awake?” A robotic voice called across the connection. It was the ship’s droid, fretfulness pitching his vocalizations higher than expected. “I’m deeply sorry to disturb your rest, Master, but we’re coming up on Taris.”

“Thank you, See-Two, I’ll be out in a moment.”

“Of course, Master.”

Aitahea smiled at the earnest voice, then ran a hand lightly over her hair one last time, smoothing a few strands back into the coronet. She left the hood of her cloak down and clipped her lightsaber to her belt before exiting her quarters. The Luminous hosted not only herself and the fretful protocol droid, but her friend and pilot, Prelsiava Tern. Sia, as the Mirialan liked to be called, had joined Aitahea during her visit to Coruscant as she quested for a cure for her Master, Yuon Par.

Fortunately, Yuon’s cure had indeed been found. Aitahea had sought out the Noetikons scattered throughout the capital world and brought them together, making a dangerous journey to the demolished Jedi Temple to learn their secrets.

The visit to her childhood home would have been unsettling enough but having to set foot in the shattered Jedi Temple after so many years stirred emotions in her that she’d thought resolved. Perhaps that had been the source of her lurid vision… of course. It was only an ordinary dream, her unconscious mind simply sorting out her feelings as she slept.

In the main room, Aitahea shook her head before activating the holocomm, stepping back to see Syo Bakarn. “Master,” she acknowledged and offered a respectful bow.

“Aitahea, it’s good to hear from you. The Council has sensed your arrival on Taris. An intriguing world.”

“It is, Master. I reviewed the history while we traveled. This is the site of Bastila Shan’s escape from the Empire, if I’m recalling correctly.”

“That, as well as being a world much like Coruscant, before Darth Malak caused the destruction that reduced them to poisoned swamplands.” Master Syo continued, giving Aitahea the details of her mission on Taris while she made notes on her datapad.

“I’ll do everything I can for Master Tykan, and I’ll be watching for evidence regarding the creator of this plague.”

“Thank you, Aitahea. It may be possible that your skills will be required for other tasks on Taris. Assist where you can, but do not tarry. We will be waiting on your word. Good luck.”

“The Force will be with us, Master.”

[Tumblr Masterpost] [AO3 Link] [Soundtrack] [Previous Chapter] [Next Chapter]

[shimmersing]

Something Better

[Tumblr Masterpost] [AO3 Link] [Soundtrack] [Previous Chapter] [Next Chapter]

Chapter 3: Unexpected Peace

Travel through Taris was hazardous at the best of times, deadly at the worst, and annoying at all other times. The planet was overrun with not only rakghouls, but other dangerous species that had flourished in the polluted environment. Aitahea and Erithon’s progress was slower than either of them would have liked, finding it necessary to dispatch a number of aggressive creatures in their path.

Despite the gravity of the situation, Aitahea found herself smiling as they traversed the recklessly beautiful landscape. Erithon’s interest and concern about her history had been genuine, and his chagrin at unsettling her just as real. Ordinarily she wouldn’t have shared the details of her traumatic childhood, brushing any concerns aside and refocusing on their goal. But his sympathy felt like a warm embrace, unfamiliar yet irresistible. Her thoughts had lingered on that feeling for far too long, and she pulled her concentration back to their shared task.

As darkness drew close, they determined that making camp would be a necessity. The rest would be necessary to restore their strength, and nighttime travel was even more hazardous than daytime.

Though it was hazy and humid the temperature was comfortable enough, and the pair settled adjacent to each other to share some of the bland Republic rations as night fell. Aitahea felt an unexpected peace as they rested, only the echoes of wildlife interrupting the stillness. She could sense a quiet curiosity behind Erithon’s contented mood, his silence laced with an expectant hush that waited for her to fill it. She found herself suddenly grateful for the gathering darkness.

"Why are you here?" she asked softly, pushing back her hood.

Erithon considered before answering, gaze still fixed on the landscape. “On Taris? Hunting traitors."

Aitahea’s brows rose. “High enough in rank to require the intervention of Republic special forces? That seems unusual.”

“Well,” he drew out, expression grim, “since the traitors were also Havoc, it kind of leaves the burden on me, I guess.”

The Jedi frowned. Erithon’s tangled emotions seemed as baffling to him as they did to her. “I’m not sure I understand.”

“Not sure I do, either, Master Jedi.” Erithon shifted and leaned back, his pack pillowed behind his head. “I’d only just arrived on Ord Mantell when it all fell apart. Doesn’t leave a man feeling very confident when an assignment goes sideways like that.”

Aitahea was quiet for a generous moment before swiveling around to face him. “What happened?”

“Typical mission, nothing out of the ordinary, especially not for Havoc.” He glanced sideways and gave her a crooked smile. “I guess you know about the mess with the Separatists on Ord Mantell.” Aitahea nodded. “They’d shot down a ship with a ZR-57 orbital strike bomb, capable of vaporizing a city, you know how it is. Havoc was supposed to retrieve it. At least it looked that way to the new guy.” His smirk turned to an unhappy frown. “Turns out they were taking the bomb along with them, to the Empire.”

Aitahea’s intake of breath was harsh in the silence. “They didn’t include you in their plans?”

“Not exactly. When we first lost contact we thought they’d been killed, which was bad enough. SpecOps are always high risk, but Havoc is – was – the best. When I discovered their true intentions, Tavus – the commander – asked if I’d join them. I’m sure you can guess my answer given where we are now.” He coughed a harsh laugh. “I don’t know what offended me more: asking me to turn traitor or trying to kill me.”

The weight of his frustration felt as heavy as beskar. Aitahea brushed away the desire to reach over and lay a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Lieutenant. It must have shaken you to the core.”

He frowned for a long moment, then rolled to the side so he could face her, propped up on an elbow. “For a minute, maybe. But then I realized, what they chose didn’t change me.” Erithon met Aitahea’s gaze, his blue eyes earnest. “The people of the Republic have my loyalty. I chose to protect them. Like those settler kids you sorted out at the base.”

“You know about that?” Aitahea blinked, freshly thankful for the concealing darkness.

“It was practically all Private Sakal could talk about.” Erithon gave her a cheeky grin before continuing. “The way you convinced the property owners and the settlers to work together, that’s what we work for. Tavus walked away from that, and I don’t even know why.” He grimaced again and raked a hand through his hair, the motion revealing his confusion. “I guess… things aren’t as black and white as they look.”

Aitahea smiled ruefully. “They do seem less and less so, don’t they?”

Erithon arched a brow at her. “That’s funny coming from you. I thought light and dark were what Jedi specialized in.” Despite the unease his words sent through her, she sensed his intention was candid, not caustic.

Her gaze lingered on her hands, clasped on her lap, before she answered. “So did I.”

The stream was a reasonable distance from the Republic camp, but Master Satele had said it was still close enough to be safe. Aitahea liked to steal away as often as she could manage. She could almost feel Master Faron and her friends here. Almost. It reminded her of the gardens in the Jedi Temple, though everyone said her former home was little more than a pile of rubble now. She was glad she hadn’t seen it. She wanted to remember Coruscant the way it had been.

The camp was getting bigger. There was supposed to be a treaty in place now, but no one was any more relaxed. There was a hush of uneasiness among the soldiers. Their restlessness made Aitahea herself feel unsteady and irritable. More and more Jedi initiates, even some younger Padawans, had been slowly trickling in, and now there were almost a dozen of them. Safe on Brentaal, waiting while the masters found safe places for them. The girl tried hard to make sense of this. If the Jedi Temple on Coruscant hadn’t been safe, where in the galaxy would be?

The sound of bubbling water diverted her unhappy thoughts. Meditation was easy here, unlike in the camp – though Master Satele would tell her that focus under pressure was the sign of a good Jedi – and Aitahea had no trouble quieting her mind and settling into the embrace of the Force. The little brook had become a place of comfort, isolation, and peace.

Aitahea frowned and slowed to a stop, a stone’s throw from the running water. Someone was sitting in her spot. A boy, maybe a year or two older than her, right on the branch that arched over the water. He hunched over with his elbows on his knees, legs swinging listlessly.

It was like looking in a mirror.

Even with her defenses up, sheltering her from the influence of others’ emotions, his loss radiated like a flame. Her chest contracted with anguish, the unexpected mingling of emotion, setting her knees wobbling. She felt tears well up, the walls around her heart crumbling. Absently, she took another step forward, an unnoticed twig cracking under her foot.

She looked down in alarm and by the time she’d lifted her gaze again, the boy was already scrambling back across the branch, nearly slipping into the water at one point. He stopped at the opposite bank and looked over his shoulder. His eyes were red-rimmed and cheeks flushed. He’d been crying.

“Aitahea!” Master Satele’s voice came sailing over the rise, and the girl twisted around to look back towards camp. She took a deep breath to call back, thought better of it, and turned back to the brook. The boy was already disappearing swiftly in the opposite direction.

Reluctantly, Aitahea moved toward the summons, leaving behind her refuge and her questions.

Erithon had offered to take the first watch, and Aitahea had accepted readily. She was only a few steps away from him, curled up with her cheek on one hand, hood pulled back up over her hair. He watched her settle into dreaming, eyes flickering beneath her lids, and every so often her lips pursed. He indulged his wandering imagination, wondering what she dreamed, vaguely hoping he might be included in the unconscious cast.

It was the first time he’d spent any substantial time in close quarters with a Jedi. He guessed she was pretty typical, all her responses focused and composed. Being near her was comforting, soothing. But there was something else under all that formality, something earnest and endearing. He felt the usual anxiety of the mission fall away like a worn cloak.

And stars, she was beautiful.

He’d been genuinely surprised when she asked if they’d met, and despite his somewhat clumsy response, it was the truth. They’d apparently been on Coruscant at the same time; had they crossed paths and it didn’t register? It would have been hard to forget the curve of her cheek, bright eyes framed by dark lashes-

By the Core, he thought, exasperated. Are you a teenager? Stop that.

He rolled his eyes and pulled out his datapad, checking messages and progress. Jorgan had messaged with positive results on an ancillary task, and the ship’s droid had sent several nonsense communications about really nothing at all. No distractions there. As the hours passed, he alternated between walking the perimeter of their small camp and returning to sit near the Jedi, each time admonishing himself for staring at her, though his remorse was only ever halfhearted.

She’d drawn him out with practiced ease, asking about his mission, soft words that slipped beneath his armor as effortlessly as rain. He hadn’t discussed the defection with anyone other than Garza and Jorgan, and then only out of necessity. He still stung about it, beyond the more generalized fury that accompanied the whole scenario. There were too many unknowns, too many questions, and too few answers. He felt like he was playing an elaborate game of hide-and-seek with Garza handing out intelligence whenever it seemed to suit her. He felt less and less guilty each time he fudged orders, finding a smug gratification in noncompliance. There were regulations, and then there was integrity, and so far Garza had been leaning a little too hard to the former for his taste.

The alarm on his datapad beeped quietly; the night’s tedious hours had passed, and it was Aitahea’s turn to take watch. Erithon almost didn’t want to wake her. He couldn’t deny enjoying the freedom to observe her, but he’d need rest himself to be at all helpful as they continued.

Erithon smiled regretfully and knelt next to her, reaching out to touch her shoulder. A deep breath preceded her eyes fluttering open to meet his. Erithon felt his heartbeat speed up and hurriedly offered a hand to help her rise. Once on her feet, her brows drew together, watching him with solemn wonder.

“Jedi? Something wrong?”

Her intense gaze lingered even as she shook her head. “I’m well, thank you,” she replied, looking like she might say something else. He held his breath, but the moment passed and Aitahea shook her head again with a polite smile. “I’m ready to take watch. You should rest.”

He glanced down to see their hands still joined and pulled away self-consciously. “Yeah,” Erithon said, retreating to where his pack lay, punching it a few times before determining that it was comfortable enough. He flopped down, turned away from the Jedi, and waited impatiently for sleep.

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[shimmersing]

Something Better

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Chapter 4: Uncontrolled Burn

It was the little girl again.

Okay, Erithon thought, maybe I shouldn’t say ‘little.’ She couldn’t have been that much younger than him, but she seemed small, huddled into herself like that.

Last time she’d snuck up on him. He was still kind of embarrassed about that. He’d been crying, which wasn’t really a problem by itself, but he wanted to seem strong to his mom and sister. It seemed like there wasn’t any room left for more tears at home. So he took them elsewhere.

When he was younger, Dad had taken him here to fish. They rarely caught anything, and a few years ago he’d realized it was less about the fishing than about spending time together. He’d gotten bored quickly the last few times, preferring to watch a holo or play with his friends. If he’d known what was going to happen…

Erithon sniffed and straightened up just as the girl turned around. She didn’t seem surprised, gazing calmly at him from her perch above the water. It was the spot he and his father would sit during those long afternoons. They’d spoken little during those visits. The house was always filled to the brim with his family’s voices, so the quiet was welcome.

The girl stared at him for a long time, long enough for the sun on the back of his neck to get hot. When he reached to pull his collar up, she started. Erithon took a hesitant step forward, reaching out with the other hand.

She sprang to her feet, her balance unnaturally steady as she rushed toward the opposite bank and leapt lightly to the ground. She glanced over her shoulder once more before racing toward the Republic camp. It was just over the rise. Mom had told him to stay away.

He watched until the gleam of her hair had passed out of view.

Erithon’s eyes opened to dappled morning sunlight and leafy canopy. Stifling a yawn, he sat up and rolled his shoulders experimentally. It couldn’t have been more than a few hours, but he felt like he’d slept for a week. A good week. On Rishi or someplace nice like that.

Mornings like this too often passed him by. Being in the field, his squad had usually been up and moving well before this time of day – well, depending on what planet you were on, anyway. They were on Taris, right? The air, humid and poisoned as it was, seemed clearer. The light was gentler, the breeze that ruffled his hair was softer.

It reminded him of home. It had been years since he’d set foot on Brentaal. And a while since he’d messaged his mom or his sister, he mused, deciding that he’d make a point of reaching out once this mission was complete.

Still mulling over the contents of the potential message, Erithon looked around to find Aitahea kneeling a few yards away, bright hair aglow in the sunshine. The Jedi didn’t move from what he assumed was some kind of meditation, head bowed and eyes closed. A hazy scrap of dream flickered unbidden through his thoughts, leaving him confused and vaguely bereft. He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck where sunlight warmed his skin.

…stared at him for a long time, long enough for the sun on the back of his neck to get hot…

Long moments passed as Aitahea remained immersed in her meditation. Her expression was beatific, and Erithon thought he could detect a shimmer in the air around her, more visible in his peripheral vision than straight on. He admired the gentle radiance until her head lifted, eyes fluttering open to meet his.

…a hesitant step forward, reaching out…

“Lieutenant?” At the sound of her voice, everything came back into sharp focus.

“Huh? Oh, Master Jedi.” Erithon leapt to his feet, a little embarrassed at being caught staring. Maybe not so much staring as lost in thought, but still.

“Good morning,” Aitahea said, flicking back the hem of her robe as she stood. “I hope your sleep was restful,” she added, turning away to gather her few supplies.

“Pretty good, actually.” Taking the cue from her, Erithon started packing up his kit. “Looks like nothing exciting happened while I was out, yeah?”

“You were dreaming.”

He turned back to see her, face obscured in the shadow of her hood once again, expression carefully neutral.

…until the gleam of her hair had passed out of view…

“I…” He hesitated, brows knit, before shaking his head. “If I was, I don’t remember.” His eyes flicked away from hers to the sun-spangled canopy overhead, then back again. “Not really, anyway.”

Aitahea remained silent and still while Erithon packed away his last few belongings and shouldered his cannon. He flashed a quick smile. “Ready to move, Jedi?”

She nodded, still solemn, and stepped to the side. “You have the lead, Lieutenant.”

They edged past a few benign bogstalkers and rounded a crumbling wall, and the Endar Spire came into view. The pair stopped, gazing at the massive wreck in fascination.

“Wow.”

The ship dwarfed the collapsed buildings around it, even in its devastated state. The gigantic thrusters splayed at wild angles, and the hull had cracked open in places allowing vegetation to take root. The entire ship was swathed in vines and climbing plants. Sunk partway into the muck of Taris, in another century or two it might have been lost entirely to the Sinking City. Every meter of it was scorched, whether from the uncontrolled burn through Taris’ atmosphere or the bombing it was impossible to say.

“Yes. It’s amazing that any trace survived, after the crash and then Darth Malak’s bombardment.” Aitahea nodded approvingly. “That it’s still recognizable at all is a testament to the shipbuilders.”

“No kidding.” Erithon pulled out his datapad and brought up the map, followed by the ship schematics. “Childress indicated an entrance here,” he said, passing the pad over to the Jedi.

Aitahea hesitated, grip tightening on the tablet. “Did he seem…”

“Unconcerned with the research team? Yeah. It’s not unusual for some.” Erithon shrugged, but the motion was unhappy. “We lose so many, sometimes it’s easier to think of us as commodities, tools. Expendable; easily restocked. But the data, that you can’t replace.”

“That’s unspeakable.”

“Nice to know I’m appreciated.” Erithon gave the Jedi a charming, lopsided grin. “Come on. Maybe we can bring these folks back.” He inclined his head toward the entry and started the approach.

Aitahea blinked, surprised at his insouciance, and even more at the confidence he projected.

“Ready?”

Aitahea pulled her lightsaber from her hip and snapped the blade alight, the sound sharpening her focus.

“Yes.”

Erithon glanced back at her and with a quick nod shouldered his own weapon. They moved in.

A vague path lead to an open airlock, doors torn away, metal shredded. Like everything else on Taris, the local flora had taken over, winding into cracks and creases. There was evidence of sentient occupation, leaves crushed into the dirt and wheel tracks leading through the mud.

The passage they crept into was dark save for a few flickering emergency lights. Aitahea’s lightsaber created leaping shadows in alcoves and corners until she finally extinguished off the weapon, keeping the hilt gripped tight in her hand. The sunlight that filtered through the cracks in the Endar Spire’s hull brought with it a clammy haze that obscured the more distant hallways and cast a murky gloom throughout the ship.

Erithon cautiously approached a corner and lifted a hand before looking back to Aitahea. She stood motionless, gaze to the side as if listening, but Erithon heard nothing. After long moments, her eyes flickered back to his and she leaned close to speak.

“Lieutenant, I sense someone down this passage. They’re weary and frightened, but friendly.”

“Our people?”

She nodded. “I’m almost certain of it. We should exercise caution approaching them. They’re exhausted and agitated.” She hesitated, then clipped her lightsaber back to her belt.

Following her example, Erithon hauled his cannon back over his shoulder and walked slowly but deliberately into the adjoining hallway. Aitahea followed in silence.

At the far end a soldier stood with his weapon trained on them. Erithon recognized the calm vigilance and made a mental note to congratulate this trooper on his behavior – when they were out of danger.

Aitahea stepped forward as he lowered the cannon, open hands signaling benevolence. “Captain Childress sent us. Are you all right?”

“Lieutenant Karlsu,” he introduced, gratitude soaking every syllable. “I’m all that’s left of Commander Childress’ fifth detail. Please tell me you’re our reinforcements.”

Aitahea nodded, her expression solemn but compassionate as she introduced Erithon and herself. Erithon felt a glow of comfort standing next to her, and even Karlsu seemed to relax a little in her presence.

“Lieutenant,” Erithon greeted. “What’s the situation here?” He saw the signs of a hastily evacuated encampment, but the research team was nowhere in sight. His stomach sank a little before Karlsu turned, leading them deeper into the corridor.

“Give me a moment, sir.” He raised an arm, signaling. “All’s clear, guys. And we’ve got some muscle from back on base.”

A murmur of relief sighed through the hallway, and figures began to creep out from hiding places. They looked ragged and exhausted, but the promise of rescue brightened dark eyes and lifted slumped shoulders.

Karlsu turned back to Erithon, face creased with worry. “This is what’s left of our research team. The others got ambushed while working.”

Aitahea lips pressed into a thin line and she turned to Erithon. “Lieutenant, I’ll see to the researchers if you don’t mind.”

“You do whatever needs doing, Master Jedi,” he replied. “Karlsu and I will talk next steps to get everyone out of here safely.”

Looking relieved at his words, the Jedi nodded firmly and joined the gathered researchers who greeted her eagerly.

Erithon looked back to the fellow soldier. “Well done keeping these people safe. They owe you their lives.”

Karlsu quirked a rueful smile. “Thank you, sir. Scavengers must have guessed we were after something good. They’ve had us pinned down here for a while, as you can see.” He nodded gratefully. “But you made it through, sir, and brought some hope along with you.”

Glancing over Karlsu’s shoulder, Erithon could see Aitahea handing out kolto patches and fresh water to the remaining team members. There were smiles and even a little nervous laughter. “So, you haven’t had the chance to get at those records?”

Karlsu shook his head. “No. We need to hold them off long enough for the research team to recover and download that data.”

Erithon considered the ragged group of researchers, watching as Aitahea spoke soothingly to each of them. She’d pulled off her gloves, slender hands constantly in contact with whoever she was interacting with, each of them visibly calming under her attention.

“Let’s do it,” Erithon said, turning back to the lieutenant. “What do you need from us?”

A Rodian slicer approached, sporting a freshly applied kolto patch on her forearm. “You’ll need to reactivate the generator subsystems as we go so we can grab the data when we hit the main computer.”

Aitahea followed behind the slicer, pulling her gloves back on. “Lieutenant Zale and I can accomplish that.” Her voice and expression were calm, but in her eyes there was a resolve that gave Erithon pause.

Erithon nodded in agreement. “And once we’ve all reached the mainframe, we’ll provide cover for you.” The anxious research team members glanced at each other, but the Rodian slicer nodded with confidence.

“We’ll follow you.”

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[shimmersing]

Something Better

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Chapter 2: Nothing Unusual

Erithon groaned upon leaving Colonel Graff’s office, rubbing at his temples. Wonderful guy, the colonel. Three missing patrol teams were certainly not ‘nothing unusual.’ If it hadn’t been for Sergeant Dorne, he might not have gotten any helpful intel at all. The woman had some backbone, too, quoting regulations at Graff like that. Maybe Garza’s instruction to keep things quiet wasn’t a bad one after all. No telling what Graff would stoop to if he had no problem disobeying a general’s order.

Garza’s description of Taris had also been generously lacking in detail. It was hard to discern the crumbled buildings from the rolling landscape, every piece of duracrete and plexisteel was choked with vegetation. The air was thick with humidity and a chemical tang that revealed the pollution that still pervaded the atmosphere. Safe of course, but still smelly.

He was starting to understand why reclaiming Taris would be so symbolic to the Republic. It would show the Empire that they wouldn’t stand down, that they could recover even after centuries had passed. That despite the destruction they might rain down on the Republic, they would rise again. In the meantime, the tattered planet with its uncharted ruins and vicious creatures was an ideal hiding place for any one of the former Havoc members. Erithon wasn’t sure if Dorne’s lead would pan out, but it was better than nothing at all.

A harried-looking private stood shaking his head at the backs of a pair of settlers, still debating whatever issue they’d had with the young man. He turned back toward the spaceport and caught sight of Erithon, raising a hand in greeting.

“Lieutenant? Private Sakal. I’m glad you’re here. Brass asked for me to look out for you.” He gave Erithon a snappy salute followed up with a welcoming grin.

Don’t lose sight of your primary objective, Garza says. Right. “What can I help with, Private?”

“Captain Childress at HQ is requesting some help from your unit, sir.” The private’s eyes flickered to the Havoc insignia on Erithon’s shoulder, an expression of awe on his face. “You’re requested to meet up with a Jedi there for an important job.”

Erithon nodded. Jedi? Interesting. “Of course, Private. What’s the mission?”

“Need to know, sir, and I don’t. When you arrive at headquarters look for a Jedi. Human female, brown robes.” He raised a hand to approximately chin level. “’Bout that high.” He smirked. “Not much to her, but she got some of the settlers off our backs.” Sakal jerked a thumb over his shoulder at the retreating settlers.

“How’s that?”

“We’re not authorized to handle personal claims, of course, but she stepped right up and got those kids straightened out.”

“What was the problem?”

“Turns out there were aliens with an even older claim to the land sitting on the place.” He nodded, admiration brightening his young face. “The Jedi convinced the human settlers to work with them. Even the brother. We might have had a real scene on our hands if she hadn’t stepped in.”

“Sounds like she’s a good asset.”

“Probably why they’re pairing you up, sir. You shouldn’t be far behind her if you leave now. Take the base speeder.” He gave another smart salute. “Good hunting, Lieutenant.”

When Erithon arrived at headquarters, he had no trouble picking the Jedi out of the motley collection of Republic troops like himself. Even swathed in layers of traditional-looking robes, she was a head shorter than him and couldn’t weigh any more than his cannon. He caught a flicker of silver glinting on her left hip, presumably the Jedi’s iconic weapon, as she turned his way.

He didn't know much about Jedi. He'd seen a few in the field and had always been grateful for their help. They were skilled warriors, to be sure, but more often than not held themselves away from the rest of the enlisted troops. He didn't get the impression at the time that these Jedi thought they were better. They simply did... Jedi things. Meditated. Whatever.

She pushed back the hood of her cloak, expanding on the brief glimpse of delicate features he’d seen as she approached. She had bright, deftly bound hair, dusky platinum in the muted light of the Tarisian jungle, a pretty compliment to her fair skin. She observed him intensely as he approached, seeming to lay bare his thoughts and feelings. Expecting to feel edgy and unnerved by such a gaze, Erithon was surprised to find himself ready to share anything he was thinking with this lovely woman.

Erithon stopped up short. A Jedi, he corrected himself. A beautiful Jedi, but still a Jedi. Even so, that admonishment didn’t fully stop his imagination. Maybe he wouldn’t want to share everything he was thinking with her, after all.

He cleared his throat and squared his shoulders. “You must be the Jedi.”

“I am. Aitahea Daviin.” She placed her right hand over her heart before making a courteous bow.

“Lieutenant Erithon Zale, Havoc Squad.” Feeling a little awkward, he nodded in reply. He was usually one for a salute or a handshake, but his scant experience with the Order left him a little bewildered as to the appropriate protocol.

Aitahea didn’t seem to mind. She canted her head, curious. “Have we met before?”

“I’m sure I’d remember meeting you.” Erithon flushed. “I mean, I don’t think we have. But it’s a big galaxy, Master Jedi.”

Aitahea’s expression was inquisitive, but the glitter in her eyes betrayed unexpected mirth. “That it is, Lieutenant. Shall we find Captain Childress? I expect this will be urgent.”

“Sure,” Erithon said, rubbing at the back of his neck in chagrin. Wow, great first impression, he thought as he followed Aitahea.

Headquarters was cobbled together inside a ruined high-rise, mismatched resources creating a bizarre labyrinth. Like everything on Taris it was snarled in vegetation, though someone had made a cursory effort to remove the worst of it. The portly captain was waiting for them beneath one of the clearer patches.

“Master Jedi, Lieutenant! Thank you for taking the time to see me.” He exchanged salutes with Erithon before turning to Aitahea. “You did nice work on that land claim mess, Master Jedi.” He shook his head in annoyance. “We didn’t fly this many troops to the armpit of the galaxy so some kids could play pioneer.”

“I… only did what was needed, Captain.” Aitahea exchanged an uncertain glance with Erithon, who shrugged and shook his head, equally baffled with the captain’s disdain.

Childress didn’t seem to catch their exchange and continued, waving a hand dismissively. “It’ll take way more than it’s worth to make this planet livable. Only thing interesting about Taris is that it’s the worst failure the Republic’s ever had.”

Erithon frowned. “What do you mean?”

Aitahea turned to him. “Taris was the site of a massive conflict with the Sith more than three hundred years ago, during the Jedi Civil War. They were hunting for Bastila Shan, who was only a Padawan at the time.”

“Shan? Related to the Jedi Grand Master?”

“Yes. Master Satele is a descendent of Bastila and Revan. Darth Malak blockaded Taris while both the Republic and the Empire sought Bastila. Revan and his companions were able to rescue Bastila and escape to Dantooine, but Darth Malak ordered an orbital bombardment, which…” Aitahea gestured to the swamps around them, “resulted in this.” She dropped her hand to her side, eyes closing as if in pain. “Billions died.”

“It was an ugly flaming death, too. They tried the same thing on Coruscant in the last war.”

Aitahea flinched at the captain’s words but swiftly resumed her serene demeanor. Erithon raised a brow at the pale Jedi, hesitating a moment before continuing the conversation. “Yeah. And we still don’t know how to defend against a bombardment like that once the enemy ships are in low orbit.”

“Correct, Lieutenant,” Childress replied, “And we need to change that.” He cleared his throat before continuing. “I sent commandos to defend a research team at the crash side of the Endar Spire – the last Republic warship shot down over this planet.

“If we’re lucky, that ship recorded the whole bombardment. But my team’s lost contact…” He paused, eyeing the Jedi and trooper critically. “…which means there are desk jockeys in the wild with the most valuable data on Taris. That’s where you come in.”

Erithon and Aitahea shared another look before the Jedi nodded decisively. “We’ll find them, Captain,” Erithon agreed.

“Fast as you can make it. The crash site’s some ways out, in the Sinking City.” The captain paused, broad face caught in a scowl. “Data’s the number one priority. Bring anything the Endar Spire recorded to the outpost.”

Aitahea frowned. “What about your people?”

“I don’t know if you’ll find survivors, Master Jedi, but we need that data.”

Asking if they’d met was not an invitation to flirt – despite Erithon’s charmingly inadvertent remark - but a genuine inquiry. It wasn’t likely to be any connection of consequence, but some faded memory had sparked inside her. Had they met on one of the myriad planets she’d visited? She’d crossed the paths of countless beings during her time training to be a Jedi, some more than once. What set Erithon apart?

She waved away the distracting thought as they left Aurek base.  The man beside her was more important than any memory.  Aitahea could sense in him a solid core of will and a sense of duty she had seldom encountered.  His Force-signature was like a flame, warm and luminous, but prepared to burn if a threat was perceived.

Leaving behind the skeletal structure that served as Aurek base, Erithon and Aitahea assessed their route on the trooper’s battered datapad.

“There’s the Endar Spire,” Erithon offered, zooming in on the map. “Getting between here and there isn’t going to be a walk in the park.”

Aitahea nodded, stepping close to get a closer view of the map. “Indeed. The rakghouls are teeming all through the city. There’ve been reports of pirates and scavengers near the Endar Spire as well.”

“Probably the ones responsible for our lost people.”

“I’m almost certain of it.” Aitahea traced the twisted line of their journey with a slender finger. “I’d prefer a more direct route, but Taris doesn’t seem to have left us many options.”

Erithon handed the datapad over to her as he quickly checked his gear. “I wonder what it used to be like.”

She looked up from the datapad, that inquisitive tilt to her head appearing again. “What?”

“The city. The planet.”

Looking out across the ruined landscape with thoughtful eyes, she worked to envision what Taris had been like before the catastrophic destruction that had made it uninhabitable for three centuries. She imagined privileged families like hers in the bright spires of the upper city, and the miserable beings confined to the shadowed lower levels. Light and darkness. “I expect it was a great deal like Coruscant, or perhaps Corellia.”

Erithon shrugged. “Haven’t spent much time on Coruscant. I was assigned there the last month or so, but not really long enough to get a good grasp of what it’s really like.”

Aitahea wondered at his response. She’d just come from Coruscant as well, having left Yuon in the capable hands of her physicians. Had they crossed paths while on separate assignments there? It wasn’t without possibility, but that flicker of recognition seemed to linger further back in her memory, long before Coruscant or even Tython.

“You spend much time there?” Erithon asked, stirring her out of her reverie.

“Oh,” Aitahea began, refocusing her attention on the trooper. “Yes. I was born there. I know it somewhat, but many things have changed since I left to… continue my training.”

“I bet. So, you were a kid when the Treaty was signed,” Erithon commented, making a clumsy attempt at insight. Like all children of the Republic, he knew the history surrounding the Battle of Coruscant and the treaty – if you could call it that – that resulted. If she’d been on Coruscant… the Jedi Temple…

“Yes,” Aitahea said, voice hushed. “I was away from the Temple with my parents and sister at that time.” Her eyes were fixed on the datapad, though she didn’t appear to be seeing it. “I was shuffled from one safehouse to another while the Sith razed the city. Eventually the Jedi evacuated me along with the other survivors.”

Erithon watched the Jedi’s pensive expression linger, half wishing he hadn’t dragged up what was clearly a bad memory for her. But at the same time a sense of solidarity seemed to sink in. It looked like neither of them had been left unscathed by the war, no matter how cold either side insisted it was. “Sorry,” he offered anyway. “Didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”

Aitahea cleared her throat and handed the datapad back. “Not at all, Lieutenant. Our history helps us become who we’re meant to be.” She pulled up her hood, shadowing her face, but when she lifted her eyes to his they weren’t haunted like they had been seconds before, instead shining bright with promise. “Let’s rescue our people.”

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[shimmersing]

Otp questions: 17, 23, 25, 26

17) Who is more protective?

It’s Aitahea, actually, which felt like sort of a surprise. Because Erithon’s not Force-sensitive, she gets a little anxious about him. It’s definitely a logic vs. emotion thing, since she knows very well that he can take care of himself (and her), but YOU KNOW, FEELS. They’re immune to logic.

23) Who thinks they are not good enough for the others love? and who’s more afraid of loosing the other? Who thinks they keep messing up, only for the other to tell them they don’t need to worry?

It’s a really funny dichotomy with them, actually. When their relationship is new, Aitahea worries that she’s too complicated for him to tolerate, and Erithon worries that he isn’t sophisticated enough for her. PEOPLE ARE DUMB. They get a lot better about it as time goes on. 

25) Who says shitty puns and sex jokes just to see the other giggle and blush?

Sheeeeet, Erithon with the dad jokes, jfc. HOWEVER. Aitahea is the one who will, in response to bad puns and/or for her own entertainment, whisper incredibly naughty things into Erithon’s ear, sometimes to the point of him blushing and at least ONCE where he had to leave a meeting.

It’s possible there is later retribution on those occasions. cough

26) Who kissed first?

I am having a fight with myself about this RIGHT NOW. So according to Diminished Resources, Erithon did when they were undercover on Nar Shaddaa (like you do). BUT. BUT. That could technically not count because that was a RUSE. A RUSE I SAY. That being the case, the actual I’m doing this with intention because I like your face and want to mash mine into it first kiss would be one Aitahea initiates on Corellia. CHOICES CHOICES.

[shimmersing]

5. Can’t Let Go Yet Kiss :3

Title: One MorePrompt: Can’t Let Go Yet KissCharacters: Trooper Erithon Zale; Jedi Consular AitaheaDaviinSetting: Corellia, late Chapter 3Spoilers: NASummary: They’re late, but Erithon doesn’t wanna get up.Notes: Thanks @tracinyad! Seemed appropriate for Valentine’sDay. =3 SO FLUFFY.

“Oh my goodness, go!” Aitahea laughed, trying ineffectuallyto push Erithon out of bed. “I’m sure everyone is already wondering where weare.”

Erithon shook his head and tumbled her over, pinning her flailinghands to the sheets. “Can’t,” he muttered through a kiss, “busy.” Thepunctuated his point by moving to her cheek, then to her jawline, then under herear.

Aitahea giggled breathlessly, lacing their fingers togetherbefore turning her head for another proper kiss. “All right,” she whisperedagainst his lips. “Five more minutes.”

“Oh, we’re gonna need more than five minutes.” He chuckled, pullingthe blanket over their heads. Aitahea squealed and flipped them back over,tangling them thoroughly in the covers.

“You are incorrigible,”she whispered, tangling her fingers in his hair for a lingering kiss. Erithongradually relaxed, fingers light on her waist, until the Jedi took advantage ofhis relaxed state to scramble away and slide quickly out of bed.

“Ooo, that was a sneaky move,” he complained, proppinghimself up on an elbow to watch Aitahea darting around the room collectingtheir hastily discarded clothing. She threw his shirt and pants at his head,augmenting her aim with the Force so they hit him directly in the face, hisindignant protests muffled by the fabric.

“Get dressed,” she insisted, sorting through her owngarments. “We’ve already been missed.”

“Fine,” he signed petulantly, pulling on clothes and eventuallywandering around the room gathering his armor. Aitahea was securing her beltaround her waist and collecting her lightsaber when he interrupted her with asearing kiss. She made a soft sound against his mouth and pressed close. Whenthey separated her cheeks were flushed and eyes glittering. Erithon released ashaky sigh and pressed his cheek against hers, eyes slipping closed. “Love you.”

“I love you,” she answered, and gasped at the startlingflutter in her chest. Erithon pulled away to look carefully at her face, thenhis expression softened into an achingly tender smile. He took her hands andguided them gently towards the door.

“Wait,” she said, looking up earnestly as the door slid open.“One more?”

Erithon was more than happy to oblige.

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23. “Just pretend to be my date.” (love that trope =w=)

For the record, I had to rewrite my headcanon for this. Sorry not sorry.

“We have a problem.” Aitahea peered over the edge of her glassat Erithon as the soldier scanned the room. It was one of the hundreds ofnoisy, flashy, sticky clubs on Nar Shaddaa, no different than the others.Except that they were on a stakeout. And now, Aitahea suspected, they’d beenmade.

This undercover surveillance made the consular edgy.Straightforward confrontation was usually simpler, if not always easier. Not tomention more comfortable. She fought the urge to tug her silvery skirt lowerover her thighs; no point in doing that as it would just expose her midriff. Atleast the top had a reasonable neckline… if she were being generous. And if shedidn’t move.

“What is it?” Erithon asked. He was propped back against thebar to her right, elbows on the counter and one heel hooked over the foot rail.His blue eyes were still vigilant, but he looked far more relaxed than Aitaheafelt. Not to mention his ‘disguise’ of understated pants and jacket wasdistinctly more practical than her own. “Not another tipsy smuggler eyeing theprettiest girl here?”

Scandalized, Aitahea swiveled the stool she was perched ontoward Erithon and placed the glass to her lips to camouflage her dry response.“No. The emotions attached to this oneare far less objectionable.” She canted her head to the left under the guise offlipping her hair back, silvery waves sliding back over her bare shoulder.Erithon’s eyes followed her motion, reversing a worried scowl to a joking grinas he turned back to the disguised Jedi and nodded.

“Blast. SIS should have kept this job to themselves. ‘Diminishedresources’ my ass,” he growled through the faked smile and plucked the glassfrom her hands. “Here, come on.” Erithon pushed the drink – just water – backacross the bar and held out a hand to Aitahea.

“What?” Aitahea asked, taking his proffered hand as she slidoff the high seat. “Where are we going? We can’t leave yet.” He circled aroundto her left and began to lead her away by the elbow.

He pulled her to a shadowed corner, away from the flashing, kaleidoscopiclights of the dancefloor. “We aren’t leaving. That’d be a dead giveaway,” heexplained, releasing her arm to reach up and push her hair over her shoulderagain.

Aitahea’s brows drew together. Erithon’s Force signature,usually so confident and disciplined, now had a devious streak coursing throughit. He was up to something. “So, what then?”

He leaned in close, lips next to her ear. “Just pretend tobe my date.”

She inadvertently gasped at the feel of his breath againsther skin, feeling a blush warm her cheeks. “Excuse me?”

He pulled away just enough to scan the room over the top ofher head. “They’re looking for a Republic officer and a Jedi, not two kids out onthe town.”

Well, at least I lookthe part now, Aitahea thought with some chagrin. “Lieuten-” she bit backthe honorific and started again. “I see.”

“Don’t worry.” He laughed, sliding the hand on her shoulderdown her spine to encircle her waist, pulling them closer. She fought the suddenquiver in her legs. “Just act casual.”

A breathless laugh exploded from her lips as she pressed herhands to his chest. His heartbeat fluttered under her hands, an echo of herown. They remained that way for a few minutes, swaying slightly to the tempo ofthe club’s pounding music.

He bent close again, his cheek against her temple. “So, arewe still suspect?”

“Yes.” She dipped her head slightly, seeking the hostile presencethat tracked them. There. Farther away, but no less vigilant. “Less so, butwe’re still being watched.”

His fingers tightened on her waist for a moment as he lookedpast her. “Let them watch this then.”

He kissed her. Not just a little kiss, either, but a searingkiss with one of his hands tangled in her hair and the other so tight aroundher waist there was no space left between them and by the Force she was slidingher own arms around his neck and stretching up on her toes and it was only whenErithon pulled away that Aitahea realized her eyes were closed.

She was relieved to see his gaze focused across the room,giving her the time to hide the disappointment in her own. He glanced back ather briefly before pressing his lips to her temple and whispering.

“How about now?”

It seemed like she might never regain control of herrampaging emotions, but when she finally reached out, there was no significantattention on them, no scrutiny or suspicion. All she could feel were a few fadedspikes of jealousy, quickly dwindling.

“We’re safe,” she replied, pulling back to catch his eyes. Heconsidered her in silence for a few moments before breaking out one of hischarming crooked smiles, cupping her cheek with the same hand that had been inher hair moments before.

“Sorry,” he said, making no move to release her.

The Jedi’s eyebrows shot up. “You are not!” she blurted,belatedly clapping a hand over her mouth and flushing bright pink once again.

His smile broadened. “I guess I’m not, after all.” He pulledher hand away from her lips and grasped it tightly as he turned toward the exit.“I think we can make our escape now.”

Aitahea allowed Erithon to lead her out of the club, andwhile his attention was on the exit she reached up with trembling fingers to placethem against her lips.

Not sorry at all.

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TMI Tues: Tell me about an intimate (not necessarily sexual) moment for your favorite OC.

This is going to sound a little obvious, for Aitahea it was that first moment after Lucent was born when Tember & Prelsiava left the parents and new baby alone. When Lucent was skin-to-skin with Aitahea for the first time, and Erithon’s arms around both of them, it was just transcendent.

[So there’s a little backstory behind this where I’m living vicariously through my OCs. My son Ben’s birth was an emergency c-section two months early, so he got whisked off to the NICU and I got stitched up. We never got that ‘golden hour’ that I’d dreamed about.]

Thanks @evilsapphyre

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Name: Erithon Zale Class: Republic Trooper Commando Species: Human Gender: Cis-male Alignment: Light Height: 5’ 10” Weight: 155 lbs Birth: Around 3664 BBY/11 BTC on Brentaal 

Erithon was born to parents Gerlach and Nonda Zale. He has one older sister, Cirsia. Erithon’s father was a Republic soldier and was killed in action around 3654 BBY/1 BTC, when Erithon was about 10. His mother raised him and his sister until their adulthood.

Erithon decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and was top of his class in the Academy, always thinking about making his family proud and protecting the Republic the way his father did. The Academy and early assignments tempered his rather romantic ideas of what a soldier’s life would be like, but he remains steadfast and dedicated.

Erithon finds himself struggling to choose between “ethical” orders and “moral” ideals, but often lets conscience win out, even to the point of disobeying orders. Despite choosing what seems right, he feels guilt for not adhering to military tenets. He’s mortified and furious at the lack of action the Republic takes in response to the Eternal Empire, and after the Commander chooses to ally with the Empire at Iokath feels betrayed by Elara Dorne and Jace Malcom.

Outwardly Erithon is very jovial and congenial, with a goofy sense of humor (guy is the king of dad jokes). He hides pain and sorrow deeply, sometimes to the point of not even recognizing it himself, but those closest to him can see through to the despair he constantly battles. He’ll give his life for those he cares about, especially Aitahea, and is fiercely protective of daughter Lucent, who he calls “Spark.”

He’s an exceptional warrior and pilot, has encyclopedic knowledge of all classes of starships, but is absolutely miserable at more mundane tasks and has been forcibly removed more than once from laundries, galleys, and med bays.

He was engaged before joining Havoc, but the wedding was called off by his intended. He was disappointed, particularly because her reasons were related to his career choice, something he felt she should have addressed earlier. He’s immediately attracted to Aitahea when they meet, but whenever his feelings intensify he reminds himself she’s a Jedi and tries – unsuccessfully - to distance himself. He likes putting her off balance by flirting and teasing, but his affection is genuine.

Fun fact: Has terrible arachnophobia.

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☏ What letter would the OC write their LI if the LI was the one who became the Outlander after Marr’s ship is destroyed?

Prepare for aaaannnnnggggsssstttt

[VIEW MAIL MESSAGE] 

To: Erithon

From: Aitahea

Subject: When you come home…

I know you are alive. I don’t need the Force to know it. Acrossthe sky, across the galaxy, I can feel you, the gravity that drew us together,over and over all those times, leading us to each other. We were meant forsomething better.

We have a daughter. She was born the day after you shouldhave returned. I wasn’t alone; Tember and Sia and even Erianthe were there. Theonly one missing was you. I named her Lucent. A spark of hope for us all, ourlight in the dark.

I know you will come back to us, but something in me fearsthe wait will be long. Lucent will know you. I will show her, and she will seeyour influence throughout the galaxy. All the good you’ve wrought, and all the worldsthat still need your aid.

We have a struggle before us, and I would give anything tohave you by my side for it. I would be by your side for whatever struggle yousuffer.

I promise I’ll find you. For the galaxy, for Lucent. For me.I love you.

Ai