Cravked​ // Trilla Suduri

tarre says ... ❛  i keep on hoping nothing has changed .  ❜ 

“Yeah, me too.” She sat in the expanse of sand next to them, staring into the dying embers of the campfire. A solemn weight pressed itself against the two Mandalorians. It was inevitable, she knew, but having another set of shoulders to carry the load was reassuring. “I never knew ghosts could weigh so heavily on a heart.”

@finitefm

📜

...listen bestie there were too many good results to choose just one...

@generally-scheming 

Hux: You often use humor to deflect trauma Sabine: Thank you Hux: I didn't say that was a good thing Sabine: What I'm hearing is, you think I'm funny

_

Sabine: What is your biggest weakness? Hux: I can be uncooperative. Sabine: Okay, can you give me an example? Hux: No.

_

Sabine: So are we flirting right now? Hux: I AM LITERALLY STABBING YOU Sabine: That doesn’t answer my question​

@pilotheart // Zay Versio

*

Zay was standing in her corner, her breathing slow, letting people pass by. Being on duty tonight had been useful until now - guests only came to talk when they really needed to, and it was always a quick chat. Every time she was alone Zay scanned the room, her eyes searching for answers. The altered desserts had to be an accident. She didn’t see anyone from her time that could be responsible for it. What she saw, however, made her sigh. “How many drinks did you have, Sabine? You’re acting weird.”

Light flickered from above and around, filtered through the mass of people surrounding Sabine. It played on the walls and across all of the hues of stone and silk, and some of it had even made its way into their veins, carrying the Mandalorian over to a face that filled her stomach with a strange floating feeling. Their friend looked radiant even stone-still and sober, and she noticed their approach. What’s more, she greeted her. Sabine tried not to let a blush creep into her voice, instead shifting their distant gaze to the vaulted ceilings above.

“I—uh. Heh. Hey, Zay.” They glanced down at her toes bashfully. Something in their brain was turning into static, a molasses slowing her thoughts and words. “What d’ya mean? Isn’t this always how I act around a person as pretty as you?”

l  closed starter  l  @inspiringgreatness​

Sabine’s fingers trembled with the ship’s communication system, struggling to find the right frequency for their old friend. The last thing she wanted to do was bother such an important and busy figure with something as trivial as this, but they didn’t know who else to turn to. Finally, the hum of static softened into a dull purr, and she sat down with a sigh. The light on the holo camera blinked blue to let them know it had begun recording.

“H-hey. Hey, Ahsoka. It’s Sabine.”

Idiot. As if she couldn’t already tell. 

“Look, I really don’t want to bother you, and you don’t have to answer this message. But, I--” they sighed, hugging her knees to their chest.

“I just didn’t really know who else to talk to, I guess? I mean, I just don’t feel ready to talk to Hera or Kanan, or...well, anyone, about it.” 

(Or about anything, really.)

“ Look, I’ve just been thinking about Ezra a lot lately, and, I don’t know, I thought maybe you had too, and, maybe we could talk about it together? O-or not. That’s okay, too.”

Sabine paused, breath catching in her throat and stomach swelling with regret. Ahsoka didn’t need to be concerned with this. She was a Jedi once, and she had probably dealt with scenarios worse than this in the Clone Wars. What was Sabine even doing?

“On second thought, I’m sorry. I-I don’t mean to. To, uh. To take up your time.  you’re probably really busy. I really hope you’re doing well. Stay safe.”

Sabine hastily reached forward and switched the channel off then stifled the racking sob clawing its way up her throat. 

cravked​ // Trilla Suduri

reading people had always something naturally to trilla, no doubt through their connection with the force. predicting people’s behaviors had been particularly honed by the empire: it had made them a good hunter. this was something personal for the mandalorian, bloody reminders of history painted all over the room. to them, she imagined, it probably felt like some kind of mockery.

“i see,” they remarked coolly, personally unbothered by it. it’s not as though it would have any affect on her, or anything that impacted her. she shrugged. “truthfully, i’d assumed you were one of those new republic types.” she’d only gotten in with her association with cal and his with the order, assumed something similar for them. “perhaps you’re more interesting than i gave you credit for.”

The smile was a little less sour than before as they savored another sip of the free beverage. Of course, Trilla wouldn’t be in danger of spilling their plans. Sabine had suspected from their first unusual encounter that they were of a similar mindset about the unsavory restrictions that laws could provide.

“I appreciate the New Republic for what it is and what it does, but I’ve always valued being able to work with a little more freedom than they can offer.” 

Meeting the gaze of their friend, Sabine motioned to place a hand on their arm, but hesitated, instead adjusting the fabric of her own dress.

“And, hey, I’m plenty interesting, Trilla. In fact, I’d offer to buy you a drink if I didn’t know you already had a special friend here and business to attend to. I’ll let you get back to them, but uh--” the smile turned upward into a smirk, “--don’t have too much fun.”

With a wink, Sabine turned to leave the room, artificial candlelight casting a dim purple reflection in the beskar that was soon to be returned home.

cravked​ // Trilla Suduri

the tension was written all over the stranger. trilla had been arrogant as an inquisitor, considered herself to be extremely talented at everything that they put their mind too –– there had been a degree of truth behind it, too. in the years that they had served, they had been regarded with a high degree. she’d been an extremely deadly tracker because of her ability to read and predict the behavior of other sentient beings, accompanied by her natural precognitive abilities that relied on the force. still, they would have had to be blind to miss the stranger’s sudden tension. even then, she wasn’t sure that she could have been oblivious. the lack of real response only solidified that.

didn’t quite sound like much of a bounty, but trilla’s interest in the matter did not run that deep, so long as it had nothing to do with them. “i can’t imagine a place like this has much information.” except this kind of place was also perfect for hiding, laying low, something that they already happened to know rather well, given it was something to do with the fact of why she was there in the first place. but she’d already given the stranger more honesty than she was owed, and did not feel obligated to share more.

“you can ask.” there was a beat of awkward silence after their words, as though she did not intend on answering sabine. “i prefer to have a bit of privacy. there aren’t usually a lot of talkative people around these parts,” she gestured to the remainder of the cantina. “you stick out in a multitude of ways.”

The response was just about what Sabine expected. A quiet life was hard to come by, especially when the Empire was still in control. Even now that most ex-Imperials and their sympathizers no longer held power, it was still difficult. There had been more than one occasion where they had to fight to escape the prison of recognition. The Mandalorian didn’t concern themself with trying to figure out what ghosts Trilla was running from; she had enough of her own.

But something about their last comment gnawed at Sabine, dug under their skin. Maybe she didn’t mean much by it, but then again, maybe she did. It felt pointed, a jab at how few of her kind were truly left. Each implication hung in the air between them, and it stung a bit more than she was comfortable with.

“Yeah.” They sighed. “I do. I guess it’s always been like that.”

Their mind wandered then, and they thought about the armor, the vibrant paint it carried in sand dunes and ice wastes alike. That metal that was now so precious to others. How they would have no one to pass it on to according to the Creed...

“I guess I never said thanks. For the help with the bike, and the ride.” She bit her lower lip as they passed the menu card to the stranger. They didn’t feel much like eating right now.

❛  i wish it wasn’t true .  ❜ –– from trilla

“Yeah, um.” They gently kicked up some of the dirt that coated the ground, tracing a pattern of anxiety into the earth. “Me too. Maybe in a better galaxy somewhere, this wouldn’t have happened, but, uh. But we’ve gotta play with the cards we’re dealt, huh?” They asked, albeit halfheartedly. Still, if she had to pick someone to go through this with, Trilla wasn’t a bad choice.

@cravked 

xspectre-1​ // kanan jarrus

it had taken kanan years to get here. to feel this comfortable with his emotions… with others. having children had never been the plan, even when sabine and ezra had joined. kanan had insisted they wouldn’t matter– they would be a crew, that was it. 

oh how wrong he had been. 

the family the six had created… it was the reason for their success. for their strength. 

but watching them grow– seeing them now. he couldn’t have guessed how it would have made him feel. how proud he had become. 

kanan smiled a bit, a small chuckle on the edge of his lips. they had always been okay in the end, hadn’t they? perhaps their collective number of loses keeping them from… much. 

but as sabine continued, the small smile fell, perhaps sad to divert so quickly. to face reality. what he had missed– what he had caused even. 

not that the words were expected. 

“what- no, i mean. no more than anyone,” he continued, hands returning to them, worried they might slip away. “i mean, that’s what the rebellion is, isn’t it?”

.

Seeing his smile again...it was like a sunbath after a year of winters, a remnant from a time when her family-- not just one, but both-- had been whole. Years ago, they couldn’t have considered this a possibility. Couldn’t have imagined she’d be standing here on the shining plains of Lothal (a place that held so much shared history for the Spectres). Yet, there she was: in the arms of their parent, now returned to them at last. It was a gentle reminder: in the here and now, the Mandalorian was truly safe. And that was enough.

They almost had to concede a chuckle at his disbelief. She’d seen him perform feats they’d never be able to dream of, had seen him walk through blaster fire alone and blind-- yet return home unscathed. And still he tried to play humble.

“I know it’s hard to believe, right? Who would have thought a knucklehead like you could ever be a war hero?”

She looked up at the mask that adorned his face, the eyes of the jai’galaar still in tact. It had been years since they had painted them on, but for him, it was only a matter of weeks. Months, maybe. Despite the time, she remembered well enough. Those first few nights after Malachor, in the cabin of the Ghost (when words were seldom spoken, but the pain and grief were a shared). Shared by those that loved each other most--

“Dank farrik, Kanan! Have you met with anyone else? Zeb, Hera?”

Therein was hidden the silent question only she knew was being asked of him: did Kanan know about Jacen? Did he know he was a father not only by bond, but also by blood? By the Ka’ra, he needed to know they were safe. He needed to see them healthy, and alive. 

@inspiringgreatness​ // ahsoka tano

listening through the message, ahsoka can feel the uncomfortable ache in her heart growing. ezra’s death had shaken her more than she’s admitted to anyone yet, so she knows what it is sabine’s going through, the pain she’s feeling. none of this is easy for any of them who knew and loved ezra, but.. even without the message, ahsoka knew it was different for sabine. even more so than it is for ahsoka, it seems.

it’s not hard to figure out where sabine is going, where she’ll return to when she finishes her run. the togruta works in intelligence, after all - she’d be putting herself to shame if she wasn’t able to do that much. so she makes her way to the space port at the right time, the right place, and waits for the ship to land, for the ramp to lower, for the mandalorian to appear before she steps forward, careful to stay within clear line of sight so sabine can see her with ease.

her instinct is to rush in and hug her but she doesn’t want to crowd sabine, not when she’s clearly going through so much as it is. mandalorians aren’t.. the best at expressing their emotions as it is, ahsoka’s hardly going to make it more difficult for her to do so. “sabine,” ahsoka begins as she approaches the woman, doing her best to keep her expression set. she’s sure the last thing sabine needs is.. to watch ahsoka break down over ezra. “i got your message. i.. thought we could talk.”

Sabine landed the ship with ease enough-- after all, it was just a small transport, good for only a few people at a time. Nothing like those giant freighters or gunships other Rebellion members seemed to enjoy so much. She pulled on their boots, secured the straps on their armor, and got ready for another short rest on this backwater planet (as she had done so many times before). When landing, the platform had seemed empty enough, so you can imagine their surprise when she was greeted by an old friend awaiting their arrival.

“Ahsoka?”

The Togruta woman stood at a distance, then inched closer as Sabine realized it really was her. They could tell she was hesitant, being...not gentle, but concise and cautious, in order to avoid startling Sabine. They appreciated the consideration, and were amazed again at the former Jedi’s intuition. The Mandalorian had been rather uneasy lately. 

“It. I-- uh.” They couldn’t seem to articulate what it was she wanted to say to her friend. What is there to say after the holo-message they had sent a few days ago? “By the resol’nare, it--it’s so good to see you, my friend.”

Though they stuttered with their words, Sabine hoped Ahsoka got her message. It had been lonely lately, avoiding friends and family and enemies alike. So, to see someone they trusted so much after taking the energy to actually reach out-- it meant the world to her.

They extended their arm, hesitant to embrace the other, and instead just leaving the invitation of touch open. 

“Thank you for finding me.”

“That’s because he inherited Hera’s good sense,” they joked, with a gentle nudge at his ribs. She could tell there was a lot on his mind, but there was no need to pry. Their language had always been one of silence, of emotions unspoken. It was...well, they were beyond grateful to have him back. Sure, she was older and (hopefully) wiser than the last time they’d met, but it was still him. Still Kanan. They’d done nothing to deserve their family back, but goddamn if she was going to let anything happen to them again.

“Ka’ra, it’s good to have you back. I was starting to miss making fun of you. Even if I can’t exactly call you an old man anymore.” The flash of a smile, marked only with a small caliber of sadness. It was a gift to see him again, but something still stung with a phantom of guilt.

@call-me-spectre-five​   //   sabine wren.

“jacen seems to be rather fond of you.” there was a warmth to his tone, even if his expression was somewhat contained. most of the results of the emperor’s rift would have been overwhelming to the average person, and it was to him, despite that he had been able to swallow much of it while maintaining his dignity. fatherhood, the restoration of the jedi order, what had happened to ezra… he was trying to follow his master’s teachings, controlling his emotions so that they did not control him. “you’ve been a good influence for him.”