Session export: Voidbreaker and chill

The Voidbreaker II had been light on mission work as of late. And with the recent announcment of a change in power in the Citadel and seat of the Shadow Clans power, it seemed like a good time to lay low, kick back, and maintain morale.

“Are you sure we can do this?” the Miraluka quirked an eye brow at the Zygerrian.

“I mean, if the boss didn’t want me to lift his digital House-Card, he wouldn’t have left it out with no added protection, would he?” Zig replied casually, sitting back in a lounge chair with her feet up over the edge.

“True, I suppose…” Revs replied, pensive.

Zig lazily reached into the cooler and pulled out a cold beer and tossed it at the Aedile.

Revs moved on reflex, tracking the motion through his Force vision, and cought it.

Zig flashed a lazy, toothy grin. “I need a break. My brain needs a break. I’m sure things will work themselves out.”

She idly tapped at her datapad, sending out message pings to the Voidbreakers, and the other Arconans.

The newest member of the Voidbreaker crew made his was through the ship. Hies bluish-violet eyes scanned the nooks and crannies of the vessel, and he couldn’t help but imagine the fun places that one could hide a dendrite bomb. A vessel of this size would present a truly breathtaking explosion in the vacuum of space.

Walking into the lounge, he looked around the recreational area, but the smell of the bar drew his immediate attention. He could use a good brew right about now. Seeing his new captain, he decided to make himself known.

“Aye Lassie, this vessel o yers is a right beaut, innit. Ain’t no wee girl, thats for sure. Can’t wait to get up and personal with her undercarriage, ya know. Im sure her bells and whistles be given off a right purr or two.”

Zig blinked a few times. She sat up from her slouched position and her ears perked a bit.

“Lassie?” she seemed to consider the terminology, but then immediately established infatuation with the dialect instead of being offended. She had briefly read up on the new crew member, of course, but wasn’t expecting them to be this adorable. “INNIT?” she cackled.

“Welcome aboard. Grab a beer. Pardon the lack of formality, but we’re on leave and momma needs to kick back with her feet up.” Zig explained, tossing a beer to the Lurmen.

Catching the beer with his tail, the Lurmen leapt up onto a chair before opening the bottle. He took a long drink before exhaling in satisfaction.

“Mighty good brew you got here, now. Happy to be a'board, ain’t I. Should be a fun time if this is how we take our leave. Dont ya worry Cap'i'tan. I’ll keep her movin right along, won’t I.”

Drinking more, the bottle almost as big as his face, he enjoyed the cold beer immensely.

“It’s something. Usually we have more organized things. Pool parties, karaoke, the anual Voidbreaker Games, training at the gym, universal leg day, you name it. We’ll make sure to give you a proper tour soon. I read your file but what role were you thinking of taking up? Also, you’ll need to pick a quarters…”

In Carr strode, grey eyes fixated on the data pad in his hand, ears canted forward as if listening for something, but the pad was silent. It was questionable whether he even knew where he was.

It had been some time since he had been on the ship. Over the last couple of years, he had spent more and more time planet-side at school. Reports of bad behaviour had decreased, perhaps shockingly, over that time, too, from the instructors. Perhaps, miraculously, it was not because he had been expelled either. With graduation around the corner, he was free to hang out more on the ship.

So it was that he entered wearing loose cargo-style pants and a clean muscle shirt. It was obvious to anyone who recognized him that he had grown. Standing at 6'1", there were signs he could easily become broader over the next couple of years, already looking to have put on some muscle and just needing to actually put some effort in.

Carr stopped walking when he came even with Zig. Not once did he look up from the data pad in his paw. He arched a brow and, in greeting, he offered an exasperated, “Ziiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig… seeeeeeeeriously… it just needs a 5 degree angle adjustment and the injectors in the reactor will be well over 0.015521% more efficient! I’ll even do it myseeeeeeeelf!” Somehow, a voice that was a little deeper than it had been still managed to whine like a pro. He looked up just to roll his eyes dramatically at the woman. “0.015521%!!!”

The Shistavanen looked back down at the pad and added, “Great new fic by the way. Sorry, I needed something from your files and stumbled across it. You really should not store those where you keep maintenance report drafts.”

Zig did not look up from her beer, almost yawning indifferently. “Did you read the one I intentionally left on the maintence folder branch off the root directory, or one of the others I planted knowing you’d go snooping around?”

She pointed a finger at the Shistavanen. “And just because you got taller doesn’t mean I still can’t put your fluffy butt onto the matt, you little brat,” she grinned, showing her pointed cainines.

“And yes, I’m aware of the theoretical output boost, but when you work on a real ship that has to actually operate, you know that there are more important things to maintain.” She made a dismissive waving gesture.

“Aye Lass, this fluffy one’s a worker on this here ship? He knows how to make gears and wires dance ey? We’ll be working together then now? Should be fun. He can reach those high up places, and It’ll be me tasked to get right in her nooks and crannies, innit?”

The Lurmen looked up at the much taller Shistavanen as he spoke. He drank more of his beer as his tail waved behind him. He turned his raccoon like face to Zig.

“Also, I dont much care where I lay my head now. Could be in a bed, on a floor of this here gals engine room, or even on a soft chest of a lovely bosum such as yours. Dont much matter to me, just a place to close my eyes, innit?”

“He just had a growth spurt and thinks he’s cool now. He’ll always be my little understudy though,” she stuck her tongue out at Carr.

She turned her attention back to Tyke. “Aye, but we have lodgings so, i’ll give you a tour later.”

Carr looked down at the Lurmen in some confusion at first, then turned those gray eyes back on the Zygerian. He frowned a little. Cool? Who was trying to be cool. He looked around. Was she talking about him? The Shistavanen huffed and frowned a little deeper. “Understudy? Excuse me… I’m right here, you know…” he complained, brushing a hand through his purple strands of headfur. “And 0.015521% is no theoretical. I did the math.”

He thrust the pad in her direction, and indeed, it was filled with wild calculations and formulae that actually looked correct. He broke into a diatribe right then about physics and reactor theorum and would have just kept going except something distracted him for a moment. “Wait… are you suggesting you can still take me?!”

Zig snorted. “Wasn’t suggestin,” she drawled lazily, stretching comfortably in her seat.

The previously still waters of the leisure pool roiled and churned, bubbling with a fury rarely seen in such a joyous and relaxing scene. A form breached the surface, hirsute and crimson with effort, water streaming downward toward the pool from the velocity of its exit. Shaking out his hair and wiping at his eyes, the former Shadow Lord called out in a boisterous roar, “What is my time?”

From the side of the pool, standing so still it would be easy to have simply not noticed him, a response came from the beleaguered KX droid. “Eight minutes forty-three seconds, sir.”

“Damn it all! No improvement on my record, then!” Alex slapped the surface of the water in frustration before floating his way toward the edge of the pool. Steven moved to meet him at the border, offering forth a towel which the droid used to deftly dry the hair and face of his principal.

Alex turned about, reclining against the edge of the pool as Steven withdrew the towel and straightened back up. He was feeling relaxed now, the weight of a job he hadn’t wanted and frankly had no idea how he had gotten having been just as suddenly removed from his responsibility. He could go back now to just being Alex, or whoever he chose to be today, and not having to think any deeper about things. One hand reached up with confidence and trust, and was met with a cool glass of an amber liquid within which floated a single perfect ice cube.

“Good man, Steven. One of these days I will get there, you know?”

“I have no doubt you will, sir.”

Zig craned her neck and then blinked then called out, “Pay up Steven, I took the under ‘9”

Eevie was excited to be back aboard the Voidbreaker. While she loved her fun and adventures on her own, speeding through space as break-fast paces, she needed this. A fun, quiet night with crewmates. And so she removed her armor and regular clothes in her barracks, and grabbed a new swimsuit that she knew would definitely turn heads. She knew her body well, and loved to show off. Her loyal BD unit scammpered close behind.

Walking into the lounge, she looked over to the bar an winked to the folks gathered there before turning to walk towards the jacuzzi. Water hot, and jets a'bubbling, she walked into the hot tub and lowered herself into the soothing warmth. As if all her stress exited her muscles she moaned out in comforting bliss.

“BD-A, can you be a doll and get me a drink please? Double strong margarita, mango berry, salt on the rim, with crushed ice. Thanks hun.”

Across the recreational hub one of the turbolift doors slid open and a hulking form wasted no time escaping the death contraption. They had to duck down and sideways to do so, being nearly three meters tall and two-thirds as wide. The mottled dark grey Herglic straightened up to his full height and rolled his exposed shoulders beneath the brown sleeveless top he wore. His small copper eyes scanned what looked like a gym and exercise area, then looked beyond to a wide archway where voices drifted from.

Paumgon Lfin perked with both curiosity and smidge of dread, but he lumbered forward to check out the gathering. He only had to duck his head to enter what looked like a luxury pool room with a bar. Scanning the room revealed the inevitable truth. He was the largest creature in the room. Great. Opting to just observe for the moment, he shifted to wallflower against the wall for now…as much as a bipedal whale could.

Hearing a drink order being placed, Alex waved toward Steven who bowed his head in acknowledgement and headed toward the bar. It was not so much that the valet didn’t trust anyone else behind the bar he had so meticulously reorganized and improved the stock of across his employer’s various tenures in some form of command over the ship but rather…well, someone else might get things wrong. Slipping easily behind the bartop, Steven glanced toward the BD unit and after a near-instantaneous exchange in Binary began carefully measuring ingredients to mix the drink.

Meanwhile, back at the pool, Alex raised his glass toward Eevie and tilted it slightly before taking a sip. “Nice to get out of the ol’ beskar'gam every once in a while, eh?”

Eevie grinned to Alex as she leaned her head back against the edge of the jacuzzi.

“I love my armor…but I love my skin even more.”

She then looked him in the eyes and winked.

Zig glanced over at the pool, admired Eevie’s swimsuit, made a note of her flirting with Alex, and resolved to add that nugget to the blog when she was back at her terminal.

“One can tell,” Alex took a sip from his glass, the single ice cube tinkling against the side as he tipped it. “You certainly seem to take good care of it.”

Pushing himself up onto the edge of the pool, Alex’s simple but high-quality dark pink trunks dripped water away from him. Before he turned around to seat himself, the words Nadala Shebs could be seen in block text across the back side. Alex’s attention turned toward the unmistakable large presence that had taken up position against a far wall of the room.

“And you are…Paum, right?” His brow had furrowed for a moment as he scrolled through the rolodex of names and dossiers in his mental catalog. “Work with the Marshals, yeah? Afraid I did not get a chance to meet you while I was in charge of everything around here, but honestly it is probably better this way…this is more me than whatever nonsense I had to do from the Citadel.”

<@206692046424113152> <@244244400488710155>

“Paum, yeah,” the big guy nodded after taking a second to find who addressed him. A heavy ‘hrumph’ escaped his blow hole, “Find most leaders put on a face, politics or some banthashit. I’d rather meet them off the podium.”

Paum moved closer to the pair enjoying the aquatic amenities – still opting to lean against the wall so not to be extra looming, but easier to converse with. He scratched under his cetacean chin with a small rumble, “So you’re Alex, huh? Think I heard you referred to by title more than the name. Yeah, I’m with the Marshals. Not quite what I’m used to but I can get behind helping folks– and a paycheck.”

“Don’t think I’ve met you either, Miss,” the Herglic turned his shoulders to look at the Sephi in the jacuzzi.

<@206692046424113152>

Eevie couldn’t help but notice how the water dripped down Alex’s body and how the trunks fit against his skin. She couldn’t help the smirk that graced her lips.

“Likewise.” She answered with a slightly breathy purr.

Seeing the large a Paum unter the pool she fixed her features a bit. No need getting caught purple cheeked.

“The names Eevie, always a pleasure to meet one of your size and stature.”

<@102435651189743616> <@244244400488710155>

“Nice…to meet you too,” Paum replied with a self-conscious scritch of his shoulder. He sighed in a way that one who always heard weather jokes did at the attention but grunted and moved on.

“So, what do you both do? For work or a specialty? When you’re not leading a military government.”

<@102435651189743616>

Alex waved his hand somewhat dismissively, sending sprinklings of the remaining water clinging to his forearm hair spreading about.

“I do not believe I lead anything like that so much as they needed somebody to occupy the Throne and I happened to be around and available at the time. I cannot think of a single actual decision I made or governmental policy I set. Frankly if anything like that even came through, I imagine Steven handled it.” From a short distance away behind the bar, the KX droid looked up briefly, gave what could be generously interpreted as a shrug, and resumed mixing a refresher drink for his employer having finished the margarita which was passed off to the BD unit.

“No, no, I am now as I have always been. At least as far as memory stretches. Billionaire entrepreneur philanthropist playboy archaeologist adventurer mercenary assassin bounty hunter fashionista.” He shot a wink toward Eevie. “And sometimes I find time to have fun in between it all.”

<@206692046424113152>

“You look fine, Ancestors.”

“I didn’t– I’m not nervous about how I look!”

“Uh huh. And Papi’s gonna get a pet bird.”

“Zcepi! I’m not.”

Navy eyes bored into brown ones, a thick brow, plucked into shape at least, lifted in Judgement. Her voice was kindly though, if nagging.

“He’s gonna be happy to see you.”

“I know that, just,” the young man pushed his long locks back over his shaved scalp as the turbo lift ticked to the right level like an oncoming speeder crash, “what if it’s awkward?”

“Can’t believe I’m on this side of this conversation, diosez mhi sanos Bogan ey Ashla, but, I mean, like you’d tell me, right? It’s not as bad as my brain be thinking, ay? Gon be okay.”

There wasn’t any more time for the siblings to fuss as the doors opened with a musical flare that was different from when they’d last been here. Maybe Zig had changed the song? But out of the lift stepped two Mirialans, one somewhere in the middle of five feet, dressed in a conservative yellow romper that fit her curvy figure, wild emerald curls and coils all around her, the other nearly as tall as some of the absolute giants around the Clan, with a lithe, almost lanky muscle build and Huttball jersey under an open collared shirt and smart pants. They paused to look around, searching out familiar faces, passing right over the tub as irrelevant until landing on one particular fluffy figure.

“Carrmi!” Noga and Leda called, overlapping each other. They waved to the Shistavanen even as they jogged over at full speed like crossing a court, shoes squealing. It had been six long months, depending on one’s perspective of time, and nerves seemed to take a back burner as first Noga then Leda tackled Carr in a hug. He clutched the slightly shorter teen to his chest, face buried in the Mohawk of fluff stop his head between his ears, and Leda smooshed in on the other side, looping her arms at their waist to make a Carr sandwich.

<@114916641581563913>

Eevie’s eyes lit up at the wink, and like the bird of prey she is, her sights had been set. The hunter had been awakened.

“I dont really have a set "job”. I take on requests and go where the money is, at least when I’m not on this crew. All that said, I’m a amazing ass pilot, who’s ass is equally amazing. I have deft hands and smooth fingers that let me push all of the buttons in the best way. And when I set my sights on a target, I almost never miss.“

Once BD-A brought over her drink, she grinned before savoring the beverage.

<@102435651189743616> <@244244400488710155>

[A Reasonable and Plot Convenient Amount of Time After For the Lift to be Called Back Up IDK]

The next to arrive were a trio rather than a duo, now, and in fact, one of them was one of those giants, a horned and furred half-Shistavanen, half-Zygerrian with a giant smile and luciously groomed locks tied back and up. Beside him – forever now, chosen, real, beside him – was his husband, a fainly stripped Human man, handsome and curly of salt-copper hair, cheeks framed by neat scruff growing thicker into a beard. He carried a baby bag– two baby bags, while the one-armed hybrid held in the crook against his chest and shoulder the littlest one present.

A round, chubby pale tan face peeked out, blue eyes wide, thick stripes under them on her cheeks. She gummed one tiny hand tipped in tiny claws, and brown ears nestled in her dark copper hair folded back in brief fright before perking, swiveling every which way to catch sounds. She gave a little, “aaWwwrroo.”

Then she sniffed at the air, and her sweet little features slammed into a scrunch, the most offended of possible faces, tiny fangs bared and jutting, eyes and nose squished nearly together, ears pinned down. She whined, growling, and pushed at her face, her nose, like trying to wipe something off. Jax made a soft noise at her, a cooing rumble, and rubbed their cheeks together.

“Oh, Moonbear, I am sorry, of course you would not like the chlorine smell.” He looked to his husband, their exchanged, tactical glance communicating as lifetime soldiers could, weighing their next move.

<@244244400488710155>

A thick grey brow rose in a manner that nearly spoke ‘who the fuck is Steven,’ not knowing said figure was only meters away. The Herglic glance briefly at the approaching BD unit balancing a margarita.

“Yeah, right,” a low rumble of a laugh came from the back of Paum’s throat, “and I moonlight as an exotic dancer.”

The Herglic’s mirth died with a deep hum and he turned his attention to Eevie. His beady copper eyes seemed to light with interest – a much more platonic one not hinted with winks. “I get the lifestyle, did mercenary gigs before we signed a contract with the Marshals. A pilot, eh? Whatcha flying?”

<@102435651189743616>

It was at that juncture Steven approached, carrying a fresh replacement drink for Alex. The Mandalorian warrior exchanged his empty for the new one and took a sip before tilting his head toward Steven who was still standing there.

“The drink is fine, my good man. Was there something else?”

“Yes, sir. We’ve received another communication from the Zygerrian Empire,” the patient and still voice of the droid trilled forth. “They are once again demanding the return of the Burial Mask of Queen Atoh Mirmoc.” Alex rolled his eyes and gestured with his drink.

“Steven, tell me, if they care so much about the damned thing, why was it lost for 300 years?”

“I’m afraid I couldn’t say, sir. I am not privy to the workings within their palace.”

“Exactly, Steven! You cannot say, and I would bet you a million credits that none of them could say either! They were content to just let it be lost until I found it and then all of a sudden it is a ‘priceless cultural artifact’ and ‘belongs at the palace!’ Pfah!” A bit of amber-gold liquid sloshed over the edge of his glass as he let loose this minor rant. Catching the glint out of the corner of his eye he slid his free hand around to catch the drop and bring it to his lips, sucking the little bit of alcohol from his finger before rubbing the last remnants of it in to perfume his moustache. “You tell them that they are welcome to bid on it at the auction just like everybody else is. But I suggest they bring quite a bankroll, since it is my understanding there are some private collectors very interested in the piece!”

“Very good, sir.” Were he not a droid, anyone watching would swear that Steven rolled his eyes as he lightly bowed and stepped away back toward the bar.

A scarred hand was already reaching into one of the bags. Kobign pulled out a fuschia striped, orange tooka doll and reached up to offer it to their daughter. As small hands tugged and tucked the toy in between herself and her other father, floral scents wafted up from it. The sensory distraction worked its magic, settling Marrien Moon shortly after.

“Maybe we should pay Zig a visit. Then if she’s still bothered, perhaps sit out in the Conservatory.”

“Indeed,” agreed Jax, subtly sniffing at their daughter’s Dolly too, rather than necessarily just keep a stiff face even when his nostrils were burning. Meeting Kobign had liberated him in many ways, even when it had put a noose around his neck, even when he had been viciously and vividly free for already twenty years. So smells bothered him– so what? His husband accepted all of him, that included. He could afford to let others see him in totality too. Glancing about, the former General spotted Zig stretched out in a chair a distance from the pool. He raised his voice, booming like the veteran drill commander he was, “ZIGARASHE! YOUR NIECE IS HERE!”

And said niece was specially dressed for the visit too. Foxen had done well as ever. <@189568236201705472>

Zig bolted up from her chair, having finished her beer, and tossed it towards one of the floating trash bins she’d engineered that could adjust for things being tossed (non aggressively) at them.

“Jax! You tall motherkarker!” Zig beamed as she surged towards the hybrid and the toddler. “I want to see the bab-eh!” she made some cooing sounds and then waved her fingers around to try and get the childs attention.

Zig honestly had no idea what to do with tiny humans. But because her niece was indeed part of her “pack”, Zig felt oddly protectie and drawn to her.

Jax laughed heartily, a proud purr rising from him as he crouched just a tad to show off Marrien Moon in her little outfit.

The one year old was dressed in a deep purple jacket that had shoulder pads with yellow undercuts. The smart lapels, rather than making a vev shape, formed a trill like the front plate of an armored chest, and slits in the sleeves showed peeks of gray when she moved to reach, grabby, for Zig. With her tiny braid falling over her shoulder, it was obvious who exactly she was ‘costumed’ as.

“What do you think? I asked Foxen to make her one like a certain ‘buster.”

<@244244400488710155>

“He out did himself, but I don’t think that man does anything less than a hundred thirty-point-two percent,” Kobign chuffed from where he stood beside Jax. He gave Zig a nod and smile, having not addressed her until after some dotting on Marrien Moon was dished out. “Good to see you. How are things, Zig?”

<@189568236201705472>

Carr’s ears perked, catching the sound of his name a split second before impacts. He grunted, nearly stumbling, a stumble halted by Noga in front of him. He was surrounded by familiar scents and enveloped in familiar arms, his traitorous tail betraying his happiness, wagging excitedly behind him. There was no denying he missed them both tremendously. They had been wherever they were, and he had been so engrossed in classes…

“Noga. Leda.” He grinned from ear to ear, grey eyes bright. “Miss ya!”

The Shistavanen kissed the top of Leda’s head, then, lifting his muzzle, brushed his lips with Noga’s. It was a simple thing, barely a feather’s touch before he withdrew, grinning again. It was as if it never happened.

“What’ve you two been up to? I’ve just been busy with classes an’ stuff. Noth'n exciting.”

“Good n you? Oh not so bad,” Zig replied.

Meanwhile, seeing the little braid, something broke inside of Zig. She did not fully understand small children, but in that moment, she did, and she let out a high pitched squeak.

Kobign chuffed at the squeak, genuinely finding the moment endearing and amusing. A beat later after the initial high of ‘ohmygawdcuteness’ had started dissipating he answered her back, “Doing good, trying to juggle between home and traveling for the Arx Dispatch but good. Nice to get out and do something together, thanks for the invite.”

<@244244163002892288>

“Always welcome here,” Zig said seriously, knowing full well Kob’s past. The Voidbreaker II would always be a home to any who had shown their true worth to the family that was the crew.

“Thank you, Zigarashe,” Jax said, sounding choked up as he purred hard. He was always grateful to her, for her lack of judgement and acceptance most; there were precious few he could count on the fingers he had left who hadn’t hesitated before or after their trials, and Zig was one.

He’d sobbed on her shoulder when she even called their relationship ‘romantic af’ and a ‘kinda secret enemies to friends to lovers hashtag identity reveal hashtag true love conquers all thing’.

Kikkalekki, he still used that as a happy focus when he needed one to combat the intrusive negative thought pathways about the past.

But focusing on the present, Jax eyed the teenagers over Zig’s shoulderhead, even as he bobbed and swayed with Marrien, who was peeking around and reaching towards her Papa.

“I see it’s still quite the love boat hmmm?” he asked, tone sly for gossip.

<@244244400488710155> <@189568236201705472>

Seeing small hands reaching for him, Kobign adjusted the bag straps on his shoulder and took his daughter, freeing the tall hybrid’s arm. She made sure her tooka doll didn’t fall in the process. The switch meant sacrificing a high roost to take in sights to be more eye-level with most – looking at you Lurmen lad. Her blue eyes peered over the half-Selenian’s shoulder, giving anyone she meets eye contact with a smile.

Kobign quirked a brow at Jax’s comment and scanned the room where he had been facing. He wasn’t a “ship” enthusiast nor much of a gossiper even if his work benefits from giving an ear to them. But a curious lothcat he was for context, plus Zig’s and Jax’s interest amused him. He hung out beside them, bouncing Marrien Moon gently as he glanced away from the three young adults, giving them reprieve from at least one set of nosy eyes.

The doors to the pool deck hissed open and Socorra entered with silent feet. She was clan in only a bone-white bikini against dark desert skin, scars and faint Sith runes left unhidden in the open light.

The short pair charging ahead of her were anything but subtle.

Tiny feet slapped wetly against the deck plating as the dark-haired boys, Turi and Weyne, half-dragged oversized hydro-repeaters across the tile, already fully loaded. The weapons bumped and scraped behind them, leaving crooked trails of water in their wake. Both cousins were strapped into brightly painted “Buoyancy-Beskar” safety vests shaped like tiny Mandalorian armor.

Socorra’s single arctic-pale eye swept the deck automatically, assessing exits, bodies, sightlines, and potential toddler casualties in one smooth pass.

It was strange seeing the recreation deck restored again. Just a few months ago she had terraformed the entire section into an artificial beach complete with imported sand, excavation pits, and a miniature wave pool.

And the food.

Maker, the food.

Her mouth watered faintly at the memory of spit-roasted meats and smoke-charred spices.

“Ta-get ‘quired,” Turi announced.

The three-year-old’s turquoise-blue eyes locked immediately onto the massive Zygerrian-Shistavanen hybrid near the pool: Jax.

Weyne gasped beside his cousin like they had discovered prey in the wild.

“Big ta-get,” he whispered.

“Very big,” Turi agreed solemnly.

“Wet deck. Hazardous terrain,” her tongue rolled as she passed them. “Watch feet first, no ambush by floor.”

“Yes Mama—yes Aunny.”

The boys skidded to a stop near the edge of the pool, having sped anyway, nearly pitching forward under the weight of the repeaters.

Turi leaned toward Weyne, attempting toddler stealth.

“We get Unca Jax.”

“Yeah! We get’im GOOD,” Weyne agreed fiercely, making an excited fist and nearly dropping the toy.

Their little arms strained as they tried to hoist the toys upward behind a target approximately the size of a small hairy ship.

Socorra slowed as she drew within a few steps of Jax and Kobign and cleared her throat softly. She stopped just off to the side, close enough to be seen and heard. Her gaze flicked their way, amusement in her eye.

“Positioning is everyt’ing,” she said, continuing the instruction. “Especially before ambush.”

“Target wocked?” Turi whispered loudly.

“Wocked,” Weyne chirped back.

“Brace before firing,” she called. A faint smirk finally touched her mouth as she looked to the two men.

The boys immediately widened their stances like tiny commandos.

Turi began counting under his breath.

“Tree…”

Weyne bounced with excitement beside him.

“Too…”

“One!” they both yelled.

<@244244163002892288> <@244244400488710155>

The doors opened once more to allow Vreva to enter. The tall red female Zabrak with a crown of horns appeared somewhat lost within the ship’s interior, though she was dressed for the pool. Under a half-zipped flightsuit, a black bikini could be seen. It was the Galeresian’s first time within the Voidbreaker, and she wasn’t too certain she knew a soul here. Her golden yellow gaze scanned the vicinity quickly before landing on a familiar Herglic with relief. She very clearly avoided the children by a good distance as she made her path to him.

“Hey, Paum. I see you’re making friends.” The Zabrak put her hands in her flightsuit pockets and cocked her head to the side as she regarded the man Paum had been speaking with. “Wait… do I know you from somewhere…?” The moustache seemed familiar, at least. She glanced toward the Sephi. “Definitely don’t know you…” She shrugged, then let her gaze drift around the interior of the ship. “Nice place they got here… Nothing like home, but -y'know- homey.”

With their precious Moonbear safe in her father’s hold and out of the line of an incoming ‘ambush,’ Jax let his smile widen. He stayed turned purposefully towards the teenagers across the deck and Zig, eyes flicking towards and meeting Sock’s one, his dark ears flicked backwards and twitching like gyroscopic sonic radars as they picked up every word the boys and their buir said. Joy and mirth suppressed as he visibly tried not to laugh, scrunched gaze flicking between Socorra and Kobign as if to communicate his silent glee. Tears welled as he looked at Marrien. It would be obvious from the way he started purr-snuffling to his husband that he was presently imagining their daughter growing up to be big enough to drag around water guns and ambush him, and how then she’d be bigger, but also not a baby anymore, and aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa his space ovaries.

Such it was that he was fully braced if very emotional when cool-lukewarm water sprayed into his back, sending his shoulders hiking up towards his jawline and his short fur to stand on end where it wasn’t starting to weigh down soaked.

“AHhhH! I am wounded! No! Not the hair! Not the haaaaaiiiir!” Jax cried dramatically, dropping to his knees and shielding his head with his one arm as he plead with his attackers.

Or at least. Mostly dramatically. Really, not the hair, he finally got the morning’s diaper out.

While Carr was carrying on just fine, Noga had frozen when thin lips brushed his, his second kiss ever; and the first belonged to the same Shista six months ago. His dark chartreuse skin heated immediately, muddying his cheeks as he stuttered something unintelligible in reply. Carr had just– done that. And was being totally normal. Like he hadn’t been thinking about it all summer probably at all like Noga had. Or had he? If he was do casual about it? Kriffing help what.

“Uh. Stuff.” The Mirialan male started to lift his arm as if to…do… something? They’d just hugged and kissed! so it wasn’t like he needed to pull him back in to a hug, that would be weird, just holding him, right? But then it was almost a pat and why would he…do…that. The limb hovered awkwardly before he just ended up pushing his hair back in an aborted motion.

Meanwhile, Leda was to the rescue, not at all choking on the pain in her chest, which had nothing to do with getting a kiss on the head while Carr kissed her brother. Again. Nothing at all it was fine. Good. They’d made their choice and it wasn’t her and she had made peace with that actually on vacation, meditated on it and everything on Zeltros, but suddenly it was in front of her again and it was like a bandage ripped off.

She swallowed it down and smiled, chin up. Cora said that all the time. Like his mother had taught him. And yeah, he also admitted that maybe it was not the best thing, the little mantra about masking one’s emotions, but it worked and she needed something.

- “We were all over they place,” Leda replied for them since Noga was still melting down or whatever. “You can’t tell I’m tanned? Geez!” Clearly she was teasing, but the catch in her voice could have been mistaken for being bothered about the fact. And nothing else. “We started at Kiast before the borders closed…that’s a whole thing we ain’t get into right now, horribleness, but we were there first, saw Dad’s family and Papi went with Bril to see Utroba.” She started talking with her hands, gesturing. “Closed up the house. Then there was Miral, got to see our aquayla ey ayuaylo again, and we spent awhile on Zeltros with Qyriea…”

“Vreva! I thought you might’ve gotten yourself some trouble on the way in,” Paum grunted warmly. He gestured a large, three-fingered hand at the other two. “We were just talking ships. She’s a pilot and he wears too many belts to be true. Spoke to us on a podium a few times.”

<@206692046424113152> <@102435651189743616>

Seeing the plastic water guns wobble and aim in toddler hands at his husband, Kobign grabbed a towel draped over one of the bags and tossed-dropped it onto Jax’s head. Protect the hair. He shifted to stand beside Socorra, safely out of the gunfight for his daughter’s sake. He personally wouldn’t care if he got caught up in the crossfire. It’s always good fun to toss a kid in a pool in simulated action fighting, or even better(considering three year olds) let them push him in.

Although Weyne’s parents scare him.

“If I had to deduce who their supplier was, I’d put a waging bet on you. How’s it going, Socks?” Kobign asked as he stepped back to join her on the sidelines.

<@141239709291511808>

<@102435651189743616> <@206692046424113152>

“Ah, big boss-man. Gotcha. Hey.” She raised a hand to wave, then returned it to her pocket. “You look comfortable, now.” The monotone way in which she said it made it difficult to determine whether her words were meant as an insult. Perhaps it was just the Zabrak’s natural charm.

She turned her attention to Paum. “Had to finish some paperwork. Should have kept up that I couldn’t read. Would have saved me lot of headache.”

She sighed, then turned to Eevie. “What do you fly?”