generally-scheming // Armitage Hux
Hux scowled, recollecting her irritating and unprofessional banter during their last battle. It had been a week before the petty officers stopped giggling when they thought he wasn’t looking. His eyes darted around the bistro like a cornered animal. They had positioned themself between him and the exit, and Hux was not fool enough to start a knife fight with a Mandalorian. (Not even one who had foregone beskar for a shimmering gown. At least it met the establishment’s dress code.) The only move was to stay, figure out how much she really knew, and deny everything.
“No.” Hux raised a hand to halt the waiter. “The Merlot from Tal'onidir wineries will do. Two glasses of the most recent vintage.” As they retreated, Hux turned his gaze back on the Mandalorian rebel. “The last vintage, that is, before the vineyard burned. But you know all about that. The Empire would never have brought Mandalore so easily to its knees without your contributions, would they, Wren?”
Hux’s expression soured as the name rolled off his tongue. That syllable came preloaded with animosity for a different target; it felt wrong. He refocused on hiding his mounting anxiety. In conversation as on the battlefield, the best defense was a good offense. “All this wild speculation about my love life, as if I have that kind of time. Does someone have a crush? What ever would your family think? I suppose we’ll never know.”
.
His eyes flitted around the room, no doubt searching for exits. But she knew he wouldn’t act so quickly if he didn’t have to. Hux wasn’t the kind to cause a scene if it could be avoided. They could tell he was starting to get defensive. Good. The anger could easily be mistaken for attack, but Sabine could read him better than that. When he snapped, it was out of pure self-preservation. In this way, Sabine disregarded the comment about the wine, shrugging it off with a wave of her hand. They’d done their research and come prepared. She had time for mourning and regret later, but for a man like this? He didn’t deserve any of her emotions. Instead, eyebrows raised in a practiced flirt, an attempt to sow discontent from the growing tension. They reflected on the informants she’d taken weeks to track down, the spies she’d had to weigh truth and lies from. One specific canary came to the forefront of their mind, and she rephrased their words with a gentle lilt.
“Well, it takes two to tango, doesn’t it, Armitage? And from what I hear, you have quite the taste for destruction, yourself. I mean, I can’t help but notice how familiar my surname is to you. Just a letter away, really. You have history with not one Ren, but two, am I right?”
The server returned with the requested bottle, and she nodded thanks as the glasses filled. Though their stomach churned at the idea of savoring something created by the people she’d helped destroy, Sabine didn’t let that sway her attitude. This persona, this mask, it was carefully curated just for him. (And wouldn’t that just flatter him to know?) There was no time to falter.
“Perhaps they wouldn’t be too pleased. But, then, dear old dad wouldn’t be too proud of your wine and dine with a Mandalorian, would he?”
Sabine smirked into their glass, before raising it in a mock toast.
“To forbidden romances.” They whispered, just loud enough for the general to hear. Perhaps that old adage still held some measure of truth. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. And even if it wasn’t right, oh, was it fun.
@cravked // trilla suduri
her eyes rolled after the stranger’s comment, not quite believing it –– not that there was anything necessarily inherently wrong with what they were saying, but the mere fact that trilla did not think it was remotely possible that she could remind someone of a younger brother. there was nothing about them in general that would particularly be like that, she thought. nothing endearing or whatever else people thought about siblings. she didn’t know particularly much about what traditional family dynamics looked like.
“i wouldn’t know, i never knew my family,” trilla answered with a shrug of her shoulders. it had never mattered to her as a child because that was just the way things were in the jedi temple. there were other younglings, the masters, but nothing by blood.
gaze tilted over toward them, her gaze narrowing slightly and looking at her a bit closer. “what about me reminds you of him?” she doesn’t care, if it were the truth –– but she doesn’t entirely believe that they were being wholly honest with her, and that was what she was much more interested in.
The answer Trilla gave wasn’t entirely surprising. Terrible, yes, but not unexpected. For years, the Empire had choked the galaxy from the innermost cities of the Core Worlds all the way to the Outer Rim. The time was a ruthless one, full of orphans and hungry hands. But something about the quickness, the coolness, with which she answered the question dug into Sabine. Still, Trilla expected a response, and Sabine wasn’t one to deny her that after the personal question she, herself had just asked.
“He was...a quiet kid. Incredibly smart, but sometimes he’d go days without speaking.” Sabine allowed themself a smile, stumbling through past memories. “He grew out of it, mostly, but even when we were still learning the six tenets of the resol’nare, he would listen more than speak. When he did, though, you knew that what he had to say was important. The most I ever heard from him was...” They took a breath, remembering the cold greetings back on Krownest years ago. The planet’s icy temperature hadn’t been the only thing to bring a chill to her skin that day.
“Anyways, you seem to share that similar stillness. The looking before jumping. The taste for observation. If you don’t mind my saying so.”
They looked over at their walking partner to gauge her reaction. The two were both hesitant of each other, but Sabine wanted to show that she could be open to trust. It didn’t come freely (not by a long shot) but Trilla had been nothing but helpful so far. The Mandalorian might as well attempt the same courtesy.
“And, he had a real sense of humor, though he didn’t always realize it.” They grinned crookedly. “The little mir’sheb. So, I’m sure you can understand the resemblance there.”
xspectre-1 // Kanan Jarrus
.
“sabine you don’t… have to tell me. i’m not going to make you– relive anything…”he said, blinking as she continued, keeping his attention focused on her. his grip remained firm until– people coming back? could the force do that? thoughts briefly strayed– why he had been brought back but so many hadn’t– why only some had been chosen.
he interrupted, feeling sabine’s movement. her greif. hands moved to carefully take her shoulders, “hey… hey we don’t have to talk about that, not now,” he assured her, sighing as he pulled her bac k into a hug. his confusion didn’t matter, not as much as her comfort… or at least, ability to calm down. he could catch up in his own time… with a small smile, he tightened his grip some, “i’m just glad you’re okay–”
.
She breathed deeply into his side, the familiar scent of leather and ash filling her senses. A torrent of emotions fought in their chest. Anger. Grief. Joy. Exhaustion. And something they couldn’t speak into existence, the feeling of finally being home.
“Kanan, I’m so- I’m sorry. I’m--”
Sorry I can’t explain it better--
Sorry I couldn’t stop the fire before it--
Sorry I couldn’t get the ship out of there fast enough--
Sorry I disappointed you.
But he didn’t remember. He didn’t remember because he didn’t live it, and thank the Force for that. Or the Manda. Whatever had brought him back, she would raise a glass to it, now and forever. Their buir was back, and nothing would take him away from her again. Fuck the rules, this was their father.
“I’m glad you’re okay, too.” They could tell Kanan was confused, was lost and trying his best to hold it together for her sake. They sighed, then used the back of her hand to push away the tears falling shamelessly across her cheeks. It was her turn to comfort him, despite the ache in their own chest. (Because that’s what children do for their parents.)
“It’s been about two years since the Empire fell. The New Republic is starting to reinstate some form of government and peace in the galaxy. And--” they hesitated, unsure of the specifics regarding his religion and people. What she did know, though, she would share. “The Jedi aren’t hunted anymore. No more Vader. No more Inquisitors. As far as the Rebellion is concerned, Kanan... you’re a hero.” You’re my hero.
goldenrod : does your muse believe in luck or fortune ? why or why not ? where do they believe these things come from ?
// Yep! Sabine definitely believes in some measure of luck (good and bad). After all, the Ghost Crew can’t have gotten out of all of those tight spots without a little extra help. They’re not completely sure that it comes from any one place; she’s wondered if it could be the Force or the council of fallen Mandalorian rulers known as the Ka’ra, but she’s really not sure. They’ve always tried to have an open mind when it comes to the varied religious history of Mandalore, and they remain content with understanding that not everything can be understood. What would be the fun if there wasn’t a little mystery in the galaxy? //
@artfuldarthness
@xspectre-1 // Kanan Jarrus
finding himself on lothal wasn’t the surprise, flashes of memories would have brought him there regardless. the surprise was rooted in something far more confusing. things were different from what kanan last remembered, he couldn’t place it but– well, he was certainly lost here.
not that it was much of a concern to the blind knight. his focus was on hera– knowing she had been captured, knowing she had been captured and that he wasn’t on that lothal– the distress associated was perhaps somewhat overwhelming.
but with, admittedly directionless, wandering, he had been surprised to sense– sabine??
it was enough to pull his attention, and enough of a feeling to drag the jedi aimlessly in a new direction, further from the city but perhaps closer to an answer.
as he neared, he could feel she had noticed him– not that the force was needed for as much, their relationship based in more than that– “sabine?” he questioned, a hand reaching to feel at her head as if it wasn’t the young mandalorian he was acutely familiar with, “what’s– what’s happening?”
The rotations had been unforgiving of late. Lothal’s single sun burned bright, with little precipitation to relieve the plains near Capital City. It had been a short stay, but long enough for silent reflection. Ezra’s tower had been restored after Imperial presence was wiped out, and the Mandalorian often found themself returning for a few days at a time, watching over the small planet from above. It was secluded, out of the way, and by all means, a perfect resting spot for someone who wanted to be alone. But today, as a dark cloud rolled over the city, Sabine spotted something-- someone-- walking the field toward her makeshift encampment.
Could that be--?
The turbolift couldn’t take her to ground level fast enough, but when it did, she could do little but gasp in surprise. Removing their helmet in a hurry, Sabine met his hand with her own, then raised it a few inches to their cheek, where tears were starting to blossom in her eyes.
“Kanan?”
It had been years, but here he was, the man who had for so long acted like a buir to them. Here he was, back where it had all changed, but this time, she had found him.
“I-it’s me, Sabine.” They longed to reassure him that everything was okay, that he was okay, but neither would have believed it. She wanted to wrap their arms around him in an embrace, to never let go, but stopped in an attempt to avoid overwhelming the already flummoxed man. “I’m here, Kanan. You’re on Lothal. What do you remember?”
swishycapes // Lando Calrissian
most of the spectres didn’t happen to be particularly fond of him, given the way that he had met them all at the beginning –– perhaps not one of his most flawless plan executions, even if it had worked out just fine, as far as he was concerned. still, it did not stop him from lighting up with a wide grin when he recognized one of the youngest, wondering around the halls of the temple, appearing to enjoy theirself. at least she didn’t seem quite as displeased as kanan had been, all things considered.
“always a pleasure to see you again,” lando beamed at them. “of course. then again, I’d argue most little new republic socializers are my scene –– but yes, I put a rather generous donation together for tonight, courtesy of the mining corporation.” no sense in missing out an opportunity to brag, particularly if they still ad a certain impression about him.
It’s been a few since she last saw Lando. Uh, months? Years? Eh, it wasn’t much of a difference anyways. Here they were now, so the two might as well catch up over a drink. Or five!
“Yeah, how is the mining corp..corpor-- the guild? Or is guild a different thing?”
They felt something hot and bitter flash its way up her throat, then swallowed it back down with a look of confusion. Huh. Wonder if anyone had mixed this many alcohols from this many planets before?
“Lamdo, did you hear,” they slurred out in a loud imitation of a whisper, “that someone mixed up the ingredients in the desserts?” They offered him a delicate-looking pastry from a nearby table. “You like to gamble, right?” She muffled a grin for mock seriosity. Serios-- seriousness? Yeah, that was the one.
galaxywon // Hera Syndulla
Oh thank the Force Hera thought, pushing through the pain to meet Sabine, hands automatically going to their upper arms, examining them for any visible signs of injury. Outwardly she looked okay, but that meant nothing right now. “ No-no…. Not since the explosions. “ Kriff, she had just gotten her family whole again. Their stomach was in knots. “ We need to find them. Chop should still be with the ship. We can signal for a pick up when we’re sure everything has calmed down. “ There was that small relief at least. Hera hadn’t trusted her droid not to d something to upset the very unsteady alliance the New Republic had with the Hapans. “ Do you know what happened ? “
_
Fuck, the burns on Hera looked something awful. But they couldn’t focus on that now. Sabine hadn’t found anyone else, and apparently, neither had Hera. They pushed the repulsive thought of what could have happened to them to the back of her mind, focusing instead on the way forward.
“Yeah. Yeah, okay. We make for the shipyard, then we find them.” If they could still be found.
In response to their question, she shook their head no, offering little comment as the two ducked for cover. It was all she could do from letting the dread of yet another lost family from choking them.
@cravked // trilla suduri
a life of solitude was something that trilla had gotten used to with the last two years, alone on the outer rim, staying as far away from society and individuals as she could. there had still been some necessary trips to markets for supplies that she needed; it had been a sharp learning curve to life as an imperial where all of her basic needs were met, just as they had been in the jedi order. when she hadn’t isolated herself, it had not been a problem. her skillset left her particularly capable of making money when she needed it, capable of mercenarial jobs that… the average person just could not accomplish on their own. she’d been among the best as a padawan, and learned so much more when training as an inquisitor. her arrogance had never failed her: she was capable of anything she set her mind to.
still, after all of that time, isolation had remained to be somewhat easier. maybe it was because of how sour things had gone with cal, or the fact that the others that she had run into had left her feeling less than about herself. quiet spaces away from people was what she needed, but she was still trying to follow the call of the force, to allow herself to be more than the darkness that had eaten her up for so long. much of it had faded. trilla found herself bathed in light more than dark these days, paranoia being the main thing to set her back. she ached for isolation, but the force continued to guide her in another direction, to tell her no. stumbling upon this stranger was just one of many instances that seemed to serve as proof for the idea.
trilla’s gaze fell upon them in the distance, debating with herself for a few minutes before she approached. she still maintained a modest distance when she spoke to her. “i can’t imagine that you’re accomplishing much out here.” her voice was cool and neutral as she spoke, chin held high even as the other’s seated position forced her gaze down to look upon them.
Sabine noticed a figure slowly approaching her from the distance, seemingly making right for the Mandalorian and their broken transport. They sat uneasily astride the speeder, working nimbly at all of the complexities of the machine before them. She made sure to note where their blasters were at the moment (just in case trouble arose). She looked up as, after a few minutes, the stranger stopped some distance away. They made a short comment about the bike, and without turning away from the interloper’s gaze, Sabine stifled a laugh, short and bark-like.
“Y’know, it would go a lot faster if I didn’t have someone griping about my work to distract me.”
Sabine realized that their words may have been harsh, but it was a lonely galaxy, and they knew not to trust everyone that came up to them with a blaster on their hip and a half-cocked expression of smugness on their face. Still, this approaching stranger seemed...different, somehow. They couldn’t place how, only that they seemed just as wearisome a traveler as herself. This person didn’t seem to want to bring harm or tension, to either of them. In fact, they seemed just as uncertain as the Mandalorian felt. Maybe that’s why, instead of offering a belittling quip or turning them away, she extended a handheld soldering tool to the newcomer.
“But, I will take your help, if that’s what you’re offering.” They paused, and flashed a small smile. “But only if I knew who was so generously concerned with the state of this busted piece of scrap metal.”
@spectreoflasan // Zeb Orrelios
Zeb pushed their way through the crowd of overdressed and obviously high partygoers. It would be funny – karabast, it was funny – but it would be funnier if it weren’t so surreal. He recognized plenty of faces in the crowd, but the last time he saw most of them they were back at Rebel headquarters wearing fatigues and anxious looks. If the war really was over, every one of them deserved a celebration; Zeb was the last person who’d deny them that. But Zeb was still having the damndest time shaking that ‘if.’ It had kept them away from the spiked desserts – if anyone decided to make trouble for the fledgling New Republic, they’d need their wits about them – but between Zeb’s general sense of displacement and their unexpectedly complicated conversation with Kallus, they found themself on the way to the bar. Zeb could handle a drink.
As he arrived at the bar, though, he came across someone who clearly could not. Or had chosen not to. Their slurred speech made his ears perk up. Karabast. Zeb intercepted a drink on its way into their hands and threw the bartender a dirty look.
“Right, I’ll say you’ve had enough. I’m cutting you off.”
“Wh-hoa! Zeb!” They let out a squeal reminiscent of a little kid (or a broken tea kettle), throwing her hands up in the air in excitement. “Ho-ly Kriff, it’s been so loooooong!” They started to stand from the barstool but stumbled, tripping over the metal and landing in a heap in his arms. She let out an elongated giggle. When was the last time that happened? She reached for the drink in her older brother’s hands, but they moved it away too quickly.
“c’mon, Zeb! I thought you were cool,” they pouted. “Wha-- What? Did yer stupid b-boyfriend put you up to this?” She tried to stand on her own but everything rocked around her. She leaned against Zeb begrudgingly. “Hmph. Dumb Kallus.”
// sabine’s graffiti mix: a little playlist for my favorite mandalorian
(songs listed below)
listen here!
- Sabine’s Theme ~ Star Wars Lofi // SuperDope
- space girl // Frances Forever
- Bad Reputation // Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
- Weird Girl // Mommy Long Legs
- Pray For Me (ft. Kendrick Lamar) // The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar
- R.I.P. 2 My Youth // The Neighbourhood
- Cherry Bomb // The Runaways
- What’s Up Danger // Blackway, Black Caviar
- Celebrity Skin // Hole
- Gender Binary (Fuck You) // Ryan Cassata
- Chaotic Gender Neutral // Murder Person for Hire
- Rebel Girl // Bikini Kill
- Homemade Dynamite // Lorde
- Empires on Fire // BANNERS
- Smells Like Teen Spirit // Nirvana
- Seven Nation Army // The White Stripes
- Am I A Girl? // Poppy
- Cigarette Ahegao // Penelope Scott
- Hayloft // Mother Mother
- I Was a Teenage Anarchist // Against Me!
- bury a friend // Billie Eilish
- Home // Vance Staples, Richie Kohan
- Dear Fellow Traveller // Sea Wolf
- Andromeda // Weyes Blood
- i need to be alone. // girl in red
- After the War // Reinaeiry
- The Mandalorian // The Hyphenate
- Rebels Theme // Kevin Kiner
- Sabine Wren // AtinPiano
@cptfulcrum // Alexsandr Kallus
Kallus wouldn’t pull his own weapon on them, just a small blaster, something that he felt more comforted when he had on his hip. Just another Imperial regulation that he had never quite slipped out of. He didn’t carry on Lira San. But now that he had slowly been working outside of the planet, he felt the need to. Especially now that he had actively started tracking Grand Admiral Thrawn. But he knew the Mandalorian understood the need for a weapon. He watched closely, waiting for a moment where Sabine’s dominant arm would aim to fire. Thankfully, it never happened. His shoulders relaxed slightly, though their question had him pause.
His own justification was that Zeb was worried about Sabine but trusted her too much to actually do anything about his worry. He didn’t want to admit that he was worried too, worried about all of the Spectres. The loss of Ezra had hit them all hard, just after getting him back. “ Like I said, we were concerned. “ he replied, stepping closer now that their weapon was holstered. “ I was in the area. Zeb was not. “ the area was a very vague statement, vague enough that he didn’t have to explain that he wasn’t on Lira San and that’s why it was easier for him than her fellow Spectre. “ I thought it would assuage his worries if he knew I saw you. “ it would lessen his own, certainly.
Sabine could, without a doubt, take care of any situation that arrived. But this wasn’t something able to be handled. It was the death of someone very close to them all. It wasn’t as simple as planting a bomb or shooting a blaster. He wished it was. “ You should come visit. I know Zeb misses you. “
She stood still, rooted to the spot by the mention of her friend’s name. It was a punch to the gut, an overwhelming sense of anxiety. Sabine had left Zeb (and so many others) in the dark for weeks, months now. They didn’t mean to cause any pain. She just needed time, distance away from everyone. It had always been easier to figure things out alone.
When situations started to tense and sour at home, Sabine had joined the Imperial Academy. When she realized just what they were using her for, they had defected into the Rebellion. Even after the Ghost crew had given them a home, a real family, she had left. And, here she was, running again.
At last they shifted their weight uneasily, heavy with guilt and shame.
“Thank you. I-I should have reached out sooner, I just...” needed to do this on my own, she wanted to say. But instead, they let the words hang in the air, taking up the uneasy space between the two.
“I’m fine, Kallus. I appreciate you coming out here and all, but really, I’m good.” She stepped forward, stance relaxed now that they knew they were in the presence of a friend, not an enemy. Instead of expressing the emotions gnawing at her inside, they attempted to make light of the conversation.
“What are you and Zeb up to these days, anyways?”
Artist. Madalorian. Weapons Master. Rebel. "My friends make the impossible possible." // RP account for galacticshq
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