First time for everything (Past Story)

[Malcom Renolds]

Winter was coming to Mandalore. An early season blizzard had hit the northern mountain regions that he and many other Mandalorians called home. With the early arrival of snow, the hunting seasons for the locals had all but shut down as most the wildlife had retreated to their hibernation hideaways. It was at this time everyone hunkered down for the long freeze, storing up the last of their harvests, kills, or purchased supplies.

For the next few months things would be relatively quiet among the small northern mountain clans. And it was for this reason Malcom was now waiting less than patiently by his ship, albeit with an excited smile on his face. He and his lifelong friend, partner, and now lover had been planning this trip for weeks. It was to be Rawnie's first trip off planet as well as her first bounty hunt.

They had been doing their research on their target, trying to find weaknesses, habits, mannerisms, known locations, and anything and everything else one might need to find someone looking to avoid being brought in. With her responsibilities now easing up with her clan, he was finally going to get to steal her away for a while. For the moment, he simply busied himself with equipment and armor checks to make sure everything was up to snuff and ready for the hunt to come. Though fairly often, his eyes would leave his task to scan for his lover.

[member="Rawnie Tal'verda"]

 

[Rawnie Tal'verda]

Rawnie had very little to pack. She owned almost nothing herself. Just some furs, her fathers old rifle, her mothers verpine shatter gun, and the knife she'd been given in celebration of her first kill. She wore her scratched up white armor, a white wolf pelt over her shoulders, and a long grey scarf. She said her goodbyes, double checked on the food stores, checked the status of the children she helped to look after, then she was on her way.

She was nervous now. More nervous than she'd ever been in her life. She was still so young, so inexperienced. Anything could happen out there. Anything could happen back here without her to protect and provide for them. Corrin was the clan Alor, but...

He's weak.

She'd pulled him aside before she left, lectured him. He had to be a man now. Being a leader was more than just a title. He wasn't entitled to a leadership position just for being fathers eldest child. If she came back and found that he was neglecting his duties...

She didn't like to think about it. She'd have to fight her own brother for it. But if it was for the good of the clan? So be it.

"Mal," she called, carrying a single beat up old carpet bag that her mother had given her, "Sorry I'm late. I had to check on- Well, you know how it goes."

[member="Malcom Renolds"]

 

[Malcom Renolds]

Malcom's head shot up at the sound of Rawnie's voice. A smile formed instantly as he nodded his acknowledgment of her greeting. "You're fine, and no worries. I understand. Was just starting to wonder if you changed your mind at the last second. But anyway, glad you didn't. Let's get going!" He gave her a enough time to drop her things off in their room before heading on up to the bridge. As the engines hummed to life, he began going through the preflight checklist to make sure all systems were up and running, and good to go.

"So how's the clan? From I hear, you guys were able to store more than enough food now for everyone, right? Anything interesting happen since I last saw ya?" Granted that period of time hadn't been very long considering how much time they normally spent together. But still, he was naturally curious.

Systems: . . . . .

Engines: Online
Weapons: Online
Navicomputer: Online
Life Support: Online
Back-up Systems: Online
Shields: Online Status: 100%
Fuel: 100%

Once she had answered and the systems checks came back good, he gave her an excited look after clicking himself into the chair. "Ready to go, cyar'ika?" The man would wait for her confirmation. When given, the ship rumbled to life as Malcom added power and lifted them off the surface of their home planet. The clouds that had covered the area soon gave way to clear blue skies. As they traveled further those blues skies faded to the blackest of black skies Rawnie would have ever seen. But beyond that, a blanket of stars, the site of which could not be matched by any holovid or holopicture.

Before punching in the coordinates for their destination, he spun the ship back around so that she could gaze upon their home world from orbit for the first time in her life. "There she is Rawnie. Home." Malcom never got tired of this view. It was why he learned to fly as soon as he was able. While he loved his home world more than any other place in the galaxy, he still loved to travel the stars and see knew places. He just now hoped she too was enjoying every last second of it like he did.

[member="Rawnie Tal'verda"]

 

[Rawnie Tal'verda]

Nothing. Nothing new had happened since she last saw him, so she said nothing. Well... no. One thing had happened. Her brother had been recognized by the Mand'alor himself as the new Alor of clan Tal'verda. And Rawnie was... frankly, a bit ticked about it.
But she said nothing about it until the blue had faded to black and all she could see was the beautiful orb of her home world against a backdrop of endless stars. She was lost for a moment. All she could do was stare, her stormy grey eyes taking in every last flicker of light. She thought she could pinpoint the region they were both from. She knew what it looked like on a map. But up here? It was all so...

"Corrin was named Alor of my clan," she told him softly, "He went to the Mand'alor himself to ask per mission to take Calico's place..."

It was hard to keep the disgust out of her voice. She clenched her fist. Grit her teeth. He would know what that meant. He'd met him. He saw his weakness too.

[member="Malcom Renolds"]

 

[Malcom Renolds]

His eyes widened and his head shot toward her direction when she finally spoke about her clan. There was indeed a look of disgust on his face from the report. Truly, it wasn't how he imagined how this moment would go. Nevertheless, it was still something important to her, and he wouldn't make light of it. "I'm sorry to hear that. Don't lose heart yet, though. We'll make sure your clan falls into the right hands eventually. Let's call this the first step. Where we get you just as capable at fighting men as you do the fiercest beasts of Mandalore."

Malcom was in no way trying to insinuate she didn't know her way around a sparring ring. But the life of a bounty hunter brought so many new skills that simply couldn't be learned in a training ring where strict rules where usually adhered to. He knew, he already had been on a few such missions and had learned, sometimes the hard way the lengths people would go to win a fight. The majority of the galaxy was a place that didn't value things like honor anymore. It was a place where one had to adapt as best as he or she could to survive and be successful while still maintaining site of ones self.

With Malcom's expression softening some, he nodded for her to follow him. "Come. I have something for you that might just cheer you up....and help you in your future endeavors." He said over his shoulder with a wink.

Leading her to the galley where he already had a couple shot glasses set up next to a bottle of Whyren's Whiskey Preserve. Also on the table was a rectangular box "First!" He said happily. "It is tradition to drink a toast to a successful mission." He said as matter of factly while pouring the two shots. Promptly handing her hers and taking the other for himself, he raised it toward her. "To a successful mission. May the sons and daughters of Mandalore always be victorious! In whatever we strive to do." Malcom then downed his whole shot. The golden liquid coursing it's way through his body.

Once Rawnie too had downed her shot, he reached over for the box and brought to the edge of the table next to them. "Now then. In light of the fact that this is the first time I have been able to steal you away from home, I got you something to remember it by." Pivoting to open the box, the opened lid revealed two nearly identically matching bowie style knives. She would easily be able to recognize the handle as being made of Shatual horn, but what was also embedded within the hilt were the claws of Mandalorian wolves. The blade itself was made of Beskar pulled from the mountains of their home planet and forged in a unique way so as to give the blade much more interest. A masterfully crafted piece he hoped could be viewed as embodying all the things that their people held dear. "I hope you like it....I figured it would be appropriate to use materials gained from our last hunt together. One is for you." He said as he gingerly withdrew the first knife and handed it to her. "The other is mine."

Spoiler

He then waited to see if the gift would be able to bring her spirits up just a bit.

[member="Rawnie Tal'verda"]

 

[Rawnie Tal'verda]

He didn't understand. He thought he was showing her that he got it. That he was equally upset by the turn of events. But his clan was not on the brink of ruin. His clan was already strong. A single weak leader would not send his entire way of life crumbling under him. She sighed, shaking her head. He meant well, but...
His words stunned her next. What was he suggesting? That in a few years time she might become the Alor herself?! The idea was impossible. For that to happen, Corrin would either have to die at just the right time, or he'd have to completely abdicate his duties.

...Or I would have to defeat him in combat.

That last one seemed the most likely. She could destroy him. But... she would never think to fight her brother. Not unless the situation was dire.

She followed him when he bid her to, silently considering her options. Well, at least until he brought out the alcohol. Rawnie blinked in surprise. This was hardly going to be her first drink, but Rawnie never made it to the one bar they had in the village. She worked from dawn until dusk, then it was right to sleep with her. She didn't have time to drink. Still, she silently took the glass in her hand, raised it for his toast, then drank it all down in a single sip.

Burn. Her throat was burning. She coughed slightly, eyes watering as she turned away for a moment to get better control of herself. How was her mother able to get drunk every single day!?

Once she had a grip and had blinked away the water in her eyes, she turned back to face him... and the box.

"I have... never seen anything so beautiful," she whispered, reaching down to take one of the knives in her hand. It was the perfect gift. So much like the one she carried at her hip. The one her mother had made for her with her own hands.

"Beskar?" she asked, running a finger gingerly across the blade, "and... shatual horn? And these must be...? You didn't!"

Their last hunting trip, the one that mattered so much to them. This was the physical symbol of that night. He even brought the wolves claws into it.

"If I didn't know any better, Mal, I'd say this was your way of proposing."

She laughed at that. The very idea. He was too wild. Did she honestly think he would ever settle down?

[member="Malcom Renolds"]

 

[Malcom Renolds]

The man managed to stifle a snicker as she almost chocked on the whiskey. He knew she didn't get to drink much, but good for her for still taking it all in one go. As she examined the piece, he was pleased to see how much Rawnie seemed to like it. Especially considering what it represented for them.

When she asked if it was beskar, he nodded with a smile. "Mhmm." Then came another nod with the shatual horn. "Right again." When she figured out the wolf claws, he couldn't help but chuckle. "Those were a bit of a trick, but yup. The wolf claws." He really did want these to be special and memorable pieces for them, but not just for that one night that they shared staying alive through that freak storm. But for something much more long lasting.

They had for most of their lives usually in sync with each other. Although occasionally they disagreed....usually strongly when it did happen, it didn't last and they quickly made up. But when she suggested this was a proposal, what she didn't realize when she said it was that it was! This time Malcom didn't respond, beyond that smile she would know so well and eventually a nod of affirmation. His cheeks reddening slightly at her laugh, truly hoping he wasn't so far off base for what he planned to do next...

Reaching out for her hand, he lowered down to one knee. "Rawnie Tal'verda. Ni ganar kar'taylir darasuum gar par miai ru'du biai Ni liser partaylir. Cad olyay va a tuur ibac eray de ibac Ni narir va mirdir be gar. Meh gar malyasa'yr ganar ni, Ni malyasa'yr emuurir at gotal'ur gar ner riduur bal kar'taylir darasuum gar par miai ru'du biai mhi oyacyir. ...Malyasa'yr gar hanvioa ni?"

Spoiler

"[member="Rawnie Tal'verda"]. I have loved you for as long as I can remember. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you. If you would have me, I would like to make you my wife and love you for as long as we live. ...Will you marry me?"

Malcom didn't care the she was from a different clan, or that her clan was not as prosperous as his. He loved her for who she was. And that included where she came from. It was now the moment of truth. Either this was going to be the shortest most awkward trip of their lives, or one of the happiest.

 

[Rawnie Tal'verda]

Oh... Oh! That was- He was actually-? She guessed.... right? She'd been joking, thinking that he'd never really want to. But then...

She watched him lower himself to one knee, just as her father had done when he proposed to her mother. Her heart raced. Her mind went blank. All she could think about was the night in the forest. That and... and... She touched the knife again, running her fingers along the blade almost lovingly. He... he really meant it. She finally looked up after what felt like ages.

"I... Oh Mal! Di'kut! Did you think I'd ever say no?"

She smiled, setting the knife down to throw her arms around his neck. She was laughing. So relieved. This all made things... simple. So much simpler. Wow. Who knew? Her mother had been right when she said they'd end up married one day. She'd always joked about it with Rawnie, ever since they were kids, laughing, fighting, bickering... She'd send her a message soon. Let her know. Buir did always like being right...

[member="Malcom Renolds"]

 

[Malcom Renolds]

A wave of relief flowed over him as she made her response. He laughed along with her, but responded, "Well....you still haven't actually said yes, soooooooo...." His comment was made simply in jest. He knew she meant yes, but he couldn't help but pay her back after her jokingly calling him "di'kut". In truth, he was happier than he had been in a long time. Even more so than the time they'd spent in the mountain pass. She was going to be his, and he was going to be hers. Malcom wouldn't have it any other way.

He'd have to send a message to his family, letting them know the news they too had been prophesying all their lives. He wish he could be there to see the look on his parents face. But in the end, it mattered not. Malcom knew how elated they would be of the news. They had always viewed Rawnie as a daughter anyway. Indeed, he and Rawnie had spent so much time together as youngsters that they, like her family did with her, had always teased him that he and Rawnie would be married some day.

Malcom lifted her off the ground, holding her tightly in a warm embrace as he spun her around and bumped her forehead lightly with his. He really couldn't believe that everything was turning out so well.

[member="Rawnie Tal'verda"]

 

[Rawnie Tal'verda]

She giggled as he lifted her feet off the ground. Normally, she hated when people picked her up. She already knew she was tiny. She didn't need the reminder that people could pick her up with zero effort. But this time, she didn't mind at all. She held onto him tight, laughing until he set her down.

"Then yes, Mal. I will give you an official yes."

She hadn't let go of him yet. Her heart was racing. She had so much to say to him. How much time did they have until they reached their destination? Enough time for some more life altering confessions? Probably, but she didn't want to ruin the moment. This was too precious. This was a memory that she would cherish forever. For the rest of her life.

[member="Malcom Renolds"]

 

[Malcom Renolds]

Malcom smiled widely as she gave him her "official" yes, right before he leaned in a little further and stole a kiss from those amazing lips of hers. The sound of her laugh was like music to his ears, the likes of which he could listen to all day long. To see her as happy as he felt at the moment was like the sun shining on his heart for a thousand years. Normally the trained warrior wasn't quite so sentimental. But at times like this, she made his heart melt.

Reluctantly setting her back down, he beamed, "Well, I guess we should probably should send a few messages out before we head out, yes? I imagine your mother would want to hear about this as much as mine." Giving her a wink, he grabbed his matching blade and strapped it to his lower right leg where it would forever find a place on his person. Whether she had something she still wanted to confess, he knew not. He simply began sending a couple messages to his parents alone before suggesting they head back to the bridge, now as an engaged couple.

Once there he began to plug in the coordinates for the distant planet of Kashyyk. Apparently their target had been hiding out in the huge forests where bio sensors would have a hard time picking out a single life form. It would only be a matter of a day or so now before they began their actual search. Malcom was looking forward to it. Hopefully their recent luck would continue ands they find their target with relative ease.

[member="Rawnie Tal'verda"]

 

[Rawnie Tal'verda]

While he sent off messages, Rawnie was very busy touching the knife he had proposed to her with and biting her lip. If there was any time to do this, it was now. If there was any time to say what she needed to say, it was this moment. But he finished sending his message and asked her to join him up on the bridge. She took his hand and walked with him. Happy, excited, anxious, terrified. All of that rolled into one.

"...Mal? I have something I think I should tell you before we go any further."

She settled herself into the copilots chair, slouching some. She seriously wished she could have said this before they left the ground. Now she had nowhere to go if the news upset him.

"This month i'm running... late. Very late."

[member="Malcom Renolds"]

 

[Malcom Renolds]

"Mhmm." He said a little absently when she called his name, still finishing his task of entering the coordinates. His curiosity was a little more piqued as he pulled on the activation control for the hyperdrive. With white lines now streaking past the bridge viewport, he spun in his chair to look at his fiance with a smile. It was then that she dropped the bomb.

His mind took a couple seconds to process what she had just said. Late...Very late. Suddenly, his mind was a blur of random memories from his and her life life together. First images of them playing, fighting, and training together as children. To them sharing their first kiss while out on a hunt. To them sharing those first moments that bonded them closer than they had ever been before. Now his beautiful fiance was saying what? That she may be pregnant?

A small smile began to tug at the corners of his mouth and spread across his stunned face. "Late....? As in....you think you might be pregnant!?" He let out a quick excited laugh as he soon bolted to her side. "Are you really saying that we'll be parents soon? ....Cyar'ika, that's...that's great! Are you sure you're pregnant? I mean...like is it certain?"

[member="Rawnie Tal'verda"]

 

[Rawnie Tal'verda]

He was so excited. She hoped she wasn't wrong. The midwife from the next village over said it seemed pretty certain. But then, Rawnie had been late before, sometimes even missing her cycle all together. But never this long. It had been months....

"I'm pretty sure," she answered, feeling her own excitement build, "I spoke to the midwife. She examined me herself."

After all these years, not only were they going to be married, but they would be bringing children to the Galaxy. Children that would be the best of both of them. All the more reason to consider merging the clans. Of course, that could come later. For now, she rose to her feet, reaching out to grab his hands with hers.

"mhi ba'juri verde."

[member="Malcom Renolds"]

 

[Malcom Renolds]

Looking into his lovers eyes as he took her hands in his, he maintained his smile and nodded. "Mhi ba'juri verde." He repeated confirmingly. "Are you ok, though?" He said with almost a slight look of concern building. "You seem...apprehensive?"

It was then he realized he was about to take his pregnant fiance on a bounty hunt. "Wait! Are you sure we should be doing this bounty hunt!? I mean, I'm not trying to say you couldn't handle it...I just..." He hesitated a shrugged. "...I don't know. Is it wise to be running around trying to catch dangerous people with you being pregnant? I honestly don't know. I'm just asking." Malcom knew how touchy she could be if someone dared tried to insinuate she wasn't at least their equal.

It wasn't that at all for him, he was simply wanting to make sure they would both be safe.

[member="Rawnie Tal'verda"]

 

[Rawnie Tal'verda]

Apprehensive was one word for it. Downright terrified was another. She was still so... young, even by Mandalorian standards. What if things didn't work with them? What if something happened? And what if child birth... hurt? Really bad? She remembered hearing about how hard her own birth had been on her mother. They both almost died that night. What if-

No. She couldn't be thinking like that! She'd be fine. She was a Tal'verda. A warrior. She would not give in. She would be the mother of Malcom's children. They would marry. They would be happy.

"Mal!" she snapped, annoyed instantly by his concern, "I'm fine! It's still early. I'm not a fragile snowflake. You know this."

Well, he had better know it by now. If he didn't she'd have to hit him. Hard. Knock the memory back into him.

[member="Malcom Renolds"]

 

[Malcom Renolds]

Mal was not put off by her outburst. It had been something he had grown used to long ago. Letting out a small sigh, he smiled and shook his head. "I wasn't talking about you being fragile, cyar'ika. I know you're tough. I was talking about the baby. But if you think there is no worry, then that is good enough for me." The man finished with a shrug. "Really was just a question." He did sometimes wonder why she was so quick to think he of all people was unaware of her abilities and felt she needed to be sheltered.

"Anyway!" He continued curiously. "Have you thought of any names at all? I figure it is probably still to early to tell what it is yet...but still." His own mind now began to think on his own question as well. So many possibilities.

[member="Rawnie Tal'verda"]

 

[Rawnie Tal'verda]

She was pretty sure she was pregnant. All the signs, and the midwifes examination... His question tore her away from doubts. Names. That was the easiest part of all this.

"Galaar," she answered immediately, "We will name it Galaar no matter the gender."

This she would not budge on. Her first child. She'd promised herself a long time ago when her father first told her the story of her fallen uncle. It was a good name. Male or female. None of her daughters would have overly feminine names. It only reinforced a stereotype that women were delicate. That was simply something Rawnie refused to accept.

[member="Malcom Renolds"]

 

[Malcom Renolds]

Malcom smiled at her not even bothering to give him a chance to offer a suggestion as if it wasn't their child but only hers. While this might have normally offended him somewhat, the name itself he had no objections to in this case. So he decided to not make an issue of it. He was simply glad that everything had still been working out so well. "Ok." He said. "I can go with that. Any particular reason why you are so determined to have that for the name? It seems like it is rather important to you."

[member="Rawnie Tal'verda"]

 

[Rawnie Tal'verda]

"It is."

She smiled sadly, playing with her fingers.

"He was my fathers brother and my mothers friend. I want to honor him."

There were so many dead brothers and sisters in Clan Tal'verda. What made this one so special? Well, her Father spoke of him so often. His was a name she said every night in prayer before going to sleep. His was the name she grew up hearing with such respect. His was the name of a warrior.

"Thank you for understanding. This means so much to me."

[member="Malcom Renolds"]