Private If Everyone Cared…

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

Rwookrrorro​

Wearing a forest themed cloak over her armor Minerva strolled on a bridge leading to the new tree settlement. Unhelemted she looked around, noting how the capital had been rebuilt since that day, Kashyyyk burned. The warrior made it to the other side, beholding a market mostly filled with Wookiees saved for a few outsiders. At the sight she allowed herself a small smile, glad that life had returned to this place, in spite of everything. Reminded again of what happened Minerva's smile faded and she turned her head away just as several Wookiee children ran past her.

She navigated through the crowd, her mind focused on a purpose unknown to all here. Minutes later she was climbing up stairs inside the Worshyr tree. Soon enough Minerva reached the next level of the settlement and turned left. The closer she came to her destination the more heavy her steps became. Her usually confident stride lessened to more uncertain yet Minerva pressed on.

I have to do this.

Crossing another adjacent bridge, connecting to a mighty branch she stopped at a lone house. It was abandoned with signs of violence all over its walls and roof. Biting her lips Minerva entered through the shattered doorway before finally stopping in what had been the living room. Her eyes now saddened slowly drifted to the floor before closing them. While some bird screeched miles away the Mandalorian paid it no mind at all and neither the merriment below.

She kept her head bowed toward the ransacked house. This went on for another minute before suddenly Minerva dropped to her hands and knees. Subsequently tears began to drip down her cheeks and some to the floor as well. As minutes passed her face began to become more flooded because of sorrow. Minerva's breath became more frantic as if struggling to breathe.

Then the adopted daughter of Jorel sat up hugging her arms together while struggling to restrain herself from lashing out. Despite Minerva's best efforts soba escaped from her lips and they became louder and louder with each passing minute. For all this time she held this pain, burying it underneath duty and now it was being poured out of her burdened soul.

Tag: DeadpoolMLP

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAG: Minerva Fhirdiad

Jonyna had been on Kashyyyk anyways for a mission with Maiev . With that mostly wrapped up, she found herself wandering the trees idly. The planet of the Wookies was much like her own home, a jungle of twisted vines and branches, creatures living within them as if this was a simple way of living. To those who didn't grow up in such an environment, it wouldn't be. But to a Cathar, it was. Simple, tribal, whatever you wished to call it.

But it always changes when those outsiders come for blood.

Idle tree-surfing was interrupted though when Jonyna sensed sorrow through the trees. The familiar sense of a woman she had ran into before.

A flip, and a two point landing, and Jonyna finally heard it. Crying inside a broken home. After the attack of their tree of life, Jonyna could only slowly approach, poking her head in.

"...you want a hug?"

 

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

Tag: Jonyna Si

So consumed in her sorrow that the normally alerted Minerva failed to note the entrance of another. Only at the sound of the Cathar's voice did she freeze in motion. Slowly from the corner of her left eye she looked back to see it was Jonyna. The Jedi in turn would see this is not the proud warrior she was acquainted with but a person haunted in heart. Before her was a side that Minerva had mostly concealed from everyone in the galaxy since the horrid day years ago.

Looking away the commando refused to answer. Frankly Minerva felt like she didn't deserve any compassion. Not when so many innocents suffered far worse and still are even now. Refusing to wipe the tears still streaming down her face Minerva fought through another sob confessing.

"I was here in Kashyyyk, visiting friends of mine when the Enclave raid happened."

She looked up to the ceiling that had a siziable hole that shone some light in this lifeless, miserable place. Calming down somewhat she continued.

"It was cruel and it was…wrong."

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAG: Minerva Fhirdiad

Jonyna took Minerva's side wordlessly, before offering a soft smile. "Trust me. If anyone does, I get it. I'm a Cathar. This stuff is baked into my culture."

It was moments like this that kept Jonyna grounded. Seeing the aftermath, she wished Elias or Ko had been available. Jonyna could rebuild cities, towns, anything artificial. Si Tech had that covered. But foliage? That was beyond her. And people...

She couldn't rebuild populations.

"All we can do is help them rebuild, and show them kindness in their doing so."

 

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

Minerva stared blankly at the floor. Jonyna certainly knew both from an ancestral viewpoint and now presently. The Mandalorian squeezed her gloves so much that one would assume her to be in pain. She was not blind to her adopted people's failings and the wrongs done. Yet somewhere in her heart Minerva had hoped that her kin could learn and move forward.

Again and again and again many of them choose this.

Slightly looking to the Cathar's side she admitted.

"Before serving with the Defense Force I was one of them once, Jonyna. There was a time I proudly fought under their banner, believing that we were securing a new future for our people. One, where we can be strong and independent without becoming oppressors."

Shaking her head she then laughed in mockery at her younger self.

"They fell apart without the Quartermaster while the Sith and the Empire ran amok. It boiled my blood so much that I enlisted with the Alliance just to have the chance to fight our true enemies. Then when the Enclave began to rise up again I had hoped to return to them but then all this happened and what followed."

Finally she stared up at a corner and there was a look of betrayal and absolute disgust. Pointing at it Minerva then said.

"There, right there I learned the truth. A dozen people, all Wookiees, nine adults and three children. BUTCHERED FOR BLOODY PELTS!"

Without warning Minerva slammed her fists onto the wooden floor, kicking up ash but not caring. The resulting thud was loud, followed by enraged, agonizing shriek from the warrior.

"If I ever find the ones who did it. I'll…I'll…I'll…”

Jonyna would be more than able to sense the brutal intent her ally had in store for the scum responsible. Staring in that corner Minerva‘s face was twisted all the more with rage and grief.

Tag: Jonyna Si

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAG: Minerva Fhirdiad

It wasn't often these days that Jonyna thought about the darkness of her own past.

The Purge.

"...when I was 5 years old, I watched a stormtrooper blow a man's head off with a blaster. He wasn't even a jedi, he was just...resisting. Trying to argue that the price of bread was too high. I saw a pregnant woman burned alive by an imperial column on Ryloth. I saw so many horrible things, things that would scar a lesser woman."

Jonyna hid her scars well. She hid them under vibrant fur, and a cocky attitude.

"What I saw after was more important though. I saw kindness, so much kindness. While under the rule of the Empire, people came together to find safety. To find solace, and...eventually, to find freedom. When the stormtroopers came for me, again and again, I escaped not by my own wits, but by the kindness of others. Others who helped me in ways I don't think they'd even understand my gratitude for. I had to find out the hard way that yes, the world is cruel, and dark, and painful. But it's also filled with people who will help if asked. Who will fight for what's right when pushed, and who will find the goodness. My suggestion, focus on that. You focus too much on the darkness, the cruelty, it'll consume. Make you bitter, angry, apathetic. In my culture, to become like that...it's considered the death of the soul. The light in your heart goes out, and you stop caring about everyone around you. You see them as the enemy. Don't. See the goodness, see the kindness, see the light."

 

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

Minerva gasped and before staring wide eyed at the Jedi. The bitterness began to fade as she looked down at the floor, reflecting on what Jonyna just said. See the light? At the thought, a wave of memories flooded the warrior's mind.

Hunting boar-wolves on Endor with her father. Hanging out in a Corellian cantina with Irni and Gakot during one shore leave. Rescuing Chi, J'khor, Laqoa, Nader and Shee from slavery before escorting them to the Jedi Order. Fighting beside Drego Ruus and other fellow Mandalorians at Coruscant. Playing music at Loomi's 'not birthday'.

She thought about them all, family, friends and allies. All this time Minerva had taken these bonds for granted and was being consumed by the very darkness she despised. She bowed her head upon the realization.

See the goodness. See the kindness. See the light.

It was true that her original purpose with the Alliance had been revenge and sharing common enemies. But she had grown beyond that, forging a true bond with her commandos and even befriending people she never expected and even Jedi. Like Jonya next to her. Before she could say anything, someone behind them interjected in Shyriiwook saying.

(She is right Minerva.)

Turning she saw the towering Wookiee whose fur was brown and wore a colorful chieftain sash. She knew who he was.

"Rhust." The Mandalorian said his name in a way that would be obvious to the Cathar that the two knew each other.

Looking into his eyes Minerva can tell he heard everything. There was no hatred, no disappointment but compassion. He gestured for her to stand and she reluctantly did so. Walking over to her, Rhust placed a mighty hand on Minerva's left shoulder.

(You blame yourself for believing them to have the same honor as you do. Not every Mandalorian is the same to each other no more than a Wookiee is to another. Contrary to stereotypes.)

Minerva found herself laughing before bowing her head with lingering grief but Rhust lifted it by her chin. Rhust then continued.

(Don’t forget Minerva, on that day you fought beside me and saved others, who are alive because of what you did. Your father, Jorel, would be so proud. But he wouldn't want you to be consumed in bitterness by the crimes of others. Don't stop being yourself, your true self.)

Fresh tears streamed down Minerva's face as she suddenly embraced the chieftain who returned the hug. The next moments were quiet except for a few sobs from the human born commando. Letting go Minerva finally began to wipe her eyes with the right glove before remembering Jonya was there. Gesturing to the elder she introduced him.

"Jonyna Si this is Rhust, Chieftain of Chendrr, an old friend of my father and mine."

Rhust rubbed Minerva’s head playfully like that of an uncle before bowing in respect to the Cathar.

(It's a pleasure to meet you Master Si and thank you. You honor the Jedi Order by your wisdom.)

Tag: Jonyna Si

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAG: Minerva Fhirdiad

(It's my pleasure, chieftain.) Jonyna responded in Shyriiwook. It was a language Jonyna had picked up through her last mate, even if they never really got the chance to use it between each other. Taam was gone, but now all that was left was the knowledge she had earned. (I've seen more death than one can count, and killed more than I'd like to admit. Stormtroopers, Inquisitors, Moffs, now Sith and Mandalorians. One day, I wish it could all end and we could go home. Have a peaceful life.)

 

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

(It is a wonderous desire.) Rhust commented back to the Cathar. He had fought and slew many times in numerous decades. It didn't give him any pleasure now like some did in the past.

Minerva had walked outside, waiting by the edge of the platform. The Chieftain sighed before smiling.

(I have known Minerva since her infancy. Even now I still remember the day Jorel, her father came, holding her in his arms. Kashyyyk, our world is not Minerva's home but it still means so much to her. When not traveling the stars they often stopped by our village, especially on life day.)

He turned to Master Si, asking with a smirk. (What is your connection with that stubborn warrior over there?)

“I heard that.” Minerva said only to cause Rhust to laugh.

”I know, don‘t care.”

Tag: Jonyna Si

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAG: Minerva Fhirdiad

Jonyna just let out a sigh as she recalled how she had met Minerva. (I come from a different time. One before the Empire fell the first time, 900 years ago. Back then, even then, the wounds of my species were still raw. The name Mandalorian was still one seen by fear and anger. Growing up, I was...taught to fear them. To hate them. When I came out of stasis in this new era, I still held that hate in my heart. The first Mandalorian I came across was her, in my own home-tree. It helped me overcome that hate, at least enough to not let it color me when the Enclave attacked. And...well, considering who I now call a Mate, I can really only blame Minerva for how my life turned out.)