The Eternal Epilogue

[Revenchent]

Yes, that was it. Once the words laced together it all made sense. That painful ache in the center of his chest. That empty feeling that he had felt during the war; a sharp contrast to the bloodlust and the quest for honor he usually presented. It was a hole left for Zandra, and could only be filled by her presence. He accepted that.

"I'm separated by honor. If you want, I'm yours." He stated simply. There was no need to complicate things. Her hand was warm in his, and the weight on his shoulder served to ease his mind. Not even the constant drum of Coruscant could steal his attention now. "What are we going to do ? I'm not sure. I figured we'd just find things out as we went. It's how we've always done things anyway, right?" Apparent amusement laced his voice. There was little more to be said, in all honesty.

"Could pass the time...figure this out later."

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

And Zandra was actually alright with that. She was okay with going day to day. It wasn't exactly safe, or secure. It wasn't the typical family. It wasn't what most would call 'good parenting', but Zandra was determined to make it work. One way or another.

"A'right," she agreed softly, brushing her fingers across his cheek, head still nuzzled into his shoulder, "You are mine. I am yours. And we plan as we go. That'll be our life."

She smiled, almost dreamily. She wanted to stay here with him, on this ship. Forever. But she had a job lined up already. A party that she just had to crash. A party with enough rich folks gathered in one room to buy a small moon with all the jewelry they'd be wearing. And Cal would come with her. She was sure of it. She might be just a thief, but she was his thief.

"So, I guess now's 'bout the time I ask ya to move in, eh?"

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

And thus, his old life had ended. Calico the soldier would cease to exist. The memories of wars long past would always linger, and testament would always be pad to long dead allies, but the future was clear. He leaned into the hand against his cheek, and sighed contentedly. Things were going far better than he had expected. Especially with Zandra's final confirmation. they were an item. for lack of a better term. He would protect her as best he could, and hopefully, the galaxy would see to it that they had good fortune.

"I can sleep outside if you want. I hear the bathrobe brigade is really good to the homeless here." He teased. He gave her a flirty shove, and huffed a quiet laugh. Things were peaceful, and the immense relief that flowed through him now was certainly not forgotten.

"I'd be happy to...though, what is it you do, exactly?"

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Zandra had been afraid of this. Well, she knew she'd have to explain sooner or later, but she'd really rather hoped that he'd just... figure it out after meeting her crew. Not so much luck there, she supposed.
"Oh... a little of this, little of that," she answered carefully, "Like on the kids stories, eh? Steal from the rich, give to the poor? Noble cause."

She cleared her throat, giving a sheepish grin.

"'Course, the 'poor' happen to be us in this case, but little details."

She waved it off as if she had simply said she preferred the color blue over red. Like it was a typical day job. He'd get her meaning entirely once he met the rest of her 'friends'.

"I prefer to call it... extreme treasure hunting."

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Thieves.

Calico gave her something akin to a lost look. There was no honor in stealing from another, unless it was absolutely necessary. Spilling blood on an open battlefield was understandable; stealing valuables from strangers behind their back was cowardice. These were the thoughts that flowed freely through Calico's mind as he stared at Zandra.

I can't think like that.

To be with this woman, he would need to adapt. As much as he cherished the old way, not even they had precedence over the welfare of his family. Zandra was his family, and so was their child. If pirating was the correct route, then he would follow her down that path. Besides, it was different than anything he had ever done. Perhaps yet another perspective on life would be good for his wisdom. One needed to walk many paths to understand the galaxy, and Calico had walked dozens. One more was nothing to bat an eye at, no matter how different it was than the previous.

"That'll be new for me." He admitted. "But I could give it a try....the galaxy owes us, anyway. I hold no loyalty to the galactic powers--they used me. I'll be happy to take something back, for you." A single thought passed through his mind. An idea, really. The image of himself, some sort of pirate lord, with the Echani on his lap. Their child played with a stuffed nerf at their feet, and even the Hutts bowed before their influence. There, they would be free. There, slavery would be outlawed, and those considered unjust would never walk away. There, unlike the military, was a future.

"I'm curious though, cyar'ika, why?"
[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

The look he gave her almost actually made Zandra feel ashamed. Almost. There was a pang of embarrassment. At least, as much as Zandra could manage. She did blush. A little. Or maybe it was just really hot in her ship.

"W-well! It's not like I steal from those who can't afford it! Even pirates have a code. Never children. Never charities. Never from the poor. Just those who were kinda askin' fr it."

She paused, reluctant to answer the 'why' part of his question. But they were lovers now. Family. She kinda owed him an explanation.

"I don't exactly get everythin' handed to me, Cal," she explained quietly, "It's hard enough jus' gettin' by. I didn' have a guarantee, Cal. I didn' know you'd ever come back, even if you did survive. Had to do somethin' to support Bean."

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Calico felt a pang of guilt at that. There truly had been no confirmation that he might have returned. It wasn't so much choice, as it was necessity that Zandra did such things. His expression shifted into something far more sympathetic, and a kindly smiled formed on his lips. "It's okay. I understand." He stated simply. The hand draped over her shoulder tightened protectively, and his lips pressed to the edge of her brow.

"I'll help you however I can, I'll pull my own weight. We'll take care of Bean." He nodded with some sense of finality, and exhaled a happy sigh. For once, Calico was truly content. He held Zandra closed to him, and stared down at the floorboards as thoughts flowed freely through his mind. "I won't leave you again."

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

When Zandra made a promise, only death could keep her from it. But it was not always the same with others. Most people could make a promise and forget the next day. She felt his lips against her temple, his arms on her body, so warm, so protecting. She felt safe.

Calico was like her. He had to be. He would not make a promise and not keep it. Or at least, she hoped as much.
True or not, she chose to believe him with all her heart.

"You better not," she sighed, placing her hand behind her to steady herself, but it slipped on his trench coat laying across her bed.

"Oh! I forgot! Your coat. I've been lookin' after it."

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Calico's gaze drifted down to the coat for a sliver of a second. He thought of Zandra swimming in it and suppressed a laugh. Perhaps it looked...cute in a way. "Keep it. I figure it suits you better anyway. Can't really wear a coat in heavy armor." He advised. His hand trailed over to clench the leather between his fingers. Familiar, yet a bit more worn than he remembered. He imagined it smelled a bit different too.

"Long as you have it, I'll have to stick around. I like that coat." He continued. The former Commando fell silent, and pursed his lips as if he were going to say more. Nothing came however, save for needy kiss. It had been months, and Calico missed the Echani. One could only retain self control for so long in such a situation.

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Feena]

((Ignore me))

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Zandra met his lips with a hungry intensity. He was here. He was himself. And he was hers. Forever if she wanted it. They would travel. They would laugh. They would love.
That she supposed was the real adventure.
Loving someone more than she loved herself. And then in a few months when Bean came along. The adventure would continue. New experiences. New paths would open up.
She laced her long fingers through his hair. She'd keep his coat with her, so that one day if he did break his promise to her, if he left, she could still keep him close

 

[Revenchent]

Every little worry left Calico's mind at the same time. The darkened thoughts of the future found themselves drowned out in a river of intoxication. Intoxication revolving around the little Echani woman beneath Calico's lips. There was lust, the two were human, but it was also something more. A bond that no Jedi could ever hop to replicate with the force. They need not read each other's thoughts to know what they were thinking--all Calico needed was to look at her, and he knew.

There would be trials ahead. Trials of blood and fire that would test their resolve. Others, who would try to rip them apart. Some benevolent, and some allies of the past. If nothing else, the galaxy taught its lessons through grief, and Calico had learned. Through it all, Zandra was the only soul he could truly rely on. All others wanted his assistance for their own gain. Zandra only wanted his company and some show of affection--something Calico could easily and eagerly provide.

Not even the ever looming loss of Galaar clouded Calico's mind now. His doubts and fear disappeared as their lips met, and any possibility of their return evaporated as he pinned her back against the bed. The events following would become a happy memory in days past, and eventually, all would know their names. The galaxy could be brought to its knees by a single man. If one could do it, then surely Calico and his lover could do it. It deserved nothing less, anyway, and things had to be fixed if their child was to have a good life.

Not a single regret will linger in my mind. "I love you."
[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Her back hit the soft bed behind her. His leather jacket felt slippery and cold through her thin tunic, but she did not mind. She was warmed by him. He was her Calico. She wasn't going to think about his wife. She wasn't going to worry about how she'd get by.

"Cal," she moaned, breaking from the kiss for a moment, "Cal."

His name was the only thing she could think to say now. The only word she wanted to know from now until forever.

This behavior is how we got ourselves into this mess, She thought to herself as her fingers explored his body, scrambling to find the bottom of his shirt. Her lips were busy, but her body answered for her.

I love you too.

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]