Wanderlust and Going Home

[Kad Tor]

Lost souls never stuck one place for too long. Kad was fitting that description to a tee. The longest he'd stayed anywhere since the the disappearance of his riduur was when he moved around Ord Mantell with [member="Eliza Steele"]. They'd met on Mandalore, but that planet was a shambles, added to the casualties of the galaxy over the last several years. The pair had quite the fling, and at times Kad would try and find her again, thinking maybe he could figure out how stick around long enough. The problem was the two were never anything but always leaving. Maybe they'd stick around for a job or two, but other than that...

He walked into the Afterburner not sure what he was going to find. Maybe a swift kick in the shebs to do what he needed to do, and that was track down his vod'ika [member="Briika Tor"]. They'd had a falling out over the fact Kad was not as traditional as she. He didn't want to stay on Mandalore and do what he was supposed, she wanted him to. It had led to disagreements about other things which kept Kad away from home.

Home was a nebulous term anyway. His home no longer existed. What he had was a ship, a portable force to make some credits, and mercenary work to fund his nomadic lifestyle. Most days he was in his beskar'gam the helmet clipped to his belt. Kad followed what he felt like, enough to claim his heritage, but not enough to feel like he fit among his own people anymore.

The sound of his weighted boots hitting the floor with each step followed him to the bar. His eyes looked at the ti'har on the shelf and pointed to the bottle. The barkeep handed it to him, and Kad walked off with it, heading to a back booth. He didn't need a glass. The bottle was lifted to his mouth as he started in on his goal of getting so drunk he forgot why he had even come in the first place. It was going to be a long night, but he wasn't going to remember it.

 

[Eliza Steele]

Eliza gingerly put a bacta patch on the blaster burn that still looked rather angry tinging the outer aspect of her well-toned upper left arm, then pulled on her tunic and vest before exiting the apartment Steele and her father kept up above their bar on Ord Mantell wearing her trusted DL-44 heavy blaster pistol holstered low off her shapely right hip.

The petite smuggler had recently gone to Nar Shaddaa to discuss a stiffed payment for services with a particular Trandoshan spice dealer. Grikk had paid the Corellian the front half of her contract to smuggle a spice load for him into a 'high risk' area, but hadn't yet coughed up the back half with the bonus for doing it before the scheduled due date, which was another twenty percent on top of the already negotiated sum. Well lets just say the slimy lizard would be more respectful of the fiery Corellisi from now on, though in the process Eliza had taken a grazing blaster bolt in a fire fight that erupted afterwards outside the Iron Horse Salon in the Corellian district on the Smugglers' Moon.

Booted heels clicked down the stairs that led from the upstairs of the Afterburner where there were rooms to rent to the cantina below on the main floor. The usual patrons painted the room at this hour of the day... all except one in the back corner. The Corellian smuggler knew the green armor the Mando wore only too well not to mention the bottle in his hand that was directly pouring the high octane spirit of the Mando'ade into his mouth. Eliza thought for a split second about just exiting out the front door of the cantina and not having to face her former lover, but lets just say curiosity got the best of the sand panther causing the dark brunette's short strides to make their way to where [member="Kad Tor"] was sitting.

"You know that stuff will kill you, ner vod. Good ol' Corellian whiskey is the better way to go when trying to drink your troubles away. It's much less toxic to the system the morning after as I recall," Lizzy smirked, then slid into the booth opposite the sandy brown-haired beskarsmith.

"Long time no see, Kad," she stated friendly enough for being ex's flashing the Corellian's signature lopsided grin at the blue-eyed scruffy-looking nerfherder taking in the Tor's somewhat downtrodden appearance. "So what brings you to my neck of the woods... Business, pleasure, and/or an attitude adjustment?"

 

[Kad Tor]

Kad had probably been drinking for about fifteen minutes and had about twenty percent of the bottle in his stomach already by the time the familiar voice of his favorite sand panther fell on his ears. He looked up at her with a smile still trying to figure out why they had not been able to work. Maybe it was because she was the rebound, and those were never supposed to work, despite all the stories of people still married to their rebounds. Eliza was fun, but neither had been ready to settle. Well, maybe they had been, but it was never talked about nor attempted. Truth be told, they both had a touch of wanderlust about them.

His blue eyes were slightly fuzzy. Ti'haar was pretty strong, but Kad could handle it well, at least he said so. The rose tattoo on his shebs said otherwise. "Hey now, from what I remember that was an enjoyable evening," he said knowing full well neither of them remembered what happened that night. All they knew was at some point Kad had been talked into getting the tattoo likely a reminder of the "Corellian Rose." We had some good fun the days following too..." Of course he was enough into the bottle he was showing signs of needing to balance out the booze with some water or something to eat.

When Eliza slid into the booth across from him and asked her question Kad just smirked. "Is that an offer, Liz'ika," he said as he pushed the bottle her way. It had already been paid for, and they still shared a friendly drink from time to time even if that's all it was. Kad was also known to just come out with what he was thinking, so he blurted it out.

"Mandalore is pretty much gone, and I don't know where any of my family is right now... well... sort of don't know..."

[member="Eliza Steele"]

 

[Eliza Steele]

The ruggedly handsome Goran always did have a smile that could melt her heart on the coldest of days, but Eliza tried not to let it this time. Course when feels were still there to a degree it was awful hard not to.

"They were indeed... maybe a little too good it set the bar higher than we could reach later, hmm?"

Things had been going just find until [member="Kad Tor"] seemingly wanted more, something the fiery Corellisi couldn't give him. Why couldn't the two just be partners and enjoy the benefits of being together as they were? She got that family was a big deal to him, but getting married, living in a nice little house, and having kids wasn't on the petite smugglers exact agenda. In her line of business, she couldn't be saddled down with a baby. The husband part maybe, but the rest no. Eliza had seen just how difficult it was for her widowed father to raise her alone, and she had learned early on to be quite independent. Now look at her, maybe too independent for her own good.

"In your dreams, Mandoboy," Lizzy smirked back before taking a sip of the colorless alcohol spirit made by members of the Mandalorian culture. So would Tihaar go the way of Whyren's Reserve? There were some knock offs out there, but nothing would replace the premium whiskey that used to be made on old Corellia.

The petite smuggler wiped off any remnants of the flavored lip balm she wore from the opening of the bottle, then slid it back to the half-drunk beskarsmith.

"Vor'e.... I'm very sorry to hear about Mandalore, Kad. I know how it feels to lose your homeworld," the dark brunette said placing her hand upon his gauntlet-topped forearm in a comforting manner for a moment, then she removed it when getting fired up in full Corellisi fashion... This is where the attitude adjustment came in.

"So you and your sister still aren't speaking, huh? What a di'kut you can be sometimes?! You really need to clear that up with her, laser brain, before it's too late. I outta take you over my knee, but you'd like it way too much.... You know I was in the Kathol Outback when news of the catastrophe came that way. I might be able to get a fix on [member="Briika Tor"] through an acquaintance of mine, who has ties to your Sole Ruler fella. I'll give him a buzz, that is if you like?" she offered, then immediately added before a quip could be made.

"An no, I didn't sleep with him!"

 

[Kad Tor]

Kad shrugged. The bar hadn't been set to high. They just had different expectations of what the relationship should have been. There was enough tradition in Kad to have wanted the family, and he had never thought that Eliza was not traditional at all. Maybe her use of Mando'a around him was enough to make him forget she really was a sand panther. The Mythosaur and the Sand Panther didn't always mix or play well together, but when the cultures made it work it was usually dynamite.

The beskarsmith wasn't the traditional person Eliza had met, but it was too little too late. That was the story of Kad's life, or maybe it was because his heart was still with his riduur. Ralize had been a spitfire, but she was his spitfire and always would be. Yeah he needed the tihaar. "My dreams are going to be quite entertaining then..." he quipped because his filter was slipping.

Of course the claws came out when the attitude adjustment came. The other kind was more fun, but this, this kind was a verbal tongue lashing. Kad wasn't talking to Briika, and mainly because for all the flack she gave him about not being traditional, her choices with love hadn't been since Kable disappeared. He knew better than to role his eyes at the brunette, despite the strong desire to. It softened when Eliza empathized with his plight. "Well we have that in common now I guess. Any help in finding her would be appreciated. I'll pay if I have to, haul some cargo for free or whatever. I know your connections don't always come without a cost to get information." They had certainly been together long enough for Kad to know that was the truth.

He took another drink. Eliza had wiped the flavored gloss off. Kad liked that about her... no one wanted to mix fruity lip gloss with Tihaar. That's what uj cake was for.

[member="Eliza Steele"]

 

[Eliza Steele]

"Knowing you, Kad'ika... I'm sure that those dreams of yours will be," Lizzy winked with a soft chuckle.

Oh yeah the Goran knew how to have fun, both drunk and sober. That wasn't the issue between them, not in a long shot. The physical was great. It was the emotional that got all out of wack. Kad had just lost his wife and unborn twins, well it wasn't just, but seemingly close enough when they had come across each other in Keldabe.

The man was looking for another Ralize. The fiery Corellisi was close, but not his spitfire, and Eliza knew that. The writing had been on the wall for a while. When the Mando wanted to firm things up as in a more permanent arrangement, she cut him loose blaming it on business before pleasure. It was both truth and a lie. The Steele was just scared to commit to anymore, even though she never strayed when they were together.

The petite smuggler waved him off about paying her back the favor. "Friends do things for friends because they want to and not just because... If my contact is in the Outback, it might take a bit for him to get back to me... Have to go through a bunch of relay stations. Interesting place, but I don't do runs much in that area anymore. So how long you fixing to stick around? There's an open room available up stairs, if you're needing a place to lay your head." she smiled.

[member="Kad Tor"]

 

[Kad Tor]

Kad noted the fact Eliza used the affectionate version of his name, though he decided not to say anything. He was likely pushing his luck just by flirting with her. The problem was he knew he was attracted to her. The attraction had always been there, and it never had gone away. In fact, Kad was pretty convinced it never would. Their problem had never been a chemistry issue. If anything it had been a timing issue. Kad had been in a place where he wasn't ready for someone other than Ral'ika, but now... Kad was well moved on, but timing, he was probably too late.

His blue eyes looked at the bottle, but rather than pick it up, he pushed it to the side. It was amazing how a friendly smile, and figure, could get rid of the need to drink the sorrows away. Kad sighed. Eliza was basically telling him she would help because that's what friends did. Their split had been amicable, but it was still hard to let the woman help him when everything about his body language communicated the fact he was still extremely interested. He knew Eliza knew too, though they never put any voice to it.

"I know, but it should cost me something to track my own family down," he said stubbornly. "If it costs you any credits to get the information pass it on. You've already put up with enough the mess my life has been."

He offered a small smile knowing it hadn't been easy on her to know he was still hung up on his deceased family.

Kad shrugged as she asked where he was staying. "A room would be better than my ship. If it's going to take a few days to find out I can stick around. You don't mind me working out of room do you? Make some sales and maybe some bombs?

[member="Eliza Steele"]

 

[Eliza Steele]

"There's a garage out back off the alley. You can tinker with your toys out there all you like," the spirited Corellisi shrugged a thumb pointing past the galley. "...but not inside please. I rather like the place as is," she smirked with a soft chuckle remembering when they detonated his modified thermal detonators out side of Keldabe for the first time, That's how the Goran explained "P" is for plenty to her.

The petite smuggler shook that fond memory from her thoughts, then pushed up from the booth, brown eyes meeting blue. "I'm gonna go make that comm call now... I'll send the waitress over with a plate of food. Dahlia can be awfully nice company too. Just let her know if you're still feeling like dessert. She can get you that as well, if you like," Lizzy casually said with a wink, then she swaggered off to the bar where a shapely Rutian Twi'lek was standing getting a drink tray ready for another table. A twitch of her hypnotic lekku followed and a sweet smile was flashed over her shoulder at the green-armored Mandalorian.

Eliza didn't stick around to see how her ex-lover reacted, going straight back to the cantina's office on the first floor next to the kitchen. To be honest, the Corellian's feelings for the Mando were all over the place after seeing him again. Did Eliza want to give fate a second chance, or just let the opportunity pass her by? It wasn't that she didn't or hadn't loved [member="Kad Tor"]. It was more did she want to reopen her heart to him after letting the ever longing ache subside to a bearable level?

The door was closed and the bottom drawer of the desk was opened. Out came a bottle of whiskey half-full and a short tumbler glass. A generous shot of the dark amber liquid was poured and tipped back to take the edge off her frayed nerves. The comforting burn was relished in the meantime as another shot was poured, but left untouched as her contact's comm number was dialed.

 

[Kad Tor]

"Boom Boom goes outdoors, I got it."

Kad winked. Eliza knew more than well how big of an explosion his toys could make when they went off. They had spent an afternoon testing one of his new detonators, just a simple modified thermal detonator. When the beskar ore was added the bomb had a much larger cover area. Lizzy had enjoyed watching the display, and it had led to an explosion of a different kind. Gods Kad would never forget that day, but what was he supposed to do when he had pretty much been trying to replace Ralize, and not seeing Lizzy for who she was. His biggest mistake had been trying to get her to fit what he had been looking for.

The next thing Kad knew Eliza was trying to set him up with one of her waitresses. The twi'lek was gorgeous, and if Kad was anything like the Hound of Keldabe there would be no hesitation in taking Eliza up on that offer. The biggest problem with that was for the first time in a long time Eliza had been nice, not just nice, but warm. He was reminded why he had liked her to begin with, besides the physical reasons, and it made her offer seem like something he should avoid.

She walked off somewhere, the office likely. Kad was hungry so it wouldn't hurt to give her time to make the comm call. He took his time eating the meal, but when it was done he just sat in the booth for a bit. Kad knocked back some water before leaving the booth behind. He didn't pretend the meal or drinks were free, and left some credits on the table.

Kad helped himself back to where the office was. The door was closed, so Kad knocked. "Lizzy..."

[member="Eliza Steele"]

 

[Eliza Steele]

The knock on the door brought Eliza out of her melancholy state after actually being able to talk with her contact. The young spice smuggler wasn't in the Outback, but rather the young man was on the Smugglers' Moon wheeling and dealing so she didn't have to wait too long for a reply to her inquiry about the status of the Goran's sister and family. She didn't know how he'd react to any of the information gathered to be honest. Even the seemingly good news could be seen in a negative light from his point of view. The bad would be just awful anyway it was seen.

The tears from the Corellian's chocolate drop eyes that had slipped down her cheeks after the call was finished were hastily wiped away with the back of her hands, then the untouched tumbler of whiskey was downed in one gulp. The burn or warm flush wasn't even noticed.

"Just a minute... "

Eliza put the glass down on the desk top, then stood up from the office chair and blew out a breath to calm herself as the she walked over to open the door, motioning for [member="Kad Tor"] to enter afterwards.

"Well I know Mandos can put away food rather quickly when ravenous, but that was like real quick. Did you even breathe?" Lizzy smirked before turning to walk back to her desk. The petite brunette spun around and leaned her backside up against the side of the old wooden desk, crossing her arms over her ample blossom with a lopsided grin splashed upon her face though it probably didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I hope you liked your dessert. I made sure that it was real sweet," the spirited Corellisi chuckled, knowing that the sandy brown-haired Mando'ad had quite the appetite for such things in the past.

"So, I was able to get through... I have the information you were seeking."

 

[Kad Tor]

This was hard, plain and simple. Kad had seen Eliza around the galaxy since their break up, but this was different. Maybe he was in too much of a bad place that all memories of how good things had been rushed back to his mind and drown out the reason they couldn't work. Kad was lonely at the very least, and that was enough of a driver itself to try and make something work without even asking if it should work. That was the inherit power of lonliness, it had the ability to shut down all reasonable thought. Was Kad thinking right? Sure he was, and if the news Eliza gave him turned out to be good, he knew what he had to do. What he didn't know was what he would do.

Eliza had been crying. He could see the remaining evidence on her eyes despite her best effort to hide it. Kad resisted the urge to reach out to the force to confirm or deny whether he was the reason for it. She was lonely too, Kad knew that much. They'd shared enough happiness together to know that they had filled something for the other at the time. He sighed as he stepped into the office. Kad wanted to ask about what that was with the Twi'lek, but he didn't. Lizzy had news.

"I haven't had good food in front of me for a while, so yeah, I put it down pretty easily. The sweets were good too," he added with a smile. "Though I sent the blue option back to the counter." Kad hoped Eliza picked up on what that meant.

She had the information. Kad wasn't sure he wanted to hear it. Manda'yaim had been destroyed, and Kad was afraid his whole family had been lost. He had assumed Briika made it because her last known plans had been to head to Concord Dawn, but he didn't know for sure. That's why he needed Lizzy's help.

"Am I going to want to hear it," he asked, knowing Eliza knew exactly why he was asking.

[member="Eliza Steele"]

 

[Eliza Steele]

"Well blue treats aren't for everyone... I'll have to remember that," the petite smuggler grinned though again it didn't quite reach her eyes.

Brown looked up into blue. Oh how she could so easily get lost in those enticing pools of his, though they were anything but calm in that moment or since she'd first greeted him out in the bar. There were all sorts of emotions riding the wild currents stirred up by them seeing each other again most likely, though not totally. [member="Kad Tor"] had demons and it seemed the Mando had been letting them get the best of him lately from what the Corellisi could tell. And this bit of news probably wouldn't help to ease them at all.

Eliza motioned for the Goran to take a seat on the small repulser couch stuffed into the corner of the office next to a file cabinet if he cared to. It was an old thing with the nerf leather thin in some areas and cracked in others. It had seen better days, but oh did it have stories to tell for sure. Remy Steele was notorious for his 'do not disturb me naps' that often included more than one napper. Her old man would never change.

"Well I think it's probably more on the need to know rather than want to know," Lizzy nodded, then took a deep breath before continuing.

"I'm sure you already know about Mandalore's demise as a planet. Sorry I know how that feels to lose your homeworld. I have it on good authority though that your sister, niece, and grand nephew all made it out alive and are now living on Concord Dawn at the Munin Homestead outside of Lokaium. What I don't know is if you already know Briika remarried, and you now have a new niece to greet," Lizzy smiled at that notion. Kad had always liked children, wanted another family or so he'd suggested with her, though losing his with Ralize had been almost the death of him. Maybe always would be.

For now she'd leave that bit of info seep in before sharing the bad news.

 

[Kad Tor]

What was Lizzy looking for? Her eyes were searching his, and Kad was curious. Was she looking for an indication he had changed, that he somehow wanted something different than what had pushed them apart. He felt in an odd place asking her for help because for so long after she had left, Kad had still chased her. This was one of the few times he had arrived at her bar for something other than trying to get her back in his bed. As much as he used the alcohol and used the warmth of women bandage his sorrows, he knew Eliza had to much confidence in herself, too much respect to simply be a bed warmer for the night. Kad had wanted a replacement for Ral, but now, he didn't know what he wanted anymore. That was likely worse.

He sighed as the news started coming. Briika had made it out, but she was married to Vilaz? Kad just shook his head. For all the grief she had given him for taking Ral into his bed before they had wed, Briika had certainly seemed to have decided tradition was not something to hold onto anymore. They had another child. Kad couldn't envy that. As much as he wanted to, he was genuinely happy to hear that. Though his smile was not bright, simply enough to show he liked the news.

"So she's alive... what about my buire? Any news on them?"

Kad could only hope they made it off world before it had been destroyed.

"And don't sugar coat it if it's not good..."

[member="Eliza Steele"]

 

[Eliza Steele]

Well [member="Kad Tor"] was taking the first part of the news about like she thought the goran would so far; not exactly happy that Briika had gone and married the Munin Clan leader, but seemingly doing okay with it as much as a brother could after the fact. It wasn't like the medic was a kid anymore. The older Tor sibling had gone through her fair share of sorrow so what ever made her happy, right?

"I got Briika's comm number too so you can contact her, which I highly suggest you do sooner than later. It's time don't you think?" Lizzy nodded with a small thoughtful smile, then came Kad's next question, and he wanting no sugar coating either. Well hell, she wouldn't want the news of a loved ones death to be diminished by being politically correct so some such thing. His eyes told her he kinda already assumed the worst.

The petite smuggler pushed off from the desk, then stood right in front of the sandy brown-haired Mando and took his hands into hers. Looking up Eliza and shook her dark head. "I'm sorry, Kad'ika... They didn't make it," she said with a tender voice, then waited a moment for Kad's initial reaction before continuing.

"From my understanding the north country got hit hard when three volcanos erupted violently during Mandalore's planetary schism. The area was devastated with large mud flows from the melting glaciers. They never had a chance... At least they are together in death as they were in life. I will say a prayer for them. Your parents were good people from every thing you've told me about them. I only wished I had known them personally."

 

[Kad Tor]

Kad just nodded. It was beyond time to reach out to Briika. The only reason he hadn't yet was his own stubbornness. More times than not his stubborn Mandalorian attitude got him into trouble which could be easily avoided. There was just no reason to wander anymore. His aimlessness had gotten him no where, and with family still alive, Kad should be with them. His duty was to the family which was still living rather than trying to recreate what he had lost. He energy had been thrust in the wrong places for so long, the verd had almost lost himself in it all. Some would say he had lost himself. He would.

"Thanks..."

There was no hesitation from Eliza, but the fact she came to him and took his hand before speaking only confirmed what he thought. Her words were the final part of that confirmation. She paused, and let the news sink into his mind. His eyes closed, and he felt a part of himself die all over again. There was nothing he could have done, and had he been there he would be with them, but that was almost preferable than still living.

Kad was quiet. What was he supposed to say? How was he supposed to react to the news. When his eyes finally opened again a few tears fell down his cheeks unaccompanied with the sobs and groans which he felt inside. They would come out later, but not now. He was a proud Mando'ad, and death was supposed to be nothing to a warrior. He drew in a deep breath and let it go slowly. Kad let go of Eliza's hand and started for the door, but stopped.

He turned his head to look at Eliza over his shoulder.

"It's good to hear you say Kad'ika again... I should leave in the morning to seek out ner ad'ika. If I leave it's possible I will stay to help my people rebuild. I know you won't come with me, and I am certain you won't ask me to stay," Kad turned to face the petite Corellisi full on, "but we are here, now. Do we still have to pretend there is nothing anymore? Do I have to walk out this door so we can both retreat to our lonliness?"

The questions were mostly prodded by the news of his family. He knew if he was going to leave he shouldn't even ask, but the last he needed was to be alone, and he knew it. If he walked out of the room alone, he was going to find the bottom of more than one bottle.

[member="Eliza Steele"]

 

[Eliza Steele]

"I'm glad you still like to hear it," Eliza smiled softly as she slowly made her way to the office door where [member="Kad Tor"] was now standing distraught yet stoic.

The Corellisi knew this was it, but could she let go completely just yet? She had loved him once, and still did, but it wasn't enough for him. Would it ever be? Lizzy was Lizzy, no one else. That's all she could share with anyone. Take it or leave it.

"And you're right.... I won't go with or ask you to stay because this next step in your life journey is something only you can take for yourself." the petite brunette offered wisely, then her hand went up and wiped away tenderly the moisture from the sandy brown-haired Mando's ruggedly handsome, scruffy cheek as dark eyes gazed up into lighter.

"But we do have each other now, which is truth, and that will just have to do," she said, then pulled the goran's head down to hers and kissed tomorrow goodbye.

https://youtu.be/a5M_rT89kxY​

 

[Kad Tor]

Kad's ship took a near orbit around Concord Dawn. He hadn't sent a signal, nor had he called ahead to let Briika know he was coming. Kad just went. He just sat in the pilot's seat musing over what had happened on Ord Mantell. Why did things have to work so well between him and Eliza when they weren't a couple? So much inside of him knew it had been goodbye. The man could have just stayed, been in her bed when she woke up signaling he was going to stay with her rather than chase his family to wherever they were. Briika was his Suter though, and family was everything to a child of Mandalore. He'd meant what he said when he told Eliza that leaving may mean he would never be back. Kad sighed. If he didn't turn back now, he wasn't going to.

His hands gripped the control yoke, and Kad broke orbit. The nose of his ship dipped toward the planet surface. He'd come this far to make things right with his sister, and that meant no turning back. It wasn't that Kad didn't didn't want to be with the Corellian. He knew she loved him, but they didn't want the same things in life. Maybe Kad knew he wasn't ready for those things, and he had changed, but before he could know for certain he could walk away from what it meant to be a true child of Mandalore, Kad had to try.

The ship landed near the homestead Briika now called home. He was certain the ruckus would attract all kinds of attention, and as soon as the engines were shut down, Kad lowered the loading ramp. His familiar green armor would be the first thing anyone would see. His voice followed next.

"Briika..."

[member="Briika Tor"]

 

[Briika Munin]

Concord Dawn
Munin Homestead

Briika Tor stirred the contents of the heavy pot on the stove, then took a sip of the hot, reddish liquid, blowing on the spoonful of soup before doing so. She scrunched up her nose a bit with a thoughtful look etched in her azure eyes before reaching for the salt on the countertop nearby to spread a generous pinch of the seasoning into the pot's depths.

Just then a roar of engines overhead shook the house. Looking out the kitchen window a ship had passed by on approach as if it was going to land right in their front yard. The golden blonde gave another stir of the pot's contents quickly before setting the cover down and turning the heat to low. She could hear Munin clansmen outside already going to see who this unexpected guest was landing in an empty field not too far way. The security team would deal with whomever it was as necessary should they twitch the wrong way. That was one thing Vilaz always made sure his family was well taken care of with loyal vode present when his duties took him away, which often was the case since the demise of the Mandalore and the dissolution of the Alor Council.

The Baar'ur removed an apron that covered the front of her red and black beskar'gam, then she grabbed her buy'ce off the shelf by the door as she stepped out on the front porch fingering the Ripper that was still holstered low off her shapely right hip. The ship was familiar though it wasn't until Briika spotted her younger brother's green armor coming down the boarding ramp did she relax and call off the clansmen with blasters ready.

[ Motir daab, verde... Ibic cuyir ner vod'ika, [member="Kad Tor"]. ] Bree called out in a mechanized voice over the comm, then slipped off her helmet and attached it to the utility belt slung around her much slimmed down waist from what it was three months ago after delivering the newest Munin of the clan.

"Well look who the shriek hawk dragged in.... Su'cuy munit echoy'la vod be ner!" the elder Tor sibling exclaimed with a welcoming smile though it was bit guarded. "A rumor came my way that I may have a visit sooner than later from you," she said walking up to the sandy brown-haired goran, who looked weary beyond belief.

It pained Briika to see him this way. Where she had moved on from personal tragedy and hardships, Kad had just not been able to do so. Thus drink and women had been his crutch over the years to deal with the lost of his own family. Did he know of their parents deaths? A heavy ache was felt in her chest at the thought of the elder Tors having marched away. It had been about six months, but the outright pain hadn't eased just the pure rawness.

A traditional Mandalorian greeting was given embracing forearms, then Briika pushed up on her booted tip toes and gave the last of her living direct kin a hug. "Ni gainer graoti'r gar, Kad'ika... Me'vaar ti gar?"

Spoiler

Stand down, warriors. This is my little brother, Kad Tor.
Hello long lost brother of mine!
I have missed you, Kad (affectionately). How are you?

 

[Kad Tor]

Kad said little in response to Briika's greeting. His head nodded in gratitude as she told the guard to stand down. If anything this new riduur of hers ensured his people were kept safe. Kad could appreciate that he supposed. Perhaps he could manage h to hide the dark circles under his eyes, and the cloudiness which had hovered over them for so long due to the drinking. Nothing of his life had become what he had thought it would be, and the drink was always there to suppress the pain, to drown it and numb his feelings. In truth, he doubted he could hide anything from his sister. Of all the people who had ever been in his life that remained, he was closest to her.

"Lizzy didn't tell you herself, did she," Kad attempted in jest, but then it occurred to him Briika may not know who that was. While he had run around the galaxy with the petite Corellisi, Kad had never remembered talking to Briika about her, or recalled a time they had met. Then again, he could be so functionally drunk that his memory was completely wrong.

The embrace was returned, her words spoken in their native tongue warmer than she could possibly know. He returned them. "Ni ganar graoti'r gar asas pirusti, bare vod'ika," he said softly. "I know..." Kad stated simply. He knew Briika would understand what he meant by that.

[member="Briika Tor"]

Spoiler

I have missed you too, dear sister.

 

[Briika Munin]

Briika patted her younger brother's armored chest plate tenderly with her petite hand as she pulled back and looked up into his glassy baby blues. She could smell alcohol on Kad's breath. He was drinking again, or maybe never stopped. That wasn't a good sign.

"When you are ready, vod'ika, I will take you to the memorial I made for them like the one we had in Enceri near bal aliit yaim," Bree nodded solemnly, then the golden blonde slipped her hand through the crook of the goran's gauntleted arm and began walking with him back towards the main building of the homestead.

"Lizzy... Would that your lady smuggler friend? Nayc, though she had contacted ner riduur's ad, who gave me the head's up. Lok is a smuggler too. Small galaxy, huh?" she quipped lightly, then let go of Kad's arm and went up the steps to the porch, then opened the door to go inside.

"You want some caf? I just made a fresh pot before you decided to literally drop in," Bree smirked as they walked in the kitchen area, referring to him landing practically on the house, then the medic grabbed two mugs from the cupboard without waiting for his answer and poured the caffeinated drink in each. She put a splash of cream in hers, then brought both over to an all purpose long table that Mandalorians traditionally gathered at and motioned for him to join her.

"So.... Mebana, Kad'ika? What made you all of a sudden decide to come back home, hmm? Well figuratively speaking," she asked, then took a sip of the hot liquid awaiting his answer.

[member="Kad Tor"]