Winter Sound

[Makai Dashiell]

And you scream,you scratch, you bite,you prey on my heart​

And I know that you and I can never be apart​

Illum | Fortress | [member="Théodred Heavenshield"]



Illum was no place for a teenaged half-Galan boy to be travelling to, especially one who thought anything below a tropical breeze was freezing cold. Yet Makai was travelling out to met Théo at the fortress on Illum literally across the universe form his home. He hand't seen the elder boy - no man now - in some time. Makai wasn't travelling such a distance just to catch up and have a laugh or two. He needed advice.


Théo was as close as he was going to get about growing up with a well-known family name. Heavenshields were known the 'verse over. Growing up in the shadow of that Théo seemed to turn out fine, especially for a member of a royal house. Did he have a secret? At times it seemed Makai was living under his parents shadow. It was well assumed he would grow into a businessman and take over Salacia Consolidated with time. What did that mean? What did it entail? Would people come to see him as his own man over time?


Questions swirled around him as the transport vessel lurched to a stop on the snowy surface. He was already shivering despite the thermal underwear and three layers of clothing. Rucksack adjusted on his back as his head ducked down to keep the blowing snow at bay.


"Is this some type of test for Jedi? I can see why half of 'em go crazy."


Makai muttered under his breath quietly as he walked amongst the others, moving closer to the relatively warmer fortress interior. Snowflakes were already melting from his longish hair a few steps down the hallway. Théo was supposed to be meeting him somewhere around here. It wasn't like this place had a directory.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Long days and even longer nights, were normal on Ilum. It was constant, the dull grey skies, the fall of snow and blaring white as a result of it. Although the night sky like most skies at night would be littered with stars, they are fewer here, the galaxy seemed like a life time away another place entirely. You had to like isolation, you had to be comfortable in your own skin and not mind your own company. The Pantheon was home to people of all races, and even though it was hard to find a place where one could be alone, it was lonely regardless. At least for Théo .. good thing he liked his own company.

But given the chance, he would much prefer to spend his time with friends or loved ones.

When he had been contacted by Makai, out of the blue he was happy to respond and issue the invitation for him to come to Ilum for a while, stay as long as he wished. The last time they had seen but a glimpse of each other was at Zak’s wedding, but Makai seemed to have had issues that day of which Théo did not know. They did not get the time to catch up. There would be more to this trip all the way out on the edge of the galaxy, Théo knew this. Ilum is not exactly a surfer’s paradise nor was it a good sightseeing place unless you liked a desert of hard ice and he doubted Makky would be interested in the crystal caves, the only real point of interest on the whole planet.

And so once informed the transport had arrived, goods unloaded from the ship to boost Pantheon food supplies, and the passengers alighted, Théo grabbed his long black cloak and headed for the meeting place there to find his childhood friend.

In the main entrance of the Pantheon, Théo stood to the side to allow people to pass, it did not take long to find Makky’s curly driftwood brown hair standing tall above the others, he had not changed all that much, more mature in the facial features, lost his boyish looks but he still had the mop of dishevelled hair, then so did Théo only these days he tired it back. Once the crowd thinned Théo walked up to his friend with a grin, as his mind pulled the memories of Makky, Zak and Théo on the beach learning how to master the waves on the board. Well, Makky and Zak naturally had the waves mastered in even youth, Théo not so much.

“Its good to see you Makky”, he said approaching him. “Won’t find a decent break out this way for parsecs”.

[member="Makai Dashiell"]​

 

[Makai Dashiell]

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]



[SIZE=11pt]“Great to see you too Teddy. Thanks for having me out here, despite the poor surfing weather.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]There was a grin as he motioned to the older man. Théo had grown up quite a bit. Quite tall and had filled out with muscle instead of the slender child he had first interacted with. There was a bit of jealousy on Makai’s part as well - Teddy’s beard. The half-Galan was certain the fish genes were giving him a lack of facial hair compared to that of his Dashiell relatives. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“Long hair, trying to be like me? Figures.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Makai looked his friend up and down again.There was a teasing wolf-whistle directed towards Théo’s way. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“Got the beard, the height. Must be beating the ladies back with two lightsabers.Especially out here, I haven’t seen much around. Seems real….desolate.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Teasing grin faded, growing serious.Rucksack adjusted on his shoulders, a small shuffling of his feet. Passengers on board the shuttle with him streamed passed with purpose. Clearly no one arrived for a visit or vacation. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“Thank you for having me out here. Can’t say I’ve been having the easiest of times lately. Figured I could pick your brain for some advice.”[/SIZE]


[][][][][][][][[][][[][][][][][][][][][][][][][]


[SIZE=11pt]A 'package’ of sorts would be arriving at [member="Myra Elspeth"] 's door at any moment. Makai had paid good money to escort Koa to the Farm, the Loth-Cats new home. The half-Galan sent along all of his beloved pets belongings,food and extra credits to pay for Loth Chow and veterinary visits for the next couple of years. He knew the creature would be in well capable hands, spoiled even. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]One of the men delivering Koa to Ellie would have the extra and potentially dangerous task of delivering a hand written note. [/SIZE]





[SIZE=11pt]Ellie,[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]I hope this note finds you well. I’m going to apologize early for dropping Koa on you unexpectedly. Dad has been out on business often and I doubt he has time to take care of Koa like you would. I’ve included enough credits for two years worth of care, Dad can get you more if it runs out or if I don’t return. Take care of yourself Ellie.[/SIZE]


Thank you. - Makai

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Makky had not changed a bit, still as cheeky as ever which Théo was delighted to see. He grinned at the young man's, yes he is a man now too, teasing, "There are a few good looking girls around but few yes. Gotta kinda do a bit of self.. er.. catering". A wide smile broad over Théo's face as he looked around to see if he had been over heard. No one would hear that would they .. naw. It did not take much to slip into the old atmosphere of their friendship.

"Can't be a Heavenshield without a beard", he added for good measure. As for beating them off with a saber or two, there was nothing furthest from the truth of it. "I wish".

Yet for all their teasing and joking, Makky seemed a little down and that was confirmed with the sudden drop of the fun from his face. "Advice? I will do my best", he was sorry to hear Makky was not having a great time of it lately and Théo would do all he could to help.

"Come on .. first things first. Lets find you quarters and settle you in". Théo lead Makai along the corridor of the main entrace and through the doors to the right which would lead them both to the turbo lift to take them to the upper levels of the Pantheon and to the residencies. Théo had already secured a room for Makky, making sure he had everything he would need, and a larger bed then most, not that Makky took up too much room.

Théo waved the keycard over the panel and the doors hissed open onto a room warm from the lit hearth ready and waiting for it's new occupant.

​

[member="Makai Dashiell"]​

 

[Makai Dashiell]

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]


There was a snort of laughter.


"Hey, I've been a master at self service for years."


Makai was amused Théo would bring up such a topic. If old Ted had warned him about such a thing now it spoke volumes for how little was out here. Not that it was particularly bothersome. He had spent time on desolate planets but they were more aquatic in nature. Somehow he was certain the isolation was more pronounced in such a place. More obvious perhaps?


"I don't think you can be a Dashiell without a beard either but here I am. Smooth as a Hutt's backside."


Hand went over a smooth jaw. He had to remind himself of his age and Galan genes. Hair wasn't exactly conducive to speed in the water. He quickly found himself walking the stone hallways with Teddy, taking in the sights. They headed up into a residential-like area, opening into a massive room.


Fire cracked in a monster hearth and the room was noticeably warmer. Perhaps warm enough to remove his outer jacket in ten or fifteen minutes. Couldn't push it.


"I hope this is a standard room Teddy. Way too nice for just me to be in." Being who he was, Makai was used to such rooms. It just didn't seem fortress and nice residence mixed in his mind. Rucksack was set down on the floor. "So what do you do here?"

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

"The quarters in the Pantheon are rather nice, although this is not the standard room. In fact it is far nicer then my own", he said walking around enjoying the luxury of it all with a smile. "But .. your father helped me out of a tight spot years ago, you remember? and I had a very nice room at your place, so this is the least I could do to repay him somewhat". That visit to Ceto seemed like a lift time ago now, as so much had happened from that day until this.

Théo found himself by the hearth, hands extended warming them, a quick glance out the window told of a snow storm brewing that was like clock work, as mostly every day the dark cloud would roll in. The patrols would be returning soon, as the weather is unfavourable this time of the year, nothing and no one survives out there unless fully protected and even then, it is difficult.

"Well, I am the leader of the Iron Legion. A band of force users for the Empire. The Pantheon is were they live mostly and we are here to watch over the planet and the caves .. among other things", he added as after all they are called upon when needed in times of war or insurrection. "Not that much different from the Silvers really ..", he shrugged as he had an after thought, "apart from the fact we have dark jedi".

"So what about you? .. how's your dad?".

​

[member="Makai Dashiell"]​

 

[Makai Dashiell]

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]


"That was my father, not me."


Years ago Théo had joined Salacia Consolidated to work on the salvage crews. Makai had been doing the job since age eight or so and Théo had taken to the work naturally. He wasn't sure the room was worth the small favor of being stuck on a crew but he kept quiet not wanting to insult his friend.


Hand ran through his hair as he peered out at the oncoming storm. Makai had never seen such a thing. He stood watching as Théo recounted what exactly he did for the area.


"Leader? Our little Teddy?" A teasing grin. "Sounds very....honorable. I assume you do a great job at it, then again, leadership is in your blood."


"Dad is fine. I guess I'm nearly grown now, he's picked up more work without me. I've been on several salvage crews on my own now instead of Dad overseeing me constantly." Shoulders shrugged. "Nothing special, which is perhaps what brought me out here."


"Your family is relatively famous. You have great pressure to succeed. How did you...become your own man so to speak?"

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

"True, but you are your father's son", and it had been Mr Dashiell that had extended a helping hand to the son of Thurion. As the warmth in the room began to build to a point of comfort, Théo sort the comfort of a plush seat.

"I guess, and in a way expected of me", he said in reference to the point of leadership of the blood, "But I like it too... I have never been a follower even as a kid", he grinned thinking of all the times people would chase after him for whatever reason. Mostly out of mischief that he had gotten into and was running from the consequences. And after the loss of his grandpapa, again running away from himself and that horrible situation. He pondered on this for a moment, each step taken had been one taken to reach this point in his life, and the path continues and lay before him.

He looked up at Makky with the last question, a big question he had asked himself before his return home and entered the Iron Empire. "Why do you think I am across the opposite side of the galaxy to Midvinter or the Silvers?", he asked half with mirth but there was a heavy slice of fact in it. "I was accepted here because of my name I am sure of it. But over time and hard work I showed them I was worthy in my own right. Expected to be a leader? all Jedi have that expectation placed on them regardless of their names .. and a big target on their backs". He smirked.

Théo leaned back in the seat slouching with legs spread feeling most comfortable in his friends company, "I guess .. I just had to find my own way of doing things, the Théo way so to speak. Having said that, there is much that goes with the Heavenshield name that is benefit, and there is an innate nature that will not be denied too".

He leaned forward placing his elbows on his knees, "Is that why you have come all the way out here? .. to find the Makky way?".

​

[member="Makai Dashiell"]​

 

[Makai Dashiell]

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]


[SIZE=10.5pt]"I guess I am."[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Makai found a seat on the armchair diagonal from Théo. It was a supple leather and he sunk deep into the cushions. Teddy hadn't been lying about the luxury of the room. Warmth had started to permeate through the room, probably getting a little on the warm side for the older man.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]He could understand being accepted somewhere due to a name. Dashiell wasn’t exactly a household name such as Heavenshield but it did hold weight in various business circles. There were expectations due to his father or favors bestowed on him due to the name. If one didn’t have a strong head it could easily lead to an inflated ego and wondering who was truly a friend and who was just there to advance themselves. Théo was right, the name did bring advantages. To every advantage there was a cost to pay.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]“The Makky way? I’m keeping that when I do my first inspirational speaking tour.” There was a chuckle. “That is one reason I have come out here. To find my own way,to actually discover what my way is. I even want to see if I can do what half the people back home put faith in me to do or has it been one big lie?As in, have I only been pushed along because of who I am.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]The other part, well, that was more complicated.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]“Second reason is girl trouble. This girl, [member="Myra Elspeth"] , gets under my skin in the good way. I thought she felt the same way too but I think I was horribly mistaken. Everything reminds me of her back home. Hence travelling to the frigid hells to find the Makky way.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Heartbroken was more accurate, not that he would share such a thing with Théo, at least not right now. Part of him knew he could have found his own way closer to home and closer to her if their ill-fated sailing trip had turned out different. [/SIZE]

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

"Would it be so terrible if you did not? reach their expectations I mean. I think you need to know or think about what expectations you have for yourself and not worry about what others may think", that had been the realisation Théo had come to in order to move on from something similar. It was never going to be an easy situation for either of them and for the most part people in this circumstances are the ones that place the pressure on themselves, or allow it to happen with the opinions of others. "It is a good thing you are here, you need a break from it to clear your head. Maybe there is something else, away from anything related to business?", His small self exile as a youth had been the catalyst he had needed, doing anything but Jedi duty had been a relief until the calling returned.

But that was not all that Makky was here for, the crunch came next.

A girl, running from a girl.

Théo pushed back in his chair and thought about that for a moment. He had had some experience with girls, none of them any success and he was probably the last person in the galaxy to be giving Makky advice on them. "So she gave you reason to think she felt the same?", so something must have happened to change that and now his friend sat across from him shattered. He understood about things bring remembrances, the red flames of the hearth fire would never be the same to Théo again, all he could see in them was the long flowing hair of Ylva. He shook his head to try and rid the image, she was not suppose to be there in this thoughts ..

​

[member="Makai Dashiell"]​

 

[Makai Dashiell]

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]


“I don’t worry so much about what people say or think….more of what they expect. I think you’re getting the general idea of what its like though. Nothing I’m saying comes to a huge surprise to you I’m sure.”


Makai was well aware Théo had been through several if not all the issues he was facing. Probably one of the main reasons that he had came to work salvage those years ago. Or perhaps not. Perhaps it had been something else in his journey that had compelled his friend to become the man he was today.


“Something non-business related? I guess. Maybe something crazy. Deep space exploration. The military. Maybe I can join the Jedi.”


A joke of course. Makai was clearly not cut out for the life of a force user of any sort.


“Yeah...I mean, she did kiss me back. Travelled all the way out to Mon Cal to visit and hang out. Not the normal type of hanging out we used to do. Different.” Makai stopped, figuring his story was a bit fragmented. “We’ve been friends since were very young. This obviously complicates everything, dealing with friendship and potentially more at once.”


“Probably best I’m out here.”

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

"Space exploration I can see, that might suit you just fine, but military?", now that notion did surprise Théo, he never considered Makky the type. But truth is stranger than fiction and in this galaxy anything is possible. "You would be welcome here in the Iron Empire if you want to join up", he had to grin at his friend's joke about joining the Legion although he could not see why the young man could not. But the parameters where set and Théo was not in any real position to change that, or was he?

"From what you say, sounds like she does like you a lot in fact", no one does all that if they don't like someone, so there had to be more to the story. "I don't really understand girls Makky, just when you think you are getting somewhere, boom! they hit you for six".

This whole topic of conversation was making Théo thirsty. "You old enough to drink?", he asked out of fun while heading for the booze cabinet. "I think you and I could use one"...

"So what happened?", he asked while perusing the contents of the cabinet, screwing his nose up at most of it until he found a half empty bottle of Corellian Whiskey tucked up the back. Well there was no Midvinter's finest brew and this was the next best thing that had any taste to it. Unscrewing the lid, Théo poured two healthy glasses of whiskey walked back over to Makky handing him one.

*hit you for six, is a Cricketing term, meaning the cricket ball is hit over the boundary fence for a score of six runs but requires a hard hit.

​

[member="Makai Dashiell"]​

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Makai looked at the amber liquid in his glass. It was a plentiful portion or was it? The half-Galan came from a relatively dry household. He was smart enough to know the whiskey was from Miss [member="Chloe Blake"] 's distillery, a friend of his fathers. Was he old enough to drink? He had never pushed the issue. A growth spurt had caused him to shoot up like a weed, many mistaking his age. Offers via servers for drinks always came at Galas and functions. He had always declined.


Until now. Apparently the saying was true, women drove one to drink. There was a sip, harsh at first but growing smoother.


"Hit you for six? I like that....More like they knee you right in the groin. Apparently I surprised her trying to kiss her neck. What the hell is so surprising about that? I mean, she made this little noise then I dont know, next thing you know I'm getting a knee to the jewels."


"To make matters worse I told her kissing me was probably like kissing her brother. Then she yelled, cried and told me I didn't know anything."


"She's not wrong, I don't know anything. Maybe I was too sloppy? Its not like I've had practice in the area."


A shrug of his shoulders, another longer sip of the whiskey.


"Anyways, its not important. Ellie won't have to worry about me now, drooling over her and trying to grope her backside."


A snort of laughter.


"You're older than me, I hope you've had better experiences....if not....welcome to your future. Women, the most confusing of species."


[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Whether it was the atmosphere, or the booze or the fact that Makky just needed to get things off his chest .. or .. a combination of the lot. Makky sat their clinging to a heavy filled glass of whiskey spilling the beans. Out poured the entire series of events over this girl and why she had smacked him one. Théo did not know what to do, laugh and his friend would be wounded and never reveal confidence again, but Théo struggled to keep a smile from forming.

"Well mate, telling any girl kissing you is like kissing her brother will always get you a knee in the nuts. I strongly suggest you never say that to a girl ever again". Théo had had a little more success with girls then Makai it seemed after all. One crush he had rescued from the Darkness itself, another he danced with on top the roof of a romantic setting, and kissed her. Things were actually going great but...

"And you might want to keep your hands to yourself until 'invited' to touch", the force knows that alone is difficult. When do you know when the invitation is given? A little noise like Makky talked of? A look in their eye or softness of breath?

"Maybe it is best to wait until they pin you to the bed and then there is no mistaking their intentions". Although Théo was the elder of the two and with a little more experience, he was just as clueless as the next man. The whole thought of it all made Théo take a long solid mouthful of whiskey.

He raised the glass, "Here's to the clueless".

​

[member="Makai Dashiell"]​