Mara Jade

You can't hold me down cause I belong to the hurricane

[jadedpersuasion]

Thrawn expected she’d take the bait, but he never imagined Mara would leap so quickly at the opportunity without hesitation. The Emperor may have divulged his dancer Liana as Mara Jade, the Emperor’s hand, he still restricted information about the girl. Not that it stopped Thrawn from wading through the vague comments and forming a portrait not only of Mara’s past, but her complete role in the Empire itself. At the height of his study and curiosity, the Rebellion delivered a crushing blow during the Battle of Endor, and in the chaos of an Empire suddenly without a ruler, Mara Jade disappeared into the shadows.

A rational decision. Most of those who’d seen her face believed she was nothing more than a pretty face, or the newest addition to Palpatine’s rumored harem. Thrawn knew the truth — as did the other Grand Admirals — yet she never came to him. If his picture of her was correct, Mara could survive on her own, but barely make ends meet before she snapped and betrayed her allies, and ran away to another planet, with a new name, another crew and another dead end career. By the time he located her, he had merged the path of his contacts with her own.

Your name is Jaxsjul Aleliam. You were born on Fest to Granjae and Kaikor Aleliam, the latter of whom perished during his Clone Wars service. As a child, you dreamed of being a pilot, but ended up as a smuggler to make ends meet after your mother died from a farming accident. ‘Jaxsjul’ played her part well. Here Jade stood among his most cherished possessions, ready to steal from a Grand Admiral and the new ruler of the Empire. A job whose alleged profits outweighed the consequences of being caught in the act. Her prowling would prove pointless and nothing more than a test to check for weaknesses in his security system and his men. A game only Thrawn himself knew of. Perhaps after all this effort, she deserved partial monetary compensation, but that remained contingent on her behavior after he revealed himself.

“Welcome back, Emperor’s Hand,” Thrawn opened his eyes, the glowing redness filling the room before the lights turn on with a snap, “A commendable effort, but futile nonetheless.”

Mara sighed, long- exasperated. 

“Thrawn.” Words could not describe how much she hated him in that moment. She’d never liked him. She’d resented him for as long as she could remember but now? Her wrath boiled inside her, threatening to explode if she didn’t get a handle on it quickly. Her master had taught her to control her emotions, that she would be rendered useless if she allowed herself to succumb to them. It had always been her weakness though, as her rage would take the wheel more often than she’d like to admit. She’d cap it as soon as she could, but in this moment....she was teeming with her hatred for the grand admiral.

“I should have known.” The only person she may hate more right now, is herself. She couldn’t believe she’d fallen for his trap. Almost no one could get the jump on her. Being trained her whole life, sharpened into the weapon the emperor always intended for her to be. Practically more machine than human after all of her humanity had been beaten out of her, literally. 

“Ok. You got me here. What do you want?” The worst part was that she’d already planned exactly how to spend that money.

[jadedpersuasion]

The woman’s laughter just made her angrier, tightening her grip on her blaster. “Mmm do you really think I can’t see right through you? You’re not being clever, thief.” Cienna knew that Mara hadn’t stolen anything but boy did she know that she had malicious intentions, that was absolutely obvious. And heading right towards bb-8, who was currently not on as their battery recharged. Cienna’s finger was on the trigger currently and she was more than ready to kill her. Good thing this woman didn’t look like she would be too heavy, she could get her to the dump or someplace no one would find her body without a problem.

“Like I said, you should leave.” Cienna said, taking a deep breath, ready to shoot her, droids prepared to defend Cienna with life and limb. This woman knew that this woman was looking at this like a game, knowing that her raising her hands meant nothing. There was a blaster strapped to her Cienna had to be careful to not have her pull out and shoot her too. “You think I won’t use this? That I’ve never shot someone before?”

Mara was still amused, but it was waning. She’d come here for a purpose, to collect the BB unit, or at least it’s contents. The mechanic had spunk. Mara could appreciate such lofty confidence, though she figured it would get the girl killed sooner or later.

“I have no quarrel with you, kid. I am going to say this one time- and one time only. Move. Aside.” The redhead was no longer interested in whatever game this was. She’d already doddled long enough. Resting her hand on her belt, she stared down the younger woman. Green eyes now cold, devoid of any emotion whatsoever. 

Mara took another step towards the droid, never dropping her gaze.

[burrinc]

jadedpersuasion‌:

Mara had sensed another person, but all too late. Her force abilities had been a little spotty since her resurrection, and she wasn’t clear on how, and when they would work for her. It was a gamble every single time.

There wasn’t much she could do about it, the girl had spotted her. She’d gotten the jump on her- something Mara had very little experience with. It was exhilarating. 

“Well, hello there.” The redhead smiled, appearing as harmless as possible. Her features softening, though the smile never reached her eyes. “You’re a quiet little loth-cat aren’t you?” Mara took in her surroundings peripherally, buying herself some time to strategize. 

The girl had seen her face. She would have to die, unfortunately. 

“Is this, your shop?” She knew it was owned by someone named Cienna- this girl matched the profile she’d pieced together. “All alone, are we?” Mara took a step towards mechanic.

It had been a long while since someone had broken into her shop. Most people knew to stay away. It’s not as if she had booby traps or anything, well, not anymore since Finn got caught in one, but she had a legion of droids that would do anything to protect her. Plus most things in here could be used as weapons and Cienna knew how to use them all. 

She watched as the woman’s demeanor changed, the false smile, analyzing the area out of the corners of her eyes. Cienna had a brief flashback to when she was young. That look on her face- she’d seen it many times when she was younger. She knew what it meant, her parents and siblings had given her that look when she had screwed up and were plotting what to do. Her grip tightened on her weapon, hearing R9 roll over to her, taser out and ready to defend their master as well.

“I’ll give you this opportunity to leave before you don’t get the chance, because cleaning up a body is quite the chore.” Cienna’s voice was cold as ice, avoiding the woman’s questions. She knew better than to answer them. Besides, she was never really alone in here. As she watched her, she debated on whether to shoot her in the head or chest- which would be more satisfying to her? Her eyes stayed trained on the thief as more droids rolled up, surrounding the redhead.

[jadedpersuasion]

Mara choked on her own laughter. “A...body is...” repeating the stranger’s words. “You’ve got some fire in you. I like that.” The appearance of the droid hardly phased her. Droids were what she’d cut her teeth on what she was barely old enough to walk. Mara’s false demeanor dropped slightly, but not by much. The amusement finally reached her green eyes, as she was now having a good time, rather than fulfilling a mission.

“What on earth gives you the idea I had any untoward intentions. You wouldn’t....shoot me, would you?” Mara raised her hands in mock defeat. This cat and mouse game was more fun than she’d bargained for.

[poeguesquadron2]

favorite characters and the poetry written for them | mara jade (star wars legends) + sylvia plath

i must get my soul back from you; i am killing my flesh without it

[valhkyrie-archive-blog]

make me choose | girlwiththedragontattooine asked: the female jedi or queens of naboo

[jadedpersuasion]

Mara Jade: Now, go home and do all your homework, or I will end you.

Luke Skywalker: Don't let Mara fool you. She's not that scary. She used to do ballet.

Valin Horn: No way.

Mara Jade: Which gave me the physical skills I need to strangle you with my feet. Now scram.

[jadedpersuasion]

Since the fall of the First Order, and she guess the Final Order as well, Cienna felt like she actually could feel peace. Before she had spent most of her efforts on the resistance- they had saved her, gave her a home and a family and it was the least she could do. But now- it was over. Cienna had found a nice place to set up a shop where she could do whatever she wanted, including make money. Still close to her friends, of course, but her own place. Sure, she had gotten an apartment but she rarely spend time there- there was a comfy enough chair Cienna had put in her shop that was more than plenty to sleep on, so she… Rarely left her shop anymore.

That was the same as tonight. Poe had asked Cienna to perform some upgrades on his droid so she was more than delighted to spend the night working on the little orange astromech. BB-8 was one of her favorites, if she had the energy she would give them an oil bath. After all, Poe and bb-8 had done plenty for her in the time she had known them.

Having finished bb-8′s programming and upgrades, Cienna had left them to recharge as she took a break to eat. Finn had brought over some scones before so she was happily munching on one, tweaking some wiring on a memory chip of an old droid she had found in a junkyard, tucked away in a corner, working silently to enjoy the peace and quiet. Well, quiet was relative. Droids roamed her shop and there was always the white noise from people outside.

Cienna closed her eyes for a second, almost feeling like she could nod off, but something made her open her eyes. A noise. Not a droid noise, it sounded like someone was walking in her shop. Quietly, ever so quietly Cienna reached for her blaster, carefully standing to see if someone was actually there.

Of course someone was- and they were heading for bb-8. Narrowing her eyes, Cienna readied her blaster, pointing it at the thief in her shop. “If you wanted to do business you know it’s more traditional to announce yourself when you enter.” Cienna finally said, hoping this would be enough to scare off whoever this was.

Mara had sensed another person, but all too late. Her force abilities had been a little spotty since her resurrection, and she wasn’t clear on how, and when they would work for her. It was a gamble every single time.

There wasn’t much she could do about it, the girl had spotted her. She’d gotten the jump on her- something Mara had very little experience with. It was exhilarating. 

“Well, hello there.” The redhead smiled, appearing as harmless as possible. Her features softening, though the smile never reached her eyes. “You’re a quiet little loth-cat aren’t you?” Mara took in her surroundings peripherally, buying herself some time to strategize. 

The girl had seen her face. She would have to die, unfortunately. 

“Is this, your shop?” She knew it was owned by someone named Cienna- this girl matched the profile she’d pieced together. “All alone, are we?” Mara took a step towards mechanic.

[jadedpersuasion]

@empireruled

Mara had never been a fan of “Grand Admiral” Thrawn’s. He was arrogant, greedy of power, and almost sadistic. Her former master had endorsed him, and she’d endured it, but she had always been adept at locking up her feelings so tight that even the most sensitive of force users couldn’t find them. 

When a private client had subtly inquired about how far her skills went when it came to acquiring rare items, she’d made it clear that there were very few limitations. She’d known exactly where to find find such an item, in Thrawn’s extensive collection. It would be killing two birds with one stone. Obtaining an item worth her ship’s weight in credits- and pulling one over on one of her least favorite people in the galaxy.

Mara was more than adept at sneaking around. It was barely a challenge at all- but considering how well guarded Thrawn’s collection was, it would be a refreshing adventure. Slipping by his goons had proven simple enough, but getting the item off the premises would prove more difficult. If she came face to face with Thrawn himself, it would not be enjoyable. 

Finally, the item was in sight- and Mara approached cautiously.

[druidsim]

You can’t hear a whisper if you’re constantly  s h o u t i n g.

[jadedpersuasion]

@burrinc​

Mara had been revived after many years of being dead. Those words, that concept had yet to fully hit her, the weight of it. The responsibility. The meaning. The purpose. 

The first order had brought her back to do their bidding, but things had changed quite a bit while she'd been gone. She answered to no one. No one except her former master. 

The Emperor had been alive again as well, but on his own terms. He’d apparently set his sights set on another woman. His own granddaughter, this.....Rey. Mara had worked hard in her former life to be Palpatine’s one and only hand, even going so far as to snuff out the rest of them, behind his back. Rather than become angry at her for her rogue mission, he had praised her. She had proven herself the ruthless, sharpened weapon he’d always been convinced she would become. 

Like most orphans, Mara craved approval from her father figure- and she did not share. She’d obliterated her competition in the past- and she would again. 

But Rey had robbed her of that chance. She’d murdered Mara’s master, and now the scavenger girl would suffer a death far worse than she’d even initially intended. 

Mara knew the way to finding the girl was through her friends, the resistance soldiers that the first order had briefed her on. One of which, had a mechanical shop on coruscant, the planet that Mara herself had grown up on. The orange and white droid, was believed to have the coordinates she sought- and just so happened to be in the custody of Cienna Bur’rin, the shop owner. 

Mara moved under the cover of night, not expecting anyone to be awake and tinkering about amongst the droids, speeders and other unfinished projects littered throughout the shop. Just in case however, she kept her violet saber at hand. spotting the BB unit, Mara approached the droid quietly.

[jadedpersuasion]

Mirax Terrik: I’m gonna need a human skull and I can’t have you ask any questions why.

Mara Jade: Only if you also don’t ask why.

Mara Jade: [pulls out 7 pristine human skulls] Take your pick.

Mirax Terrik:

Mara Jade:

Mirax Terrik: This one is fine.

[jadedpersuasion]

Mara Jade: wants to be hugged and held, is totally touch starved and needs to be cuddled

also Mara: allows only a very limited number of people to touch her at all, let alone in a slightly intimate way. barely ever allows herself to show emotional weakness around people. gets anxious when someone hugs her for too long.

[mara-jade-skyvalker]

The many iterations of Mara Jade by famed sketch card artist Joe Hogan, a personal favorite!

Most fun is 'Arica' in bottom right corner, drawn to resemble her depiction from Decipher's Customizable Card Playing Game, making this image particularly unique...

[jadedpersuasion]

Cienna just rolled her eyes  at Mara’s comment. Everything she says is important, yeah right. Sighing before taking a breath Cienna took a long drink of, whatever was in the glass now, she didn’t want to know. Setting the glass down she made a face, shuddering a little. The worst part was that she’d had worse.

And then the subject turned to her. Gaze returning to the redhead she furrowed her eyebrows a little, clearly not amused about everything. She was clearly still so bitter about losing her leg, about having to depend on something to just live her daily life. Instead of turning her feelings into bitter words she turned to sarcasm. “Seeing how much you stalk me I’d expect you to already know everything about me. That and your force powers.” Cienna smirked a little, though there was still a bit of a bitter edge to her words before she drank more.

Mara just laughed. “I’m going take one of these..” The redhead lifted a shot glass filled with Tsiraki liquor “...every single time you roll your eyes at me.” Mara threw her head back, and the glass with it. “But don’t cheat. Just....act natural.” 

Surprise actually came over Mara’s face a moment as Cienna barked at her. “When have I ever abused my....abilities, at your expense?” For once, her tone was serious.

“I’ve pulled some dirty tricks, I admit- but...” She shook her head, once again smirking. “ You gotta admit, Scrapper. That ain’t one of em.”

[marsfairhart-deactivated2024060]

       ‘ mara, ‘ she said, her signature smirk on her lips as she approached the other woman. ‘ good to see you again. ‘ the redhead intrigued her. revan could sense something about her that told her she was not set in her ways. given the right circumstances, her alliances could be shifted. though, she also knew it was probably dangerous for her to venture into resistance territory. sure, he allegiance wasn’t pledged to this new first order but she was dark side aligned. ‘ and how’ve you been ? i imagine things are quite different now that all that forced interaction is over. i guess we’ll see how everyone really feels now, huh ? ‘

@jadedpersuasion

[jadedpersuasion]

It was her. The strange...being she’d encountered at the gala. She was timeless, mysterious. Mara hated to be left curious. 

How fortuitous that they meet again. Saved her the trouble of spying. 

Cocking her head slightly, Mara sensed a deeper meaning to the woman’s words. Sensed, beyond that of the usual intuition that came with being born female. 

“I am well.” She smiled, but eyed her dark haired companion sideways. “As much as I enjoy the strained cordiality of a neutral event, I am glad to have it over and done with. What brings you to this side of...town?” Raising an auburn brow, Mara eagerly awaited a response.

[mara-jade-skyvalker]

Wishing you all the best during your Thanksgiving recovery!

[mara-jade-skyvalker]

★ Uncompromising, fierce, relentless, beautiful, yet deadly, this is Mara Jade, The Emperor’s Hand, and this newly commissioned fan art is astonishing! ★