Happy Friday, y’all! I’m off too the post office today with all of your packages and I can’t wait for you to have your goodies! I know things are rough in the world right now but I hope what I do brings a little joy to your day. And surprise! I’m having a Spring Break sale starting NOW! 10-20% off the whole shop! Some come grab a little treat! Shop is here.
And for funsies, here are some of your Star Wars faves from this week!
After they got their jedi back at the end of season 1, Chopper finally became a Kanera shipper - good thing nothing bad happened to his otp after that ever again
You know which episode this is set after, guys. D'you think Zeb ever kind of regretted coming back? Like, not seriously regretted, just wondered how much less annoyed he'd be on Lira San?
Also, space socks look exactly like earth socks?!? Yes. And Zeb is wearing a space Tshirt that looks exactly like an earth Tshirt. Stop questioning me.
After Ezra builds his lightsaber, the Ghost crew introduce him to the celebratory tradition that has evolved over the years, growing with each new member that joined the Spectres.
It's one they're all too happy to add Ezra to – and he has a perfect addition of his own.
I wrote this three years ago (!!) for the @legacy-rebelsfanzine fanzine and was waiting to post it until after I received my copy. Unfortunately that never happened so I never posted it, but (spoiler alert) I'm coming back to writing and right now have a couple of pieces I'm sitting on for exchanges. This means I'm chomping at the bit to post something, so I figured it was finally time I shared this outside of the zine. Enjoy!
The delightful illustrations were all drawn by @wachie
you can also read, kudos and comment on AO3! ->
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Ezra held his breath as he waited for his master to pass judgement on his newly-built lightsaber.
"Well, it's different," Kanan said finally, "but that seems about right for you. Go for it."
He handed the unorthodox hilt back to his Padawan and, holding it apprehensively out in front of him, Ezra ignited the blade. With a snap-hiss, the blue beam of energy came to life, its glow illuminating the Ghost's common area and reflecting in five pairs of awestruck eyes. The whole crew gazed at it and the boy holding it with a mixture of pride and reverence.
"I think this deserves a celebration," Hera murmured, breaking the silence.
Kanan gave her a knowing look, a grin playing at his lips. "Our usual?"
"Let's see what Ezra wants," she said, mirroring his smile. She turned to Ezra to explain, "It's become a tradition on this ship to mark special occasions with a particular meal, but since this is your achievement, is there something you would like? Something to celebrate the day you built your lightsaber?"
"Well..." Ezra stared thoughtfully at his still-lit lightsaber for a moment, a crease forming between his eyebrows. He seemed to come to a conclusion and thumbed the switch to retract the blade, dimming the light in the room back to its usual levels. "When I was a kid and my parents were making their broadcasts, there was a stew we'd have after each one. I remember it had these dumplings on top and when we made it, they'd let me make the dumplings. It was our tradition."
"A traditional stew, huh?" Zeb asked with a grin. "I think we're having our usual, Hera."
Ezra quirked an eyebrow at him. "You have the same thing?"
"Not with dumplings."
"Not yet," Sabine corrected, a glint in her eye.
It's our own special kind of stew," Hera explained to him. "It's changed a lot over the years, but it started when I first set out to fight the Empire. Whenever I had a few spare credits I'd treat myself to fresh produce – whatever the local market had. I'd slice it up and fry it to add some flavour and texture to the usual rations. Each time someone joined my crew, it changed."
"It always went cold quickly, so I turned it into a broth," Kanan said.
"And it was vegetarian," Zeb added with a grimace.
Hera turned to him with a frown. "We couldn't afford meat regularly until you joined us," she pointed out.
"Somehow it was still lacking flavour when you picked me up, so I was the one to add spices," Sabine chipped in.
Hera smiled. "It improved each time."
"And your dumplings will make a great addition," Kanan told Ezra. "They should cook in the broth, and with them we won't even need to supplement it with rations any more."
Hera picked up her datapad and moved to stand in front of her crew. "It sounds like we need to make a market trip."
There was no need for everyone to go, but no-one wanted to stay behind – not even Chopper. Once everyone was out, Hera locked up the Ghost behind them as Zeb led the way to Kothal. Kanan hung back to walk with her behind the kids, and she slipped her hand into his and gave him a smile of thanks. The soft look he gave her in return warmed her heart.
Something had changed in him since he'd taken Ezra to that Temple, and something had changed in Ezra too. They had both come back different – calmer, more sure of themselves, more comfortable in their roles as Jedi Master and Padawan. She'd always done her best to support Kanan, but she knew Ezra and the Jedi Temple could give him something she had never been able to. However, the look in his eyes reminded her that she gave him something just as important.
The market wasn't overly busy this late in the day. They split up in order to find everything – and therefore get back for dinner – faster. Zeb went to a local butcher's stall with Chopper not far behind, and Sabine said something about running low on a few of her spices. Ezra seemed to be looking with interest at a selection of baking ingredients, so Hera left him to it and went to her favourite fresh produce stand.
Hera knew she was here for vegetables but the display of imported meilooruns did look good… She turned to ask Kanan if they had the credits for one, but he wasn't behind her where she had expected. A search of nearby stalls found him only a few metres away, wearing–
"Kanan," she called, incredulity colouring her voice, "is that a 'kiss the cook' apron?"
"What do you think?" he asked, giving her a roguish wink.
She rolled her eyes but couldn't hold back a grin. She allowed herself one meiloorun as she bought the vegetables, and then went to round up her crew.
Surprisingly, Chopper was the first she came across, and he seemed to be in a very good mood. She assumed he'd been looking at the displays of mechanical oils again. Zeb was next, who had managed to haggle an extra steak into his bag, and then Sabine, who had been about to wander over to a dye stall. Kanan fetched a suspiciously flour-covered Ezra and then she was leading the way back to the Ghost after yet another successful supply run.
Cooking began as soon as they returned, with everyone eager to eat. Kanan made a start on the broth, with Hera by his side slicing the vegetables. Sabine brought the pestle and mortar out to start grinding her spices as Zeb sharpened his steak knives. Kanan helped Ezra get ready to make his dumplings, and Hera saw what looked like a pang of nostalgia pass over the boy's face as he laid out his bowls in a very specific way.
The sounds that filled the galley were almost like music; the steady chop of Hera's knife, the sizzle of Zeb's pan, the scrape of Sabine's pestle and the gentle simmer of Kanan's broth. It didn't take long for some amazing smells to start wafting around the small space either.
"Hey, Ezra," Sabine called over the noise. "Have you ever had bisawa paste before?"
An array of jars and pots were open on the counter in front of her, the contents of which she was carefully measuring into a bowl. The one currently in her hand was filled with a bright green paste.
"Nope," Ezra replied, looking at the contents of the jar with interest. "What is it?"
Instead of replying, she used a spoon to scoop some out and offer it to him. "You should try some!"
Behind her, Zeb's ears pricked up with interest as he started to carefully transfer the contents of his pan into the broth. "Yeah, kid, try some, it's really good!"
"Okay," Ezra said, shrugging as his curiosity got the better of him.
He let Sabine feed him the mouthful of paste. It was as she removed the spoon and her eyes lit up with mischief that he realised his mistake – his tongue was burning. It was too late to stop himself from swallowing. The heat spread throughout his mouth and down his throat. Ezra felt his face flush and his eyes start to water.
He let out a pained groan. "Sabine!"
She tipped her head back and cackled with laughter. He lunged towards her, intending to wipe his floury hands on her in retribution, but Sabine was too fast. She ducked nimbly under his outstretched arms, still laughing. The galley wasn't very big, and as his vision blurred with tears he stumbled into the back of someone.
"Hey!" Zeb complained as Ezra knocked him.
Ezra started to wonder if his vengeance on Sabine could wait until after he found some water, but was distracted by the sight of the perfect white handprint on Zeb's back. Sabine noticed too, and they both burst into laughter together.
Zeb realised he was the butt of their joke, but fortunately for all Hera stepped in before the situation could escalate.
Ezra, get yourself a glass of water," she said calmly, "and Zeb, now's a good time to lay the table."
She wasn't sure if it was her or their hungry stomachs that made them obey, but her crew did as they were told. She left Kanan to stir the last of the vegetables into the broth as she went to check on Ezra. He was mostly recovered from his first encounter with bisawa, and while she had sympathy from him, every crewmember had at some point been subjected to Sabine's "taste test". It was part of the tradition now.
Soon, they were all sitting down together, rubbing elbows in the cramped space of the galley. Kanan served them each a bowl of warm, rich stew, but remained standing.
"Congratulations, Ezra," he began with a smile. "Finding a kyber crystal and constructing your lightsaber is an important step on your path to being a Jedi; we're all proud of you."
Ezra's face warmed at the attention. "Thanks," he mumbled. "Though I wouldn't have even made it this far without you."
"He's right, love," Hera said. "This isn't just about Ezra's achievement – you're a great teacher for him."
"The best," Ezra agreed.
"To Ezra and Kanan!" Sabine toasted.
"Yeah, yeah," Zeb said. "Can we eat now? The smell is making my mouth water."
With a laugh, they all set about eating their stew. It was delicious. As they ate, each person found themself thinking the same thing: sure, the meal had been perfect before, but just like their crew, it was even better with Ezra's addition.
