He counted the attempts, this would be thier 10th. As the chrono struck for the evening hours, the Archivist arrived from the servant's entrance with a tray.
Upon learning that Maul would pull ration bars out in place of a hot meal, the Archivist stepped in a tray or two ladened with hearty foods.
Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, stews, filled with meat that had been set to cook for what he assumed was for some time as tender as it was—other times ( most often) meat cuts thick and still red.
“ Your brother mentioned it was better for your health,” a kettle was brought over from the burning hearth of the study. His Archivist measured out water for tea before setting down a plate. “Take what you like”
He had at first scoffed at the action, The Archivist always did such things, carefully watching and making things in a way to accommodate him better.
“Coddling” he had said to Savage, the older Zabrak merely raised a brow, “Brother, you can order them to stop.”
Maul gave him a look, “Then they will fuss” as if that was why he did not consider it. “But they do not need to make such an effort on such matters,” Maul added.
Savage sighed, “Then leave it be”
In the first few attempts Maul just loaded his plate with some of the meat cuts and when the archivist suggested maybe just a bit of roasted carrot, he just left with the plate in hand. The Archivist left with the rest of the full tray and their own plate.
Maul left the emptied plate at the door when he was done.
The day after he took a heapful of the vegetables, again leaving the archivist alone with their own plate.
With the stew? The mouthwatering scent had the Archivist smiling to see the ladlefuls Maul put into the bowl. A frown formed when he left again to eat alone.
The bowl was completely cleaned of any stew when the Archivist collected the dish, returning back and noting that the remainder had also disappeared.
On the 10th day, Maul returned the stew bowl empty and took a loaf of bread from the plentiful tray. The Archivist didn't dare move and watched as Maul took apart the loaf to eat.
The following days were much the same, Maul returning to eat a loaf of bread or filling his cup with more tea.
The absolute silence as the Archivist watched this time around as Maul served himself and sat back at the table. Maul not bothering with the knife and staring at the fork with skepticism. Today was roasted nyduck. Maul began to eat, sharp teeth tearing and pulling apart the food he had picked.
He looked straight at the Archivisit, daring them almost. The Archivist set down the silverware picked up their own piece and ate it without the stifling etiquette drilled in.
Another dinner later and Maul looked up from his plate, today’s meat was rarer than most days. The red dripping down his chin and most certainly staining his teeth. Yet not once did the Archivist shiver or run off or flat out refuse to continue sharing the table with him. If anything the dinners had allowed for maul to devour and freely gorge himself on what was offered.
“The cooks must loathe the change” He finally said.
The Archivist looked confused, “The cooks?” a shake of thier head, “Oh no, I have been the one making your dinners, and I quite enjoy learning what you prefer,” They went back to cutting thier more cooked steak with glee.
Maul wiped at his mouth, the remaining blood staining the sleeve of his tunic, “You? When?”
The Archivist continued to eat, “Before we started working, they were a bit off-put by the blood but I set them straight,”
Not once did they react when he tore and ripped his food, if anything they were pleased to see him eat. Before he could stop himself he felt the corners of his mother raise, a smile if it could be called that. He went back to devouring with gusto. The Archivist was pleased with the sounds of hunger saited.
The Oppress sister may have been raised as proper ladies but they were still Zabrak. So that meant hunting!
“Dani do you want to go fi-” Before Aster could utter another syllable, the small girl embraced her around the waist. Large amber eyes looked up at her with eagerness.
Danica could never pass up fishing with Aster. Fishing meant crustaceans!
She licked her lips oh the possibility of shrimp and crab! Oh how her tummy grumbled, “Let’s go! Let’s go! I'll get my ruler!
The younger sister returned with her swim gear and the ruler gifted to her by Cress after the boy was mortified to learn Danica was fishing any crab she caught, “Aster!” their brother had said aghast. “You know better too!”
The eldest Oppress girl had pouted, “ But she was so happy how could I crush her joy with the importance of conservation and regulation?” The boy gave them an admonished shake of the head and a lecture after that.
The result was Danica rattling off the importance of a crab being the right size or needing to be tossed back in the water. She repeated back the figures as well as gave an almost perfect impression of thier brother. Aster laughed as Danica has tossed back one of her catch, “Maybe next time little crab!”
The black pincher crab failed to measure up and waved its claws as it sunk back into the water.
—
Aster dived into the water, the swamps of Dathomir were not of the blues from the holos and pictures of books. They had a beauty she could not resist. Something Ancient, something from long ago that refused to fade away. Gleaming greens and abuzz with life. A power she could feel thrumming just under the surface. “ Like calls to like,” Maul had told her. Dathomir called to her, recognized her, knew her…
—
Danica looked into the water. To an outsider it was murky, to her eyes it was clear as could be. A gift from the red planet bestowed on the children of Dathomir.
“Aster there’s a swarm of yabby!” the child whispered, barely able to contain her delight.
Aster handed her the net, and tsked her to adjust her gloves.
Like all things on Dathomir even a mere shrimp has its evolved dangers.
Venomous barbs on its claws and bodies, catching them meant special gear.
Aster was dressed in a similar fashion to Danica, a suit that ensured the swamp did not bring out its surprises. It was for Danica’s sake.
Aster has developed a tolderance to the venom, she had swum in the swamps since she was Danica’s age. No hit of venom could halt her in the water. Maul had been impressed, truly Aster was his child.
But with Dani, well Danica Oppress had always raised concerns. The only non-force sensitive of Maul’s children and as clumsy as a tot. Maul was cautious about his youngest and with that came the gear, helmets and the guard.
Atticus, the tusken Massiff sat and kept on alert. The massiff had been the child’s guard since his arrival when Dani was merely 6 months of age. Always about and near his little Dani.
The massiff sniffed and gruffed as Danica resurfaced with a triumphant smile on her face and wiggling yabbies in the mesh net. She hooked it to the edge of the wooden pier and promised Atticus a good helping. The massiff’s typical stoic composure melted into a happy yip. His little Dani was so generous with her food!
—
Another moment longer, Aster’s lungs did not burn. The swamp was filled with life, the schools of silver fish that flickered under the low light, the large catfish that avoided her presence. She kept a careful eye out for the strong-jawed gators that thrived under the depths. She was a competing predator in the swamp of course….
–
In her net she had already nabbed the black clawed crabs. Thoughts of raw marinated crab swum by. Coated in chili powder that stung her tongue! What a delight!
The sisters resurfaced with their treasures, Nets full of yabby and crab (all properly sized) Aster assured their brother as they returned home.
Their buir delighted in thier large bounty, the Mandalorian weighing the nets with a smile. “My dear girls brought us a feast.”
–
Preparing yabby was not pleasant, the blue shrimp piled on the bowl, but Dani did not mind. Not when it meant the yabby would get added into a spiced stew that made the kitchen smell so delightfully or better yet sizzled in oil after being put in a batter of tempura.
“Hey!Hey don't toss out the barbs!” Eris asked. Savage’s daughter always made sure to ask, as the Fortress’s up-and-coming poisons expert it was only natural she would want to collect samples.
“As long as you do not try and eat them” Starlight warned.
“Eat them!? Oh that’s silly I only apply the collected venom topically.”
Aster took apart the crabs with gusto. Curing the crabs got rid of the slightly venomous barbs on the pinchers. Eris gave Aster a disappointed look.
“You will have to rip the claws from my teeth,” Aster assured. Growing up alongside Adter, Eris knew that threat to be true. She still had scars from little Edika.
—
The Oppress sisters lay back after dinner. Danica patting her satisfied tummy, “Maybe we will catch a gator one day”
“Dad will wring my neck if I took you to catch a gator”
“And Buir will wish us all the luck”
“And Cress will weep over the gator.”
“And then wring our necks”
The sisters laughed, their voices ringing in the dark. Dathomir thrummed at the sound as slumber came.
It is traditional among the Dathomiri to have fat pots, the remnants from cookery scooped up into a vessel to aid in the betterment of the meal. For the carnivorous species it is a mainstay in the kitchens, even the shared ones where large roasts took place. When a Dathomiran took their own residence it was also custom for the family to provide a starter for the fat pot from their store, a small bit of home to take with them as they started on their own.
This would continue to be the case even with the Oppress clan, the plain pot sitting atop the counter brought forward next to a bright red counterpart. It has been a small joke, that Cress’s fat pot should resemble the namesake of the red Zabraks, a tomato. A tearful Cress accepted the gesture with a smile and a promise the first meal would be made using a bit of home.
Aster’s parting gift was in a decorative pot, resembling a scaled fish that made her laugh and then cry realizing that she was leaving home truly this time. Her first meal on Lothal is heartily cooked with home and a few more tears for salt.
Lastly there was Danica, the pot rounder than the others, pitted slightly to resemble an orange heavy in hand. Coruscant was a long ways off so extra was provided. Danica gave a tearful smile and held onto the pot with care. A bit of home.
Maybe some bantha stew, maybe some nydak steaks, something bittersweet but wonderful to open up her new home with.
“You aren't going to really use that are you?” her husband peered over her shoulder. Danica blinked in confusion, “ My Buir and Father always give one as a parting gift its tradition”
“It's archaic, come on Dani this is the city, civilization and I doubt any fat pots are used in any modern home. Come on, we will go out for our first night.” He closes up the fat pot. Danica opens her mouth to protest but finds her fight done.
“ You can use it another day, but for right now put it away”
The fat pot is placed in the cupboard behind the mugs and left.
----
Another day does not come and Danica is kindly reminded that the fat pot should be left alone. A gnawing feeling in her belly each time.
She wanted a bit of home.
---
That man had long left her behind, Danica had lost track of the weeks turned months. She was not his ideal no matter all his efforts and so he left. Danica huddled into herself and wanted to go home.
She smiled at the holovid at her buir and Father, and waved off another visit. She was too busy! It was not a good time, maybe the next time?
How was her studies?
A smile, at the top of her class of course…
A sour taste of the lie on her tongue.
----
Seilos reached into the cabinet for a set of mugs. Confused by the surface of one, he pulled out an orange pot. “Danica is this tea?”
The Zabrak rushed over to her lover’s side. A wave of joy overtaken by worry, “It’s nothing, just something my family gave me. A fat pot”
Seilos nodded, “ Oh I read up on those, since Zabraks are carnivorous the fat from cooking is used to help the dishes, makes them a real treat.”
Danica smiled at that, “ They do, you should taste how wonderful it is to add some to nydak.” Hope, small but shining bloomed, “ I can make us some so you can truly have some Dathormian cooking”
Her dear Seilos smiles, “I would love that.”
In her elation and joy the reality did not settle as she opened the jar.
A sourness in the air and both wrinkling their noses.
‘Another day’ had long passed due. The fat soured from disuse and with it the taste of home.
“Oh that’s unfortunate, I am sure we can…” it was all Seilos was able to express before Danica broke into sobs.
Home. She just wanted to taste a bit of home!
“It’s ruined! It’s all ruined!” she sobbed. She wanted to hurl the pot to the ground. Her parting gift into her new life that had brought her misery and aches to her hearts.
---
She settled down some time after, hiccuping in Seilos’s arms as he held her.
“I miss my buir, I miss my dad…I miss…”
She bit her tongue.
“Ava…”Seilos answers for her. No malice in his voice nor jealousy. Seilos knew his love for Danica would always be unmatched to the one she had for the boy she loved since childhood.
Home. Buir. Father and Ava…
“You should go see them…” He helped her pack, putting away clothes and a set of books for her to read on the shuttle.
“But then…” His heart was breaking but it was worse to see hers in shambles.
“They will be so happy to see you. Everyone….” he gives her a sad smile, “I think it's time to visit home..”
Dathomir was formidable, a harsh landscape with creatures deadly and awaiting.
There was however a beauty to it, from the red mountain ranges to the forests with rich foliage. There was also some hidden away places to seek more refuge.
Hidden among the caves, caverns that just opened up to the sky casting light upon the springs. It was an oasis of sorts, and known only to a few.
“Just a bit further.” The nightbrother lead on. His companion followed, careful about their steps as they followed the golden zabrak.
Their awe was clear. A hot spring, seemingly untouched…
“No one else had found it, that is wonderful news for us.”
Here they could explore and take all the time they wished.
The zabraks companion knelt down to touch the water, warmer than expected but still well enough to soak in.
A blush rising upon their face as they heard clothes being undone.
A brush of a hand to the back of their neck, “ Join me?” Wide eyed and watching as the zabrak stepped into the spring, his form before their eyes sinking down for a moment before rising again. The water droplets dripping did not help to settle their fluttering heart and tummy.
They followed suit, clothes being dropped upon the ground. Hands trying to cover up.
“There’s no need for that, it’s just us.” The zabraks eyes were hungry. A different sort of hungry. A different desire for flesh.
His companion stepped into the pool, slowly sinking in and rising again.
Another brush of a hand this time down their face and down to the curve of their hip.
“You look good enough to eat…”
“Savage….” His companion blushed more. “Then take a bite.”
——
They basked in the sun for some time after, letting the rays dry them for a short time. His companion was buzzed from the heat of water and what was done to them. Savage would await till they were rested before continuing the trek back.
“You’ll come again?”
His companion gave a sleepy nod, “ Each time you offer.”
Lis! Could you please bless us with “Why do you trust me” for Maul and Starlight???
Thank you! 💗💗💗
KATE!!! You very well know I can't resist these two and with such a phrase as well! Well now let me see because from many viewpoints Starlight should not trust someone like Maul. At first, they had no choice but then little by little well there is no one else she can trust as much despite it all...also let me know if you want a why Maul trusts Starlight...
"Why do you trust me?"
Maul x fem! Starlight
note: I went with why Starlight trusts Maul and there's a bit of bashing about New Mandalore...
He is confused how open Starlight is with him, to be honest Starlight herself is an enigma at times, but he would not deny that he was enraptured on how close she was to him and sought him out. Her eyes brighting when she spoke to him and he listened as she rambled on procedure, law and customs. "The ones from before" she liked to add. She always shared something from the past, a fact, a piece from the catacombs below, something she made for him like her buirs taught her.
Story after story, careful steps and lessons of a world that morphed in the past few decades.
"Why are you so keen on teaching me everything about Mandalore of before?" they are somehow working on some simple embroidery patterns Starlight had been taught by her buirs years and years ago.
"Like this.." he isn't sure why he followed along but Starlight had been so eager to show him.
Starlight's smile falters at the edges, " Do you mind it?"
Being taught fighting skills, told legends of old, taking Starlight back to her family home that she had "left" years ago. The small conversations she had with him after she placed slices of uj cake before them. Her encouragement when they practiced Mando'a. She was sharing her culture with him, one who had never been welcomed to one before at least not willingly.
"No it's just why do you trust me? Trust me with all this information about your clan? Your customs? " Was he not the infilatrator to her world? Holding it hostage and destroying it as the Nite Owls stated?
He is confounded by it...he should not be trusted. While he does not lie he does not act in a manner that should glean any hope for trust. Yet here...
Starlight opening a trunk locked away in her room, "My family's beskar...she wanted me to melt it down...it had no use in New Mandalore...I couldn't, I stated it was historical a reminder of what we need to avoid...its all I have left of my Clan..." the family home had been stripped clean of its weapons...its tapestries hand-embroidered by her clan. Starlight stared sadly at the ashes of the library. Histories....stories...all gone.
"Because you aren't erasing me...you don't tell me to stop talking about the past. You aren't forcing me to change my words. You aren't trying to destroy my memories...you don't expect me to change the color of my hair..." fit in, forget the past...burn the bad...while it may have been it was still part of them!
" I can be me..." she whispers. " and I can share with you what my clan taught me...what I was told to forget..I don't want to forget so I want to show you..."
You are my clan now...I have to share it with you. I don't want to remember this alone anymore...
He takes up the pieces of embroidery and places them in her hands, "Show me then, I want to help you. "
This little blurb is long overdue and thanks to @lovelyzabrak-meadow who was actually the one who provided this wonderful yet bitter sweet idea for Danica and Maul
Within the confined walls of the Fortress, there were no trespassers or unwanted eyes looking in. Deep in the hallowed out caves of the Fortress, he did not worry, this place was safe for him and his family.
Here little Aster could spin about to her hearts content and laugh as he held her small hands. Her small ballet shoes contrasting with the dark metal of his legs, not that he noted them here. Here in the Fortress, he did not focus on that aspect, and his little Aster just knew it was just how he was. Here Maul could dance with his little Aster and did not have to worry or hide away from other's gaze.
---
In comparison to the present as Danica watches from afar and hears the music from the village. She is as small as his Aster once was but stumbled and tripped on air. No matter to her she still wanted to play and dance to the tunes that floated in the desert air. Maul smiles as she does so, twirling about and giggling all the while. Carefree and not caring that she almost stumbled and fell. This was how Maul wished to have his youngest for always...he would do anything to always see her smile and happy.
"Daddy, dance with me!"
Here in the open not to far from passerby and others about, where people could stop and see.
"Danica." he starts quietly. No, not here, back in their safe home he would but... He can hear the creak of metal from his legs and is quite aware of the clatter and thump they make, more ungainly upon the soft sands.
The little Zabrak stops twirling and notes the look on his face, a flash of hesitation before resettling back to calm, " Daddy?"
He doesn't want Dani to have a dance with him, not here, not where he could be seen fully.
It had been more than 30 years ago and yet...
" I will have to owe you a dance my Danica." He stands upright and offers an apologetic smile.
Danica shakes her head, " Daddy it's okay." She carefully moves to stand on his metal feet as she has always done.
"Danica,"
She sways and smiles up at him, " I never fall when I dance with you. So it will be okay. You never let me slip or fall."
She has always had the ability to see something good in him, he finds each moment to be something of a universal wonder, that such a remarkable little person saw good in him and nothing lesser.
He smiles at Danica and starts to move, " You are right my little Star. Hold tight alright?"
She giggles and does so and dances on his feet. Not once or ever will he let Danica fall.
Okay…smaul being told terms of endearment by Starlight.
Little Maul being cared for and loved is what I thrive on
Adi’ka, cyar’ika, ka’ra.
They say them in a soft tone with a small smile. They also do the same with his name he has never heard his name said in such a way or with a smile in addition to it. To be honest it is most little Maul has heard his own name.
Apprentice. Boy. You. He had grown accustomed to that.
Maul. He learns is a word for an action to tear apart, it doesn’t sound like a name at all.
“Maul” a gentle voice and that small smile, “ Adi’ka would you like to visit the garden with me?” Starlight offers their hand.
He does not mind the meaning of his name, how could he when Starlight says it so kindly and with a smile.
“ What are the other words you say?” He asks as Starlight and him walk past the giant pond. Maybe he can go swim and chase a frog or two.
Adi’ka. Cyar’ika…ka’ra?
Starlight stops had they truly not told him? They sit by the pond and pat the space next to them. Little Maul sits down and listens.
“Adi’ka is my word for darling, cyar’ika for beloved. Ka’ra for stars.
“Oh.” Maul replies. There is quiet. “ What do those words mean?”
Starlight sighs softly…of course…of course Maul did not know. They ask if they may hold his hands and Maul let’s them as they explain.
“Darling is a word you use for someone who is very special to you. Very special and very wonderful. For me you are my darling. Beloved you might guess has love in it, and yes it does it’s a word you use for someone you love very much. And the last Ka’ra for Star, as you shine just as bright as the stars in the sky”
Little Maul looks confused, “ Those words? For me?”
Their heart breaks a bit, “ Yes Maul, for you.”
The little Zabrak smiles shyly, “ I like those words.”
“ They suite you Adi’ka, “ Starlight whispers. Maul moves his hands and wraps his arms around Starlight.
He likes the words. He likes the names. He likes his own now too…
“Now little Maul. How many frogs will you catch today?” The little Zabrak smiles and thinks.
“3!” He dashes away and into the pond and find the first catch.
“ Good work, my ka’ra”
——
There is another name Maul loves to hear as well, “ brother”
However this time it’s a slightly different tone. The little Zabrak pouts as Savage shakes his head, “ little Brother you are causing too much chaos today.”
“ I was only playing!” And broke a window or two…
Savage sighs, “ I know, but careful, “ he scratches between Maul’s horns, “ I don’t want you hurt, “
“ I’ll be safe.” He promises, he doesn’t want to upset his big brother.
“Little brother…” Savage again warns.
Maul can’t help but grin at the name, brother, even when Savage said it with slight annoyance Maul smiles. “ I promise.”
“ Good now go play carefully.”
Maul runs off smiling and waving to his brother. Savage waves back, “ Be safe….”
Short Savage and Angel blurb: Garden moments : butterfly 🦋
Savage helps Angel in their garden 🪴 , often with moving larger plants or reaching up to trim some leaves. Most recently a few new critters have made their way into the garden. They flutter and land on the roses and violets, their wings of orange and black. Angel is smiling up at Savage, “ They like you.”
A butterfly 🦋 has landed on his horns, still as can be and confused on why this bright yellow flower has no nectar, how odd it does smell of flowers…
Savage stays still and allows the small flyer to explore: “I suppose you aren’t the only one who thinks I’m a sunflower 🌻”
The butterfly gives up on this sunflower and flutters about landing on the flower crown Angel had chained together, the chamomile flowers may be small but they will do.
Savage nods in approval, “ Now it’s picked the nicest flower.”
Angel blushes, “ But it flew away from you.” The two feel their faces warm, just another moment in the garden.
