When Aygo told her about a potential Killik army willing to meet with them on Alderaan, she was in her ship immediately, getting the rest of the debriefing once they’d cleared Odessen.
“Who is the emissary, Aygo? Who?”
“I’m sorry Commander, but I don’t know. The Killiks are probably scared to reveal them, should it go south. The message was sent in Imperial common, however.”
Vector. Please, for the love of whatever good is left in this universe, let it be Vector.
Her veins were thrumming, an energy coursing through her that she hadn’t felt in months. Not even at the worst of everything was she this impatient, pacing the bridge of the ship while they headed at the fastest speed they could to Alderaan. Finally, finally, they landed, and she just ran. Jiriata had been through a great deal of situations that had her running from one location to another, but none of them ever felt like this before. She ran through the spaceport, into the city and burst into house Thul, rushing past the guards and leaving her companions to explain things.
She skidding into the room, her eyes wide as she scanned for any sign of him. Seeing only larvae and eggs, she briefly felt her heart drop.
“After so many years, we didn’t know if your aura would remain the same.” The tone shifted then, a hint of warm humor coming through. “But it still feels like home.”
“Vector!”
“It is good to hear your song again, agent.”
No. None of that ‘agent’ business. Reaching for his cloak, she pulled herself towards him and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. With her face buried in his chest, she wasn’t even sure if he could hear her. She’d forgotten how warm he was. Oh, she could just cry. “I didn’t know if you’d ever find your way back to me. If you were even alive.”
“We are here now. We are sorry it took us so long.” His hand came up, running along her hair gently, the other arm coming around to curl around her waist as he drew her to him. “We searched for you endlessly, through the eyes of the entire nest. Then the Eternal Fleet attacked, and the Sith Empire conscripted the killiks to join the fight.”
Her eyes widened at that, raising her head to look up at him. But for once, he wasn’t meeting her gaze. Despite the lack of pupils, it was always obvious to her when he was truly looking at her. Just then, he was lost in memories that haunted him. He took a step back, and she reluctantly released him.
“They sent us to the worst battles; sacrificed us as cannon fodder. So many of us were slaughtered. We felt every light blink out.”
Oh, force. What had Vector been through? She brought a hand up, hesitating only briefly as she settled her hand upon his cheek. “I can’t imagine how hard that must’ve been for you.”
He leaned into it, visibly saddened over it all. “We still feel their absence - we must protect what is left.”
It was a sentiment she understood all too well. She was about to say so when his gaze moved to meet hers once more, and she watched as resolution came over him. “We’re ending our agreement with the Empire to pledge our loyalty to you. From now on, the killiks will fight for the Alliance. For you.” His gaze softened then, became uncertain. She saw him sway slightly as he shifted on his feet. “And... we want to return to your side, agent. Without you, we are empty.” She parted her lips to reply, but he turned away, continuing his tale. “When you disappeared, the nest limited our connection to them. They couldn’t bear to experience losing you.”
Oh, her heart. Vector was alone. Truly alone. Feeling the death of those he had always tried to protect, and sharing in none of the harmonies and songs that being of the hive mind had always seemed to provide for him. “Vector...”
“Hearing your song again, it’s as through we’ve awoken from a nightmare,” he admitted, returning to face her as he drew close. Closer. Electrifying close. He swayed a little, that slight rocking motion that his upper body did when it was him and her, alone in the world. “We want to come home, Jiri. We... I... love you.”
As much as she wanted to grab him and kiss him, she had to remind herself that he needed to hear it. He had always been about words. “Your home is always with me, Vector. I never stopped loving you.”
“It is... difficult to describe how this makes us feel.” He didn’t stop his swaying posturing, almost as if he were encircling her without moving an inch on his feet.
She smiled then, broadly, amused that she had been proven wrong so quickly. Taking an agonizingly slow step forward, she lifted her chin slightly. “Then maybe you should show me.”
“As you wish.” They both moved then, moving towards one another naturally as their lips came together for the first time in six years. Slow, tender, and full of an adoration that she didn’t realize she’d missed as much as she had.
She was whole again.
“Now our future can finally be written. A new song begins, Acushla. We look forward to hearing its opening verse.”
4/10 - Do not recommend. She’s charming and usually smiling, but don’t surprise her with physical contact. She’s warming up to it though, and she loves cuddles from Theron. Which is convenient for him, because she’s quite warm! But she doesn’t need to be curled up against him to fall asleep. It’s just nicer that way.
Breanna
9/10 - If you’re not careful, Breanna will jump on your back for a piggyback ride while walking around Odessen. She’s also prone to shoulder bumps, arms slung over people’s shoulders, or even the occasional shoulder massage if someone looks particularly tense (in increasing level of familiarity). She’s all about physical contact, so she’s gotta have one of her boys in bed with her come the sleeping hour (both is preferred, though). She has a hard time sleeping when they’re not around.
Jiriata
3/10, initially - Would rather you didn’t, thanks. But when she discovers how very warm Vector is, she’s all about it. When they’re apart, she has a very hard time sleeping, actually, because he’s such a comforting presence. When she hooks up with Theron, it’s initially just for convenience - he’s much cooler to the touch than Vector is, but warmer than her (For the record, I haven’t decided yet if she stays with Theron after Vector comes back. I’m on the fence about it).
Raexya
1/10 - No. Quinn sleeps on his side of the bed, and she sleeps on her side.
Vamien
7/10 - He’s completely not used to it, at first. Jedi are so insular, that physical contact is not something they often participate in. With Doc and Kira being his initial sources of physical contact (not romantically, just the idea of camaraderie), Vamien started to warm up to the idea. By the time he got to Theron, he realized how much he enjoyed being the big spoon at night... but sometimes he lets Theron be the big spoon, instead.
Morning waking at Vector’s side was something she was still getting used to, but she had to admit that it was a welcome change. He anchored her remarkably well, and with all the nightmares recently, having a warm comfort nearby was a welcome change.
And he certainly was warm. She savored it, the feeling of him pressed against her. He seemed to enjoy it as well, her cooler temperature a relief against him. Even on nights when his arms were not wrapped around her, he at least had his back pressed against her own. On the nights that she woke suddenly, it was always him that brought her back to reality.
Sleeping truly was so much easier when Vector was there.
But some habits were a touch stranger to get used to... but she couldn’t say she minded.
She was just starting to stir awake when Vector seemed to draw up against her, nuzzling her neckline lightly as he drew her in. Still largely asleep, she brought her hand up to run through his hair, sending it askew as her fingers ran through the raven strands. Pheromones, he told her, and the neck was one of the most easily accessible release points for them. The first time he had explained it to her, she rationalized it as a morning kiss; he didn’t disagree with the assessment.
"Good morning, Vector.” He hummed softly, pressing his forehead against the curve of her neck, leaving her sighing contently as her fingers tightened slightly in his hair. “Someone is affectionate today.”
“You slept well and seem well rested. It pleases us when you have a good night.”
“Because you can then treat me impeccably well come morning?”
His laugh was warm, just like his breath was against her skin. “If you are amiable to it, Jiri, we would savor the chance to wake you properly.”
“Well then, it is rather difficult to say no to that, now isn’t it?”
Jiri is unreadable at pazaak. Even Gault has difficulty playing, because she doesn’t stick to one technique or style. Lana refuses to play with her anymore, and Theron is convinced that he can beat her.
He hasn’t.
He had to run across the base in his skivvies once, because she trounced him so thoroughly.
She is very logical, so it’s her morality more than her emotion that comes into play. She will never hurt children. But, big picture, if it is not to the benefit of the Empire, she will not follow orders, changing them so that they do.
She never did bow to the Sith Council members, as she has never felt that she serves them - she serves the Empire, and has always felt that the Sith only make things worse before they make things better.
This is only exacerbated, post-SIS infiltration. She’s furious at the Dark Council for ordering that of the now-Minister, and is quite content to let things backfire on them --- and often will work in a fashion contrary to what they want of her. Kill the crew so no one knows the story of what happened? She saved the crew, as they had been through quite enough, thank you.
7 - Their tickle spots
She’s never been close enough to anyone to find out. One day, Vector finds out quite by accident that the bottom of her feet are outrageously ticklish.
15 - What it takes to make them cry
A lot. Like, the physical pain must be immense. But there was one time that she broke down in the Phantom, in the worst of the brainwashing fiasco, convinced that there would never be a way out and that she would be the SIS’ puppet for eternity.
