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As Sheer As Can Be

With @grievous-girl‘s Malanah and @lisipuska‘s Mok.

Words: 4578

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Mok wandered around his lavishly decorated Kaas City flat with its dim purple and red lights. He neither liked them bright nor needed them bright as Zabrak could see excellently in the dark. The man’s sheer robes swished around him as he crossed the room, tidying up and trying to get at least some of the cat fur off the upholstery.

This turned out to be a slightly more difficult task than he first realised as he had not one or two cats, but six. Three felinx, two nekarr, and a large whitefang. The latter, thankfully, usually stayed to one room and preferred to sprawl its large body on the cool marble floors than prance all over the couches and beds.

The Zabrak sighed to himself a bit and decided that he’d cleaned enough and casually levitated the lint roller out of the way and back onto a shelf. On the caf table in the den was a bottle of red wine to which he helped himself, and then picked up one of the felinx off the table with his free hand.

“Thousl, darling, I just cleaned your paw prints off of that,” Mok cooed at the feline, and then looked drowsily at the door when he heard a bell. Visitors? “Oh! Gracious, how could I forget?”

He looked between his wine and the felinx and just carried them both to the door, and then hit the button on the buzzer to permit his visitor to come up. Mok swore to himself quietly in Rattataki, and then set the cat on the floor and the wine glass on a shelf of a bookshelf nearest the door.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t a visitor he could greet in a sheer robe. Very unfortunate indeed. Mok sighed and made a short sprint to his bedroom and found a house robe to throw over himself. He might look extremely casual for a Sith Lord, but this was family. Well, sort of.

The Zabrak fixed his jet black hair quickly, and then returned to the door, reacquainting his wine glass with his prosthetic cybernetic hand, and waited patiently for the visitor to arrive.

Malanah had not the wardrobe she was used to have available to dress up, most of her nicer things packed away by now for her long trip, so the small woman wore a simple robe of black and red; a thin, swirling shawl wrapped around her head and shoulders to cover her head from the rain. Lucky that she did dress down though, the walk was quite long to get from one end of the city to another and she did not have to burden the temperance of heels.

Still her calves were burning as she reached the rather fancy building, the saving grace being the turbolift that would take her right to the floor she wished. “Oh, thank the Makers.” The long ride up gave Malanah the time she needed to catch her breath, calm and content as she arrived upon her destination. “Level 36… I feel like you can touch the clouds at this rate.” The Zabrak spoke to herself before stepping out to greet the door, fingers pressing on the bell.

She waited patiently, barely able to hear commotion inside, and so eventually opened the door; calling out softly. “Hello? Lord Sectus? It… It is Malanah.” It didn’t take long for her eyes to find him and she smiled softly. “Good day, My Lord.”

“Darling, just call me Mok,” the Lord said sweetly and waved a free hand towards the door. “Leave your shoes at the door, the floor was just recently cleaned.”

Mok then proceeded to the den adjacent to the foyer and sat himself down on one of the dark sofas, and then pulled his bare feet up and sipped at his wine. One, two cats jumped up onto the sofa to join him and Mok looked back towards the door and his guest. “Did you find the place all right, hon?” He asked.

“Yes, Lo-Mok.” Malanah followed after leaving her little slippers paired at the entrance, her own bear feet tapping carefully about as not to get tiny little footprints on the floor. Lucky the long skirts of her robe hid the nude skin, and thankful for it. She was embarrassed of her skin, even on her toes; or on the remaining toes at least.

She smiled wide at seeing the Cats, so much more tiny than Ragnarok waiting back home; bringing up fond memories of when her Manka was a kitten. At his relaxation she to sat down on the couch, unwrapping herself of her shawl and folded it at her side. “Yes, it was not hard to find even if it was a long walk, but I do not mind. Exercise is good.” Malanah gave a short nod before looking to the felines. “I didn’t take you for a cat person, Mok. Maybe birds. What are their names?”

“Birds?” Mok canted his head and let out a chuckle. “Goodness, no. Cats have always been my favourite. I have six in all, actually. This,” he said as he stroked one felinx under the chin, “is Thousl. He’s upset that I took his fur off the sofas. Well, most of it. And this is Xix.” The other felinx looked up at its name and let out a quiet peep of a meow before curling back up into a furry purring ball.

“Care for some wine? Or… Whatever it is you drink. Water? Is that a thing?” He laughed and took another sip from his glass. “Joking aside—you wanted to see me about something, Mal– Was it Malna?”

"…Ma-la-nah.” She said her name in chunks, letting them roll off her tongue in the small tone of her voice; a tender smile linger on the animals before she spoke again. “And no thank you, I do not require anything to drink.” She rummaged in her pocket for a moment, pulling out something but keeping it hidden in folded fingers.

Words and thoughts clashed at each other as Malanah gathered herself to speak. “I… I wanted to tell you that I’m going to be going away, for a long time. It’s… its rather important and personal, so I… I wished to try and… here.” The woman stood and held out the small treasure in her hand, it’s polished metal glittering about in the light of Mok’s den. “This is for you.” It was a traditional Zabrak horn ring, nothing too elegant about it; save the yellow diamond seated in the silver.

Metal fingers plucked the horn ring out from Malanah’s hand and Mok held it up for himself to see better. He set the wine glass down and looked the jewellery over curiously, not recognising its more specific origins, but he could tell it came from the Zabrak colonies; it wasn’t quite like traditional Iridonian jewellery.

“I’m assuming this was your mother’s?” He asked, turning to look at Malanah to gauge her reaction.

“No.” Malanah gave a little shake of her head, seeming very concentrated. “It is mine, one of the first pieces of jewellery I was given as a girl.” The woman sat back down, a little bit closer to Mok this time, so she too could look upon the ringlet. “It… it is the only thing from those days I can clearly remember, no matter how foul they were. I wished to make sure it was kept… in the family, should anything happen to me.”

Now it was her turn to gauge a reaction, sea-coloured eyes looking up to her estranged half-half-brother. “Will you mind holding onto it for me? You seem like the sort to keep his fashions in pristine conditions, heh.”

“Huh. Interesting,” Mok said and inspected the ringlet for a moment longer before smiling at Malanah. “I’ll keep it safe, hon, don’t you worry. If I can get in touch with my—our brother Jutt, I’ll have to catch him up on all of this.”

“Thank you, but I-… ” And out the window went the composure, tossed to the wind for a few seconds; eyes wide in mild shock. Our brother. Huh. Malanah had found Tooth’s own curiosities about family rather odd, as if the concept was completely foreign to him, and now that the table was turned to herself… she too was odd about the whole thing; to be included. So many standards were flipped a complete 180 at this point that Malanah really should have been better prepared by now.

"…Y-Yes, Thank you Mok.” Tan lips spread her smile wider, delight beaming from her aura like sunlight. “Knowing that he knows about me is… is very wonderful. Thank you.” Malanah settled back against the couch, gathering herself in a little relaxed ball. “Do you think… I am not sure where my troubles will lead me in the months to come, but do you think it would ever be possible to meet Jutt? I just… I think it would be very nice to meet him, as how it has been in meeting you.”

“I suppose it’s a possibility,” Mok said with a little shrug, but kept smiling sweetly and sincerely. “I’ll speak with him and let him know. If he’s interested in contacting you, then I’ll try and pass along some information, hm? I can’t say how soon that’d be, though. He very recently got a cybernetic leg to replace his bad one. He might be out for a while until he recovers from that. About time, though.”

The Sith caught himself in his rambling and turned to Malanah again, a tinge of concern on his tattooed and bejewelled face. “And you, then. Where are you off to? Somewhere exciting? Or sexy, hm?”

A blush threatened to scream to life as Mok asked his question, but it remained at bay as Malanah explained the dreary circumstances she was walking into; vague in some areas of course, for Tooth’s sake. She twiddled her thumbs as the words came out. “N-Not really ‘sexy’ per say, as more akin to a longing?” She shrugged at the incorrect wording, but moved on. “I… I meet a man, a small and odd little man, and I wish to be near him. But he has some issues in his past that block that bond form connecting, and I wish to help see him through these blocks; heal him in the end, if I can.”

Her gaze moved from Mok down to Thousl, a need to pet him growing. “This process will take me far into the outer rim, deep space, and more than likely there will be a pirate or two hounding us. I hope to save him, bring him… into my life and-… ” Malanah sighed, closing her eyes. “He needs a family, much like how I need a family; want one.” As the girl’s eyes reopened there was a subtle hint of tears. “I know it is silly, that I am silly, but I just… I… Forgive me.”

Malanah gave little sniffles and went to wipe her eyes. “I’m rambling and, Maker’s sake, I-I haven't been able to stop crying for three blasted days, heh!” She gave a short chuckle and shook her head. “So silly… so stupid.”

“So, you’re lovesick for this ‘odd’, as you put it, guy, and you think you can fix him and make everything better?” Mok looked up at the ceiling for a moment and then downed the remainder of his wine. “I’ll not judge you on that. I mean, I should. It sounds very irresponsible and pretty dangerous,” he shrugged, “but if that’s what you want to do, darling.”

“It is.” No more crying, Malanah chanted to herself again and again. No more crying. “Even in the irresponsibility and danger, it truly is. Heh, is it so different from finding out that one of your brothers is a Sith?” Another chuckle “Same dangers, a different dress. Hm… I-If the offer is still valid, I think I shall take that wine now.” Mok spoke critically, honestly, and in wisdom about precarious the undertaking was—but it was past beyond the point of caring. Wine would help wash down any of her worries.

“Oh yes, of course, darling,” Mok said and uncurled enough to reach over and pour her a glass, and then refill his own. He lifted a hand and levitated over a box of tissues from a nearby table as well and handed both to his guest. “By the way, might I have your frequency? Or any way to contact you? I’d like to pass that along to Jutt. Maybe you two could meet up.”

Mok was a smart man in bring over the box of tissues, the female reactively going to pluck her a few just in case… in case of things like his request. Oh that stupid chant would never work, not anymore! “O-Of course. Here, let me just-” The bundle of tissue in her hand was replaced by her holo, opening the frequencies to send Mok her contact information; a new number Malanah had picked up in the face of Meddie Vox knowing her old data.

“That would be… be wonderful to meet him. Perhaps when I am back from deep space, and if Jutt would wish it, we all three could meet? On… Nar Shaddaa maybe?” Mok had not said what exactly Jutt’s job was, only that he was not within the Empire, but Malanah could assume a neutral territory would make a safe place for all three; even if it wasn’t the best location for meeting new family.

Mok nodded and checked over his datapad, seeing Malanah’s information in there. “Nar Shaddaa is just fine. I’ve met with Jutt fairly recently there. Twice now, actually. Although the last time, I convinced him to cut off his leg,” he chuckles. Ah, inside jokes that weren’t exactly jokes.

This was not the first time her brother mentioned Jutt’s cybernetics, and Mok seemed very comfortable within his own; and she wanted to be part of that. Shyly Malanah moved a single finger to the trim of her skirt, pulling back the fabric just barely with a small, nervous giggle. “T-Then we all match.” There, peeking out from the red dress, were three tiny cybernetic toes on her right foot and two of the same kind on her left. They were not necessity to replace like legs or arms, but back in the day Malanah wanted to feel… whole; normal. “In one way or another.”

The other Zabrak leaned over a little to have a better look, and smiled, and said, “Aren’t those cute! Were you missing the toes already, or…” Mok paused in his speech and sat up, covering his mouth. “Oh stars, that probably sounded rude. I’m sorry, darling.” He patted Malanah gently on the shoulder before continuing. “You see, I was born without hands. I used various crude prosthetics until my parents sent me here where I got nice sets I could actually do things with. Jutt has—had a deformed leg until just recently. Zabrak stubbornness at its worst!”

“It's fine, Mok. Don’t worry. As for the stubbornness… my… my old Master said I had a stake of stubbornness in me somewhere, and he would beat it out of me every day in trying to be rid of it.” Silvania and Chemrinth knew first-hand the atrocities inflicted on her, and Sueran knew via acquaintanceship, but not another soul knew just how low Malanah’s life dove. Tooth would come to know in time, but telling him would be different than telling Mok. Mok had the mental capacity and attentiveness to understand… it was time to tell her tale; and with Mok, if she died, the story could live on.

“I was born malnourished and a runt, and I was told my toes were cut away because they were unsalvageable. I… I had also been told that I was meant to be born that way, and my mother just a shell that was tossed away to greet death just after I was born; a sick experiment to make the perfect slave. But now… I see that maybe my physical issues and bad health may be in line to our shared genetics, not some experiment. Do… do you think the Sith lied about my Mother too? I mean, is she alive? Would Jutt know?”

“Sith lie all the time. It’s like breathing for some,” Mok smiled gently and reassuringly. “You can be sure I’m being sincere, though, darling. It would be very pointless for me to sit here and spew banthashit at you, except in the case where it’s for my own protection, or whatever. Anyway, I’m not at work.” He chuckled and took a long sip of his wine while mulling over the information Malanah had just told him.

“Unfortunately, I have no idea if Jutt’s mother is still around. I never met her,” he continued. “His parents were slaves and, I assume, were bred to have Jutt. Our father was freed for giving his son up, but Jutt’s mother, I guess, was not. And I wasn’t born into slavery. Our father had me with his Rattataki wife almost two decades later, but he gave me up to the Sith hoping that I would have a better life in the Empire than in the poverty they were living with.

“I have been back to Rattatak multiple times though,” Mok said and pointed at his tattoos, piercings and jewellery. “I received my clan tattoos and traditional Rattataki piercings. The horn ringlets were made by Zabrak artisans there in the small free colony.” He sat back on the sofa and took another sip from his glass. “I’ll definitely have to ask Jutt about his mother, though.”

“T-Thank you Mok, for all of this; your truth, your… acceptance.” And up went the tissues to her eyes, followed quickly by the wine glass to her lips; not before however she popped the small red pill. It was gone with two huge chugs of the wine, not even flinching as the alcohol burned all the way down. It took a moment for Malanah to find her centre again, but when she did the same endearing grin returned as well. “I’m sure my thanks might get a tad trifling at this rate, I’m a bloody mess. W-What is Jutt like? C-Can’t imagine he wallows like I do, heh.”

“Oh, hm,” Mok tapped a metal finger against his chin as he thought. “He’s like me but taller, frowns more, and isn’t nearly as handsome.”

“Huh… If you are the handsome one and I am the cute one,” Malanah smirked, taking the tip of her glass to her lips once more “, that must mean Jutt is the average looker. I’ve heard that's customary in sibling groups of three?” It felt relaxing to toss a joke every now and then, and with Mok it was so easy to let one rip; even if it wasn’t knee-slapping-worthy. “May I have some more, please?” She tipped the empty glass to the bottle, not sure how much Mok wanted to save the wine for later.

“Of course, darling.” The Sith reached over the bottle again and topped her off, and then himself as if he hadn’t enough to drink. “Oh, I think Jutt’s pretty good-looking,” he smirked, “and you are a precious little thing. Like a doll.”

“Thank you. As long as some little girl doesn't try to carry me around and doesn't attempt dress me in ridiculously pink fashions, I rather like the idea of being doll-like.” The hum of her chuckle was muffled in the wine, half gone in another huge take. “And cutting off my hair would not be allowed—you cannot believe how many dolls I have seen while working in children’s wards that have all their hair lopped off to its gnarly root! The poor little things.” And down went the final half of the second glass, and Malanah’s words were slightly slurred. Had it been so long since she had a hard wine to drink? “Do you… perhaps have a picture of Jutt? I-I know it is too much to ask, but I find myself even more curious now.”

“Savour your drink, darling. If you’re thirsty, I have water,” Mok said, and then shook his head. “I don’t have a holo of him, unfortunately.”

“Ah, well… maybe if we shall all meet up, we can all have a picture together. Something… something to remember each other by. Where is your kitchen?” Malanah rose with her empty glass in hand, aiming to go get herself some water on Mok’s request.

“Oh, down the hall and to your left.” Mok pointed with his free hand as he spoke. “It looks like a kitchen, so you can’t miss it.”

“Thank you.” Malanah was quick to draw out water from the Kitchen’s appliances, downing a full glass and going in for a refill. That helped greatly, coming back to sit with Mok upon his couch. “So… Do you think what we are is terribly odd? I’m not sure how exactly this could all work, and it just carries the air of an oddity to me. Do you think others have had such happenings befall them before?”

Mok blinked at Malanah’s question and stared at her for a moment before asking, “Do you often start questioning existential matters when you drink?”

“I am unsure. Do people start questioning existential matters when they drink?” She reversed the question, a warm and happy smile melting over her expression.

“I suppose some do,” the other Zabrak said and sipped the remainder of his wine. He eyed the bottle but decided that he’d had enough, for now at least. “You had better not get yourself killed out there in deep space, darling.”

“I shall try not to. Honestly, I shall try.” Malanah rested her head backwards onto the soft couch, nuzzling into the fabric as her eyes closed. “But… my friend’s issue is very steep and it would not be hard to fall down that slope. I will do everything in my power to make sure neither he nor I will-” Wait, Mok was worried? She looked back to her brother, tenderness stuck in that gaze. "…Would you come for me, should something happen?”

Mok canted his head to one side and then the other as he pondered this. He already knew the answer, but he also knew that Malanah wouldn’t like it very much, yet he couldn’t sit there in silence for too long, either, or she’d know it either way. “I don’t believe I would be able to with you leaving the Empire. Rather unheard of without getting executed.”

In turn Malanah canted her head, blinking a few times. “It would be considered… leaving the Empire?” She never thought of it that way, and it drew a great pause to her chest.

Mok was right, she would be leaving the Empire—perhaps not in spirit since she had been raised here, but physically she would be going away; out a far from Imperial reaches. And it wasn’t like the time where Tooth smuggled her onto Ord Mantell, because even then she was an imperial hidden under a Republic rouse. Not this time. This time she was going out into the world to be herself, to be Malanah. To be Free. "…I am sorry that you will be alone here.” The tenderness turned to sorrow, looking away from Mok and down to the ground. “Had I meet you before, how different things could have been. We could have had more time. We could have been together longer.”

“Don’t worry yourself over me, darling. I’m not alone here in the slightest,” Mok said with a warm smile. “I’ve got myself the non-traditional sort of family here, and a lot of very expensive clothes.”

“True enough.” Malanah had Silvania and Sueran, even Chemrinth, as extended family; and in that bond she never felt alone. Even in Tooth joining that pact she was not alone. Of course Mok would have the same bonds with others, like the Mistress Xiaan, and in thinking that she felt at ease for Mok’s wellbeing. “Forgive me. Recently my mind goes to dark places, so it is good to know you shall be encompassed in comforting ways… I must sound like an overprotective mother.” The sister gave a short laugh and sipped from her water.

“Ha! Just a little bit,” Mok laughed and patted Malanah on the shoulder again. “You have a big heart, darling, just don’t let anyone take advantage of it.”

Nylix had said the same, long ago, and Malanah sighed softly in contentment. “I shall do my best. Hm… ‘Do not go gentle into that good night, old age should burn and rave at close of day; rage, rage against the dying of the light.’” Another drink from the glass drained all the water and left Malanah with that same emptiness, however it was not a sad emptiness. It was comfortable, a void that was ready to finally be filled with something better in life.

“Heh, well I think perhaps I have bored you enough with my bearings?” She rose, straightening her skirts and setting her glass next to the wine bottle. “Thank you for the wine and the talks. It has been an honest delight to be here with you… naked feet and all.” Those little toes of hers wiggled as she giggled lightly.

Mok rose to his feet and straightened and adjusted his own robes, mostly so he didn’t accidentally flash her. “It was a pleasure to have you over, darling. You have my frequency, yes? You’re welcome to holo me whenever you like.”

“Yes and thank you. If you it interests you, I can be sure to send progress on my adventures in deep space? I might have a story or two to tell along the way.” She smiled and walked by his side as they returned to the front door, slipping on her flats once more.

“Oh, that would be quite interesting! And do tell me about any gorgeous men that you meet gallivanting around the galaxy.” Mok chuckled and held his arms out for an embrace.

At first she just looked at him, up and down, peering from one arm to the next. First Tooth, now Mok—save this time she would be given the chance to hug back before a departure. Malanah’s eyes were teary as she held Mok, her small form tucking around him as the siblings embraced. She didn’t want to ever lose this family feeling, not when she had just truly discovered it. “This isn’t goodbye. I… I don’t want it to be goodbye.”

Mok gave his small sister a little squeeze and patted her head gently—where there weren’t horns, of course. “I’ll see you again, darling. And I’ll pass your information along to our brother. Hopefully, you’ll be able to meet him and find out more about your family.”

“Our family.” She corrected him, not in a factually sense mind you—she just wanted Mok to feel included in it. After all, without him Malanah would have been in the dark about her past till the end of her days. For that she was eternally grateful. “And again, thank you. Ha-Have a good rest of your day.” Malanah nodded with the same bright smile set to her expression, waved, and then turned away and out the door before another tear could fall.

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