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Estelle crossed her arms and frowned. “Okay, that’s so not fair!”
Shiloh lowered her arms and mimicked her wife, though she didn’t even look at Estelle to realize she was copying her. “I’ve been trying to reach him for, like, five minutes.”
“It's called force aunties.” he chuckled
group
Estelle rolled her eyes. “Yeah well, that’s not something we do.”
Shiloh reached up and massaged her own shoulder lightly. “Damn, that ceiling is deceptively high,” she muttered.
Hiro laughed softly
Winter and Elias had just watched the whole thing unfold, with wide eyes. They looked at each other and struggled to contain their laughter.
“Alright you two. You can come down now. Frost if your father can’t reach you, don’t think that you’re safe, I will get the broom again. Hiro, you can get down well enough. And dear Estelle and Shiloh. To be honest I forgot he could do that. He hasn’t done that in a while. Now, we know he can do this, and he’s done it before, but he can dream walk. If he really really wants to mess with you you’ll see him in your dreams causing absolute havoc. Speaking of which, Estelle, have you tried to dream walk? And Shiloh can you dream walk? I know some Twi-Leks can.”
Elias sighed and reached for Frost. He grabbed a skinny ankle and pulled Frost down. As Frost was coming down from the ceiling, he was squealing and laughing in delight.
Hiro chuckled and dropped himself, as he did, his saber dropped from his belt
Winter looked at the saber on the ground.
“Interesting. Did you find this, or has this been in your family? Either way, when we get to Coruscant, we can look in the archives for saber builds, and find out whose it was. And I know you might panic over Frost accidentally finding the saber, but don’t worry, we have some too. They were gifts from the senate to us, from Leia’s brother. Frost has one. Although he’s not old enough to wield it, he gets the chance to ignite it now and again. However we keep them away, and we rarely use them. We don’t even carry them. To us, they’re just decoration. Although we should probably start carrying them. Speaking of which, Estelle and Shiloh, you have sabers too, they’re just on Coruscant. As for what Leia has told me, Estelle’s is made with a kyber crystal, while Shiloh has had one made by the Mandalorians. According to the senatorial body from Mandalore, they only make sabers for people who excel in combat, and were willing to give everything up for family. And Shiloh caught their attention. As for what it is made of, I can only assume beskar, but the Mandalorians are full of surprises. And they honor Shiloh and Estelle.”
Elias smiled.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they asked Estelle and Shiloh to be Mando royalty. They respect them. And every Mando we’ve come in contact with adores Frost. He’s just popular with most everyone.”
Hiro turned his head “remember the first memory…” He said softly, tears pricking at his eyes. Hiro's body shook as he tried to regain himself. He shook his head, leaving the room before hed showed too much emotion, even if frost could see it.
Hiro had found a solemn hall, staying in the corner as his mind relapsed on the memory. The saber coming down, the screams of his people as blasters fired. He was too small he was helpless.
Seconds passing felt like hours, and someone had put the saber that took his family into his hands, they told him to run.
His mind had shut down, he was running on instinct.
What the kid today didn't know, hed left his saber in the other room and the hall he was trying to hide in was filled with pure black clouds
Elias lightly smacked Winter on the shoulder.
“Hun, I know your mind is spotty after dream walking but I didn’t know it was that spotty. That was insensitive…”
Winter grimaced.
“Yeah. That was kind of Insensitive. Let me go talk to him. Frost, stay here with your father.”
Winter turned to go out into the hall and saw Hiro had left his saber. She gently picked it up. As she walked down the corridor she examined the saber more closely. It was a very fine build, and very ornate. It was very regal, as if it had once belonged to a temple guard, or someone very close to the high council.
When Winter looked up, she saw black clouds had filled the corridor. She gently stuck her arm out and walked through the clouds until she reached Hiro.
“Hey… I’m sorry Hiro. I was really insensitive. Sometimes I don’t remember things after I dreamwalk. But that should have stayed. Here. You left your saber on the table. It’s a very fine build. Only the finest could have wielded this blade.”
She handed Hiro the saber, and reached out to Hiro.
“If you need to let it all out, I’m here.”
Hiro was crying, his mouth leaking blackened clouds. “Dad.. He protected the Mandalorian queen..”
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Estelle tilted her head and pursed her lips in thought while Shiloh came around behind her to drape an arm over her wife's shoulders. "No, neither of us can dream walk," the Twi'lek answered for both her and her partner. "And please don't teach her how, or I'll never get a decent night's rest again."
Estelle elbowed her and shook her head, but she immediately perked up at the mention of their sabers. "Really? A gift from Leia?"
Shiloh's eyes narrowed slightly. "You would cheat on me with her in a heartbeat, wouldn't you?"
"No! Of course not!" Estelle whined, clinging slightly to her partner's arm.
Shiloh glanced at Elias when Winter followed after Hiro. "What's going on?" she asked quietly. Estelle's naturally playful expression turned solemn.
Elias rubbed the back of his neck and sighed heavily.
“While we were dream walking, we saw what happened to Hiro’s parents. They were executed, very much like some of your people, Shiloh. And then we saw Hiro’s saber, and I know Win’s memory is all messed up after she dream walks, and that’s why she rarely does it, but she didn’t remember what had happened to Hiro’s parents and asked about the saber, and who it belonged to. which was insensitive because we knew what happened and what he just had to re experience. After Win realized, she looked at me, and you know her, she has to go make it right. All we can do is wait and see what happens.”
Winter pulled Hiro closer and embraced him in a hug.
“I understand now… Technically by birthright, you are Mandalorian then. Whether you realize it or not, things just got a little bit more complicated. When we get to Coruscant and your lineage is revealed, you’ll have a choice to make. I know your people would love for you to come back to them, but you also have a home here with us. The choice will be yours, and only you can make it. And always know whatever choice you make, is the right one for you, and we will support you through it, no matter what. Okay?”
Frost had looked around and seen emotional turmoil. He didn’t quite understand, but he knew it didn’t feel right. He reached up to Elias, with tears coming out of his little eyes
“Ada…”
Elias jerked his head towards his son and had never picked him up faster. He wrapped his arms around his son and laid his head on his.
“What’s wrong bud? Do you feel bad? Does your stomach hurt?”
Frost shook his head.
“It’s too much for my brain. It hurts.”
Elias’ eyes widened.
“Okay bud, hold on tight to me. It’ll ease up shortly. Let Ama and Hiro talk. You have me and Auntie Estelle and Auntie Shiloh. We can do something while we wait. Is that okay?”
Frost nodded his head, still buried in Elias’ shoulder.
Elias mouthed to Estelle and Shiloh.
“He’s having an emotional overload. This happens occasionally…”
Hiro held on tight to winter “ you guys will always be my home..” he whispered, feeling frosts over emotional overload. “Frost..” he said worriedly
Winter hugged Hiro tightly.
“Aw Hiro… We’ll always be here.”
Winter’s head snapped back towards where Frost was. She relaxed.
“Don’t worry about Frost. Elias has him. All we have to do is relax, release all of our built up stress, and breathe. We have to calm down. In turn, Frost will calm down and everyone will be back to normal, and we’ll be incredibly close to Coruscant…”
Hiro nodded, his breath starting to lighten in color, “ I miss them..”
Winter hugged Hiro tighter.
“I know. I miss my parents too. I miss a lot. But that’s okay. I rebuilt it here, as best as I could. With my new family. Which is wild if you ask me. Never in a million year would I have ever thought meeting Elias on a tundra and then heading to a little cantina where we met a man with a droid and a trigger happy twi-lek, and we rescued a melted Hothian, who inadvertently fell head over heels for the trigger happy twi-lek, then our fearless captain found his family, left with his droid, and it was the four of us, tackling the galaxy, would lead me here. And look at us now. We’ve added two more. One by blood, and you Hiro, by choice. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Hiro grabbed his saber, looking at the bloodstained metal. “Then I am home..” he said softly, the cloud completely dissipating
Winter smiled.
“Well then, welcome home. And if the blood stains in the metal bother you, we can see if Leia’s brother can get them out. Come on. Let’s go back to the kitchen and see how Frost is faring.”
Hiro nodded slightly, ready to go see his new little brother
“Frost, I'm sorry buddy..” he whispered, getting close enough to frost for him to hear the whisper but also keeping his distance
Frost picked his head up and reached for Hiro, to check and see if he was okay.
Hiro let frost grab his hand, and rest his forehead on the others “I'm alright little brother.” he said softly.
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Shiloh blinked quickly and wrapped her arms around herself as Elias mentioned what they had seen in Hiro's dream. She kept thinking of her own past, her own people, her own memories…
Estelle quickly touched Shiloh's arm, recognizing her wife's behavior. "Ma sareen," she whispered. "Ma sareen…" She wrapped her arms gently around her partner and began speaking to her in soft Twi'leki. It was quiet and slightly fast-paced since Estelle had become fluent since she married Shiloh, but if one listened closely, there were several words Estelle continued to repeat as necessary. Numa and nerra. Sister and brother.
Frost giggled when Hiro put his head against his and Elias sighed in relief.
He looked over at Estelle and Shiloh. He spoke softly.
“Alright. We’re just about 45 minutes away from Coruscant. So that means we have to start getting ready.”
Winter groaned.
“Good stars above I hate the royal and senatorial garb. Elias, I know we have extra articles of clothing and extra bits and pieces of ceremonial armor lying around. Find them and put them on Hiro. So he at least kind of looks like us.”
Elias gently set Frost down, but held onto his shoulders so he couldn’t run away.
“I will look for the extra pieces Win. And as for you little man,”
Frost struggled and tried to run.
“You have to go put on the princely uniform from Hoth. If we have to wear the clothes, so do you.”
Frost started to scream.
“Noooooo! I don’t want to put on the itchy clothes, I don’t want to look fancy!”
Elias sighed and picked up Frost again, and threw him over his shoulder.
“Come on Hiro. Let’s go get ready. And let’s go to war. This one here is going to battle us tooth and nail to not wear his princely uniform.”
Winter rolled her eyes and looked over at Estelle and Shiloh.
“Do you guys have everything you need for our arrival to Coruscant? I have extra clothes and capes if you guys need it.”
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(Their ships are docked together, aren't they? Just to clarify lol)
Hiro chuckled “frost, if you wear your uniform, I'll carry you on my shoulders. “He said bargaining. To be honest, hiro was scared to even get to the place. He was scared to find his lineage and relive the past.
(Their ships are docked together, aren't they? Just to clarify lol)
(Yes!)
Frost stopped struggling, and looked at Hiro.
“That’s a deal if you wear itchy clothes too. And if you look cool.”
Winter looked at Elias.
“That sounds like a fantastic deal to me. Elias, take the boys to the back and dress them up.”
Hiro laughed softly and agreed to the deal. At that moment it was something to get his mind off the terrorizing thoughts of finding home
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At Winter's question, Estelle murmured something in her wife's ear, and Shiloh nodded her agreement. Estelle then nuzzled Shiloh's cheek with her nose before lightly kissing the spot and looking over at the Hothians. "Thanks, Win, but we have clothes on our ship," she answered for the both of them.
Shiloh offered a small smile, still struggling to clear her mind.
"Chini, ma sareen," Estelle prompted, taking Shiloh's hand to lead her toward the air dock between the two ships. "Wachamio!"
The blue-skinned Twi'lek followed her partner, glad to have the connection of their hands keeping her momentarily grounded. She didn't want to spiral in front of Winter, Elias, and Hiro. And definitely not Frost. The boy was overwhelmed as it was.
“Alright you two. See you in about 40 minutes, before we touchdown.”
As they walked away Winter ran her hands through her hair and sighed. She walked back to the room that contained all of the senatorial garb that she had been given. She looked over all of what was there. She picked up the most recent clothes that had been made. They were deep blue, embroidered with silver thread and heavily decorated with ornate symbols that had been dug out of history books about Hoth. She picked up the ornate silver breast plate that went over the front of the shirt and examined it. It was far too fancy for her liking, but she had to wear it to impress senators and people alike. She slipped on the ornate shirt and put on the more ornate breastplate. She sighed as she picked up the lower portion of the outfit. It was a skirt that matched the top, but the embroidery became finer and finer as the skirt fell right below her kneecaps. She slipped on the brown boots that had been stitched with silver and stood up. She put on silver armor that sat around her waist, that had a place for a light saber. And for the final effect, she picked up the most ornate and decorated piece of all. A cape made from fabric that matched the skirt and shirt that had been stitched and inlaid with silver. She attached it to the breast plate and looked in the mirror. She hardly recognized herself. A commotion brought her attention to the back room of the ship.
“I won’t put the clothes on! I won’t do it!”
Winter walked back and opened the door. Elias was wearing the same outfit that had been made for him that looked exactly like hers, but instead of a skirt, he had pants. Hiro was wearing an older version that was silver and embroidered and inlaid with blue, with a blue breastplate and waist armor, and he had been given a silver helmet that had a blue plume coming from the top. His cape laid in a chair. But on the bed stood Frost, in nothing but his underwear giving his father and Hiro a hard time. Elias was struggling.
“Frost son put the clothes on. Right now. Come on. You match me. Please son. Even Hiro has the clothes on.”
Frost squealed with laughter.
“I will not! You will have to catch me!”
Elias groaned. And Winter cleared her throat. Elias looked at her and Frost froze. She put her hands on her hips.
“Frost. Clothes. Put them on. Right now. Or stars help you if I count to three.”
Frost scrambled to Elias to reached for the shirt. He whispered.
“Ada I want the shirt on, Ama is scary when she’s mad…”
Elias nodded and put the shirt on, and Frost put his pants and boots on. Elias put his little breastplate and armor around his waist on, and attached his cape. He sighed in relief and looked at Winter.
“Thank you hun.”
“No problem love. Now Hiro, are you as comfortable as you can be in that?”
(Whew that was a lot…..)
