Private A Day in the Life || Kayte

[Aether Verd]

Assets: Beskar'gam | Basilisk
Darksaber | Resolute Dawn​

HOUSE VERD ESTATE, MANDALORE

The fortress of House Verd breathed with the hum of power and purpose, each corridor alive with the rhythm of Mandalore itself. Within those walls, Aether Verd had become accustomed to the steady thrum of systems operating as they should, a quiet symphony that allowed him to focus on leading his people. It was why the silence where sound should have been caught his attention with such certainty.

The shield generator that protected the estate’s landing pads had gone dark. A simple fault, but one that threatened to become something far worse if left unattended. The forecast for the coming cycle promised a storm that would scour the plains, a rolling wave of dust and sand that would bury the landing platforms beneath a suffocating blanket if the shield remained inoperable. It would not bring down the fortress, but it would cost time, effort, and credits to clear away the damage once the skies settled again.

The easy choice would have been to issue a command to the Great Heathen Army’s engineers. They could have resolved the matter swiftly, and none would have questioned the wisdom in ensuring the fortress remained clear and operational. Yet Aether knew the difference between necessity and convenience, between duty and indulgence. This was not a matter for the Mandalorian Empire, nor was it a matter for the Great Heathen Army. This was a matter for House Verd, and so House Verd would resolve it.

It was for this reason that a single comm had been sent, its contents direct and its tone respectful, addressed to a name that had crossed his desk more than once in the quiet hours when he read the reports of those who kept Mandalore alive in the shadows. Kayte Toss, mechanic and hauler, a woman whose reputation was as steady as the work she completed. She was not a warrior of renown, nor did she claim to be, but she was reliable, and in the eyes of Aether Verd, there were few qualities more Mandalorian than that.

He waited on the landing pad as the sun dipped toward the horizon, its rays painting the durasteel and beskar structures in hues of gold and red. The fortress behind him stood strong, a testament to the legacy of his family and the promise of Mandalore’s future, but in this moment, he was not Mand’alor awaiting the arrival of one of his subjects. He was a Alor of House Verd awaiting the arrival of a woman who had been called not to serve an empire, but to help a family in need of her skills.

The shield generator would be repaired, the storm would pass, and the fortress would endure. That was the way of things. Yet for now, Aether Verd stood beneath the open sky, prepared to meet Kayte Toss not with the weight of command, but with the quiet respect due to those who showed up when it mattered most.​

Kayte Toss

 

[Kayte Toss]

KAYTE TOSS
House Verd Estate, Mandalore

Creeaaakkk.

The transport groaned under its own weight as it began its descent through the dusty atmosphere of Mandalore. The hull trembled with every shift in pressure, each flicker of the cabin lights a quiet reminder of just how far from polished things had become.

Kayte sat alone, duffle pressed against her boots, fingers curled loosely around the frayed strap. The air smelled of metal and dust- old dust, the kind that clung to things long forgotten. She didn't mind, it was familiar. Eventually, she reached into the bag and pulled out her datapad. The screen flared to life with a flicker, edges scratched and smeared from years of use; Shield Generator: External Repair Order - House Verd Estate.

She studied the line of text in silence. Simple enough. But odd. The Mand'alor's estate surely had technicians of its own. Bringing someone like her in from the outside? That spoke of urgency... or discretion. Maybe both. Kay's eyes lingered on the screen a moment longer before she shut it off and slipped it back into the bag. No sense in speculating. She'd know soon enough.

The ship rattled again, and Kay' stood, adjusting her weight with the motion. She moved carefully, hand grazing the frame overhead as she made her way to the cockpit- an old habit born from too many bruised ribs and bruised pride. Beyond the transparisteel, Mandalore stretched wide beneath them. A cracked sprawl of pale desert, jagged hills, and bone-dry silence. Once-proud cities rose in the distance, all angles and ash- like monuments to something powerful, and broken.

She spotted the estate ahead: a dark silhouette pressed against the horizon, wrapped in the shimmer of a failing energy shield. That's why. The pilot didn't speak as she entered. A young Mandalorian- likely barely old enough to remember, much like herself. He nodded toward the view, confirming what they both already knew.

Kayte gave him a quiet pat on the shoulder, her voice soft but clear. "Thanks for the lift." The reply was a grunt. Not unfriendly. Just Mandalorian. As the ship settled, its engines flaring for balance, sand scattered across the landing pad in sweeping bursts. The ramp hissed open with a cloud of pressure and dust, momentarily cloaking the view in gold and grit.

She paused. Waited. Then stepped forward, one boot after the other.

Warm air hit her in the face, the heat curling around her like breath from a great, slumbering beast. She inhaled without thinking- regretted it instantly- and coughed quietly into her sleeve, shielding her eyes as they adjusted to the sinking sun. The light was sharp. Honest. Everything here seemed to be. Her boots cut quiet impressions into the sand as she walked, deliberate and steady.

Ahead, a figure stood waiting.

She reached for her helmet- still clipped to the duffle- and gave the strap a quick tug to ensure it was secure. A small ritual, done without thinking. Double-checking, always.

And then she saw the armor.

Kayte slowed, just for a heartbeat. Her eyes widened- not with fear, but recognition. She knew that silhouette.

The Mand'alor.

Heat from the engines still fanned the air behind her, grains of sand dancing around her legs as she approached. Kayte dipped her head. Respectful. Not rehearsed, just… careful. "Mand'alor," she said, voice even, but her throat was dry. "I, uh…" Her gaze flicked to the side, a half-step behind her own words. "I'm Kayte Toss. Most call me Kay'- well, I say most…" She caught herself rambling, lips twitching at her own nerves. Classic Kay'.

The datapad came out again, fingers tapping across its battered screen as she continued. "I believe I'm here for…" A small throat-clear. "…a shield generator repair? I believe?" The datapad glowed softly between them.
Kayte's eyes flicked from screen, to Mand'alor, then back again. Her smile was polite, slightly sheepish, but steady.

Aether Verd

 

[Aether Verd]

Assets: Beskar'gam | Basilisk
Darksaber | Resolute Dawn​

HOUSE VERD ESTATE

The visor tilted downward in acknowledgment as Kayte dipped her head, the crimson reflection of the setting sun glinting across the plates of beskar that clad his frame. Aether lifted his dominant hand, the gesture open and easy, and a chuckle threaded through his voice, warm in the cooling air.

“Speak easy, my sister.” he said, the words carrying without effort across the landing pad. “Aether Verd.”

His hand lowered, gesturing for her to follow as he turned toward the entrance of the estate, his stride measured to match her own pace. “Kay, is it? It is good to meet you, and I appreciate you coming on such short notice.” His helm inclined as they walked beneath the shadow of the archway leading into the fortress, the shifting air of the landing pads replaced by the cooler hush of the corridors within. “My own House’s technicians are offworld at the moment, handling matters that could not wait, so we reached out for capable assistance. Your name brought quite the number of positive reviews when we checked the HoloNet.”

They passed beneath banners bearing the sigil of House Verd as they walked, the path carrying them deeper toward the maintenance level where the failing shield generator awaited their arrival. Aether’s gaze flicked toward her as they walked, the glow of overhead lights catching on the crimson of his visor. “And yes, you have it right. The shield generator is the issue, and time is of the essence. A sandstorm is inbound, and if the shield is not operational before it arrives, clearing the landing pads afterward will be a costly nightmare.”

They continued forward, the hum of the fortress around them layered with the quiet rhythm of their boots on the reinforced flooring. Aether let a moment pass, then spoke again, the tone lighter than the topics that so often dominated his conversations.

“Tell me about yourself, Kay,” he said, turning his head slightly in her direction. “I spend most of my days meeting with our warriors and alors, seeing to matters of state and war. It is not often I have the chance to speak with our people in a setting such as this, and I would like to know who it is that came when House Verd called.”​

Kayte Toss

 

[Kayte Toss]

KAYTE TOSS
House Verd Estate, Mandalore

As the two of them stood on the sand-covered landing pad, the engines of the ship that had delivered her spooled up once more. Its scratched, worn hull contrasting with the sun as it did so. Once again, the sand kicked up into swirls and scattered. Turning to look at it, Kayte chuckled to herself at the idea of just using the ship to clear the landing pad.

Turning back to the tall man, Kay's shoulders relaxed as a sense of relief kicked in. Her eyes flickering over his decorated beskar plates, catching rays of the setting sun in her eyes as she did so. Seeing his gesture, she soon began her walk into the estate at a calm pace. Her eyes trailed the old walls as they approached them; She had wondered how much history those walls had seen, how many wars it had endured, how many people had roamed its halls before her. She found it both impressive and overwhelming.

Her attention was soon drawn back to the Mand'alor as he spoke. "Oh-" Kay' offered a polite smile, "I was close by, it's no trouble at all." The duo had finally reached shade, and Kay's eyes could finally relax. She finally took her eyes away from the estate, looking up at Aether's helmet as she did so- it had made her wonder if she should've worn hers for their first greeting.

Kay' raised an eyebrow at Aether's next point. "Ah, yes... I've got a listing on there somewhere," she began, nervously grinning as he pointed out the Holonet. "I've been told that it helps with 'visibility,' I mostly ignore it and just show up when something comes in-" her grin turned an amused frown. "-I didn't realize people could leave reviews on there?"

She continued to follow her employer, looking up at the House Verd sigil above them as they walked underneath. Their journey felt like an expedition as they made their descent to the maintenance level, she'd begun to wonder whether there really was a shield generator the further they went. "Do we know how far away the sandstorm is?" Kay' inquired, wondering whether she was on a strict deadline to get it fixed.

A few more moments passed in quiet contemplation. Her ears listening intently as she listened to the quiet hums that resonated through the fortress. She'd immediately clocked an issue by sound alone, "your air filters will need changing soon..." Kay' pointed out sheepishly. "Uh- you can tell by the vibrations, it'll soon start rattling..." she explained shyly, felling the need to justify herself.

A few more moments of silence passed before Aether's seemingly inquisitive nature kicked in. "About me?" her brow furrowed as the considered, she wasn't asked that question often, and when she was she rarely had a good answer. "I... don't usually get to talk to my employers this much," Kay' snickered nervously. "I'm afraid you have me half figured out already, I'm no warrior or Alor, I just... fix things," she let out a deep sigh, realizing she wasn't particularly impressive when said out loud.

"I'm always travelling, always looking for work, I... lack stability in my life, I live paycheck-to-paycheck..." Kay' caught herself venting, comparing herself to the great warriors that the Mand'alor mentioned. She cleared her throat softly. "... I do get about though! Fixing things like... power relays that need rewiring, atmospheric processors that need tuning, or shield generators that need repairing," she continued as the pair continued their walk through the maintenance shafts.

"Oh! I don't just fix things either! I sometimes tag along with a ship's crew for a run, I've done some salvaging before..." she thought for a moment, trying to remember what else she had done. "Ah- I've done some work with communication systems, too!"

She figured that would suffice for now, figuring there'd be plenty of time to talk about her sad, quiet life later- but now she felt pressured, by herself, to ask something in return.

"So uh- what do you do?"
...​

What? Did she just ask the Mand'alor what he did for work?

Kay's face went red with embarrassment and disbelief. "Uh-" her eyes shot forward immediately. She couldn't believe it...

Aether Verd

 

[Aether Verd]

Assets: Beskar'gam | Basilisk
Darksaber | Resolute Dawn​

MANDALORE

A smile tugged at the corners of Aether’s mouth beneath his helmet. The way Kayte spoke about herself, unpolished, genuine, and without pretense, was refreshing in a galaxy so full of people posturing for relevance. There was honesty in her humility, and from that alone, he could already tell she was capable. People who undersold themselves tended to be the ones who overdelivered.

As she mentioned her HoloNet listing and the awkwardness surrounding it, Aether chuckled.

“Then perhaps when you finish this repair, I will find a way for the people to leave reviews on my performance as Mand’alor. If I’ve been a decent client today, maybe you’ll even consider giving me five stars.”

The amusement was clear in his tone, the playful jest meant to further ease her nerves. He let it hang there for a moment before continuing, more sincerely.

“The Holonet is a useful tool. You may not think much of it, but visibility is more valuable than most realize. A sharp mind like yours could leverage it into something greater. Don’t neglect it.”

They continued their descent through the inner corridor of the estate, walls thick with history and humming with the quiet pulse of old power. When she asked about the storm, Aether glanced briefly at the small projection that hovered above his vambrace.

“Fourteen hours out, give or take. Forecast says it’s picking up speed. Which means time is not on our side.”

Her next observation, offered almost shyly, brought Aether to a full stop. He turned his helmet toward her, eyebrows raised behind the visor.

“You heard that?” he asked, genuinely impressed. “You could tell the filters need changing by the sound alone?”

He let out a short breath, not quite a laugh, but something close. His respect deepened.

“You’ve got a good ear. If you have time after the repair, perhaps you can take a look at the filters as well. Of course, you’ll be compensated at your price.”

He resumed walking beside her, silent for a few steps as she answered his question. Her words painted a picture that was a bit tangled in self-doubt, but the truth beneath was clear. She was a traveler, a worker, someone who moved from place to place to keep the galaxy running, even if no one ever put her name on a banner.

When she finished, Aether nodded.

“Even the strongest warrior’s armor needs maintenance. The mightiest warship fails without good repair. Fixing things is not a minor craft. It is the unsung hero of every Empire, and I am glad there are capable souls like you still out there doing the work.”

His tone softened just slightly.

“I’ll admit, it troubles me to hear that you are living paycheck-to-paycheck. Someone who can diagnose filter issues from vibrations alone deserves better.”

He didn’t press. There was dignity in how she had shared, and he wasn’t about to intrude further.

But then came her question, slipped out so naturally that it caught him by surprise. What do you do for work?

He blinked once behind the helmet. And then he laughed. It was not mocking, not incredulous, but in quiet delight.

“Well,” he said, with clear amusement, “that is a fair question. I did just ask it of you.”

He let the words settle as they reached the threshold of the generator room. With a subtle gesture, the doors hissed open, revealing the aging, half-functioning system tucked into the heart of the estate.

“The short version? I work closely with the Alors and the War Council to ensure Mandalore runs the way it should. There was a wave of political visits when I first took the throne, lots of foreign dignitaries and strategic talks. That has quieted a bit lately. When we are expanding our borders or making a move, I’m not watching from a chair. I’m in the thick of it. Planning. Leading. Fighting, if I must.”

He looked toward her as the doors slid fully open.

“Good question, by the way.”

Then, gesturing toward the shield generator, he stepped aside to give her space.

“Before you begin, any other curiosities I can help with? I’m happy to oblige.”​

Kayte Toss

 

[Kayte Toss]

KAYTE TOSS
House Verd Estate, Mandalore

The two continued their journey along the extensive, almost dusty passageway before reaching the generator room. Hiss. Kay's eyes squinted as the doors slid open, her eyes shifting around the musty room as they entered. Laying her eyes on the generator, she raised an eyebrow, noticing the old and ageing machine that sat in front of the pair. Old model, but a reliable one, she mused to herself.

Kay's shoulders relaxed the more she spoke to Aether. Her embarrassment had slowly begun to dissipate while he actually answered her question, much to her surprise. Kay's face had also begun to return to a more normal colour- she quite liked him, he had a good sense of humour.

She had grinned at his joke of The Mand'alor a five-star review- she found the idea entertaining. Though Aether's comments on the utility of the Holonet did strike her a little bit, as she hadn't really thought about her presence on the 'net- she solely used it as a tool for finding contracts, which suited her fine up to now.

“You’ve got a good ear. If you have time after the repair, perhaps you can take a look at the filters as well. Of course, you’ll be compensated at your price.”

“Even the strongest warrior’s armor needs maintenance. The mightiest warship fails without good repair. Fixing things is not a minor craft. It is the unsung hero of every Empire, and I am glad there are capable souls like you still out there doing the work.”

Kay' smiled politely at the offer- she wouldn't turn down easy work. One of her circuit stitcher tools has begun to lose its spark, and it would need replacing soon. She also felt a sense of pride- she didn't get to talk to her clients that often, it felt... odd to be recognised, even for something so small. Kay' thought of herself almost as a ghost in her own life, someone irrelevant. Unimportant.

“I’ll admit, it troubles me to hear that you are living paycheck-to-paycheck. Someone who can diagnose filter issues from vibrations alone deserves better.”

A frown formed on Kay's face, she wasn't offended or shocked- just curious. "It's... a way of life, I suppose," she started. "Much like how the Resol'nare is our way of life... a life of travel, of grunt-work is all I've ever known..." she hesitated for a moment, wondering whether what she wanted to say next would be appropriate. "... like my own little Tech'nare!"

She cringed again, feeling like that was an 'inside thought.'

"Fourteen hours?" She blurted out awkwardly as she moved on, noting how much time she had. Provided that the repair was something simple, she'd have it fixed in a fraction of that time- though her concern started to grow seeing the wear and tear of the old machine. Crudely cleaned oil spills from previous repairs stained the floor. Bolts, some old and some almost sanded down by overuse, lied dormant in an almost threatening manner.

Kay' pondered Aether's response to her awkward question as she meandered further into the room. She felt at ease in such a familiar environment- and Aether's kind words. Dropping her duffle gently onto the floor, she turned around to face the Mand'alor. "You... don't have to stick around- if you have more important things to do?" she pointed out politely out of habit, used to just being left to her own devices.

The company would be nice, though.

After a few moments, she whirled back around, digging into her duffle as she did so. Within moments she had her tools laid out on the floor: A scratched & worn datapad, a newer looking hydro-wrench, some hydro-grips, a fusion-cutter, multiscanner & power calibrator, and a very worn down circuit stitcher. An odd curiosity sat in the corner of her tool tray- an obscure, dangerous looking tooth...

Kay's fingers hovered over the hydro-wrench, picking it up and preparing to take a panel off. Her eyes flickered between the generator and Aether as she did so, if he was still in the room with her. "Do you enjoy your... work?" she asked, feeling inquisitive as she began talking, removing some well tightened bolts over a control panel.

Sigh.

The final bolt was too worn down- her hydro-wrench couldn't grip onto it well enough. Kay' reached around to the tools behind her, placing down her hydro-wrench and picking up the fusion-cutter. She hesitated for a moment before remembering: Her helmet. She grabbed onto it quickly, slotting the worn-down, patched-up, almost multi-coloured helmet onto her head.

Zzzzzz, Zzzzzz, Zzzzzz

The fusion-cutter produced a horrendously high-pitched screech as it cut through the metal panel. Though with it now detached, minus a corner she'd weld back on later, she laid the panel, fusion-cutter and helmet back onto the floor, before getting into the guts of the generator herself. Multiscanner in hand, she lied on the floor in a relaxed manner- she was in her element.

Kay' spun out a wire from the multiscanner, plugging it into a small socket within the shield generator's control planel. Pressing and tapping away on the scanner as she did so. After a few moments, she looked up at Aether from the floor.

"- I couldn't imagine doing what you do..." she began, deep in thought. "Politics? Foreign Dignitaries? Strategy talks... The confidence you'd need to do all that..." she frowned a bit, once again comparing herself- this time to the Mand'alor.

She thought for a moment, thinking about her own situation and how it compared to Aether's.

"Do you ever find it overwhelming? The Leading? The Managing? The Fighting?"

Of course, she had made the comparisons to her own life; The travelling. The hard work. Living life day-by-day...

Aether Verd

 

[Aether Verd]

Assets: Beskar'gam | Basilisk
Darksaber | Resolute Dawn​

MANDALORE

He noticed it. The subtle shift in Kayte’s posture as her shoulders slackened, the way her face brightened with a grin in response to his jest. That was good. There was no need for his people to feel tense around him, no matter the titles or the weight that came with them. When she smiled, he returned it with one of his own, even if it remained hidden beneath the helm.

At her quiet remark about living paycheck-to-paycheck, he nodded with understanding. But when she dropped the phrase Tech’nare, the smile beneath his helmet broadened.

“How many tenets are in the Tech’nare, I wonder?” he mused aloud, voice light with amusement. “Whatever the number, I’m sure they’re practical ones.”

He shifted where he stood, bracing a hand against the arch of the doorway. “My Clan has always been ambitious. Commerce, industry, leadership... we’re known for aiming wide. So my view is that, if you’re talented, you shouldn’t settle. You should reach. But...” he tilted his head slightly in acknowledgment, “I also know that’s not the only way to live. Some paths are quieter but no less worthy.”

When she blurted out fourteen hours again, he gave a single nod, glancing back toward the projection on his vambrace.

“Do you think that’s enough time?” he asked, tone free of pressure. “If not, I apologize. Let me know what can be done and we can calibrate together."

Once she dropped her duffle and began to settle into her element, the Mand’alor stretched his arms overhead and leaned into the nearest wall. The plating of his armor scraped gently against the old stone.

“For now, my schedule is clear,” he said plainly. “And who knows...maybe I’ll learn something from the Tech’alor and her sacred Tech’nare.”

He watched with interest as she laid out her tools. The movement was precise, deliberate. It reminded him of a warrior preparing for battle: selecting the right weapon, knowing exactly what would be needed, making sure everything was in reach. That kind of ritual held power. Intention mattered. Aether found himself admiring her for it.

When she asked if he enjoyed his work, he didn’t hesitate.

“I do,” he said simply. “I’ve been able to travel across the stars, meet Mandalorians who never thought they’d set foot on Mandalore again, and tell them that it’s safe to come home. I’ve met some unforgettable people. I’ve brought honor to the ancestors. And I’ve eaten better than I ever did before,” he added with a chuckle. “If I had to rate the job on the HoloNet? Five stars.”

The high-pitched screech of the fusion-cutter rang through the room, but he made no comment. She was focused, mid-operation. He wouldn’t interrupt a surgeon during her work.

When her voice drifted up again, soft with thought, Aether chuckled.

“When I was your age, I didn’t imagine I’d be doing this either,” he admitted. “But with the right people in your corner: kin, clan, community, anything becomes possible.”

He pushed off from the wall then, arms loosely crossing as he considered her final question. For a moment, he was silent, reflecting honestly.

“The fighting?” he began, voice thoughtful. “That’s the easy part. I’ve known how to fight since I could crawl. Managing, too. I spent plenty of summers working for my uncles. Once you find your rhythm, handling funds and people isn’t too hard.”

His visor tilted slightly, as if regarding her more directly.

“It hasn’t been overwhelming, not most days. But there’ve been moments where I’ve stood at the edge of something and thought... ‘oh, fuck. Here we go.’”

Aether’s hand lifted in a small motion toward her.

“Are you in need of anything to drink? Or food, maybe? I can have something brought down if you’re working long.”​

Kayte Toss

 

[Kayte Toss]

KAYTE TOSS
House Verd Estate, Mandalore

Kay' laughed out loud at Aether's comment on the Tech'nare- almost embarrassingly so. She found the Mand'alors insights into his own life fascinating, it had made her wonder how two very different people could be so similar. Of course, their clans were dramatically different- hers, for one, had no ancestral home, just ships that were replaced every century or so.

There was a tint of sadness in that truth, and her face showed it. She didn't belong anywhere. The closest thing she had to family were either her Clan, scattered across the stars, or her colleagues who disappeared after a month or so. In that, her and the Mand'alor were vastly different.

Familiarity was merely a visitor in Kayte's life.

Instead she found familiarity in Aether's lifestyle. They both travelled- thanks to their careers. They both met unforgettable people, restored honor to Clans- although in different ways. Though Kay's food choices never really improved, and Kayte almost scoffed at Aether's comment on rating his job five stars- they differed in that regard too.

She listened with genuine curiosity as her questions were answered, though some of his words stung a little.

“But with the right people in your corner: kin, clan, community, anything becomes possible.”

Kay' physically winced upon hearing those words. She didn't really have kin, a clan or a community. She was too proud to say so- she had lived up until that point on her own.

"That sounds nice..." she whispered to herself, defeatedly.

Her eyes flickered between the multiscanner in her hand and Aether as he continued to answer her questions. She considered his offer to assist- and depending on the outcome of the scanner, she may need it.

Though she did feel a sense of envy as she looked up at the Mand'alor. The way he explained his work and how he handled it- he seemed so composed, and smooth around the edges. He spoke with such confidence that it both inspired and defeated Kayte. Inspired in the sense that she was now confident in the Mand'alor to lead their people. Defeated in the sense of her own rough-around-the-edges demeanor, her lack of confidence and how what she did paled in comparison to Aether's work.

Kay' did raise an eyebrow at Aether's offer for refreshments- once again unused to even being spoken to while working. "Oh- uh," she hesitated, not wanting to offend the Mand'alors hospitality, "could I get a black caf- two sugars, please?"

They'd be here a while, Kay' would need it.

Her multiscanner beeped violently. "Wh-" her eyes widened, taking a few moments before she turned to the Mand'alor from the floor. "-Uhm, the Tech'alor has some bad news..."

She took a deep breath before listing the issues, concern clearly visible on her face.

"So... Your power conduit has overloaded- it's... toast." Kay' traced further down her multiscanner. "Mmm... and the thermal regulator has failed, jamming your rotary emitter array." She collapsed her pad into her lap out of mild frustration, what had turned into a quick fix had turned into three fixes that would take hours to resolve.

Kay's frustrated eyes met with Aether's visor. "We'll be here a while- if the sandstorm wasn't bearing down on us, I'd have recommended that you just replace the unit... but that isn't an option."

She so desperately wanted to ask Aether more questions, but she needed to make a start, and quickly.

Springing up from the floor, she grabbed her hydrospanner and began removing bolts on the transparisteel cover- which covered the main unit that she'd need to access. Placing the hydrospanner back on her tray, she braced to try and lift the panel.

"Grrrrrrrrrrr," she strained. It was jammed. Her eyes turned back to Aether momentarily, "Could I uh- have a hand with this?" she grinned sheepishly, almost embarrassed to ask for help. Usually she'd have managed, or she would've just cut the cover off- but she didn't feel like tearing the Mand'alor's home apart.

She pondered for a moment as she waited to see if Aether would offer his assistance.

"This would be one of my 'oh fuck, here we go,' moments..." she chuckled nervously.

Aether Verd

 

[Aether Verd]

Assets: Beskar'gam | Basilisk
Darksaber | Resolute Dawn​

MANDALORE

He saw it.

Not just the wince, but the way her voice slipped into something smaller when she responded to his words about kin and clan. That sting in her posture...he’d known it before. Knew what it meant when someone looked like they had been left out of something sacred. And that was what the Resol’nare was. Not a rulebook. Not a military creed. A bond. A promise.

One she clearly didn’t feel included in.

Aether stepped forward quietly, reaching out to rest a gloved hand on her shoulder. The gesture was not one of authority. Not a command. It was something simpler. Human.

“What’s the story behind that?” he asked, his voice low, laced with care rather than expectation. It was not the Mand’alor speaking. It was a Mandalorian concerned about one of their own.

After a moment, he withdrew the hand with care, giving a small nod of apology for the intrusion. He had crossed into her space without asking. The question still lingered, but it would wait for her to meet it.

Instead, he shifted back into the rhythm they had built.

The request for black caf and two sugars drew a quiet chuckle from behind the helm.

“Now that, I can handle,” he said, clapping his hands together once before lifting one toward his vambrace. “Two cafs, black, both with two sugars. One for the Tech’alor. One for me. Bring it down when ready.” The reply crackled through the comms, and Aether nodded once to Kayte. “Just a minute.”

Then came the sharp beeping from her scanner.

His brow rose as she began to speak, listing off issue after issue. He listened intently, arms crossing slowly over his chest as he digested the news. There was a brief silence as he parsed the situation, then he looked toward her again with calm curiosity.

“Is there anything we can salvage nearby to make it easier?” he asked. “There are Basilisks in the hangar and half a dozen starships parked within reach. Say the word and I’ll have someone strip a regulator, conduit, or whatever you need.”

He stepped aside as she began working, watching with quiet interest until she called out again. At her request for help, he offered no hesitation. Instead, he moved to her side, scanning the panel quickly with his helm to ensure he wouldn’t crush anything vital.

Then, with steady strength, he placed both hands at the edges of the cover and pried it free, setting it down nearby with care.

He looked down at her and offered a small, unseen smile.

“We deal with oh fuck moments as a team,” he said simply, voice warm. “Lead on, Tech’alor.”​

Kayte Toss

 

[Kayte Toss]

KAYTE TOSS
House Verd Estate, Mandalore

Dust and stale air from the panel caught Kayte's throat, forcing a rough cough. She swallowed it down, then forced a small smile at Aether's earlier comment.

"Well... let's see," she muttered, leaning in to peer deeper inside the machine.

"Hmm... a heavy-duty power conduit would be ideal," she said, her brow knitting with concern. "We can fix the regulator, but it's going to take time."

She spun around to the scattered tools at her feet, quickly picking up a hydrospanner, micro-wrenches, and assorted bits, snapping them onto her belt with practiced ease.

With steady hands and quiet focus, Kayte knelt before the now-exposed generator housing. Fingers deftly unfastening mounting bolts, she found herself lost in the rhythm- until Aether's earlier question resurfaced in her mind.

She exhaled slowly, hesitating. Then, voice soft and tinged with awkwardness, she began:

"There's not much of a story behind that..." She paused, chuckling nervously. "My clan's... 'ancestrally nomadic.' Our home isn't a place but a fleet of ships drifting through the stars."

Her eyes flicked away, clouded with something unspoken, before returning to her work.

"For us, it's two paths: stay with the fleet or leave to gain experience, take contracts... I chose the latter."

Her voice dropped to a whisper, and though her face remained hidden behind the shield generator, Kayte's hands faltered for a moment.

"It's... lonely. You meet all sorts of people, but most have families, friends, roots."

"All I have are my tools—and a sad holonet presence."

Suddenly, her hydrospanner slipped from her grasp with a harsh clang.

"Haar'chak!" she cursed under her breath, cheeks flushing with frustration and embarrassment.

Clearing her throat, she quickly tried to redirect the moment. "Uh- do you do much tech work yourself?"

Aether Verd

 

[Aether Verd]

Assets: Beskar'gam | Basilisk
Darksaber | Resolute Dawn​

HOUSE VERD ESTATE, MANDALORE

Aether’s brow lifted slightly as the cough left her, the concern flickering across his features hidden beneath the helm, but plain enough in the way he tilted his head toward her. When she offered that small smile, he returned it without hesitation. Her mention of a heavy-duty power conduit drew an immediate spark of satisfaction. He snapped his fingers once, the sharp sound echoing lightly in the bay.

“I have just the thing.” he said with quiet triumph, already lifting a hand to his vambrace.

A short call over the comm followed, his voice carrying an easy authority. “Add to that caf order. Bring down one of the Stellar Corecells from storage.” The acknowledgment came crisp through the channel, and Aether’s gaze dipped toward Kayte. “I've got something cutting edge coming your way! Should make your life much easier.”

He lingered nearby as she bent over her work, letting her find her rhythm again until the muted whir of servos signaled the approach of an armored droid. The serving tray it carried was balanced with precision, two steaming cafs on one side, and on the other, a cylindrical power cell that pulsed with a rich, golden glow. Aether accepted both without ceremony, setting the cell aside for now, and lowering to one knee beside her.

Her caf was offered into her hands just as she began to speak of her clan, and he listened in silence, letting the words and the weight behind them fill the space between them. When her hydrospanner slipped, he gave a low chuckle at her muttered curse, shaking his head slightly.

“You don't have to be alone anymore.” he said after a moment, his voice carrying a steady warmth. “Our people are not meant to wander the stars without a hearth to return to. Friends. Family. Those who can stand beside you when the void feels too wide.” He gestured subtly to the space around them. “You can have that here, in my House. A place to belong.”

The unseen smile in his tone softened further. “And maybe something worth adding to that holonet presence.”

When her question came, he gave a light shake of his head. “Not my gift, I’m afraid. I didn't take after my father in that regard.” His tone shifted slightly, almost fond. “You would have liked him. Tinkerer, alchemist, blacksmith... if it could be held in his hands, he could figure it out or turn it into something new. I only learned enough to keep my armor and weapons in proper shape. The rest, I leave to those with the skill.”​

Kayte Toss