Aaray & A'den Pain & Wrath (ME Only, PM for Invite)

[Yasha Cadera]

[member="Raiz Australis"] & [member="Cassiopeia Australis"]’ son was dead. The shots fired on Myrkr rang throughout the Empire into the ears of Mand’alor the Infernal and her Household.

Yasha tore out of an economics expansion meeting with [member="Ambrose Mantis"] hot on her heels. She vaulted over guards in the halls, ripping into the Mantis-Australis suite, where she, [member="Kaine Australis"], [member="Beth Australis-Mantis"], [member="Adara Raxis"] and Reyn lived as co-parental partners.

When Kaine was on Mandalore, and not with his family on Myrkr. Without time to so much as state the word, Aiya, one of Adara’s Panathan wet nurse-come-nannies held up a bag for Yasha to take, and Tamor was helping Adara into her shoes.

“Mama!” Adara tried to stand up, but Tamor pushed the girl’s shoulders back down, clucking her tongue and nattering at the girl in whispered Epicant. Somehow hearing her mother tongue at a time like this brought Yasha a sense of grounding. Comfort.

“Hurry. I’ve told Kain’ik, he’s on his way to Myrkr.” Grabbing Reyn from his spot on the play mat on the floor, Yasha kissed his confused and whimpering forehead and took off toward her personal ship, the Shereshoy Shevla Kal Stealth Cruiser.

“Cassi, I’m coming.” They were the only words Yasha had for her best friend. The only words she could give, a promise of solidarity in grief. The Shereshoy cut through the space between Westralis and Mandalore like the blaster bolt which cut Dmitrius’ life through his fragile childish body.

It was a grim woman who ran down the hanger of her ship, flanked by [member="Ambrose Mantis"], Aiya & Tamar, and her kids.

“Aiya, take Lily-Grace to the play room with Adara and Reyn. Keep them there. Ambrose…” Yasha pointed to [member="Raiz Australis"]’ ship, it was all she needed to do.

“I’ll sniff out what I can…” Ambrose ran off, grim set and eager for blood.

“Tuulu, Vaka, secure the premise. Ensure it was an isolated attack and coordinate with Lilik and [member="Tom Taff"] on the ground in Myrkr. Their squads should be there. Tamar, deal with the food and any housekeeping inside.”

“Yes, Mand’alor.” Tamar nodded, as everybody got to their business. Yasha reached Cassiopeia and Raiz, and without a single word beyond the orders she barked in their presence, Yasha wrapped her arms around them.

Wordlessly, she held Cassiopeia, for words were not what was needed in a moment where the Infernal tore forward in unadulterated action. The Australis family was neither alone, nor was their pain to be unavenged.

 

[Gaia Sunaris Cadera]

Cassiopeia and Raiz were sitting on the porch stairs. She stared ahead, unsure of what to think or do. They had come and taken him away. Her little boy wasn't on the property anymore, presumably to prepare for his... Cassiopeia couldn't finish the thoughts, her mind cutting it off. She couldn't bear to think about it. She held [member="Raiz Australis"] hand, tighter than she was expecting. On her lap rested [member="Lily-Grace Australis"], who had finally stopped crying. She had small, little heaves but no more tears were coming from her sweet eyes. She rested her head on hers, rubbing her back with her free hand.

Cassiopeia watched as Yasha's ship land. She heard her call, so she was aware that she was coming. But she didn't expect her to arrive so soon. She was in talks of some sort, presumably. [member="Yasha Mantis"] was a true friend. She stopped everything and came to aid her extended family. Ambrose came with Yasha, as expected. He was heading over to the ship - probably to see if he could pick up on some scent of sorts. Cassiopeia rubbed her red, bloodshot eyes as she stood up. She held Lily's hand, as Raiz also stood up. Cassiopeia still felt frozen, numb, physically. Her body just... Couldn't move. She couldn't connect with the world around her anymore.

One of the nannies came over and took Lily inside. Cassiopeia felt so guilty for allowing the nanny to take Lily but she exhaled relief. She had to keep herself together for Lily. She couldn't see the pain, hurt, and fear that ran across her mother's face. She had to protect her from this. She had to do everything in her power to keep her shielded from this pain. Maybe Adara and Reyn could keep Lily happy or at least distracted enough to not feel all the chaos that was going on around. Now? She could take a breath. She could break if she had too.

Numb... That was truly the only feeling Cassi felt. Or so she thought, anyway. How else could she feel after losing her sweet pea? Her little bundle of joy? If she felt the loss... She felt as though the feeling would destroy her. Her mind kept replaying seeing Raiz exit that ship, carrying her small baby boy. His body limp, unmoving... She bit her lip as her grip around Yasha tightened. "He's..." She tried to speak, but couldn't. She hadn't spoken since it happened. She wasn't sure if she could bring say it. How could she? This all had to be a bad dream...

She couldn't blame Raiz, but her mind kept running through how he was with them. She knew, rationally, that he couldn't have stopped it and if she was there, she couldn't either. But the anger and frustration that went through her... Cassiopeia had never felt so much guilt, felt so useless, and felt like such a bad parent in her entire life.

She was hugged by Yasha, her dearest friend. Cassiopeia leaned into the hug, wordless as she rested her head on her chest, near her shoulder due to their height difference.

 

[Jaster Awaud]

He was on Mandalore when he heard the news, still acting as a the Mand'alors Aid as well as the Diplomatic Ambassador to the ME he was stationed there to oversee the construction of his new Clan Ranch. When the news reached him, he did not wait to call his Clansmen and Exiles into action.

Traveling to the planet by one of the many shuttles at his disposal he attempted to go to the palace first, but was told Yasha was already gone to the Homestead of the family. He did not wait either and gathered his two commanders and headed off to the destination. Having his attendant pilot the shuttle as he and his commanders armed themselves and placed their armor on. Landing his Theta-Class Shuttle on the landing area along side the Mand'alors', he and the two men exited off the shuttle.

He was greeted by the image of [member="Cassiopeia Australis"] and [member="Yasha Mantis"] holding each other, sitting on the porch was [member="Raiz Australis"]. He was not here to pass judgment, but he could not understand the mans willingness to just sit there. If it was once of his children, he would use all his resources to rip the galaxy in half to kill those responsible. With a clearer head however, he assumed he felt that being with his family was more important then going on a wild goose chase.

Approaching the two, Jaster gave a Mandalorian greeting by bowing his head and slaming his heavy gauntlet against his chest. The two beside him fell to a knee and bowed before the Mand'alor. "Cassiopeia, I am so sorry to hear of this tragedy," He lifted his head and stood less formal, "Clan Awaud is here to assist wherever it is needed, I have also brought my personal Force Using Hunters should you need them as well, Clansman Shova Mando'ad and Clansman Kristin Mando'ad are their commanders."

The Exiles were a small group of Force Users that Jaster extended his protection over during the rule of Mand'alor the Undying. They had not been released in the Mandalorian Empire, but he used them on a few occasions. They wore Mandalorian Armor of flat black coloring with a different art of red paint on their chest. Under the new ruling of Yasha and no longer being hunted, they left their clan names behind and took on the name Mando'ad in future service to the Mandalorian People. Since they did not accept them yet, they served Clan Awaud until the day they were needed. Today was a good example of that and Jaster felt they would be of use this day.

"To think someone openly attacked your family, it is an attack on all those who hold you and your family on such high esteem," He looked at them with his helmet on his belt, "Whatever you and Raiz need."

 

[Ravenfire]

Myrkr - site of the incident

He had received word of what had happened and although he mourned the loss. The killer was still on the lose. He knew they were. He had lived on Myrkr for many, many years making friends with all the beasts. He had learnt every hiding spot within the forests, how to track other animals through the forests. The killer had shot the boy with a blaster blot from all the reports which meant Tom would be hunting a human. Tracking an animal was hard. They knew how to cover tracks they knew where and how to walk. A human didn't which made them so much easier to hunt down.

He looked on the ground he saw the foot prints and smiled. He knew how to follow whoever it was now. They would pay for what they had done to the small child. Animals were important but this was a new life snuffed out before it had begun. Time to bring the criminal to whatever justice was required of it. Thus he began his search following the footprints, his own leaving no prints or any signs he had been through the area.

The Myrkr Animal Rights Group for the Prevention of Ysalamiri use in Warfare. The Violent Chapter of this group

The lobbying hadn't been successful. It never had. No one listened to them ever. Their old leader donavin had suggested peaceful protests in the streets of any number of the ME's planets or even on Westralis the other major world of the Clan Australis. Hence why this group had splintered off. They had stolen or purchased weapons amassing them to begin hunting down ysalamiri collectors. However on their last patrol one of them may have gotten a little jumpy.

"You did what? You killed a kid, The ME won't ignore that they will be gunning for us. They probably already are already on there way. Arm everyone here. Damn you jorge. You just had to get jumpy didn't you." The 30 men and women of the Chapter got their weapons and makeshift armour together. They would be ready for any mando forces and fight till the last.

[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"], [member="Cassiopeia Australis"], [member="Yasha Mantis"], [member="Raiz Australis"]

 

[Spare Character]

Death secretly fascinated Lilik.

Not in the sense that she enjoyed the act, or became obsessed with watching it happen. Rather, she was endlessly intrigued by the reactions to it. With the loss of life came such a whirlwind of emotions, ranging from wailing grief to shouting anger. Some even let the shock consume them, able to simply stare ahead as the news is delivered. It is as if their brain is unable, or unwilling, to keep pace with what is happening around them. And with that shock comes the strong, stifling silence.

And that silence has a way of lingering after a death. Or, perhaps it simply becomes more noticeable. Like the world is suddenly without the lost one, the world is also without color, without light, and without sound. In a tall tree where the ysalamiri should have gathered, there was nothing to be found. In a forest that should have burst with activity, there was stillness. The only sound was the murmur of the wind through the leaves, as reverent as a prayer for the dead.

Lilik listened for a moment, then inhaled sharply. She had never been one to openly celebrate life, but there was something about death that encouraged a person to breathe a little deeper. Then, with her helmet tucked beneath her arm, she closed the distance between herself and [member="Tom Taff"]. The man had already begun his initial search, and she would leave him to his work once her message was delivered. "We will have more joining us for the search," she stated, matter-of-factly. Due to her species, her voice had a sort of melodic lilt to it. If she chose to string a few sentences together, the tone might even be considered soothing. "I will wait for them, if you'd like to continue."