Private I’m still here

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

Coruscant, Corusca Sector, Core Worlds
GADF HQ​

Tag: Loomi

The office door slid open and Minerva came out, holding her helmet to the left hip before the door closed. Awaiting her were Gakot and Irni. The former had his arms folded together in a confident manner as he stood tall while the latter held her right wrist in mid concern.

She gestured for them to walk with her. Following along they went to the left hallway, passing a trio of busy staff officers who didn't give them even a glance.

"So how did it go?" Irni asked Minerva whose glance seemed to fixate on the other end of the hall.

"They're going to expand our strike force, into a whole company."

"Talon Company." The Sullustan said in awe, causing Gakot to conclude.

"Meaning we're getting ourselves a captain."

The Klatooinian smirked smugly at his commander while it finally dawned Irni who broke into a happy grin. Minerva rolled her eyes before admitting.

"Yes they promoted me. Didn't see that coming but I'll work with it."

Irni and Gakot shared a proud expression between themselves. Their comrade has come a long way. Suddenly Minerva grinned fiercely as they turned a corner, passing a sliver astromech.

"If I'm going to be stuck with more paperwork and responsibilities so you are two. Lieutenants."

Their jaws dropped, Gakot was the first to protest.

"But, but, but I'm no officer!"

Minerva gave an unsympathetic glare to him like a mother to a complaining child.

"Deal with it, Gakot. It's already done. This is not about me but the Talons. You two are the most experienced and loyal members to this outfit. I'm certainly not putting in for some academy cadets to be our platoon leaders. Like or not you're both my choice.”

Gakot grimaces with his fangs showing. As a former pirate he was rough as they come but Minerva trusted both him and Irni with her life. While still taken aback, Irni found herself nodding.

"Understood boss. It's a lot to take in but we're with ya."

"Yea same but I'm not going to learn to be a gentleman."

Pleased Minerva snorted.

"Fine by me. Now—

Then in the middle of the next hallway Minerva stopped receiving a call on the commlink and answered.

"Yes?"

"Captain Fhirdiad, this is Sergeant Batvin at the Front Desk. I have a young lady here named Loomi requesting to see you."

Minerva raised both eyebrows with instant recognition. The Godoan padawan. They have only met twice and on both occasions during combat. The last time she had been wounded at Elom, fighting Sithspawn.

She must've recovered by now if she's coming to HQ. But for what reason? Focusing back on the commlink, Minerva answered.

"Thank you for telling me I'll be there shortly."

"Yes captain."

Call ended Minerva then ordered Gakot and Irni. "Whatever it is I'll deal with. Now go enjoy some leave. We have much to do in the coming weeks."

The former pirate shrugged his shoulders and Irni nodded, saying. "Tell the kid we said hi."

Going their separate ways Minerva took a different turbolift than them. Once it was activated and descended she stood in silence still wondering what exactly the padawan came all the way. Minutes later the lift stopped and she stepped out, amongst a crowd of military personel and a few droids heading for the front reception desk.

It wasn't long before Minerva spotted Loomi over there. The newly promoted Mandalorian made her way in toward that direction.

 

[Loomi]

Coruscant, Defense Force HQ
Tags: Minerva Fhirdiad

Loomi was anxious. Everyone at the Defense Force HQ was so much taller than her, and very much more intimidating. She always felt small, but she did even more so here. The Godoan was on a mission though, or more so a path or reconciliation. Twice now she had made the job of a particular Lieutenant far more complicated. Spacing out in combat zones, passing out from blood loss. She felt bad about it all. Loomi really wanted to apologize to the woman, especially after Elom, so she set off to see about finding her.

She didn't have to search for long. Minerva appeared as if out of nowhere, striding through the crowd towards her. Almost immediately her heart began to pound. Was this simpler? More complicated? Whatever. She should just puff out her chest and get through it. Yeah.

"H-hello, Miss Fhirdias," she greeted with a meek wave. "W-wait, I mean Lieutenant... er, no... ma'am?"

This wasn't going well. Loomi curled back her antennae nervously, her face becoming red.

"I... I wanted to come apologize," Loomi finally managed to get out. "I-I feel like every time we've met I made your life more complicated, a-and I wanted to say I'm sorry."

Especially when it had put the Mandalorian and her men in danger. She hated when people got hurt.

 

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

Coruscant, Corusca Sector, Core Worlds
GADF HQ​

Tag: Loomi

Before Minerva could greet Loomi the latter did it first however, nervously. For a moment she almost corrected the padawan but kept quiet, noting her embarrassment. Loomi came for a reason and it was best for the young Jedi to explain it herself.

Sure enough she did and Minerva was slightly taken aback.

Okay let me get this straight. This kid came all the way here from the Jedi Temple just to apologize?

Most people on this planet would opt for a holo message or just use commlink for something like this. Yet the Godoan chose to track her down and give her regrets in person. Honestly Minerva didn't know whether to be impressed or feel bad for the kid.

She has integrity but is burdened with guilt.

Looking around them the Mandalorian realized this wasn't the best place to talk. Eyes back to the padawan Minerva then said with a wave of a hand.

"Loomi I really appreciate what you're doing but let's have this conversation outside. There are some things I want to say without all these distractions."

To the eldery Gran male in blue uniform at the desk in front of them Minerva nodded.

'"I'll take it from here Sergeant Batvin thank you."

"Of course captain and congratulations by the way on your promotion."

Saying nothing further Minerva escorted Loomi out of the entrance. Walking another two minutes to the right and she sat down at a bench and once Loomi followed suit the new captain sighed.

"First of all kid, I'm glad that you have recovered. That Elom business was bad for all of us and you don’t need to fear resentment from me."

Taking a hold of her helmet she glanced at it briefly while an airspeeder flew overhead.

Her gaze returned to the young Jedi, adding.

"It's true that you did freeze in the middle of combat and it was almost fatal."

Sugarcoating it won't do anyone any good but she won’t deny credit where it is due either.

"Yet on both occasions you more than made up for those mistakes Loomi. Especially at Elom. You slew Sithspawn and saved your friend. He and many refugees survived because of you. Don’t forget that.”

 

[Loomi]

Coruscant, Defense Force HQ
Tags: Minerva Fhirdiad

"Yet on both occasions you more than made up for those mistakes Loomi. Especially at Elom. You slew Sithspawn and saved your friend. He and many refugees survived because of you. Don’t forget that.”

Praise? She hadn't been expecting that. And it was true. Mago Leomax and a bunch of refugees from Elom were still okay. She hadn't really thought about it that way. All she could think about was the mistakes, picking apart how she managed to screw everything up. A wobbly smile spread across the Godoan's face.

"Th-thank you," she muttered with a bashful expression.

This was really the first time Loomi had gotten a look at Minerva's face up close. Every time they had spoken her helmet had been on, and Loomi's eyesight was not very great. It was hard to tell exactly what the woman looked like from a distance. She was actually quite pretty, far less gruff and tough than her helmet implied. Strange. It almost looked like...

And she drew a blank again. Her memory wouldn't give.

Well now she was here, so what should she do? It felt kinda awkward to leave it at just her poor attempt at an apology. She couldn't help but want to spend more time with the woman, see if she couldn't learn something valuable.

"T-the man inside said you were promoted," Loomi noted. "A-are you doing anything to celebrate?"

She didn't fully understand how promotions worked, but it seemed like a big deal. Why was she being so timid about this? Minerva did a lot of hard work, she deserved to have fun as well.

"We should go get ice cream," she suggested. "Th-that's what my master and I do when I achieve something."

 

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

Coruscant, Corusca Sector, Core Worlds
GADF HQ​

Tag: Loomi

It was becoming apparent that Loomi wasn't the most confident person. Many Mandalorians, especially the younger ones looked down on outsiders like her as soft and weak but Minerva knew otherwise. The scar on the padawan's face and her leg prosthetics were evidence of brutal struggle with life and survival. In addition, beneath that shyness was courage and care for comrades as demonstrated at Elom.

Hopefully her masters and friends will reinforce those traits.

Minerva subsequently had to suppress a grin at the question given by Loomi. Her usual way to celebrate had been mostly drinking and hanging out and sometimes fighting in cantinas. Truth be told she hadn't thought ahead about it considering her superiors threw in the promotion unexpectedly during the briefing. Still she did feel a sense of accomplishment from it.

Many Alliance officers were academy graduates and where else she had been a self-imposed exile who started low in the ranks. Now within a few years through blood and personal sacrifice she was now a leader who would be commanding more people than she had done in her whole life at this point. The weight of responsibility was immense but it was a challenge Minerva was quite willing to embrace.

At Loomi's recommendation the Mandalorian paused before throwing her head back with a good natured laugh.

"You know what that would be great. Where can we get some ice cream?"

 

[Loomi]

Coruscant, Defense Force HQ
Tags: Minerva Fhirdiad

"You know what that would be great. Where can we get some ice cream?"

Loomi's eye lit up, an excited smile spreading across the girl's face.

"I know a good place," she insisted. "It isn't far."

The Godoan would take the newly appointed captain's hand and lead her not too far from the Defense Force's HQ to a small ice cream parlor. It was a week day, and very much at a low point in traffic in and out of the shop. It was almost completely empty, aside from a Bothan couple sitting outside under the striped red and white awning. Loomi would hold the door open for Minerva before scampering up to the counter, digging around in her pocket and pulling out a couple credits. She was starting to figure out how money worked a bit more now, though it still sort of confused her. She simply hadn't seen money before her time with the Jedi, so the allowance that the order allocated her mostly sat unused.

"The chocolate one please!" Loomi asked the clerk, an older mirialan woman.

The woman looked at her credits, giving a bit of a snicker. She had run the counter when Loomi had come here before.

"You gave me too much again, sweetheart," the woman explained, sliding back two credits.

"Golly," the Godoan laughed awkwardly. "S-sorry about that."

She apparently still had some work to do as far as figuring it out. She could at least read numbers now. That was an improvement. Loomi would soon receive her chocolate ice cream and save a booth for her and Minerva while the Mandalorian ordered herself something. Whenever she came over to take a seat she'd find herself bombarded with questions.

"Why'd you become a soldier?" she questioned curiously, but this was followed by a frown. Maybe that was personal. "I-if you don't mind me asking, Miss..."

 

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

Coruscant, Corusca Sector, Core Worlds
Ice Cream Parlor​

Tag: Loomi

Minerva glanced around the parlor; she had no idea about this place. Then again this is Coruscant after all. One could live in this overgrown city all of their lives and still miss so many things. Likely the nature of this world.

She stood back as Loomi bought her dessert and examined the board list above them. Seeing a particular brand Minerva beamed and headed over once the Jedi was finished. The old woman briefly tenses up at her approach but the Mandalorian ignores it, understanding why given recent news on the holonet. Being as friendly as possible Minerva said.

"I'll have a Blue Milk Twister, two scoops please."

Blinking, the elder eased up with a more relaxed smile and said.

"Of course ma'am. That's a fun choice I must say."

Within less than a minute Minerva got her dessert and she paid the clerk the right amount.

"Keep the change, I'll be fine."

Ice cream in the right hand the Mandalorian headed over to the booth. As soon as she sat down Loomi fired her question. It only took a few moments before Minerva answered.

"If you mean as an Alliance soldier, well I enlisted because the Sith, Mawities and Imperials are my enemies and the Alliance was fighting them."

Eating some of the Blue Sun Twister's top she wiped her face with a napkin.

"As a Mandalorian living, fighting and dying as warriors is my people's way. Although often we have different beliefs from one another on how to do so.”

 

[Loomi]

Coruscant
Tags: Minerva Fhirdiad

"Oh," Loomi frowned.

That's right. The Mandalorians were causing problems. She had been told about Kashyyyk. Minerva seemed to speak in reference to these things with a great deal of distain. It had to be hard not seeing eye-to-eye with her own culture, especially when innocent lives were involved. 'Different beliefs from one another' spoke volumes.

"Th-that must be hard," the girl remarked. "B-being at odds with your people, I mean."

Loomi took a bite of her ice cream. It was good. She didn't know the exact name of the flavor, partly because she still struggled to read, but she knew it was chocolate. That was good, she reasoned.

The girl furrowed her brow, looking down at the dessert. Would she be able to handle being at odds with her culture? Maybe she already was. Loomi had been taken away from her home when she was really little, forced to grow up as someone's captive. She was probably a far cry from what the people of Godo, or even Ord Providence for that matter, were expected to be like. She was just some strange, uncommon alien estranged from her own homeland. Her people would probably find her to be an embarrassment.

"What's... it like?" she asked out of the blue. "Y'know, to have a people. I-I never really knew where I was from..."

 

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

Coruscant, Corusca Sector, Core Worlds
Ice Cream Parlor​

Tag: Loomi

"Many of them, not all. We're more scattered, hidden and divided than most in the galaxy realize."

Minerva's eyes closed while sighing. Yes, opposing those she once loved was a bitter feeling to have. That day on Kashyyyk had been the most difficult choice of her life up to now. Yet how could Minerva ever call those who scalped Wookiee children for trophies as vod? No not in good conscience.

With the free hand the warrior squeezed it away from Loomi's view. After Kashyyyk she learned through some contacts the raid had supposedly been 'unsanctioned' by the Enclave leadership. It didn't lessen her new contempt for them because she knows they won’t give full justice to the Wookiees if any at all. Too many warriors were involved and the independent clans like Munin that took part will be useful for their new crusade brewing.

Aruetii lives matter little to them as long as they can kill freely and have the power to be feared in the galaxy once more. To think just weeks ago I still called those glorified cultists family.

The thought was agony. Eating some more as a distraction Minerva sighed again. Blue Milk Twister was her favorite since a little girl. On rare special occasions her father would take her to an ice cream stand or a parlor similar to this. Indeed this brought back good memories.

Loomi's new question returned Minerva to the present. She wiped her mouth and glanced back at the kid. There was a question within that question and she suspected the former was something Loomi was asking herself. Sympathy was became written on Minerva's face while replying.

"To truly have a people is to have a family, just larger and more extended. It can come with the joys of love, faith, identity, purpose and a place to belong. Yet it comes with burdens as well Loomi. Disappointment, shame, doubt, grief and even hatred if that trust is broken."

Minerva paused at what she said. The bond of a shared family even in the midst of a hostile universe was what always inspired her being a Mandalorian. The Enclave's crimes had broken her heart yet she believed and hoped to connect with other Mandalorians who had true honor someday.

To the padawan she asked her own question.

"Don't you consider the Jedi Order as your people Loomi?"

 

[Loomi]

Coruscant
Tags: Minerva Fhirdiad

"Don't you consider the Jedi Order as your people Loomi?"

Loomi reflected on what Minerva said before giving a nod. Based upon how she described it the Jedi certainly seemed like her people.

"I-I do," she nodded. "I-I haven't been with them for very long, b-but I've met a lot of really good people. I... would do anything for them."

Ko, Braze, Aliris, Colette, Mago, Shan... a lot of people she could call friends now when before Loomi struggled to have people in her life she could consider acquaintances. For good reason that was out of her control, of course. It was hard to make friends when you were being used against your will after all. Maybe that prior experience shaped this new one in a way. Loomi was so used to people taking advantage of her that it made it really easy to latch onto selfless acts.

"S-sorry about all the questions," Loom sighed, tilting her head a little. "I-I'm still trying to figure everything out. All of this is... new. Very new. I-it feels like I'm dreaming or something..."

She'd very much prefer if her dreams were like the real world anyways.

 

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

Coruscant, Corusca Sector, Core Worlds
Ice Cream Parlor​

Tag: Loomi

Do anything for them…

Now that is very relatable. Minerva hoped the Order wouldn't crush this trust that Loomi was giving so willingly to them. Of course the few Jedi she met like Valery Noble gave hints it was a well placed trust.

Half way done with her ice cream Minerva now titled her own head at the young learner. Scars of the soul are deeper than scars of the flesh.

"Kid you're growing up, it's only natural that you ask questions. Of course if it is force related I won't be much help sorry."

Shrugging her shoulders she added.

"Years ago joining the Alliance military was a new and jarring experience for me. Surrounded by aruetii who barely understands me, it was hard adjusting being the only Mandalorian amongst thousands. Yet over the course of the last war and to now I found comrades to bond with in spite of everything and that has made all the difference."

Her voice was filled with pride, thinking about the Talons. Back to her young companion she nodded.

"If it is okay to ask who are some of your friends and what are they like? In exchange I tell ya about some of my teammates."

 

[Loomi]

Coruscant
Tags: Minerva Fhirdiad

"Y-yeah," Loomi nodded. "Let's see..."

She had a lot of friends now. Where did she even begin?

"Well, there's Ko Vuto ," she began, "He's older than me, and really smart. He taught me a bunch of stuff. Then there's Aliris Tremiru . She's kinda quiet, b-but she's a really sweet person. Colette is my roommate. She's kinda stubborn I think, but she's got a real strong sense of morals. Oh, and Braze . He showed up to see me when I was recovering from my injury."

There was now a rather large smile on her face as she continued to eat her ice cream. That wasn't all her friends for sure, but it was the notable ones who she was very close with. Thinking about them all made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Her curiosity began to peak when her thoughts drifted to her offer to talk about her teammates.

"What's.... your team like?" the Godoan asked.

 

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

Coruscant, Corusca Sector, Core Worlds
Ice Cream Parlor​

Tag: Loomi

Having people to care about and vice versa is better than owning an entire planet or even a galaxy as far as Minerva is concerned. She was happy for Loomi even though they're starting to know each other. Life can be hard but its joys are worth living for.

"Sounds like an interesting bunch. Don't take them for granted."

Now nearly done with her ice cream Minerva leaned on the counter, explained.

"There is Irni, she's a lot nicer than I am and keeps me honest with her opinion about things without compromising my command in the field. She saved me countless times and can shot a womp rat in the eye without breaking a sweat. Then Gakot, that guy is rough and tends to have a big mouth but he's fiercely loyal, someone I can always depend on in a fight. Also he can outdrink all of us on the team."

Laughing at that last part she went on.

"Also we have Morsil but we all just call him Stitches, he's our chief medic. Not the friendliest guy around but he knows his stuff and cares more than he admits to. Of course there is our tech expert Sumi from Aritsa who loves to tinker with anything machine related when we're not on missions. She has a little probe droid for a partner called Hanzo whom she built from scratch; they're quite the duo. Watch out if you get her started on swoop racing you're in for a long conversation it's her passion."

 

[Loomi]

Coruscant
Tags: Minerva Fhirdiad

"They sound real nice," Loomi noted. "I hope they plan something for your promotion."

The girl glanced down, frowning.

"Golly," she lamented, "My ice cream is gone. I-I guess that means I should probably get back to the temple..."

The Godoan looked back up, giving Minerva a warm smile. She at least got to learn a little more about the woman, and receive some advice on how to move forwards. It was nice. The Mandalorian was going to have a tough time ahead of her, but she had friends. They'd manage. Loomi was sure of it.

"Thank you for coming with me," the girl added. "You... think we could hang out some other time?"

They were friends now too after all.

 

[Minerva Fhirdiad]

Coruscant, Corusca Sector, Core Worlds
Ice Cream Parlor​

Tag: Loomi

Minerva still found it crazy years ago she would've spit in disgust at the idea of being friends with a Jedi. Of course she also thought it was nothing but trouble fighting them as well considering what galactic history had proven time and again when it happened. By now though she understood they were people who just happen to have enhanced abilities not accursed beings like the more traditional Mandalorians repeatedly declared.

Before the warrior she only saw a teenager just trying to figure out her place in the universe. Done with her own ice cream Minerva considered her response.

"We'll see Loomi. Personally I wouldn't mind it but my new duties as captain are going to keep me occupied."

In the back of her mind the Mandalorian already suspected her team is probably setting up some kind of party as soon as possible. Tossing the cone to a nearby trash bin Minerva then said.

"I'll take ya back to the Jedi Temple, on my speeder. While they may not like the sight of this armor given the times, I see it as my responsibility to get a comrade home safely."

Gesturing for Loomi to follow they left the parlor. Subsequently they rode Minerva's speeder and the new captain dropped Loomi off near the temple's entrance before flying off.

Spoiler

OOC: The End