Private Long Night of Solace | Sacorria, Pre GA Fall

[Jasper Kai'el]

Long Night of Solace
Sacorria, Pre GA Fall
Tags: Marissa Shoda

Lightsaber, Refuge, Respite, Order of Outcasts
​

Jasper made sure that he was presentable before he went home. He trimmed his beard, got himself cleaned up, and made sure he put on the blood-stripes he had earned from Dracken Pryce from his service to Corellia. He had been lost in the galaxy of Firefist for a good year now, left to fight a dark entity alone, a being of Lord Kalrath 's design. He was tired. Very tired. When Corin and Braze retrieved him he had just about used himself up. Miraculously, after all of that, he was still alive. Perhaps that was his greatest strength....

He was very stubborn.

In his hands, Jasper clutched a piping hot box of fried porg bites. It wasn't chosen for no reason. With everything so foggy, his mind was all but living in the memory of that day... When he finally got to his front door, Jasper did something a bit uncharacteristic. Usually he would just enter without announcing himself and face the consequences of those actions later.

Instead, he simply knocked and waited patiently.

Marissa had been told he was found. Of all the people he had yet to see, she was at the very top of that list. All he wanted was to be here with her and forget about the rest of the galaxy.

The Jedi Master wasn't sure how long he'd get to do that.

 

[Marissa Shoda]

It had been more than a year. More than a year of isolation, responsibility and fighting to take care of the family. Braze had been an astronomical help in that. Not only helping her during the pregnancy, but also afterward to help her recover as well as keep the house operational.

He also helped her quite a bit with honing the limited knowledge of the Force she began to learn from Jasper before he disappeared.

Their little family of oddballs felt the loss of their husband and father, but they also received a special addition as well.

Now he was supposedly back. Marissa had heard the news but she struggled to believe it. For some reason, she swallowed hard on that news. Perhaps it was shock or grief... or perhaps it was resentment. As unfair as it was, she was angry at Jasper for falling off the map. She couldn't fathom seeing him again, much less introduce him to a little someone...

It was a slow day for Cricket as she wandered around the house. Chores were done, the little one was finally sound asleep and everything was squared away. For all intents and purposes, she was bored. Braze was supposed to come back later in the day to help her train, but for now she was left to her own devices -or lack thereof- for a few hours. The last thing she expected was a knock on the door.

Her heart jumped and her face burned hot. Could it be? She stifled her expectations, yet still secretly hoped it was true. But also not. She had never felt so confused in her life. The love of her life, the neon rainbow to her darkness.

And she was scared.

The thought of seeing him again scared her. A warning came up in the corner of her eye to check her heart rate but she dismissed it as she slowly snuck over to the front door. A shaky hand cautiously reached out to grasp the door control, but she hesitated. She could feel his presence on the other side of the door. It really was him. And yet she steuggled to press the button. After what felt like an eternity, she finally gathered the courage and hit the button. The door slid open to reveal her beloved Knight.

Not a single word or sound escaped her except for the faint whizzing and clicking of her eyes as she stared up at him. First they turned yellow to confirm that she wasn't mistaken, then red to scan his vitals and any potential injuries. He looked worse for wear, despite havkng cleaned up pretty decently. His beard looked awful as ever, yet she had to fight the urge to caress his cheeck. His eyes were tired. But he was healthy. And he was alive.

While scanning him from head to toe, she didn't move or make a sound. Mouth parted and hand clinging to the doorframe like a salt pillar.

When she did finally snap back to reality, a fierce scowl overtook her gentle features. She grabbed hold of his collar and, with the help of the Force, hurled him past her and into the house towards the dining room table. "The bloody nerve!" She found herself shouting at him.

Jasper Kai'el

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Sacorria
Tags: Marissa Shoda

Lightsaber, Refuge, Respite, Order of Outcasts
​

Jasper winced a little as he was shoved inside. It wasn't that bad. He had a natural resistance to shoving with the Force, being a Force user himself. It was more the tension of the moment that made his stomach turn in a funny way. Even so, he made sure he didn't let the box of food in his hands drop.

"That's... probably fair," Jasper agreed awkwardly, rubbing at the bridge of his nose. "I... wasn't exactly happy about all that myself..."

It wasn't like he wanted to be whisked away from everyone he loved. He didn't have much choice in the matter. Even so, he understood the pain that his absence caused. People relied on him. It made everything a lot messier than it had to be.

"So, uh... am I... sleeping on the sofa then?"

Despite the tension, he did manage to muster up a warm smile. It was tired, and a bit on the nervous side, but the emotions in it were just as real as they had always been. After all...

She had never left his thoughts once.

 

[Marissa Shoda]

It angered her further that her attempt at throwing him around didn't seem to have any effect at all, the moof milker probably counteracted her power. It wasn't fair.

With a huff she marched over and gave him another shove against his chest. "Kark you, with the stunt you pulled, you'll be lucky to sleep under a damned roof tonight!" She shouted as tears began to roll down her cheeks. But the fire soon faded, and that force-damned smile of his systematically broke down her walls.

She couldn't stay angry at him.

She swooped in again, but this time not to beat him or hurl him around. Her arms wrapped around his broad figure and her face buried into his chest. She shuddered as tears began to roll freely, joy finally winning against her anger. "Thank the Force, you're back." She muttered, gathering the courage to look him in the eye. He was tired. But her care seemed to wane rather quickly once she caught a whiff of the box he was holding. She recognized that smell.

"You're lucky I take bribes." She joked, whisking away the box to put it in the kitchen.

There was the matter waiting in the bedroom, however that still scared her. But as she walked back to embrace him once more, she took his hand and led him to their room. "Come on. Got something I wanna show ya." She spoke gently with a gentle smile. He deserved to know.

Jasper Kai'el

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Sacorria
Tags: Marissa Shoda

Lightsaber, Refuge, Respite, Order of Outcasts
​

Jasper let out an exhale as she felt Marissa's face press into his chest. His movements were reserved at first, but after a brief hesitation he was quick to wrap his arms around her.

"I'll always come back," he stated, his words soft. Even so, there was a firm conviction about them. "Always."

It was the one thing that had given him the drive to keep fighting out there. Even when he was stranded in the uncharted depths of another galaxy, left to fend off pirates and darkside spirits, he could only think about how much closer he was getting to returning home. And there was nothing in the galaxy he was ready to let stop him. Not gods, not armies.

"You're lucky I take bribes." She joked, whisking away the box to put it in the kitchen.

"Oh, yeah..." he reacted, almost forgetting he had the fried porg bites for a moment. "I was... feeling nostalgic, I guess."

Nostalgic was an understatement. That day had been replaying in his mind over and over again for the last few hours. When Marissa said there was something she wanted to show him, his eyes did perk up a little.

"Phy and Braze did mention something like that," the Jedi noted, frowning a little. "They didn't really elaborate though... I guess they thought it wasn't really their place or something..."

She was smiling at least. Was it good? He didn't really know. All he could do was follow.

 

[Marissa Shoda]

His arms wrapped around and drew her deeper into his embrace. A long, heavy sigh escaped into his chest as she surrendered herself to him. He made a declaration to her which felt more tangible now than ever before. He had said it in the past. But after this past year, he proved it.

He would always come back.

Leading him to their room, she was surprised that Braze and Phy told him, but luckily they didn't go into specifics. She had to get them some chocolates later as payment. "Thankfully they know how to keep a secret." She remarked with a warm smile. Upon reaching the door, she motioned for him to be quiet and led him inside.

By the foot of the bed sat a rather ornate crib with a bundled up blanket inside. Marissa carefully pulled the blanket open to reveal a small baby sleeping peacefully. A damned miracle for a change. Looking up at Jasper, she gave a warm smile and wrapped her arm around his waist. "I would say Cole has my eyes, but that's a damn lie." She whispered with a faint laugh.

Her heart swelled with pride. He finally got the chance to see his kid, and their son would grow up wuth a father. She hugged Jasper tightly and gently brushed the baby's cheek with her finger.

Jasper Kai'el

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Sacorria
Tags: Marissa Shoda

Lightsaber, Refuge, Respite, Order of Outcasts
​

Jasper followed, only to find himself in a bit of a daze. Asleep there in a crib was a little person. Was he afraid? No, not really. Maybe it was pride, or guilt, or joy or... whatever other descriptor you could tack on. It was all fuzzy and strange. He couldn't help himself. Jasper slipped forward and reached out his organic hand, laying it on the forehead of the infant.

His son. Cole. He knew that name... Maybe it was one of the many hypothetical discussions they had before...

"Hey there..." he muttered, more to himself than the baby. "I... guess we'll meet when you wake up..."

The Jedi let his hand drift away from his sleeping son, his attention turning fully to Marissa now. He was beaming, though in a notably dorky manner that would surely have reminded her of the dopey padawan she had met back on Denon. His heart swelled with a pride that he couldn't quite describe. He was happy. Of all the things he could have fought through hell to come home to, this was easily the most surprising, but most fulfilling all the same.

"I'm not really sure what to say," he admitted with a sheepish expression. "You... kinda got me standing here like a big old idiot..."

That was okay though. He didn't really mind standing there like an idiot who had forgotten how to speak for a moment. After a while, though, his hand moved to her cheek.

"I missed you... so much," Jasper exhaled. "I-I was... it was all so strange. I was... I thought I was dead..."

@Lord Kalrath threw his remaining arm forward, plunging his fist into Jasper Kai'el's gut. It pierced the skin and went through, causing the Jedi Master to violently cough up blood. Jasper wavered, but then stilled his resolve. He stood taller, clasping the Sith's head with both of his hands.

"Then I'll see you in hell."

Crack.

"And then I wasn't... and I was... so far away. So far away..."

His eyes became glassy, but not much more than that. He was still a bit tired, so the confusion of his weary body allowed him to keep some semblance of composure. What lay under the surface, though, was open and visible. Clear as day.

"You know... you're really good at giving me heart palpitations when I look at you."

 

[Marissa Shoda]

As was expected, Jasper had no clue on how to process the moment. But it still brought a bright grin to Cricket's face as she watched him meet his son. Their little family had grown just a little bit bigger. After a few precious moments, he turned his attention back to her with that same goofy smile she knew and loved.

Not once did she think that her life would take a turn like this. That meeting some dumb Jedi padawan on Denon would lead her to one of the happiest moments of her life. The roller coaster the two of them had endured. He made a joke, but she did not immediately respond. She let him take the moment and in turn she could gather her thoughts as well. Leaning into the hand on her cheek, she clasped his arm and closed her eyes for a few seconds. "I missed you too, Jas." She muttered, looking up at him once more.

He opened his heart, explaining what had happened and the isolation it brought the two of them. His eyes fogged up, and she insinctively scanned him to make sure he was okay. A habit that had become second nature to her whenever he returned from a mission. Wordlessly she guided him out of the room to not wake the baby, allowing her to chuckle softly at his tease. "Gotta make sure you're still kicking, right?" She joked back before leaning in to finally steal a kiss.

"I was worried sick. Didn't know if you were dead, and when I got the news from the doctor... I panicked. The thought of raising a kid without a dad, it... it haunted me. Day in and day out." Her hands rested on his chest as she leaned into him. "This still doesn't feel real. Like I'll just wake up and it was all a dream." She confessed with a heavy sigh. Her hands wrapped around to hold him tightly, to make sure he would not go anywhere.

"I've missed you, Jas." She practically whispered. A faint smile finally took hold once more as she glanced up at him. "Don't think I'd make a good single mom." She joked with a soft chuckle.

Jasper Kai'el

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Sacorria
Tags: Marissa Shoda

Lightsaber, Refuge, Respite, Order of Outcasts
​

"This still doesn't feel real. Like I'll just wake up and it was all a dream.

"You're awake, M..." Jasper assured.

He couldn't help but agree with her sentiment though. As far as he was concerned he would be a terrible single father. He had experience with children, sure, but not that young. Infants and teens were very different. Maybe, then, things were working out exactly like they needed to be.

Marissa kissing him, though, brought him right back to reality. It was like he had never gone anywhere. That warm sensation flitted about inside him, and whatever tension he had finally relaxed and drifted away.

"I think I need a break," he admitted with a chuckle. "I... don't really wanna go anywhere. Was thinking I might try to learn how to cook..."

More importantly, and the part he left unsaid, leave the fighting to others for a while. Jasper had grown up in the Second Great Hyperspace War. He had gone from that to the New Imperial Order, then the Mandalorian Enclave, then the Dark Empire and Sith Order... he was tired. When the time was right, Jasper would heed the call to pick up a weapon once more, but for now...

He wanted to rest.

 

[Marissa Shoda]

Jasper's admittance caught Marissa by surprise, but she welcomed the suggestion. With everything going on, having him finally stay home for longer than just a month or so was necessary. And she wanted him close. She wasn't going to let him simply sneak away anytime soon.

His choice on what to do with all of the free time, however, drew a laugh from the woman. "I think it'll do you some good." She teased with a slap on his chest. Not that she was one to cast stones, her own cooking could also do with some improvement. Perhaps it would do them both good to work on that particular skill. "We can both work on that. Luckily we have a resident chef to help us out." She continued, thinking back to the numerous wondrous meals Braze had prepared for them over the past few years.

Departing from Jasper for a moment, Marissa grabbed the box of porg bites he had brought her and dragged him along to the couch, where she made herself comfortable on his lap. "In the meantime, these will do nicely." She remarked, popping a few into her mouth with a satisfied hum. "And with you home, we can actually go on a proper vacation for a change. We haven't done something in well over a year." She remarked between bites, giving him a nudge with her shoulder.

Jasper Kai'el

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Sacorria
Tags: Marissa Shoda

Lightsaber, Refuge, Respite, Order of Outcasts
​

"Vacation, huh?" Jasper remarked. "That sounds nice... maybe a nice lake... I was gonna say beach, but I think I need something a little calmer..."

He could see himself just laying back in some crystal clear water and simply... drifting away. No tides to bother him, just the sun and the breeze. Jasper liked the idea of that. Maybe he could also get in some much needed sleep. He hadn't exactly gotten much over the last year.

It was kind of hard to do that out there...

"Maybe in a few weeks," he sighed, wrapping his arms around Marissa's waist and pulling her a little closer. "I need a little time in my own bed..."

 

[Marissa Shoda]

He was certainly onboard with the idea, though Marissa did agree with him to just stay home for a little while. He deserved the rest, and she wanted nothing more than to just spend some quiet, peaceful time with him. His suggestion of a lake, however, gave Marissa an idea. Something she had been wanting to do for a very long time.

"Lake, huh? Rather convenient. Been wantin' to go to Naboo for a while now. We can check for a nice little spot there." She remarked holding the box of bites up to Jasper. He could only have a few, though.

This was her box of bites.

"But yeah. I'm with you. Having you to myself for a few weeks would be a miracle." She leaned into him and placed another kiss on his cheek. "High time we get some space to ourselves." She hummed, taking a few more bites.

A thought brought a smile to her face. It was almost alien for her to remember such an important aspect now. He was finally back for good. "Plus, you gotta learn how to change diapers. Ain't just gonna be my nose suffering now. I need some rest as well." She teased him with a nudge of her elbow.

A very satisfying thought indeed. But to see him work with Cole was something that made her heart glow.

Jasper Kai'el

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Sacorria
Tags: Marissa Shoda

Lightsaber, Refuge, Respite, Order of Outcasts
​

"Can't smell worse than the entrails of a Hutt," Jasper remarked.

He had been unfortunate enough to come upon the carcass of an individual, left behind by some inter-clan rivalry gone wrong. Their seemed naturally cultivated to all but ensure their insides had the consistency of toxic waste. That was a scent that the Jedi Master would carry with him to his grave.

"If you need to avoid freezing to death in the cold and gotta stuff yourself into something dead, pick something other than that," he added.

It was notable that Marissa mentioned Naboo. Jasper had been meaning to go to the High Republic and get a good grasp on their Jedi Order. Not to join himself, more just to get a better understanding of those who would be his allies. He already knew that the likes of Corazona and others had forged close ties with them. Perhaps, then, a vacation would not be a terrible idea. He could visit their temple in one afternoon to meet some local faces then spend the rest of that time relaxing. The planet was pretty safe if you avoided the oceans, which were all conveniently subterranean.

"I think there are a few places that stay warm on Naboo for most of the year," the Jedi mused. "Could be worth looking into, if that's where you wanna go."

He was okay letting her take the lead on that.

 

[Marissa Shoda]

Marissa paused her munching to stare at him for a moment or two, completely caught off-guard by his story. He continued to drive his point home and even brought Naboo's climate into the grim story. She always expected it to be a warm paradise from what she had read. Finally she laughed and gave Jasper a light slap on his chest. "I'll make sure to pack us some non-Hutt carcasses to stay warm in. Just for you." She joked.

The silence was finally broken by a faint cry from the bedroom. Marissa instinctively set the box aside and jumped up to help Cole, but paused mid step to look back to Jasper. With a motion of her hand, she invited him to come along.

She had to admit that having some control over the Force made caring for the little one a lot easier than it otherwise would have been. She had to care for her baby brothers for a time and that was a lot more difficult. Hovering over Cole's crib, Marissa glanced at Jasper. "He's just hungry. I'll get you a bottle." She left him to tend to Cole as she retreated to the kitchen. Even childbirth couldn't do much in regards to her underwhelming figure. Within a few minutes she returned with a bottle and handed it to Jasper, before stepping back a little to let him handle it.

She kept a careful eye on him, just in case he struggled with his grip.

Jasper Kai'el