Manda'yaim: A New Beginning

[Judah Lesan]

Secrets, they were things which could ruin a relationship. Graad was no expert in the matter, but he did know the damage secrets could do. He was just relieved Briika seemed impressed by the work he had accomplished alone. Her tears, her words, it made him even more certain the two needed to make a riduurok covenant. Graad wanted to talk with Solus first however, so her suggestion was timely.

"I'm sorry, and I promise I won't leave you in the dark again. I know you're strong. You're strong, intelligent, steady, and very beautiful. You out cook me, and get tighter groupings with your rifle than I do. There is no way I would ever want anyone else as a life partner. You truly are my best friend, and when you came into my life, I knew I had to find a way to keep you in it, even if it meant only as a friend. You've shared more with me than I ever had to offer you, and chose to stay with me. I cannot ever think of how I will ever thank you, but I'll spend a lifetime trying."

Graad smiled, and pressed his forehead to Briika's. He rest it there for a moment before pressing a kiss to her lips. It was tender, and sweet. When their lips parted his head was still on pressed to hers.

"I will talk with Solus and Kad. I've been meaning to talk to Solus for some time now, and this gives me another reason to do that sooner rather than later."

He pressed another kiss to her lips, this one more passionate. Graad helped Briika off her feet as he found a soft patch of moss which was under a clearing of trees, leaving a view of the open sky. The sun was setting, but the two would miss it, as Graad continued to press kisses to his partner. It was not long before her dress was gone, and the two once again demonstrated the love their words had just expressed. The stars were bright as Graad look at them with Briika couched close in his arms. He sighed of contentment as he hands run along her bare shoulder.

"Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum, ner cyare."

 

[Briika Munin]

The next several weeks were very busy. Briika was helping to set up new clinics and medical outposts while still caring for some of the more seriously wounded vode, who had fought with Mand'alor at the Battle of Wayland, and [member="Graad Hokan"] was prepping for the harvest and continuing to work on the ship. [member="Kad Tor"] had started to help with that as well in his free time, though the goran's shop was busy with lots of orders for new customized beskar'gam or upgrades and/or repairs of existing. The two Mando'ade were making headway, but a third hand was needed if they were to finish the project sooner than later.

Briika had rushed home to the farmstead after stopping to load up with extra food and supplies on her way out of Keldabe. Her parents were coming to visit and help out with the long harvest and ship building. Bree felt nervous/anxious for some reason, but that could just be from her being overly tired. The past days had been steamy hot and the late summer nights were not cooling off like earlier in the season. Sleeping had become a bear of an issue for everyone, and she just couldn't seem to get comfortable with unexplained aches and pains when sleep did come. Needless to say she was grouchy; generally not her normal self.

I just need one good night's sleep, she mused, denying anything might be wrong with her otherwise.

When Solus and Ka'ra pulled up in their motorized camper that they were planning to stay in during their visit so as not to put anyone out, it brought a smile to Briika's face. Their daughter was always glad to see them.

She called to Mesh'la to come greet her ba'buire. Of course that included Atin as the canine came out of the barn wagging his tail behind the young girl.

"Su cuy'gar and olarom!" Bree said enthusiastically, giving both her buire welcoming hugs.

 

[Judah Lesan]

Graad and Kad had been busy, but Solus was certainly needed. That was why Graad had made good on his word to get him down from Enceri as soon as he could. There were several reasons they were needed. First, the ship, second the harvest was coming soon and Graad needed all the help he could get, and third, Graad needed to talk to Solus about joining their aliit through marriage. Briika and Graad were partners already, and their culture did allow for their arrangement. Graad wanted more than just a partnership, and so did Briika. They wanted to be an aliit. Graad was going to let Solus know of his intentions to make a riduurok with Briika, and adopt Mesh'la as his ad.

The two men had just come from the fields as the motorized camper pulled into the farmstead. The day had been hot, as well as the nights, and Graad was not sleeping well, because Briika had not been sleeping well. She had been irritable as of late, and Graad couldn't put his finger on why. Also, despite the fact Briika had told him she could talk to her about anything, something told him he would be wise to leave this one alone until she brought the subject up.

Solus was greeted with they tradition greeting men often used, and Ka'ra received a hug. It was common knowledge Briika and Graad were partners now, and the family seemed be accepting of this. Kad had been pressing Graad to "do the right thing" by Briika, but Briika had mentioned his certain indiscretions with Ral. Kad had been sampling the goods before his riduurok as well. Briika, she was greeted with a kiss. She certainly looked as though she could use one.

"Just in time! Kad was just going to put everything away while I checked on the meat I put in the smoker this morning. Maybe you'd like to help me with that Solus. I have something I want to talk to you about, something Kad said you'd be able to fix better than he could."

[member="Briika Detta"]

 

[Briika Munin]

The blonde baar'ur gave [member="Graad Hokan"] a warm, yet tired smile as the vhett pulled back from the kiss he just delivered to her lips after greeting her buire. It made Bree very happy to see the Tor clan so openly accept the rugged Concordian. They treated him like family already, which was far telling of their opinion of Graad.

The ade begged Kad to take them down to the creek to cool off since dinner was not a while yet. The goran didn't really want to be around for "the talk" between the men so of course he said yes and off the brood went.

Ka'ra went with her daughter inside the yaim and helped make the side dishes that would be served with the meat that was cooking in the pit outside. The baar'ur herself notice right away that Briika wasn't herself. In fact, the younger Tor looked down right sick. Which corresponded with Bree making a quick excused dash down the hallway to the fresher. Ka'ra only knew that look too well when the young blond came back to the kitchen.

"How far along are you, Br'ika?" she asked.

Briika tried to appear like she didn't know what her mother was talking about, then the all-knowing look melted her stubborn resolve.

"About seven weeks, I think. Haven't done a test to know for sure, though it sounds about right given… Well the time line fits," Bree answered, handing her mother a big bowl of peas to de-pod.

"I see… Does Graad want a child of his own? If he does and you two love each other as you seem to do, I see no problem," she nodded with an understanding smile. "Though, your buir will expect him to make a riduurok with you… Sooner than later like before our visit is over with. Does Graad know yet or suspect?"

"No… at least I don't think he does. He's been very busy as I have lately. To be honest, I've been in denial myself and was hoping I was just stressed out from work, the recent conflicts, and tired from not sleeping due to the heat. I guess I should tell him, huh?"

 

[Judah Lesan]

Everyone seemed to go there own separate ways, and that was fine with Graad. The last thing he needed was to have this conversation in front of everyone. Solus knew what was coming, his behavior seemed to indicate it anyway. However, he walked along outside with the "tour" Graad gave to show how well Briika and Mesh'lamwere being cared for. Yes, Graad felt as though he had to prove himself capable, after all, Solus likely never imagined Briika would be wed twice. Most of the equipemt was familiar to Solus which meant thwrw want much to discuss anymore, except for what Graad intended.

"So, I've been meaning to talk to you since Briika returned from her meeting with Nolan Detta. When we last met I promised my intentions were honorable, and I've kept my word. That's why I wanted to talk to you, and ask your blessing to make a riduurok with Briika."

Solus was quiet, it was intentional just to see if Graad would squirm. The vhett was brave, nervous, but brave. Solus laughed as he clapped Graad on the back.

"Do you need it? I appreciate the respect, but I'm not the one you need to be asking. I'm smart enough to know you two have been sharing a bed for sometime, so I expect a riduurok, but you should really ask Briika, because you have the blessing of her buire."

Graad smiled and nodded. The two clasped arms before heading back to the house to actually check on the meat. It was about the time he heard Briika discussing something with her mother. Did Graad know what? What did Briika suppos she needed to say? Hopefully it had something to do with how tired she was, but right now Graad just wanted to share his news with Briika, or ask her anyway. Well that could wait until dinner with everyone present. That would be best.

"The meat is ready," Graad said popping his head through the window and smiling at the two ladies. "It's just set to keep warm until the ade, Kad included, return."

[member="Briika Detta"]

 

[Briika Munin]

Briika nearly dropped a colander she was holding when she heard [member="Graad Hokan"]'s booming baritone voice come through the window as she washed berries out in the sink that were to top the homemade ice cream that was sitting in the cold storage. Bree had been lost in thought as the water ran over the fruit.

"You're lucky your meat is so tasty otherwise I'd withhold dessert from you for scaring the hibbie jibbies out of me… " she quipped lightly after composing herself, then spritz his face playfully with her wet fingers as his head was in the open kitchen window.

"Why don't you ring the bell to alert the others it's time for dinner while we finish up in here, otherwise I think they won't come back till dusk. But then again… more for us, huh?" Briika winked, feeling a bit better after verbally admitting to her buir'ika and herself life was about to change in a very big way on the Hokan farmstead… She just didn't know how much.

 

[Judah Lesan]

Graad just grinned as Briika threatened to withhold dessert from him. There may have been a double meaning to that, but lately Briika hadn't been herself, places Graad enjoyed were sore and tender, and didn't really know what was going on. Briika usually said she was fine, but something was going on.

"More for us would be great, but you know Mesh'ika would kill me if she didn't get any."

Briika knew it was true too. The young girl loved his cooking, especially when it was done outdoors. Rounding the house, Graad stood next to the large triangle which hung from the eaves of the porch roof and rang it for a while. When everyone arrived, they all dug into the food, and it seemed like a mad house for a while. Eight people eating outside of the small yaim was fun, but reminded Graad how small the homestead was.

When the meal was over Ka'ra exchanged a look with Solus which said they needed to get everyone out for a walk, and Graad was curious. Well, it would give Graad time to ask Briika what he intended. With the quiet, Graad grabbed a couple of ales, and offered one to Briika as he padded the place on the porch swing next to him.

"I think I need to build that addition if we're going to be having more of the aliit here this often. The place feel cramped."

[member="Briika Detta"]

 

[Briika Munin]

Briika smiled during dinner, but mostly was quiet allowing everyone else to get their two-creds in, which added up to a lot. Once the meal was over, the ba'buire took the ade, well more so the other way around as the young ones lead the way, on a walk of the property giving the couple some much needed space from prying ears and eyes.

The offered ale was taken, but not opened as the blonde sat down next to [member="Graad Hokan"] on the porch swing. This was part of their evening ritual when both were home. As of late that had not happened much. It felt good to be just them for a moment… and enjoy the calm before the storm. Suddenly Bree got nervous about what she needed to tell Graad, not knowing truly how he'd react to her news. His musings about the yaim being too cramped was her opening so she took it.

Briika slid her free hand into the rugged Concordian's as they slowly swung back and forth before she spoke; fingers intertwined as usual. "Well definitely having more room would be nice… especially now that our aliit is going to get even bigger," she said, letting that statement float in the air between them all the while biting her anxious lip waiting for him to say something. The silence was killing her.

 

[Judah Lesan]

Graad noticed the ale was set aside, and unopened. Briika did that occasionally if she was on call, so the Mando'ad didn't think much of it from there. The sunset was going to be beautiful, and Graad was happy with the quiet they had. The twins were a rambunctious sort, and they'd been over a lot lately, but tonight it was Graad and Briika, alone. The plan was to propose when the sunset got to be at the right height, and the sky was the most colorful. He was would have gotten to his news sooner, but Briika took an opportunity to deliver some news of her own.

And was subtle in her delivery, but the news hit Graad like a blastsr bolt to the chestplate. He would have been knocked back had he not been sitting. The two had been very careful, and yet, well, they hadn't been at the same time. Graad had always wanted to be a buir, but this was sudden and unplanned. Once the initial shock was mulled over his mind, joy, and a bit of nerves, washed over him. He started to smile as the sunset turned just the right color.

"You stole my sunset," Graad teased as he looked into the deep blue pools that were Briika's eyes. "Seems I wasn't the only one waiting for a moment alone with you tonight. There is only one thing that could make me happier than I am right now."

Graad let the statement trail off as he kissed Briika. He was going to be a buir. The excitement never showed on his face, but Graad was never overly expressive. Briika would know he was happy as there was one give away. Despite his dark brown eye color, Graad's eyes always gave him away. His own news, or question, was pressing even more so at this point, as Graad knew Solus would expect it now too.

"Solus gave me his blessing today, Briika. I asked him for his blessing to enter into a riduurok with you and he gave his blessing. With an ad coming I cannot wait to ask you. Briika, will you be ner riduur?

[member="Briika Detta"]

 

[Briika Munin]

​

"Why elek I did, didn't I… " Briika nodded back with a soft giggle as she set the unopened ale bottle down on the ground, then turned to face the rugged Concoridan. "Early bird gets the worm they say," she smiled, placing her other hand atop their already held hands.

Graad's eyes told her everything. He was pleasantly surprised, accepting wholeheartedly as the subtly delivered news had sunk in… but there was something else in those chocolate pools of his too; something that made her insides get nervous, hopefully in a good way by the way he was gazing into hers.

And then the man asked her to be his riduur… To be honest, Bree never thought this moment would come, but it did and there was only one answer to give…

"Ni vorer, [member="Graad Hokan"]!" Briika replied with all sincerity and tears. Yes, a flood of joyous tears fell down her cheeks as her face lit up. "Gar ner runi, ner kar'ta."

 

[Judah Lesan]

Graad kissed her. He was a man of action and few words. There was more happiness than he ever knew possible flowing through him. This was a fairy tale to him. Graad had lost everything as a child, but now Briika had given it all back to him. She shared her aliit with him, and now was giving him an ad[/]. Their lives would become one, and the future of their house was set.

"Shall we gather everyone. I don't see any point in waiting while everyone is already here. We can make our vow, and I can adopt Mesh'la. We really would be an aliit. Then you can give them the news."

Graad stood and helped Briika up. He kissed her again, and carried her off the porch in his arms. They were going to be married, and soon.

"I think they are all looking at the ship. We'll be wed by the end of the day."

[member="Briika Detta"]

 

[Briika Munin]

The kiss… yeah it said everything the quiet man hadn't verbalized. Briika was all smiles as well, especially about the news [member="Graad Hokan"] wanted to adopt her daughter with Kable as his own. Mesh'la and him had a pretty close parental-child relationship already. This would be the icing on the cake so to speak. The young girl needed and wanted a buir, and the rugged Concordian fit the bill to a tee.

"Elek, sounds perfect."

The family was just where Graad had thought they would be. Bree made him put her down before the engaged couple came into view.

"Hey everyone… Gather around. We have something to tell you," Briika called out to the Tor aliit inspecting the ship. "Don't we, Graad'ika?" she grinned, squeezing his hand and arm.

 

[Judah Lesan]

Everyone gathered around, and Briika was nudging Graad to deliver the news. He smiled as he kept hold of Briika's hand. Mesh'la looked at them curious as to why they seemed so happy and what news they could possibly have. He patted her head with his other hand, and looked at the young girl with a heart full of love.

"Well more like something we wanted you to be present for," he said before taking both of Briika's hands.

The small clearing where the ship was being constructed was as good a place as any. Oranges and yellows could still be seen in the sky as they began to fade into pinks and blues of a near set sun.

"Mhi solus tome
Mhi solus dar'tome
Mhi me'dinurir an
Mhi ba'juri verde"

His eyes never left Briika's as he looked to the woman who had captured his heart. When the vow was returned, he would adopt Mesh'la, something which would make the young ad excited.

[member="Briika Detta"]

 

[Briika Munin]

The setting was perfect; the time of day, the place, the people, the love… It was palpable in the air, and not only from the couple that were about to become one. No, it also included the family; the aliit. What it meant to be Mando'ad. They all would become one.

Briika gave Mesh'la a loving glance before turning to face [member="Graad Hokan"] as he took her other hand into his. Again, the rugged Concoridan's eyes told her every thing she needed to know just how much this meant to him and how much he loved her.

In turn, Bree repeated the Mandalorian marriage vows in Mando'a.

"Mhi solus tome
Mhi solus dar'tome
Mhi me'dinurir an
Mhi ba'juri verde"

Then, the golden blonde grabbed his arm in the traditional way and pulled him down for their first kiss as man and wife.

 

[Judah Lesan]

Oh the kiss, it made Graad want more, which reminded him the other news the pair had to share. Graad didn't feel inclined to share it at the moment, and thought it best if they didn't. He'd own up to it if Briika shared the news, but if not, he'd stay quiet. It was that he was afraid of telling everyone... just Solus. There was a slight chance this would seem as a break in his promise, but to let it rest and tell him after the riduurok was settled seemed best.

When the kiss broke, Graad rest his forehead on Briika's for a moment. Eyes then turned to Mesh'la in something which Briika would know was coming, but the others had not. This would certainly help Solus to see Graad's intentions had always been only the best in regards to the two blonde's. Lifting the young girl into his arms he smiled as he looked into her eyes.

"Ni kyr'tayl gai sa'ad - Mesh'la"

He planted a kiss on the girl's forehead and set he back onto her feet, and let her run to two or three steps to her buir'ika. THe excitement which filled the air was exciting, and Graad genuinely hoped Kad would be moving on himself soon. Maybe the seeing the happiness he was seeing this day would move him into action.

"Well, should we all head back to the yaim and celebrate?"

[member="Briika Detta"]

 

[Briika Munin]

The adoption of Mesh'la by [member="Graad Hokan"] was the icing on the cake. The young girl was so happy she didn't know quite what to say or do, but running into her mother's arms was the first thing once she was sat back down. After joyous tears were shed and wiped away, Mesh'la turned and walked back over to the man who was to be her father now.

Taking his large hand in her petite one, the young blonde smiled up at the rugged Concordian. "If it pleases you, I'd like to call you Gra'buir," she said, then grabbed Briika's hand and pulled her over so they could do a family hug.

Yep, that's when Bree decided to keep mum about the baby for the time being. She knew Ka'ra would keep her confidence unless directly asked if it was so. It wasn't her mother's news to tell anyway. When the time was right, they would tell Mesh'la, then the rest of the family.

"Elek… Let's all go back and celebrate! There is homemade ice cream waiting for us," she beamed.

 

[Judah Lesan]

"You can call me whatever you want," Graad said as he scooped her up and kissed her forehead.

The celebration was wonderful, and seemed to last for some time. After about a week, Solus and Ka'ra returned to Enceri as the vessel was near complete. The finishing work was not something Graad and Kad needed Solus for anyway. At about the same time, harvest had finished up, and Graad was making arrangements to sell at market. Enough was held back for next year's seed and food for winter. Though the proximity to the equator meant little had to be held compared to what Graad was used to in Springs.

The days seemed to go by as normal. Border worlds seemed to be quiet, and the Mando'ade seemed to be licking their wounds, then a call came for mercenaries. The job was good, well paying, and led by one Briika seemed to know well. Graad decided to take it. He was dressed in his beskar'gam as he stood outside the door of his yaim his riduur standing with him.

"I'm going to miss you, and Mesh'la. I will come back, you know I will."

[member="Briika Hokan"]

 

[Briika Munin]

With the wedding celebration over and the harvest done for the season, the Hokan farmstead was quiet once again, which was a good thing as Briika was dealing with morning sickness and the fatigue that came with being pregnant. She was already looking forward to the Second Trimester as with her last two pregnancies afforded her at least some relief and some reward.

Mesh'la had taken the news of being a big sister well, and the family as a whole, though Solus had given some playful grief to [member="Graad Hokan"] when he found out that his daughter had been with child before the marriage vows were taken.

When Mand'alor called the vode to arms, the rugged Concordia of course signed up to go to Ord Ramada as one of the ver'verde. Briika had reservations about her riduur going after just being married and an ad on the way, but said nothing. As Mando'ade who lived by the Resol'nare, this was a part of their life. She also knew they could use the credits, but still didn't have to like it. After losing one husband, Bree did not want to lose another.

"I know… " Briika replied with a warm smile, then pulled her man down for a kiss to remember for it would have to do until he got back. "Be safe, ner cyare… Muun'bajir."