♪ M É L A W E N ♪
Mandalore.
A planet she despised. Which said much, since Quinn usually enjoyed exploring new worlds. But not this one. Instead, she found herself traveling to the once-barren rock claimed by a warrior culture she considered crude and without morals.
Fortunately, their new leader was different. Aether had been part of her life since childhood — a man she valued for his mind as much as his strength. He was, in her eyes, above the path he'd chosen.
Her nose wrinkled at the thought of Mandalorians gathered in one room, armor left unwashed for weeks, maybe months. She hated even the idea of it. Looking out the shuttle window at the barren landscape only soured her mood further.
She snapped a few holos and sent them to her mother and another person who shared her distaste
Srina Talon
.<: Look where I am… I want to come home. :>
<: Why couldn't Aether meet me on Jutrand? :>
<: Why couldn't Aether meet me on Jutrand? :>
Of course, she knew why — but complaining was her privilege.
The shuttle landed. Quinn gathered her things, irritation giving way to an almost girlish anticipation. Aether had been her first real friend when she moved in with her godmother. Her first playmate. Her first confidant. Even her first crush.
Lucky for him, she had moved on. Most of her lovers met terrible ends. The thought made her chuckle as she waved off the guards who trailed behind. She didn't need them. She'd studied Mandalorians exhaustively, knew how to fight them, and more importantly, knew how Aether fought. They'd both been trained by the same hand.
Her heels clicked a measured rhythm through the halls of the enclave. Larger than she remembered, but she supposed Aether would have invested in his kingdom.
The grand doors opened. She was announced, and she waited for the boy she had once known — now Mandalore — to greet her.
"Hello, Aether," Quinn said, her smile sly. "It's been some time, hasn't it?"