One HELL of a Verd’goten

[Kaden Farr]

Kaden nodded. They were both done fighting, but that was not their future. Every battle that came to end always sounded the drum of a new challenge for them both. It was a never ending cycle for them. The peace between fights was nothing more than reprieve from the life they truly knew. They would never escape it no matter how hard they tried.

For a moment Kaden thought Yasha might actually let him kiss her, but she didn't. His brow furrowed out of curiosity for a moment. She had been getting a lot better with Mando'a, but truly she had never learned this phrase. The lines on his head dissipated as it dawned on him this very well could have been the first time she heard that phrase. Kaden nodded as he pulled away slightly.

Silas had been adamant with Baiko and Kaden that he learn the tongue of the Mantis' and that he pass a courtesan on Atrisa. This meant he had to learn languages. Kaden's eyes looked up at the ceiling while his tongue pressed against his left teeth. The teen was deep in thought about how to translate the thought behind what the phrase meant... When he thought he had it, Kaden looked back at Yasha. This time speaking in her native tongue.

"I love you... It means I love you... and I always will."

Kaden sighed, not out of disappointment, but because he finally told her how he truly felt. Saying it made it seem like a weight had been lifted off his chest, though it was replaced by a brick in his stomach. He knew how she felt, but there was the waiting, the hoping. Just because she felt that way... had almost said it herself, didn't mean she was going to.

"I'm always going to be right there Yasha," he pointed to where Aryn stood. "The promise I made to you when I brought you home from the medical ward is not one I intend to break. I have come to terms with what that promise truly means too. We didn't understand what it meant then, but we do know... at least I do. You will dive into whatever you dive into, and I will be there always to get you through it... even if it means carrying your shebs out of the hall because you've had too much to drink."

Kaden smirked.

"I'm not just any shebgetter you know... I'm your shebgetter..."

[member="Yasha Mantis"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“I didn’t know what love was.” She spoke of the word in Mando’a, but also the sensation. Yes, she knew her parents’ love, her Aunt’s love. She knew how Uncle Silas loved her, but this love Kaden offered was as intrinsic and flowed much deeper inside, promising a certain future and shutting all other doors.

How could a creature of the wastes learn and delight in love? Was it like the Force, dead inside her? Was it the instinctual knowing that Kaden had her back, and how useful that was?

“Love’s great when it’s good, sweet pea. Worst thing in the universe when it’s not working… Your Daddy and I fought monsters in our minds all our lives, and it maimed us… made us go limping into that next fight, but at least we had each other. For a man… freak, for anyone, you got a person back home, around the bend to go back to? Conquer even the bowels of this place… now I know you’re looking at me like I’m loop-de-hoop, but you’re getting to that age, where the Mandalorians are seeing you as wedding material… yeah yeah I know, it’s gross… Kaden loves you, Yasha. He’s got that look to him your Daddy had when he was saving us on Vorzyd… go forward with that, and it’ll either be forever or one frak-ton of slagging mess… but it’ll be forever, sweet pea… boy like that? He’s only going to fall once, and right now he’s in free fall. Catch him or let him hit the ground… but I want grand babies.”

Yasha’d squealed and gotten back to her ballet exercises, her leg muscles burning. Now she saw Kaden in his free fall, gunning for that first kiss in a stolen moment in the vacant throne room.

“Darn right you’re my shebgetter. Anyone else tries to get my shebs… shiv’em in the spine.” Yasha took Kaden’s wrist and moved it as if he were shivving someone behind her, tugging him so his elbow collided with her waist. She held him there, close as a breath away.

“I still want to get in a massive brawl.” Yasha whispered, and the softness continued, just the future Mand’alor and her Warmaster on the throne. She tilted her chin up and kissed him, sweet and innocent as it was.

“If I try and say the thing, I’ll stutter and kark it up.” Yasha smiled and her cheeks were pink. She nuzzled into his chest, still holding his arm to her side and back.

“Achem…” Ambrose’s huffing voice filled the throne room.

[member="Kaden Mantis"]

 

[Kaden Farr]

Kaden nodded again. He knew. Neither one of them knew what love was when he promised what he had. They did now. Aditya had made sure of it. What Kaden hadn't known was the conversations Yasha and her mother had. He'd been pushed to pursue Yasha, but Kaden didn't know Yasha had been told to make up her mind. A small smile pulled at his lips. It was soft, the only thing about him which seemed soft now. It was always only for Yasha. No one else would ever see him like this.

His arm naturally wrapped itself around Yasha's waist after she tugged him. She wanted her brawl. Kaden only nodded again as his eyes focused on her lips. This time she moved, and Kaden greeted the gentle and innocent kiss. It was a first for them both, and it elicited a wide smile from the young man. Yasha may have score two points in their little bout over the day, but Kaden had made the winning shot. He did decide it was best to not say anything about her blushing.

"You don't have to worry... I already know," he replied wearing the proud smirk of a feline which had caught its prey.

They were interrupted.

Kaden turned to see Ambrose had caught them standing on Ra's throne no less. It was a big chair for a man with a large shebs... Kaden wasn't going to say that out loud either. He didn't care that they had been caught, though Ambrose seemed to be sporting a black mark on his eye.

"You started a fight... or finished one... either way it was without us?"

Kaden didn't even pretend that they were innocent. Why would he? The young man sitting as king of his own world at the moment. Ambrose simply stared at them and nodded with his head toward the hall.

"I think he wants us to leave. What say you Mand'alor?"

[member="Yasha Mantis"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

"I'm incapable of worry. You know this. You're the worrier."

Yasha nodded pragmatically when Kaden eased her mind by saying he knew. Of course he did. He’d always know now. While their first kiss was one of a supreme and uncanny innocence, Yasha decided it was a great first kiss. A worthy one for Katlaydr. Her lips tingled, and a little thrill stole her breath.

Face flushing as she looked into Kaden’s grin, Yasha’s shoulders rocketed to her ears at Ambrose’s voice.

“Ambrose has sustained a grievous wound! We must defend his face! Charge!” Yasha jumped laughing to her feet and rushed at a sprint out of the throne room and toward the Main Hall.

Ambrose watched her leave and sidled in the way of Kaden. “Hold, Mantis.”

He growled and put his hand on the eighteen year old’s shoulder. “So much as one tear or frown on your account and I’ll personally hold you down until Ramanar can send you back to the Netherworld in pieces.”

A flash of gurlanin eyes poured around the young man, a threat as laced in fact as a machine calling the temperature. Little Rekr was family, and as far as Ambrose could see, her life was tailor made to sit in the chair the teenagers vacated… but not yet.

“Tiny… tiny pieces.”

Not until she proved herself in front of the Mando’ade. Hell was a private war, a sticky substance which never washed clean, but remained invisible to all but the keen eye. The task was yet before Yasha to prove her worth as a leader, yet Ambrose had faith in that girl. “And for Manda’s sake, learn to kiss… I hear practice is the key, just don’t let Ramanar or Shukalar catch you. I hear Katlaydr has a room in the palace, might be a better spot than the fekking throne of Mand'alor.”

Ambrose winked and shoved Kaden toward the direction of the instigation of an unholy ruckus.

By the time Ambrose and Kaden would run back into into the Hall, Little Rekr could be seen in the middle of a wild, drunken four person brawl.

[member="Kaden Mantis"]

 

[Kaden Farr]

"Me the worrier..." Kaden shrugged. She was correct, but not a worry based on fear. Yasha had never known what it meant to be anxious. He was charged with looking out for her. It was a worry born of duty.

There was no stopping the Little Rekr as she barreled full steam ahead into the main hall to avenge her friend. Kaden soon found there was no following her either, not yet. He tried to move past Ambrose, but the man had his hand firm against Kaden's shoulder barring him from taking another step. His words were given in a low, matter of fact tone which Kaden had not expected from him. Kaden wanted to roll his eyes, but thought better of it. This wasn't a time to show annoyance. Yasha had many people looking out for her, and at least Ambrose would give him a chance. Preliat would have just skinned him alive already.

He sighed.

"If I cause her any tears or bring her to frown it will be because I am already dead, Ambrose. I don't expect you to understand, but I can ensure you that as much as she is meant for that chair, I am meant for her."

It was Kaden's way of saying understood, but Ambrose also needed to know how serious Kaden was. Fortunately the man was on the more encouraging side of the relationship than discouraging it. His cheeks turned red when he was told to learn how to kiss, and he looked offended at the insinuation he didn't know what he was doing. Unfortunately, Kaden did not. That had been is first kiss as well.

"I suppose Ra's chair is not the place to be making out... though you have to admit we have a grand first kiss story."

Kaden chuckled and walked with Ambrose back into the hall to find Yasha in a brawl she most likely started. He looked at Ambrose and shrugged.

"If you can't stop her... join her..."

With that Kaden jumped into the fray, punching the nearest offender square in the jaw and onto the floor.

[member="Yasha Mantis"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“First kiss?” Ambrose balked. “Damn. Lost the bet. You just cost me 75 credits, Mantis… frick that’s a good first kiss story. Gorda won… dang. She always knows…”

The Mandalorian Gurlanin had to shrug at that. It was a fantastic first kiss story.

“Cancel the call. Tell [member="Silas Mantis"] his niece is safe.” Ambrose whispered into his comm, jogging after the young would be enthusiastic kisser. Chuckling as he watched [member="Kaden Mantis"] lunge for the nearest brawler, Ambrose stood back and crossed his arms over his chest. A broad shouldered and battle-scarred woman stood beside him, leaning imperceptibly into his shoulder. He smiled and nuzzled into her hair, taking a moment to breathe her in, before ducking into a quiet area of the Main Hall with his riduur.

A purple bruise blossomed on Yasha’s chin, punctuated by the clean rows of white teeth exposed by her constant grin. She threw punches and kicked someone back, sending him sprawling into three more who joined the colossal row. Flipping over another, Yasha landed on a stout woman’s shoulders, and hopped to the next one, then the next until she landed back on the table with another flip. Ending with a flourish, she cackled as one of the old timers threw a mug of tihar at her. She ducked and continued laughing.

The entire Main Hall was filled to the brim with Mandalorians glorying in life and the enjoyments which could be found. Seeing Kaden in the din, Yasha’s grin doubled and the girl cartwheeled between the plates and tankards.

“Kaden!” She lunged at him, vaulting over another Mando’s head and wrapping her legs around Kaden’s waist, raising her fist as if to punch him, but instead tapping it into his cheek, while her other arm wound round Kaden’s shoulders. She knew he’d catch her, she knew she could hold herself up with her legs around his waist.

“I win.”

The Hall erupted in happy jeers, and raucous laughter, as some banged their mugs on the table and chanted, “Katlaydr!”

“Katlaydr! Katlaydr! Katlaydr!” ​

Her grin tempered with a blush as she leaned up and kissed Kaden sweetly for all to see. Another innocent, shy kiss. Pulling her head back, her shoulders rose and she laughed, ducking her forehead onto his shoulder as the place roared.

“Mantis! Mantis! Mantis!” ​

 

[Kaden Farr]

”It’s not like we had time to make out in hell...” Kaden said asnhe walked past Ambrose leaving the man wishing he wouldn’t have taken the bet.

Kaden found Yasha in the center of the fray and put his back to her. He noticed her bruise and frowned a little before having to duck a punch. The rerun punch sent the offender falling to the floor. The young warrior had not only grown, but he was stronger. Fighting their way through the Netherworld had helped him grow in strength. His muscles were had been earned, not built. They were the result of hard battles and victories won. This brawl would be no less.

Yasha danced about avoiding much of what would have connected on anyone else. Kaden’s way to avoid getting hit was to punch first. Sometimes a good defense was a great offense. His large boot collided with a man’s face before Yasha leapead into the air. She flew at him, her legs open and wrapping around his waist. Bodies lay on the ground as he caught her. His arms went into the air as Yasha showed off the massive strength of her legs.

The hall erupted chanting her name, well her title. Kaden smiled as the group praised her. He looked up to her and saw the smile she wore on her face. The excitement of the moment was too much. The next moment had Yasha’s lips against his again. Now the crowd was chanting for him, and several of the warriors were dropping coin in Gorda’s palm.

With a smug grin, and Yasha’s head in his shoulder, Kaden headed for the exit. They both had enough to drink, and they needed to leave on a happy note.

”Back to the mansion with you Katlaydr. You have your victory, and I have mine. For now water and more bread to stave off the tihaar!”

Kaden was always going to be the spoil sport of the two, but only because Yasha didn’t know when to stop.

”Besides... Ambrose said we need to practice kissing...”

[member="Yasha Mantis"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“Someday someone’s going to ask you both about that. Best have a karking good answer when they do.” Ambrose said, chasing after.

The battle of Main Hall was a glorious victory for both Mantises. Bathed in the sweat and bruises of a private, and wonderful miniature war. By the time Katlaydr curled her legs around Kaden, she was heaving to breathe.

“But we’re not done yet! Another round!!” Yasha yelled, shoving one fist into the air. The place burst again, yet still Kaden carried his Yasha out. While the bursting yells may have been tainted by the groans of well beaten foes, the Main Hall was a jovial and cathartic place. As her forehead tilted onto his shoulder, she felt the swoon of the liquor in her veins. Yasha shut her eyes and grunted, clinging her arms around his neck.

Never would Yasha admit [member="Kaden Mantis"] was right. It was time to go home. “Mmm bread. Did you miss bread? I missed bread.”

While her head swam, Yasha let herself be carried as Kaden walked her back ‘home’. She let her toes wiggle against the desert air, waiting until no one was in earshot before she piped up.

“Ambrose said that? It didn’t suck… I mean it felt… I mean…” Yasha gurgled, and shook her head into his shoulder. Once inside, Yasha untangled her legs and slid her feet to the floor. “I think there’s bread in the kitchen… if you really wanted… bread.”

Backing up, Yasha bit her lip and searched Kaden for some form of clue. “What happens now? Following Ambrose's advice might get you killed, if Daddy comes home.”

[member="Kaden Mantis"]

 

[Kaden Farr]

”I missed a lot of things...”

Yes Kaden missed bread, but he also missed water, meat that didn’t taste like ash, and candy. There had been nothing sweet in the Netherworld, even Sanctuary lacked the basic delicacies of sweet confections. A deep breath was drawn into his lungs and let out slowly. There had been much they had both missed, but it was all behind them now. The two had survived, yet still lived as though they could be drawn back. Kaden never wanted to go back there.

”He didn’t realize it was a first kiss. It was like he thought I should know what I’m doing... though he did tell me if I hurt you he’ll personally hold me down for your father.”

Yasha would either chuckle or roll her eyes. Kaden would never hurt her.

”I assured him the only tears or frown I could cause would be with my death, and since I don’t plan on dying... I mean who would be there for you if I did... never happening.”

The thought of Preliat finding them with their lips touching was a massive deferent from misbehaving. The man never said anthing he was not willing to follow through on, and even if he was bluffing, Kaden didn’t want to try it.

”What I want and what’s best for staying alive are a separate issue. Pretty sure we shouldn’t tempt your father. The limo your mother had... that’s a safer place to... well... right bread.”

Kaden walked back the kitchen with a nervous tone to his voice.

”Mmmmmmm I sure missed bread!”

[member="Yasha Mantis"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“You’re an eighteen year old Mandalorian male. Most dudes are thighs deep in seven different girls, or married and cuddling their pregnant wives by now. Not your fault you followed a girl into hell.” Yasha slapped her palm over her mouth and started to giggle. “Mama would’ve… gawsh Mama would’ve…”

Tossing her head to the side, then thinking better of it, Yasha stumbled into Kaden’s chest and held on as the world around her spun. “Aw Ambrose… my buddy Ambrose… got my back. Hey… hey!”

Gulping and jumping backward into the wall, Yasha pointed straight at Kaden’s chest. “No! NO! No talk about dying! No mentioning the D word! You’re not allowed, okay!? Never. Allowed.”

Leaning her head against the wall, Yasha let all her lessons from her mother seep in and took his hand. Quieted by the serious turn of thought, Yasha walked Kaden out to the back of the small mansion and into the limousine her mother was given by Captain Larraq. It survived, alone, like a sepulchre after the earthquakes and volcanic activity died down. The lights whirred on and Yasha backed into it, watching the cues in Kaden’s posture and body language. She backed straight into one of the couches, pulling Kaden on top of her.

 

[Baiko no Kaho]

The door to the Mantis household opened and shut, two teenagers scuffling in and speaking in muffled voices.

“Bread and water… hiding in limos… amateurs.” Baiko rolled her eyes and tsked as she stood up from her chair in the limousine. She set down her book, the cat who caught two canaries. “Sit up, both of you.”

Sighing out of her nose, Baiko poured three cups of tea and kicked the table into the middle, without spilling a drop. A plate of sandwiches rested on the table beside the tea.

“Fix your sweater, Yasha, you are a young lady, not a scullery maid on her first day off in a fortnight with a spacer off a long haul. Ring your fingers through your hair. Settle yourselves and have some tea.” Baiko spoke with an exasperated huff.

“You two might be able to pull the wool over the eyes of a parent who isn’t in the building, but you will never pull one over on an Atrisian Noblewoman who raised three daughters. You just escaped an ungodsly and harrowing situation in the Netherworld. Your hormones are fluctuating like Mandalorian voices during the Da Wherda Verda. Drink your tea, have some sandwiches… and relax. I’m not here to chastise you.”

Baiko sipped her own tea and her face warmed. “You saw Aditya… Kaden, you survived Aditya. I can only imagine the saucy impressions she left in you both.”

[member="Kaden Mantis"] [member="Yasha Mantis"]

 

[Kaden Farr]

”Thighs deep in seven different girls... you hear about all of that in the main hall didn’t you?”

Kaden wasn’t a typical eighteen year old, and not just because he followed a girl to hell. He laughed when Yasha clapped her mouth. He’d fallen for Yasha before following her in, but just hadn’t recognized it yet. Kaden knew he would strike a nerve with Yasha in telling her about his conversation with Ambrose, but he had to. They were not going to keep secrets from each other.

Two steps back were taken as Yasha poked his chest. Her rebuke was taken as it was meant. They had seen enough death in their young lives it was why Kaden didn’t protest as Yasha took him out to the limousine. He knew where it all could lead, but was tipsy enough to not think about consequences.

As they moved out of the house and into the limo, Kaden was quiet but all smiles. Yasha leaned back into an empty chair and as he moved to kiss the sixteen year old Yasha, Baiko interrupted them.

Kaden moved to the chair next to Yasha as the tea and sandwiches were presented. He grabbed a sandwich and popped it into his mouth and almost looked as though he pouted. She was right, and there was a sigh of relieve when she said he was not in trouble. Kaden looked over to Yasha.

”I did survive Aditya. She likes me. I’ve been told she wants grand-babies.”

[member="Yasha Mantis"] [member="Baiko no Kaho"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“Um… they were totally graphic.” She looked down at her toes, wiggling them up and down. “It may have definitely been the reason I drop kicked Kalo’s dad and started that brawl, when he insinuated you needed to get busy and knock up other girls to restart our dwindling population… it’s okay though! Kalo’s brother gave me this shiner. We’re even.”

Almost about to be kissed, Yasha sat bolt-upright at the appearance of her nanny. “Baiko!”

Yasha did as she was told, sitting straight in her chair, fixing her lopsided sweater and ringing her fingers through her hair after yanking out her untidy ponytail.

“I wasn’t… I’m not going… Daddy can’t kill him, I won’t let him!” Yasha crossed her ankles, and put her hands together in her lap, a momentary perfect young lady.

“Woa… wooooaaaaaa there I am not some lame twenty year old skew-shooting Mando chick who’s gone to seed, I am not giving anybody grand babies for like, seven hundred years.” Yasha screwed up her face and frowned with a shake of her head.

"Nope! Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope!"

[member="Kaden Mantis"] | [member="Baiko no Kaho"]

 

[Baiko no Kaho]

Baiko did a very uncharacteristic thing: she laughed.

“Oh, Yash’ika you are still so young. Barely capable of a kiss, and the Mandalorians again hope you will somehow mother a new generation. This is what I wanted to save you from, the pressure of womanhood. They will always demand sons and daughters, as the Mando’ade always need fresh blood.” Baiko continued sipping her tea, and winked at Kaden.

“You both ought to figure this out rightly. Proprietously. Do not let your recent past skew you to rushing into affection too fast, but enjoy the experience of learning. Kaden, the onus is on you to go to Preliat and ask for permission to court Yasha. Tell them. Do not go behind Preliat and Silas’ backs. Trust me in this, skulking around expecting to be discrete does not work, when one had their first kiss on, say, a heavily secure and camera recorded throne room?” Baiko smirked again, nibbling on a sandwich.

“There is no reason for you two to go from best friends and survival partners, to lovers in a single day. The truth of it is, Yasha is not ready and neither are you for what happens when lovers are irresponsible. Aditya must like you, Kaden, or you would be dead. Not many people knew that Aditya’s past was much more violent than Preliat’s. When she met him, he was a soldier, then a Field Marshal, a soldier who committed acts of war… yet Aditya… was a murderer and a pirate. A smuggler who conducted terrible business to stay alive. She kept her past hidden, yet it would have been revealed, had Emperor Kahoshi not wiped clean her slate, when he put me in her service. So… if Aditya let the future stealer of her daughter’s virginity live? You dodged a more serious bullet than the one Preliat will shoot if you do not do this rightly.”

 

[Kaden Farr]

”I cannot... just... you don’t need people saying those things to you about me. Just because others my age are running around and plowing through women doesn’t mean I’m going to. There is only one woman for me... I hope you broke his jaw.”

Yasha knew, and Kaden smiled knowing Yasha had taken his honor as seriously as he took hers. It was because they genuinely loved each other. Yasha may have been afraid she was going to kark it up, but her actions said eloquently what her words couldn’t. She didn’t deserve the shiner that was forming on her jaw.

Kaden knew Yasha camy violence naturally from her father, but didn’t know Aditya had been as violent as Yasha was inclined to. Yasha was a born killer, and good at it, yet Baiko could make her pause and obey with one word. They were all on good terms now, and had Baiko told Kaden he needed to talk to Preliat before, he would have scoffed. Kaden still gulped hard, but he nodded. Preliat was not an easy man talk to. He intimidated the young warrior. There was little that scared Kaded after his journey to the Netherworld. Preliat did.

”Wait, you didn’t think we were going to... like... you know?”

Yasha and Kaden were tipsy, but that didn’t mean they were about to rip their clothes off and find out what the men in the Main Hall were taking about. Ambrose said hide, Baiko said be up front... all of this was so confusing. They were mando, and if they wanted to the pair could just make their riduurok and it would be that. Kaden shrugged. Baiko was always pushing Kaden to be better, or at least different.

Kaden laughed when Yasha freaked out about babies. He had no intention of being a father yet, the warrior just told Baiko about his experience with Aditya. It was the short version, but it gave the best representation of their conversation.

”Best take that up with your mother, Yash’ika. Even in death she wants to be a grandmother. That’s not a mando thing... it’s a Mom thing. Baiko help me out on this one at least?”

Kaden had changed over his time with the Atrisian. He no longer saw the world through the eyes of an overcompensating fourteen year old Mandalorian new adult. His view was much larger than that, yet it was also so narrow that it only consisted of Yasha and her well being. If talking to Preliat furthered that endeavor than he would do it.

”I will tell Prelait, though perhaps Silas would be a good way to warm up to the older Mantis.”

[member="Yasha Mantis"]
[member="Baiko no Kaho"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

Yasha rubbed her bruised jaw and shrugged, looking down to Kaden’s shoes. “You can do what you want, Kade… but I didn’t like it. Calling you a… guy like that. I may have broken his jaw, I know I knocked teeth loose. He spat them out. Nobody gets to talk about you like that, they just don’t.”

Baiko’s talk brought Yasha to a place of silence, wringing her hands together in her lap. She looked anywhere but at Kaden or Baiko, letting the thoughts soak in. Being a female in the Mandalorian Empire, was a lesson in being a wife and mother, as well as a warrior. She stayed quiet and blushed further, wringing her hands.

“It’s not her life, she can bud out of it. I don’t want to even think of kids. Ever. What would I do with a kid? No way. No! Not happening, no. Nope, nope, nope. Never.” Yasha’s brow furrowed, and she stared at [member="Kaden Mantis"]. Mama talked about grand babies to him, too?

She ought to go back into the Netherworld just to slaughter her mother for giving Kaden the idea.

“Tell Uncle Silas first. He won’t stab you until after you explain.”

 

[Baiko no Kaho]

“I had daughters, Kaden. I know what can happen, when teenagers try inebriating drinks and go off with no supervision. You are a good young man, but things can go unintentional quickly.”

Bursting out laughing behind her hand, Baiko shook her head and waved her hand at Kaden.

“See? Yasha is still so young. You may be a warrior and growing into a sensible ruler, but you are still immature in many things. Enjoy the immaturity, Yasha. You have time without thinking about what you want later in life… for now, I will leave you to your ‘thoughts’… but rest assured, your kiss did not go unnoticed.” Baiko stood and took hold of her book. It had been years since she saw her daughters in such states.

Years since they all were killed. Baiko’s face twitched, her nostrils flaring. Young love… how quickly it went wrong. As she left the limousine, Baiko sighed.

What was she doing here? Yasha was growing far faster than naturally anticipated, and now was there a place for a Kiffar-Echani from Atrisia on Mandalore? “[member="Silas Mantis"], meet me at the house, please.”

 

[Kaden Farr]

Right so [member="Baiko no Kaho"] was going to stick to her whole being a mother thing. He sighed and nodded that the alcohol wasn’t the best of ideas, nor was being alone after. He shrugged.

”To be fair someone stopped watering it down. Ambrose was trying to make sure we didn’t get tipsy, especially Yasha.”

Karen didn’t want Baiko to feel like she was no longer needed. This conversation was proof that her wisdom and guidance was still very much a constant the two needed, especially since they had to handle emerging adulthood with the Netherworld as their template. He watched as Baiko left, leaving them to their thoughts. She had done enough to quench whatever flame the drink and adrenaline from fighting had stoked.

He reached for Yasha’s hand without leaving his seat. Taking a deep breath in, Kaden let out slowly before speaking again.

”So we are courting then,” he said. There was no question to his tone, just affirmation. The two had been moving toward this for some time. ”And that kiss after the fight... very public... did those comments you talked about influence that at all. Have I been claimed?” A smile played at Kaden’s lips. ”You’re damn right I can do whatever I want, and that includes deciding you’re the one I want. And I promise... no more talk of babies. That was just... well I don’t know...”

His eyes looked to the house where Baiko had gone in. Even though he was tipsy he noticed she was pondering something.

”She’s unsure about her place now that we’ve grown... I think she needs to be needed now more than ever. When you’re Mand’alor, she needs to be an advisor of yours or something, and if you ever want kids... she needs to help raise them like she did us...”

Kaden popped another sandwich into his mouth.

[member="Yasha Mantis"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“Courting?” Yasha pursed her lips and frowned, feeling the calloused skin of [member="Kaden Mantis"]’ hand slide across her palm. Stepping off her seat, Yasha squared her shoulders and tip-toed to Kaden, curling up in his lap the way she did against the cold Elsewhere. “Sounds so fun I could die.”

She smirked sideways up at him, cuddling in and hugging into her sweater, while her legs flopped over the armrest of his chair. “No! I kissed you in the moment! Not because I wanted to make sure everybody knew you were off limits to their daughters and… okay maybe that had a bit to do with it… okay all of it. You’re a Mantis, you’re my Mantis.”

Stiffling a yawn, Yasha stretched across his chest and lap, then plunked her head down on his shoulder. Her eyes fluttered shut. “No babies… not till I’m old and there’s no danger so I won’t end up dead like Mama. I don’t want to be like Mama… promise I won’t end up like Mama…”

Yasha’s voice trailed off, she nuzzled in and it seemed for a little that the girl was falling not only for her best friend, but falling asleep.

“Course she does… her family’s all dead. Kids, grandkids, the lot. Dead. Baiko’s alone in the galaxy, all she had was Mama and then me. Don’t even got her home planet anymore… can’t have a good life without Baiko. She’s our family, too… blech… maybe when I’m ancient… like twenty five, we’ll have kids… Kaden? Say the thing, Kaden… the unpronounceable thing.”

Her voice continued to fluctuate through a dreamy and half-slumbering sigh. The alcohol hit her now like a sedative, and shivering from the sensation of the balmy air around them, Yasha’s eyes continued to drift closed.

 

[Kaden Farr]

”I knew it! It’s okay though. I liked it. We can do a lot of that kissing stuff.”

That was about as teenager Kaden was going to get in the moment. Yasha was getting into why she didn’t want babies and her reasoning wasn’t just because of her age. There was a fear she would die, or the child would die. Yasha did not want to abandon her children because of death. Kaden shook his head as he wrapped his arms around her. Being close was not an odd thing for them. Yasha was tired, and Kaden knew he was as well. They slept better knowing the other was near. The Netherworld has simply been that horrid.

”You won’t end up like her. That’s why she worked you so hard. She wanted you to be better, to defend your claim inways no one could imagine. You should stop the acrobatics in front of others. I know you like it, but keeping that a secret will give you an advantage you need.”

Kaden had been told to distract her, and keep pushing her. Aditya made him promise, and Kaden was dependable. No one would ever say he had broken a promise. He smirked when she mentioned 25 as ancient. In the Mandalorian culture it was ancient to both wed and become a mother. They didn’t have to go by culture on everything. He shrugged.

His smile faded as Yasha talked about Baiko’s losses. He nodded. She had lived long, and still had more life to live. It would be difficult, but that’s why Yasha and Kaden had to make her feel needed and wanted.

Yasha wanted to hear the unpronounceable thing. Kaden found his smile again.

”Ni kar'tayli gar darasuum, Yash’ika.”

Kaden lifted her chin and kissed her. It was about time he do this for himself. Yasha had managed to kiss him twice, and his first two attempts had been interrupted.

[member="Yasha Mantis"]