One HELL of a Verd’goten

[Yasha Cadera]

“I agree… more of that kissing stuff.”

Eyes shut, Yasha curled her arms around Kaden’s chest and clung. She pressed her lips into his collarbone to avoid the wobble brought about by her innermost fears. Mama was ferocious, but she gave up her training, her fighting, to be a mother and engineer. Was that what killed her?

“Mama couldn’t run… I thought we were playing a game, hide and seek in the space port. She was too pregnant to run. I get it now… I ran away from her. I left her alone to die, because she was too big to run.” Stuttering an inhale, Yasha let the cognizance sink in.

“Sure… sure I’ll… I’ll lay off the acrobatics. Keep training… keep…” The stutter broke again, as [member="Kaden Mantis"] repeated the unpronounceable thing.

“Ni kar’tayli gar darasuum, Yash’ika.” ​

The kiss broke her sadness and dispelled the macabre realization of how Aditya’s daughter failed her. It slid across her lips, sending sparks across her skin. She released herself to it, hands splaying on his back. Deepening naturally, Yasha pulled away to breathe.

“Kar’tayli… d-da-daras-suum, Kade’ika.” She whispered, smiling up at him, before pressing her lips to his once again. There were fantastic reasons to grow up after all.

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

A shadow passed over the limo, Malika returning from her hunt. The great bird shifted into the woman that the family had grown to know her as, four dead rabbits clutched in her hand. Bare feet moved up the drive and halted just past the car. She'd heard voices...she stopped in her tracks, head tilting listening carefully to soft giggles, whispers and-

Malika dropped the rabbits, back peddled and wrenched open the door. Seizing the back of Kaden's collar she pulled hard, a low growl rumbling in her chest.

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

 

[Kaden Farr]

”She told you to run, and you did. If you hadn’t done that, you would be gone as well,” Kaden spoke as matter of fact. He didn’t want seem unsympathetic, but Kaden knew if she had died then they wouldn’t have each other. It was selfish, but that’s where Kaden’s mind went especially after the Netherworld.

They had finally come to terms with their feelings, and with the “I love yous” going around, and all the kissing they were doing, Kaden didn’t feel like he needed to say anything more. It was good that she agreed not to use the acrobatics for a while. Kaden loved watching her move, but the more she moved like that, the more of her ability she would give away. He wouldn’t tell her to stay out of bar fights, but just not showing off.

Kaden smiled when Yasha tried to say the unpronounceable. She certainly couldn’t say it. Yasha would learn, and the more she practiced the better her language would get. He didn’t care that she couldn’t say it. He knew.

There was more kissing, but not much before the door flew open and Kaden was pulled out by his collar. His eyes looked up at [member="Malika Mantis"]. She did not look happy.

”Okay don’t... we were just kissing... that’s ALL!”

Kaden called into the cab.

”Yasha help me out here...”

[member="Yasha Mantis"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“Daddy would have been happy now, if I’d helped Mama. I’ll never make up for it, but I’ll try.” Kaden was right, the sacrifice of a mother for her child was a harsh burden to bear, especially when it included the sacrifice of her brother’s life as well. What the thought did was strengthen the bond between Kaden and Yasha with beskar thread.

For the first time in years, Yasha let her guard down and enjoyed the delight on offer. Kaden’s lips continued to excite and thrill her, until an angry hand grabbed Kaden by the collar and threw him out of the limousine.

“Au-oof!” Yasha, having been cradled on [member="Kaden Mantis"]’ lap at the time, landed on the floor of her mother’s limo with a crash. “Oooww Auntie Malili-AUNTIE MALIKA!”

Yasha hopped to her feet and dashed out the door after [member="Malika Mantis"]. “Woaaa! Woa, don’t kill him! We were only kissing and it felt really good and that’s probably not the best thing to admit, but…. I love you?” Yasha grinned at her Aunt, both hands splayed out in front of her.

“Iiiii love you lots, Auntie Malili please don’t tell my Dad?”

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

Malika slammed Kaden against the limo. "Oh that's totally fine." she snapped, voice laden with sarcasm at his pathetic defence. "A hundred percent, totally okay with that. Did you speak to Preliat before you kissed his daughter?"

Yasha was out in a flash pleading. She could smell the drink on both of them too. She drew back. letting go of Kaden's collar, not taking her blazing eyes off him. She made a noise of disgust before a hand snaked out to crack him across the face. "Stupid boy. Go and fetch your armour. Now."

She rounded on Yasha. "And you," a hand swiped to cuff her round the top of her head. "Are you completely insane? Ramanar. Ramanar, Yash'ika. That is your fathers title. And in your mothers limo of all the fething places. If it had been your father coming up that drive he would be dead. Do you understand that? Do you understand the danger you have but him in with your own stupidity? You are Katlaydr, you are one of the Cuir Rekr with an eye for the title of Mand'alor. A few drinks and you forget to use your fething brain." She took a step closer. "I will not tell your father, but I will prepare Kaden so that he can. And he will not touch you again until he has. Do I make myself clear?"

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

 

[Silas Mantis]

Calls from Baiko were hardly ever a good thing. Usually it mean Yasha, or more often Kaden had gotten themselves into some form of trouble, at least in their younger days. Now, after the two of them decided to take a quick vacation to literal hell and come back full adults, they'd seemingly stopped getting into so many predicaments. That said he was still utterly furious about the whole ordeal.

Leaving his humble abode Silas clambered onto his speederbike and began the journey over, completely unaware of the mess he was about to come into.

He didn't know it yet, but he was going to have to face his worst nightmare.

He was gonna have to explain to Preliat that their children were an item. Thank the Manda Kaden was adopted, the galaxy already had too much of the alternative in its history.

​

[member="Kaden Mantis"] | [member="Yasha Mantis"] | [member="Baiko no Kaho"] | [member="Malika Mantis"]​

 

[Kaden Farr]

Kaden nodded and ran off. He knew this was not a suggestion, and if he wanted any chance to talk to Preliat and survive, this was his opportunity. The look in Malika’s eyes told him to not even dare to try and kiss Yasha or touch her.

His black armor wasn’t shiney, and it was still covered in the tar of the Netherworld. Kaden would wear this armor until the day he died. He was not hellspawn, but he could strike fear into his enemies as if he were. He had faced much worse in the years spent in the blood plains, sanctuary, and sinner’s rue. The only difference at stake was his honor.

Kaden put his Kute on while black caf was brewing. He’d heard that some of the other men used it to sober up before battle. Each plate was put on with exact precision. He tightened the plates and ensured none of them would be loose. Malika would not hold back, nor did he want her too. If he could not deal with Malika, he would never be able to face Preliat if the occasion called for it.

He downed a cup or two of caf. It had been thirty minutes since he left by the time he returned. Kaden’s helmet was clipped to his belt as he looked over to Yasha then to Malika.

”I have my armor...”

[member="Yasha Mantis"] [member="Malika Mantis"]

 

[Kaden Farr]

Double post

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“I’m sorry! I... we got so pumped up and we had and… and then Kaden carried me to the throne room and it was all sweet and he said he loves me, and…” Yasha took the slap upside the head and shut her eyes.

“It was better here than in the Main Hall in front of the oth-oooh we are so going to die. Again.” Everything coming out of her mouth was worse and worse. Maybe Yasha shouldn’t speak at all.

It would probably save [member="Kaden Mantis"] as he rushed away. “Kaden!”

Leaning against the limo, Yasha rubbed her forehead and looked up at her Aunt. “I was dumb. I let coming home get into my head, and kissed my best friend… I’m sorry Auntie Malika. I’m sorry, but we’ve been gone for years. We’ve been together for years with… with nothing but my Mother’s ghost chasing us down for grand babies. Asking Daddy wasn’t the first thing that came to mind… but it should have been. Okay, no more kissing until Daddy and Kaden have it out.”

A speederbike roared in the distance. [member="Silas Mantis"] was coming. Yasha peered to see [member="Baiko no Kaho"] rushing to meet her Uncle. Drumming her fingers along the limousine, Yasha bit her lip and looked up at Malika.

“Auntie? It felt really good to kiss him… it was my first one, and… did it feel all tingly and warm and safe when you kissed Uncle… am I still in trouble if I ask?” She barely got the words out before Kaden came back in his armour. Yasha's breath caught. Her pupils dilated and she grinned at the sight of him.

"There's my warrior. Defeater of hell beasts and Mama Mantis." The young woman was as smitten as could be. Uh oh.

 

[Baiko no Kaho]

Baiko waited at the front door for [member="Silas Mantis"], and when the speederbike roared down the drive, she rushed out of the house to greet him.

“Silas!” The elegant swordswoman put her hand on his arm of flesh and bone, for the first time since their adventure in space, flustered.

“Kaden and Yasha got drunk in the Main Hall and kissed on the Mand’alor’s throne. They came back here… I stilled them, but there is no time. We must prepare the boy for [member="Preliat Mantis"]. I stopped release of the security footage, but if it wasn’t for Ambrose, I would not have stopped it in time. We knew this would happen one day… but so soon after returning… hurry. They’re in the back yard.”

The Handmaiden passed Silas a covered mug. “I hope you don’t mind the liberty, but I made you a calming tea…. fortified…”

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

Malika watched Silas's bike roar up the drive, they'd have their work cut out for them. Perhaps Preliat would suggest they were working against him, perhaps he would rage at the idea that they worked to prepare Kaden. But that was his right as a father, to be blinded by rage, to fear losing his little girl. His little girl who had not stayed little for long enough....the little girl who he'd not been there for.

She heaved a sigh, and let her gaze fall back to Yasha and Baiko moved to greet Silas.

“Auntie? It felt really good to kiss him… it was my first one, and… did it feel all tingly and warm and safe when you kissed Uncle… am I still in trouble if I ask?”

Malika snorted. "No, because I'm over two hundred years old Yasha. My love isn't driven by raging hormones, and I do not need a man to make me feel safe." Her words were a little harsh, and she turned away beckoned both of them her to follow into the back yard. Away from the front of the house. They'd get a warning, at least, if Preliat came home.

"Wayii, Yasha." she snapped, shooting a look over her shoulder at the pair. "Get a hold of yourself, please." She shook her head, muttering under her breath as they passed through the house and into the yard. She snapped her fingers at Kaden, pointing to the spot opposite her.

"I understand what you are feeling. Both of you. Seven years is a long time to spend together in a place like that and not come back without feeling anything. We expected it, all of us. We just hoped you'd be smarter about it...and perhaps give us a little more time to prepare." She unhooked both tomahawks from her belt, rolling them in her hands. Her stance relaxed as she regarded Kaden.

"So show me, Kad'ika, what did you learn in the Netherworld?"

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

 

[Silas Mantis]

Silas' entire body tightened and nearly recoiled at the touch, the last time a woman older than Yasha had touched him on Mandalore, he'd stabbed her in the heart with the blade under his arm, and the last time a woman had touched him in general it had been some forcer in service of the First Order. The Civil War was over now though, and he was not aboard the flagship of the Supreme Leader hacking through stormtroopers.

He let himself relax physically as his mind tried to process [member="Baiko no Kaho"]'s words. The two pups of the pack had fallen for one another, of course they had, when you stuck two adolescents who already seemed to have been getting closer than just friends into literal hell for the full length of their puberty, it was almost expected that they'd come out of it a bit into each other.

That said the Throne bit seemed a bit excessive.

"Does Preliat know?" He questioned with the same guilt ridden tone he'd had since the return from Utapau.

 

[Kaden Farr]

”Do you know,” Kaden asked.

Hell was something you just didn’t know, not how they experienced. Yes they had feelings, and yes they had developed in part because of their predicament. They had been there all along, but the need for each other only to survive, did anyone understand that as much as they did?

He looked over to Yasha, then back to Malika. She was ready to attack. Her stance suggested a defensive position.

”It taught me enough to know not to make the first move under duress.”

Kaden pulled out his beskad.

”Move...”

[member="Yasha Mantis"] [member="Malika Mantis"]

 

[Baiko no Kaho]

“I am no Mandalorian. Do not treat my touch like one.”

Mantis men, they were treacherous to each other, and to themselves. At the physical touch, [member="Silas Mantis"] tightened and Baiko’s eyebrows rose. “Silas, I don’t have time for this. Snap into the moment or don’t, but we have to help the boy… where is your brother? Where is [member="Preliat Mantis"]?”

Shaking her head, Baiko led Silas to the back yard of the house, where it looked as if [member="Malika Mantis"] and [member="Kaden Mantis"] were about to square off. Baiko reached for Yasha, and pulled the girl back, holding her shoulders firm.

“No, but the moment he does… Yasha, go inside.”

“What? No… No, I’m staying with Kaden.” Yasha said, searching his stance.

“Go. Inside. NOW.”

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

Typical teenager, believing that they were misunderstood, that no one could possibly know what they know. Malika knew hell, she knew love too. She knew both of their ugly faces intimately. "Yes," she replied softly "I know."

She moved forward, the hunters glint moving over her eyes as adrenaline rushed through her, though her stance remained relaxed it wasn't until she was one pace away from him the her muscles coiled and she attacked, the first tomahawk coming up and down sharply, drawing his defences high. The other to cut under them.

Neither strike was powerful, she'd test his defences first before she'd start putting the level of power behind them Preliat would gift him with.

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

 

[Kaden Farr]

Kaden was not sure Malika could really know. Had she experienced the Hell they had been through. It was the Netherworld which had brought them together, not just the feelings which they had. Malika would have known what it was to be young and in love, but did she know of their bond?

Her attack came, slowly. She was testing him, but Kaden found it a foolish thing. Two weapons, two different motions, but coming from the same direction. All Kaden had to do was leap backward and clear of the attack. It wasn't much different than a giant claw trying to swipe at him.'

"Hell showed me much less quarter than that, Malika, and Preliat will certainly be more brutal. Are you afraid of hurting me?"

He shouldn't have taunted, but he did. Kaden was a Mandalorian after all, and he had something to prove.

[member="Silas Mantis"], [member="Kyra"], [member="Yasha Mantis"]

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

Malika glowered at him.

"Reign in your tongue, boy." she snapped "Taunts will earn you a quicker death."

She let a tomahawk fly, aiming for his chest, not bothering to withhold kill strikes now. He deserved to be beaten within an inch of his life, not only for laying his hands on Yasha without seeking her fathers permission, but for believing he knew better.

[member="Kaden Mantis"]

 

[Kaden Farr]

Kaden shrugged. If she was going to make it easy then she deserved to hear his taunts. Besides, it caused her to throw a tomahawk. He quickly side stepped it with a slight smirk. She was down to one weapon now.

Stepping forward, Kaden spun on his left foot, kicking his right leg out as he moved to sweep her legs out from under her. He expected Malika to jump over his legs, moving the fight into closer quarters would make her tomahawk slightly less effective. He was ready with a knife should he need it.

[member="Kyra"] [member="Yasha Mantis"]