Bonfires and alcohol. How much more Mandalorian could this get? Quinn paused, trying to figure out why she had allowed herself to come to something like this. She stood out; she didn't belong here. Everyone around her knew each other; they spoke like family, war-bonded till death.
It was something she had never experienced; the Sith were never like this, despite having comrades. Echani had battle sisters, pairs that fought in sync to the point they were the same person, but she had never had that.
In essence, her sister… Noelle should have been her battle sister, they had shared the same womb — but they couldn't be more different. The thought ached quietly in her chest; they were supposed to always be together.
But circumstance ruined it.
In her hand, she ran her thumb over a silver pendant, something both girls were given at birth. Quinn often wondered if her sister kept hers, wore it, and thought gently of the sister she never saw. Did Noelle think of her with loving thoughts, or had the Alliance ruined even that? Sighing softly, Quinn searched the Force often, wondering and waiting for a sign that her sister was safe.
Nothing ever came, and that void would forever fester.
The silver pendant remained in her hands; she knew the tradition, but she refused to partake. Quinn reluctantly put it away, perhaps next year.
As she turned to leave, someone bumped into her. She stopped and exhaled softly, a hand raised to wave off the individual.
"No need to apologize," she smiled,
"I should have paid more attention."
Looking around, Quinn noticed the others had grouped themselves off, and it seemed she and the stranger were on their own. Her eyes turned back, she did her best not to be too alarmed at the beskar, and the intimidating aura the man gave off — completely not his fault…
"I think everywhere else is full, we can just stay here if you are looking for a place to settle." She moved aside, allowing him a pathway as she turned and faced the fire once more.
"I'm Quinn, by the way." She offered the man a smile as she looked at him for just a moment to introduce herself.
As she finished speaking, a woman with copper hair passed by. She thought she was Reina, but she wasn't. A surprise, but Quinn glanced fully, and if she looked up, she'd offer the woman a welcoming smile. It seemed she, too, was looking for a place to relax.