It was rare to see Gavin without Diarch Reign at his side. Truthfully, he had almost forgotten what it felt like to walk on his own, if he had ever truly known freedom at all. His entire life had been one chain after another. First, the Hutts on Nar Shaddaa, who had used him like muscle to be spent. Then the Sith at Kor’ethyr, who broke him down and reforged him with pain. Now, Reign. But under Reign, things were different. Gavin was not a tool to be discarded when dull, nor a beast locked in a cage until needed. He had a roof, food, and comforts he never imagined he would enjoy. More importantly, he had the freedom to train without limit, to shape himself into the weapon he always believed he could be.
Training.
That was all he ever did anymore. Months of relentless instruction, hours upon hours spent drilling with a blade until his muscles screamed, learning how to bend the Force without being consumed by it. Reign pushed him farther than anyone ever had, but recently, Gavin noticed a shift. Reign had allowed him more freedom, fewer restrictions, and the young Optio could not shake the thought that perhaps he was beginning to earn his master’s trust.
Today, the right hand of Diarch Reign was not cloaked in black robes or projecting his usual aura of menace. Instead, the gargantuan Sith wore only a pair of bright red swim trunks that were several sizes too short. The sight would have been comical to anyone else, but there was nothing funny about Gavin’s purpose. He was not here to swim. He was here to stalk.
Word had spread that Rellick would be present, and Gavin was determined to catch him off guard. His version of camaraderie was less about conversation and more about ambushes and challenges, a habit born from a lifetime where strength was the only language that mattered. The sheer absurdity of it did not bother him. That was why, despite his size, he was crouched awkwardly behind a bar, peering over bottles to watch his unsuspecting target.
“Uhhh, can I help you?”
The bartender’s voice cracked as he spotted the towering man half-hidden behind his counter. Gavin did not look at him, his eyes locked on Rellick across the way.
“Keep it down or I’ll smash your head through the bar,” Gavin muttered, his tone flat, his massive shoulders rising and falling with each controlled breath. The color drained from the man’s face, his wide eyes flicking between Gavin and the crowd as he debated whether to call for help.
After a moment Gavin glanced his way, catching the look of pure terror and adding quickly,
“I’m kidding. About the head smashing thing. Not the quiet thing. Uh, please, please keep it down.” His attempt at reassurance landed poorly, leaving the bartender visibly trembling.
Knowing his cover would not last much longer, Gavin moved. For all his size, there was surprising grace in the way he burst from behind the bar, his bare feet silent against the floor as he closed the distance. He was on Rellick in seconds, lunging with playful aggression as his arms snaked around the other man’s neck.
“Never let your guard down, Diarch!” Gavin bellowed with a grin, dragging Rellick into a rear headlock. His tone was boastful, full of energy, but there was no malice in the chokehold. It was roughhousing, a test, the kind of physical challenge that replaced words for someone like him. Reign had become the father figure Gavin never had, but Rellick was the closest thing he had to a friend, a brother in the Diarchy. This was how Gavin showed it, through force, through laughter, through proving his presence with action.
Aknoby
Diarch Rellik
Lyssara Thrynn
Saul Whesai
Ryoshu Akutagawa
mooney
Jayna Ismet-Thio
Nyva Shei
Caelan Valoren
Xian Xiao
Princess Daniela Virelle