The Isle Is Full of Noises (Mandos & Allies)

[Yasha Cadera]

On the eve of her birth father’s desertion, the Manda sent a new Mandalorian father to take his vacant place. How would the Mandalorian Empire be different now if Preliat Mantis had stopped his battle and taken Jasper Ar'klim up on his offer of adoption? Yasha stopped admiring the well loved pistol and nearly dropped it. “You… you want to be my Buir?”

Gray Raxis had risked his health, safety, force sensitivity and shebs to follow the Manda’s calling and return to Mandalore. Throughout the last seven years, Yasha Mantis had been on an extended Mandalorian exegesis, a metamorphosis into the future Mand’alor she was. It had been done for the good of the Mandalorians, and more selfishly to discover what happened to Ra.

Sitting at the feet of [member="Ember Rekali"], standing toe to toe with [member="Darth Carnifex"], she fluttered like a branch caught by a tight wind. Directionless, flailing, one part peacemaker and two parts murderer and murderer’s daughter. Then [member="Gray Raxis"] showed up in the throne room knowing full well the next words out of Yasha’s mouth should have been ‘seize and cure him’. All Gray wanted was to remind the Hell Child of what the Resol’nare was and said. To charge her with the tough love of a Mando'ad Buir

All he wanted was to bring a child of Mandalore home… even at the detriment of himself. At the moment before the scream which would begat a warlord and sent blood and gore across the universe, the Manda sent a blind relic of past sins and glories to stand as tall as he could, and say, “This is Mandalore. This is who and what you are. You are not a pawn of Witches or Sith Lords. You are now and forever Mando’ad. Accept it. Come home.”

Yasha’s face softened and for a moment nothing existed but the blind man in his beskar’gam. Ember Rekali said Yasha had a will to befriend any and everyone. This was a half-truth. Yasha’s entire life was a search for connection. A search for one parent to love and protect her above themselves. A father to teach her what security meant, when her entire life was spent snarling aggressively at the next threat to her and her terrified mother’s survival… then to her and Kaden’s survival… then to Mandalore’s survival. A mother to be tender and stalwart, as strong as beskar and as brave as an army.

While Preliat Mantis was as loving and fierce a father as he could be, he turned from Mandalore. He was broken beyond repair. He turned from his daughter, and that heartache was strong enough for Yasha to search for meaning elsewhere. It was a dangerous road, upon which she and Kaden forever changed.

“Best verd’goten slash birthday slash secret wedding party ever.” Yasha threw her arms around Gray’s shoulders and embraced him. “Yes, I’ll be your daughter.”

Might and mercy. ​

​

The Resol’nare. ​

A code surrounding the taking in of orphans into a society, where battle made them frequent, was also the code by which true warriors knew how to live and die. Mando’ade had, above all other cultures in the universe, a handle on kindness at home and viciousness abroad. They were a people of armour, a people constantly breathing for and waiting in the pause for that next fight… yet their system of self-repair was as simply understood as a blind man taking a lonely girl as his daughter. Was this the lesson Ember wanted Yasha to learn? Was this what Kaine hoped from the alliance between Sith and Mandalorians?

Probably not. [member="Baiko no Kaho"] had done the unthinkable when she approached Gray for help. The Atrisian found the suture for an open wound, allowing the angst and fear of an abandoned little girl to flow clean. To heal. Arms breaking from the embrace, Yasha turned her gaze to Kaden and the group around them all.

That girl now stood at the cusp of leadership, and her boots were newly light. Her chin was strongly raised, shoulders back and proud. She was wanted, like Manda’yaim was wanted. She was loved, as Manda’yaim was loved. Yasha Mantis would bring plenty and security to her people, erasing the dangers and horrors of the times before.

It was time. ​

​

Mand’alor the Hell Wolf would rise, the Manda willed it. ​

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

Enjoy herself? Her head tilted, the concept was unknown...or was it. There was a flicker of memory there, a sensation she associated with killing. Should she kill people then? Yasha seemed uncertain of her instructions. Nervous? Unsure? A normal reaction, she had come to under stand. She rose as instructed and accepted the snake thrust in her hand with a slow blink.

It coiled about her arm and she raised it level with her face. Ambush predator, strikes hard and fast, its venom killing almost instantly. A kindred spirit. Her eyes smiled and she ran a prosthetic finger over its head before following behind Yasha and the Warmaster. She acknowledged him then, face recorded and stored. Details she'd need. Ears picked up and hissed words of anger, eyes registered increased heart rates.

Anger.

A hand fell to the blade at her hip.

[member="Yasha Mantis"] [member="Vilaz Munin"] [member="Tal Vizsla"] [member="Gray Raxis"] [member="Darth Carnifex"] [member="Kaden Mantis"] [member="Ember Rekali"]?

 

[Shia Kryze]

Shia watched silently, a few easy steps taking her into the background of the party. There was a reason she got on so well with some of the older snipers and hunters, like the owl namesake, she prefered to at least try to strike unseen. Although admittedly, unseen and armoured overkill were two words that didn't quite go together.

She watched, and she watched. The cyborg girl - what was with that. The odd reaction to the snake.

Only for the last few months, she'd completely lost track of what the right thing was. She felt like she was adrift in a sea of madness without a compass to point towards north.

She wondered briefly what had Bakio so riled, but... she'd been polite long enough, she'd just infect everyone with her growing bad mood - and that was an awful way to be Mandalorian at a party.

She slipped out, silently. She needed time to think. Time to think quite badly. The Eyrie was still being refitted nearby, before it's big unveiling. That would help.

Shia didn't know it, but she'd never actually make it to a place to think. Because another part of the world was about to come crashing in.

 

[Karsan Munin]

Somewhere, someone in the crowd booed [member="Darth Carnifex"] and threw their snacks in his direction.

It was Karsan.

 

[Kaden Farr]

[member="Quoron Viszla"] has shocked Kaden as he knealt.

”I am no one special, there is no need to kneel, vod.”

Kaden motioned for the smith to stand as he took the weapon from the man’s hands. He could feel the feather weight of the blade, and sensed the care which went into making it. This was a grand gift and fitting gesture. It was more than fitting. Kaden nodded.

”Thank you. [member="Yasha Mantis"] will be grateful for the gift. Perhaps if you find the time a match could be made for myself? The cost is no limit to me.”

Kaden stepped away and walked the blade over to Yasha and presented it to her. He whispered into her ear as he placed the wrapped weapon in her hands.

*“A behd hal pi' xisazik hlap ayl mivird rvalkrpedu.”

*“A gift for my beloved from our newest swordsmith.”​

 

[Baiko no Kaho]

“It is good to see you, too. Perhaps I can rustle up some companionship on the dance floor for you, Adora.” Baiko said to [member="Adora Namadi"], before the first sensation descended upon her mind like a blast door on a child’s ribcage.

The White Current of the Fallanassi was above all, an expression and immersion of mind, body and spirit. Both the Force itself and an interpretation of its’ whorls and eddies, the White Current flowed and whispered in the inner ear of the Atrisian born Kiffar-Echani who in a bid to salvage the nearing presence of war, took [member="Darth Carnifex"]’s arm.

Death.

Nihilistic, foreboding death.

Baiko’s jaws clanked shut, muscles tensing, her lips pressed in a pout as the force of a single touch of Kaine Zambrano’s sleeve overwhelmed the psychometric adept with its’ necrosis.

Already in the habit of shutting her powers inside herself while on Mandalore, Baiko had unfurled only in the last minute in an effort to avoid the coming panic. [member="Kaden Mantis"], the young fool damned himself and his bride. Baiko sniffed in, for a moment incapable of exhaling while in contact with Kaine.

Kaine was a gaping sore in the fabric of the White Current. A missionary of eradication. The harbinger of absolute and consummate evil… and Baiko touched him. Staring out at the field of combat was the only mercy. She could blame the sudden gut-wrench on the war games.

Baiko never should have taken Kaine’s arm.

“Do you not remember being so young? A fool in love with his first will always speak out of place, it is the right of the newly joined. We must not consider his words too closely, although I hope my Kaden has not offended you. Brash child, he knows not of what he speaks. It makes me wish I had taken up the mother tongue of Aditya's Panathan kin, but alas, I have no talent for it.” Baiko’s voice had clenched with the strain of speaking beyond the echoes of Carnifex’s kills.

She cast her face to the fights, as a murderer and a traitor battled for their lives. Her lungs spasmed a quick inhale, then another in succession. “Their skill in hand-to-hand combat is less than my people’s, I wish I had the time to call forth my kinsmen from Sabarene… perhaps your son shall prove his mettle in the ring tonight? Show the Mando’ade what a son of Zambrano can achieve in the arts of combat?”

The woman nearly stuttered, another hiccupped breath.

Danger.

[member="Gray Raxis"]

 

[Lemon]

There was danger. Yet not the kind Baiko had thought of just that second.

The festivities were something in which Fett wasn't interested in, that much was certain and easily identifiable by anybody who so much as cast a glance in his direction. The Mandalorian stood against the wall with his back pressed against it, naturally suspicious eyes shifting back and forth over the people that came to sing, dance, eat and laugh - nothing of which the infamous Hunter planned on doing tonight. Of everyone within the room, or whatever it may be, his eyes happened to find themselves on Darth Carnifex; not out of any personal interest but purely the oddity of finding such a man in a place like this. If he knew Sith - in which he did - Carnifex wasn't here to celebrate the would-be Mand'alor's birthday.

Ultimately, however, Fett had come to the conclusion in which this was enough. The distraction after the failure of Dathomir had drawn to a close, perhaps not officially but in his own mind. Bounties needed to be collected, and Koda simply could not allow his reputation to stagnate and then fall into obscurity. After pressing off of the wall he marched throughout the building, keeping his attention focused on what was ahead of him. Although the briefest of glares were cast upon [member="Baiko no Kaho"] as he moved past, not offering the same to the Yasha Mantis. The man intended on leaving, but whether he was allowed to was yet to be seen.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The snacks only managed to get within five meters of Carnifex's person before exploding into a cloud of smoldering ash, dissipating on the wind as it howled through the stadium. It was but a modicum of the destructive potential that churned within the Dark Lord's physical form, a form that could barely contain the dark energy that inhabited it.

"The boy is as stupid as he is brash, it will be the death of him one day. The child who spent most of her waking existence in the Netherworld of the Force has more sense than him."

Then again, she had shared the revelation of Ra with her paramour. A naive mistake, one that she must be certain never to replicate lest everything she hold dear come crumbling down around her by her own hand. It is fortunate that [member="Yasha Mantis"] made [member="Vilaz Munin"] her Warmaster, he has long since aligned himself with the Dark Lord's agenda and he would be able to keep her on the right path.

Not just for the Sith's sake, but for her own as well.

"If it comes to that, I am sure my son can go toe-to-toe with whatever vermin you have to expend."

[member="Baiko no Kaho"]​

 

[Teagan Stoirm]

" Okay." Teagan said to Adora. Well that was good. Now he wouldn't kill his back and be put up in the medical area again. His back still hadn't fully recovered either, but it never seemed to want to. It seemed though that while he was watching, his alor Gray Raxis had gone off to speak with [member="Yasha Mantis"] . Maybe to give her his gift? It was probably something expensive and fancy like a necklace made from pure aurodium with krayt dragon pearls in it. Or maybe a rare species of animal for a pet. It had to be expensive knowing his alor. The man owned 2 companies, leads a clan, and has shares in other companies. That was also forgetting the auctions he had selling materials to people. He could afford something nice unlike Teagan.... He really needed a steady, good paying job outside of his clan.

Before Teagan could find out what it was Gray was giving to Yasha, the woman his alor had escorted to the party arrived with [member="Darth Carnifex"] over by the snacks table. There was some friendly conversation between her and [member="Adora Namadi"] with the mention of engineer being brought up. She knew who he was? Blushing a bit, he said back to Adora's question, " Yeah. Also a mechanic, salvager, kind of slicer, and part time farm boy. Strange combinations I know, but that is just how it is when part of your family owned a salvage and repair shop while another owned a farm. Are you an engineer too?" Well this was good. The Dark Lord of the Sith being right there was making him extremely nervous, but he held it together. Good. Really good Teagan. Hopefully it would stay pleasant.

Then the food suddenly exploded into ash and panic set into Teagan. This was why his alor was so against the Sith. First the food went poof then next was Teagan. Oh no. Oh man. Oh no. This was really bad. He was right before. This was bad. This was bad. This was bad! A bit of a cold sweat started up and he was shifting on his feet. The pair kept on speaking normally like nothing had just happened. Why was no one else freaking out like he was?! This wasn't normal even for Mandalore! He looked to Adora to see how she was taking this.

[member="Baiko no Kaho"]

 

[Adora Namadi]

"Let me know if you do, Baiko."

Adora's smile never faltered as Teagan went on to explain what he did. Finally, another science-minded individual. Even better, one she wasn't related to. "No, that's really cool, especially considering the rest of the crowd here." The last part was said a bit quieter, meant only for Teagan's ears with a slight incline of the head to indicate the battles still going on below. The fights were fun and all, great exercise, but the participants weren't always the best conversation partners.

When the question turned to her, she faltered, displaying a bashfulness not normally associated with the being of seemingly abundant energy. "I'm more biotechnology. You know, looking at genetics, dealing with the cure stuff. My sister, however, is a total gearhead. She's been helping me maintain this," she shrugged, drawing attention to the prosthetic that was her arm.

The sound of the food exploding had her head whipping around to find its source. How she'd missed the gigantic creature that was the Dark Lord following Baiko, she had no clue. That display of power, followed by his words had her wide-eyed nearly backing into the snack table. With another glance at Baiko, her face was etched with concern. "Baiko? Are you well?"

[member="Baiko no Kaho"] | [member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Teagan Stoirm"]​

 

[Gray Raxis]

This was way Gray had come to Mandalore and risked everything. The way [member="Yasha Mantis"] reacted as he asked her to be his daughter was more than worth everything from him in payment. She seemed to be in disbelief at first. Maybe she thought he was joking or thought she was imagining things. He couldn't see her face or feel her emotions so he had no way of knowing exactly what it was she felt outside of her words. He just remained silent with that affectionate smile on his face. Then he knew how she felt about it. She threw her arms around his shoulders and threatened to crush the phrik plates with her hug. She accepted. It seemed he was now a father. He wrapped his arms around her and embraced her back. The first official hug of countless more as father and daughter.

Gray said to her in a low voice by her ear, " We can celebrate privately later. Me, you, and your husband. Just a nice, quiet evening being family." After that he gently kissed her cheek, which he thankfully didn't miss, and let her go. This was going to take some getting use to as outside of this he had no plans or idea of what to do next. Should he be giving her an allowance now or was that not appropriate since she was married? Or did this mean he owed them both an allowance? He just had to chuckle at himself about the thought of that. He was only old enough to have a daughter this old biologically. Looked like he was a young, could-of-been hot but probably not dad now. He placed his left hand up to her cheek gently for a moment then let it drop. This was her moment for others to celebrate her. He should take his leave. " I'm going to go find Baiko now and get some food. Enjoy yourself my little wolf pup." With that said he left to go do as he said.

Before Gray had gotten very far, he sensed something going on at the food table. What had happened? All he sensed was some fright and panic coming off of Teagan and [member="Adora Namadi"] because of something that [member="Darth Carnifex"] had done. Sith Lords. This was why you couldn't have nice parties. He might have ignored it but he also sensed [member="Baiko no Kaho"] was barely composed as well. From what little he knew of the woman, that was not an easy thing to do. He frowned a bit to him self and made his way over as quickly as possible without causing a scene around him.

As Gray got to the table, he was grinning in a more friendly fashion. Baio and the Dark Lord were together while Teagan and some girl seemed to be together. Did the boy find a date to the party? Their clansmen would tease him to know end if they found out about this, and they were going to find out. But that was a task for later. His focus right now was on Baiko. As he approached, he said, " Not so sorry to butt in, but I need a moment of my date's time." He gently took her arm and pulled her close to him to try to distance her just a bit from Kaine. Then without saying another word he took her chin in his left hand and kissed her on the lips.

[member="Kaden Mantis"] [member="Koda Fett"]

 

[Briika Munin]

While [member="Vilaz Munin"] attended to business with [member="Yasha Mantis"], the silver-armored Baar'ur wandered over to the refreshments offered in the back of the box. A goblet of sweet Mandalorian red wine was grabbed, then Briika took a seat to watch the festivities below in the gladiatorial area awaiting Vilaz to return to her side. The seasoned medic wasn't one for politics so she gave her husband the space he needed to handle his duties as one of the Four Wolves.

In the meantime, many Mando'ade and friends of the Empire had arrived to give well wishes and presents to the birthday girl, who had just passed her verd'goten as well in a most intriguing way to say the least. The gift that the Munin couple had given the young Mantis was not Briika's first choice, but the trained Viper, a symbol of Clan Munin, was something the Akaan really wanted the other Cuir Rekr to have.

Azure eyes caught the beautiful sword that was presented to Yasha, made especially for her by a new goran amongst them. An idea came to mind. Well actually an old one, but with her vod'ika - a blacksmith himself, off busy with his cyar'ika, Briika had put the notion on the back burner... until now. The petite blonde pushed up from the chair at the front edge of the box, then made her way over to where [member="Quoron Viszla"] stood.

"Su'cuy, ner vod... " Bree offered with a cant of her golden head followed by a small smile. "I am most impressed with the sword you made for Katlaydr. I was wondering if I might commission you to make something for me as well. It would be a surprise for ner riduur. I'm Briika Munin by the way."

 

[Baiko no Kaho]

Still connected to the Dark Lord’s arm, Baiko could only shut her lips and nod in [member="Adora Namadi"]’s direction. Touching [member="Darth Carnifex"] was a mistake.

The open sore of death which wafted from him threatened to out her, to destroy the hidden calm she lived within as just a servant. A glorified nanny, and business woman. Her mind began to swim, curling black at the edges of her peripheral vision. Kaine was talking, his voice swelling into the base of her neck like a cancer.

​

… will be the death of him one day… ​

The snacks exploded. Baiko didn’t flinch… why didn’t she flinch?

“Yasha is a blessed girl. I am proud to have had her under my wing as long… if you truly desire a Mandalorian marriage here, Ancius will have to fight. He should challenge his competiti-“ Her throat constricted, until a sudden pull removed the Kiffar-Echani from the Dark Lord.

Baiko gasped, toes skipping as [member="Gray Raxis"] took her a pace or two away. Chin grabbed, Baiko felt nothing until the kiss from Gray broke the Dark Side’s hold and spell. “Mmmh!”

Pulling back, Baiko slapped Gray across his jaw. “In public! For shame, Gray Raxis! Oh! My apologies for such… brisk behaviour!”

‘I touched him… I touched him and… You, Gray, just saved me a lifetime’s worth of woes… get me out of here.’

 

[Quoron Cadera]

After hearing [member="Kaden Mantis"] 's request Quoron had already begun to ponder over the design of the blade another Mandolorian who introduced herself as [member="Briika Tor-Munin"] requested his services as well to forge a sword for her husband. "I would be honored to made a blade for your husband. It will be my first priority once the festivities have ended."

 

[Briika Munin]

The petite blonde's smile turned into a pleased grin. [member="Quoron Viszla"] had just made Briika's day.

"Kandosii!" Bree exclaimed in a hushed tone not wanting to pull unnecessary attention from the group gathered, then she reached into a pouch attached to her utility belt slung low upon the baar'ur's shapely hips.

"Here is a data chip that has the details in my mind's eye of what I would like made. It is to be a gift to ner cyare for Cyar'ika's Tuur upcoming in two weeks time. Do you think you'll be able to finish it by then?"

Spoiler

Awesome!
medic's
my beloved
Sweetheart's Day

 

[Tal Vizsla]

Yasha caught [member="Tal Vizsla"]’s eye, and blinked. She then smiled and nodded her friend over. “Tal, you left the fighting pits! Come, join us. How are you, my friend?”

"I'll be honest, wasn't sure you'd remember me. It's been, what? Six? Seven years for you?"

He looked her up and down, taking in the changes and developments of both her physique and bearing. She held herself well. Like a seasoned warrior more than thrice her age. But then, she would. Her entire life had been combat and struggle. He'd seen only a glimpse of it back on Utapau, and she was more than ready for whatever she would throw herself into next.

"You got taller. Maybe even Tal enough." A small smirk betrayed his humor. "Here, I made you this." He held out the cloth-wrapped object to her, and she took it gingerly in both hands. Or as gingerly as one could take a dozen kilo hammer. "I made it after Utapau. To honor Aryn. Use it well."