Private Uncloudy Day

[Aren D'Shade]

After a fantastic dinner at a fine restaurant on Coruscant, Aren and her date had come to the fast decision to travel to her home. Making the long journey from the Core to what was better known as the Unknown Region, they went to Zakuul. This was the planet she had grown up on and she hoped to show Omen some of the things she had remembered having fun doing. However, on the trip there, she had intercepted a broadcast message.

What had happened during it seriously disturbed the young woman and she wanted to check on her parents before taking Omen around her old stomping grounds. Since it implied some people had been taken away, she wasn't positive they were even still alive. Though, she felt she would know...somehow if they had died. Then again...she had recently had her own troubles to deal with. Letting out a sigh, she once again paced down the hallway in the ship Omen owned.

As much as she would have loved to be chatting with him, her concern for her family overrode that desire. The only thing she could do was make sure they got there in one piece. Luckily, his ship had been pretty recently repaired so her Mechu-Deru ability just helped speed things along.

Hardly a heartbeat after they had landed, Aren was trying to lead him off his own ship. If he needed to finish any sort of shut-down processes, she would wait for him but was clearly rather impatient. Not at him but at the whole situation.

"I'm sorry this isn't going to be the best first visit to Zakuul. It'll be better once I know my parents are fine."

He had done his best to comfort and reassure her on the way, her distress was nearly palatable and some look of concern had even traveled into her eyes.

Sergeant Omen

 

[Sergeant Omen]

It was going so well... Aren was laughing with those little dimples showing whenever he told his stupid jokes and that smile... That was before the message that the EE was going to headfirst into a brick wall came through... He really should have turned off the comm system before they set out but his habits to learn the news as soon as it came in got the best of him.

Aren was now having a rightful breakdown at the thought of losing her parents and a planet of memories she held dear to her in a ball of smoke and flame. Watching her pace through the ship from the cockpit as he pleaded for her to sit down and think rationally was one of the most painful things he had ever wanted to do.

Once they had landed, he quickly shut down the engines and followed her down the landing ramp in full armor. "Stop!" If she did, he would quickly jog up to her and wrap her into a big hug. "You need this more than anyone in this galaxy right now..." The Clone pulled away after a minute, thanking the spirits of his brothers that Aren couldn't see his red cheeks under his helmet. "Lets...Lets get going... Show me the way to your home."

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Even if he had turned off his comm systems, Aren would have still easily intercepted the message the Eternal Empire had sent out. Technology was her forte and career path, she had an always-on connection to the holonet and that was how she got the message. It had come through his comms at the same time it had hers. As they listened, her face had become pale and that was when Omen would have noticed the change in her attitude. While she was not mean or rude to him, some of the carefree person he had come to know and maybe love all but disappeared under the concern she felt.

She had stopped at the bottom of the ramp and turned around to face him again when he called out to her. Just seeing him all dressed up with his armor on, made her smile slightly. This man had her back and she felt a little more reassured in coming here with him.

When he jogged down and wrapped her in a hug, she did not resist it and actually returned it a bit. Then he gave the all-clear to get moving and she did just that. Unless he pulled away, she grabbed his gloved hand and would pull him along behind her...of course, if he kept up, they would just look like another couple in a hurry to get someplace else. Hoping that was the case, as soon as they got out of the spaceport, she hailed one of the AI-driven taxis and gave them her parent's address.

There was a reason she picked an AI one, she could manipulate it to not charge them a fare and a free trip was on the way.

"My father's name is Phillip and my mother is Julie. They adopted me when I was an infant on Coruscant. In fact, I was there trying to find out information on my biological parents when we met. You can see how that turned out."

Squeezing his hand with a stressed-out grip, she wasn't looking at him as she spoke. Wanting the trip to end, she watched the city fly past them on the way to the home she had grown up in.

Sergeant Omen

 

[Sergeant Omen]

It was frustrating to look at the people you know, see how much they are suffering, and not being able to help them. All Omen could do is look on as Aren paced the ship just like all he could do now is give her comfort via his bear hug. It made him smile slightly to know that she didn't mind him holding her before his mind went back to their task as he tried to keep up with Aren. The Clone held the door open for her before getting into the AI cab himself, his eyes going wide as he witnessed Aren hack into the cab's systems. Hopefully the planetary government doesn't find out...

Omen gave her a cheeky smile when she said "You can see how that turned out." "Yes, you found me. Us meeting is some win right?" He squeezed her hand right back to show the raven-haired woman he was with her all the way. As soon as the cab stopped outside the house, the armored ARC quickly hopped out of the cab, offering a hand to Aren to help her get out. All the Clone wished was that the Structure behind them was just how Aren remembered it.

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

As they traveled, they only spoke a few words but they had some meaning. Feeling reassured when Omen returned the squeeze, she once again turned her attention to the planet around them. It had been several years since she had last been here and at one point in time, she had asked her friend Ingrid if the Eternal Empire had planned to do anything there. At that time, she had been assured that nothing was planned. Obviously, things had changed and now she was here practically chewing on her fingernails with worry.

Looking at him out of the corner of her eye when he answered her statement. Giving him just a small smile, he would only see the one corner of her mouth tipping upward slightly. Once again her hair fell to the side of her face as she looked on at the city they were flying through.

After what seemed like a lifetime, they arrived in her neighborhood. Most of the houses appeared the same as Aren remembered. Others looked more worn down and maybe even vacated. Coming up to her property, she noticed something odd about it. All the plants her mother so carefully raised and took care of had wilted. The lawn was freshly cut and was normal for all intents and purposes.

"Mom, Dad!!!"

Hardly waiting for the cab to stop, she jumped out as soon as she could and pretty much left Omen in the dust. Reaching into her bag, she quickly found the old key she had to her home. Running around to the back, she slowed down just long enough for Omen to catch up before unlocking the door and opening it.

"Mom! Dad!"

Stopping hardly two steps in before stopping, she suddenly realized the time. Her parents shouldn't be home yet and most likely were still at work. Flipping on the lights, they would just wait until they got home, and hopefully, her parents would be surprised and pleased to see her.

"They should be home in a couple of hours. It's the middle of the afternoon and I didn't tell them I was coming. So...let me show you around?"

She really was trying to not show the worry she was feeling and attempted to make things normal in the strange situation.

Sergeant Omen

 

[Sergeant Omen]

Omen tried to intervene as the young woman screamed towards to house, not knowing who or what was actually in the residence. "Hey Aren I don't think..." But it was too late to stop the young woman as she ran into the house... Omen almost did a facepalm... almost... before following Aren around to the back of the house his hand on his Verp holster in case force was needed.

Why didn't she stop yelling... Omen didn't know what it was like to have real-life parents but he was pretty sure running into someplace that may be hostile and might get you shot like a manic might not be the best way to do things. Then again, they probably would have at least created some action inside the house by now if anyone was home so there at least was some solace in this situation. Though there would be some embarrassment...

Omen walked nearly headfirst into Aren when she stopped in her tracks at the doorway. Why was she always so abrupt? Then again so was he at times so he couldn't exactly call her out for it. When Aren said they would be home in a couple of hours, Omen only gave off a tired chuckle that said "I wish there was a briefing packets to "Girl-friends" written all over it. "Sure, lead the way, or should I since we might collide again if you point every little detail out."

If she did take the lead, he would gently put his hand on her shoulder as she walked awayy. He had felt the worry and stress she had during this whole trip and now especially in the house. If he could magically wish her parents in front of her, he would but all he could do now is use his words to soothe her over till they actually did come. "Look, I'm sure they are just fine and will love seeing you again. Whether they will love seeing an armed Mando in their house... probably not but I'm sure it will be okay. But show me around this place. It must have been fun to grow up here."

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Grunting slightly when Omen bumped into her, it was something she should have thought of when she stopped so suddenly. His warning shout earlier had fallen on deaf ears as she had run to the back of her house. It wasn't until they were actually inside that the time of the day came to her mind. Letting out a sigh, they would just have to wait until they got off work and they all sitting around together.

"You in front or me, it doesn't matter. I doubt I'll be stopping again quite so suddenly."

Seeing the familiar surrounding of the home she grew up in, her hands moved to touch the holoimages of her growing up. On display was pretty much her whole life. From infant to when she had left Zakuul because the First Order was coming. Now another government controlled the world and she was afraid an old friend had caused harm to her family. If things were as she feared, Ingrid was going to have a lot to answer for.

Stopping to pick one, the image was of her at a young age holding on tightly to a small chick of a bird.

"I miss my Skeeter."

Setting the picture down where it had been resting, if he asked about any of the others, she would tell him about whatever was happening in them.

"We came in through the muck room and kitchen. Down here is the family room and that direction is the bedrooms."

Turning where she was pointing, she wondered how much her room remained the same.

Sergeant Omen

 

[Sergeant Omen]

With her permission, Omen took the lead, looking through the hallway for anything off. Not finding anything off, Omen joined Aren at the table with the images. When Aren said how much she missed her bird, Omen put it on the top of his to-do list to find her another one. The Clone then chuckled as he picked up another image of young Aren in pigtails and a frilly dress all ready for school. "You got to admit, you were a cute kid." Not like that has changed. You would never notice the way I look at you anyway...

Omen put the holoimage back with the rest before wandering through the house on his own, checking out each room to make sure the house was completely vacant. One could never be too sure. Before long he found a purple room with tools and clothes cluttered all over. It seemed like her parents left her room as is. Maybe they did it because this was who Aren was, cluttered, messy, and a diamond in the rough. Thats how he saw her atleast, and maybe she saw him in the same light, not that she would admit it.

The Clone started to remove his armor and lay down on the bed. He could always go back to the ship to change after they confirmed her parents were okay. For right now, he needed one thing after a long journey, sleep. As he closed his eyes, he could only hope to dream of a shy raven-haired that he liked very, very much.

 

[Aren D'Shade]

This house was familiar to Aren and she did not pick up anything wrong. Just to avoid any further collisions, she allowed Omen to take the lead. Of course, if he stopped suddenly, she would run into him. That did not happen though. Stopping to look at the images of her growing up, she smiled when he mentioned she made a cute kid.

"Aren't most kids cute though? I'm sure you were too."

She had never really considered infants cute...others went gaga over them. Talking the baby talk and other kinds of silly things.

"How long did it take you to grow up?"

Watching him as he set the picture of her back down, she indeed did not notice how he looked at her. Following along as he glanced into each of the rooms when he opened her door, she was surprised. It was exactly how she had left it.

While Omen was taking off his armor, she rummaged around her old items. Picking a piece up now and then until she saw pale flesh out of the corner of her eye. Turning to face him, her eyes grew slightly wide in surprise and lingered a little longer on certain parts before her cheeks colored and she forced herself to look away.

Even though Aren usually couldn't read the emotions of most organics, she could tell he was tired. Instead of actually making any commotion about his state of dress, she simply walked over to him and helped cover him with her blankets.

Unless he pulled away, she would actually lightly touch his forehead with her fingers for a moment before planting a kiss on it.

"I'll wake you up in about an hour and a half. Sleep well, Omen, you need it."

Probably just as much as she did but she wasn't going to be the one to admit she needed some sleep. On the chance, he decided she should join him, she was not going to resist. Mentally setting an alarm clock, whatever happened, she would still wake him up when she said she would.

Sergeant Omen

 

[Sergeant Omen]

Omen smirked when Aren said that he was a cute kid. Maybe she was right but he thought otherwise. "If you call a dirty boy that scrouged for any resources to help him survive basic training cute then yes I was cute. As for your second question, it took me about half the time to grow up as a normal kid would so let us just say 10 years instead of the usual 20 years and most of that learning how to shoot a training bot at 200 yards or farther." Training in the Grand Army was hard and many potential candidates died before ever seeing the front lines. While glad he was one of the lucky ones, it still saddened his heart to think about the trials they had to go through back then.

The Clone didn't expect to see Aren come into the room behind him and definitely didn't expect her to tuck him in. He was struggling to find his voice with his cheeks turning every shade of red there was when she touched his forehead with her two fingers and kissed him goodnight. Wait... Did he see him underdressing... Oh nerf... What did she think of him now? He was in her bed in just his underwear... Why did he let himself flop into the nearest thing of comfort around? But Omen was in her bed now and he needed to speak up before this situation got out of control more than it already had.

"I... I can move to the guest room... You need your bed and I can get up and move..." The Clone could only hope if he did get up that his "parts" didn't give away anything more to the tech expert and hopefully, her parents didn't come upstairs and meet him for the first time in his underwear. And the unthinkable happened... Was it the right thing to do? Was it proper? Omen didn't know but if he didn't ask now, then when would he get up the confidence to ask again. "Or... I could just scoot over and you could just... get in... Your eyes look redder than mine and that's saying something... Plus it would be a little warmer..." The Trooper closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening his eyes again and giving the Raven haired woman a small kind smile as he opened the covers to let Aren in. "Get in here before you freeze to death."

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

As the small pieces of conversation fell into place a saddening thought crossed her mind. He would have a much shorter life than almost anybody she knew. Already it was probably half gone...or more. This sobered her for a moment before she was distracted by yet another shiny item of hers. Deciding it was something she wanted, she put it in her bag to bring along with her when they left Zakuul.

"You did well though!"

Covering up the morbid thoughts she had been having, she tucked Omen into her bed. Shaking her head when he suggested he could move, he looked so comfortable laying under her covers.

"It's large enough for two. I did have to share it with a bird and maybe droids now and then."

At his invitation and observation that she needed the sleep as well, Aren didn't think it would hurt to rest for a little while. When he provided an open space on the bed, she just couldn't resist. While she did not remove her clothing as well, she did kick off her shoes. Climbing in, she laid down with him and for the first time felt comfort. The last couple of days had been mentally and emotionally taxing on her.

Curling up on her side, her eyes closed and she snuggled in close to Omen. Her mental alarm would be blaring in her head soon enough and that would wake her up in time to meet her parents with both of them fully dressed.

Sleep did find her, but it was not entirely restful. Muttering in her dreams, if he paid attention, he might pick up on some of the things she had been thinking. Mostly concerned about her parents but they also touched on her thoughts about him and his mortality.

Sergeant Omen

 

[Sergeant Omen]

Omen did have questions, mainly how did droids sleep but he let them lay for now. Both of them were exhausted, both mentally and physically, and needed to get what rest they could. As Aren rested on his shoulder, Omen cautiously put an arm around her, pulling her against him. Please don't say this is too far... Please don't say this is too far...

Before closing his eyes, the weary Clone glanced at the woman's cute sleeping face and wondered how he had gotten this lucky. He felt safe and secure. He felt cared for. He felt... loved... Hopefully, his nightmares of the battlefield didn't come back to haunt him now. Waking Aren up with his screams would be... regretable.

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

As if they were meant to fit together, Aren snuggled in closer when he put his arm around her. Closing her eyes, in the comfort and safety she felt Omen giving her, she was soon sleeping quite soundly. The next thing she knew was the alarm was going off in her head with the sound of sirens and blaring.

Opening her eyes, the alarm shut up and she rubbed at her forehead for a moment before actually feeling his arm around her. Just taking a little bit to lay there, they had enough time to get dressed before her parents would be home. Besides, they hadn't been doing anything naughty...and she was a grown adult. Not that it would really make too much of a difference, she was still their kid.

Finally letting out a sigh, she gently tried to remove his arm and get out of bed. If he had not already started stirring, she would nudge him slightly before bending down to put her shoes back on.

"Time to get up, Omen. If you need help getting into your armor, let me know. Otherwise, I can turn around and not watch."

Who was she kidding? She would try and watch every move he made.

Sergeant Omen

 

[Sergeant Omen]

Omen sat on a blanket as he looked into Aren's eyes, the park on Mandalore filled with butterflies and wildflowers, He had brought her here so they could spend a special day together and a special day they did have. The Clone had weaved wildflowers through her hair while she giggled. And her kisses... her kisses were out of this galaxy. This day was the best day of his life. "I love you Aren." The raven-haired woman was about to respond with "I love you too." when the world started to fade away around them until he was brought back to the real world.

Omen groggily tried to hit Q or in reality, Aren to get them to stop shaking him. "Stop it... I was having the best dream... Me and Aren were having a picnic... She was about to say that she loved me... Don't bother me again...." With that, he curled up away from the source of the disturbance and tried to get back into the happy place. Back into Aren's arms.

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Catching his flailing hand as it tried to slap her away, she almost dropped it as she heard Omen speak. If he had happened to open his eyes, he would have seen her looking down at him in surprise and a little bit of shock. Blinking and trying to think on her feet quickly, Aren totally failed and ended up sitting down next to him on the bed.

Did she love him? To her, it was far too soon to even know or consider it as a possibility. Then again, sometimes life moved in bullet time and there was no real control of where it was going. The last few days since they met had just flown past so fast. Once she was sure her parents were safe, she needed to sit down to talk with Omen.

Gulping saliva down, she stood up and let go of his hand. Moving across her room, she grabbed something off the worktable in there and lifted it to arm's length from her body.

"Here goes nothing."

Pressing a button to activate it, her room and probably the house...maybe even the neighbors were filled with its blaring sound. Words can't describe fully exactly what it was but she kept it going for just a second or two before pushing the same button to deactivate it.

"You need to get up, Omen. My parents will be home soon."

Have to be ready for anything and him not being dressed wasn't going to help matters.

"Let me know if you need any help."

Clearing her throat, she chewed on her lower lip for a moment and set the alarm device back down on the table. Keeping her back to Omen, her head hung low for a heartbeat before she turned around to face him. If he was still in bed, she would walk over and try waking him up again. On the chance, he was moving around, she would stay where she was unless he said he needed help.

"We'll have that picnic someday."

Sergeant Omen

 

[Sergeant Omen]

Omen winced as the loud shrill sound filled his ears. "Q! Okay I'll get up!" The Clone finally opened his eyes to find... Wait... This wasn't his bed... He wasn't on the "Rebirth"... And why did the sheets smell like lavender... It was only when he rolled over onto the other side that his eyes met those of Aren's that he knew this wasn't another dream. Had she... His eyes widened in horror as he realized she had heard every word he had just said. Oh nerf... He wasn't getting out of this awkward situation, wasn't he? All he could do is try to play it off and act like nothing had happened... "Y...Yeah... I'll get up, just give me a second..."

The Trooper slide out of bed in just his underwear, his buns and chest on full display to Aren before he put on his armor and helmet. While he didn't react to her muttering about saying they would be having a picnic someday, his whole body was resisting the urge to do a full-on happy dance session. Sliding on his helmet, he would turn towards Aren and nod that he was ready for whatever happened. As they would leave the room, he would whisper into the Forcetech's ear. "I'll hold you to that Aren D'Shade. Be prepared to get swept off your feet." Maybe they wouldn't get together at all but Omen would sure try have darndest to make their two hearts into one. Love... All he wanted was love...

Aren D'Shade

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Both of them were trying to pretend nothing had happened. However, both of them knew something had. Since Omen had not asked her to turn away, she certainly looked at him as he got his armor back on. This was the first time Aren really took the time to do this.

He had said he was partly cyborg and without anything on, she could easily make out which of his parts were organic and which were mechanical. Talk about seeing some eye candy, she was not disappointed. Giving herself a mental shake, that was not something that should even be present in her mind.

It did not take Omen long to get his armor on and they were leaving her room. Stopping for a moment to let him pass, he whispered that he would hold her to that. Unless he pulled away, she would again give his hand a squeeze and then let him go.

"I look forward to that day, Sergeant Omen."

Smiling, she turned the light off and closed the door behind them. Catching up to him quickly, when they got to the kitchen, she would go in front of him and turn around to face him. Wrapping her arms around him, she would give him a fast hug unless he stopped her.

"Thank you."

If he had his helmet off, she probably would have also kissed his cheek. Not able to do that, she just hugged him. Leading him into the living room, she figured this would be the best place to be waiting when her parents got home.

Sergeant Omen

 

[Sergeant Omen]

Well, the Clone guessed Aren staring at his keister like it was 100 million credits meant she liked it. It only was a guess though and they both had more important things to think about now.

When she smiled that brilliant smile and squeezed Omen's hand, he knew everything was going to be alright. "Omen is fine. As for the last name, that's a story for later."

Catching him all off guard with how attached they had gotten with each other, the ARC returned the hug with his own, squeezing her against his armor.
"Anytime Aren, Anytime..."

As she lead him into the living room and he sat on the sofa, Omen had asked a question that he had been wondering for a while. "So, what do your parents look like? I couldn't pick them from the lineup of stills if my life depended on it.

 

[Aren D'Shade]

Just a few days ago, he had been unable to provide her a surname and now he had thought of one? She wondered what had happened. Not asking about it now just meant she would later. Maybe on that picnic, she had said would happen. Keeping the smile on her face, she followed him to the kitchen.

Breaking away from the quick hug, when they got to the living room he asked what her parents looked like. And he pointed out that none of the images had them at all. She was about to say he would know soon enough but changed her mind. Walking over to one of the displays, she picked it up and walked back to him.

Sitting down next to him, their hips touching, she pressed a button and the pictures started revolving. Showing her with her mother, father, and her pet bird. There were others but all of them were a few years old. Nothing really recent to show of them.

"Unless they have had others taken without me, then this is good as it gets."

These pictures showed a couple that was maybe twenty to twenty-five years older than Aren. Her father was a little taller than average but not a giant and her mother were about Aren's height. The father had greying hair but appeared happy in all the images taken. Her mother also seemed to be happy but her eyes were tired. As if she felt like she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders and just wanted to rest. It was probably similar to something almost every mother felt.

"Do these help?"

Sergeant Omen

 

[Sergeant Omen]

Omen tried to stop grinning and blushed as Aren plopped down next time him, their legs rubbing up against each other but it was too difficult. To be honest, the past couple of days had been the best of his life. He was still waiting to wake up on his ship and figure out that meeting Aren had all been a dream.

The ARC took the still out of the Raven-haired woman's hands and tried to memorize the images of her parents. They seemed... normal, just two people going on with their lives but looks could be deceiving. Who knows what they had been up to while Aren had been away. "Very much so, thank you."

If Aren consented, Omen would slip his arm around her again and pull her against his side. They had little time left before their parents came home and Aren doubtless wanted to keep any affection on the down-low which was acceptable to the clone. Might as well get all of his urges to cuddle her out now before the choice was out of his hands.

Aren D'Shade