Private You're in the Mirror

[Ariel Yvarro]

Rowan Cordé

Ariel sat quietly in the loft of her home in the old quarter of Avalonia. She had promised Rowan they would head out toward the docks later in the day. Ariel loved the way the Fortuna River looked toward sunset, the way the boats traversed up and down its length ferries bound for Prosperia, others heading away from Avalonia proper and up the river toward the countryside. The older woman, with graying hair at her temples, had spent much of her post-resurrection time keeping to herself. A few citizens wondered if she was truly Ariel Yvarro; Ariel simply lied and introduced herself as Josefina Corde. Not entirely wrong, but not entirely right either.

She didn't want to interfere or intrude. After all, she was supposed to be dead. The loft was quiet, filled only with the sounds of the old Crown City Radio playing songs from the Great Galactic War era, back when the galaxy was somewhat civilized, and she'd argue once, maybe twice, with her wife. Rowan was returning from a summons with Ivalyn, of all people. Ariel imagined Ivalyn might have wanted to talk to Rowan given the rumors of a reborn First Order on Zakuul. At least, if the rumors were true.

Even if they were, there was nothing anyone could do.

Nor could anyone truly bring back what had been lost, not even Ariel.

She scoffed slightly as she went to the kettle screaming in the kitchen. Tea, she thought to herself; a delightful persimmon and mint blend imported from Sejong. The Seoularians always knew a good cuppa. "Ro, is that you?" Ariel called out after hearing the door. "I've just poured tea, would you like a cup? We can do biscuits and sandwiches, if you like."

 

[Rowan Cordé]

//: Ariel Yvarro //:

Rowan had been on edge that morning, in the afternoon, and after the conversation with Ivalyn. It was hard not to see the influence, perhaps genetically hardcoded, of her Father's zealotry. Rowan found herself groaning inwardly as she ran her hand through her neatly kept white hair.

She had waited till she was closer to her home; the last thing she wanted or needed was news of her having unnerved the hardened former spy traveling back to her step-daughter.

It was a lot to think about, but she knew it had to be serious if Ivalyn reached out to her for assistance or whatever she was choosing to call it.

At least it was over, and she could return home, before now — Rowan couldn't remember a time she just longed for home, the quiet and stillness she had shared with Ariel until she had passed.

That peace had finally returned, thankfully.

Rowan did her best to slip through the door; she didn't want to disturb her wife while she enjoyed her rest. They had kept her return quiet, but they both knew that even if Rowan had tried to remarry, it would be impossible.

What they shared was something Rowan wouldn't have ever been able to find elsewhere… even if she tried.

Despite Ro's efforts, Ariel had, of course, heard her and called out. No wince, or disappointment etched the woman's face… only the careful smile of her happiness.

"It's me." She answered back as she slipped off her shoes and put on the pair of house slippers that had seen better days. Her jacket was carefully hung up, with nothing left in the pockets. Once more, a hand ran through her cropped white hair as she made her way towards the kitchen.

"How did you know I need all of that?" She smiled again, her smile reserved only for the woman who always knew what to say and do. "Does the offer include my beautiful wife?"

Rowan moved closer to her wife, leaned over, placed a careful kiss on Ariel's forehead, and placed a hand on her back, giving her a gentle rub.

"Biscuits and sandwiches sound amazing as well," her stomach made a noise as she finished. Maybe it was finally relaxing now that she was home that allowed her body to announce its needs so incessantly.

"I'm sorry I was gone long; our daughter had a lot to say, she's worried about a few things." Despite their diffrences and Ivalyn's dislike of the spy, Rowan always claimed the girl as her own, even hardened, the woman loved her as if she were her own.

Quietly, Rowan took a moment to help get down the honey and other bits and bobs needed for tea as Ariel poured.

"I wanted to ease her concerns, but for once, she and I agree on something." Rowan pursed her lips and looked towards the woman, hoping she had a different thought on the matter.

"You think we should be worried, my love; you were always smarter than this galaxy."

 

[Ariel Yvarro]

Rowan Cordé

Oh good, it was Ro, Ariel thought for a moment she was starting to lose her own senses. The radio crooned on as she set the tea on the table, "well I reckoned you might need something to ease your nerves." She waited a few moments as she delicately poured the tea. She recalled briefly, moments, flashes of memories of ages ago of the finishing lessons she had been put through by her cousin. "I am quite aware of the traits my oldest has inherited, she's more like her father than she'd ever care to admit."

Ivalyn truly was Djorn's child much to Ariel's own chagrin. Ariel indulged herself a moment leaning into Rowan's touch, "the offer will always include your wife." She said softly, warmth from her voice as Ariel shuffled back toward the kitchen counter. "Ivalyn is often, long-winded, and I'm not entirely sure if it's from the Blines, the Yvarros or the Fortans in which she gets her prose." The once-grand moff mused to her wife.

"I believe we have just enough for those little cucumber sandwiches you like so much, and perhaps I can reuse the morning's boiled eggs for egg sandwiches." Ariel carefully withdrew the eggs from the cooling chamber. "Did you know the market just down the way was selling one of those mini-cooling chambers. I thought you might like one in your office."

Ariel insisted that Rowan sit as she pulled a chair out for the once hardened-spy of the New Imperial Order.

"Oh thank you, love." She said having realized that Ro had taken down the honey and a few other bits and bobs for the sandwiches. Ariel shifted to the counter again, after ingredients had been placed down. "You both agreed? There was no fighting?" She questioned and then once more mused, "has Mustafar become Hoth? Color me intrigued, darling."

She stood for a moment after Ro had asked if they should be worried. Ariel exhaled, "there can be no First Order. Not anymore, anything that returns is simply a shell of the former. A lesson I learned the hard way, I'm afraid." Another moment lingered as she assembled the sandwiches. "No, we needn't be worried, the time for the First Order had come and gone."

Her hands stilled as she stirred the egg mixture. "And as it stands, I do not think this galaxy can tolerate such rigidity." A sigh escaped her, "Imperials will do what they have done for eons sans a cult of personality such as Tavlar or my cousin." She began to spoon the mixture onto soft slices of bread. "Eat each other alive."