Ask A Whole New World

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra was doing his best to behave, but his EZPhone was never too far away. He strategically set the notifications on and placed the screen beneath his leg. Ezra peeked down every now and then with a poker face to see what the score was. It was a huge improvement from early dating days where he would completely zone out for Limmie during movie time. In fact, Ezra had a hard time staying focused on most movies, getting distracted by his EZPhone.

"You could always model some of my products," Ezra said with a half grin as Dash lamented not becoming an actor.

He was lightly grazing a hand up and down Dash’s bicep when the Rhinnalian asked the most unpleasant question ever. It was remarkable - even as a quarter Sephi, his ears managed to bend towards that almost flat position like normal Sephi did. It was a visceral reaction, and he tensed. Ezra grabbed a piece of snack and angrily munched on it in silence. For a moment he just watched the movie and pretended not to hear. He could practically feel Dash’s blue eyes drilling into him from the side.

“It’s weird,” He admitted quietly, “It’s like two of my siblings dating,” The thought made him gag. However, he knew he couldn’t look at it like that. In fact, he preferred not to think about it at all. Ezra popped another snack into his mouth, gave Dash a squeeze and looked back at the screen.

“That girl is going to screw him over,” Ezra declared with a sagely nod as he focused on Aul. Hopefully Dash wouldn’t notice his sidestepping of the topic.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash saw the momentary short circuit behind Ezra's eyes. He totally expected it and he waited patiently for his man's systems to come back online.

"Weird" Dash agreed, smiling to himself. Ezra's feelings were actually pretty understandable this time. He imagined he would feel the same if a good friend of his hooked up with one his brothers, not that it was likely. Plus Jayna was Ez's twin, which had to be even more uncomfortable. "It will get less weird for you, trust me".

He was momentarily distracted by the movie as the guy and girl made a daring escape on some swanky spacecraft. "Oh definitely. You can just tell she's going to choose the dickhead prince in the end, not this guy". The space chase flashed across the screen, mirroring their own ship's dash through hyperspace.

"We could have them round" Dash said, knowing Ezra would know exactly who he meant. "Have a bite to eat and some drinks. It could be pretty fun?".

The Rhinnalian was keen to bat for Leon where he could here. Ezra was conflicted and would need a nudge for several reasons, but Dash was eager for the opportunities he could see in he and Leon joining the same family.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra fidgeted where he sat, realizing quickly that Dash wasn’t easing up on the topic, “I guess so,” He said vaguely with a shrug. He didn’t like the idea of being confronted with Jayna and Leon dating right in his face. He could already imagine them cozying up and the thought caused irrational anger. He didn’t like any guy that she brought around, always considering them subpar, and he could get away with being his frosty and detached self and the ‘mean’ twin. However, that wasn’t possible with Leon and it put him in an awkward spot.

“What about Ty?” He asked, suddenly perking up. Ezra and Tyto had a long standing rivalry with their respective Limmie teams, and they got along shockingly well. In fact, it was probably well enough to annoy Dash with how obsessive they became about Limmie and player stats.

“You really want us all to be a thing, don’t you..?” Ezra asked with a half grin, actually circling back to the topic on his own. Dash had a picture in his head of all of them, and over the years Ezra wondered exactly what he imagined.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

"Pfft" Dash scoffed at the mention of his sporty brother. "If he could actually be here for more than five minutes without you two doing your 'thing'. I can see it now, me running around hosting on my own while the two of you gabble in the corner about who's team is best". Ezra and Ty had the debate every time they met, but as far Dash could tell they never got any closer to a resolution.

His man suddenly seemed a little intrigued by his optimistic plans. "Well yeah" Dash admitted "I actually think it would be kind of nice. Everyone hanging out, coming together". The Rhinnalian had been used to a busy household of five in his youth, with countless Clan relatives and neighbours often stopping by. He missed a little hustle and bustle and the events of recent times made him want to stay close to the people he cared about. "I love that we have our own place, baby, and I'm excited for our life together, but I'm excited for our friends and family too. I guess we're all growing up".

Dash thought briefly of Emryc and Jaikus. They had not been in touch with Ezra's parents for an age, but that was the way Ez wanted it. The Rhinnalian decided to leave it be. They could not tackle every thorny issue in one movie night.

Aul Patriedes and his gang were suiting up for their final assault on some evil hideout. "You know you have barely asked me anything about what we might find on this trip" Dash said, glancing at Ezra. "You just straight up agreed to come". Notwithstanding the hiccup about Dash's last trip to Kro Var, it made him feel pretty good to have his man's unconditional backing.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra hadn’t given it too much thought, but it was true - all of their lives were converging. They had come a long way from when they all, quite literally, ran into each other on Kashyyyk. He wasn’t a fan of people, but Dash didn’t mean people. He meant his family and friends. The Thorne was silent for a moment, gazing at the screen but clearly not paying attention to the movie. He didn’t realize when he began to let people in, but Leon and others managed to sneak in past his numerous walls.

He was taken out of his thoughts when Dash remarked about Kro Var. Ezra looked at Dash and shrugged vaguely, “It’s important to you,” He stated flatly. That was a good enough explanation , right? Ezra stifled a yawn, going through his usual detachment whenever he watched movies.

After a moment, he plopped down with his head on Dash’s lap, staring vacantly at the screen, “That magic doesn’t even make sense when you factor in the biochemistry of the planet and the physiology of the people,” He began, soon pointing out the scientific flaws in their approach.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

It’s important to you. Ezra was often short and to the point but hell, was it really that simple? Dash had asked him to travel across the galaxy, to a world that had done its best to kill them last time, and for what? The poisoned promise of a long dead witch that it might, just might, hold a power they could use to help the Jedi. It was not some harmless cultural tour, but a potentially dangerous endeavour.

But maybe it was that simple, even for someone as typically uptight about his personal safety as Ezra. Maybe he was literally happy to do anything if it mattered to Dash this much. The Rhinnalian suddenly felt embarrassed. He had not even brought himself to go to one of his man’s blasted Limmie games and the dangers there, while many, were still far less than this.

Ezra slowly fell into Dash’s lap and he gently stroked the Thorne’s ears with his fingers. “Oh so you’re an expert on magic are you?”. He knew Ez was moments from disassembling the entire movie, but he knew just where to squeeze to stop his critique in its tracks. “I really don’t think it has much to do with biochemistry or physiology you know”. Dash idly ran his fingers through Ezra’s hair, finding his little face no less endearing than the first day they had met.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Dash stroking against his sensitive ear sent a jolt through him, and he gave a low, almost involuntary groan, “You know what that does to me, baby..” He murmured quietly. He was promptly distracted when Dash countered his point, “Oh what, it’s feelings?” Ezra asked with a scoff, but moodily quieted down after that. He may have been intelligent, but Dash had clever ways of heading off one of Ezra’s spirals on various topics.

Their time on the ship passed very differently than the last time they visited Kro Var. Ezra made a point to be more engaged. It was the last day when the Thorne walked into the quarters they now shared. He could still recall when Dash had taken the crew quarters that first visit to Kro Var and they hadn’t looked back since.

Ezra walked into the room with gym shorts on, his bare upper body completely drenched in sweat. He ran his fingers through his matted hair before he yanked the covers right off his sleeping man, “Rise and shine, princess, we’re less than an hour out,” He said with a grin, half expecting an angry freeze attack in retaliation.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

To say they were journeying towards danger, Dash and Ezra had a surprisingly carefree time on the ship as it made its voyage. There did not sit around all the time, enjoying workouts, cooking meals and watching more than a few movies by the end.

The self-contained world aboard the ship left Dash feeling surprisingly content. He found himself reflecting on their last trip to Kro Var and more than once he gave the special spot on the bulkhead a sideways glance. Judging by their nights - and indeed some of their afternoons - they had not lost the spark since it first flared right there.

Dash opened one eye as the covers were withdrawn, finding himself face down amongst the sheets. He felt very well rested after laying in and slowly flexed his neck, paying no mind to his nakedness. "If I'm a princess, then your footman act needs work" he said, rubbing his eyes. His gaze fell on the slick torso in front of him. "Then again, maybe it's not so bad. Can't believe you worked out without me".

The Rhinnalian slid off the bed and in the direction of the shower. In truth, he had a feeling he would need all his energy for the day ahead anyway. The knowledge they were only an hour away had made it real again and he felt the first twinge of anxiety.

"You coming in?" Dash teased, twisting back in the doorway. They did not have time for another round, but they had indulged enough these past few days to manage a shower together without the fireworks. Besides, Dash needed another look in those silver eyes again before they landed. Ezra made him feel they could do anything, and he needed that strength today.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra wasn’t surprised to find Dash entirely sans clothing - his man had a habit of wearing as little as possible whenever it was just the two of them. Not that Ezra minded one bit. Having all this time alone felt like true freedom - he finally felt like his own man that was living on his own with whoever he pleased and however he pleased. Their relationship also evolved from where it started with that ‘not date’ with two boys on Thyferra.

He only gave a smirk as Dash teasingly beckoned him into the shower, but he tempered his desires for now. Kro Var loomed just below, and the breezy thoughts of being with Dash and enjoying themselves began to fade to the background. He hadn’t asked Dash much about this visit, but he trusted that the Rhinnalian knew what he was doing.

Before long, the ship touched down and Ezra walked down the ramp, gazing out over that familiar barren terrain. He also felt that familiar heat, but he was prepared for it this time with light clothing. He walked around the ship and opened the cargo hold to draw out a repulsorspeeder, "I'm not walking around on foot for ages again," He grumbled as an explanation as he motioned for Dash to hop on. The speeder was built for two and hovering meant it could go over any terrain, "Where to?"

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash eased the Winter Casket into his pack and slung it over his back. It was Jadis' creation and there was no question of leaving it behind. They would likely face more wards or challenges of her making and the Casket could be central to overcoming them.

The Rhinnalian went for the sleeveless flight suit again, light and practical in the heat of Kro Var. If Jadis was to be believed, the power that lay here could change that too, but right now it was hard to imagine anything beyond the volcanic scene all around.

He had to smile when he saw the speeder. "That's actually a pretty good idea" he remarked "we're heading up the mountainside this time, not to the cavern beneath that pool from before". The speeder would definitely get them up there quicker, though it would likely be little use inside.

Dash hopped on, looping his arms around Ezra's midriff. Of course he was wearing the cologne even here. "Don't go crazy fast yeah? We need to be on our guard here, I can feel it". He did not know what exactly he was wary off, beyond the natural hazards. Kro Var seemed deserted. Yet, Jadis' words still echoed in his ears. Others move on the mountain.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra grinned at Dash’s approval of the speeder, “Figure it’s better than mountain goats..” He mused aloud. That memory was almost cheerful at this point, even if no one could pay him to ride one of those smelly beasts again. The speeder took off across the terrain and Ezra kept a steady pace, making his way towards a path that led up the mountain. The heat was getting worse and the air grew smoky. He coughed a few times, slowing to a pause. Prepared as always, he drew out a mask and fastened Dash’s for him, “For the ash,” He explained quietly.

He continued up the path after that, the skies getting darker and hazier. Ezra slowed down as they began to climb over rough terrain. It was certainly pushing the speeder towards its limits, but he didn’t go overboard. After a bit of driving, he heard an unnatural cry in the distance. Ezra came to a halt, looking around, “Did you hear that?” He asked urgently, having no idea that only his sensitive ears would have picked it up, “Should we be expecting anything on this mountain?” He certainly hoped Dash did his research like Ezra always did before going somewhere…

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash actually laughed at the mention of the goats, his chuckle sounding totally out of place amidst the smoke, sulfur and rumbling earth. "That's true! You definitely ride these better too!".

The Rhinnalian made a couple of quips as they shot towards the mountain and at one stage he thought Ezra was trying to gag him. Instead, it turned out to be a mask for the ash. He gave his man an affectionate look. When it mattered, Ez really did think of everything.

They rode over ridges and climbed up the mountainside, Dash feeling safe in Ezra's hands despite the difficult terrain. He tried to scan their surroundings as they whipped by, searching with both his sight and his feelings for anything hidden. There was nothing obvious, nothing immediate, but there was something. A faint background noise that gave him a sense of foreboding.

Ezra suddenly stopped the speeder. "No, I didn't hear anything?" Dash gave Ez an uncertain look. "I'm not expecting anything, at least until we get down inside the mountain. The only people who ever lived here were the Shapers, and they wiped each other out centuries ago...or Jadis did". He didn't know if Ezra would expect more, but what little information he had was about the challenges inside the mountain; it said nothing of anything out here.

"Maybe if we keep heading up? This bearing looks about right" he added, checking the little jeweled book from Kashyyyk.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

It was that same bit of unease Ezra felt whenever they faced anything concerning Jadis. However, he kept his thoughts to himself, listening for more noises. In the absence of any, he finally slowed the speeder down to a halt, “I think we can only go up on foot from here,” He said as he got off the speeder. It was a rough trek and the incline was almost vertical, which made it impossible to traverse via speeder.

Ezra had little difficulty with the climb, his Thorne training actually helping out in ways beyond just making him look good for Dash. He hoisted himself up by grasping onto protruding ledges, glancing down every now and then to see how his partner was faring.

After a while, he finally pulled himself up to what looked like a large archway, extending a hand to help Dash up as well. Heat pulsed from inside, and he was already lined with sweat. Ezra looked at the little book Dash had - the same one he was fiddling with that very first day on Thyferra. Only this time he couldn’t simply distract Dash away from it with a kiss.

He could see what looked like remnants of skeletons near the entrance, “Well, that’s encouraging,” He said dryly, letting Dash lead the way. Either those were remnants of others that tried this endeavor or they were traces of the Shapers, which meant this place was a tomb.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash had expected some trekking, but he was still disappointed when they had to give up the speeder. He followed Ezra up the incline, his focus alternating between the challenge ahead and trying not to embarrass himself. Light and agile, he kept his footing without difficulty, but there were a couple of occasions when he simply could not reach the next ledge and had to be hauled up by Ezra. At least there were no press out here.

When they crested the final ridge and found themselves in front of the archway, it was already more than Dash had perhaps expected. There was something eerie about finding a manmade structure out here and something told the Rhinnalian it was only the beginning. The background noise he had been aware of seemed to ratchet up a notch and he half thought he heard a musical note on the air.

It was only when Ezra pointed the skeletons out that Dash noticed them, drawing back with a gasp. He bent down, cautiously trying to identify anything he could. The remains looked as old as the hills, but rusted metal fragments hinted at armor and weapons. If these had been guards, they had died instantly at their posts. What could kill a man so quickly, and what had they been guarding in the first place?

"I guess it is" Dash gulped "encouraging. Shows there's something here after all". He slowly headed toward the archway, resisting the childish instinct to hold Ez's hand. The Thorne was the best back up he could ask for, but also the ultimate comfort. He had to stay strong; this place was his to face, even if he did so with help.

The passage through the archway led inside and then snaked around the inner rim of the volcano. Down below in the center, molten rock, smoke and poisonous fumes toiled as if birthing a demon, steadily rising high into the sky. It occured to Dash that this volcano was almost part of the planet's ecosystem. Perhaps that was why what happened here could supposedly change everything.

"We have to go down" he explained to Ez, reaching for him more than once as they navigated the narrow path winding around the crater. "She told me the nexus is beneath the mountain, under a seal of some kind. If we can find it and break the seal, then we can give the thermostat in here a real turning down". He knew how his man generally felt about the temperature being lowered, but this was a chance to build a new place safe for Jedi. It had to make sense.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra had no real reaction upon seeing the bodies, but it certainly rattled Dash. The Thorne silently observed his partner work through his panic. Without a word, the taller boy reached a hand over and nonchalantly entwined their fingers, making no fuss about it as they entered the cave. He listened to what Dash said - about what Jadis suggested. Was there any merit to what she said?

“Why was the seal placed to begin with?” He asked as they walked in. Everything Dash suggested had been from the purview of his ancestor Jadis, but why did any of this happen at all? Why was a seal necessary? Why was the nexus hidden and locked away? Ezra liked knowing all side of a story before acting, not that it would stop this mission from progressing. Once Dash set his mind to something, it was hard to change.

The temperature grew hotter and they had to take more breaks to steady their breathing. They were both completely drenched in sweat and it felt like a furnace. After glancing around, Ezra spotted a low path with a set of stone steps that led further down, “Go ahead,” He motioned for Dash to move ahead. While the smaller man would be able to fit through with a bit of a struggle, Ezra had a much harder time. Dust and debris began to crumble as he awkwardly fit himself through the pathway, his face smooshed against the stone wall as he groaned and grunted his way through. It was a wonder the tunnel didn’t collapse when he came out the other side, looking completely harassed.

The stairs descended down towards the lower chambers, but curiously the temperature didn’t get any hotter.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

While Dash swallowed his desire to hold hands, it seemed Ezra had no such qualms. Dash felt buttressed the moment their hands entwined, amplified by all their history of adventures together. They had come a long way.

But Ezra was still Ezra. "Well, I don't know exactly" Dash said, feeling a little defensive at his man's question. "But there's a Force nexus down there that the Jedi can use. Gotta be better than how the place is now". It seemed simple enough to him and he had become quite attached to the idea he could secure something good for the Jedi from this. Did it really have to be picked apart?

They made it down to the stone steps at the base and Dash lithely slipped through the narrow passage. They left the fire and smoke of the crater behind and strangely the heat too. If anything, the temperature down here seemed more stable, almost cooler.

Theme​

A note sounded on the air. Dash was sure of it this time. It had teased him too much for him to be in any doubt. Whatever was down here called, whether just to him or anyone he was not sure. He flicked a glance at Ezra, who usually heard everything before him. How could it just be him?

You and I are joined by both blood and destiny, you cannot run from it. Again Jadis's words echoed in his mind. What hold could she possibly have on this place so long after she had gone?

They emerged into a domed chamber, lit by several dozen little green lights. It was only when they took flight that Dash realised they were fireflies of some kind. They scattered, seemingly disturbed by the two Jedi's presence, their glare illuminating a huge tree in the center of the room, its forked bough and many limps arching over them.

Dash was about to question how a tree could live down here, when the thing moved. He had only a few seconds to shout a warning to Ezra as the great tree twisted and struck out, swinging its ancient limbs as if determined to crush them.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra quirked a brow at Dash as he gave a rather lame response to the question. That meant he was delving into this without thinking this through, just as he suspected. However, before he could say anything, the Rhinnalian stopped as if listening for something. Ezra heard nothing, which meant it was speaking directly to Dash, something he found telling and unsettling.

He eyed the fireflies, watching them scatter and barely noticed the tree that suddenly came to life and started swinging at them. Two giant, lumbering branches thwacked down on the ground in an attempt to crush them. Ezra shoved Dash out of the way, landing on the ground with Ezra on top. He only shook his head at Dash before rolling off, turning on the tree.

He focused with the Force, time seemingly slowing down as he found the structural weaknesses in the tree. One of the two great limbs came swinging at him, but Ezra found the weak points and applied pressure. With a loud, thundering crack, the entire limb cracked and fell off, nothing but air brushing them. This left one more limb to contend with.

Roll: 17/20

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash moved as quickly as he could when the game had changed so quickly. A hostile, sentient tree? What the hell? Ezra fortunately moved faster, pulling him out of the way briefly. They exchanged a glance, there on the floor, before they had to get back to fighting for their lives.

Ezra twisted away and Dash leapt to his own feet, marshaling himself. The tree twisted and writhed with unnatural sentience, swinging itself around to strike them. Twin boughs sailed through the air, but the second suddenly fell away as if severed. Dash knew it was Ezra without asking.

The remaining limb angled towards him and Dash twisted away from its first pass, rolling towards the trunk and planting his palm on the bark. Frost and ice raced like a contagion from his fingers, hardening the wood and freezing the tree in its stride, albeit not quite quick enough.

A particularly long branch had life enough left to sweep in and strike him, throwing him several feet clear of the tree, even as its final extremities became a frozen sculpture.

@Sreeya

13/20 Dash vs tree

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra’s emotions told him to rush after Dash when he was thrown by the tree. However, he tempered himself, working in conjunction with the freezing. Cracks snaked up the icy tree as he willed them. He curled his fingers into a fist and the entire tree shattered and collapsed into itself, dropping into a thousand icy shards.

With his attacks building atop Dash’s, the tree had no chance. The Thorne scrambled to his feet, rushing over to check on his man, “Baby?” He asked urgently, helping the Rhinnalian up to his feet if he struggled, “Are you hurt?” Ezra checked over him. He cast a glance over at the tree, staring at it for a long moment.

He should have felt elated at defeating a monster like that, but he didn’t. Ezra looked at the icy shards, “Trees and plants moving like that are manifestations of the Light,” He said quietly before looking at Dash. He said nothing more on the topic, but the doubt was clear on his face. Was the tree something truly malicious or did the two boys just take out a crucial line of defense?

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Several things hurt as Dash rolled over onto his back. He gingerly moved his arms and legs, swallowing the pain as Ezra helped him to his feet. “I’m ok, I’m ok” he said, more pleased than he let on that he was only bruised. He couldn’t afford to go down this early on. He wouldn’t.

He eyed the broken shards that had once been a tree, a dozen questions in his mind, none of them good. But Ezra was there already. “Normally, yeah”. Dash had been fascinated by the Force since his own peculiar powers had led him to the Jedi. He had studied more about its workings than many his age. He knew Ezra was right and that trees were typically moved by the Light, but it was an unexpected ward for Jadis to leave in place. ”She must have been more balanced back then?”.

There was a passage on the far side of the tree that seemed to lead further down. Dash led Ez on undeterred, if anything he was more determined than ever to get to what was hidden here.

The tunnel was fairly short, opening out into another wide cavern. A narrow stone walkway wide enough for three men spanned across a chasm directly ahead. Dash thought he could see the way ahead continuing on the far side, but there was something foreboding about the narrow bridge. Strange holes peppered the walls and the cavernous ceiling above, but the place was eerily still. The note on the air was stronger now though, almost a discernible chant.

“What do you think?” Dash asked Ez, surveying the chamber and rubbing his bruised side. He wanted to push on, but the attack from the tree was enough to give him pause for now.

@Sreeya