Ask Family

[Ezra Thorne]

It was almost a year to the day. The giant window was long since fixed, of course. Every bit of glass was cleaned and the manor looked as impeccable as usual. However, memories of that fateful day long since lingered. Security measures changed often around the manor, but there would be none barring him.

Slow, purposely footsteps took him up to those tall, looming doors. The last time he was here, he felt nothing but bitterness and hate. It was everything he had despised about what the Sith stood for, what he believed his parents stood for. Over the past year he began to understand that actions spoke louder than the titles or brand someone held. Kashyyyk was fresh in his mind and what he witnessed there.

The double doors opened and he stood at the doorway, standing taller than the last time he was here. He had a bag slung over his shoulder, his hair was a bit longer and he had a bit of stubble, but those piercing eyes were the same. He didn’t step in just yet, his gaze fixed ahead.

“Hi dad…” He paused, “...Hi Pops..”

@Altaris

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc was not normally one to clear his schedules for anyone or anything, but that was exactly what happened when he was notified of his son’s arrival. He had never witnessed Jaikus as broken and miserable in the decades of knowing him like in the past year. The man was sickly and a shell of who Emryc knew, and it ate the half Sephi up inside more than he would ever admit. At the same time, he knew his son shared countless traits of his own, which meant the more they chased, the more Ezra would withdraw. No, Ezra had to make the choice to return on his own or not at all.

When the doors opened, the half Sephi wasn’t too busy to greet him. He stood there right by his husband as their son appeared before them. He didn’t appear as a teenage boy anymore, the past few years of independence having shaped him into a man.

Emryc didn’t rush over towards his son, knowing Jaikus would be on top of it already. Instead he calmly gazed at the young man, his features visibly softening, “Ezra,” That familiar baritone projected.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Within seconds, Jaikus had completely wiped his schedule - abandoning meetings and lectures - in a rush to greet his son. For over a year, the Axxilan had languished due to the rift in their family. It was that final look of anger from Ezra - all of the hurt and disdain that burned bright behind those silvery eyes - that remained with him. It haunted him every night since, and it tore Jaikus apart in ways that only Emryc ever truly saw or understood.

The Axxilan had lost those closest to him before - and it was the pain of it happening all over again that weighed upon him. The loss of Renfry was still fresh on Jaikus’ heart, and the anxiety that Raze could come for the rest of them without her. He knew that there was nobody to blame for Ezra but himself. For the sins of his past life, and the continuous lies that had been told to each of the Thorne children.

Now more than ever, Jaikus leaned on Emryc for support - just as the Axxilan did in turn.

All the while, Jaikus made no attempt to reach out - even as that bracelet was delivered. He knew his son, and the father before him, enough to know that doing so would only make things worse. The SpyNet kept protective watch over every member of the family, but the Axxilan had no desire to disturb the peace that Ezra had found in that year. Not after everything that had occurred.

The Axxilan stood beside his husband - glancing over to the half-Sephi just before the doors opened - revealing the man standing on the other side of it. He recognized his son at once - the silver eyes and handsome face that he’d raised from an infant - and yet immediately saw all the ways that Ezra had grown. His son stood taller and stronger than the day he’d left home, stubble lining his face that resembled the very same worn by his father.

Ezra wasn’t the teenage boy that had left him. He was a man all his own - and Jaikus couldn’t help the beam of pride he felt at once, even at that moment.

Slowly but surely, Jaikus closed the distance between himself and Ezra - standing only a step ahead of his son. Even as he kept up appearances, there was no denying the exhaustion that had etched itself into Jaikus’ face - the dark circles beneath his somewhat dimmer, emerald eyes.

He wanted nothing more than to pull the boy into a tight embrace - to squeeze the life out of him for all the time he couldn’t. But he halted all the same. The rift between them hadn’t vanished overnight, and he left it entirely to Ezra on how much to re-engage in that moment.

Instead, Jaikus merely stared back at his son - tilting his gaze up ever-so-slightly with his additional height. Slowly but surely, a smile began to tug at the corners of his mouth - all of that pride seeming to shine through, despite everything else. “My baby boy..” He said softly, though clearly audible to both of the part Sephi.

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra stared at both of his parents - the two men he knew as his entire world - along with his twin of course. He looked at Emryc - the anchor. He was the steady rock, the unwavering spirit that kept them all grounded, taken care of, the titan that guarded and protected them. Then Jaikus, the nurturing, warm parent that made everything feel like home. Made them all feel like a true family. They both played their roles, they both had their flaws and strengths, and they both made Ezra into who he was today for better or worse.

His dad looked like a shell of who he was, his appearance haggard and worn. Ezra felt guilt jab at him like a thousand blades. He swallowed the lump in his throat, gently setting down the bag on the ground. He stared at his dad for a moment, icy silvers meeting those warm emeralds. Without a word, he proactively stepped forward and embraced his father. He squeezed him tight, standing like that for a few seconds.

Ezra didn’t stop there, drawing back before he gazed at Pops. And he did something he hadn’t done since he was a small child. He closed the distance and embraced the titan. The half Sephi was motionless at first, standing rigid and his eyes betraying the slightest hint of shock. Slowly, very slowly, his arms came up to return the embrace.

Ezra pulled back after a long moment, walking with his parents to the living room where he took a seat. He gazed between the two of them, “Tell me,” He said calmly, “Tell me everything. No secrets this time.”

@Altaris

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc knew this was coming, and he was also dealing with the aftermath of what it caused for the past year. The half Sephi decided to go first, his face as impassive as always.

“I was born on an Imperial space station,” He began, “My designation was 3MR1K. My handlers referred to me as Emryc. I was a test subject for a program called the Cadre Project that conditioned and manufactured specimens to become superior Sith. I was put through experiments both psychological and physical to push me beyond my limits. As a defense mechanism, a personification of my psyche manifested in what the galaxy now knows as Raze,” Emryc’s voice never wavered and there were no emotions. It was the first time he was sharing the entire story out loud, “I was a Sith and I was exceptional. I performed as a soldier did and I didn’t ask questions. My ambitions grew and they began to diverge from the Sith path,” He glanced briefly at Jaikus, “I met your father somewhere along that path and decided I no longer wished to be a Sith. Raze, who existed wholly as a separate entity by this point, did not agree. I locked him inside my mind and put him away when your father and I were wedded.”

The half Sephi thought for a moment, “The two other figures in this story are your Aunt Tia and also Renfry,” He knew Ezra would wonder about them and how they tied in, “Your Aunt Tia was my apprentice when I was still a Sith. Renfry was a friend who later went on to become Empress. All of us had decided to leave that life behind and we were content until a Force anomaly allowed Raze to escape.”

Emryc stared directly at his son, “Why did we withhold all this information? Because it had no relevance to who we are today. When you began to display your Force abilities, your father and I were only equipped to teach the ways of the Sith. It was not a path we wanted for you. Thornes always make their own way and you needed to find yours without biased influence.”

He was silent after that, probably the most Ezra had ever heard him talk. However, he was going to do right by him this time - there would be no secrets. He looked over at Jaikus, doubtless he had a lot more to add.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus watched as Ezra gently put down his bag - emerald eyes following to meet those piercing silvers of his son. Even though he’d come home, the Axxilan was prepared for Ezra to still be angry with him. To vocalize his hatred for what his parents were, to coldly maintain the distance between them.

But Ezra did none of those things.

The Axxilan was frozen for a moment - watching as Ezra stepped forward to proactively hug him close. The surprise lasted only a moment, and Jaikus didn’t hesitate to reciprocate the embrace - arms rising to tightly wrap around his own flesh and blood. He squeezed Ezra with every ounce of his strength and almost to the point of it being painful, one hand gently placed against the back of his son's head. Jaikus knew they had much to work through. That the wounds didn’t heal overnight, and certainly not in that moment.

But for the first time in a year, Jaikus felt that weight momentarily lift from his shoulders.

The Axxilan held the embrace for a moment or two longer - a smile tugging at his lips as Ezra moved to hug Emryc for the first time in years. Jaikus flashed his husband a knowing look, coupled with the warm and tender expression that the moment elicited. There were a thousand unsaid words between father and son, and always would be. But there was no denying the care that would always persist.

He followed as Ezra led them to the couch - moving towards the more difficult questions ahead of them. Jaikus allowed Emryc to go first - elaborating on a past that the Axxilan had only come to know after years, and the first time he’d heard it spoken aloud to anyone else. Without a word, Jaikus reached over - his own hand brushing against the top of Emryc’s own.

There were going to be countless questions - unearthing a past that Jaikus had tried so hard to put aside. But there was no running. No more lies. Not this time.

He took in a breath as Emryc paused, allowing Jaikus to reveal his own history. “On Axxila.. Your grandparents were members of the Sith Eternal.” While their Aunt Hatice flitted like a hurricane in and out of their lives, both twins had grown up on stories of Jaikus’ parents and siblings. Their true affiliations, however, had always been omitted.

“I was barely half your age when I was first indoctrinated into the Order.” He continued. “I wasn’t much older when I first began to manifest my Force abilities, and was sent to train as an Acolyte for the Eternal.”

“As a Sith, I specialized in covert operations. Under the cover of darkness, I did whatever was necessary to advance the goals of the Eternal - and later did the same under the regime of Renfry.”

Jaikus glanced over to Emryc, that flicker of warmth returning. “Along my path as a Sith.. I met your father.” He glanced back to Ezra. “I fell in love with him, and I began to imagine a life for myself as anything other than an agent of the Sith. I began to realize I had no desire to carry out their orders and missions - or to risk the people that truly mattered to me.”

“Your father and I - and your Aunts - all left the Order. We made a vow on our wedding day that we would never return to what we once were, and have spent the past twenty years building a life just for ourselves. For you and your sister, Tia and Theia.”

“Your sister Arla was born from a relationship between your father and Renfry, before either of us were together. I was there when she was born.. And I have kept in contact with her throughout her life.”

Emryc explained their reasonings for keeping the past hidden - and Jaikus offered his own words as well. “I believed.. That keeping the past from you, was protecting you. Protecting you from the reality of what me and Emryc had once been, and because we are not those same people today.” He said. “I thought I was protecting you from that dark history, that you wouldn’t ever feel guilt or shame for a past that you had no part in whatsoever.” As Ezra became a Jedi, his reasonings for keeping their past a secret had only multiplied.

“I was wrong,”

“I couldn’t teach you in the Force, Ezra. Neither of us could. You needed to find that path on your own,” Jaikus gave Emryc’s hand a squeeze. “My greatest regret, Ezra, is allowing you to think there was anything wrong with you. That you were somehow different or separated from the rest of the family, because of your abilities.”

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra listened silently as his fathers spoke. It was the most they had ever revealed to him, and this time he knew there were no filters. Pops didn’t do his usual brush off or blatant silence and dad was always terrible at lying anyways. No, they were both being genuine. Pops’ history stung to hear - he always knew that his father was an orphan, but to hear that he was nothing more than a test subject and his very name was from an alphanumeric designation was a hard pill to swallow. His dad, on the other hand, spoke of how he let Ezra feel like he was different. Ezra’s fingers curled into fists, anger simmering over the edge. Even just a year back, he would have lashed out angrily at that, but he tempered himself.

“Why do you let everyone else feel like that, then?” He asked both his parents, “The ISC stands on the platform of dissociating with Jedi and Sith. They’re not allowed any temples or sites here. You know that translated to Force users being freaks. You’ve had to do PR damage control just because your own son came out as Force sensitive,” He glared at Pops, “Why would you choose this when this was such a crucial part of who you both are?”

He knew they would keep it hidden. They had gone decades hiding it, a feat Ezra wasn’t sure he could ever accomplish. He began to wonder if they could effectively use it anymore or if they found different ways to continue training.

Ezra exhaled, leaning back in his seat, looking at them both, “Is there nothing you can teach me? Anything that can help with someone like Raze?”

@Altaris

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc had expected this question, but it didn’t make him feel any more prepared. He kept his steady resolve as always, “Because I still stand by those principles,” He said curtly, drawing a surprised look from his son, “The Jedi and Sith have a war that will continue for as long as they exist. Their quarrel is a cyclical, prophetic legacy that will never stop as long as the fight to balance the Force exists. What the ISC stands for is to disassociate with those specific religious sects and remain neutral. And it has allowed worlds to thrive that had no chance in the past. It was always joining one side or the other, and I presented an alternative. You will never make everyone happy and prejudice exists everywhere - look at the Core where Jedi were welcome with open arms.”

The other question drew silence from him. Emryc had a wealth of knowledge, but his strength in the Force was severely weakened now. In fact, he had a suspicion that Ezra was just as powerful as him in his current state. The half Sephi thought for a long moment, “There is…something. It is a holocron Renfry and I had discovered a long time ago and it has the means of guarding your mind against powerful Force users. Something that would protect your mind from intrusion. However, it is made for Sith. You will have to first obtain the method from the original holocron and then work with a powerful Jedi to modify it into something Lightsiders can adopt. I believe Arla is in possession of the holocron.”

Emryc looked at Ezra, “Remember this, son,” He began, the word likely rattling Ezra, “Raze is an idea. You kill him, another will take his place. You are better served reminding the galaxy what the Jedi stand for because it has forgotten. The ISC rose as it did and kept its enemies at bay from trust in itself, not by conquering every adversary out there. Remember that.”

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus was silent for a long moment - allowing Emryc to speak before he did. The simple reality was that the Axxilan fully agreed with the position that his husband took, despite the Sith teachings that had been engrained since birth. Successful government would never last with religious sects like the Jedi and Sith at the helm. Their war had plunged the Galaxy into chaos over countless generations, and disassociation had kept the ISC safe. Kept their people safe. Kept their family safe.

“It will always be a crucial part of who we are. It will always be part of our lives.” He said, looking back to his son. “The decision to keep it hidden - to take the stance that the ISC has for decades.. It had kept safe everything we hold dear.”

The Axxilan shifted ever-so-slightly - the thought of his son and Kravos’ Holocron in the same sentence making him somewhat uncomfortable. Jaikus was a trained Sith and covert agent, and even he’d refrained from reading into its darkest chapters over the years. He didn’t argue the hypothesis, knowing that the protections it imparted would serve his son well.

He had nothing to give his son. No artifact of power, no special technique to protect him. Only the words that Jaikus knew Ezra needed to hear.

“Always remember who you are, Ezra.” He began. “You are a Thorne, and Knight of the Jedi Order.” Jaikus reached over, placing a hand against the shoulder of his son. “Most of all, you are your own man - the sum of your own choices and actions.”

“You hold no responsibility for the actions of me or Emryc. You have no connection to Raze or the darkness that he spreads, no matter how much he might lead you to believe otherwise.” It was strikingly similar to the conversation he had with Arla - ultimately leading her away from the monster and back towards their family.

“You will never be tainted or darkened by the actions of those who came before you.” Force of Will would protect his son from the Force, but Raze was capable of manipulating and breaking down god victims without ever needing to reach into their mind. Seeds of doubt that he was an expert at sowing. “Who you choose to be, the path that you walk in life? Is entirely yours to decide. Let no one convince you otherwise. Least of all Raze.”

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra wanted to open his mouth to debate and argue, but he knew it was useless. His father started this movement when he was just a few years older than Ezra. The man was commanding the galaxy in his mid twenties and rocketed into power. It was the first time he began to guess at the kind of weight his father shouldered for so long. That and fighting off the demon that was Raze inside his mind. It sounded overwhelming and he wondered if that was why he came across so stoic and detached - as a defense mechanism. Everything his dad said, however, reminded him that he was his own man. That he wasn't just a discount Emryc like people liked to joke.

However, there was a nagging question - one he wondered since Raze’s identity was revealed to him. Ezra already knew the story of what Raze was and how he was created, but he turned his attention to his dad, “How did you know Pops could keep Raze back? How did you know Raze wouldn’t emerge and kill you? How did you know Raze and Pops were two different men?”

He paused for a moment, his voice much quieter then, “How did you know Raze wouldn’t have killed us when we were children?”

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

There was a long pause that followed Ezra’s question - though it was abundantly clear that he’d heard what was said. Those vibrant emerald never broke away from his son, even as a hand quietly shifted over to rest against Emryc’s own. His fingers intertwined and squeezed the larger digits tenderly, leaning on his husband through the difficult question, while subtly signaling for Emryc to allow the Axxilan to answer.

“There was a time.. When I witnessed Raze, when your father was completely absent. One of the very few times for it to ever occur.” The encounter on Telos felt like a century ago - over twenty years since the two of them had stepped foot into that horrific temple. Twenty years since they’d left those snow angels on the mountainside, since the very-first-time Emryc had heard those puffer pig snorts.

“It nearly cost my life.” He admitted, never breaking eye contact with Ezra. “But in the years that followed.. I came to know the man that Emryc was when Raze wasn’t present. The man that I fell in love with - the one who has fought beside me through every trial and rough time. Who has never wavered.” He glanced over to Emryc, that warmth and affection immediately bleeding into his expression. “Never for a moment did I doubt that your father and Raze were two different beings. Never.” His fingers squeezed just a bit tighter.

“Raze is only a monster, Ezra.” The Axxilan warned. “But the man you have always known? Who has raised you, and been here with this family? Has always been Emryc.”

“I trusted my husband, with every fiber of my being” He said in response to the question - the lingering concern that one day, Raze would take over. “I trusted that Emryc was strong enough to keep Raze contained with every ounce of his strength. No matter how difficult or draining it was.” It shed a new light upon the internal struggle that Emryc always battled - keeping Raze contained within that corner of his mind. It was never spoken or alluded to, but Jaikus always knew. He was always there to be that pillar of support when Emryc needed it most. “It was that trust that made both of us prepared to have children. To raise you and your sister.”

“The anomaly that let Raze find a form of his own.. It was beyond the strength of any Forcer user. It was something unpredictable.”

“But..” He began. “There were contingencies, in the event that Raze ever broke free from his prison. Protocols programmed into every droid, bodyguard and attendant you’ve had since you were an infant. Plans to move you to a secure location, to people Emryc and I could trust if the worst came to pass.” The pair had always been known for their meticulous planning and protective measures. It was something that Jaikus had never wanted to discuss during the twenty years of their marriage - something he didn’t dare give breath to - but planned alongside Emryc all the same.

“If the worst ever came to pass, everything would have been done to keep the both of you safe.”

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra listened to his dad explain, not missing how he grasped Pops’ hand. He had a feeling Pops was going to give a curt, uncomfortable truth. He looked into those silver eyes that matched his own and saw everything he needed. Ezra knew if Raze ever manifested, no force in the galaxy could have stopped him from killing all three of them. He loved his dad, but at the end of them there were certain Sephi traits that only Sephi understood and Ezra and Emryc had a silent exchange.

The Jedi exhaled, letting a moment of silence grow between them. Eventually, he leaned forward in his seat again, a smirk appearing on his face, “How about dolmas and game night?” He asked suddenly, looking between his fathers. Pops, as expected, had a slightly perplexed expression, but he knew he could get them both to agree. They hadn’t had a food and game night since the twins were children.

“Vegan, of course..” He added, biting back a grimace. Only dad knew how to make them and he managed to adapt them to Pops’ tastes. However, Ezra still didn’t like it as much as the meat version.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus couldn’t help but exhale deeply - feeling a great deal of weight that rose off his chest. Nearly two decades has been spent keeping their past hidden, and the last year had strained the Axxilan emotionally in ways that only his husband would ever understand. He felt the pressure of both finally lifting off his shoulders. The feeling that his family was whole again, even if the threat of Raze lingered on the distant horizon.

He had nothing else to add - quietly wringing his fingers as the silence lingered between them. He didn’t miss the look exchanged between father and son, though even two decades couldn’t teach the Axxilan ever bit of the nonverbal communication common amongst Sephi.

It wasn’t until Ezra leaned forward - that familiar smile returning to his face - that Jaikus allowed himself to do the same. A hundred years could pass and Ezra could have children of his own, and the Axxilan would still only ever see the baby boy he had raised. The pointed ears that seemed entirely too big for the sides of his head, and silver eyes that could only belong to a Thorne.

Jaikus leaned ever-so-slightly against his husband, giving his hand a tender squeeze. Though nothing was said, Emryc would see the warmth and life seem to return to those verdant green eyes. The stress all melting away, and the true personality of the Axxilan seeming to shine through.

“It won’t take me long to whip them up.” He said with a smile, quirking a brow when Ezra mentioned the vegan option. For as long as he could remember, the diet disagreements had been abound in his household - and the fact that his son was volunteering for the option preferred by his father spoke volumes. Jaikus smirked ever-so-slightly, rising up from his seat. He made a mental note, but otherwise said nothing.

“I’ll let you both pick out the game,” Though both wouldn’t say anything to the effect, Jaikus already knew that the pair would find their way to something they both enjoyed and would quickly grow competitive about before the night was over. It was their tradition, no matter how icy the two of them could be at times.

“Don’t think you’ll be escaping before telling us all about Nubia,” Jaikus said as he passed. Though he had sent the bracelet and kept tabs on his son, the Axxilan otherwise knew nothing about Ezra’s life or university stresses.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra watch as his dad rose to stand, Emryc still sitting in silence. The Jedi rose up as well, “We will help you, dad,” He called out, giving a jut of his chin to his half Sephi father. There was no reason this couldn’t be a group activity like it used to be. The three men soon made their way over to the expansive kitchen where the chef droid offered to cook, but was quickly routed to gathering all the vegetables and then dismissed.

The Jedi washed his hands and quickly got to work to help with the chopping, knowing there was a barrage of questions coming. He decided to head them off in advance, “I’ve moved in with Dash,” He announced. He knew they both knew, but it was something else to announce it, “It’s still on campus,” He reassured them as his gaze flicked up to meet Pops, “I’m designing new prototypes for EZTech and am setting up new production factories to meet demand.”

While dad wasn’t looking, he quickly used the Force to float over a few raw ingredients, quickly popping them into his mouth.

@Altaris

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc was still recalibrating from the tone change from talking about the Force to now cooking. He was quietly seated for a few seconds till he finally rose up to join his family in the kitchen. He had always been worthless in the kitchen, and he had little desire to ever participate. Nevertheless, he took the easy job of preparing the rice by soaking it in water. He kept his thoughts about empty carbs in check, knowing this was more about shared activity than the food itself. He wasn’t as oblivious to humanoid rituals as he used to be.

The half Sephi’s jaw tightened slightly as Ezra remarked moving in with Dash. He had known about it, but the topic was out there now. The man remained silent for a few seconds before finally remarking, “You are being brash,” He stated flatly, “You both need to become your own men before taking drastic actions together,” Emryc said as he walked over to a smoothie machine. He stole a few of the dolmas ingredients - doing it far more blatantly than Ezra did - and started putting them into a machine along with fruits. It would turn into one of those vegan smoothies that Jaikus and Ezra found gag-inducing.

“Have you considered acquiring specialized startups to take over some of the operations?” He asked as he started blending his smoothie, “Unlike production factories, they come with additional revenue,” Emryc had played the investment game for a long time, after all, “I can introduce you to some people.”

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Despite the heaviness of the conversation, Jaikus was all-too-eager to transition to their familial tradition. It had been ages since they’d had ‘Dolma and Game Night’, but the vibrancy behind those emerald eyes was clear as a sunny day. Speaking to his enthusiasm and desire to have a positive evening with his husband and son. For a year, the Axxilan had felt a shell of his former self - but the mended rift in their family had already begun to lift his spirits back to normal.

Of course, Jaikus couldn’t help but squint ever-so-slightly when Ezra suggested they could all participate in the kitchen. In years past, the Axxilan had happily tasked his younger children with little tasks, often delegating something simple to his less enthusiastic husband. But now? The Axxilan would never admit he was a control freak while cooking.

Naturally, Jaikus didn’t argue the point - quickly brushing off any concerns as they migrated towards the expansive kitchen. Entirely within his element, the Axxilan immediately went to work gathering ingredients - soaking grape leaves in the sink, while dicing up a multitude of vegetables and herbs. A medley of onions, tomatoes, peppers and pine nuts were diced together - simmering on the stove to release its fragrant aroma.

The Axxilan paused for a moment when both Ezra and Emryc spoke - knowing at once where the conversation was leading. It was a well-known fact that their son had moved in with his boyfriend, and Jaikus knew that both himself and his husband had reservations about the fact. Reservations that Emryc quickly put to words.

Jaikus said nothing to defend the Dash in the moment. He knew that Ezra would brush aside their warnings and opinions. It was one of the many ways that his son resembled Emryc - withdrawing into himself and putting his walls up whenever necessary. He continued glancing between his son and husband before he added his own voice to the chorus. “How is Dash?” Jaikus asked only a moment after the statement of disapproval from Emryc - arching a brow towards his son. “Is he applying to any universities around Nubia? Any interest in the medical field like his family?”

It wasn’t quite the disapproval that Emryc had voiced, but the half-Sephi would recognize at once what the Axxilan was doing. He still believed that the partners of his children needed to become their own people - have goals and ambitions of their own. It was his method of probing for exactly that kind of answer.

Jaikus paused after a moment - blinking as he suddenly noticed a few ingredients missing. Turning, the Axxilan stared back at his husband and son side-by-side. He watched as Ezra attempted to be subtle and pop veggies into his mouth, while Emryc shamelessly snatched up grape and cabbage leaves to contribute to his smoothie. Though he said nothing, the look that Jaikus gave them both spoke volumes.

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra ignored the remark about moving in being brash entirely. The response was the Jedi just popping another ingredient in his mouth and absentmindedly chewing. At some point, his EZPhone was out and he started scrolling through Limmie stats. Normally Emryc would be doing the same for Huttball, but the man had long since learned to keep comlinks away during family time after two decades of Jaikus pleading with him.

“I’ll look at startups, but I want to do this on my own as much as I can, pops,” He said to his father.

His Pops was making one of those god awful smoothies again and he eyed the green gunk in disgust. He caught dad looking at him and realized he was very obvious with the ingredient stealing. He shrugged vaguely and went back to actually helping, cutting some of the veggies. When his dad asked about Dash, he bristled and stopped chopping. For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then the sound of vegetables being cut resounded as he continued methodically without answering. His dad was entirely used to this from both his husband and their children, and it normally drove the man up the wall.

“Dash is great,” He said finally, looking up at his parents, “No, he’s not applying to any universities. He’s a Jedi and that’s what he will do. He has mastered cryokinesis and helped bring a new, critical base to the Jedi Order,” He didn’t specify more than that. Even if they were his parents, Starlight was a closely guarded secret.

Ezra knew where this was going, and it was already beginning to annoy him. He looked at his dad, eyes narrowing slightly, “Didn’t you quit the Sith and your goals when you met Pops?” He asked flatly.

Somewhere from the side, Pops stopped his blending and slowly took a few steps forward. Ezra’s ears began to flatten. He knew he fucked up.

@Altaris @Alhon

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Unsurprisingly, Jaikus has little to offer about EzTech - knowing that his son would remain stubborn about doing things on his own. Instead.. It was the following string of questions - and the response it drew from his son - that seemed to capture the Axxilan’s attention. The sound of chopping vegetables echoed within the kitchen, until Ezra’s curt response cut through the otherwise tense and silent air.

Jaikus wasn’t blind - and could already tell that Ezra didn’t appreciate the prying questions into his partner. Even still, the Axxilan couldn’t help but go slightly wide-eyes when his son fired off his snarky remark.

Silence briefly filled the kitchen for a second time - until Jaikus caught a glimpse of Emryc moving from the corner of his eye. It was a particularly low blow for the half-Sephi to intervene, and it cut the Axxilan deep. Even still, his expression fixed its best not to reflect his innermost emotions in that moment.

Without a word, Jaikus placed the kitchen knife back onto the counter - pushing off from where he was standing to approach his son. The Axxilan deliberately placed himself between his husband and Ezra, opting to handle the situation himself and diffuse before things escalated further. But that didn’t lessen the way that his eyes narrowed into daggers upon Ezra.

“I left the Sith, to ensure that your father and I would never be forced to choose between our relationship and our duties to the Sith. To put us before anyone else.” He said curtly, his normally smooth tone taking on a sharper edge. “My goals? My goals shifted to become First Gentleman. To run Atlos,” The Axxilan exhaled through his nostrils.

“My goals became raising you and your sister, to the very best of my ability.” He said. Whatever Ezra believed of the Axxilan of his ambitions, Jaikus had dedicated the years to raising his children with the love and attention they deserved. “I quit nothing.”

“Your father and I both had our roles to play with our own goals. We both have been a team from the very beginning.” He took in a breath. “That is important, Ezra.”

It wasn’t a secret that the last year had formed a sentimentality for Dash in the Axxilan. Even still, that didn’t quite dispel every doubt he harbored. Doubts that for all of Ezra’s success and influence in life, Dash had little to provide in return. Doubts that his son would always be the one to provide.[/justify]

@Sreeya