Ask Tatooine Missed Calls

[Kotii Solus]

Spoiler: Music

Kotii was in for it. A pit sat in his stomach with anticipation as he made the trip. Scenarios played out in his head wondering if he should have called ahead to let Mysha know he was coming. But that wouldn't have been secure especially around Tatooine space. He was going to take every precaution to not unnecessarily endanger those he cared for.

The Mandalorian had been out of contact with others for weeks until finally he had been able to escape those fighting pits. As much as he wanted to rush back to his son Hauron, to Mysha and to the others he cared about, Kotii knew he had to be pragmatic. Intercepting communications and the amount of lost time meant Kotii would have to be extra cautious as he played catch up. But it didn't make it hurt any less by remaining radio silence for that period of time. Contacting them wasn't worth their life or health. Not to mention he was still healing from his injuries and reintegration of the cybernetic arm.

There was more to worry about. Kotii had not spoken with Mysha ever since Raze had stepped foot on Mandalore. Word of Nox becoming the new Alor of Clan Solus had circulated and the former leader was considered a dar'manda by many. Any number of things could go wrong, but Armourers were few and the Solus had a fondness for the Kelborn artificer.

Equipped with his bounty hunting beskar'gam, Kotii's kept his helmeted head on a swivel. The emotionless visor of the helmet moved across others it took in and watched his surroundings. Clay clad structures lined the sand covered streets of the town. It was a ways from where he had last seen the Armorer.

The hustle and bustle of the town made it easy for him to pass without much notice. His armor however was still worse for wear ever since it had taken a beating in the arena. The badger's left arm was cybernetic from the elbow down now. The Echani didn't know what to expect from Mysha aside from maybe a good beating. But he was here to face it if that's what she thought he deserved.

The noise of clanging and the heat from the forge was found before too long. The twin suns of Tatooine's solar system only added to brightness of the outdoors. Walking through parting blast doors, the Mandalorian entered what he assumed was the Kelborn's place of business on Tatooine. <"Am I in the right place?"> He said in Mando'a just loud enough for his voice to compete against the volume of the forge.


@Killa Ree

 

[Mysha Kelborn]

Clank.
Clink.

Thump.
Thump.
Clang.​

The steady hammerfalls filled the forge, with enough viciousness to send sparks into the air. Blue flames were a soft light to bare arms and a nearly armorless body; she kept the helmet on, but the heat was intense enough that wearing the armor was impractical in a forge. After worrying, searching, and connecting with others that were part of Kotii's circle and hearing nothing but silence, she turned back to the only thing she knew.

Scars crisscrossed up strong, lean green-tinged arms, the thin tank top and leather apron marked with ash. A chest piece was being molded into place; soon she would have to fiddle with the underlying circuitry.

At the voice, the hammer stilled for a moment, but she didn't look up. It had to be a hallucination. She had her back to the entrance, but for a moment, her heart leapt.

No.

Hope was stupid. Even after all they'd done together, she was still having those stupid daydreams. So she gritted her jaw, and gave another few hard hammers to the chestpiece, scowling when it bent one piece a bit too far. "Gotta do it over again..." she muttered, mostly to herself.

She wasn't going to look back. She wasn't going to see another empty doorway. If she did, then she really would have to quit for the day, down a cold beer, take a break. Setting the piece down, she sighed, feeling the ache in her shoulders, setting the hammer down to rub at her shoulders.

When she turned around, spotting Kotii, she froze.

For a beat, she didn't move, merely staring at the apparition. She didn't even speak. But those shoulders, that height was unmistakable, so was the voice. He was only a few steps away.

She rushed at him, aiming a punch to his left side.

"You..."

Thwack.

<"...asshole!">

@Darasuum

 

[Kotii Solus]

From behind the badger's helmet he watched Mysha's shoulders and muscles continue to hammer the metal into place. Even though this was a different world entirely it still smelled like her forge. At first he wondered if maybe he had been too quiet and she had not heard him. Then again there was a chance she was just giving him the silent treatment.

About to take another step into the room, Kotii stopped as Mysha finally turned away from her work. The stiffness of her body language told him she was still surprised despite his words. She closed the distance to the Solus and let out a jab that made the man stagger back despite anticipating it. An audible gasp as air escaped his lungs from the strike.

Letting out a cough he remembered that's where he got stabbed several times by stun pikes. When he spoke his voice had a slight weeze to it. <"...yeah...should have called ahead."> His hand place over the plate where the Armorer had punched. The name calling was deserved and Kotii didn't have anything to refute.

Letting the corners of his mouth turn into a smile he gave a proper greeting but with a hint more of familiarity with his tone. "Su cuy'gar, Mysha." She packed a punch alright, literally. But that was why Kotii liked her. <"Do you want to keep hitting me or should I tell my ancestors they have to wait a bit longer before you send me to join them?"> He half expected her to choose the former. Mysha didn't tire from working metal so Kotii expected anyone she fought would be turned to paste eventually. Anything less was an understatement.

@Killa Ree

 

[Mysha Kelborn]

She was furious. How dare he show up like nothing happened. But her fist connected. She pushed him into the wall, and even through the helmet, he'd hear sharp, furious breaths seething between teeth. Hearing the proper greeting, she growled, and instead broke away a step, arms crossed tightly beneath her chest.

<"I'm still deciding,"> she snapped at him, her voice a harsh growl. She wouldn't be softened by his jokes. Wouldn't act soft or concerned, even though she'd been worried sick. Wouldn't stoop to checking on his injuries. He was clearly injured, and without any of his old armor. The beskar'gam she was familiar with was gone, stripped away to something... so the rumors of his turning his back on them were true.

She stepped in again, and reared back as though to headbutt him. She wanted to hurt him the same way she'd been hurt. She wanted to throw him out and turn her back on him. After all, that was the way. He was one dead. He deserved to be buried. Hauron deserved better than this. But...

She stopped at the last moment, instead lightly tapping her helmet with his. Just like that, all the fight went out of her. She was tired of the anxiety and anger, wrapping like barbs around her chest. Instead, she wrapped her arms around him, and rested her head on his shoulder, letting out a slow breath.

<"Explain later. You owe me big time, Kotii.">

A hand smoothed over his chest, and across a shoulder. She could take out her anger and aggression in other ways; tugging on his hip, she pulled herself against him, and growled.

<"But when later comes. You tell me... absolutely everything.">

@Darasuum

 

[Kotii Solus]

Kotii waited for her reply, willing to accept what would come. The Solus half expecting it to come with another strike to his body. After a moment like she was going to give him a Keldabe kiss. But instead of the skull shaking impact of her helmet hitting his, instead came the soft tap of her helm against his.

The man's own stance relaxed more, pulling the hand away from his torso and embracing Mysha. Underneath his helmet, Kotii stopped smiling and his eyes blinked slowly and took the hug for what it was. <"I know."> He replied seriously, also knowing there would be apologies to come in addition to those explinations. The Mandalorian was glad he could properly hold her in that moment. To be a free man and know she cared for him in return.

When she began to pull away he looked more down towards her, giving her a nod. The Echani offshoot's smile return. It was less cheeky underneath his helmet than before and his tone tried to express that he was just glad to be in her company again. <"I promise."> Kotii would tell her every detail if she wanted to hear it. His own hands slid down from the woman's green skin, not in a rush to eventually rest just above her hips. They stayed there for the moment at a point to have a firm hold on the Armorer and hold her snug against him. <"How are you?"> He was the one coming back from the dead but Kotii was here for Mysha. His focus was on her, though his eyes did give another scan of the forge to see if she was close to taking something akin to a break.

@Killa Ree

 

[Mysha Kelborn]

She was still mad, seething in fact, but there was a part of her that couldn't just push him away, even if she wanted to. When his hands rested on her hips, she let out a grunt, lifting her head from his shoulder for a moment, staring straight into his own visor.

<"Still pissed at you,"> she replied shortly, but her hands didn't leave his sides; rather, she still held on, shifting her hips against him. <"Alive. Brought your kid with me; he's in the back. He's smart."> This was about as close to a blessing as Kotii would ever hear. She cocked her head to the back.

<"Let's catch up, Kotii, before I make up my mind and throw you out."> However, there wasn't much heat to the words; releasing him, she turned away to turn down the forge, and began moving to a doorway in the back, pausing before glancing over her shoulder at him.

<"If you want to, and you're not another damned dream.">

Stalking off, she moved to the cramped living space, and to her own room. No doubt Hauron was either asleep or working on a new project and deaf to the world; the little family reunion could wait or not, she tried to tell herself she didn't care.

@Darasuum

 

[Kotii Solus]

Hearing that she was well but not happy was as good as he expected he would get about her. But what Mysha said next made the man's eyes go wide. "Hauron?" He said his son's name out loud for the first time in days, no, weeks. Kotii was elated to hear his child was safe and close by.

As the Mandalorian armorer began to turn away, Kotii reached to hold a lingering hand sliding from his arm as she kept walking away. The man checked the local chrono and knew his son didn't need to see his buir in this exact moment. The kid would probably just rub the sand out of his eyes, ask for a snack and go back to bed without so much as giving Kotii a hug.

The man would easily check on the sleeping foundling but not wake the young Mikkian. Black Hand took a deep breath letting Mysha get a head start on him. The bounty hunter would make his way towards the armorer's tight quarters. His blaster belt would be hung and the blade put aside. Even a dust bowl like Tatooine could feel like home.

@Killa Ree

 

[Mysha Kelborn]

The forge dimmed down to nothing, but that didn't erase the heat that skimmed over her skin at his touch. She wanted to turn back and claim him, but a forge was hardly an appropriate place. She didn't want to be there anyway; there was work, and there was home.

Her home was small but sparse, and clean. Almost impossibly so, given how dusty it was outdoors. But she needed it to be clean and tidy, cleaning helped keep her mind free and open for other things. It helped her think through problems and decisions. Still, when he followed after her, she paused. The room was small, with a simple cot bed and simple side table. She turned to look at him, and hesitated.

Stepping forward, she held out her hands to broadcast to him she was approaching. And then she smoothed her hands on his shoulders. Remembering by touch, wanting to take her time.

<"Why come back?"> she asked simply, smoothing her hands further down to his waist. She needed to know why. But she also needed him.

@Darasuum

 

[Kotii Solus]

Spoiler: Music

The space was an improvement from the forge Mysha had in Vlemoth Port. The man had gone there first after being freed, careful to not be seen by anyone that may also be searching for him or the Kelborn Armorer. But Kotii was not focused on the interior decorating. Most Mandalorians tended to be spartan in their furnishings and it helped make use of what little space they tended to have.

When Mysha stopped he only took another step forward before doing the same. Her hands coming up to his shoulders with a brush. He was in no rush. Hearing her question, the Solus did not answer right away. Instead his helmeted head bowed, tilting to look down at her a bit more directly from behind his visor.

<"The Lil'One and you, you're all I could think about when I was..."> He thought about the gladiator ring. <"...captured."> When the Mandalorian had been stripped of his armor, his weapons, after everything was lost Kotii continued to think about Mysha and Hauron. Those two people above everyone else were what drove him to come back, fight through the pain and survive. <"I needed to make sure you were okay."> His hands came up to the armorer's green shoulders as she dropped her hands down to his waist. The two of them were still partially garbed in their armor afterall.

Kotii was not the best at expressing himself. In the darkness he felt heart beginning to beat faster and his face would become warm. This was the first time the Solus had made such a confession but he wouldn't be surprised if at some point Mysha would feel his heart rate even through his chest plating. Normally he was cool, composed and in control. But despite some of the anxiety he felt when telling this Kelborn, he felt better after saying it out loud.

@Killa Ree

 

[Mysha Kelborn]

He worried for her.

Somehow, hearing that, processing those words, dissipated any anxiety she previously felt. A grudge still gnawed deep in her bones, but he must have known early on that she felt and held onto things long after others had let go. She couldn't help it. So when he abruptly vanished, when no one else in the Solus clan seemed alarmed or keen to hunt him down, she felt it like a weight on her chest. Compounded that he turned his back on his people, his own clan for the sake of not following a Sith, it felt as though she were in mourning.

She still felt like she was grieving for something. Something was missing, it wasn't just his armor or status.

<"...I know.">

The words were spoken quietly. Her throat thickened, and her fingers curled into his hips, jaw gritting. This wasn't anger anymore, though those flames still flickered in her chest. It was grief, it was painful and it was the end of deep fear. Yet there wasn't relief in what he was saying. He turned his back on them. He was dar'manda, one of the dead.

So if he was dead, none of this should matter this much. But it did. It did because, in the brief time they had together, he deeply mattered. <"I was worried. You were suddenly gone, and I didn't get to say anything. Not even goodbye.">

There it was. Like her father before, she didn't even have the chance to say a proper farewell before he was gone. And she was scared of the same thing, afraid she'd lost her chance. He would have lost his way in the life after death, and they would never meet again. Those space wizards, the jetti and dar'jetti believed in such things, but she couldn't. Once you were dead, that was it.

He was dar'manda, so what she would do next wouldn't matter. Releasing her hands from his hips, she raised her hands to her helmet, pulling it up slowly.

<"See me, Kotii.">

Deep violet hair tumbled free, showing a sharp cut of her chin, her face. Dark violet eyes stared at him unflinchingly. Daring him to comment, to react. Waiting for the words that could perhaps draw them closer or drive them apart. This may not be the Way, but she didn't regret it. She tilted her chin up defiantly, as though daring him to drive her away.

@Darasuum

 

[Kotii Solus]

Kotii was worried about how Mysha would react to his return. He could no longer call himself a Mandalorian as far as those that follow the Way of the Mandalore were concerned. The Kelborn woman had every right to shun him or even confront him like he expected many of his brothers and sisters would. But thankfully Mysha had not done that, not declared him unfit to raise his son or worse. All these worries had welled up inside Kotii but now were forgotten.

<"I know."> He regretted how things had ended up. But the important thing was that he had come back. The Alor in Exile put the responsibility of everything that had happened since he fled Mandalore would not go away. But neither would Kotii, especially knowing he still had something to fight for.

Both hands remained at the Armorer's hips even as she reached up to remove her helmet. "Mysha..." He did not want to question her decision. It happened so quickly and subconsciously he felt like she had firmly made up her mind so there was no point in making her hesitate.

A moment passed but Kotii knew he was staring from behind his helmet. Her slight shift in stance warranted his hands to leave her waist before calmly rising up to this own helmet. The Solus's helmet broke its seal and lifted off the man, revealing a half masked face with skin as white as snow. Shifting the helmet under one arm and using the other to peel his mask fully off, Kotii would reveal his own face to Mysha for the first time. <"I see you, Mysha."> This was his way of her fully seeing him. He had nothing to keep from her.

Mysha looked at him. The two near-humans stared back with a warm smile breaking his normally stoic exterior. A scar ran down above and to the right of his right temple with another shallow scar across the bridge of his nose that was more recent. Two crimson eyes gazed at the Armorer before them in all her beauty. With the mask gone, his strong features had a renewed vigor despite his pale complexion. Hints of stubble showed along his jawline. The heat from the forge and his own flushed cheeks showed rare hints of pink.

He did not need to return her question. Kotii already knew she saw him even before he took off the mask. His right hand drift forward to reach out for her arm and pull her closer to him. Provided she did not reject him for his appearance, he had every intention of kissing her.

@Killa Ree

 

[Mysha Kelborn]

She had never been kissed like this before.

There had been dark rooms before, where she could feel her lover's breath against her throat, his hands on her hips. But this was a different kind of heat, a different hunger. She took in his features; she knew the paleness of his skin, but the deep red of his eyes made her heart thump painfully in her chest. Her throat tightened, so when he began moving to kiss her, she met him halfway.

This wasn't kissing. This was devouring, taking in of each other and leaving nothing, not even air between them. It had been long enough, she hungered. And seeing him... it was like a step into the void, a leap into the unknown. She wasn't sure where she was going, but she would keep going, no matter what.

He may be dar'manda, but she was tired of lingering with the dead. They needed to move forward.

Her arms slid around him again, wedging herself firmly against him. Violet eyes burned with passion, fingertips slightly pressing into pale skin. "I need you."

It was murmured against his lips, and she tugged at his hips, stepping back towards the cot.

Words were for later.

@Darasuum

 

[Kotii Solus]

Spoiler: Music

This time he felt like everything was turned up to eleven. Revealing himself to Mysha fully and her in kind, giving himself fully over to her made everything feel intense. Her skin was a vibrant shade of green and more beautiful than he could have imagined. His right hand rose to slide up to the side of her neck just behind her ear and jaw. The man pressed himself and the two of them further into the room.

The man was lost in the moment and didn't care that this made him vulnerable. That wasn't true. He cared because it was Mysha and not hiding anything between the two of them. She saw him in every sense of the phrase.

Recent events led everything into such high contrast. A glimpse of death, of oblivion just a week ago and now the Mandalorian had never felt more alive. Quickly and with practiced ease, what remained of clothing and attire was half-delicately discarded on the ground on the way to the cot.

What was left, Kotii finished at a smooth pace but did not rush it. "I'm not going anywhere, Mysha." His voice assured her in the dim lighting. Standing naked before her, he would return to the woman, kissing her soft lips and joining her on the cot.

-fade to black-​

Kotii was not sure how long he slept but it had felt good. At least up until the point he woke up. The following morning started with the Solus feeling the hard impact of his body meeting the ground as his big frame fell out of the cot. Not wanting to wake anyone but still surprised, he stifled a groan from the short fall that was mostly just a surprise to him if not a bit awkward.

Rolling and pushing himself up as quietly as he could, the echani-offshoot looked over at Mysha to check and see if she had woken up from his rough awakening. If not, he would quickly try to gather at least a pair of pants and look around for the beginnings of breakfast for the three of them.

@Killa Ree