Ask Quicksilver, Stardust

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

It had been three weeks since Ez had gone radio silent on her.

Three weeks since Ilana's death was broadcast. Two weeks since she had held a memorial service alone, and one week since she had begun to slip from reality. Sleep was a haunting, elusive word, marked with intense nightmares and a sickening hole in her chest. Sleep was the small death, where a dark figure preyed in her mind, asking questions she couldn't answer, wearing her mother's face but with a deep voice.

So she didn't sleep.

She simply took her mother's old ship, and prowled the skies alone.

Carrick let her have some time off. Not that it mattered anymore. She just wanted to forget her mother. She was so sick and tired of the condolences, the empty, meaningless words of sympathy sliding over her like oil, choking her up until she couldn't breathe.

The whirling blue of the hyperlanes was her solace. The empty, dark universe yawning out before her was her home now. She wanted to push beyond the boundaries of known space, to go to a place where very few knew the name of Morata. Where people wouldn't comment on her white hair, or how they shared a similar face.

Not now, though.

She had shorn her hair short. She could barely stomach food, and when she did, it came back up eventually. Her face had thinned drastically, dark hollows under her eyes, but those eyes remained the same. Blue, not silver, not gold. Intense, sere sky blue. When proximity sensors pinged that she was hitting the reaches of unknown space, she pulled out of hyperspace, and Shiva uttered a trill as it floated beside her, gesturing to the map.

"...Just a little vacation, Shi. Just what we needed."

Not for the first time, she thought of her friend again, and felt her face tighten with a flicker of feeling. You promised, she wanted to yell into the void, but instead, blue eyes gazed out emptily into space, unthinking. Maybe he was dead too.

It didn't matter, anymore, or so she kept telling herself. She would land somewhere, grab a bite, and keep going.

Then onto the next planet, like an instinct or a primal desire to move. Like what she used to dream of... back when things were safe. They would never be safe again, but it didn't matter anymore.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

It had been a few weeks since he first discovered both his fathers and his Aunt Tia had been Sith. Since he learned that Darth Raze was a part of his father that now possessed a separate body. Since many of his friends went down with the Ithor herdship. Since he was lost in the unknown regions and found one of his best friends in a coma. He was just barely coming up for air, and he made some decisions about his continued path within the Jedi Order.

Ezra hadn’t answered Silvi for a long time, but he did at last. He was waiting in the landing bay, hands in his pockets. He wasn’t the sentimental type, but he also wasn’t the type to ghost on a friend. Silvi was one of the few individuals he had connected with. He knew what she went through, and he saw news about her mother’s death paraded around and splashed all over media. With a sick feeling he also knew it was Darth Raze - technically his father - that had done it. It was perhaps something he would take to his grave.

“Hey,” He said as she walked down the ramp, unsure how else to greet her. He was never good at the whole talking thing. He looked similar to when she last saw him, except with more stubble lining his sharp jawline.

@Killa Ree

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

When she landed, she hadn't expected to find anyone. Just another little backwater planet, tucked away from the rest of the galaxy, a stopping point to refuel before most, namely freighters and smugglers, would continue their business without Ranger eyes on them, or other governing bodies. So when Ezra materialized, almost right in front of her ship, at first her eyes merely skimmed over him.

For just a moment, her gaze connected with his. But this wouldn't be the direct stare he would be used to. It was almost like she was looking through him. But then her gaze trailed again, a flicker of some emotion rising to the surface.

She blinked a few times, before rubbing a hand over her eyes. A deep, low sigh slipped past her lips, and she gave a weary chuckle.

"Damn. Even my hallucinations make you hot."

There was some niggling instinct in the back of her brain. Some quiet insistence this wasn't some dream, lucid or otherwise. But it couldn't be. She was running away, outrunning the ghosts that seemed to haunt her dreams and the voices that plagued her thoughts. The tenuous struggle to not break down tipped, ever so slightly, and she slowly lowered her hand, staring tiredly at him, blinking a few times.

"You're still there. Did I... actually die?" she muttered, more so to herself, then looked him over a third time. Again, that instinct, to reach out, to touch, was present. She took one step forward, then another. He would see her begin, falteringly, to step towards him, before opening her arms wide and, if he allowed her, to wrap her arms around him and bury her face into his chest, beginning to tremble. If not, if he even moved back or away, she would stand, staring at him with an exhausted expression weighing on pale blue eyes, and she would wrap her arms around her midsection as if to hold herself back from touching him.

"Hey, Ez."

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

The part Sephi stood there like a statue as she walked down the ramp. There was something different about her. She was still as beautiful as he remembered, but there was a weariness in her eyes that hadn’t been there before. He stayed silent as she approached. Her first words caused him to blink a few times, his ears twitching the slightest bit.

When she moved to close the distance, he didn’t move back. He felt her arms wrap around him, though he didn’t initially reciprocate, still taken by surprise. After a moment, he finally loosely put his arms around her lithe form. Ezra stayed like that as long as she wanted, glancing down at her, “Guess we both got dealt a pretty shitty hand, huh?” He asked, his voice bitter.

“Where have you been staying?” He asked. He knew her father had been considered MIA and her mother was dead. Did she have anyone else in her life?

@Killa Ree

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

She didn't expect to feel resistance. When her arms wrapped around his waist, she inhaled sharply. There was a heartbeat, a familiar scent, and for a moment, sharp longing suddenly prickled at her eyes, and she gave a slight squeeze, feeling her throat close as suddenly, tears threatened to rise.

He was alive. He survived Ithor.

Of course he had; otherwise, Jayna would have let her know. But with that prolonged silence, it was an agony of uncertainty, of doubt and anger that spiralled into a grief like he actually had died. At his words, she tilted her face up, and he would see it, finally.

Like coming out of a nightmare, she could feel emotions rise to the surface. Joy, unbearably, suddenly bright, and anger, sharp and hard in the back of her throat. He was still here, he was okay, at least physically. For a moment, she just stared up at him, a few tears slipping free to roll down her cheeks.

It was only when she felt their cold trace, that she startled back to reality.

"Ah."

Hurriedly brushing at her face, she let out a bitter chuckle, shaking her head. "Both of us, huh... yeah. It's... it's pretty fucked up, Ez," she muttered hoarsely, feeling herself flush as the tears kept rolling away. Turning her head so he hopefully wouldn't see, she registered his question, and a low huff of unamused laughter slipped past her lips.

"What is it with Jedi and asking me if I have a place to stay?" she mumbled, pressing her palms into her eyes. Lowering her hands slightly, she gave him a level stare, still trying to wipe away the last evidence of her tears with a hard swipe. "No. Do you?"

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra quirked a brow, “What other Jedi?” He didn’t think she was in the habit of meeting with Jedi. He said nothing about her brushing her tears away, giving her a moment if she needed it. He was always awkward with emotions and even facing devastating tragedy didn’t change that.

“I..” He was quite frankly caught off guard by her question. Externally of course he had a home. His parents were alive and he was the son of the most powerful man in the galaxy. Technically he always had a home. However, since he found out his parents had been Sith, that betrayal weighed heavily on him. Could he really look at home the same way? Ezra realized he had been staring vacantly for a few moments. Of course- she meant Jedi home, “Yeah.. for now. They set us up on Brighthome.”

Ezra began to walk and gestured for her to come with. There was a caf shop nearby that was probably better than standing around in a docking bay. He bought himself a caf and paid for whatever Silvi asked for, finding a table far in the back to take a seat.

“How come…you wanted to see me?” He asked after a minute. It wasn’t like he was exactly a great shoulder to cry on. Ezra was one of the least sociable people he knew.

@Killa Ree

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

When he asked about other Jedi, she flushed again, confusion darkening blue eyes. "That knight... Valtiere. He asked me the same thing. He... was close to Mom." Even now, she felt stupid saying it. Looking at the man, you couldn't tell he even cared. she thought bitterly, unaware of just how close Amariel and the Knight had been. But seeing Ezra look so lost for a moment, she struggled with the urge to hug him again. Once could be okay, twice would be a bit much.

So she didn't.

Instead, she let him go, watching his back, at the line of his shoulders as he moved, and she finally allowed herself to wonder, to want to know what had changed him so much. He was pretty reserved before, but never this much. She thought of frosty silver eyes, so different than his. Did all Sephi have those traits?

After placing her order and slowly settling into her seat, she let his question settle on her mind. Why...?

The reasons were too many.

He was one of the few people she trusted, who made her feel like a person, and not some poster child. He understood what it meant to be in the galactic spotlight, always, he made her want to do more for the galaxy, and actually push for more. Because he was one of the few who knew her beyond her mother's shadow.

"Because of my wish." She felt so foolish stating those words. And yet, her gaze lifted from her hands, meeting his squarely. "Because I missed you, when I needed you. Because... I wanted to see how you were." She offered him a thin smile, a small flicker of feeling, beginning to brighten dull eyes if for just a moment or two. "Because no matter what... I'm on your side, Ez. You're my friend, and I'm yours."

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

“A wish is a wish,” Ezra said when he could tell she felt awkward admitting that out loud. However, he was surprised when she mentioned missing him. The two always shared a curious kinship, one he couldn’t entirely explain. They had clicked from the first night they met despite being complete opposites with their personalities.

“Damn, you’re getting real cheesy on me,” Ezra said with a grin, and it was clear he was only teasing, “You and I are always solid," He confirmed, "I’ve been okay I guess,” He shrugged vaguely, “Are you still working with Carrick?” He asked, curious about whether she would keep along the same career trajectory as before. Her path seemed so much more straightforward than his. He still had doubts on whether he wanted to keep doing strictly Jedi Order things.

@Killa Ree

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

She grinned back at him, and for a moment, it was like it was at Sullust. It was easy to be around Ezra; he had a way of getting past her barriers, and getting her to forget what occupied her mind. Still, the smile faded, and she stared at him with an odd expression on her face when he mentioned being okay; the words he stated earlier at the ramp seemed at odds to what he was saying now.

She wanted to pry, but...

When he mentioned Carrick, she lowered her gaze, tracing the lines of her palm with the other hand, her voice slow, unsure. "I'm... on a temporary leave," she finally answered, frowning. "With things as they are... I'm not sure if what I'm doing is the right thing anymore, Ez. I had so much planned..." she gave a small shrug, glancing up at him. "It seems so impossible, now. I'm so tired just thinking about going back..."

She hesitated, then moved her hand forward, placing it on the table, blue eyes watching those of silver.

"What happened, Ez? Why'd you just disappear like that?" Her voice was low, gentle, but it was too late to draw back now. She had to know, even if this was just another lucid dream, or if it wasn't, it had to be serious enough for him to not answer anything, to completely vanish. She wasn't even sure if this was overstepping or not, but it almost felt like the right thing to do. She was exhausted enough, everything held an edge of the unbelievable, making her bolder, less afraid to ask questions. And though he wasn't given a wish, she wanted to do right by him, and be a support no matter what he would say.

After all, they were friends, it was what friends did... right?

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

It was alarming how relatable Silvi’s experience was. She may not have discovered her parents were Sith, but she had been impacted by him just the same. Ezra didn’t answer her question right away, looking to the side for a few seconds. He fiddled with the cup of caf, his thumb tapping against the handle.

“I found some things about my parents that…” He sighed, “That they lied to me about my entire life,” He met her gaze. He didn’t elaborate further, but his tone of voice, his eyes and his posture suggested it was something absolutely terrible, “I wanted to get away from it all.”

It felt strange to have others genuinely care for him like this outside of his usual Scrub Squad. He was even surprised to have his close friends - he usually only had superficial connections in the past. Ezra took a sip and thought about one of her earlier remarks, wanting to get off the topic of his parents for now, “I’ve never met this Valtiere guy, but I keep hearing about him. Apparently we have the same eyes or something,” He scoffed. That was impossible. The Thornes were infamous for their eyes.

@Killa Ree

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

Something was bothering him, more than the topic they were dancing around. Something big had happened; even without the tabloids, Silvi knew Ezra was pretty tight-knit with his family. But with the possibility of him not contacting Jayna either, it was a miracle that he showed up to her at all. Slowly, gently, she rested her hand over his wrist, sensing more than seeing how much even admitting this much was difficult for him.

She didn't know what their secrets were, but whatever they were was none of her business.

"You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. I'm just... I'm just so happy you're alive." She offered him another brittle smile, before moving her hand back, and subtly clearing her throat.

Taking a sip of the caf, she could finally feel the anxiety and tension of the last few weeks slowly undo from every tight muscle, every nerve that sang with the need to finally snap, and those feelings began to ebb away. Still, when Ez mentioned silver eyes, she paused, and opened her mouth to say something...

But instinct made her pause.

"He's so cold," she finally spoke, glancing down to watch the steam slowly rise from the caf, her thumb tracing the rim of the cup. "His eyes are different than yours, but..." she almost said the color was the same, but again, something stopped her from saying it. "Maybe it was just because I wanted you around during those first few days, but... they were pretty similar. I was tired; I was probably mistaking them for grey."

That had to be it, surely.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

He knew he wasn’t fooling her, not with the way she layered her hand over his. They had both been through loss or betrayal, and no one else would feel sympathy because they came from big names. This was the first time someone had told him that he didn’t have the exact eyes as this Valtiere Jedi, and Ezra appreciated it.

“I would have been there,” Ezra said calmly. He was aloof by nature, but he knew how to be a friend, “I took a hypergate and got lost in the unknown regions,” Ezra scoffed, still in disbelief about his own ridiculous mistakes.

“I..” He felt sheepish about admitting this, but truthfully he was incredibly proud, “I got into NIT,” He managed a faint smile as he looked at her. Nubia Institute of Technology was one of the most prestigious engineering schools in the entire galaxy, “No donations…just me,” He added. It was the only positive news in his life so far since learning what he did about his parents and Ithor.

@Killa Ree

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

She nodded once when he mentioned being there, swallowing down another mouthful of bitter caf and letting a beat of silence tick on between them before she answered.

"...I know you would have been there," she finally spoke, looking up at him. "Jayna came. She was..." she thought back to how the woman had surprised her, and smiled a little again, "a good support as well. I didn't expect her arrival." But when he seemed to kick himself for being lost, she shook her head, tapping a thumb onto the rim of her mug.

"I wanted to be lost," she admitted, "but considering hypergates aren't exactly the most mapped territory... being lost isn't the worst to have happened. I'm glad you made it back safe."

She wasn't even sure how she would cope losing one of the only few genuine friends she had. Losing both her parents was bad enough. But watching his announcement, she beamed at him, albeit with less energy than she would have before. "Look at you, being all smart," she teased quietly, but a soft chuckle slipped past her lips as she toasted with her cup slightly. "Congratulations, Ez. I'm very proud of you."

And she meant it. Seeing him succeed and be happy was comforting enough; perhaps now, she could rest a little easier, knowing he was pursuing something beyond simply a life in the Order. "You did well; now the hardest part is over," she grinned, leaning back into her seat, before pausing.

"...Does this mean we're on opposing teams for university Huttball?" she asked in mock horror, shaking her head with a tired sigh. "A real shame, and here I was hoping to give you my old fan gear..."

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

He hadn’t expected her to say she was proud of him. For some odd reason it drew out a reddish tint to his ears that he couldn’t help. He wouldn’t see it, of course, but the brush of warmth was unmistakable. He quirked a brow at her question, “Are you going to uni?” He asked. She had a private school life like he had, and it was often a scenic route to get to higher education with plenty of gap years in between.

“Huttball is my Pops’ sport,” He grinned, “I’m a Limmie fan,” Ezra said. He found Huttball to be uncivilized and ridiculous. His sister and Pops loved it. The thought of his family sent a pang through his chest, but he quickly pushed it aside.

“So what now?” He asked, looking around the cafe. He had simply shown up, but he hadn’t thought of what to do beyond that.

@Killa Ree

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

Seeing his ears flush like that, she felt another odd lurch of warmth rise up in her chest, and she wished she could just reach over and kiss him, he looked so adorable in that moment. The knowledge that she would possibly never be able to do that was like a vine of thorns around her throat, and she blinked before ducking her gaze down, swallowing once at the odd mixture of small joy and pain as something in her chest ached fiercely.

Surely, these feelings would pass away soon.

Taking in a slow breath, she glanced back up at him, the sinking feeling intensifying in her chest. The questions that she couldn't want to find the answers to began rising in her chest; ever since watching the security feed of her mother's death, as well as discovering a few things, left her unsure of who to trust. She wasn't sure if she could trust the Knight Valtiere; out of everyone in the galaxy, he perhaps knew her mother best. But that small, niggling feeling in the back of her mind began to murmur again, recalling a deep voice.

"...Do you know anything about a place called Fortress Infernum?" she asked quietly, feeling her heart begin to pulse hard in her chest, blue eyes stark in their intense frankness. She paused, her palms pressing hard against the porcelain cup, shoulders a tight line of anxiety as white brows drew together. "I can't get it out of my head. But it had something to do with..."

She hesitated, feeling her hands tremble slightly, and her voice, when she spoke.

"...My mother."

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Anxiety spiked in Silvi, and it washed over him like a tidal wave. Ezra gave no indication of it except for the way his fingers tightened around his cup. His ears began to flatten, but he actively stopped them. He stared at Silvi after she mentioned the fortress.

“For one, it sounds like something out of a fantasy Holomovie,” He muttered dryly. Who the hell named something Fortress Infernum? He practically had a cut from that edge already, “Something tells me you’re planning to go there with or without me,” Ezra deduced flatly. She was not a Force sensitive, and this place sounded sketchy already. What could her mother possibly have to do with it? Ilana Morata was an upstanding citizen that created the AMS cure and treated millions of patients across the galaxy. Why would she ever get tangled up with something called Fortress Infernum?

“It sounds like something associated with the Sith,” He mused aloud, “What do you know about it so far?”

@Killa Ree

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

She flinched when he mentioned that she would leave with or without him; he wasn't entirely wrong. Once she could actually get some semblance of sleep, she fully planned on investigating it for herself, though she had no idea of its' whereabouts nor why it would involve her mother... at least, she didn't have an idea until some weeks ago.

Hearing him verify it sounded Sith-like wasn't a comforting thought for the Arkanian Offshoot; taking a deep breath in to steady her nerves, she lightly tapped a finger on the rim of the mug, watching the dark caf ripple, breaking the reflection of lights above into fractal patterns.

"I was, before," she confirmed in a small voice, flicking her gaze back up to meet silvery eyes. "I have the feeling you'd tag along anyway, though," she continued, nibbling on her lower lip when he mentioned the Sith.

The Sith, the Sith, always the Sith. The dark, mildly obfuscated figure in the security feed seemed very Sith-like. Something about their voice, the way they casually acted despite such violence, made the skin on her shoulders crawl and a slick, nauseating feeling clench around her stomach.

"...Mother was a Force User," she finally spoke, carefully watching his face. "She had some records of her early years, in her office at Paqualis III, as a physician in the Outer Rim... and a crystal." Her hands itched to reach for it around her neck, hidden still beneath the flight suit and coat she wore, but she gripped onto the mug like it was a lifeline, even as the caf was slowly becoming stone cold. "I believe she might have taken something from there... but I don't know its' whereabouts. Maybe it's on her ship astrogation records," she shrugged once, watching his face, "but I'm not sure how far those go back."

@Sreeya