Ask A Song of Ice and Fire

[Darth Stolas]

The dreams of Morgan Drast had been less than peaceful as of late. Strange shapes moved in the corners of vision, sounds he didn't recognize overtaking conversation, and visions things he'd never seen flashing across scenes of mountain villas and fishing boats. It had been bothering him for months now but had yet to be brought up. The prince had seen flashes of the future before and assumed they'd pass, that one day he would understand what they meant.

But this latest had been far different. There he stood in a great void scattered with stars. He saw beautiful and monstrous tiger, with fur aflame in silver and gold and fangs as sharp as razors. He saw a massive and beastly dragon with frost-rimed scales emitting a freezing mist. He saw them take flight through the black to approach an indistinct presence, a shape that dwarfed them both. Was it a temple, a being, a world, a manifestation of some goal or concept? Whatever it was it called to them both, a rhythm and music both loud and quiet, for some purpose that he did not know.

For once the prince had not stayed in bed. Emryc was visiting this morning and when he let himself in as he was very welcome to do at any hour, seeing as Morgan considered any place that was his to be his boyfriend's as well, he would find the Firrerreo seated upon a mat in the living area. His eyes were closed, the dark stormclouds that were his presence roiling more than was usual at rest. Morgan took a slow, deep breath after several seconds and opened his eyes, head turning to find the half-Sephi whose presence he could always feel at least a little these days no matter the distance.

"Have you seen it too?" he asked with a tone of curiosity and concern, brows furrowed. Darkening around his eyes indicated a lack of proper sleep.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc was returning from the gym and his usual morning workout when he spotted Morgan already up and sitting in the living room. The sweat drenched half Sephi couldn’t help the visible look of surprise etched across the normally stolid features. He stepped in adorned in a tank, gym shorts and a towel around his shoulders. He knew the Firrerreo could smell him even from there but there was little he could do about it now.

He began to walk towards the refresher when Morgan spoke. He paused, his face tilting in the opposite direction. His jaw visibly tightened, silver gaze stern and fixed ahead of himself. To anyone else there would be nothing betrayed by Emryc’s stance. However, Morgan would not only see the jaw tightening, the slight flare of the nostrils, but also the way his fingers curled just slightly. Emryc detested anything he did not understand, and these visions had been plaguing him for a while. He had attempted meditation and the search for tranquility. However, the repetition and the attachment to the thread he began to have with Morgan was only validated by his sudden question. The mere existence of such a thread repulsed and angered Raze. It was not the thread of Master and apprentice, but something far more potentially dangerous.

Emryc glanced back at Morgan, eyeing him for a moment, “I saw some scrawny men at the gym” He said dryly, “You’re up early,” He added after a moment as he turned back to start heading for the refresher.

To say that the half Sephi was uncomfortable with the topic was an understatement.

@Mr. Teatime

 

[Darth Stolas]

Morgan's brows lowered further, observing his boyfriend's reaction. The little movements added up to tell him that Emryc was somewhere north of merely troubled by the question and worry coloured the prince's expression when the half-Sephi glanced back toward him. He wished he understood more of what was happening and what these visions were even moreso if the man he loved was also experiencing them.

"That's-" he habitually stopped himself, recognizing when Emryc didn't want to discuss something. It was rare to see him so agitated. Morgan softly sighed. "Couldn't sleep." His nostrils flared a little as the scent of sweat hit them and his head stopped in the middle of turning back toward the wide window to follow Emryc's path toward the refresher. "I restocked your things, cheri," Morgan called toward him. "Breakfast in the kitchen." Another habit had him stand up and move to follow toward the refresher, but he hesitated two steps in.

"Would you like me to join you?" he asked first. His instinct was to show care and attention his boyfriend when he was troubled, especially when he smelled like he did just then. Morgan also knew sometimes it was best to allow him space. This didn't feel like something they could avoid talking about, nor was it the only subject on his mind, but the prince could at least wait for Emryc to be showered and comfortable.

So, if Emryc wasn't in the mood to be pampered at the moment, Morgan would instead move himself the couch with his hallikset. Slender fingers strummed across the strings and his voice hummed softly, seeking the sound he'd heard beneath the surface of his dreams.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc paused when he heard the soft padding of footsteps behind him. The half Sephi thought for a moment, glancing back at Morgan.

“I know you couldn’t sleep,” He admitted quietly. The two had begun to share a bed now and Emryc stayed the entire night and actually fell asleep. The prior night had been restless for them both, but even moreso for Morgan. Emryc held up his arms to show etched clawed marks on his skin from where the distressed Firrerreo had clung to him.

He said nothing in response to Morgan’s question, simply jutting his chin to bid him to follow. Though their showers usually led to far more adventurous things, it was clear that both men were troubled and distracted. There was a fair amount of intimacy, but they stepped out soon enough to begin their usual routine.

Emryc was still drying himself off with a towel when he looked over at his boyfriend, “We can’t chase every little inexplicable thing that shows up in our dreams, Morgan,” He stated firmly.

@Mr. Teatime

 

[Darth Stolas]

The prince blinked twice in bemusement before his eyes turned downward to find the tanned and muscular arms that bore scratches from his claws. "Ah! Sorry." Morgan's embarrassment flushed his skin. He'd had a habit of clinging close ever since they'd started sleeping together but hadn't realized this time had resulted in those marks. His head nodded and he followed along the refresher, glad they could still engage in some of their intimate rituals even when troubled.

Morgan paid extra attention to the scratches.

His head turned in the middle of drying himself off, brows furrowing again. The towel slid from his messy hair to be tied around his waist. Morgan nodded, then his head tilted slightly to the side. "Rarely are things shown that clearly. What if it's important?" Morgan turned himself around and leaned against the countertop, hands on the surface. "A threat, a boon? Both?"

Goldens watched the shape of his boyfriend's face, lips downturned at the edges in pensive concern. "We both saw... Whatever it was. There must be a reason." Morgan was both worried and curious about the visions. And this thread forming between the two men. Was it the cause, adjacent, unrelated? Such things were not the prince's specialty and he expected his teacher would tell him to figure it out himself.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc wrapped the towel around his hips, realizing quickly that Morgan wouldn’t let the topic die anytime soon. The half Sephi exhaled quietly, glancing up at the mirror and running his fingers through his jet black hair. He wouldn’t bother styling it when it was just the two men lounging around, though he knew Morgan would still do every bit of his routine.

He walked towards Morgan, silvers piercing into the honeyed goldens he had fallen in love with seemingly so long ago, “What do you want to do, then? The dreams were vague,” He muttered, gaze flicking to the side. Without another word, he grabbed the file Morgan often used. He grasped the Firrerreo’s hand and began to file down the edges of his claws. Though the prince did this himself, Emryc decided they were still too sharp for sleeping in the same bed every night.

“Don’t pout at me,” He muttered without even looking at the man, leaning in to blow on the claws to brush the residue away, “There’s only so much Firrerreo bullshit I want to put up with every night,” His gaze flicked up to meet Morgan’s, lips tugging towards a smile to betray that this was lighthearted in nature.

@Mr. Teatime

 

[Darth Stolas]

Morgan's lips pursed in a momentary show of frustration, goldens turning away from silvers in that same moment since it wasn't directed at his boyfriend. The expression passed in the next second with a soft sigh. "There may be some knowledge to point the way," he offered up, "Or a method to trace it." Not that his last attempt to track something down across the universe had gone the way he'd wanted. At least he'd learned something in the process.

The prince offered no resistance in Emryc's grasp a pout did find itself on his face. Why was it embarrassing for his boyfriend to be doing this for him? His lips parted as if to say something and then closed again when the half-Sephi told him not to pout. Golds met silver again and Morgan couldn't help the smile that wiped away his pouting. "Thank you," was by a soft and melodic laugh, his mood changing just as quick as that. "I'll do it more often."

When the filing was finished, slender fingers lay upon the taller man's cheek and Morgan leaned up on his toes to kiss him. "I love you." The prince delicately swept a lock of Emryc's hair into place. Of course he still went through his own normal preening before pulling a basic pair of shorts and soft shirt for lounging in. Morgan rattled off an instruction to Dante to retrieve a particular box while he was going through his hair with a comb.

"There is something I would share with you that may help us. Ah, and some things to give you. Breakfast first?" Morgan always favoured vegetable-heavy dishes when his boyfriend was home and today was no exception. He'd had a little extra time on his hands this morning anyway.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc tilted Morgan’s hand in several different angles to inspect the nails before he was satisfied. With both hands done, he was at last confident that he wouldn’t wake up with deep scratches on his skin anymore. The half Sephi’s thoughts were interrupted when Morgan leaned up to kiss him. The taller man shamelessly took the opportunity to reach down and give the prince’s rear a squeeze as they kissed, using that to tug him close.

He followed Morgan out, putting on some sweatpants and a casual shirt. Emryc didn’t miss the instructions to Dante, his curiosity piqued as he followed the Firrerreo. He could smell the aroma of cooking food already, “You’ve been busy,” He muttered as he sat down at the table.

“Here I thought I was going to spend the day doing nothing,” Emryc mumbled grumpily, stifling a yawn.

@Mr. Teatime

 

[Darth Stolas]

Morgan leaned into his boyfriend's grasp with delight, still remembering through the haze of drink when Emryc would apologize at times for his forwardness. He soaked up the affection before they left the refresher.

The prince went about putting food on plates while Dante floated off to find the labeled and numbered box he'd been asked to get. "Wanted to be a little productive. Always like cooking for you." Humming floated gently through the air as it often did when Morgan was concentrating on something, a plate of different things placed in front of Emryc along with a fork. A clear glass and smaller tea cup followed into which Morgan poured water from a pitcher, then hot tea from the pot, leaving Emryc with nothing to do about serving breakfast but eat it. Which was just as the prince preferred.

Goldens looked over at Emryc when he grumpily mentioned 'doing nothing', a little glint of humour behind the Firrerreo's eyes even as a flush of colour rose up his neck to his cheeks. "I prefer 'Nightingale'." His lips curled up into an affectionate if mischievous smile, then a yawn as his boyfriend's spread to him as well. "There'll be lots of relaxing too."

In the background as they ate Dante gently placed down a sealed wooden box near them. The Force vaguely drifted off it in waves itself from inside and the lock itself seemed the sort that required telekinesis to undo, designed almost like a puzzle atop it. A truly minute, flat box with hinges on the box was also stuck to the top of it with residue-less tape.

"But I think you'll like this." Morgan ate quicker than usual.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc was taking a sip of water when Morgan made his casual quip. The half Sephi coughed and almost choked on the water, not having expected such a bold and clearly dirty joke from the prim and proper prince. The larger man curled his fingers into a fist and slammed it against his own chest following the cough. The half Sephi stared up at Morgan, catching the flush on his face. He said nothing, but the amusement was clear on his face.

He glanced over at the puzzle but didn’t mess with it just yet. Emryc kept his focus on actually eating breakfast with his boyfriend, making a point of always sharing meals together when they were around one another. Nothing distracted from that - not even his datapad with all his games or fantasy Huttball.

“When do you want to leave?” Emryc asked as he finished up his meal and the drinks. The half Sephi floated the wooden box over. Unlike most people, he thoroughly enjoyed puzzles. Even if something took him hours, days or weeks to figure out, he would stick with it. Fortunately, this wasn’t over the top complicated or Emryc would sit at the table until he opened it. A series of clicks erupted as the mechanisms in place began to open.

@Mr. Teatime

 

[Darth Stolas]

The heat in his face was worsened by his boyfriend's response to the joke. Morgan straightened and leaned forward when Emryc started coughing, concern on his fine features until it seemed he was okay. Silvers staring at him and he turned his face away, though his eyes slid back to look across the table after a moment. The look in those eyes was gratifying and made the prince happy, laughing cheerfully through a smile.

Morgan greatly enjoyed the rest of their shared breakfast. He ate quickly but Emryc still finished before him, taking a second to finish drinking a bit of broth before he answered. "As soon as we can. I have ideas." Old places full of power or knowledge existed in the galaxy. They might be of help in finding the meaning of these visions.

With clitter-clacks and the smooth, oiled rub of wood and metal the pieces atop the box spun and came together to begin forming a picture. It wasn't a complicated arrangement, but its nature meant it could only be manipulated with the Force as the key. There was a final click and a the sound of a metal bar dropping away from the lock recessed in the front of the box, a seam forming along circumference. Morgan watched his boyfriend and stood from his chair to walk over, removing the small taped-on box from the lid as it began to open of its own accord.

Within was clearly an old style of holocron, a red and black pyramid shaped of glass and obsidian. The symbols on it were a mix of different styles of Sith script. "I came across this some time ago in my search for a different holocron," he began to explain, a finger tapping the very top of it. "It has no great power or fame. But it does contain knowledge, or hints on where to find more. It is yours as much as mine. Something in it may help us." It was essentially an archive more than a traditional holocron, the same he'd found with Renfry on Dathomir. This was the source of the aura within the box.

In the recesses next to it were several books, each in a plastic protective sleeve. They were obviously immensely old and over half had a 'fragile' sticker on the plastic. Their covers were different materials and by different authors, one even appearing to be leather from a sentient species. "These were found in an underground complex on Korriban. Restored or preserved as best they could be. They belong to you." Morgan seemed quite happy to have potentially found a better gift than the helmet from before, his eyes traveling between the box and Emryc's face with eager anticipation.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Morgan would be able to tell from the very subtle changes on Emryc’s face that he was excited. He shuffled through the different items, listening to the Firrerreo’s explanation for each of them. However, he paused when he arrived at the box even before Morgan told him what they were. His fingers traced over the surface of one, the lines on his etching back into a frosty stoic. For a moment there was nothing but silence.

“They do belong to me,” He said quietly, slowly lifting his frosty gaze to meet with goldens, “I don’t need you to dig up and bring me trinkets from a planet I fought to claim,” Emryc rose from where he was sitting, the affectionate demeanor he had before completely gone.

“I don’t want your gifts to placate the fact that you as good as killed my wife,” The words spat out like venom, the first time the half Sephi had evered referred to Malicia as such, “And took the planet where I fought the former king. It was mine. And you,” He shook his head, “You didn’t even have the spine to strike her down when she wasn’t carrying my children.”

Silvers were streaked with yellow, and it was abundantly clear it was Raze that had been enraged about this far more than Emryc. His fingers curled into fists, rage coursing through him, “Do not ever dangle Korriban or anything from it in front of me ever again. I commanded the armies there, I led the battles, I fought the King, I put Malicia in power. And you took it all away over your ridiculous and childish jealous whims. Nothing more.”

@Mr. Teatime

 

[Darth Stolas]

Morgan was cheered by the excitement that manifested in his boyfriend's features, his smile brightening. The little box in his hands twirled and toyed with between slender fingers. But it shifted back and those silvers moved back up to look at the prince the smile fell away his face. Korriban as a sore subject that'd been skirted around since Emryc's return and Morgan hadn't been sure what the reaction would be. The man he loved was furious and frozen over.

His expression became complicated. As always it wasn't difficult to read. Worry and sorrow curled his lips downward, surprise, nervousness, and a kind of fear widened his eyes, and he leaned back a little as the other man stood with yellow-streaked eyes. The half-Sephi even called Malicia his wife, a familiar pain panging through Morgan's chest. His boyfriend was never really like this with him and for a moment it wasn't clear how the Firrerreo would react. The box in his fingers continued to move hither and thither, now a gesture of anxiety instead of excitement.

Morgan knew his jealousy was beyond foolish and he felt the heat of shame and guilt in his face when it was mentioned. The children added an odd furrowing of his brows for a moment. His expression moved rapidly from one thing to the next, but eventually he found the words to speak.

"I am sorry, cheri. That 's not- that wasn't my intent," he began, trying to keep his voice level and steady and looking up at Raze. Morgan felt the desire to sit and forced himself to remain standing in front of the larger half-Sephi. "You fought and worked hard to become King. I should have waited for your return and discussed it with you." It was difficult to remain calm but the prince was certainly trying. Losing his temper or his words had never helped before and this was deeply important. Morgan took an extra deep breath.

"I know I have wronged you. There is more I should explain. About all of it. May I, please?" Morgan's request was as sincere as his boyfriend's anger, dipping his head in apology. He kept his hands purposefully down and away from himself, both still toying back and forth with the object they held, but it was clear it was to keep his feelings from leaving them freely shaking.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

It was clear that this was a topic that had been festering for a while in the back of Emryc’s mind. It was a topic that had him at odds with Raze on top of the general disgust the darker side of him felt at attachments and emotions. Emryc prided himself in keeping a level head and always letting things go, but that profound experience from the Jedi that reengineered something he thought impossible had opened his eyes in more ways than one.

“Yes, explain,” The baritone demanded curtly, “Explain to me why of all the regions in the galaxy, that was the one you sought. Explain to me why instead of the Eternal, who was the one to strip me of everything and set the Sith on a course to be destroyed by the galaxy, you went after Malicia. Explain to me why instead of killing the Eternal and having a powerful ally like Malicia join your council, you saw fit to broadcast your loyalty to the Eternal, take her and my assets and do a grand total of nothing with it all. She conquered all of Old Sith space while you have little adventures collecting trinkets and play house with me."

His jaw tightened as his eyes narrowed when he looked at Morgan. It was clear that crying or breaking down with his emotions would have no impact when Emryc was like this - when Raze was in the picture.

“Explain to me how your actions were anything more than the tantrums of a spoiled toddler and in any way intelligent.”

@Mr. Teatime

 

[Darth Stolas]

Emryc had thought over this for some time without it being brought up. Morgan knew doubly so it should have been addressed before now. His boyfriend didn't like things he didn't understand or bring up things that bothered him. The prince desperately needed to make things clear between them. Raze was giving him a vital chance to explain, and to him that spoke to their connection, but still he was afraid. Morgan knew he had to explain himself thoroughly rather than the brief talk on Eriadu.

Every statement Raze made caused a reaction across the Firrerreo's face, ranging from a moment of bemusement, a spark of something fiery at the mention of the Eternal, and a general sense of guilt. But his long companionship with Emryc, who he deeply respected, had taught him things. Morgan's failures and flaws had served as lessons, and no matter the pain or hurt he felt at the half-Sephi's angry words he refused to cry or lose his temper. It wasn't the other man's sense of stoic and icy calm, but instead a delicate dance to stand within the eye of a swirling hurricane.

"I will explain anything you wish, cheri. My goal was not to take from you but to take Malicia's place. When I learned of the marriage and she disrespected you, I first chose to be patient. I knew you must have gained much from the arrangement and work you did." Goldens glanced up again, watching the tiniest movements on the half-Sephi's face carefully. He kept his tone as even as possible despite his feelings, deliberate with each word to stop himself from speaking quickly or stumbling.

"With the loss of Sullust and defeat at Byblos the Eternal was angry. The rumour of the marriage spread. If I heard them so did the Eternal and they want you dead or gone. Malicia and the cult that worshipped her were openly defiant of the Eternal, and you were away. I was- was foolishly jealous of her position at your side. I also feared your territory would be taken from you as your ship was. The Eternal itself was not yet something I could directly challenge successfully." Morgan paused a couple seconds to gather his thoughts. The prince had deliberated on this as well, elaborating on the explanation he'd offered Raze upon his return.

"Malicia was also defiant and I wasn't sure she would accept my rule, thought we may clash eventually. She was powerful and with more weight in the Force than I at the time. She brought up her vows to you, so I didn't expect her to give in rather than defend herself or your territory. If someone stronger or the Eternal itself challenged her in a show of authority, would she have fought?." To Morgan her instant capitulation had seemed like another show of disrespect that clashed with his principles as a Drast and he partly repressed the urge for his lips to curl. "If I allowed it to be taken by another, or let her disrespect go, how could I look the man I love in the eye?"

Goldens glanced at the box of preserved books and holocron, then back to his boyfriend's face. "This was my thinking. My actions were flawed but my intention was to preserve and keep safe. If the Eternal believed the threat to them was reduced, they would be less likely take action themselves." Morgan dipped his head again but did not remove his gaze from the larger half-Sephi. "When you returned I said I intend for it all to remain yours, and mine, together. As surely as I am yours. I honour your claims. You are the King, not I. I preserved the territory, expanded it to include Taris and surrounding systems, began recent plans to empower industry and secure control of Serenno, and the forging of new items of power."

A deep breath was taken, the next subject especially important and sensitive even in this context. "Your heirs live, hidden and kept away from the Eternal's attention. They are safe and treated well." He gestured to the books, glanced at Emryc's hands. "The books were found while retrieving the Zageti Antgal gauntlet so it could be used against the Eternal. I wanted to preserve them for you." Morgan's brows lowered as he looked up at Raze, lips curled downward, the object in his hands worried away at. Still he would not cry or sit down even as his heart hammered wildly like a bird's in his chest. He dipped his head a third time before his gaze returned to Raze's yellow-streaked and incensed silvers, determination behind them mixing with his other emotions.

"May I continue, present the gauntlet and other information to you? I am sorry for not consulting you or speaking of this sooner. I- I have wronged you and would like to apologize properly. Please, cheri."

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc remained silent as Morgan explained himself. To his credit, the Firrerreo managed to do so all without losing control of his emotions - a feat he hadn’t been capable of before. The half Sephi was calmer as a result, Raze returning to roil beneath the surface instead of boiling over. Emryc’s face remained impassive up until the heirs were mentioned, whereupon there was the subtlest twitch in his jaw. Otherwise, the man was entirely stoic and silent.

“I don’t want you to fight my battles for me,” Emryc said curtly after a few moments had passed, “If I lose my territory, it’s because I have failed to hold it. If I do not reclaim it myself, it means I do not deserve it. I don’t need you to barge into every plan I design. Korriban was not supposed to include you,” He stated flatly, “I do not wish to share everything just as I would not expect the same of you. You and I are not…” He exhaled softly, “You and I are not bound in that way.”

Emryc ran his fingers through his hair, looking away briefly. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, inhaling and exhaling softly a few times. When he opened his eyes again, the yellow streaks had faded dramatically.

“Look,” He said curtly, “Let’s just go,” He didn’t move towards Morgan, making it clear he was still less than pleased, “I don’t want you to meddle in my affairs again. For all the ways you say Malicia insulted me, you insult me just as much by treating me as your property. You burn down everything around that property till the landscape looks exactly like how you want.”
Emryc said nothing more on the matter, picking up the dishes methodically and walking over to clean them off as was their routine. He would then wordlessly walk away to pack.

@Mr. Teatime

 

[Darth Stolas]

Morgan listened attentively when Emryc spoke again, and it tested the things he'd learned. Some things were painful to hear out loud but that didn't mean they weren't true. His lips parted and then closed again, his eyes looking to the floor with guilt. The prince hated the feelings of jealousy that bubbled up and this was another reason why to add to the list. He hated that they existed without a reason he could find. What was he so afraid of? Was it that twitch in Emryc's jaw, the knowledge he couldn't give him heirs the same way? Or merely a failure of his own tumultuous and inexperienced heart, a misunderstanding of things?

One day he hoped to be bound to the man he loved, but he shouldn't get ahead of himself. No matter the cause, this flaw was something Morgan must overcome for them both to be happy. Goldens looked up again and found at least the yellow had receded from silvers, even if Emryc remained displeased. Morgan had no rebuttal or argument just then. Emryc rarely expressed himself so openly and the prince took every word to heart, turning them over in his head.

"I... I understand," he said quietly. "I am-" Morgan stopped himself from simply apologizing again. "I will be better." His boyfriend stepped away and the prince knew he needed space, and this time he did as well. In silence he put away leftovers and went to pack his things.

In a separate storage room in the middle of packing he lifted the little box in his hand, staring down at it. At last he allowed himself to quietly cry. He'd been wounded by a blade of his own making and didn't want Emryc to hear. After a short while he wiped his face and put the thin, flat box amongst his personal things right next to the statue of Andraste he always took with him.

When he reappeared in the living area the number of things he'd packed were at least somewhat reasonable. Dante had taken hold of a small metal crate that also held the holocron's box and Morgan had changed into something semi-casual that covered his skin more, hallikset case slung over a shoulder. His eyes were a little red when they turned to look at Emryc's face but his expression held a sense of determination.

"So..." He began after several seconds of what felt like awkward silence. "To yours, or mine?" Morgan paused for a second. "Ship, that is." Whatever the decision he'd begin to head toward the nearby landing area.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

As usual, Emryc had a backpack and a duffel for his things, nothing extensive. He was dressed in an athletic zip up, pants and sneakers. A sporty chrono adorned his wrist and his hair was finally styled. Sunglasses hung from his collar, and he was chewing some gum as he often did after a smoke. He was relatively silent as he arrived in the common area to prepare to leave.

Emryc glanced over at Morgan for a moment as he spoke, the otherwise hard lines of his face softening slightly as the words. He didn’t miss the redness in the eyes, the sight always jamming into him like a knife. That was the same question Morgan had asked the first day they met.

“Yours,” He said curtly as they kept walking, checking his chrono for the time. He followed the Firrerreo to his ship, setting his things down before joining him in the cockpit. While Morgan piloted, Emryc drew out his datapad to do some reading.

The half Sephi was silent as the ship took off from the bay and into the atmosphere. It was only when Morgan didn’t need both hands to fly that Emryc’s hand reached over to lightly hook his pinky finger with his boyfriend’s. The half Sephi said nothing, still eased in his seat and reading his book. His face didn't look any less grumpy from before.

@Mr. Teatime

 

[Darth Stolas]

Morgan's attempt to lighten the mood seemed to work at least a little bit, goldens taking in the half-Sephi's comfortable clothes and the little movement around his eyes. He nodded and they walked to Voyager, his own things set in their proper places.

The Firrerreo was quiet at the helm when they took off, up and away into the void of space. As he was readying to go to lightspeed a finger hooked around his own. His expression slipped from neutral into a small but abundantly warm smile. While he said nothing, the streak of stars around them and rush of the engines was joined by the sounds of soft humming just as it belonged.

-------
​

Their travel time was short. Morgan spent much of it training, playing his hallikset, or going over information on the holocron and taking notes. It was also available for his boyfriend's use. Even if Emryc was still grumpy Morgan cooked meals and would sing for him when he asked.

Dressed in working attire that had replaced the simple shirt and pants of years ago he took the ship out of hyperspace and into the atmosphere of their destination: Auratera. A world in the Vorzyd sector, it was one of the first civilized systems in the entire Galaxy and rarely visited in the modern day, scattered towns and villages along with ancient ruins of forgotten civilizations dotting the surface. The holocron had indicated when asked the right questions it may have something on its surface that could help them in their search.

Morgan moved to the exit ramp, putting his utility belt on overtop his sash and pulling on a pair of reinforced leather gloves, his expression one of focused determination and suppressed curiosity. The ship had landed outside one of the larger villages on the planet and the prince hoped it may point them in a promising direction. He slung a duffel of supplies over his right shoulder.

"There is a strangeness in the air," he commented curiously on the way down the ramp, goldens looking around at the verdant landscape lit by the bright suns above. "But it looks normal." In the distance, curious native folk of different species looked on warily from the edge of town.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc was largely silent on the way, listening to the hallikset. It always calmed him, even back when they first met and long before he knew the Firrerreo the way he did today. The half Sephi disappeared for a while to train and lift weights, but emerged shortly before landing to shower and change into similar attire to what he was wearing before. He cast a sideways glance at Morgan’s choice of attire, gaze lingering longer than necessary. As usual, the Firrerreo went over the top with his clothing, and looked distractingly appealing doing so.

The half Sephi trained his eyes forward, watching the planet’s surface as they landed. He checked his sabers, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he stepped down beside Morgan. The only change to his attire was the addition of a Rancors hat to better conceal his face from immediate view.

Emryc looked out at the natives that glanced their way. The half Sephi’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“We are not the first outsiders they’ve seen recently.”

@Mr. Teatime