Ask Atonement

[Leon Baudelaire]

Kashyyyk. Their small victory haunted Leon’s consciousness. His mind found itself wandering back to the fight every chance it got. The screams. The smell of burnt ozone mixed with charred flesh…

But wait, that’s not all!

These images of death and pain were only enhanced by the gore and mutilation wrought by The Hindsnake Cult.

AND, since Leon was a level headed and emotionally mature guy who just loved sharing his feelings and admitting to his fear— he wasn’t. Like he wasn’t any of that. He was bottling it up. He knew it wasn’t healthy, but hey, he hadn’t started drinking yet, so that was a plus.

Instead, once he was cleared to do so, he started training. In truth, he’d assumed the nightmares would’ve stopped by now, but they hadn’t. The images flashed through his mind. He held his breath, bracing his core arching his back as he pressed the barbell up. They never left him. Always lingering. Always waiting. He constantly had the feeling of being watched, but not like the typical Thorne surveillance vibes, like he felt like something sinister could see his soul.

Baudelaire racked his weights and just laid on the bench. He was covered in sweat. His arms and chest shook from the exertion, but he still wasn’t satisfied. The soft chime of his doorbell drew his attention toward it. The shadows in his periphery morphed into horrors beyond comprehension and Leon shut his eyes, squeezing them tight.

“I breathe in and trust the force to fill my lungs,” slowly he exhaled, eyes still closed, “and it does…”

The doorbell rang again. Baudelaire sighed then got up from his bench. He didn’t bother putting a shirt on as he opened the door. The soft hiss of compressed air whipped back his door like a curtain revealing a courier holding a parcel. The Ithroian sighed muttering, “I don’t get paid enough for this shit,” before offering Leon the package and instructing the Jedi to, “Sign here please.”

Leon, crimson faced, snatched the stylus and scribbled his name as quickly as possible onto the couriers datapad.

“Thanks!” blurted Leon as he smashed the close button. Then he realized he never grabbed the package…

His door hissed back open, the Ithroian was still standing there. Parcel outstretched to Leon. Baudelaire took the small box, bobbed his head and promptly shut the door.

“What in the fuck is wrong with you?” he asked himself.
“Fucking, you, asshole.” He shot back.
Leon opened the package and his heart stopped beating. A holoprojector emblazoned with an Adumari Owl glared up at him.

He hit play.

An hour later…

Baudelaire was in the cockpit of The Freebird, his hands flew across the controls. Peetwo was already connected to the ship, but his little photoreceptor was glued to Leon. The Jedi Knight’s face was cast in stone. His phone lit up in his cup holder. The name on the Screen said: Ezzie <3

Leon hadn’t known who else to tell. The holoprojector… It had been a distress call from home. In his heart he knew it was time. He had to put his past behind him.

He had to go home.

The Freebird was ready to go, Leon sat at the top of his boarding ramp. It wouldn’t be long before Ezra appeared no doubt carrying that big ass bag he always had with him.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

The last time Leon came over, Ezra unwittingly dropped hints that he was missing his Jedi adventures. However, he had since been given several helpings of his fill with Kashyyk and having his hands full with trying to bring a former Sith to the Light. Drexus was a pain in the ass, but at least he was entertaining. When Leon reached out, Ezra noticed there was a noticeable lack of his usual quirks.

As expected, Ezra arrived with a massive backpack and enough underwear for everyone on the space station. The part Sephi could see his best friend looked troubled, but he was never the type to prod. He walked up the ramp, his EZPods always plugged in his ears for music or auditory dampening.

“We better not be going to Ellora,” He stated flatly as he closed the distance to do their absurd handshake. Years may have passed, but some traditions would continue.

@Zay

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Leon was lost in thought when Ezra first arrived. The appearance of the quarter sephi shook Baudelaire from his thousand yard stare and a glimmer of his usual humor pierced the veil. They did their handshake.

It was legendary, if you’re just reading this, you wouldn’t get it.

“Nah, Adumar,” he responded as he turned to step into the ship.

Leon didn’t talk about Adumar. Not often. Especially not after what he’d seen on Mortis. The holo he’d received had shaken him to the core. It hadn’t been his uncle’s face in the transparent iridescent lights, it’d had been Kai. Even in the low resolution he’d been able to see she’d been crying.

“We’re being hunted…” she’d said.

He’d kept tabs on his homeworld since leaving. A guilty pleasure he often fell too when he’d initially joined The Order to combat the stifling loneliness he was being consumed by. Currently, the planet was steeped in a power struggle between the two royal siblings. Which meant they’d need to get creative once they got close. Luckily, he knew an old smuggling route. The same one he’d taken to escape.

A few minutes later they were hurtling through hyperspace.

Leon stepped into the lounge and made himself a coffee. Once Ezra entered Leon took a drink, sighed, then said, “The resistance group I was in is being hunted by a group of darksiders wearing armor that resembles the inquisition. Normally, I wouldn't be bothered by this. It’s kinda the name of the game, ya know, but…” his eyes drifted to the floor, “My uncle is missing.”

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra quirked a brow at his words, “You don’t mention Adumar too much,” He observed. Ezra was the least nosy person in the galaxy, but even he couldn’t hide that he was very curious about the mystery around Leon and Adumar.

“Do we think it’s the Sith or just some offshoot group?” He asked as he eased into the co-pilot chair. It wasn’t long before he pulled out a datapad and a stylus. Leon would see Ezra doing a lot of complex math and calculations - all homework he had due soon that he neglected to complete just yet. He often found random odd places to do his schoolwork in between running a company and being a Jedi Knight.

“So..I have a Padawan now..” He muttered quietly, almost too low to hear. He scribbled a few numbers, rapidly jotting down results and showing his work.

@Zay

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Baudelaire was a little thrown off by Ezra’s observation. He ran a hand through his hair, “Yeah, it’s not fun to talk about.”

That was the understatement of a lifetime, but it was the best Leon could muster right now. His entire identity was steeped in Adumari custom. He filtered everything he interpreted through that lens first, and that was where he needed to change. He didn’t just belong to Adumar. He belonged to the galaxy and it was time for him to stop thinking about where he’d come from and start thinking about where he was going.

Leon slipped into his captain’s seat and began running his final checks. Ezra asked about their possible resistance and Baudelaire said, “I have no idea.”

Not helpful, but honest, so there was that.

“The last group that was actively after us was the Inquisition, but that was back when the Kingdom of Avalice was in control of the planet,” his hand hovered over the throttle. Isskai wasn’t weak. If he was missing then the threat was real. “If I had to guess I’d say there’s Sith involvement, but that’s a shot in the dark right now…”

A welcomed silence settled between them as Leon began guiding The Freebird out of the hangar. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Ezra pull out a datapad and start doing homework. How the guy could focus on anything right now was a testament to his mental fortitude. Leon couldn’t focus on homework if his life depended on it.

When Ez mentioned his new Padawan Leon chuckled. “I’ve heard… Ezzie.”

The ghost of his mischievous little smirk tugged at his lips, “How’s it going?” he asked.

Leon would make sure Ezra was able to save or finish his work before making the jump to hyperspace. Once the mottled blue hues of hyperspace enveloped them he leaned back in his seat and sighed.

“I-I’ve been having some pretty intense nightmares for a while…” Leon’s eyes were locked on the transparisteel viewport in front of him, “They’re filled with pain and death, and…” he swallowed, the mere mention of the vision’s triggered his anxiety, but he calmed himself down, “...monsters.”

Leon knew how stupid it sounded, but he pressed on, “I don’t know how, but I know Adumar is connected, so…” he cleared his throat, glancing in Ezra’s direction saying, “Thanks for being here.”

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra rolled his eyes as Leon used his nickname. Most people in his social circle back on Thyferra called him Ezzie. It was dorky, but he couldn’t shake it, so it stuck. He actually preferred Jabba as Leon still continued over the years. He finished doing a few calculations, scribbling notes to himself in the margins to the side to revise later. He was as meticulous about his studies as he was about all his other tendencies towards perfection. The only indication that the part Sephi was listening was the way his ears twitched every now and then while Leon spoke.

“Theia’s basically my cousin so it’s not as bad as getting a weird rando,” He looked over at Leon, “Unfortunate yours disappeared.. No sign of her at all?” It was always a blow to lose a padawan, especially when Leon had no clue what happened. No emergency alerts had been sent out which suggested she may have voluntarily left. It wasn’t uncommon - many people couldn’t make the cut of becoming Jedi. However, it didn’t sting any less, “Anyway I bet Theia will quit once she walks into her new accommodations,” The redhead was almost as spoiled as the Thornes.

He considered what Leon said about dreams. A lot of times nightmares were a self fulfilling prophecy - Leon’s anxieties about Adumar could very well power these nightmares. However, he didn’t say that out loud.

“The planet has a strong Imperial influence, so we have to be very low key,” He flashed a grin, “I think it’s disguise time,” He said, thinking briefly back to their stupid getups when they stole the Freebird.

@Zay

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

There wasn’t a day that went by without Leon wondering what had happened to Koemi. They hadn’t just been Master and Apprentice. They’d known each other before, they’d been friends. So, her disappearance was one that hurt deeper than he was currently capable of admitting. Given his already dower mood, the best Jabba got from him was a sigh and, “Yup. Just gone.”

Leon and Theia had met on several occasions at this point, so when Ole Jabs mentioned her splitting just because of her accommodations, Leon shrugged while frowning in consideration. “Oh, c’mon, if you can stomach it, I’m sure she can.”

Ezra didn’t have anything to say about the dreams, but it didn’t bother Baudelaire. He’d learned silence wasn’t a dismissal, well, it wasn’t always a dismissal. In this case he figured it was just the quarter Sephi being unsure what to say. Hell, if he was in Ezra’s position he’d probably do the same thing. The problem with Jedi and vivid dreams was those dreams sometimes came true.

Oh he would be so pissed if that was his secret skill. Like Dash could fling ice like a storm on Hoth, Ezra was good at literally everything, and Ferrin could talk his way in and out of everything. What could Leon do? Have nightmares… Now that he thought about it, that’s exactly what was gonna happen. In the deep recesses of his mind he heard a part of him scream.

“Disguises? I mean, we just look like— IS THAT WHAT’S IN YOUR FUCKING BAG?” asked Leon, his mask of impassiveness slipping for the moment. “Wait, are we brainstorming a theme? I vote vigilanties, but like the holomovie looking Swarvel heroes not the comic book ones.”


Peetwo warbled a reading and Leon nodded before standing. “I need a coffee, you want one?”

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

“What? Like capes?” Ezra asked with a grimace. Swarvel heroes looked cheesy as hell in his opinion. He protectively hugged his bag closer when Leon asked about it, narrowing his eyes. His habit of packing enough underwear to supply the entire Jedi Order for every trip hadn’t changed over the years. Thankfully Leon grew more civilized over time and stopped shamelessly 'borrowing' his clothes. Maybe dating his sister was introducing him to some class. Gross.

“What kind of coffee?” He asked suspiciously, always judgmental about coffee standards. Once they were in hyperspace, he got out of his seat and put away his datapad, finishing his homework.

“We’re going to be journalists,” Ezra declared, “The point is to be as lowkey as possible,” He reminded Leon. His best friend’s idea of a disguise was probably getting into leather and pelvic thrusting in front of a crowd, but Ezra was far more sensible. I mean, obviously, “We will score interviews with different groups on the unrest on Adumar from Imperials, Sith and the locals all trying to get influence on the planet,” He laid out the plan methodically, clearly having done extensive homework, “It should get us enough access to start asking questions about your missing crew and put us on a trail without anyone thinking we’re anyone important.”

Ezra was already setting up his laptop and an attached device that looked like he made it himself, “I’m going to print out some badges for us,” He stated.

@Zay

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

“Capes?” blurted Leon. “No, I mean like when the hero has to go undercover,” he pulled out his phone while he was talking and showed it to Ez. On the screen was a gif from Captain Corellia and the Winter Trooper.

Leon stepped into the lounge looking back at Ezra as he asked about the coffee. “It’s Elloran,” he said with a knowing smile. He’d been growing the beans on the planet for a while and had just gotten the roast dialed in. “There’s syrups and shit in the fridge, yes there’s blue milk, no I won’t make your whole drink. Yes, I will pull your shot, I’m not a monster.”

Ezra was the first person Leon was letting taste his caf.

“I’m thinking about starting up a pop-up, uh, thing as a side hustle,” he laughed, “Ya know, with all of our free time,” he said with words dripping in sarcasm.

Ezra declaration knit Leon’s brows together as he got caught in a half smile while trying to process what the fuck his best friend had just suggested. “Journalists?”

The idea started to take hold and Leon’s mischievous little smirk spread across his lips. Ezra was hyped. The guy had obviously been looking into the situation and the fact that he’d taken the time meant more to Leon than he’d ever admit.

Of course, as Throne’s we’re prone to do, Ezra had forgotten something. Leon was a prodigal son of Adumar. He knew Cartann City like the back of his hand, and knew where his crew’s hideouts had been. However, he’d keep that to himself for the time being. Since Kashyyyk he’d started recording his missions. The holonet was rife with slander and scandals and he thought it was time to start letting the galaxy know the Jedi weren’t as useless as they feared.

“Uh, Okay, I’ll uh… Drink my caf.” he said as Ezra rushed off to print their badges.

The smile that had settled on his face slipped off as Ezra left. It’d been nice to let the roiling emotions go, but now as he sat in his booth he couldn’t stop seeing the crimson blade aimed at his face while impaled through his mother. He kept feeling the spray of viscera splatter on his face. The sound of her gasp and the slump of her shoulders. As her body fell he met the eyes of his uncle and they burned in the darkness. Irises of molten lava bore into him.

Peetwo’s low whistle snapped him out of his nightmare. A single tear rolled down his cheek and he wiped it away as quickly as he could. Leon swallowed, picked his iced caf from the table and called out, “I’m gonna double check my shit!”

By this time Ezra would be almost as comfortable on The Freebird as Leon was, so the Adumarian didn’t worry about telling him to get comfortable.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra had to stifle laughter as he finished up the badges. Leon’s face looked priceless and absolutely deranged. He wondered if his friend would even notice until it was too late. Thankfully, he kept a perfectly straight face by the time Leon emerged again. He stepped away to make his perfect cup of caf. It wasn’t quite up to his standards, but he was impressed by how close it was.

He made himself comfortable in the sense that he returned to doing his homework. However, through it all he noticed Leon wasn’t entirely himself. Ezra was normally not the nosy type, but this was very off about his friend. In the past Leon had always coaxed Ezra out of his shell and he wasn’t being the best support system in return. Ezra was always bad with ‘feelings’ and empathy and he always blamed his Sephi genes and being around Pops. However, the fact that he was aware of it meant he had no real excuse.

“What kind of monsters?” He asked out of the blue, “In your nightmares,” He clarified, “Are they like what was unleashed on the Core worlds or..something else?” Monsters were a very real thing now. For all Ezra knew, however, Leon’s monsters were personifications of emotions. Ezra combated such things in his own mind.

@Zay

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Leon stood in his room with the door open. He was at his workbench working on Lionheart. The blastsword was a masterful work of art. It had been his father’s. Raphael Baudelaire, Lionheart himself, had been reigning champion of the Adumari Blastsword League for years, before the Kingdom of Avalice entered the picture.

The soft whisper of Leon’s whetstone slid down the length of his blade.

The Adumarian always found working on his original weapon calming. On the desk before him both of his lightsabers, Daybreak and Moonlight, were opened up and the four Kyber crystals sat in pairs in front of their respective hilts. The holo from Kai replayed in his mind. Her fear-laced expression was burned into his mind’s eye.

Leon heard Ezra return to the lounge, when he peeked out he noticed the homie was still doing homework and Baudelaire gave him his space. Once he was done cleaning and maintaining his weapons he decided to join Ezra.

The Jedi plopped down in the booth and crossed one leg over the other, pulling out his EZPhone and getting ready to draft a text to Jayna when Ezra asked about his dreams.

Baudelaire looked at Ezra like he was a being from a different dimension. “Did you jus— Ya know what, I’m just gonna go with it.”

Leon crossed his arms over his chest and cupped his chin in his palm. “They’re not like the ones we’re seeing in the core. They’re…” Baudelaire frowned, grasping at a way to describe what he’d seen, “They’re featureless. Each one is different from the other, like, some have really long arms and small legs and vice versa, they’re entire body is black,” he felt like a moron describing these things, “They look like shadow’s come to life.”

The Knight's expression adopted a thousand yard stare, “And they’re strong… At least in the dream they’re strong.” He said, snapping out of his daze. “I’m used to having shitty dreams, lots of gore. Just kinda blamed it on the cults I’d seen, but then the dreams started to change and these weird things started showing up.” Leon swallowed, “I can feel them. In the dream. It always ends the same way, me alone outnumbered and then overwhelmed.”

He left out the ripping and tearing he saw each time before waking up covered in his own sweat.

“Thanks for asking, I-uh, I appreciate it, dick head,” he said with a teasing smirk. Felt a little like old times there for a second, he thought. Peetwo whistled over the comms, “We’re closing in,” said Leon, getting up from the booth and heading for the cockpit.

They dropped out of hyperspace, the starscape snapped into existence as the mottled blues were extinguished. Adumar’s sun was just cresting the northern hemisphere.

“Holy shit… I’m home.”

@Sreeya