Ask Badgers and Crows

[Reiel Mal Crowholde]

​

"Are you sure you're wearing that?"

"Yes! Unless you want me to get recognized out here in more ways than one because of my you-know-what."

"But ad'ika..."

Reiel chose not to reply to her father's complaints as she walked down the cobbled street, attention on the leaflet on one hand. For the first time she had chosen to shed the safety provided by her armor since said armor itself drew unwanted attention. Though the planet she chose as a meeting place with a certain Mandalorian was a neutral one, she still didn't want to draw attention to herself as the ISC Secretary of Defense's chief security. She knew how the media worked and how well the citizens of Tinnel IV were familiar of the grey beskar and durasteel that protected their Governor. The small Mandalorian made use of her anonimity further by totally forgoing her armor, as well as the fact that very few numbered those who knew what she looked like underneath the cover of her buy'ce.

Still, father and daughter didn't count on this meeting going smoothly in terms of outside trouble finding those involved. The galaxy didn't run short on dumbasses causing trouble, so Wulfric Crowholde posed as a hired bodyguard who was content to follow his charge from a distance like a shadow. Though Reiel became more convinced that a museum was the least likely of all places to harbor idiots looking to cause problems for other sentients, she still let her father do his thing and wander close like another art enthusiast.

Her buir had been surprised when she talked to him about wanting to meet Kotii Solus, but was quick to understand her reasoning when he realized how annoyed and worried she was when news of the Badger's "failed assassination" attempt and subsequent capture popped up in holonet news. Even after the division amongst Mandalorians loyal to the new Mand'alor who replaced Fenyang Ordo and those loyal with Kotii, Reiel still saw the exiled alor of House Solus as her friend.

And Reiel Mal of Clan Crowholde never turned her back on her friends.

Upon confirmation that Kotii had been rescued, the small Mandalorian didn't waste time contacting the Badger, hoping that her encrypted message reached him. With help from her friend Nirem, Reiel made sure that the message would reach Kotii – and if not him then his son. The message no longer had a channel to return to after being sent, and it contained only the name of a planet, a city, signages pointing to a museum, and a date.

Reiel waited outside the museum, sipping on her iced coffee. She probably looked like a tiny teenager waiting for her date with the long-sleeved blouse and dress combo she sported, paired with a pair of cutesy brown platform shoes. The Mandalorian incognito carried no weapons with her to better suit the civilian disguise she had going on. She wasn't alone, with her father lurking unseen somewhere he could still see her, and she didn't count on having Kotii meet her on his own as well. He might still be recovering from his capture, but right now?

Right now Reiel couldn't find the strength to care, as long as she could flick the Badger on the forehead for doing something (in her opinion) so foolhardy.

@Darasuum

 

[Kotii Solus]

Spoiler: Music

Today, Kotii was dressed differently than he normally was even though he had a 'new' beskar'gam. The was dressed in a black suit with a hidden underarm holster beneath his right armpit. The holster held a custom DC-17 blaster pistol with ascension gun attachment. Both of the echani's hands were wrapped in black gloves. Just behind the wrists were a pair of special cufflinks.

While the Mandalorian had come without his full second skin, he still also wore a a beskar weave in the form of a vest. The usual black mask that covered the lower half of his face was where it normally was, continuing to hide Kotii's identity without seeming like an outer rim bounty hunter. They were in the core after all, which was why the badger was not carrying any lethal or illegal equipment on him, aside from the cufflinks. The rest stayed in the combat pouches of his beskar'gam or in the ship's armory.

If he was caught or questioned by anyone, Kotii did not want to have anything he couldn't pass off or explain. That meant no slicer deck, no grenades, no large weapons, and just to not attract suspicion, no SGG-50 grapple pistol. Even the blaster pistol was easier to pass off with the bounty hunting license he discreetly carried on his person as any undercover agent.

Checking both his personav and his disposable comlink from time to time, the Mandalorian made his way towards the museum without further delay. The woman he was meeting was someone who already knew his face so it made finding each other easier. <"Sorry. Kept you waiting, didn't I?"> The hints of a smile crept out from his mask and his voice. The ex Solus'alor was happy to see the Crowholde clan member again.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Reiel Mal Crowholde]

A frown had graced the small Mandalorian's face as she waited for the Badger, eyes narrowed close to glaring at the passersby as she scanned the faces that approached the museum. Reiel didn't even care that she was practically pouting by the time her gaze alighted upon a man donning a black suit, his build and gait all too familiar regardless of the absence of his beskar'gam. She knew his face as much as he knew hers, and she didn't need to see through the mask that covered half of his face to know that Kotii Solus was smiling at her.

Flashes of different emotions crossed Reiel's eyes as she gazed back at the exiled Solus, belying the frown on her face. Initially she had decided on giving her friend an earful as well as a harsh flick on the forehead for making her worry, but seeing him again brought relief and comfort to the forefront of her mind. As much as the stunt he had pulled towards that Hutt mogul Desilijic vexed her, she knew Kotii's cause and as such she couldn't really bring herself to be mad at him.

Her pouting melted into a delighted grin and, after quickly disposing the empty coffee cup in a nearby bin, Reiel was quick to wrap her arms around one of Kotii's own. Without giving him any real chance to protest the small Mandalorian was quick to lead him inside the museum. It was a weekday, and the place wasn't packed with the usual weekend crowd, giving the two Mandalorians enough privacy even in a public setting.

"Not really," she replied rather cheerfully, leading (pulling, rather) him towards a hall exhibiting artworks dedicated to the night sky and celestial bodies. "Can't be called waiting if I know you'd come."

Stopping in front of a painting of a moonlit landscape, Reiel raised one hand and flicked Kotii on the forehead – not as hard as she initially intended but enough to convey her annoyance, but above all her worry, when news of his capture reached her. Still, he would probably be confused as to why she was choosing to abuse his forehead so Reiel, not really one to keep her thoughts and feelings to herself, quickly cut straight to the point.

"What were you thinking, getting yourself caught in Hutt Space?!" she hissed at him, concern overpowering the annoyance in her voice. "I was so worried! I thought– I thought you were gonna get killed– well, the Hutt clans are after your head now, but still–!"

She quickly brushed at her eyes with the sleeves of her blouse, wiping away any tears that might have escaped. Thank the stars for her almost complete lack of regard for makeups or else she would have been smearing it all over her face and sleeves right now. Her eyes were a little red when she looked back up at him and, unable to resist, moved to give his forehead another flick.

"I would've come to help rescue you, but," at this, the Mandalorian let out a disappointed sigh aimed at herself, "I know it's just gonna sound as an excuse, but I'm tied to the ISC. I don't have an alias to hide under. And most of my clanmates have rallied under the new Mand'alor's banner, so I couldn't really count on them to help you. I'm sorry, Kotii. You're my friend, and yet I failed to come to your aid."

Reiel released the Badger from her grip, stepped in front of him, and lowered her head in an apologetic bow.

"I'm so sorry, I couldn't do anything to help."

@Darasuum

 

[Kotii Solus]

Kotii moved his arm to allow her to wrap her's around it. He was glad she was not angry about waiting. He was not entirely sure he agreed with her sentiment, but if Reiel wasn't angry, he would not question it. "I said I'd come didn't I?"

As they came close to their first group of art pieces, the Echani offshoot found himself instead looking at the other art viewers. None of them seemed to be out of place or especially noteworthy to set off any alarms in his mind. Kotii shifted to look at the a moon lit landscape just as he received a flick to the forehead, causing him to jolt his head back slightly and his brow to furrow reflexively. "ow" He said half-heartedly, hopefully getting an explanation.

When she asked him what he was thinking the dapper man would blink singularly and think about the answer he would not give voice. The question Reiel asked stung and he could not bring himself to smile. He blinked again as he heard about his own potential death and almost ignored the bit about the Hutts being after him. He did not care that he had a new enemy. They had always been his foe and would continue to be until slavery came to an end. The hand opposite the one guiding Reiel tightened momentarily.

"I didn't mean to make you worry." He said coolly. Her tears were a bit of a surprise but that was likely due to Kotii not being used to seeing her face go through such expressions. He did not know she had felt so strongly about it. Then a following secondary flick hit his forehead making it slightly pink where it had now been hit twice. The hand that had been balled into a fist relaxed and rose to rub the spot gently.

"That..." He was about to say 'okay' when he processed more of what Reiel said. "...makes sense." Some of it was new information.

Kotii took another breath, looking at Reiel as he spoke the next words even as her expression was cast down. "It's okay." He brought a hand up to gently touch her chin and hopefully raise her gaze to meet his. "I'm alive. I'm here."

He lowered his hand again and the man's head would shake slightly with what he said next. "I...a lot happened." It was complicated to say the least, and it was hard to put it into words. He did not want to be cliche or careless when it came to such things. Kotii was hurt more than physically and recovering from wounds to his mind and spirit in the wake of his own mistakes. Navigating them was new territory and he wondered if Reiel would notice a change in the man. "You have nothing to apologize for. I'm the one who's sorry."

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Reiel Mal Crowholde]

He wasn’t her responsibility; whatever Kotii did it was his decisions and his resolve that led him to what had happened to him and where he was now. She had seen his focus, his grit, his solemn determination on Pzob, on Savareen, on Zyggeria. On Mandalore, when he almost squared off against Srucayr, before the events that gave her a deeper insight on the man that was the exiled alor of House Solus. How he defied the "alliance" between the Sith Lord Raze and the now-missing Mand'alor Fenyang Ordo.

Reiel had been around many kinds of people, seen how they behaved and how they moved to achieve their goals. She trusted very few despite her outgoing nature; trusted them despite their differing views, the actions they needed to do. There were precious few she truly respected, and the man who stood in front of her, telling her that she had nothing to apologize for and that it was him who was sorry, was one of them.

The brief flash of surprise she caught from him when she expressed his worry was understandable and instead of shying away from his touch Reiel allowed it. She met Kotii's gaze, nodding at his words and giving him a small but sincere smile. It was all that mattered, wasn't it? He was alive. Here he lived, to continue his battles. Though he had been battered and bruised he chose to rise again… didn't they all?

He was an admirable man. Reiel just wished that she could be more like him. And that was what the small Mandalorian liked when it came to friends like Kotii – someone to look up to, someone whose views were worthy of respect. He was worthy of the mantle of Mand'alor – to her, anyway – but something stopped her from expressing the thought out loud.

Brown eyes remained upon her fellow Mandalorian, studying his features and subtle movements without meaning to. Her time around her sorcerer had made her more observant than before, and being surrounded by politicians it had become an unconscious habit seamlessly tailored in her daily activities as his head of security. It wasn't overt, but something changed about Kotii, perhaps brought upon by his and his followers' capture and the latter's executions. There were no surprises there; she couldn't imagine the guilt he felt for the deaths of his companions. And there surely was guilt for almost leaving his son behind.

A soft sigh slipped past the petite woman's lips. She didn't need his apology because she knew what he stood for. Or maybe she did. Buir always told her to value their lives. Dead men cannot fight their battles. And the fact that Kotii almost gor killed… maybe she needed to hear it.

"And I forgive you," she told him instead of waving away his apology. Then, another of her own as she once again wrapped one arm around his, this time leading him to an alcove between two paintings of a meteor shower and a solar eclipse, a bench situated there. Reiel let Kotii go as she sat down, gesturing for him to do the same. She didn't know the full extent of the injuries he received, and she wasn't heartless enough to have him walk around while they talked. The Mandalorian before her was in no way fragile, but she wouldn't put too much strain on his body. She had practically demanded this meeting from him – the least she could do was not to bother him too much.

…but then again she wanted to know what had transpired in Hutt Space. "A lot," she repeated, nodding slightly as another apologetic look crossed her face. "A lot. And I want to know – the most important parts, at least. But only if you're willing to tell me. I'm not going to force them out of you." She flashed him a quick but humorless grin. "But where the fuck are my manners? How are you, really? And your son? Your clan?"

@Darasuum

 

[Kotii Solus]

Spoiler: Music

Kotii was glad to see Reiel's face. He could erase any doubt of insincerity. When she forgave him, it was quick but genuine, lifting some weight from his shoulder. The hints of a smile came as a reprieve from the serious expression that had perpetuated on his pale face until now.

Making their way to a bench, the Mandalorian took a seat beside his companion. Her bodyguard stood off to the side and a few meters away but was giving them their space. However, Kotii noted he was watching the badger just as much as the surroundings. Maybe he did not trust Reiel's contact. Maybe he was not even Mandalorian. Kotii's eyes lingered on the older gentleman, looking him up and down but turning his attention back to Reiel without another word.

Once seated, he took a deep breath and thought back to where things went from when he last saw the Crow. When he spoke it started with a slight smile. Kotii was amused at the cursing woman's voice. "Let's see..." His eyes seemed to focus on the painting in front of him but his mind shifted in reverse. "Well you know, I fought Nox on Abafar. You probably heard about that." He shook his head as he thought about the Mandalorians that had lost their lives that night. It would be a number that continued to add up. Kotii would recite one hundred and forty seven every day, remembering those that died in battle, those that died because of his choices.

"After Abafar we tried going to Tol Amn but had to leave it behind after I was captured." He could swear the smell of spent tibanna gas continued to reach his nostrils. It was far from pleasant to think about, but the Solus wanted to share the information with his Crowholde counterpart. "I lost...everything. Most everyone scattered." His tone was mournful. He lamented the loss of his second skin, his pride was tarnished but the least of his pain. The members of his battlegroup had separated. The ex-alor wondered if and how he could have done better. "But Hauron, he stayed strong while I was AWOL. He met with the Wookiees, fought alongside Jedi and eventually got me out." The somber voice became more hopeful as he spoke with pride about his son. "You should see him Reiel. He's doing great. He fought Killiks, freed me, and even fought Sith on Onderon and won." His face brightened into a smile reminding himself of the hope he had clung to while captured. "The Werda Verda are gone but the Mandalorian spirit lives on. He's making a fine leader. So I guess...I'm hopeful." He had not given up in the grand scheme of things and was not going to anytime soon.

He knew there were probably follow up questions. Kotii had only spoken with broad strokes and vagueness to get the majority of events out in the open. If she wanted to know more about anything, all she had to do was ask. His head tilted to the side so he could see her face clearly. "What about you? How are things proffesionally, personally, fill me in on the details."

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Reiel Mal Crowholde]

Since she was watching him, Reiel noticed how Kotii kept his gaze on her father who seemed to have thrown all caution to the wind and decided to closely keep an eye on the interaction between the pair of Mandalorians incognito. The petite woman had to suppress a giggle when the older Crowholde subtly returned the ex-Solus’alor’s stare. Buir might not be getting any younger but she knew he was always ready to - as the kids in the covert called it - throw down if the situation called for it. With Kotii’s eyes still locked on the Zabrak, Reiel shook her head at the latter with a bright smile, not needing words to tell him that everything was alright.

Still, Wulfric Crowholde kept an eye on the pair even as Kotii’s gaze turned to Reiel, at the same time keeping his distance quite respectfully. For that Reiel was grateful.

Her attention, her focus, was solely commandeered by the Badger when he began to speak. Even as he looked away, a pair of honey brown eyes remained fixed on his face, taking note of his emotions and any subtle hints of discomfort as he relayed what she did not know. Judgment nor pity had no place in the Crow’s gaze and thoughts, only respect and understanding.

When he spoke of loss, Reiel was unable to stop the hand that settled gently on Kotii’s shoulder. Her gaze softened, mourning his losses. But not once did she pity him - she knew he would not need it. He had made his choice, and despite the results she couldn’t, wouldn’t, hold everything against him. And when he spoke of Hauron…

The memory of the young Mikkian, trapped and chained inside a cage alongside a number of children, rose in her mind. How he snapped at her, ready to defend the other captives just in case she, Kotii, and his men were another batch of slavers ready to steal them away from their tormentors. Hearing Kotii speak of his son with hope and pride made her smile, feeling proud of the young Badger herself. She’d seen him on the news, of his and the defenders’ victory on Thyferra. Received word that he’d freed his father. The Sith had taken a loved one from her, and news of Hauron on Onderon fighting Sith nearly gave her a heart attack. She wasn’t his mother, but the mere thought of the young Mandalorian being felled by a Sith was enough to make her worry like a madwoman. But he was triumphant in the end, his survival and victory more than enough to almost send Reiel blubbering with relief in her sorcerer’s arms.

”I really should see him. Kad, the amount of times he nearly gave me a heart attack with those daring feats,” she readily admitted with a proud grin. ”But more than that, I’m proud of him. And of you. You raised him well. And… I’m happy and grateful that you’re still here with us.”

It was Reiel’s turn to look away when Kotii asked her about what she had been up to. He had answered her honestly, and it was honesty the Badger would receive in turn.

”Personally? I… uh…” With the lack of a helmet that usually kept her expressions concealed, her shame and embarrassment seemed magnified as she fumbled for a response. Still, she wanted to be honest, and she wouldn't mind if he judged her for her decisions.

Reiel took a deep breath, trying to calm herself and ignore her embarrassment for the time being.

”I let Arasuum get the better of me, just so I would never have to face a treasured friend in battle. The schism amongst our people when Fenyang-” she couldn’t call him Mand’alor now ”-chose alliance with the Sith tore at me more than I had anticipated. I was glad that we had a leader, but the manner it happened? That was a knife to the gut.”

She fiddled with the rings on her fingers to ease her anxiety. Raising her gaze to meet his, the small Mandalorian’s expression had already shifted from embarrassment and shame to stern resolution. ”And that time, I found that I didn’t care if I was being un-Mandalorian. I care for people I hold dear more than my heritage, my culture, Kotii. I didn’t like, nor I’d ever, ally myself with Sith even if it meant having a Mand’alor leading us in unity. I was on Firrerre when a Sith Lord glassed that planet. I watched my Uncle die. I…”

Her lower lip trembled slightly, but she fought against the tears that threatened to fall at the memory of Dell’s broken body. The mere mention of the Sith was more than enough to trigger the rage and sorrow that slept in her heart.

”I never wanted to stand against you on the battlefield, had I followed the Mand’alor. I never wanted to stand against Arthos, had I openly defied that wretched alliance. I can never raise my hand against any of you, so I stayed away. I was so scared when I heard you got caught. I was so scared whenever Arthos went on a mission under the banner of that Sith-Mando alliance. I was so scared of losing all of you - my clan, Gett’se, Cas, Srucayr, Minerva… Stagnation ate at me, but I would rather…”

She would rather stay away than witness any of them fall. She would rather stay away than fail to keep them alive.

The suddenly distraught Crow shook her head and took a shaky breath to steady herself.

”I focused on my duties as the ISC SecDef’s security chief instead. I can’t fight against people I care about. I can’t… and if I died doing that, I would be leaving not just my clan and my friends behind. There’s someone I’d be leaving all alone, and I never want him (@Carrick) to be alone. I never want him to be sad if I die. I can’t do that to him.”

There was a beat, broken by Reiel’s bashful laughter, her hands rising to wipe any stray tear that had managed to stubbornly roll down her cheeks.

”That felt good to say out loud, all of that!” she exclaimed softly, eyes bright with tears and relief. ”Didn’t mean to unload all that stuff to you, Kotii, really. But I want to be honest, so…”

She shrugged helplessly, corners of her lips twitching a little uneasily despite her earlier claim that she wouldn’t mind if he judged her.

”Anyway, what are you and Hauron up to lately? If there’s anything I can do to help, you know you can just call. I’ll give you my private contact info.”

It was about damn time she return to help her people in any way she could.

@Darasuum

 

[Kotii Solus]

Kotii felt a bit of reassurance with the contact from Reiel. When it came to Hauron he chuckled and nodded. "Thanks." He heard the woman say she was proud of him. It felt good to hear and helped but he seemed slightly stiff and hesitant. The man did not feel confident he deserved that but that could be why he needed to hear it.

At first Kotii cocked a white eyebrow as he listened to Reiel. She too struggled to share her feelings and it was a characteristic that perpetuated in their community. Their armor literally protecting them but each of them put up walls and failsafes to protect themselves from psychological danger. The Crow was brave by sharing these details with the Badger.

When she mentioned Firrerre and the loss of her uncle he could not help but sympathize. He listened and looked at her with is scarlet eyes that showed the wisdom of knowing what it means to lose someone close but said nothing at first. The more she spoke it sounded like she was confessing sins to a priest. But it sounded like she had not told anyone these things and it had been weighing on her for some time.

Kotii raised a hand and gently held Reiel's hand after wiping away her tears. "Like I said, you don't have to apologize, Reiel. I shared the same kind of fear. But if it helps, I forgive you." He looked deep into her eyes and let the statement hang between them. The ex-Solus alor wanted to abstain from fighting and killing his friends and family. He did not want to cause harm to anyone just as Reiel had. He would not hold onto her hand any longer than appropriate and would let go after a moment.

"I appreciate that." He replied to her offer for help. "Hauron is assembling other Mandalorians together and plans to lead them as a Private Military Corporation. I'm just helping out where I can and trying to stay out of trouble. " He shrugged casually and cracked a guilty smirk. He tended to get into lots of trouble very easily but the petite Mandalorian beside him knew that already. "I don't want to ask too much." Even though, or rather especially because she was the Security Chief of the ISC Security and Defense, he only wanted to ask favors of her that were not overreaching. There were limits to the kind of assistance she could give which was likely only as an individual Mandalorian.

"Hmm" He murmured and raised a hand to stroke his jawline and chin while thinking. The Mandalorians were small in number so each warrior helped. There were definitly excursions, errands and everything in between that needed to be accomplished. "I don't know what you can do for us but...fuel, food, ammo, weapons, shelter, good publicity, we need help with all those things."

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Reiel Mal Crowholde]

It felt good to have finally spoken everything she kept to herself out loud, but even more so because another Mandalorian understood. Kotii didn’t have to forgive her but much like she had done for him earlier, he did so for her, too. Reiel was grateful for having met and befriended the Badger, more so for having the privilege to call him vod.

She glanced down at his hand holding hers then looked back at him with a smile. Squeezing his hand back gratefully before he withdrew, the action reminiscent of a younger sister who appreciated the words, presence, and support of a wise, older brother. When he spoke of Hauron’s plans, the petite Mandalorian’s desire to meet the young Solus grew greater.

”Kotii, don’t worry about asking ‘too much’. I’ll be the one to decide on that,” she assured him with a sincere smile. When he outlined what he needed, a thoughtful frown crossed the Crow’s face. Crossing her arms over her chest, her pensive gaze fell upon the figure of her father as the latter wandered seemingly idly around, helmeted head slowly swiveling to and fro as he perused the paintings before him. As she stared at her buir a flash of inspiration suddenly struck Reiel, causing her to gasp out loud, as if she had realized something brilliant.

”We left it years ago when we moved to the Citadel, but it remains guarded and occupied oh so secretly by select few members the Clan,” Reiel began, her smile transforming into a proud and bright grin. ”So, it remains fully functional, forge and all!”

The small Mandalorian’s gaze returned to Kotii, warm and excited at the prospect of having answered and provided two of the things he requested. She told him in a whisper only he could hear, ”If it’s shelter you need, you can use our covert on Maldo Kreis! We still call it home despite having relocated to the Citadel, and the covert’s location remains a secret!”

A look of realization then painted Reiel’s face when she fully registered what she had just said. An awkward and slightly embarrassed chuckle escaped her.

”Well, it’s not exactly a secret anymore since I just told you where it is. But I trust you, so I didn’t exactly rat out… hehe. Anyway,” the Crow cleared her throat. ”If I was the clan’s alor, you’re gonna have my full permission to use the covert as you see fit. I’m not, though, but I’m certain Grandda- I mean, alor Cin would agree if I told him that the covert would be used for good. Us Crows aren’t really selfish-”

”Unless they deserve our helping hand,” Wulfric’s voice rumbled sternly as he casually approached the seated pair of Mandalorians incognito. ”Reiel, you know all too well not to make promises nor claims if they would affect the Clan. And the covert is not yours to give away.”

The smaller and younger Crowholde stood, head tilting up to meet her father’s helmeted gaze. ”I know that. That’s why I will go and talk to ba’buir-”

Wulfric stood taller, shoulders squared, as he stared his daughter down with a steely gaze he knew Reiel could envision without the helmet concealing his features. ”If you’re the head of the clan, you wouldn’t have to seek our approval.”

Maybe it was from the shock at hearing her father’s reply and the weight of the implication and expectation held in it, but Reiel stumbled back on her seat beside Kotii without meaning to. She gazed open-mouthed at her father rather dumbly, eyes wide with disbelief. Her, the alor of Clan Crowholde? What the hell were her father and grandfather talking about behind her back? Sure, there were continuous jokes here and there about her being the literal princess of the clan since her grandfather was the leader and his son his potential successor, but this?

Capitalizing on his daughter’s stupefaction, Wulfric’s helmeted gaze leveled at Kotii.

”Only the alor can give permission for you and your clan to gain access to the Crowholdes’ covert.”

@Darasuum

 

[Kotii Solus]

Kotii grinned at the reassuring words of Reiel. His grin widened further as she had some suggestions to offer. It was a lot to volunteer on behalf of one's own clan. Kotii could not help but wonder how the rest of her clan would feel if they heard this. But that was when her bodyguard made his opinion known.

It became clear to the Solus that the man masquerading as Reiel's bodyguard was a fellow Mandalorian and one that was of her clan. The man's smile lessened only in surprise as he gathered what Wulfric was telling his daughter. The older man was pushing Reiel to become Alor of clan Crowholde. Then the smile returned as he studied the petite warrior's expression.

"Crowholde Alor..." he sai it out loud as he nodded to himself and knew it would draw Reiel's attention. Looking back towards her he would meet her gaze. It would hint at her readiness if she would respond to the title. He had seen her potential since Pzob and was proud with what he saw. "...it seems fitting for you. Well, how about it? Do I have permission to share this information with my fellow Mandalorians." He would only share the information with Hauron and a select few at first before taking care of the logistics and minutia. But the covert's secrecy would not be lost.

There might be other steps needed to secure Reiel's position as Alor of clan Crowholde, but she would have Kotii's support. Furthermore she would have Hauron's if he knew his son. The Crow Princess was the best fit for the role of leader and perhaps even be queen of them.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Reiel Mal Crowholde]

Reiel was still processing her father’s insinuations, and while she seemed slightly surprised on the outside, her thoughts were a different story. However, before she could fall into an even deeper sense of panic, Kotii’s voice cut through the ever-growing jumbled mess of anticipation and fear of failure.

Crowholde Alor.

It was spoken with conviction, his tone more than enough to draw her attention to him. At first Kotii would see flashes of doubt and confusion in Reiel’s eyes - was he really convinced that it suited her? What if he was wrong? What if she did not deserve the mantle of clan head? What if she failed? But there was also pride in the Badger’s gaze, an emotion which instantly assuaged the Crow’s fears. It was something she didn’t immediately realize, but the way she sat a little straighter, her gaze turning a little sharper and resolute, spoke of her acknowledgment of the title.

She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. If she answered his question, she was practically sealing her fate; binding herself to the title and responsibilities of looking after an entire clan - no matter how small their numbers were - herself and with the help of the clan itself. She avoided the topic and this eventuality when it first cropped up, and it was only a matter of time that it would catch up to her. And now, of all the times…!

Still, the notion and Kotii’s undeniable support brought great comfort to the younger Crowholde. With another breath in and out, Reiel opened her eyes and once again met the Solus’ gaze.

”Yes, you have my permission, Kotii of Clan Solus,” she replied, soft voice laced with newfound confidence and decisiveness. Reiel then retrieved her datapad from her bag, and after activating the device she quickly typed in the coordinates of the covert as well as a draft for the message she would need to send to her clanmates who guarded the place. She handed the datapad to Kotii, showing him the coordinates and letting him memorize it.

”The clan will try to provide additional manpower you might need. The Crowholdes may be few in number, but they will fight tooth and nail to protect you and your people once you earned their trust - my word as alor usually would be enough to convince them, but a Crowholde does not blindly follow regardless of who gives the orders.” She smiled at Kotii reassuringly, however.”But they know who you are. They know how you stood up for Mandalore, how you defied Raze. Believe me when I say that there are Mandalorians in my clan who think highly of you.”

She then looked at her father. ”I can’t be the alor just because I acknowledged it today. I still need to do whatever trials you and the elders might have for me, and to face any opposition that might arise. There are a few who deserve to be the head of the clan, buir - you included. Should you challenge me for it, I’m not gonna back down… and not just because I have already given Kotii my word.”

She would not fight her father if he challenged her so to prove her worth. She would just be claiming what he shoved at her today, really.

Turning to face her valued friend once more, Reiel could not stop herself any longer from giving Kotii yet another hug - this time her arms squeezed a little tighter, burying her face a little closer to his chest. It was the least she could do to show how truly grateful she was for his support of her leadership, but more so because he was confident in her capabilities. To Reiel, Kotii - right here and now, and from that day on Pzob when she allowed herself to nearly cry in front of him - was like an older brother she never had, ready to give her his unwavering support.

"Vor entye, ori’vod."

She would pull away after one last squeeze, her face red but the humble grin she wore spoke that she was and would always be the same Reiel he and the others knew and nothing - even if she, by some miracle became Mand’alor (but Kad forbid!) - would ever change that.

@Darasuum

 

[Kotii Solus]

A sense of recognition drifted through Kotii's mind as he looked at Reiel. He knew she was afraid of what might happen, afraid of failure like he was. But in time she would build confidence in her talents as a chief of the Crowholde clan. He knew from first hand experience it was those closest to him that helped him through difficult times. It was a shared support of both leader and the led which benefited the whole group in the long run.

Leadership was something the Echani-offshoot had been hesitant about even as a teenager. It took bravery to put everything on the line, to face ones' own doubts and trust in the people around them to know what was right. For now, Kotii knew he was not worthy of such a position. He did not have the support of his people and the fear of repeating mistakes or making worse ones followed in his footsteps wherever he went.

Kotii Solus was glad to see a rising star, a light in the dark that was Reiel Crowholde. Hearing the woman's tone made the corners of his alabaster lips curved to smile and display a row of teeth whiter than his skin. Silently he took the datapad and committed the details to memory before handing it back.

The man's crimson irises paused in their reading as he heard the supportive words from Reiel. His eyes became unfocused as he thought about those who still put their faith in him. He had not earned it, not again, not yet. They'd be fools for following me.

At the very least the information told him there were like-minded Mandalorians that would at least potentially follow Hauron in Rancor Squadron or Reiel. In his mind, Kotii saw them following someone worthy. They did not need Kotii though. He was better off working alone where he could not harm those around him. The scores of brothers and sisters who were no longer with them were evidence of that.

"Thank you Reiel, I-" He began in basic but before he could finish she threw her arms around him and squeezed. Tense for a moment, the badger relaxed in the next and returned the hug. "Vor entye, vod'ika." In that moment he was glad to not be alone. The petite crow was one of the most reliable family members he had ever met. Even though they were of different clans she was his sister and he would go to hell and back for her.

After pulling away, he could not help but feel like switching fully to Mando'a. Their meeting felt like it was coming to an end and he did not want to take up more of Reiel's time. <"Hauron or I will probably be in touch in the next few days. You can always let me know if you need anything, anything at all.">

@Forsythe Crowholde