Ask Like Old Times

[Emryc Thorne]

It had taken him a while to do the calculations just right, but he finally found himself in the system where he guessed the Killik to originate. Ancient texts called it the Yoggoy system. He didn’t park down on the main planet, as that could set off a galactic chain reaction. Instead he landed on the temperate moon, a planet that had a breathable surface. The air was thin, so they would have to take breaths of oxygen now and then. The gravity was also higher than normal, but Emryc did gravity training for his regular fitness routines. Jaikus, however, would probably have a tough time.

It had been years since the two of them got away to embark on an adventure. The arrival of the twins, his work and Jaikus’ company taking off had them all wrapped up and busy. The years flew by without either of them noticing. With the kids out of the house and the war temporarily at an impasse since Warmaster Din kicked out the Sith, Emryc took the opportunity to get away with his husband.

He stepped off the ramp without issue, though he was subtly aware of the gravity pull. His entire body felt slightly heavier as it did during his workouts. Emryc glanced over at Jaikus, drawing up his portable mask and taking a deep breath before speaking, “You’re not going to take forever to walk, are you?” He asked, already concerned. He checked his sporty chrono. If their hike took all day because Jaikus didn’t want to deal with high gravity, he was going to get right back on that ship.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

It was no secret that Jaikus had been eagerly anticipating their journey to Yoggoy for weeks. Hours of research and study had gone into locating the system and scouring all the information they had about it, even if the Axxilan would sooner die than give Emryc the satisfaction of admitting that some of the ancient hieroglyphs and pictures depicted structures.. Near identical to the ones that had sparked their decades-long debate.

It was bound to be an adventure filled with hiking and rough terrain, but it did little to dampen the glint in Jaikus’ eyes. It had been years since the pair of them were able to escape on an adventure of their own, just as they’d done numerous times throughout their relationship. It was always maddeningly busy schedules or their duties as President and First Gentleman that stifled any opportunity to truly get away, or the many years that Jayna and Ezra had been in their lives every single day. But with their son busy as a Jedi, their daughter close to graduation in Theed, and the war scaling down - there was finally close to a week they could slip away for just themselves.

Jaikus wasn’t far behind Emryc - stepping down the ramp of Ship and towards the verdant ground. Naturally, the Axxilan was dressed to impress rather than go function, sporting a black button-down with light colored, tight pants. His wrists were adorned with a chrono and that very same gold bracelet, while his black hair was straightened and combed neatly into place. After two decades of marriage, Jaikus had picked up some habits from his husband - and tempered his style with sporty, black shoes designed for hiking.

Slung over his shoulder was his usual pack filled with supplies - more than they’d need for the adventure. It was a trait that dated back to the beginning of their relationship, persisted through the years and was thankfully - at least in Jaikus’ eyes - inherited by their son.

As he stepped out onto the verdant moon, Jaikus held the extra gravity that pressed down upon him - affecting the Axxilan at once. Since leaving the Sith, he’d incorporated a combination of Vinyasa and traditional Force-based exercises to maintain his balance, flexibility and overall keep himself in great shape. None of that, however, prepared him for the heavy gravity that was going to make the hike grueling. He took a long draw from his breathing mask before glancing over to Emryc.

“Well,” Jaikus glanced up at his husband, flashing the half-Sephi one of his characteristic smirks. “Even if I do, you’ve never had a problem carrying me around when the situation called for it.” He quipped in a playful tone, knowing full well the implication.

As he glanced ahead, Jaikus took a moment to appreciate the absolutely stunning landscape all around them - giving him a brief bit of pause before looking over to Emryc. Native herbivores grazed in the fields ahead, towering over them as giant creatures. He still had vivid memories - happy memories - of that adventure on Mr. Goat’s planet, and he was genuinely happy to have another adventure with the man he loved.

“Fortunately, I’m fairly positive goats aren’t native to the system - so we’re safe on that front.” He tugged the pack a bit higher on his shoulders, and jutted his chin for Emryc to snag the map sticking out of the pouch as he walked. “Shall we?”

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc made a show of doing a double take as he looked at Jaikus, “You are letting me take the map?” He asked, genuinely surprised. Jaikus always bragged about his navigational skills, always used the map, always got them lost and Emryc patiently got them back on track every time. He took the map and looked it over, making some mental calculations.

He cast a brief glance at the giant beasts wandering around, clearly uninterested. He didn’t like animals, and even exotic and strange ones didn’t impress him. Emryc wasn’t sure about all the plants around them either. A few steps in and he began to sneeze, wiping his nose and looking entirely displeased. Emryc stopped Jaikus and looked at a specific compartment, spotting the allergy meds that his husband always knew to pack for every scenario. A few spritz and he was back to normal.

He began to lead the way towards a trail, stopping every now and then to inspect the different types of flora. The entire planet was alive with moving plants, vines twisting and churning. It was unlike anything he had ever seen.

“We’re looking for signs of nests or colonies,” He explained as they walked, “They should all be empty unless they leave their eggs here and go back to the main planet,” That was a horrific thought, but it could help them understand the Killik better.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus glanced back over his shoulder when Emryc made a show of taking the map - flashing his husband an entirely unamused expression out of the corner of his eye. On quite literally dozens of adventures, the Axxilan had insisted on taking the map and leading the way - regardless of where it took them. He had no doubt Emryc would be all-too-pleased to guide their direction across the Kilik homeworld.

“I will remind you of this moment when you inevitably get us knee-deep in bullshit.” He said with the hint of a shit-eating grin. In reality, Jaikus knew how unlikely that was. For all the ways that he was impulsive and directionally challenged, Emryc was meticulous with every step of their journey.

All the same, the half-Sephi had effectively volunteered himself to take blame for any misfortune that befell them along the path. Map-holder and all.

As they hiked, the Axxilan allowed his gaze to linger on the exotic creatures all around them - far more interested then his husband. A childhood spent on Axxila left Jaikus with little experience with the great outdoors, and it never quite lost its effect, commanding his interest even throughout all their journeys together. He smirked a bit to himself, nudging Emryc as they hiked. “Think that one likes you,” He commented, gesturing to one grazing animal in particular. It had glanced up from the grasses to stare at the half-Sephi in particular, dull and wide eyes unmoving as it continued to slowly chew. They were likely the only non-Kilik sentients the flora seen in decades. “Certainly makes two of us.”

He paused only when Emryc reached for the allergy medication that was tucked into his pack, glancing back at his husband. “Eye-drops are in the left compartment.” He said, knowing full-well that the half-Sephi’s eyes were likely to get dry and itchy before long, especially with the contacts he wore.

Jaikus made a deliberate point to keep pace with Emryc to the best of his ability - despite the sweat that began to form on his brow. The Axxilan ran a hand through his straightened hair every so often, keeping it styled into place as they hiked. At some point when Emryc slowed to look at the map, Jaikus paused to catch his breath - suspiciously eyeing the moving plant life all around them. Giant pitcher plants grew nearby, twitching and almost breathing of their own accord.

He glanced up when Emryc mentioned their objective. “Archives from the Royal Alderaanian Institute indicates that structures like those in the Castle Lands contained chambers and incubation grottoes for eggs and larvae.” He said while starting to walk, his brows knitting together in thought. “Combined with the underground tunneling we’ve seen during hive attacks.. I’d guess that their hive structure is largely subterranean. I say we turn towards higher elevation - hillsides and mountainous terrain where caverns are more likely. Find an opening or create one surgically.” It was the perfect combination of intellectual hypothesis and talking entirely out of his ass, as he ignored the map and proposed their direction.

As he spoke, Jaikus pay little attention to the plant life that seemed to… Watch them. Vines and carnivorous plants shifted ever-so-slightly in the direction of movement, almost stalking their footsteps, as the vegetation began to grow a touch more dense. Centuries had passed since sentients had passed through the wilderness, drawing its collective consciousness.

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc didn’t even look over when Jaikus remarked that one of the animals was eying him. In his experience, the less eye contact with local animals the better. If anything irritated him, Emryc’s solution was to simply put it down and then potentially deal with a pouty Jaikus. Pretending it didn’t exist was the safer option.

When Jaikus suggested going to higher ground, Emryc gave him a skeptical look, “Why? The bases of these mountains are just as likely to contain pockets,” He said, “Besides, I will have to end up carrying you if we have to do a hike on this planet,” Emryc said dryly. The gravity was taxing even for him and Jaikus certainly didn’t keep intense fitness as a priority above everything else these days. If Emryc wasn’t still leading the Thorne routine, he would be out of it too.

Despite the plants and animals eyeing them, Emryc felt at ease alone here with Jaikus. There was no one listening that could do anything with the information or recognize them here, “What do you think of the boy and being a Jedi?” He asked suddenly, betraying that it had been lingering on his mind, “He’s being taught the limited way,” Emryc said with distaste bleeding into his tone.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus couldn’t help but squint - watching some of the local flora around him. There was a sentience and feeling that everything around them was alive, way more than he experienced on other planets. It all felt connected in a way that he couldn’t explain, and would likely prompt further examination later. For now, however, the Axxilan reined in any desire to poke or prod the wildlife.

Instead, the Axxilan glanced over when his husband suggested sticking to the lower foothills - once again mentioning the amount of hiking that would be involved with reaching higher elevation. His eyes narrowed at once with his hypothesis being challenged, arms crossing over his chest. “Higher elevations have a higher chance of natural crags and canyons - where water would have settled and opened an entrance.” He grumbled to himself, knowing full well that Emryc would be able to hear. Of course, Jaikus couldn’t help but continue to consider his husbands words and options - mulling them over in his mind. One question stuck out in particular that left the Axxilan with a complicated look on his face.

Does he really think I’m that out of shape?

He blinked to himself, squinting a bit. Raising children, diplomatic endeavors and corporate leadership had certainly absorbed the majority of time these days - and made fitness less of a priority, even if he’d maintained vid physique.

Am I that out of shape?

There was a solid minute of Jaikus considering his own cardio and gauging his endurance - weighing it against the several mile incline they were about to undertake. Coupled with the unique gravity of the planet, Jaikus knew that it would be.. Challenging, to say the least. None of that completely stifled his desire to do it anyway - particularly to prove a point - and likely keel over half way up the mountain. Perhaps the most important note of all came last on his minute.

If Emryc doesn’t want to hike that far up..

Considering his husband's own love of hiking and fitness, that alone spoke volumes. After a moment, he took a breath. “I suppose we can search the lower hills first..” He said, nodding in agreement with his husband - thus sparing them - without actually admitting that hiking was a bad idea in general.

After a while, Jaikus reached into his pack - grabbing out a bottle of iced tea for both himself and Emryc. It was an citrus and herbal blend that had been chilled without sweeteners, one of the few things he knew that his husband would approve of on a hike to drink. He extended a bottle over when the question came, immediately giving the Axxilan a bit of pause.

It was something that had wrecked his brain for months at this point - obvious in all the moments that the normally laid-back Axxilan seemed stressed throughout the day. His family was one of the few things that could truly get under his skin, and the wellfare of his son was never far from his mind. Perhaps better than his own children, The Axxilan knew that Emryc cared far more than he ever let on - though the confirmation that he’d been thinking about the decision still brought a small smile to Jaikus’ lips. Without a word, the Axxilan reached over as they walked - gently combing a strand of Emryc’s hair back into place with his fingers.

After a moment, Jaikus exhaled through his nostrils - glancing over to Emryc. “I’m not happy about it,” He began, revealing that the Axxilan shared the same distaste that the half-Sephi had. Even if he’d left the Order and never participated in some of its most ruthless actions, Jaikus had strong opinions on how the Force ought to be taught and utilized. “He is being taught to limit himself and will become more attached to the Order itself as time passes.” Slowly but surely, they would become friends and family to Ezra. He would defend them - even when it went against his best interest. It had a potential risk to put him at odds with his family and the Consortium and it was a concept that made Jaikus thoroughly uncomfortable.

“But I don’t know what other options there are.” He sighed. “Association with the Sith is out of the question. Proper way or not.. He’d always be in danger. By virtue of the Order and because of who he is.” Jaikus looked ahead for a moment. “Remaining completely untrained was never an option.” Both of them were Force Sensitive and relished in their abilities. The idea of simply neglecting the gift - allowing it to weaken and fade - was anathema to them both. “I had hoped he would be like Jayna.” Jaikus muttered to himself.

There was a long pause before Jaikus glanced back to his husband, considering his words for a moment. “Em.. Do you think we made a mistake - by keeping our abilities from them?” He asked finally, broaching a topic that had almost certainly been on both of their minds. “Our son will forever believe that we don’t understand his abilities - that we can’t help him.” The Axxilan chewed the inside of his cheek. “We could have trained him ourselves.”

@Sreeya