Ask We're not Hiking

[Trael Osso]

Trael had a smile on his face as Azar gave his own greeting after being introduced. While Azar and Mama Dolce seemed to be getting chummy, a prospect that slightly worried Trael, he caught up with his ‘brothers’. “You got us in trouble Trael.” Alfio and Moré pouted, “If you just introduced him when we asked who he was this would’ve all been avoided.” Trael rolled his eyes as they complained, “I thought the younger siblings were supposed to respect the eldest?” He said curiously.

Victor shook his head as the other three argued over their punishments. “All of you messed up.” Victor said dismissively, “Besides, it’s the first time Trael has been home in a decade. Let’s actually get along for once.” He said to the group, all three of the others lowered their heads in shame. Trael looked over to Victor, “How’s your wife? You still refuse to tell me who it is beyond the fact I know her.” Trael asked, “You’re going to meet her so it doesn’t matter anymore. She’s doing great. Baby number two will be here soon.” Victor informed Trael. Trael’s face was of utter shock at the mention of a second child. He didn’t even know there was a first one. “When did you become a dad? Why didn’t you tell me?” Trael asked with genuine confusion, “Two years ago. I couldn’t get a hold of you to tell you.”

Mama Dolce gave Azar a soft smile as he praised Trael to her. Especially when he mentioned that she raised him well, “He listened well, but was the most difficult of them all.” She mused, “He was always getting into trouble. I think he felt since everyone viewed him as a monster he might as well be one.” She said with a solemn tone, “I’m just happy he found someone that he could let his walls down with. He’s never looked so at peace.” She stated smiling while looking at her three sons arguing over something. The sight took her back to when they were all teenagers, Trael would always convince the others to join him on an escapade of some sort. The younger boys were all too happy to follow him, and he made sure they made it back home for dinner.

The guys continued catching up. After a bit they started to get into a heated argument over who was the better child. Each one had their own opinion on why they were the best. Suddenly both Trael and Victor jumped up cursing. They ran over to Azar and Mama Dolce, they both gave Mama Dolce a peck on the cheek. “We have to go now if we’re to make it to the festival. If not we’ll be walking an hour just to get there.” Trael said with an urgency as he remembered how packed it was when he was younger. He grabbed Azar by the hand, “I’m sorry we’ll visit her house later if you want but we have to leave.” He said to Azar as he gently pulled him to leave.

Trael opened the door of the speeder for Azar to get in as Victor got it fired up and ready to go. Trael climbed in after Azar and Victor punched it as much as he could without getting in trouble. With a decent drive through the city Victor turned the radio on. Him and Trael both immediately gasped as the song began playing. The both of them singing along as they drove through the city.

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

“But honeeyyyy,” Azar whined as Trael pulled him away, “Mama Dolce was just about to tell me about her most scandalous affair..” He complained with a pout, clearly having been in the middle of some gossip that would make Trael want to jump off a cliff. In the end, he sighed and waved goodbye, letting his boyfriend lead him back to the speeder.

Azar delayed by asking to stop at every scenic outlook to use the coin operated binoculars before Victor and Trael likely made a silent agreement not to take the scenic route anymore. After a bit of driving, Azar was surprised to hear Trael break out into song. The Pureblood never heard Trael sing beyond the rather grim song he sang on the mountain.

“The Imperial rebellion song, eh?” Azar mused with a teasing grin. It became the song to celebrate the Empire expelling the Sith. It was a song that would see Trael beheaded if he sang it around members of the Sith Order. It meant little to Azar since he wasn’t with the Sith during that time, but he found it amusing nonetheless.

Eventually they arrived at the festival and it was a sight to behold. There were countless stalls, live music, balloons, floating lanterns and Consortium banners everywhere. Children were blowing bubbles and there was a parade passing by.

Looming in the backdrop was the palace of the Queen above which fireworks and drone shows were happening. It was all breathtaking to behold and Azar had never seen anything like it. The Pureblood excitedly stepped out, grasping Trael’s hand as they walked.

The crowds began to gather by the parade and Azar strained to see anything. He hopped up and down a few times, “I can hardly see!” He complained before glancing up at his very tall boyfriend that could see every detail without an issue. Azar simply resorted to pouting grumpily as he tried to see the floats. He knew better than to use the Force even subtly to get people out of the way on an ISC planet.

Eventually the crowds began to go wild because a float supposedly had the President on it. There was a small battalion of Blackwell droids that led the float, scanning through the crowds with their HUD for any weapons or explosives. The float trailed after that and Azar could make out the titanic form of Emryc Thorne. He looked like a god among mortals even seated with his icy, silver stare and calm, aloof bearing as he sat in stony silence and waved in a polite, dignified way. However, next to him his husband Jaikus was the life of the float. The man eagerly and happily waved with both hands and tossed out flowers. He cheered and greeted the crowds, the personality contrast between the two night and day.

“They kind of remind me of us,” Azar remarked with a giggle, glancing up at his boyfriend that had the tendency to be rather reserved. Even though he couldn’t see properly, he was happy. He leaned his head against Trael’s bicep, listening to the crowds go absolutely nuts at spotting Emryc Thorne and the music and dancing that took place everywhere.

@Javier esschoolbus

 

[Trael Osso]

Trael and Victor both were ecstatic that they arrived now rather than later to get Azar. They both visibly shuttered at the information that Azar was about to receive. Then on the trip to the parade Azar stopped at every. single. scenic outlook they came across. At one point they stopped every few seconds for him to look out at the coin binoculars only a few feet away. After about fifteen minutes straight of stopping the two men had made a silent vow to take the quick route the rest of the way.

The two men were singing together when Azar pointed out it was the imperial rebellion song. Victor gave Trael a concerned look, he was unsure of how to act. “Every Nabooian is raised against oppression. We’ve got local songs that aren’t popular outside of Naboo that are similar to this one.” Trael pointed out, there were numerous local songs that originated from when the Trade Federation had taken control of the planet. Few if any made it to the radio. Trael looked to Victor, “Let’s sing Fischia on the way back.” He said knowing Victor would get it. The other Nabooian seemed to perk up at the prospect.

When they got to the festival Trael was amazed. He had been to them a few times as a child, it was just as amazing as he remembered it back then. He walked with Azar holding his hand as he was taken back to his childhood. Running through the street with his dad in tow trying to win every game. Then him and his adopted brothers, trying to sneak the prizes out as the stall owners were distracted. It was a simpler time. When his only worry was escaping the ire of Mama Dolce and her wooden spoon.

They got to the parade and Trael had once again transported to his childhood. Him and Victor had talked their way onto a float one year, the look on the other’s faces was priceless. He remembered the two of them having a blast waving and throwing wreaths. They even had a mock wrestling match at one point to try and show off for some girls. Those were the early years of his acolyteship. Before he was taken away from Naboo and had refused to come back. Trael was so lost in memory lane he didn’t even register Azar’s complaint, or the initial cheering of the arrival of the Thorne’s float. Someone had whistled in his ear bringing him back to reality, he was able to see the couple as they were passing.

He glanced down as Azar mentioned their similarities with the differing personalities of Emryc and Jaikus, “I think you’d have to become half giant to be like Emryc.” He said with a teasing smile. He stood there gazing down at Azar with a smile as he leaned against his shoulder. He had been wanting to return to Naboo ever since he’d gotten out of prison, but he had waited till he could bring Azar with him. He had told the Pureblood he would witness every chapter of his future, and this was one of them.

He stood there happily for a few moments, allowing the roaring crowd and music to drift away. None of it mattered compared to the person leaning against him. After a minute or so he nudged Azar very delicately, “Let’s go have some of the local deserts.” He said knowing Azar’s passion above all else was food. Once Azar agreed he’d lead him through the crowds, passing a row of food stalls till he eventually stopped at one. “This is gelato. It’s a frozen cream of various flavors.” He explained pointing to the board with the various flavors. Trael ordered the gelato for both of them, getting himself a lemon flavored one. He took a scoop of it and let out a satisfied groan. “What do you think?” He asked with a hint of excitement.

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar scrunched up his face at Trael’s response, “You think I was comparing myself..to Emryc?” He asked as he looked up at his boyfriend only to catch the smile. The Pureblood huffed and rolled his eyes, lightly shoving Trael, “For what it’s worth, I think you’re more handsome than him,” He said as he smiled up at Trael. He did, after all, have the beard going for him.

He nodded when Trael stepped away and led him towards the various food stalls. Azar looked around all over the place like a little kid, entirely thrilled by all the music and action going on. People were releasing lanterns into the sky after writing little messages into them. Azar tugged on Trael’s arm, “I want to do that at some point!” He pointed excitedly at the lanterns drifting off serenely into the night.

The Pureblood had sampled ice cream only a handful of times and finally learned to eat it without inducing a brain freeze. He ordered himself a chocolate hazelnut combination, taking bite and practically moaning in pleasure, “Oh my goddssss,” Azar exclaimed, scooping some more into his mouth, “What ethereal nectar of the divine is this…” He blurted as he savored every bite, never having had ‘ice cream’ of this perfect consistency.

“Honey, I must export shipments of this to Korriban,” Azar said suddenly, looking over at the random, pimply teenager that was working the gelato stall and scrolling TokTik videos on his EZPhone. His nametag said 'Bert', “Should I walk over and negotiate a planetary trade agreement with Delegate Bert?” He pointed, entirely serious.

@Javier esschoolbus

 

[Trael Osso]

Trael couldn’t help the wide grin that formed as realization seemed to strike Azar. Azar gave him a light shove though it barely moved the man. He was taken off guard by Azar’s comment on him being more handsome, “Am I?” He asked, “I don’t think anyone looks as beautiful as you do.” He said as he pulled him towards the food.

Trael didn’t notice the laterns at first, being too occupied with finding the right stall. He looked over when Azar pointed them out, stopping to watch them float into the sky, “They do a large send off just before the fireworks. We can get us two and let them free then.” He said to Azar, “Unless you want to do it sooner?” He asked, wanting to take Azar’s wants into account. He lingered for a second, to allow Azar to answer before continuing on.

He watched with curiosity as Azar ate the gelato. He wasn’t sure if Azar had ever had any or if he had something similar like ice cream. Would he even like it? Would the cold throw him off? Azar’s moan answered all his questions, causing him to let out a sigh of relief. He chuckled as Azar questioned what kind of divine nectar it was, “It’s a local dessert. It is quite good.” He said, taking another scoop. Sadly he almost choked on that scoop having to spit it out and onto the ground. Did he just hear Azar right? His gaze followed where Azar was pointing, it was the pimply teen watching over the stall. Trael blinked in disbelief, “He’s just a worker, babe. Like a store clerk. If you want we could find someone who could make it.” He said rubbing his temples, hoping to spare the poor kid from Azar’s theatrics.

While they were having their gelato debacle Victor returned, with his family in tow. “Hey! Trael and Azar!” He called out, waving to the two. Trael turned to see him and his wife his eyes went wide, “You married Isabel?” He asked in disbelief, “So it wasn’t just idle talk.” He said with a chuckle, “Azar this is Isabel, a girl Victor has been in love with since we were kids. Isabel this is Azar my boyfriend.” He introduced Azar and used the opportunity to tease Victor a bit. Isabel had a surprised expression, “I never knew you like men.” She blurted out. That’s when a little boy peaked from behind Isabel, he stared at Trael in wonder at what looked like a giant to him. “Are you the one my daddy says can use magic?” He asked shyly.

Trael crouched down to look at the child, “Magic is too dangerous to use in the festival. I’ll have to show you another time.” He said with a smile, to his surprise the boy started to cry. “I want to see magic now!” He said with a stomp, “Do the magic!” He cried out. Trael just looked up at Victor, his friend trying to calm down the child’s tantrum to no avail.

@Sreeya