Time seemed to blur passed the lot and before Riyo knew it she was standing in front of a shuttle. Her beloved friends scurrying to and fro to throw whatever necessary cargo they needed for the trip.
"Well come on! Get a move on, birthday girl!" Sabé practically shouted as she ran onto the ship, with Ruby and Dia giggling in toe.
"I'm waiting for Padme!" Riyo laughed heartily.
"There's no need for that," Padme glided up behind Riyo, "Anakin and I will be taking our own transport, dear."
"Oh, there's more than enough room for all of us," Riyo frowned, not wanting to take away a beloved friends' merriment. "Please, come with us. I don't mind. It'll take the focus off of me."
Anakin's chuckle filled the air, "Nice try, Birthday Girl. Padme wouldn't dare take away from anyone's birthday. It's kind of her thing."
"True and be nice," Padme chided. "Riyo's just not one for attention. She never has been."
"And yet the first thing you thought of for your career path was: Galactic Senator?" Anakin teased donning his wicked grin.
"That's what I said," Fox walked towards the others. "Feels a bit counter productive, if you ask me."
"Oh you two stop!" Padmé swatted at Anakin. "I have the right mind to dump all of you men into one ship and take the girls in my transport."
Anakin pouted and pulled Padmé in for a kiss, "You know you love me."
"I don't know," Riyo wrinkled her nose at Fox and smirked. "I'm pretty sure disrespecting your senators is enough grounds for punishment."
"Quite the enforcer, my lady," Fox's eyes gleamed with amusement.
Riyo's brow raised as her eyes twinkled and the corner of her mouth began to break into a playful smile. "I am multi-talented, Commander. Senator Amidala, would you agree that a punishment for impertinence should be in the works?"
Padmé pushed Anakin away, jabbing him playfully in the ribs, breaking the kiss, "Absolutely, Senator Chuchi. We should put it to a vote."
"What are we voting on?" Sabé called out from the ship, leaning out of the panel window.
"Feel free to mind your business,Tsabin.." Anakin glared back at Sabé with an annoyed grimace.
"Feel free to breathe at any other pace besides VEXED HISSES, Sand-ikan. You talk so loud I could have shot a blaster bolt at you in the dark, with a blindfold, walking backwards," Sabe spat.
"Well you know what—" Anakin broke out into sprint up the ship ramp.
"Come on then, wizard!" Sabe paced down to meet the infuriated Jedi knight.
"Now that's enough from the both of you!" Padmé tried intervening but couldn't quite keep up with Anakin's stride.
Before the two met on the ramp, a figure leapt down between them, startling them enough to make them both pause. Anakin had his hand on his lightsaber hilt but quickly began rolling his eyes as he noticed who it was.
"Hello there," Obi-Wan said with a stern but amused smile. "The ship hasn't left the ground yet and you two are already berating each other?"
Another figure dropped down onto the ramp beside Obi-Wan.
"Are you really that shocked, Master Kenobi?" Ahsoka giggled as she stood erect, "Looks like Rex won that bet."
"What bet!?" Sabé folded her arms, frowning.
"He knew you two wouldn't last before take-off," Ahsoka chuckled and called aloud, "Looks like I owe you credits, Blondie."
Walking onto the platform, came Rex with a triumphant expression. "Good, I could use some credits for a rainy day. Did I hear we're voting on something?" Rex walked up with Ahsoka and the rest of the Guard. Riyo leaped for joy.
"AHSOKA!" She ran with her arms open wide.
"It's wonderful to see you, my friend!" Ahsoka embraced her tightly; giving her a good squeeze. The two were long time friends having been only youths when first meeting but ever inseparable no matter their stations or duties.
Breaking the embrace, Ahsoka held Riyo's hands tightly "Padme's told me you've met someone," she whispered, absolutely beaming. "Well out with it!"
Riyo's cheeks got warm, "There's nothing to really divulge, my dear. It's still rather new. We're just—"
Ahsoka followed Riyo's wandering eyes and she gasped as she saw Fox returning a subtle but ever doting smirk. The infamously stoic and serious Commander was so much softer when Riyo was nearby. Ahsoka couldn't help but gawk with a goofy sneer, "By the Force, he LIKES you!"
Riyo couldn't help but giggle, "Well I would hope so or this would be rather awkward, wouldn't it?"
The two friends tarried to the ship and once Padme and Obi-Wan settled the warrings of Sabé and Anakin, everyone had filed in. Fives ran up the ramp mere seconds before the shuttle was closing. Thorn was able to catch him in time so he didn't trip and fall off the departing ship.
"What is it with you 501st boys? Fox would have our heads if we were late for anything," Thorn teased, tussling Fives hair before he swatted his hand away.
"Oh trust me, we know," Fives shot back. "I arrive precisely when I mean to, thank you very much. No party starts without me. Everyone knows that!" Fives throws down his pack and pulls out a whole bottle of ale and some disposable caf cups.
"Where'd you get that!?" Rex demanded.
"Rayfe lent it to me!" Fives chuckled. "It was a gift of amends after this lot," Fives pointed at Sabé and the girls— "Ran me ragged that night at the cantina."
Sabé fixed her stare on the trooper, unamused. "Ah yes, when you screamed like a high pitched Shyrro bird after I threw you in the fountain? THAT night?"
"Hold on," Rex's eyes went wide and his smile grew big. "She threw you?"
Stone tried stifling his loud guffaw but to no avail. He answered delightfully, "She sure did!"
The whole ship erupted into a roar of laughs.
The journey was smooth.
Riyo and the girls caught Ahsoka up on all of the current events concerning her and Fox. Sabé smirked with such fiendish accomplishment every time Ahsoka asked for little details here and there. "Let's just say, I had an enormous influence upon this blessed union to take place. Thire can vouch for me."
To which Thire turned from his brother's and rolled his eyes, "Yeah alright, Tsabin."
"Hey! Don't call me that!" Sabé glared.
Thire made a snide expression, "Unggh what are you gonna do about it?"
Before the two could impart on their nagging, Ahsoka chirped softly, "I've never seen Fox so smitten before."
Dia twiddled with her lekku as she giggled, "I know right? Eeep! It's so unlike him!"
Ruby nodded in agreement, "It sure is. It's been a good while since the Commander took a liking to anyone since—Well since you know."
"What?" Riyo asked.
Dia shot Ruby a warning glance, "Ruby…"
Ruby shrugged, "She's gonna find out eventually D. It doesn't make sense to keep it a secret."
"Am I missing something?" Riyo asked in more curiosity than nervousness.
"Well— Look, sweetie. I like you. We don't know each other all too well but I got a good feeling about you. Especially with the impression you've left on our Foxy. You're a good one and I think it's only right you know this."
"It's not our place to say, Red. If Fox finds out—" Dia whispered anxiously.
"Well I don't plan on telling him," Ruby eyed Dia until her worried gaze fell. "It's no mystery Fox is a bit of a stick in the mud. The man's a fossil."
Riyo began to giggle, "I suppose so. His serious nature is quite severe at times."
Ruby took a sip of ale, "Oh absolutely. The man could put info droids to shame with how uptight he is."
Sabé nearly choked on her drink from laughing.
"Anyways, with all things considered, he never was one to go out and find fun for himself. Mind you, he knew me and my girls from the local cantina's but don't you worry honey, strictly guard duties," she winked at Riyo. Riyo felt herself blush.
"Any time me and my girls got in a bind with some regular's or a band of rakes from the outer rim Fox was the first one's to settle that noise. He always takes care of us."
Dia nodded in agreement, "He's so good to us."
"But I always caught myself wonderin' if he ever had someone, ya know? Kinda like what me and Hound got." Riyo noticed Ruby's eyes sparkle stealing a glance at Hound. He winked back at her and continued talking loudly with his brothers as Fives went into another tall tale about him and Rex's adventures on the battlefield.
"Something like you and Fives as well, Dia?" Riyo asked sweetly.
Dia's eyes went wide and she began to giggle, "Oh doll, me and Fives aren't anything."
"Oh, I'm so sorry for assuming—"
"No worries! We've always been good friends. Fives ain't really my type."
At the mention of his name, Fives popped his head up, "Hey! Are you harpies gossiping about me!?"
"Yeah! Dia said you're not her type!" Ahsoka yelled obnoxiously and snorted.
The ship roared with laughter once again.
"Well why don't you ask Dia who her type is then," Fives pouted, pettiness in his tone.
Dia's shoulders straightened as she raised her nose in defiance, "There ain't nothin' wrong with my type of fella, thank you very much."
Ruby smiled, "You boys aren't gonna like this answer."
"Well now I'm curious," Thire inquired.
"Likewise," Thorn grinned.
The corner of Dia's mouth curved into a mischievous grin, "I like them tall and beastly."
Sabé, once again, gurgled her drink before her reaction came out in a squeak, "NOT SANTY!"
Dia's smile brightened, "Of course, Santy."
"Dia—A WOOKIE!?" The troopers seemed to screech.
"I know," Dia's gaze wandered as she heaved a heavy sigh. "They're so handsome, aren't they?"
"REALLY!?" Rex cackled in amusement.
The crowd of friends began to roar. Ruby leaned towards Riyo and placed her hand atop of hers. "Anyways, as I was sayin'.. Turns out Foxy did have his eyes on somebody. They were together for a good while but the broad, one day, was nowhere to be found."
Riyo's eyes widened, "She.. left?"
Ruby nodded, "Just hightailed right outta the picture, no holomessage or anything. Broke Foxy's little heart, it did."
Riyo's eyes saw Fox standing aside Rex. Even as everyone grew louder, he was more composed, his eyes always scanning the room, never resting on one thing.
"She brought out the worst in him in my opinion. Fox was less kind when she was around, a little less caring. Some might say reckless. Nearly tore Fox, Thorn and Thire apart. The girl was just bad news. Even though it wrecked him for a little while, I think he was better off without her. That's how I knew you were a good one, Miss Senator."
"Oh.. I don't know about that— " Riyo twiddled her hands.
"No, it's true. I swear the first time Foxy met you something in his eyes shined a little more. He was soft again.. Well— As soft as Fox can get, ya know? He's still Fox." Ruby made a face that made Riyo giggle. The two downed the rest of their ales and joined the others conversation. Fox found his gaze rest on Riyo. She wrinkled her nose and shot him a sweet smile. He mouthed the words:
You okay?
Riyo nodded happily.
Fox's smile deepened as he winked at her, taking another sip of his drink.
Dank farrik, Riyo thought as she felt her heart skip a beat at that smile.
The ship had finally touched down on the planet of Endor.
The shuttle opened and all of the troopers stopped to take a deep breath in. All of them lost in a quiet moment of bliss, looking out at the horizon of the plush, green planet.
Until Sabé grumbled, breaking the silence. "I don't see why we couldn't just stay on Coruscant. There are plenty of good spots to celebrate Riyo's birthday."
"Oh quit your whingin'," Thire nudged her shoulder playfully. "Besides, our pal D'Veena has always set us soldiers up nicely in her place. The tavern is the only pearl on this heap of green rock."
"My point exactly," Sabe nudged Thire back. "Could we have gone somewhere with less dirt?"
"It's beautiful," Riyo walked past the troopers and gazed out at the vast stretch of misty forests. The landscape took her breath away as she stared at the outstretch of trees and mountains. She could feel the heartbeat of the planet itself vibrating beneath her feet. She closed her eyes and listened to the stillness. Everything was peaceful.
She could feel Fox's shoulder grazing hers.
"Taking it all in, I see," he said thoughtfully, almost whispering so he didn't distrupt her.
"I've only read about this place for so long. It's strange being here now," Riyo smiled. "Strange and wonderful, Commander."
"Two words that often contradict one another, Senator" Fox said thoughtfully as if trying to solve a puzzle.
"I find that sometimes even things that seem opposite and at odds can find a way to tether to one another," Riyo opened her eyes and turned to Fox, looking up at him. "Would you agree?"
Fox's heart pounded heavily in his chest looking down at her. I want to kiss her, he shook the thought away trying to concentrate on answering the question. Riyo seemed to notice him blushing and her smile got big; wrinkling the corners of her eyes as she giggled.
She's going to be the death of me, his mind echoed.