"Ruby sat quietly in the copilot's seat of her MU Class shuttle as her best friend and handmaiden, Tanni, landed her ship on Mandalore's moon. She hadn't been on Concordia since she was a girl, and it had been a long time since she'd seen her sister as well. Tanni placed a comforting hand around hers. Ruby hadn't even noticed that her own hands were shaking until they became stilled by Tanni's. "Everything okay?" She asked. Tanni was a blue Twi'lek that Ruby had known for most of her adult life. They had been through many adventures together, always keeping each other safe.
"Ruby took a breath, held it, and let it go slowly. "In her transmission, my sister said she wanted to apologize. I've dreamed of her saying something like that. Now, that the day is here, I'm not sure what to do."
"Tanni gave Ruby a small smile, "you can start by getting out of the ship." Ruby returned her smile. "And I'll be with you the whole time."
"Ruby stared out at the makeshift Mandalorian camp her sister had set up. A few rows of Mandalorians filed out of the tents in response to her ship landing. Her stomach twisted in knots. Her brow furrowed. She hated Mandalorians. All they cared about was killing. They were savage brutes. Life ruiners. And her sister was one of the worst. After Mandalore fell to ruin, she wouldn't give up hope. She kept fighting, promising her followers that Mandalore would be strong again under her rule. Maybe this trip, she could talk some sense into her sister. But she doubted it. Mandalorians were divided, splintered into so many different groups. Her sister couldn't unite them all, no one could.
"She didn't come to my wedding," Ruby sighed
"Maybe she didn't receive the invitation," Tanni offered an excuse. That was so like Tanni to try to see the best in people.
"No, she didn't approve. That's why she didn't come. She doesn't understand what I've have to go through to survive alone. Mandalorians are always there for each other. Until you stop playing by there rules. If you want to live your own life and be free, they completely abandon you." Ruby felt her throat close and the threat of tears behind her eyes.
"You've overcome so much, and I'm proud of you. Regardless of what happens with your sister.. that won't change how I feel about you." Tanni smiled. Ruby felt like having a good cry for an entirely different reason now.
"I'm proud of you too Tanni," she beamed, "we are survivors."
Ruby had a good life now, she didn't always, but now she had enough to make them both comfortable. She had worked hard for everything she had, sacrificed so much. She was ready to invite her sister back into her life if it meant they could live peacefully together once and for all.
"Ruby stood up, looked once more outside the ship, and had half a mind to turn back and forget this meeting. Tanni stood up and placed a hand on Ruby's shoulder. "Let's go back to the cabin and get you ready. Sometimes the right make up and proper accessories is all we need to build confidence."
Ruby nodded, feeling quite clammy. She walked to the back of the ship and sat down on a small bed. She let Tanni play with her long blonde hair, pulling it back into a teased pony tail with a pearl encrusted hair clip. Then she darkened her almond-shaped blue eyes, lining them in charcoal and purple shadow. "There," Tanni said, "now you look like a warrior too. Wait, I forgot the red lips!" Ruby smirked, she couldn't imagine doing this without Tanni.
Ruby let Tanni choose her outfit and jewelry. Something more fit and elegant then her traveling suit. She slipped a dress over her leggings. It was buttery soft and beautiful in a creamy yellow. Very expensive and luxurious fabric with two high slits on either leg revealing her purple leggings underneath. The sweetheart neckline had hand sewn gems and beading. She smiled thinking how she'd be the only one dressing for the occasion. Her sister and her sister's "friends" would all be in tactical gear and beskar.
"Tanni tied the sash in the back, accentuating her small waist. Then she clasped a thick pearl collar around her neck that matched her hair piece. Ruby slipped some simple black flats onto her feet.
"It might get cold, do you want your robe?" Tanni asked.
Ruby nodded, "yes, thank you Tanni." Tanni slipped Ruby's silk kimono around her shoulders. Suddenly there was a commotion, the girls turned at a loud banging on the side of their small ship. "My sister grows impatient," Ruby sighed.
"Let's not keep her waiting then," Tanni led the way, pushing a button on the side of the wall to open the door and another to let down the ramp.
When the door opened, they were greeted by a helmeted Mandalorian male and not Ruby's sister. Ruby masked her disappointment. She took another deep breath in and out. Tanni walked out of the ship first, followed by Ruby. She knew it was both for show and to give Ruby the confidence she needed to leave the ship. Wherever Tanni went, Ruby did and vise versa. Ruby took small steady steps, counting her steps seemed to be the only thing propelling her forward. One, Two, One, Two. She kept moving despite her feelings. Her instincts told her to run. Especially as Mandalorians filed in behind her, blocking her quick exit back into her ship. She made sure her internal battle with anxiety didn't show. That her fears stayed inside. Something she was well practiced at. She so badly wanted to see her sister again. Wanted her offer for peace to be genuine.
And there she was. Standing outside her tent, head to toe in armor. Always fighting something and someone. Please, Mother of Moons, don't let that someone be me, not today, Ruby thought. Ruby quickly examined the Mandalorians as she passed them. For the most part, no one in particular stood out. They all looked the same. Except for the one standing next to her sister wearing particularly shiny armor, who held a weapon Ruby recognized to be illegal.
When Ruby stood right in front of her sister, she finally took off her helmet. Ruby noted how tired her sister looked. Tanni spoke for Ruby, "you're speaking to Countess Ruby of House Sreethyn."
"Countess Ruby," her sister mused in a mocking tone, and a few chuckles were shared between helmeted faces. Ruby looked proud, unwavering, regardless of the rude welcome and snickers. Bo looked her up and down as if deciding how to feel about her presence, "you're looking… " Bo started but bit her lip. Realizing she had no pleasantries to spare.
Ruby inhaled sharply, it was going to be up to her to begin then. "Bo, your home is…" she winced trying to find anything nice at all to say about this hovel, "quaint." Ruby finally said gently. Bo sneered. Ruby wished she hadn't said anything at all. This was already going down hill, and quickly. Tanni gave Ruby a reassuring nod. Though Bo was her sister by blood, Tanni was her sister by every other meaning of the word.
"So, you go by House of Sreethyn now?" Bo's nose crinkled as though she smelled something bad. "Sreethyn? Really?"
"That is correct," Tanni said trying to save face, "she is the sole inheritor of the House of Sreethyn."
"Is that where she picked you up? From slavery?" Bo raised an eyebrow, the House of Sreethyn were known slavers. Ruby gasped highly offended by her comment, but Bo continued, "I mean, why else would someone want to hang around with you." Ruby's face started turning red.
"That is incorrect," Tanni said acting as a go-between, "Ruby is my very best friend and it's an honor to serve her and her house."
"I'm in her house," Bo said cocking her head, "her real house. The House of Kryze. Does that mean you serve me too?" Bo stared at Tanni, hungry.
"No," Ruby said sternly, "I denounced the House of Kryze."
"Hmm," Bo pretended to pout, "well as the head of our house I denounce your denounce."
Ruby sighed and cocked her head, Bo knew nothing of life outside of being a Mandalorian, and it was frustrating sure, but also.. sad. Ruby noticed the Mandalorian with the shiny armor and illegal weapon lean over to mutter, "this is going well," into Bo's ear. At least someone had enough common sense to see this for what it really was... a railspeeder wreck. Ruby wondered if he was Bo's boyfriend or if she and Koska had finally become an item. Or maybe Bo would die alone and unloved because that was the kind of horrible person she was, Ruby thought. No, everyone deserves to be happy, even her sister. Ruby tried to find herself again. Bo brought out the worst in Ruby, always.
Ruby glared at her sister, "I'm here because you told me you wanted to apologize. You're off to a pretty poor start." Ruby took the opportunity to glance over the shiny armored Mandalorian next to Bo. She nodded towards him, "do you really arm your men with disruptor rifles."
Bo raised an eyebrow at her little sister in amusement, "says the killer, known for poisoning her husband to steal his inheritance." Ruby could feel the heat coming from her cheeks, she knew Bo would use that against her.
"That, was never linked to me," Ruby ensured her. "Poison is one thing. The victim hardly feels it." She glared at the Mandalorian's helmet, "a disruptor rifle, now that's barbaric!"
Bo held open her tent with one hand and said in pretend pleasantries, "please sister, come in, we have much to discuss." Ruby hesitated. But what choice did she have? She was outnumbered. She could turn and run but knew she would be brought back straight away. Even if she had her own suit of armor, she wasn't getting out of here until she heard whatever Bo had to say. The Mandalorians could even follow her ship into space and shoot it down if they wanted.
Ruby bravely followed Bo inside. She immediately noticed two Mandalorians already inside and four more followed her in, including the barbaric one with the atom splitting disruptor rifle. She took of her robe, revealing her beautifully ornate dress, and she handed her robe to Tanni.
