3rd person POV...
While Jarik and Ahsoka were both mourning over the loss of Vifi to the dark side, Mars had taken Hiccup, Astrid and Zenna on a brief tour of their own ship, showing them around. It was also a way to try and keep them out of trouble, particularly Zenna.
Of course, R5 still wasn't pleased at the sight of the dragon, and neither was Zenna at the sight of R5. Mara had to pull Zenna away from the droid, who brandished an electric prod in warning before rolling away with an irritated grumble. Hiccup and Astrid still couldn't get used to the idea of droids.
"Those things are weird..." Astrid said quietly.
"Don't let R5 hear you say that. He has a temper," Mara commented.
"Didn't you say astro... mikes-?"
"Mechs," she corrected.
"-mechs, didn't you say they were just machines and weren't alive?" Hiccup asks in confusion.
"Yeah they aren't alive," Mara agreed. "Droids don't have souls and are not living beings like us, but with enough programming and time they can gain a personality. Best way to describe it is how you guys used to feel about dragons," she said.
They both nodded in understanding. "Okay, that makes a little bit more sense," Astrid says.
Zenna chirped up at Mara for what seemed to be the millionth time that day, and she sighed. "You are such a handful," she muttered.
"You have no idea," Hiccup replied in exasperation.
"Oh I might," Mara argued back.
They decided to head to Mara's room on the ship, passing by Jarik and Ahsoka's room along the way. Mara stopped briefly at the closed door, able to sense sadness and grief from them. She couldn't help but worry immensely for their well being.
"You alright?" Astrid asked.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine. It's Mom and Dad I'm worried about," she replied.
The two Vikings furrowed their brow before realizing. "Oh right, Force sense," Hiccup muttered. "What's wrong with them?"
"Something about the Inquisitors backthere really upset them, I don't know." Mara replied sadly. "But they'll probably talk about it later."
Entering Mara's room, the Vikings glanced around while Mara flopped onto the bed, Zenna investigating things curiously.
"This your bed?" Astrid asked.
"What do you think genius?" Mara replied with an amused grin.
Astrid glances away sheepishly before feeling the material. "It's so soft..." she murmured.
"I don't think I've ever seen stuff like this," Hiccup added in wonder.
"Are wooden boards really all you use as a bed?" Mara questioned with a raised eyebrow. "No mattress, no blanket, no nothing?"
"Just a pillow really," Astrid responded, pressing the mattress with her hands. "I'm kinda jealous."
Mara snorted in amusement. "No wonder you Vikings have such a temper. I'd be the same if I had to sleep on wood every night."
Hiccup and Astrid both snickered in amusement, not able to argue with that. Just then, Boil appeared at the doorway, leaning against it with an inquisitive look.
"Oh, hey Boil!" Mara greeted politely. The two Vikings looked over at him.
"Mara," he replied. "So, who are the new kids?"
"Okay. This is, uh, Hiccup, and Astrid," she said, gesturing to the two respectively.
"Hello," Hiccup greeted politely.
Boil raised an eyebrow. "You know this one doesn't seem like much of a fighter," he commented with a grin.
"Hey," Hiccup frowned, and the two girls couldn't help but laugh in amusement, and Astrid lightly punched him on the shoulder.
"Well, he isn't wrong," she replied.
"What did I just do yesterday?" he argued.
"Flew around on a dragon?" she retorted.
Boil chuckled in amusement. "Ha! Already you guys remind me of a few friends."
"Oh, really?" Astrid questions.
He nods his head. "Yeah. Jarik and General Kenobi for instance. Oh, those two had mouths..." he trailed off.
"Well, there is Jarik's sometimes, admittedly big sense of humor." Hiccup stated dryly.
"Don't forget the wit." Mara adds with a grin, scratching Zenna's neck. "We've all had wit."
"Yes you have," Boil easily agrees, noticing the dragon. "Not to be rude but uh... what kind of creature is that?"
Zenna gives off another chirp, and Mara answers. "A dragon," is all she says.
"Dragon?" Boil asks in confusion.
"Yeah, a Deadly Nadder to be more precise. They're pretty common on-" Hiccup starts to say, before Mara clears her throat, giving him a look. He corrects himself quickly. "...around where I'm from," he trails off, remembering the secret about Ahch-To.
"And where are you from?" Boil asks slowly, having noticed the tension and gestures from Mara.
The two Vikings glance at Mara and each other hesitantly.
"It's... not our place to say," Astrid finally says quietly.
Boil gives them all a look and Mara speaks up quickly. "What we're trying to say is that we're keeping their planet secret, since we don't want to cause problems. It's better to talk to mom and dad about it if you want to know more, and if they'll tell you."
Boil eventually nods. "I suppose I can understand. I'll probably wait on that though, give them some space for the moment."
There was silence before Zenna breaks the tension by giving a loud squawk and jumping off of Mara, rushing towards one of the cabinets in her room. Mara rolled her eyes.
"She's impossible," she comments.
Boil scoffs. "Can't be any worse than R5."
"I still can't believe those kinds of things even exist," Hiccup remarks.
"What, astromechs?" Boil says with a confused frown. "They're just droids."
"Yeah, and we never realized things like droids were even possible to make." Astrid added.
Boil looked between the two in bewilderment, and then glanced up at Mara. "Secret planet," she reminded him.
A few moments later Boil widens his eyes and nodded slowly in realization. "Ohhh... so its that kind of planet."
"Yeah, that kind," she replied.
"What do you mean, 'that kind?'" Hiccup asked in confusion.
Boil coughed into his hand. "You live on a primitive planet," he stated bluntly.
"Primitive?!" Astrid exclaimed incredulously, taking slight offense to that comment. Hiccup rolled his eyes in exasperation.
"What?" Boil asked defensively.
"Come on Astrid, after seeing our stuff you're seriously gonna take offense to that?" Mara asks with a raised eyebrow.
"She has a point," Hiccup admitted.
Astrid glanced away sheepishly, her previous anger gone instantly. "I guess," she admitted.
Boil gave a small chuckle. "Oh, well I don't know about your world, but I'm sure Wolffe would have some high opinions about it," he remarked, recalling a fond memory.
"Why?" Mara asked.
"He once had to go on a mercy mission to Aleen, and he hated every second of it. They basically worshipped their two droids like gods," he said with an amused chuckle.
"I would've loved to see that," she said with a small grin.
"Who's Wolffe?" Astrid asked.
"A clone commander, like Boil," Mara answered.
They both widened their eyes. "Wait, you're a clone?" Astrid questioned in surprise.
"Yeah," Boil asked with a small frown. "Oh come on, how can you know about clones when you apparently don't have tech like we do?"
"Well, they tell pretty good stories," Hiccup said sheepishly, rubbing his neck and gesturing to Mara.
"Mostly Dad, but yeah," she says.
"Still weird hearing you call Commander Shan 'dad,'" Boil remarked with a face.
"To be honest, I'm curious to know more about what Jarik and Ahsoka were like during their war," Astrid admits, looking at Boil curiously.
"We've already told plenty of stories," Mara said with a confused frown.
"Yeah well, sometimes an outside perspective helps," Hiccup admits. She just shrugs in response.
"Well, in that case..." Boil says with a gleam in his eyes.
Jarik POV...
I continued to go through my practice forms, swinging the lightsaber in unison with the others perfectly. I loved these types of classes, they were always so fun! I'd get to use my lightsaber, and if we were lucky I could have a duel with someone, usually winning of course.
"Well done Jarik," the instructor congratulated, and I smiled happily.
"Thank you master," I replied.
He moved on, observing the others of mine clan. "Make sure your stance is strong Weron," he continued.
Weron shifted his feet, face set into concentration as he performed the swing again.
"Kurhran, you're stance is wrong again," the instructor said. "Keep the lightsaber up and swift. Focus on the Force, not your blade."
"Yes master," he replied sheepishly.
Ahsoka did the move fast and efficiently, but using her preferred reverse handgrip. I made a face at it, still not sure how she can hold it like that so well.
"Nicely done Ahsoka, but don't rely on the handgrip too much," the instructor continued.
She huffed but did as she was asked, and I smiled to myself in amusement.
"Good Rylla, but there is always room for improvement," he added.
Rylla nodded in understanding. "Thank you master," she said politely.
Vifi then did the move again, performing it rather well in a more ferocious manner, but accidentally slipped, causing her to stumble off balance slightly. Luckily, the instructor managed to steady her upright.
"You had good power behind the strike, but make sure your footing is more firm, and don't use too much fury in it," the instructor told her.
She simply sighed in her usual annoyed tone before nodding reluctantly. "Yes master," she mumbled.
I opened my eyes, coming out of the memory in an instant. Seeing Vifi again after so many years brought back memories. They were happy memories, but the realization of what she had become and what I could never have again just made it sad and bitter instead of happy. We were all very close back then, despite what the Code said about attachments. I suppose that's what gave me and Ahsoka are more, "rebellious" streak against the council when it came to our feelings for each other. Certainly on my part after Ahsoka left for sure.
Vifi was... well, she fit the stereotype of a moody teenager quite well in my opinion. Sure, she enjoyed hanging out with us and having fun just like the rest of us, but she always had the dry, sarcastic and dull mood more often. It was sort of her personality, and we were all cool with it.
I suppose that she would've been the most likely to turn to the dark side when I think about it. Doesn't make it hurt any less, or wish it had never happened. Maybe there would be a way to bring her back, but until I figure that out, she's going to be a slave to Vader and the Emperor, with Vader a slave as well. Palpatine is the one to really blame.
Freaking Jedi arrogance. I roll my eyes.
Glancing over at Ahsoka again in the bed, I lightly brush her face gently before moving my legs over the side of the bed, and stand up. Walking around it, I grab my cloak from the rack and swing it around myself, giving her one last look before exiting the room and closing the door. She was certainly taking it worse than me, and who could blame her? First her master, and now one of her best friends?
"...and I was in the middle of a firefight, with Commander Shan pinned down nearby..."
I stop and listen for a moment, before rolling my eyes with an exasperated sigh. Oh Boil, Boil Boil Boil... what are you doing now? Turning around, I head in the direction of where Boil was talking and notice a lot of bodies packed into our main common room. I blink in surprise, noticing Boil, Mara, Hiccup and Astrid and Zenna there, but not just them. A few members of the Ghost crew, namely Ezra, Sabine and Zeb were there as well, along with Rex. And there were listening to Boil tell a rather engrossing story.
"A party of droids snuck up behind us, and they were about to attack." Boil continued, and I groaned quietly, remembering the story, leaning against the doorframe. "So, thinking quickly, I pulled out a droid popper and armed it, tossing it over to Jarik. He glanced over in surprise, but still caught it anyways. Just as the droid was about to whack him with its blaster, the popper exploded, disabling the droids, which collapsed on top of him! He was so confused!"
There were a few chuckles and grins of amusement, particularly from Mara and Ezra. Hiccup I could tell was critically thinking about how droids and droid poppers would work, while Astrid was invested in the war story.
"Heh, I like this guy," Zeb says to Ezra, nudging his shoulder.
"Funny, but I have some much better stories from the 501st to tell," Rex challenges with a grin.
"Oh really? I'd like to see what sort of playhouse you made compared to our castles," Boil retorted teasingly.
"Trust me, we own the castles." Rex says.
Just then I cleared my throat to get everyone's attention, and some of them look over in surprise in alarm, namely Boil for sure. He looks over at me sheepishly.
"Well, that story is very true. But you left out just a tiny, little detail," a commented wth a raised eyebrow at Boil. "Our positions were reversed."
There was silence for a few moments before more laughter busted out, especially from Rex and Zeb, while Boil grumbled to himself, rubbing the back of his neck, face red in embarrassment. I simply gave him a cheeky smile.
"Really Boil?!" Rex said between laughs.
Boil rolled his eyes in irritation, but I could see the hint of a smile on his face, and came over to pat him on the shoulder. "Well, plenty of other stories to tell, you'll get your shot in the spotlight," I told him.
"You mean like the story where General Kenobi got beat up by a Zygerrian?" he asked.
I nodded. "Yeah, those kinds of stories."
"Where's mom?" Mara suddenly asked, appearing out of nowhere with Zenna right beside her, chirping at me in delight. She tugs on my cape with her mouth and I grimace, pulling it away. Nearby, Astrid seemed to be in a discussion with Sabine, the two probably bonding over their warrior spirit or whatever. Hiccup was also talking to Ezra, about who knows what.
"She's just resting," I told her. "We had a lot to get over."
"About what?" she asks. "You guys seemed really upset."
"We'll tell you later," I said, before remembering the three stowaways. "Speaking of being upset," I grumbled, turning to the culprits. "I think the three of us need to talk."
As if they could hear me and feel my eyes on them, they both turned around to look at me sheepishly, before excusing themselves and walking over. Sabine eyed us weirdly, with a hint of wariness but didn't bother with it. Getting an unspoken message, Boil walks over to the others, leaving us alone.
"So..." I started, crossing my arms. "Why exactly are you here again?"
"Well, if it makes you feel any better Ahsoka already gave us an earful." Hiccup said.
I thought for a moment but shrugged. "Ok, I guess I'll spare you that. But still why are you guys here?"
"Zenna dashed onto your ship before the door closed, and we followed after her." Astrid told me.
I rolled my eyes in exasperation, giving said dragon a look. "Oh Zenna," I sighed.
She chirped up at me innocently in response.
"Well, you know that Stoick is going to be thundering when you get back there right?" I ask them with a raised eyebrow.
Astrid and Hiccup both pales, glancing at each other nervously, and Hiccup rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh gods, we're so dead," he says nervously.
"Best to get you guys back as fast as possible then," I said firmly.
"Dad, can I spend more time with Zenna though?" Mara asks, and I look over at her in bewilderment.
"What?" I ask in confusion.
"Come on, she's really attached to me, she needs this!" she presses.
"I know you and Zenna are close but-" I start to say.
"She's just gonna keep finding ways to sneak onto our ship every time we leave, I barely see her because of all of this as it is," she argues.
"She does have a good point," Hiccup adds.
I open my mouth to argue but stop, thinking about it closely before shrugging. "Alright, fine."
They all blink their eyes in surprise and share bewildered glances. Even Zenna gives off a slightly confused chirp. "Wait, really?" Mara asks.
"Yep. So, you'll take them back instead," I tell her.
Mara widens her eyes in understanding before narrowing them. "So, we're still taking them back..."
"Not me and Ahsoka, just you. you can handle that right?" I tell her. "It already takes a few hours to get back through lightspeed, so that should give you enough time to spend with Zenna and these two," I say.
Astrid raises an eyebrow but says nothing.
Mara thinks it over before shrugging. "Ok, whatever."
I give them all a grin. "Great! Get ready to face Stoick's wrath!" I say way too cheerfully.
The three of them groan in apprehension.
Yay I'm back! Hit a little bit of writer's block with this chapter, and also needed time to sort out my ideas, but I'm good now. Hurricane actually didn't really do crap where I live, so nothing serious happened for me in terms of power.
Next chapter will involve the Brothers of the Broken Horn episode, starring our favorite pirate!
