The three troopers snuck into the estate as they had planned and headed straight to their rooms without encountering anyone. They weren't sure if they had gotten away with it or not as you could never tell with General Kenobi, but they'd deal with it if he did know.
The next day Rex awoke to a call. His eyes opened slightly to find it was somewhat early and wondered who was calling him.
As he got up as he looked surprised as he said "Commander?" he opened up the call and "Rex, hey I'm so glad to see you." Ahsoka smiled.
"Glad to see you too kid. How's everyone doing." Rex smiled.
"Everyone's fine. We're heading out on a new mission soon." Ahsoka explains.
Rex frowns "I should be with you all."
"Rex you're helping a planet on the verge of extinction. That's just as an important a mission as fighting." Ashoka smirks.
Rex chuckled "When did you get so smart."
"Hey." She glared.
Rex chuckled once more and says "How are things going. The General keeping out of trouble?"
"As much as he can. Master is itching to be done with this new mission so we can head out on leave." Ahsoka explains.
"It's been a rough few mission kids. Anyone would be exhausted." 'Pluss he probably wants to see the Senator soon.' Rex thought.
"So what about you, meet anyone?" Ahsoka smirks.
"I think I have kid." Rex smiles.
"Really, I can't wait to tell the others." Ahsoka jumps.
"Waugh there Commander. Nothings certain yet. I rather it be a surprise, okay." Rex winks.
Ahsoka smirks as she says "Got it."
"Now tell me, are Fives and Echo still trying to beat my high score?" Rex leans back.
"Oh, you know they are." Ahsoka smirks.
The two stay like that for a while catching up. Rex getting as much detail on the mission to come as he was worried for them. He trusted them but still, he was their Captain and they were his brothers. He even saw Ahsoka as a little sister.
Meanwhile…..
Wolffe had gotten up early that day and decided to walk about the estate garden. He needed to clear his thoughts and figure out what he was doing here.
'What am I doing here. I have no interest in looking for a wife. Yet I came for the General. But that's not enough I guess. What am I going to do….?' Wolffe's thoughts stopped as he heard something drop.
"Oh no." He looked over to find a female Lubin with silver fur, black hair that was long and fell straight down. She had tan skin, black eyes, and bright green markings.
She was bent over picking up some spilled seeds and seemed panicked. Wolffe frowned and came over. As the girl scurried about to pick up the seeds, Wolffe leaned down and said "Need help?"
The girl's ears droop as she whispered, "If it's not an issue."
'Man, she's shy.' Wolffe raised a brow but began to help.
Once done he asked "Where do you want them?"
"Oh, right here if it's okay." She whispers again as she points to some pots with soil.
Wolffe shrugs and does as asked and then "Do they need water now or…"
"Oh no I can take care of the rest." She shook her head as she stretched her hands towards the pots.
Wolffe looked curios and then his eyes widened when he saw what happened next.
The Lubin girl concentrated calmly on the pots and suddenly the seeds began to grow into stems and then bloom into large colorful flowers.
"That's amazing." Wolffe couldn't help but say.
The girl jumped "Oh no, it's just a simple force ability. That's why I work with plants." She flushed looking away.
Wolffe raised a brow thinking 'I wonder why she's so shy? Am I that intimidating?'
Wolffe was going to head off, not wanting to make the girl feel scared when "Wait." He looks back confused.
"Um, thank you. It would have taken me longer if you hadn't of helped." The girl flushes.
Wolffe shrugs saying "It's my job to help people."
"Well, your good at it." She smiles tenderly.
Wolffe was shocked, not just by the complement but by the sudden jump in his heart. 'What was that?'
The girl jumped as she realized what she did "I'm sorry, I have to go." She then rushes off. Leaving a very confused Wolffe.
STAR WARS.
The guys had decided to read the Lubin culture pages so they wouldn't have any more issues like yesterday.
When they meet up with Rook, he was glaring at them as he said "I don't know whether to kill you guys or to hug you." He sighs.
"Admit it you enjoyed yourself." Bly smirks.
Rooks smiled as he said "Yeah I did. But I have to stick close today. I can't afford to get in trouble."
"What about Tera?" Rex raised a brow.
"She understands and doesn't want me getting in trouble. We've talked about when we can see each other so there's no problem." Rook flushes as he coughs.
"See, it all worked it." Wolffe shrugged.
"Still don't do that again. I heard about you guys being chased again. Seriously I hope you guys read the records this time." He glared.
"We did and it was actually good you left. Cause now Rex has a date with Sonya." Bly smirks.
"What?" Rook looks surprised but happy.
"It's not a date we're just hanging out." Rex flushes.
"Sure it is." Wolffe smirks.
Rex glares but the others chuckle.
"Come one we better get going." Rook tilts his head towards the festival as they head off.
Once at the entrance Rex got nervous, Sonya was standing there waiting for them to come. 'Okay Rex, you can do this. Just play it cool.'
"Someone got cold feet." Rook smirks.
Rex glares as his brothers' chuckle. Before he can say anything though "Hey guys." They looked to see Sonya waving.
They wave back and Rex glared at the guys 'Not one word.' They smirk but decide to leave them be.
Once they reach each other Sonya said "So up for some rides today? I think we pretty much got to play all the games yesterday." Sonya chuckles.
"Yeah I guess we can be competitive." Rex flushes.
"I heard you guys almost cleaned the place out." Rook chuckles.
"Hey Rook, how'd it go with Tera? Boys told me what happened." Sonya smirked.
Rook flushed as he told her what he told the others.
"Aw that's good you two found time. Maybe we'll see her today." Sonya smiles.
"Um, maybe." Rook just flushes.
Rex then said "So what kind of rides are there anyway?"
"Oh, let me show you." Sonya smiles as she takes them to the ride section of the festival.
The guys looked wide eyed at the rides. They really wanted to go on the coasters, as they looked thrilling and kind of like gunships.
Sonya looked hesitant and said "You guys go on ahead. I really don't like those rides."
The guys looked back confused. As Rook said "She hates heights, ever since we were kids."
"I don't find it fun." Sonya flushes.
"You guys go on ahead. I don't mind staying down here." Rex says. Sonya was surprised as were the guys. Rex was the one most used to thrills, with his General and all but since they knew how he felt about Sonya they just smiled and headed off. Rook going along to give them space.
"You didn't have to stay. I feel bad on you missing out." Sonya says frowning.
"I get enough thrills form my General trust me. One of his trademarks is crashing ships." Rex chuckles.
Sonya shivers "Remind me never to ride with him."
Rex laughed out loud making Sonya do the same. The two talking about this and that as they waited for the others.
A little later….
As the three got off the coaster Bly said "What a rush! And this time we don't have to worry about blasters." He smirks.
"Have to say, it was fun." Wolffe smirks.
Rook chuckled saying "You guys are insane."
"Should we get back to the lovebirds." Bly nods towards the waiting area.
"Let's give them a little time. Hey, bet I can beat you at the strongman game." Rook smirks.
"Oh you're on?" Bly smiles.
"You two go on ahead, I want some of that pheasant leg." Wolffe looked over with a hungry look at a cart.
"Suite yourself." Bly shrugs as the two head off and Wolffe goes to wait in line. But as he waits, he hears a familiar annoying voice.
"Hey trooper." Wolffe refrains from shivering. 'No not her.' But he turns and says "Miss." And turns back to wait for his food. Not wanting to deal with the red head.
She comes closer and whispers "Why don't we get out of here and have our own fun. I'm sure your brothers won't mind."
Wolffe frowns 'She really can't take a hint.' He tries to ignore her till…
"What's the matter? You shy, I can't imagine a big alpha like you being shy. Not like that pathetic thing over there." Wolffe was going to tell her to back off, when he noticed who she was talking about.
'It's the gardner.' Wolffe felt his heart jump.
"So sad, a little omega so shy she'd hide in her shell all the time if she was a turtle. But at least she knows her place." The red head smirks as she sees the silver furred girl trying to grab something at a vender but someone else takes her place.
At that Wolffe growled. He walked past the red head as she called "Hey where are you…?" but he said nothing as he got to the vender.
He saw the gardener's ears down, but as he came up he asked "What are you looking for?"
She jumped and said "Oh it's you?"
"Yeah. So, what did you want?" Wolffe looks at the slightly crowded stand.
"Oh um, I just wanted that bracelet." She points to a green vine bracelet with a tiny red rose in the middle.
Wolffe nods as the girl looks on shocked as he growls for people to move back and they do. Once there he nods her over and she asks for the bracelet. The vender nods and give it to her. Once done they walk off.
"Thank you so much. I didn't think I ever get it." She looks on happy.
"No problem. You shouldn't let people walk all over you though." Wolffe raised a brow.
"I guess I'm not very confident." Her ears droop as she looks down in shame.
Wolffe thought on this 'No one should have to deal with that.' So, "I can show you a few tricks, you know just to get around."
The girl jumps and said "Really, are you sure. I don't' know how good I'd be but….I'd like that." She flushes.
Wolffe had to berate himself for thinking she looked cute but said "Names Wolffe, you?"
The girl seemed to smile at his name but said "Flora."
Wolffe couldn't help but smile as the name seemed to fit her. And with that they headed back to the others.
When Bly and Rook saw Wolffe with a girl they were slacked jawe,d but his glare told them not to say one word. They wisely said nothing.
When they got back to Rex and Sonya the two had moved to get some cotton candy. "I can't believe all the stuff people can make with sugar."
"You'd be surprised. Oh they're back, and with a friend." Sonya smirks but waves.
"Really?" Rex smirks as well, brow raised.
Wolffe was keeping close to Flora as the other two stayed back, seeing how shy she is.
"Hey guys, who's your friend?" Sonya came up.
"This is Flora, we met in the garden this morning…." Wolffe then explained what happened.
"Oh, she was being mean again." Flora's ears droop.
"Wait, ah man how did I not noticed her." Sonya face palmed.
"Wait you know that girl…" Rex said it as nice as possible.
"That's Vixy. She's a total flirt and bully. I also kind of got into a fight with here." Sonya smiles.
"What?!" they all looked surprised. Sonya didn't seem the type to get in a fight, though they didn't know her that long.
"She was trying to beat me up for being an omega when I was younger. All I had to do was claw her and she went running. I got my beta status from that." Sonya smiled proudly.
The guys smirked, glad to know she didn't get away with what she did but worried about why she was going after them.
"Can't someone report her for her attitude?" Bly frowns.
"Nope, unless she attacks someone she's fine. And even then, most Lubin can resolve these kind of conflicts on their own." Rook frowns.
"Not all, when I was younger I couldn't really handle them. Being in an omega state makes it hard to stand up for yourself. No offense." Sonya tells Flora.
"It's okay, you do know how it's like. And I know it can be hard to stand up for ourselves since our instincts tell us to be the calm peace keeper, not the fighter." Flora responds.
"So that explains it." Wolffe nods.
Flora looks away flushed and the other smiled at this, but Wolffe glares.
Sonya then said "So Flora what do you do?"
"Well I'm a gardener and florist so I mostly work with my ability to grow plants and connect with them….." The girls end up talking for a bit, making friends fast.
Rook chuckled saying "If this goes well they'll be happy to be sister in laws."
Rex and Wolffe flush as they glare at a smirking Rook.
They continued their fun by going on other rides. Some involved twirling around or a Ferris wheel. Sonya liked the ones that twirled around but not the Ferris wheel. Surprisingly Flora liked fast thrilled rides and Wolffe had to smile at her excitement and giggles. She once even howled making Wolffe flush madly.
At one point the girls went on a carousel, Wolffe would not go no matter what but Rex decided to try it out. Basically they were riding on dears, moos, and other woodland creatures. Rex was on an elk and used the horns to hang on. Sonya chuckles slightly at his unease but thought it was cute he was trying.
While this happened Bly said "He would have never gone on that if it wasn't for Sonya."
"She's got an affect on him. If only they could do more alone time together." Wolffe frowned.
"You mean like Flora has on you." Bly smirks.
Wolffe glare but Rook decided to interrupt "I know a ride that could help with that." He smirks as he points to a small ride where people waited on two sides of a fence, one side boys and one side girls. At the end the two that meet ride together on some sort of carriage that went around a cave.
"It's called the tunnel of bonds. It's a couples ride and it's totally secluded and give the couples time to just be together." Rook explains.
"Not a bad idea, problem is trying to get them on it together and that they both get on the same ride." Wolffe frowns.
"Leave that last part to me. As for getting him on it. Well the only way he'll do it is if you guys go as well." Rook frowns.
The two jumped, not wanting to even go near it, but….They saw how happy Rex looked as Sonya helped keep him from falling off his ride and the two laughing. They sighed, if it was for Rex. They nodded and so began their plan.
Once they get off the ride Sonya is laughing, but says "Are you sure you're okay. That couldn't of been fun."
"I'm fine I guess I just should have gone on something bigger." Rex flushes rubbing the back of his head.
Flora chuckles and says "You two are a cute couple."
The two looked back shocked and flushed. "Is something the matter?" Flora ears go down.
"Nothing…It's just…We're not actually…" Rex starts.
"We're just friends." Sonya finishes.
Rex flinched at that but Flora said "Oh I'm sorry you two are just so natural." Her ears pop.
The two flush but think 'Are we?'
Before they can think more Wolffe and Bly come up and say "Hey we heard of a new ride. You guys what to try it?"
"What kind is it." Sonya raised a brow.
"Slow and calm, but it looks good." Bly shrugs.
"Sounds nice. What is it?" Flora looked curious, head tilted.
Wolffe looked away flushed as he said "The tunnel of bonds."
The girls flush and Rex looks confused "The tunnel of what?"
"It's a ride for um, couples." Sonya explains.
Rex flushed and glares at his brothers, but sees Wolffe won't stare him in the eyes and wonders 'Is this because of Flora.' Rex smirks "Okay why not?"
"Really?" Sonya looked shocked.
"Might be interesting." With that Rex shrugs and is excited to go on the ride with Sonya, that is till he finds out that your partner was random. Now he wasn't entirely sure.
As they each took a spot, Rook was talking to the ride manager. Let's just say they struck up a deal.
Couple after couple went, Bly ended up with a stranger which was uncomfortable but did it for his brothers.
Wolffe came up and was shocked to see he be with Flora 'At least it's not a stranger.' He tried to stay composed as Flora flushed, playing with her hair as Wolffe glared at a smirking Rook 'I'll get him back for this.'
For now he just sit with Flora, better than a stranger trying to flirt with them. So, the two sat and decided to enjoy the ride.
Finally Rex got to the front and was surprised to see Sonya 'How….?' Then he noticed it. Rook was using the force to create a light show to direct people them around or distract them. The booth worker saying it was a game.
Rex wasn't sure how to feel about this. He looked at Sonya who looked up flushed but happy as she said "Should we sit?"
"Um yean, here." He helps her get in the carriage, making her chuckle and say "Such a gentlemen." Rex flushed but smiled as they take their seats.
As the went through the tunnel Rex noticed that it was like a normal cave but had several flowers and crystals all around. "You know, there are actual mountains like this on our planet." Sonya smiles.
"Really?" Rex looks curios.
"It's kind of one of the reasons my people are force sensitive the way they are. We're affected by the crystals and we all hold one, usually one the same color as our marking." Sonya points to here's.
"That's interesting, I wonder how that works. But why do you have the crystals anyway?"
"Some say our people developed the markings after several years when we finally connected to the land. As this happened, we found we responded to the crystals the same way a jedi responds to their own. But for us the crystals aren't used as weapons, we use them as a way to recognize our bonds with others. Especially with someone we might potentially marry." Sonya flushes.
Rex looked surprised 'So that's how they figure out they have bonds. I wonder.' Rex looks at Sonya's necklace but can't figure out how to tell if they had a bond, or could have.
Meanwhile….
While Bly sat with the stranger, he was nervous and uncertain of what to do.
"Are you okay?" the girl asked.
"Sorry, I'm just not used to all this." Bly flushes, rubbing the back of his head.
"It's more than that, you are truly not happy to be here." The girl looks on with wide silver knowing eyes.
"What, how would you…?" Bly was scared now.
"I am an empath. I feel peoples' true emotions with the force." The girl explains.
Bly sighs "Sorry I waisted your time."
"Tell me, why are you here if you didn't want to come." The girls tan ears twitch.
"Sigh, I just went on the ride for my brother to help him get with a girl." Bly shrugs.
"While that is admirable, that is not what I meant. I was speaking about why you volunteered to find a wife her while clearly your heart is somewhere else?" The girl raises a brow.
Bly was in complete shock and wasn't sure if he could trust this girl but, those eyes held genuine concerned and he sighed "We can't be together."
"Why not?"
"Certain rules." Bly looks hurt.
"Have you tried to break this rule, maybe ask her how she feels?" the girl asks.
"It's not that easy, it may even be dangerous." Bly feels his heart break.
"Do you not trust her."
Bly jumped "With my life, I never feel like she betray me."
"Then I don't see why you can't at least tell her." The girl's ears twitch.
"But she'll say no, she's loyal to her ways." Bly frowns.
"Perhaps, but maybe if you give her a choice, she'll know what she wants. And if she says no, then at least you'll know and perhaps be able to move on." The girl explains.
Bly looked on shocked and said "That's, pretty good advice. I'm sorry I never even asked your name and here I am spilling everything." Bly smiles.
"I am Sage. It's nice to meet you Bly. And don't worry my job involved helping people work through their feelings." She smiles.
Bly chuckles as he says "Well we could use someone like you on board. Would help a lot of my brothers."
"It sounds like an interesting idea." Sage smirks truly thinking about what he said.
Back a few carriages….
As Wolffe sat he looked about the cave curiously, all while Flora looked down flushed.
Wolffe then said "So you know any of these plants?"
Flora jumped, "Oh yes, they're all native to our planet."
"They all special for some reason to be used here?" Wolffe looked curios.
Flora smiled as she said "Some. Those over there are used for healing, others are used to create perfumes, and most are just pretty but they hold meanings in them."
"Meanings?" Wolffe raises a brow.
Flora then began to explain the language of flowers on her planet. Wolffe confused on how a flower could say so much.
Back with Rex and Sonya…..
"So Kamino is where you're born and raised for the first ten years and then you get sent out to fight. You're trained with your littler…Um batch, till then, but you got taken early from them to learn to be a captain with other officers?" Sonya tries to figure it out.
"That about sums it up, yes." Rex nods.
"I'm sorry about that. Were you ever able to keep in contact with your batchmates?" Sonya frowns.
Rex frowns back "Sadly no and I think it was for the best. If I did, I probably would have felt the sting if something happened to them and probably even guilt."
"Guilt, why?" Sonya looked surprised.
"Because I wasn't there to protect them. Even being here I feel slightly guilty for not being with my men and protecting them." Rex looks down saddened.
"Then why did you come?" Sonya looked sad, wondering if he even wanted to be here.
"As strange as it sounds. I wanted to come." Rex looks over at her.
Sonya looked surprised.
"I've seen people with lives and families. For me that was always my brothers. But when I was given this chance, I wondered….What if, I could have both? I also wondered if maybe having more people to care for is the reason those people with families are so strong. And I wondered if I be stronger for it as well." Rex looked straight into her eyes.
Sonya looked back entranced. It was the deepest she'd ever heard Rex talk about something. And taking in what he's grown up with it makes sense. 'He's never had a chance to experience this or even dream if he could have it. He wanted to know, maybe to see if it made him stronger is not the best reason but it's the only reason he knows.'
At that Sonya couldn't help but put her hand over his. Rex's eyes widened at this as his face flushed. Their hearts thumping as Sonya took in his spicy scent and Rex could smell that Sonya had the fragrance of vanilla. His blush deepened at smelling his favorite treat.
At that the two inched closer Sonya saying "Re…" But before she could, an explosion went off above them.
Rex covered Sonya as she screamed, the ride stopped suddenly and when the rubble cleared Rex looked up at his eyes widened at the sight of commando droids in the new opening in the ceiling.
CLIFF HANGER! I know I'm being mean but something exciting had to happen. So, looks like Wolffe found someone. And Bly finally realizes what he has to do. But with the droids how will things go for any of them?