Recovery - Part 1

The Nightbrother mountain village was larger this time, it seemed there were more brothers than last she had been here. The Nightsister, still dressed in her robe and bare-footed, slid off her speeder onto the muddy ground. She noticed a spot of snow on the roofs of some of the huts, made primitively, mud work and thatched roofs, contained fires dotted about the village and wooden pathways between the taller structures. It was marvellous really, they had built this. Their home. Their own space.

It was then she noticed another Nightsister speeder further inside the village entrance. This was worrisome. There were some males around the main square, and most faced the other Sister. It was Sheena. Was she picking a mate? Or tormenting them? Her brow furrowed as she watched the battlemaster walk down a line of males, sneered at one of them, one with orange skin beneath his dark markings.

"Pathetic," she scoffed. "You're pathetic, you aren't worthy of being anyone's mate-!" She kicked him to the ground then, saying something Zaiya didn't hear, but she was interrupted when green vines yanked her backwards.

"Do not do that again." Zaiya spoke firmly. She stood at her full height now and was slightly taller than the battle master that had tormented her for so long as a child. The other Sister spun, ready to fight, but lowered her weapon on meeting Zaiya's eye, her own widening in surprise.

"Well look who it is." Sheena growled, regaining her feet. All eyes were on Zaiya now. She thought she must look frightening with an eye glowing of sister magick. Still, she knelt down to the zabrak that had fallen.

"Are you alright?" She asked in a soft voice, holding out a hand. The zabrak flinched, and did not move at first. "I will not harm you." She knew he had no need to believe her, but eventually he slid a calloused hand into hers. Despite her weakened frame, she helped him up.

"What are you doing?" Sheena frowned, taking a step forward. Zaiya turned. Sheena looked at her face and seemed suddenly unsettled.

"You will leave now, Stra'lupta Sheena. And you will not touch them again." Zaiya spoke firmly, using her title; there was a ripple that went through the square. Unseen, but felt. Some kind of effect of her voice perhaps? Whatever it was, Zaiya had to use it to help them. This might be foolish but she would not stand idly by anymore. She had seen this scene before, when the mistress D'Sarr would 'discipline' her slaves. Zaiya would not be silent anymore. She would make her voice count.

"What are you-?" The Stra'lupta snarled. Zaiya looked her in the eye, and faced her with squared shoulders.

"You. Will. Leave. They are not your toys. Nor your play things… You will not return here Sheena. Am I understood?" That pulse again. Sheena backed up, her eyes wide in shock… and perhaps fear.

"I-"

"Am I understood?" Zaiya snarled. Which she instantly regretted, noticing the zabrak beside her flinch. But whatever power her voice held worked, and the Battlemaster stepped back again.

"Understood." She whispered and turned away. Zaiya watched as Sheena left, getting on her speeder and disappearing into the distance. It was then she turned back to the zabrak males, all staring at her with varying degrees of fear, interest, confusion and contempt. She looked at the leader, and her expression became soft once more.

"Viscus, is that right?" She asked gently, addressing him. He seemed surprised.

"You… know my name?" He asked then shook his head, "Ah, forgive me Sister, I am Viscus, yes."

"Savage described you very well in his messages." She explained.

"Savage?" He blinked, "Then you're-"

"Zaiya?!" It was the second time her name had been screamed in shock across a large open space. She turned, a group of males were returning from a hunt, it seemed. Enough meat for the whole village. The one that had spoken was Savage. He had dropped the beast he'd carried and bolted over to her… then he saw her face.

And stopped, his face fell into a look of horror.

"Zaiya…?" He was more hesitant this time. He was taller now, taller than her, his frame had filled out and he had muscles where before there were none. He was a man now. His blue-grey eyes searched her face, for some kind of sign that she was still the girl he knew. In a split second she was at his side, embracing him tight, her arms wrapped around his torso. "You're alive…" he breathed out in a shuddering breath of relief, and his strong arms curled around her in return.

"I'm sorry." She breathed, she didn't care that she was surrounded by other Nightbrothers, that they were staring, that they had no idea what was happening. She was with her family. "I'm so sorry." A sob escaped her and she felt him freeze up, of course he would have no way to know what to do. She didn't need him to do anything, she just didn't want to let him go.

After what felt like forever, she pulled away and wiped her face from the tears flowing down it. "I'm sorry…" She repeated. Savage looked confused. Sorry was not something a Nightsister said, she knew this, but she didn't care anymore.

"Why… are you sorry?" He asked, looking so confused.

"I was gone, I couldn't contact you… I left you alone." Her bottom lip dropped as she tried not to start sobbing again.

"You mean… you didn't do it on purpose?" Spoke a voice she didn't recognise. From behind Savage stepped another zabrak. Yellow skin and reddish tattoos, his eyes widened on seeing her face too. Tall as his brother, his voice was still soft but deeper now. He was all grown up too.

"Feral…" She breathed in relief; he was alright! "Of course I didn't! I would never…!" She reached out to touch his face, he flinched and it broke her heart. She moved slower, her hand cupping his cheek gently, a soft touch. After a moment he leaned into it.

"I thought you'd abandoned us…" He murmured. She was nearly sobbing again and pulled him to her in a fierce hug. He held her back just as tightly.

"So this is the sister you talked about…" Zaiya released Feral, her hand sliding down his arm to hold his. She met eyes with another yellow skinned zabrak, though where Savage and Feral were lighter, his skin was a deeper, richer, more gold colour.

"Yes." Savage stated firmly. "She's different."

"She doesn't look different." The male frowned. Clearly he did not think much of her, the contempt unhidden in his gaze. Zaiya couldn't blame him. "Are you different?" It could easily be seen as a challenge, any other Nightsister would grab him by the neck and threaten him. Zaiya just studied his face markings with interest.

"I cannot be the one to tell you that, it is something you must decide." She replied gently. She didn't take the bait, she didn't threaten him. Feral squeezed her hand. She noticed several of the warriors dragging their kills past them and she looked up at Savage. "Were you hunting today?" She asked, again, the mood was tense. Savage nodded as he looked at her. "That's amazing, you caught all that?" She smiled at him. A wide unabashed smile filled with the joy of being able to see him in the flesh, right there, touch him, hug him, keep him safe. The male's face flushed at her praise. A soft chuckle escaping him.

"It is not a usual thing to have a sister with us for such a visit." Viscus spoke up, clearing his throat. Zaiya turned to him in concern.

"Do you want me to go?" She asked. Want. It was not a word slaves had the luxury of. They could not want anything, nor were they asked what they wanted. She knew it and saw the reaction to that word across the Leader's face. There was suspicion of course, that it might be a trick of some kind, though it seemed that having Savage and Feral at her side made her words seem at least a little more credible with them. She has offered them a choice. She knew the power a choice held, and she would continue to offer them. She would not have them suffer like this anymore.

"You… may stay." He seemed relieved when her face lit up once more.


Eventually they went inside and out of the cold, most of the village sitting around a fire while the food was prepared. Zaiya wanted to offer to help, but she knew her being here was uncomfortable enough as it was. She moved to sit on the far side of the fire, but Savage dragged her to the very middle and had her sit beside him. For a moment she saw the bright-eyed child in his expression and she was powerless to resist. Feral all but clung to her arm, keeping a hand on hers for as often as he could.

One of the males approached and offered her a drink. She took it and thanked him, which had him looking almost afraid. She recognised him as the one that had been out in the square, the one she had helped up.

"What's your name?" She asked, her eyes glancing over his facial markings.

"Su-Sunder." He stammered, the poor thing looked terrified of her, she nodded.

"That's a wonderful name." She offered a smile and he flushed, almost running as soon as she looked away.

"What happened to you?" Savage asked her. "You found our brother but… then you vanished." Zaiya let out a deep sigh.

"I… Master and I were on a mission. We were tracking a Jedi and while we succeeded in our mission… we returned and… well the monster that took him was there." She admitted. They looked worried.

"Did he do that to you?" Feral asked with a sad expression. She became aware that the other Nightbrothers were listening in, all of them cautious of her, looking away if she turned her head in their direction.

"Yes." She nodded.

"Then… why did it take so long for you to come back?"

She sighed again. "I was found by… some people that… kept me prisoner for a while." She explained and her eyes shifted down. "They treat others as the Nightsisters do to you."

The moment was heavy. For the Nightbrothers it was what they were born into. They knew no other way. But they knew pain. Pain and fear is what the Nightsisters brought. The witches that seemed so powerful and this one had been reduced to be as they were. Perhaps some of them were glad? She didn't know.

"How did you escape?" Feral asked, reaching out to grasp her hand again, his eyes were worried. Zaiya brought his hand to the side of her face for a moment, pressing her cheek against the back of it in a gesture of affection.

"A friend found me." She smiled, leaning her head on her knees. "Do you remember the pirate I told you about?"

"The one with the funny voice?"

"That's the one." She smiled, a proper grin that felt so unfamiliar on her face. "He found me and with the help of two others, I came home." Suddenly Savage was hugging her again and she was surprised but in no way did she mind. She held him in return, running her hand up and down his back slowly, as she had done when he was small. She felt him purring and buried her head into the crook of his neck. "I'm finally home." She whispered to him gently, his grip only tightened.


After some time, food was served amongst the brothers, and - likely out of conditioning, served her first. It was polar compared to the past few years, and yet, she didn't like the way they shied from her. She knew she could not undo what had already been done to them by the Nightsisters, but she could wait. She would be patient, and offer them kindness where she could. Only after she saw the others had their meals did she start on her own. Perhaps it was because she was there with the two brothers, but everything felt enhanced. The warmth on her skin, the soft reassuring touches from Savage or Feral, and the flavour of the meat they had given her.

Savage was telling her about the hunts they had been on, about some of the adventures that had happened, at one point getting a little animated before looking at her and then away before resuming the story. Zaiya listened attentively, the only comments being small compliments, which only spurred on more stories. It turned out the brothers had several friends among the village. Sunder was one of them, he was incredibly shy, or perhaps just frightened, maybe both. She didn't blame him for his hesitance, she doubted she would trust her were she in their position either. She learned the grumpy one from before was called Brutus, he and Savage apparently had a friendly rivalry going between them during hunts. Brutus even had a few comments during the stories, which just made her smile. Eventually Feral began discussing his own stories and she could not help but notice that other Nightbrothers lingered a little closer. It wasn't much, but some of them stayed to listen.

When the evening had become quieter, Feral tugged in her sleeve gently. She couldn't help but remember the way he had done so as a child as well.

"Would you… sing for us?" He asked hesitantly, like it was blasphemous to ask a question.

"Sing for you?" She asked with mild surprise, she had not been expecting such a request. Feral clung to her arm tightly.

"We missed you…" Was all he was able to say and the emotions of loss, longing and fear welled in his eyes along with his tears. The emotion to know he had not been forgotten was evidently too much. Zaiya smiled once more, what was her voice returned to her for if not for this? She reached out gently and caressed her fingers through his horns and over the back of his neck as he laid his head down in her lap. How could anyone bring themselves to harm such a sweet soul? One hand caressed the back of his neck, the other laid on Savage's arm, her head leaning on the older brother's shoulder as she began to sing a song she'd learned in her travels.

"Come stop your crying, it will be alright

Just take my hand, hold it tight.

I will protect you, from all around you,

I will be here, don't you cry…" Her voice carried through the hall and those that remained, having not fled from the discomfort, stilled. It was likely a bizarre sight for the Nightbrothers, she thought. A Nightsister witch had entered their village, bestowed on them kind words and shared a meal, now with one brother on her lap and resting on the other, sang to them as a mother would a child.

"...Why can't they understand the way we feel?

They just don't trust what they can't explain

I know we're different but deep inside us

We're not that different at all…" Her hearts felt so full, she could not recall feeling so relaxed and calm for so long. She could hear and feel the soft little purrs from both brothers, emanating from their chests and she suddenly had the realisation that this. This was home. Not a planet or a place. It was with them.

"...When destiny calls you, you must be strong

I may not be with you, but you've got to hold on

They'll see in time, I know

We'll show them together…" Savage laced his large fingers with hers, and she smiled, the feeling growing. She gazed into the fire blazing before them, but it's warmth was nothing compared to the one she felt in her hearts at that moment. Something flickered in the flames and for a moment she thought she saw a glimmer of gold. If he was alright, if there was any way that the force could let her voice reach him… then please...

"...I'll be with you, I'll be there for you always

Always and always

Just look over your shoulder, just look over your shoulder

Just look over your shoulder, I'll be there always…" Even some of the younger Nightbrothers had appeared now, and the crowd had gotten a little bigger to witness this strange yet gentle event. She heard a gasp from one of them and felt a touch on her leg. She looked down, and spotted one of the young ones. He had sunset skin and dark tattoos, but big green eyes that looked at her like he had never seen anything like her before. He looked so young.

"Forgive him Sister, he's too young to-" Viscus, who was sitting nearby, started.

"It's alright," She replied, then leaned down, and picked the boy up gingerly. He looked surprised and tensed when she touched him, but settled when she set him on her lap.

"What's your name, little one?" She asked gently. He must have been shielded from the older ones to not be so afraid of her, or maybe he was being brave? Or maybe he just liked music?

"Rav-Ravager…" He replied, he trembled a little but stayed where he was.

"That's a very strong name." She nodded, "My name is Zaiya."

"You're not scared of her?" Feral asked, still leaning on her leg, his arms folded under his chin as he looked up. The boy hesitated and finally he nodded. He was afraid, but had approached anyway.

"That's very brave." Zaiya told him. "But if you're scared, would you like to go back to your friends?" She brushed the side of his face and ear gently with the back of her hand and he scrunched up his nose and bunched his shoulders.

"...tickles…" He mumbled, then in another brave moment, grasped a handful of her robe hesitantly. "Could you… sing one more?" She let out a little chuckle, and grinned.

"Of course."


The song relaxed the boy enough that he fell asleep, miraculously enough and Zaiya had to wonder if the potion she had drunk to restore her voice had made it more powerful. At least the majority of the Nightbrothers were calm now, though she knew she still made them uneasy.

The child in her arms, she approached Viscus, whispering as she thanked him for allowing her to stay. Allowing. In his mind he likely felt it was no choice, but she thanked him anyway, handing the sleeping Ravager over to him. She stepped back and bowed her head. With her right hand she moved it to her chest then, palm upward, brought it down and across her body in a symbol of thanks. It was a sign of respect among the Sisters, and while she knew it would mean little to them, the nod she received was at least an acknowledgement of it's meaning.


Notes:

Yes that is Phil Collins "I'll be in you Heart." I usually write the songs myself but this one just fit too much! Don't come for me! We have zabraks! Nightbros! SNUGGLY FERAL! Part 2 coming tomorrow! As always I love your comments and feedback, thank you for reading! I send many hugs and kisses to you!