A Candle In The Dark - 2

A Candle in the Dark - 2

↬ fem!reader x cal kestis

Chapter 2: Missing Pieces 🕯︎

After resting at Prauf’s, you get started as your first day being a Scrapper. Who knew there was more than one decent person on this planet?

✧ Genre: a bit of angst, pretty general

✧ Media: chapter series

✧ Word Count: 2.9k

A/N: Reader finally meets a certain readhead... 

!!! Warning tags: swearing, reader is going through it. reader is still really hurt, mentions of food, broken leg, sexy readhead

If you aren’t sure you can read this based on these tags - no worries! Please please do not :) I have plenty other flufflier works on my masterlist :) <3 Take care, and enjoy !

You’d never more badly wanted to ask a question you knew you shouldn’t. You wouldn’t like the answer - there was no doubt in your mind. You didn’t want to admit that you were too prideful on what you thought you knew about people, about the galaxy. Even with your leg sat on another chair and your left shoulder steady on Prauf’s table in his kitchen, you held the side of your forehead while questions spilled out from the top like your head was overflowing. 

What you nearly hated more than the question that was burning in your throbbing skull was how well Prauf seemed to understand you. Whenever he looked or talked to you, your brain felt like it was being intruded on. It was as if his eyes were two beady microscopes, peering deeply into your eyes, all the way down to your soul. 

In Prauf’s mind, you were a person. A young girl alone, who most importantly, needed help. In yours, you had the experience of a person-lived-in twice and you more certainly did not need anyone’s help. You lived the last five years of your life alone. Well not completely, someone was always on your tail. Someone always wanted you, it wasn’t an unfamiliar circumstance or feeling, to be wanted. But to you, to be wanted was to be taken. To be captured, tortured, mamed, and beaten for - fun, information, or until your soul left your body and your pulse stopped beating.

Prauf was close to stepping out of his small home when he sighed. You were passed out on the table, head laying on the edge with a supporting arm, your other draped off the surface of the place he normally ate alone. Your injured leg still layed on the chair a foot or so away from you. Your other leg coiled into the chair with the rest of your body like it was the most comfortable place to rest in the galaxy. An empty glass once filled to the top with cool water sat near your head, and Prauf couldn't find the pain medicine he’d left you before he went off to bed. He’d seen you fall asleep last night, not wanting to wake or move you anywhere that could be more comfortable. You were finally at peace, the aura of nerves once seeping from your everything had disappeared. 

The peaceful scene in front of Prauf was short-lived as a large ship flew above his home, shaking the house like it was a faulty vending machine. Your head shot up as the table shook and you began to stand, adrenaline pumping through your veins instantly. Prauf reached out a hand, not to touch you, but as if to say, “it's alright.” The plane passed as you stared up at the ceiling like you had x-ray vision. 

“I was just about to wake you.”

“How stable is this place?” 

“Stable enough.” Prauf moved to the small cupboard ahead of you.

“Why don’t you eat something then we can head out for today?” 

Your stomach rumbled at his words. Maker, you were hungry. You nodded stiffly, causing him to toss a ration bar to you. 

As it landed in your hand, the burning question you’d thought of since the minute Prauf reached an arm to you in your crashed ship rang in your head again. You ate cautiously, but eventually gave up as you scarfed it down. You were feeling a lot better from the night before, though your leg was aching a slight bit less now, your head was now searing in pain. You just then noticed the bacta patch and bandage that was set in front of you. Kriff, bacta was so rare these days. And expensive. That's it. 

“Why are you helping me?” You stood this time, anyone who didn’t know of your injuries would think you had none the way your face stayed in one unmoving expression. Your question came off as harsh, but you weren’t giving in that easily to trust. You knew damn well there was no medic here; no doctors, no hospitals, no places of safety, of healing. This was quite literally the best thing anyone could do for you on Bracca. But why?

Prauf sighed, hands at his side as he moved them to his hips. He did the thing again, looking into your soul. You hated how he seemed to do it so easily. “You're a young woman, Y/N. You gotta move on from this place eventually and find your destiny.”

There was no way that was the end of it. He couldn’t…the last time anyone had shown you kindness was over five years ago. Kindness, friendship, and trust were no longer in your vocabulary. You tried not to be moved by his words, and you didn’t show it on the outside at least, though they did tug slightly at your heart. 

“I will pay you back.” Your voice was firm, it was not a maybe. Prauf understood, nodding as he unlatched the door. 

Stepping outside into a temperature nearly as cold and swamp-like as inside with a sky dim as the house’s walls made your heart jump. You suddenly fell into a memory of Coruscant, the first place you could remember living. The rooms you resided in were cool, but not too cold. It was a temperate that kept your senses keen. Stepping outside, your skin met the warm sun and you could feel the slight breeze, however artificial. It might've been static compared to other planets, but it was also diverse. Bracca was like one long, straight line of the same thing. 

The air was cold, the only difference from inside was the light rain. You stiffened in an attempt to stop your shoulders from shaking. You trudged down uneven, cracked steps to where you were assuming Prauf worked. It wasn’t a long journey, but god was it a confusing path. You took it back - Bracca was not like a straight line. You moved over hunks of mamed metal scraps, jumped from mud to landstrip, and finally, you landed in front of a large, open structure. Lights hung and buzzed everywhere like alarms, the orange light already making your head hurt. 

It was still raining, and it was picking up ever so slightly each minute, so you simply appreciated the roof over your head. As your feet followed Prauf’s to an official looking area in the Guild, you realized how appreciative you really were of what he’d done. He could have easily walked past you like you weren't even there. Worse, he could’ve taken your ship apart while you laid crumpled in it, your poor body giving up. You shook the thought from your head, grabbing at Prauf’s shoulder as the words escaped your lips before you could think.

“Thank you.” You attempted a meager smile, though it looked rather awkward. Prauf retired your expression and words with a kind smile, the sort you were trying to emulate. 

He nodded, understanding how hard that must’ve been for you to say. 

“I’m just glad you’re alright, Y/N. You gave me a scare when you were knocked out for so long.” You looked up at his face, quirking your head.

“What do you mean? I just slept like normal? Isn’t it early right now?”

His small eyes got slightly bigger as he realized he’d let information he’d wanted to keep to himself slip. A hand reached behind his neck, scratching it nervously.

“You uh…were out for two…nights, Y/N.”

“What?”

“You really think you healed that fast? You’re walking much better than you were two days ago. Good thing, too. You really needed it.” 

You gaped at Prauf, shocked you were out for days. Though it made sense, you guessed - you could walk okay. You had learned to tune out light pain, so walking slowly after what had happened wasn’t the worst thing you’d felt.

Prauf turned from you and opened a small, steel door in front of him. It was rusty, and definitely not the cleanest, a squeaking sound ringing as his large hand twisted the loose knob. Though it was by no means clean, the booth, or office you guessed, was a hell of a lot cleaner than the other parts of the work area. 

“Stay here.”

Prauf disappeared behind the door, and you took the opportunity to look around. The hum of small and large ships passing above, far and near, could be heard. The room was large, the ceiling stretching tall with wires all over the circular build. Sparks flew from a few holes in wires and the clankly walls all around, and your eyes spotted a few workers tinkering with them. 

No more than a minute later, Prauf hunched under the door frame, behind him a teal colored droid that was as dirty as you probably were. 

“This is her, chief.” 

The foreman droid twisted its head to you, its body and arms following a moment later. 

“She can start working with scrapper 478-G. Send her down.” The droid’s voice was gravely, like it was an old model, which matched perfectly with its physical condition.

“Wait,” It spoke again, returning to its room. You looked at Prauf, almost for guidance, asking subtlety what the droid was doing. Prauf raised his shoulders, shaking his head. The droid returned a moment later, a deep navy poncho in his hands. He held it out to you, your timid, cold hands thankful as you grabbed the piece of clothing. It was frayed, old, and definitely had been previously owned, but none of that mattered. It was a thick material, and was slick as well. It warmed you, and you were glad it would also keep some of the rain from the clothes on your body - the only ones you owned. 

“You’re ready now.” You could feel the droid stare at you, though it didn’t have eyes. You nodded one, before it spoke again. “Wait.”

You rolled your eyes, turning again to face it.

“Scrapper 478-G is gone. You will be stationed here with Rigger 1004-B.” 

“I don’t know if she can do rigging yet, boss.” 

“She will learn.” The droid turned away, leaving you both as he went back into his cave.

“A rigger? I thought you guys were scrappers?”

“We are. They’re pretty similar. Riggers just uh…well it's a bit harder. Pays better, though. You gotta get stuff in the hard to reach places.”

You stiffened, hoping Prauf couldn't hear how loud your heart was beating. You’d done stuff much riskier and more dangerous than this job. It wasn’t even comparable. But you’d never been here. And you had a near broken leg. You hadn’t had to follow many rules for a while, and you hoped the pressure, and pain, wouldn’t crack you.

“Hey, you’ll be okay Y/N. I mean, I’m a rigger. And hell, I’m a lot less nimble than you are.” Nimble was not the word that came to mind to describe yourself since you arrived in Bracca. More like slow and in pain. But Prauf was right. Though your build was smaller compared to his, you were quite strong.

Prauf began climbing the ladder to your next destination. It hung from the entrance, and went up a long way. It made you dizzy to crane your neck up so high. You pulled yourself up, your arms doing most of the work. When you focused too much on climbing, you could feel the pain. Your leg still hurt like a bitch. The rest of you hurt as well too, but all you could focus on was your stupid, hurting leg. Yet it didn’t stop you from climbing like your life depended on it. Which in the long run - it did. You hoisted yourself up as you spotted Prauf walking to a crouched worker ahead of you. You came up beside him and watched the rigger turn around. He had fiery orange hair, matching the orange patches near the top of his poncho that was also on yours and Prauf’s. He took out his headphone and removed a gas mask covering his face with grimy hands. 

“Cal, this is Y/N. She’s gonna be your problem until the boss decides where to put her.”

The boy smiled slightly at you, reaching his hand to yours. You were confused for a second or two, but finally raised your hand to shake his. You couldn’t recall the last time someone had shown you a nice gesture before Bracca. Maybe it wasn’t such a trash place afterall.

“We just had a Separatist ship land here before I found you,” Prauf spoke above you, “It’ll be good money.”

The rigger waved at Prauf as he left, the Abednedo giving you one last smile. 

“Here, I’ll uh…” Cal looked around the cargo, the two of you alone in the open dome shaped room with sparks still coming from wires. “I’ll show you around. The job is kinda different everyday. Do you have any experience?”

“No.”

Cal’s eyebrows furrowed as he tongue darted to the corner of his lips. Your eyes spotted a scar that cut into his eyebrow, as your eyes trailed over his face to the next. One along his nose, and one from his jaw down his neck. He noticed your eyes, his hand reaching to his neck to cover one. 

“So…how’d you end up here?” He asked, moving back to where he was working on the sparked wires. 

“Ship crash.” Your voice was quiet. It was your turn to distract him with questions before he got too curious. “What do we do here, exactly?” You already knew the answer. 

“We mainly break down starship wreckages and sell whatevers of value to the Empire.” His hands trailed along the drill, switching and flicking buttons before drilling into the piece he was working on. 

He stopped suddenly, the drill falling from his hands with a thud on the metal floor that rang into your ears, drowning out any other sound. He huffed, and looked at you, his eyes wide in alarm. He quickly came down from his odd gesture with a sigh. He cleared his throat before asking, “Do I know you? Have we met before?”

“What? No, I've never met you.” This boy was starting to freak you out. What the hell was wrong with him? Suddenly you felt a strong ripple in the Force, something you hadn’t used or purposely dove into for a very long time. A blue lightsaber wielded by a figure with red hair flashed once, making you gasp.

“Are you okay?” Cal asked. What the fuck.

“Fine. Just my head. I…I hit it pretty bad when I crashed.” 

His forehead wrinkled in sympathy as he spoke. “Well, in a couple days you’ll be able to buy some stuff to patch it u—”

“What the hell are you doing, rigger? You think we pay you to mess around? Who’s this?” A large, weird looking man had come from another entrance in the open structure. 

Cal looked confused, but stood his ground, his shoulders set higher as his posture improved almost miraculously. 

“This is Y/N. This is her first day on the job.” His voice was monotonous, much more notably so in comparison to how he was just talking to you.

The gruff man came up close to your face, making you scowl as your eyes squinted at his.

“Listen up. I don’t give a crap about how you got here or who you are. You're alone and you wanna live, right?

Oh you did not like this guy. But you weren’t dumb, this was the only way to make credits on Bracca since the purge. You nodded. Talking to this guy would waste what little energy and patience you had left.

“Good. Then get your ass up and work.” 

He stormed off, disappearing down the later you’d come up on. 

Cal sighed, apparently sharing your feelings for the man.

“What’s his deal?” you muttered to yourself.

Cal snorted, continuing with his work.

“He just got promoted a few days ago and is on a power kick, since he’s no longer one of the little guys. He doesn't really do much, though. Just walks around to check on us.”

“So what, all of us risking our necks for the bosses?” You were partially joking, though you knew it was true. 

“The pay isn't as good as it was during the Republic. Or that’s what Prauf always says. Now, we get paid just enough to get by.”

“Are you and Prauf…”

“Yeah, we’re friends. He’s a pretty nice guy.”

You nodded lightly, “He is.”

That word was one you hadn’t heard in a while. The last friends you had turned their backs on you or were dead. It wasn’t something you were jumping to make after…

Cal tilted his head towards the deeper part of the hangar. “Follow me.”

Could you please do BF headcanons for Luke Skywalker? Thanks :3

your prayers have been answered bae🙏🙏 luke bf headcanons is up now ! <3

Calentines Day ♡

 ↬ Cal Kestis x Fem!Reader

✧ Genre: FLUFF

✧ Word count: 1.1k

✧ Warnings: None! just cute stuff :)

<3 author’s note: this is something I just whipped up really fast last night for Valentine’s day, so there many be a couple spelling errors. Hope you enjoy regardless! Have a wonderful monday ❀ :)

✧ Summary: You told your Jedi boyfriend what Valentine's Day was. He doesn’t really understand. Or so you thought...

"What's it called again? Valley time...day?"

You scrunch your nose. "Valentine's day?"

"Yes! That. So...what does that have to do with me again?"

You were walking slowly behind Cal, holding his shoulders as you guided him forward on the Mantis' cold steel floor, hoping he didn't trip on the way. He was blind folded, a small maroon peice of fabric obscuring his vision. All he could make out was a deep shade of red whenever he tried opening his eyes.

You had just landed on Bogano - which Cal was still unaware of. He breathed in as you two stepped off the Mantis.

"Hm. It smells like...am I allowed to guess?"

You smacked his shoulder lightly. He laughed.

"I'll take that as a no."

-♡-

"Okay. Just, stay right there," you said, fixing your hair and playing with your fingers. You wanted everything to be perfect for the boy that had seemed to bring you endless and loyal joy like the sun itself. You shuffled around a bit longer as Cal's hands went on his hips. BD was back on the ship, though you swear you could hear his beeping from the door at the sight you created.

You stepped lightly so you were right in front of Cal, peeking behind your shoulder one last time to make sure everything looked okay. Not okay. Perfect.

You smiled lightly as you reached behind his soft head of hair, untying the burgany cloth from his face.

His eyes opened delicately, blinking a few times as they adjusted to the orange hues of the sun setting on Bogano.

Long, thin green plants and grass seemed to sorround the soft, white blanket on the ground, a bottle of Cal's favorite drink from back home sat on the dirt beside it, and a woven picnic basket sat overflowing on the blanket. Inside were his favorite candies, snacks, and some gorgeous purple flowers You'd brought back from Zeffo. They were his favorite.

His eyes opened wide at the sight, floating from his favorite items to a small pink box on the left, tied nicely with a bow - then to the right, candles of all sizes flickering in the still, warm, air, letting go of a soft scent that smelled like you.

His eyes were wide, as was his mouth. He walked over carefully as he took it in.

"Y/N...This is wonderful."

You blushed, and he turned around to face you, nothing how you stood still in place, looking at him sweetly as your fingers fiddled with each other.

"Well c'mon you gotta join me!" He reached for your hands and led you to the blanket, giggling, causing you to do the same.

You both sat and ate, drank, and laughed, Cal inching closer to you each moment if it was even possible. You leaned on his shoulder, gazing at the sun as the sky turned to pinks and deep purples.

'Oh, before I forget." You reached for the pink box, handing it to Cal.

"What's this?"

You watched giddily as he rotated the present, staring at you as if he was trying to read your mind. Oh Maker. Maybe he really was.

"Don't do that thing, Cal, or I'll take the present back!"

He laughed again, focusing all of his senses on a rose pink colored box in his hands.

He unraveled the white ribbon tying it together and lifted the lid.

"You're kidding."

He lifted up a piece of pink fabric that would so well drape over his shoulders as did the other god-knows-how-many ponchos in his closet.

The next thing you knew you were getting tackled to the ground in a bone crushing hug.

"I love it."

Cal lifted himself off of you after awhile, taking off the red poncho he wore before. It was his effort of committing to this 'Valentines' holiday you seemed so excited about. He hoped you liked it, but he was even more happy to be wearing one you got him.

"Did you make this?"

You nodded shyly, proud of your work but hoping he enjoyed it as much as you did.

He gave you a single heartfelt smile before leaning into you.

"I love it, sweet girl."

He planted a kiss on your lips with his soft ones, holding you like he never wanted to let go.

He pulled away slowly as you two savored the heartfelt moment. You swear you could see hearts in the clouds along the deep-pink skyline as your cheeks matched the lovely color.

"I got you something too. BD!"

The small droid came scurrying down to the two of you, two small hearts on both wires pointing up from his head.

"Aw, he looks adorable," you cooed, as the droid booped cutely at you.

"Well..." Cal spoke, looking at his small friend.

"Open up."

A small container on the side of BD-1's head slid out, a tiny red box inside.

Cal picked it up gently, closing the compartment and handing it to you.

"Cal...you didn't have to..."

"Oh don't be ridiculous. You really think I wouldn't get you anything."

"I mean you don't know too much about 'Valley time day."

The jedi scoffed, before saying, "I'm a fast learner."

"That you a..." You'd opened the box. inside, a small, beautiful ring sat delicately in the black velvet. It was silver and spotless, cold to the touch. But the best part about it was the sparkling piece of light blue that sat in the center of it. It was gorgeous - shimmering in your eyes as you twisted it back and forth, it's small, jagged edges dancing in what was left of the light.

Cal reached for your hands slowly, taking the box out of it as he slid the ring on your pointer finger.

"When I was on Ilum trying to find my next Kyber Crystal I...a piece of the one in my saber," he looked down to his belt, "chipped off. I thought it would make a pretty piece of something for you."

"Oh, Cal..."

You started the at ring, eyes flickering to his lightsaber ever now and then. You could feel his warm, loving gaze on you, and the heartfelt gift was too overwhelming - you began to cry.

"Hey...wha-what's wrong?" Cal asked you softly, his hands instinctively driftng to your legs.

You let out one small laugh at his gesture, gazing up into his eyes. His eyes were worried, his forehead creased as his mouth hung slight open, as if he was afraid to speak.

Meanwhile - Cal was freaking out in his head. Did he do something wrong? Do you not like it? Is this too soon?

"I didn't mean to— "

"Cal. I love it." The tears from your eyes slowed, a few still dripping down your face as you smiled at the ring. You could hear him let out a huge sign.

Your eyes floated back up to his, your smile growing wider as you put your arms around him, laughing.

"I love you, Cal."

"I love you too."

Waking Up With Padme

↬ Padmé Amidala Morning Headcanons ★

anon: “hey! can i request padme x reader headcannons of being in a relationship and what it would be like just waking up with her and cuddling and being cute in the sunrise + half asleep kisses and whatnot because im a big yearning lesbian and i miss her sm😵‍💫thanks!<33″

✧ Genre: FLUFF all fluff

✧ Media: headcanon / bullet-point

↬ intended for fem! reader but also could be gender neutral :)

OMGGG okay

So padme is like

The most gentle lover ever

Ofc she can be firm but

In the MORNING🥺️🥺️💓💓

She’s so in love with you. 

Literal hearts in her eyes when she looks at u 

She wakes up first for sure

Likes to look at how beautiful you are for a while before waking you

She likes to stroke your hair 

Once you wake up it's all tangled legs and smiles

She literally looks like sleeping beauty in the morning

You guys just lay tangled in each other and watch the other

She has the softestttt smile ever and in the AM 😣😣🥰🥰

Literally she will cancel important meetings or pull a no-show on special occasions

So you two can just lay :)

Like on your birthday or Life day

She gets up so quiet to make you a cute breakfast

Padme the typa woman to make shapes out of food

Like cute heart strawberries :) ♡ and heart shaped pancakes & eggs :) ♡

And when she comes in to give it to you

She just silently admires your still self

And you look so ethereal with the sun peeking through the lace curtains lighting you up

And her heart goes bu bum

She wake you up and you barely eat

You just wanna cuddle and feel the sun on your skin and her arms around you

Birds and light breezes are heard from the window

But the only sound you really care about is the sweet giggles leaving her mouth 

The more the both of you wake up the more she laughs and talks to you

The blankets and sheets get all tangled

And her hair is a curly mess

And she looks so cute in her lace nightgown and bed-head

That you pull her down with you and pull the sheets over your heads

And pretend you just woke up all over again ♡

I have Returned!

Hi all! so sorry for being gone so long -- school + work bla bla u know how it is haha, but I'm finishing a few things currently, and it will be posted in the nextweek! have an amazing day<3🫶

Matchmaker

↬ fem! jedi! reader x Nightsister Merrin ♥

✧ Genre: fluff

✧ Warnings: none flirty merrin

<3 author’s note: I love Merrin sm and wanted to make something for her as I don't see much out there for her :)

✧ Summary: You had joined the Mantis Crew a month or so before Cal, prevously hiding after Order 66 as a worker on Coruscant where you studied Dathomir. Now, as Cal finishes his quest from Dathomir, he heads back to the ship with Merrin, where you await them…

The door to the Mantis slid open, two pairs of feet echoing like alarms on the hard ramp. You startled from your seat on the peach toned couch as Cal came into view, holding the object you were hoping he would, the Astrium.

“You found it.” Cere said softly, a hopeful tone in her voice. 

“We can open the tomb on Bogano.” Your voice came out like a breath of release, astonishment and possibility swimming through your eyes and in your head. 

“Oh, well who's this?” Greeze questioned grumpily, glaring up at the figure dressed in red stood next to Cal. You hadn’t even noticed her at first, her presence startling you and the rest of the crew. Your focus had been too strong on the small, dainty object in Cal’s hands. He was holding it like it was all the galaxy, like it was a fragile star. 

You finally took your eyes from the object to see…she had white hair tied in a relaxed bun on the back of her head, a loose strand at the front hanging from her head. Her skin was a cool, light gray, complimenting her dark lips. Tattoos, or markings of some sort framed her face like a painting. 

Beep! BD-1 chirped. 

She’s coming along… 

“What's that supposed to mean?” Greez asked, crossing his arms.

It means I’ll be joining you,” the figure spoke, with a deadpan voice. It was the first time you noticed the darker shades of gray painted in shapes on her and hands that matched the ones on her face. It was quite pretty, you had to admit, and definitely intriguing. 

You were livid with anger when Cere advised Cal go on this mission on his own. You had been studying Dathomir and the Nightsisters (and brothers) for years. But of course, the Mantis was out of rations. It had been a miserable day without food until you landed on the red, hazy planet. 

You knew of every plant, creature, what to eat, what not to, where to step…so you stayed near the ship, gathering supplies and guiding Cal over your comms through the dark corners and paths of Dathomir. 

But now, a living Nightsister stood, in the flesh, in front of you. 

“Cere, Greez, Y/N, this is Merrin.”

“She's a witch, isn't she?” Greez spoke, words shaky. Before you could correct him, the newcomer beat you to it. 

“A Nightsister. Your fear is unnecessary.” Her voice was calm and stable, like each word she said was a fact. 

“I couldn't have gotten the Astrium without her. We fought Malicos together,” Cal explained. “I trust her.”

“And we trust you,” Cere spoke. “You,” she looked at Merrin, caution in her eyes, “will have to earn it.”

“Okay…fine.” Greez grumbled. “Grab some seat! as long as she doesn't try anything funny.”

“Welcome aboard.” Cere said in a more approving voice, walking past Merrin. 

Cal tilted his head to the side, hands on his hips as he turned to the Nightsister. He seemed to pick up on your lingering eyes on the girl, looking at you once before turning back to Merrin. “I think they like you.”

You turned your head quickly to the droid sitting next to you, Cal smirking at you as Merrin sat on the couch not too far from yourself. “Be-be-beep!”

Her forehead scrunched as she leaned down towards the droid. “I don't know what you're saying.”

Cal laughed, strutting to the front of the ship where your crewmates sat. Of course he would leave you with her.

You sat for a moment, trying to build up some confidence to talk to Merrin. You had so many questions for her. What was it like living on Dathomir? How did her magick work, exactly? How did it work off-world? How was she still—

BD-1 bumped your arm with his small head, repeating what he had just asked Merrin, signaling you to translate. 

“He says he likes your tattoos.”

She looked at you, squinting her eyes in confusion. He beeped again. You couldn't help yourself, and you laughed.

“What is funny?”

“He said you guys are matching.” Merrin peered down at her crimson clothing and white skin, before deciding to say, “I guess we are. Your name is…”

“Y/N.” She nodded once. “Merrin.”

“Um… have you ever been off-world?”

“Off of Dathomir? No. I stayed with my people all my life.” You weren’t sure what to say.

“I’m sorry about what happened.”

“Don’t be. The Jedi are not responsible.” 

“I lost all my friends and family too. Well…except for Cal, I guess. But I didn’t meet him until after…

“The Jedi purge.”

You looked at her with crinkled brows and almost spoke when she continued, “Yes, Cal Kestis told me all about what happened. I…understand what you went through.” 

You nodded, a smile finding its way to your lips.

“You learn to make a new family when you lose your first one,” you said. “Everyone here is pretty great. Well, Greez not all the time, but…he’ll warm up.

She nodded, peering over you. 

“Cal tells me you were studying Dathomir’s culture and the planet.” 

Of-kriffing-course he did.

“Oh, yes…I um, did for a few years on Coruscant, helping mainly with writing about the culture and the Nightsisters.”

“Well I would like to read your work and see if it is true.”

“I don’t have any of the writings with me…”

“Oh. Of course,” Merrin whispered.

You looked at your lap, a blush crawling over your cheeks and you second guessed your past job on Coruscant. Maker, you hoped for your sake that it was all factual.

“Why does your face look like that?”

“What?” You gasped.

“It seems you have something you want to ask…am I wrong?”

“No, I just…I didn’t study Dathomir for more than four years and I…

“Would you like to learn more?” She looked at you accusingly, but almost playful. You nodded, not trusting your voice. 

Merrin took the lead, pulling out a sharp, jagged glossy half sphere. It looked like a piece out of the moon.

“I’m sure you understand that Nightsisters use magick and the NIghtbrothers do not, and that we rule over them.”

You nodded again, BD nodding as well as he watched the green glow from Merrin’s spherical object.

“Our magick uses the force but is different from Jedi. I can disappear and reappear at will, move objects, and can even reanimate—

“The dead,” you finished. “Sorry.”

“Do not apologize. You know a lot about Nightsisters. I’m impressed.” Merrin stood up, walking over leisurely yet swiftly up a few steps to the Mantis’ terrarium. She moved like smoke, graceful and satisfying. 

“Hm. You found bleeding gut and mushlings.”

“Yeah, Greez likes to keep the plants behind the glass but I’m hoping, since we left Dathomir, that he’ll let me sneak my hand in there every now and them for mushlings to use with our meals.”

 Merrin leaned in closer to the terrarium over your shoulder. She stood a few inches taller than you, her face closer to yours than almost anyone’s had ever been. 

“Hey you two! We’re landing soon, grab some seat.” Greez’s voice nearly made you jump, Merrin having no reaction. She stepped back to the couch, this time the one closer to the cockpit where the rest of the crew sat. 

You sat next to her, BD jumping over the holotable to join Cal in the front.

“This ship possesses fascinating technology,” Merrin stated.

“The Mantis is…” you leaned over to peer into the pilot area, your heart warming for your now family. “Wonderful.”

The ship jolted as you went through some turbulence, Greez muttering an apology as Cere teased his flying skills. 

Both your hands flew to the seat below you, preparing to hold on, when your right one caught a cold hand, the woman attached to it looked at you through long, pretty, dark lashes.

You let go, muttering an apology. You were sure your face was as deeply red as her clothing.

Merrin tilted her head, squinting her eyes as she studied you. 

“You are quite easy to startle, Y/N.” Your name rolled off her tongue through her accent like the ocean’s on Kamino. It made your face flush. And you breathed out a shaky breath. The ship landed, and the shaking stopped, the clicking of seatbelts letting you know it was okay to stand up. 

“I…”

“It is alright. It has been a long time since I’ve had a…”

Merrin’s entrancing brown eyes fluttered down to her hand, which ghosted over yours. 

You kept it in place, as her black painted nails led her soft fingers to interlance with yours. 

Cal came from the cockpit, the same look of excitement plastered on his face before he went on any adventure - but it was swiftly replaced with a smug one. His eyes darted over your hands once as he lifted his eyebrows at you as he smirked, jogging past you and through the ships doors with his small droid on his back.

Your comm sounded as his complacent voice came through your ear, “I knew you two would get along.”