Keldabe

*The piercing didn't hurt anywhere near as much as she thought it would. Well, at least compared to almost getting her arm chewed off by a nexu, anyway. She bid farewell and thanked Yun and her family. Raine followed Fee out into the streets and thought on if there was anything else she wanted to see. The question was answered when her stomach rumbled some.* "I guess my stomach's decided that we need food." *She looked down at her clothes then back to Fee.* "What's wrong with look I have now."

"I've never actually thought about getting new outfits when I get a new haircut. Maybe I've just been happy enough with what I got to really think about it." *She followed Fee into the market, where she was engulfed with many sights and sounds. Everything seemed to catch her attention, from jewelry and clothes, to foods and hand crafted wares. After scooting from stall to stall, she finally found a place to eat.*

*With food in hand, she sat down at a table and began to est like she hadn'tin days. She finally came up for air and gave Fee a sheepish grin.* "Thanks for bringing me here today."

*Raine gave a small laugh at Fee's comment.* "There is a lot of that at home. I'm kinda outnumbered there." *She finished the last of her food and got to her feet.* "We can grab that kama and then head back." *There was one thing Raine did want to ask and it had to do with her buir.* "So....why doesn't Ro like my buir?"

*Raine listened intently to the story. Everything seemed to add up, especially the part about her buir.* "That..does sound like my buir. Although he does seem to have grown some since finding out Em and I are his kids." *She was silent for a moment before speaking.* "Did you..ever meet my mom? I mean, it was almost fourteen years ago, but..." *Raine wasn't entirely sure where she wanted the question to go. But it seemed like something to ask.* "Do you think she would have stayed with Lorcan if he found out about me?"

*A small smile tried tugging at Raine's lips when Fionnuala says her mom was cool. She was also glad to hear that her buir would've tried his best to change to keep her around. Raine fought back a small frown as she wondered what exactly made her mom leave in the first place.*

*She returned Fee's hug and listened to what she said. There was a problem with trying to keep her moms memory around though.* "I try remembering her, I really do. It's just getting harder every time I try and think about her. What she looks like I mainly remember from the only picture I have of her. Everything else..her voice, how she acted..it's all mostly faded away." *She stared off into the distance with glossy eyed gaze.* "Every time I think of her, I can only picture the day she died. When she looked back at me from the pilots seat. A split second before a rocket tore through the cockpit. There wasn't much left of the ship by the time I escaped."

*Raine was glad in a way to get those feelings off her chest. She had never actually opened up about the whole thing, and having someone listen was kinda..nice.* "I'll..ask him about it later, maybe tonight. I don't wanna have get everyone down just from thinking on it." *She paused for a moment before centering herself.* "And..thanks. For listening, I mean."

*She climbed into the speeder and tried to shove the bad memories away. Fee was right, her mom wouldn't want those memories to ruin her day. Besides, Fee had another good point, her buir and vod had been left unsupervised for awhile now. A small grin appeared on her face as she turned to Fee.* "Worried that we didn't leave them with adult supervision? I'm sure they'd be fine for a little while, until one of them got bored anyway." *She did have to admit one thing about those two hanging out.* "At least they can get some father, son time. When we hang out, it can get kinda weird. Especially when he has to answer awkward questions."

Buir! Ba'buir! Ve'en whined as he rounded the corner into the kitchen. Drek bal Fenn akaanir!

Vee sighed as set down her knife and turned away from the vegetables towards her eldest child. Drika offered her a sympathetic, but content, smile as she continued to contend with the nerf roast. Today Sven was returning from an unusually long "security gig". Four whole months with little communication while her husband was bouncing around getting into who-knew-what trouble with a few V'hetts. It paid well (which was becoming increasingly important with their expanding family) and gave him an opportunity to get back to work he enjoyed doing. In the meantime, Vee stayed at their humble abode in Keldabe, caring for their four children and taking on mechanic odd jobs to pad their meager income. Thankfully her former MIL, Drika, was able to give her a hand. While Vee took to being a mother, four children under the age of 5 years was draining, especially without their father around.

<Alright alright alright..> Vee fussed in mando'a. <Get out of the kitchen, it's too crowded for us all to be in here.> She leaned to kiss Kal's chubby cheek as she passed his baby chair at the entrance to the kitchen. He swiped at her face with a fat, droolly hand in response and a giggle. At 9 months, he was the youngest of the brood and looked every bit a carbon copy of Sven as the other three boys.

She placed a hand on top of Ve'en white-blonde head as they maneuvered into living space where she could already hear the wails of one of the twins (probably Drek, he was the more sensitive of the two). Sure enough, both of the recently-turned 3 year olds were in what appeared to be the end of a wrestling match. Drek already had a knot swelling on his head.

She cursed under her breath as she knelt to examine the situation and Ve'en crowed about how much trouble the twins were in. <Enough!> Vee bellowed. <Your father is going to be home any minute now and this is how he's to be greeted?> She rounded on Ve'en. <Ve'en, go help Ba'buir in the kitchen, now.> With a triumphant grin, he hightailed it back to the kitchen. After concluding Drek was ok, Vee put the twins on time out as Drek quietly sobbed and Fenn sulked.

A half hour later the roast and vegetables were in the oven and she, the four boys, and Drika were in the living space waiting for Sven to arrive. She rocked side to side with Kal in her lap as she hummed. Her eyes were glued to the entrance as if she could magically wish Sven to appear. Drika quietly read Ve’en, Derek, and Fenn a story from a holo that recounted Mandalorian history.

A solid thump at the door made them all jump. Excitedly Vee pushed to her feet and rushed to the entrance. Ve’en hurried beside her, jumping up and down and yelling “Buir!”, while Drika took Kal from Vee and knelt by the twins to explain that their buir was here.

Sven’s familiar beskar with the violet trim greeted her as she glanced out the security hole. She immediately unlocked and opened the entrance, then stepped back to give him room to enter. Ve’en was already launching himself at Sven before he could get all the way in. The twins stared with wonder and trepidation from the floor while Drika was still explaining to them that that was their buir and to say hello. Baby Kal clung to Drika and was blissfully unaware of what was happening.

Sven immediately grabbed up Ve’en as he strode through the entrance while Vee closed and locked up. The mandalorian removed his helmet, revealing an enormous smile in a well-tanned face. It made Vee’s heart skip a beat. Her eyes were watering slightly as he sat Ve’en down and turned toward her before going to the other children. His eyes became more heated as he gazed upon her.

Vee. he rasped. He reached for her, pulling her to him and cupping her face. <I’ve missed you more than anything.> he whispered huskily in mando'a, before passionately pressing his mouth to hers.

Vee...Sven's voice gently roused her to wakefulness. A rough hand pet her head and face with tender, sweet strokes. <The children will be back soon.> his raspy voice continued. Her eyes fluttered open to rest upon him naked beside her in bed. A smile automatically lifted the corners of her mouth.

Can't we run away? she whispered back in Basic. A chuckle rumbled from his chest as he gazed adoringly down at her.

Do you want to? He responded back in Basic, a slight, guttural accent flavoring his words.

Vee sighed with a huge smile as she turned toward Sven and snuggled into his chest. Sure, why not? Her hand slid up his chest, over his shoulder and neck, and into his hair. She gave the short, dirty-blonde strands a firm tug. Her husband growled lowly, easily flipping her over and pinning her to the bed. She lifted her head until her mouth was nearly on his. We could run away and spend days in bed like this. Wouldn't it be nice?

Sven's blue eyes danced with passion and mirth. I see what you're doing...He lowered her mouth to hers passionately, but briefly, moaning as he pulled away. <But you won't fool me that easily.> he chided, lapsing back to mando'a. <Time to get up, it's been a few hours since Drika left and I can't imagine how crazy the boys are making her.>

He quickly band his arms around her, then rolled them as a unit to the edge of the small bed. She didn't fight him, because she knew he was right. She sighed with disappointment as they sat up. Sven lifted her chin, face beaming down at her with mischief in his eyes. <Hey sweetheart, don't be down. We still need a shower, right?>

An hour later they were clean and redressed. She was changing Kal's nappy and thinking through warming up the nerf leftovers for dinner when she heard her husband clear his throat behind her.

<Vee, there's something important I want to discuss, and I want to do it before the kids and Drika return.> His voice was somber.

Vee frowned, picking up Kal and turning towards Sven. Anxiety bloomed in her chest. <Is everything ok?>

Sven relaxed his face slightly as he moved towards her and took Kal from her arms. <Everything is wonderful, sweetheart...I've just been thinking about our situation, with work.>

Vee relaxed at that, tucking a leg under her as she joined her husband sitting on the edge of the bed. <Alright...what have you been thinking about? Did everything go ok with the Rough Necks this trip?>

He nodded, shifting Kal so he could take hold of Vee's hand. <Everything went well. It was tough, but we got through it.> He paused. <The work was hard, but it was harder because I had to be away from you and the children for so long. I was thinking...> He trailed off and lowered his eyes. Vee lowered her head to try to capture his eyes again.

<What is it...?> she probbed. Sven only acted like this when he was especially concerned or anxious about something. That only served to worry her, though she couldn't imagine what could be so bad right now. Had he been kicked off the team? Had someone died? She assumed everything had gone well because he was back in one piece and their bank account was full. If he continued to do trips like this, they might even be able to move to a place with more leg room.

Sven sighed, kissing Kal's forehead and reluctantly glancing up at his wife. <I was thinking we move to Concord Dawn.> His words came out in a hurry, as if he was trying to get it off his chest before he lost the courage. Vee's eye widened and she froze.

Concord Dawn? she asked weakly. No wonder Sven was hesitant. She had no interest in living in a back water planet again. It was difficult to make ends meet because there weren't as many opportunities. And boring. So very very boring. Though she supposed with Clan V'hett there, maybe Concord Dawn wouldn't be so bad in that respect. Though the last thing she wanted was a reminder of Don...

She blinked, Sven's face coming back into view. He was watching her carefully and she suddenly noticed that his grip on her hand had tightened. You want to be closer to your family? she asked, switching back to Basic.

Sven nodded. It's cheaper to live there. I wouldn't have to make as many trips, so I can spend more time with you and the ade. We'd be surrounded by the Clan, so we would always have help and be safe. His eyes pleaded with her as he slid his hand around her back and shifted closer to her. His voice lowered to a whisper. <I've missed you Vee...I was gone too long. I've missed you more than-> His voice caught and he paused to gain composure. It pained her to see him like this. Her heart pounded in her chest and tears pricked her eyes.

<I've missed you too Sven, more than anything.> She wrapped her arms around him with baby Kal sandwiched between them. He held on to her tightly and buried his face in her neck. She sighed, knowing that he was right. Moving to Concord would be best for them. 4 months had been too long and, though it seemed worth it now, she thought of the next long trip and her heart faltered.

<Ok...> she conceded. <Concord Dawn it is.>