Bad Batch ~ Bryn-ayla Del Caro
A/N: Welcome all! Here's an introductory chapter to my Jedi OC, Bryn. I've been weaving her into the Star Wars Saga over the last year, Please give her some love! If anyone has ideas or constructive criticism, all is welcome. May the Force be with you!
Word count: 4.5k
Warnings: canon descriptions of violence. Mentions of death, injuries and brief mention of suicide.
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The year is 21BBY, and the Clone War has been raging for just over a year. Jedi Master Bryn-Ayla Del Caro has come to Kamino to meet her new trooper squad, Clone Force 99. How will she mesh with this new batch of soldiers?
Footsteps softly echo off the pristine white floors of the Tipoca City Cloning Facility as two Jedi and a Kaminoan calmly walk through the hallways.
"The clone production is getting more and more efficient with each batch." The Kaminoan, Nala Se, says, gently waving her hand at a window that overlooks towers of embryos floating peacefully in bacta tanks.
Master Bryn-ayla Del Caro simply nods. "It is clear that your cloning facilities are impressive, and the soldiers you train are outstanding fighters. But with all due respect, I came all this way to meet my new squad, not for a tour."
"Yes, Clone Force 99." The other Jedi, Master Shakk Ti adds. "Our experimental batch. They are just getting ready to run the Citadel simulation for your assessment. Right this way."
She gestures to a nearby door and leads the way through a few more turning hallways until Bryn finds herself on a balcony overlooking the impressive Kaminoan training facility.
Nala Se takes her place at the direction console for the facility. "It will be just a moment."
Bryn turns to her comrade. "So, what more can you tell me about Squad 99?"
The togruta smiles. "As I said when we first talked, they're an interesting bunch. Each had their DNA modified to emphasize traits that may be desired in soldiers. Enhanced intelligence, superior eyesight and reflexes-"
"Amplified strength?" Bryn adds as the platform rises into the arena with four clones on it, one significantly bigger than his brothers.
"Now you're getting the idea." Shaak Ti responds. She looks over to Nala Se, "Are we ready to begin?"
The Kaminoan nods, turning to one of her assistants "Lets go with variation 473, and tap into their comms channel." she says.
The assistant nods, tapping a few buttons on the control console. The droids in the arena below come to life, raising their weapons as an automated voice begins a countdown.
On the platform below, the four clones are talking to each other.
"We've done hundreds of these, boys. We've got this in the bag." Their Sergeant says absentmindedly, his eyes trained on the new face on the viewing platform above.
The large one smirks under his helmet. "A simulation? Why don't they give us a real challenge?"
The group fans out, immediately settling into their places behind the crates set throughout the arena.
'Three... Two... One...'
The droids begin their assault. After assessing the situation, the sergeant turns to the man beside him. "Crosshair, towers."
The clone carrying a firepuncher rifle, Crosshair, gives a curt nod and creeps around the perimeter to begin scaling one of the towers firing down upon the squad. He makes quick work of them and begins picking off droids down below as his brothers begin their advance.
After a couple more moments, Bryn can hear who she assumes is the big one grumble to his comrade with a helmet modified to fit a pair of goggles. "Augh, this is boring."
Sensing what he's about to do, his brother shouts, "Wrecker, no!"
Completely ignoring him, Wrecker launches himself over the barrier they were sheltering behind, kicking a droid out of his way and immediately bringing his hands down on another. Shaking his head, the brother follows Wrecker's path while the sergeant pulls up the rear.
Mad laughter can be heard through the comms channel and Bryn smiles. "He seems to enjoy this. They have interesting tactics, Master Ti."
She nods and turns to the Kaminoan assistant. "Switch to variation 291." They turn their attention back to the arena as the assistant changes the simulation.
New armored battle droids rise from the floor, eliciting another laugh from Wrecker. The armored droids begin firing as more waves of battle droids close in, causing the three clones on the ground to retreat behind barriers.
Crosshair fires a couple shots onto the armored droids, but it simply calls their attention to him. They fire up to the tower where he's perched, causing him to retreat down to the ground where the sergeant is. His cool voice finally comes over the comms. "This is going well."
The clone with goggles looks over at Wrecker and remarks. "They must have changed the simulation parameters. It seems our original assault may not be sufficient."
"You think?" Wrecker grumbles back.
"Might I suggest Plan 23, Hunter?" Goggles says, looking at his Sergeant.
"Good thinking, Tech. That sound alright boys?" Hunter replies
They all give a nod and move to new positions, restarting their fire on the droids. One of the droids manages to hit Hunter's blaster, knocking it out of his hand. To Bryn's interest, he simply pulls a pair of vibro-knifes from his armor and continues with hand-to-hand attacks on the droids. "You let us know when you're ready, Crosshair." He says.
A couple more movements of fire between the clones and the droids pass and suddenly Crosshair calls over the comms, "Now!"
He and his three brothers each toss a small shiny disc in the air, and Crosshair fires a single shot, it ricochets off droid heads and the discs taking out every last droid in the arena.
The clones all emerge from cover and look up to the balcony where their spectators stand. "Nice job, boys." Hunter remarks.
Shaak Ti simply gives a nod to the clones below. "Come, Master Caro. Time to meet them in person." She says, beckoning the other master to follow her.
Back on the training floor, Wrecker turns to his brothers. "Who d'you suppose was up there with Shaak Ti?"
"Probably our new General." Tech replies, pulling a data pad from his belt.
"Tch." A single noise, dripping in distain from Crosshair.
Before the squad can say anything else, the door to the arena opens and Shaak Ti enters, leading what is definitely another Jedi behind her.
"Clone Force 99, may I introduce you to your new General, Jedi Master Bryn-ayla Del Caro." Shaak Ti says, waving a hand to the Jedi beside her.
The squad takes their helmets off, and a clone with a mess of long dark hair tied back by a red bandana steps forward. "General, I'm Sergeant Hunter, and these are my men." He points to the clone with goggles that's holding the data pad. "This is Tech, he's our smart one."
Then he points to the clone that towers over his brothers. His left eyes is clouded over and it's clear he's taken an explosion to that side of his head. "This is Wrecker. And finally-"
"Crosshair." Bryn finishes, looking at the tall and lithe clone with the rifle.
The squad looks at her in surprise.
"Woah, was that some kind of Jedi trick?" Wrecker asks with a grin on his face.
Bryn laughs, "Far from it. We were tapped into your comms. Your tactics are quite impressive. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work."
Hunter glances to his squad. "With all due respect, we are a little confused as to why we are being assigned to you, sir. Don't Jedi normally command entire legions, or armies even?"
Bryn gives the remark some thought before replying. "Come, let's get something to eat and I'll answer all your questions."
"Please allow me to escort you." Shaak Ti says, but Bryn holds up a hand in protest.
"Thank you, Master Ti," she says "but I believe my squad can show me the way. We'll be fine"
The togruta considers the suggestion, eventually nodding. "Alright, please come see me in my office before you depart."
Bryn nods and Shaak Ti exits the arena. She then turns to the clone squad, "You are hungry, right?"
Hunter clears his throat. "Ah, yeah, yes sir. Come on boys, let's show the General to the mess."
Hunter falls into stride with Bryn, as his three brothers follow behind.
"So, who exactly are you?" Crosshair croons.
"Crosshair-" Hunter warns.
"No, it's okay." Bryn says. "I am Jedi Master Bryn-ayla Del Caro. I was born on Takodanna in the western mid-rim, brought to Coruscant when I was four to begin my Jedi training. I was padawan to Jedi Master Plo Kloon. I work closely with Master Obi-wan Kenobi and the 212th Legion as well as Knight Anakin Skywalker and the 501st. I'm sure they don't need introductions."
Bryn pauses, but the brothers are hanging on to her every word. "Depending on what files you have pulled up on that data pad there, Tech, you may see that yes, I did command a Legion for the Republic." Again, she pauses. The name of her fallen men catches in her throat. "The 43rd."
Tech adjust his goggles, quickly typing in a few things on his data pad. "Everything I have here confirms what you said, though there is one discrepancy. It says here that the 43rd Legion was wiped out entirely during the Battle on Jabiim early in the War."
Bryn's face falls. "There were two survivors from the 43rd."
"So you just left your men behind to be slaughtered?" Crosshair sneers.
Bryn's face hardens and she stops to look him dead on. "Why don't you hear me out before throwing accusations around? The front on Jabiim hadn't changed in nearly six weeks. The Republic decided to switch tactics. They divided the 43rd into its battalions and sent them to simultaneously attack Separatist strongholds to retake the planet. I was forced to stay with my point battalion at Shelter Base to coordinate our efforts and hold our only point of occupation."
Her words seem strong, angry maybe, but Hunter can sense she's terrified. He can hear her heart pounding in her chest as she continues. "Separatist Commander Alto Stratus had all our intel. He was able to maneuver through our defenses and launch a frontal assault on Shelter Base. I was at point, trying to buy enough time for everyone to get inside. I lost one hundred and twenty-seven of my men in that first attack. Good men. We had just enough time to triage the wounded before the second wave hit. I couldn't tell you how many assaults there were after that. The Seppies were armed far beyond what we expected. It was almost like they were toying with us as they divided that battalion and picked us off."
Bryn pauses, some screams of falling troopers echo through her skull. "It was all a blur. There must have been a break because the last I remember was my Commander dragging me out into the woods. Apparently it was four days before a rescue ship made it out to our location, I don't know how Steeler kept us alive. The next I knew I was waking up on Coruscant after spending a week in a Bacta Tank."
She takes a moment to steady her breathing and Tech's data pad let's out a couple beeps.
"Ah, yes." He says. "Here's the treatment report. Concussion, facial fractures, four cracked ribs, multiple lacerations and blaster wounds that needed surgical repair, shattered kneecap, bruising to the kidney, liver and spleen from blunt force trauma, and post-surgical intracranial bleeding." Tech lists off.
Bryn swallows. "I should have died. It took me three days to wake up after they fished me out of the bacta. Medics were unsure whether I was going to wake up at all. That's when I learned the fate of my Legion. The battalion at Shelter Base wasn't the only one that was compromised, all of them were. The other Jedi commanders and my three younger brothers were among the those killed in battle. The loss of Jabiim was a grave Republic defeat. Some men were lucky enough to survive the blood bath and made it to the med stations, but most soon died to their injuries. For the ones who left the medbays, it was only a couple of weeks before they chose to join their brothers. Commander Steeler and I are the only survivors."
The squad is silent for a moment as they soak in her story.
"Kriff." Hunter mutters. "I knew Jabiim was bad, but I didn't know how bad."
Wrecker's jaw is hanging open. "Well, what happened to you then?" He prods.
Bryn sighs, "Commander Steeler was absorbed into the 212th under General Kenobi. I've been helping both the 212th and 501st as well as doing some Ambassador work, but the Council and the Chancellor think it's time for a change. They wanted to move me to command the fourteenth sector army, but I refused the position." She trails off.
"You turned down the command of an entire army. How noble. Or was it fear?" Crosshair jeers again.
Bryn's face darkens. "No. I didn't agree with the Republic's decision to split my legion. It was early in the war and a lot of our troopers were still shiny, the command included. I wanted to take my lead squad to see what we were dealing with before attacking, but I was overruled. The Republic felt our numbers were strong enough for the siege to succeed with full frontal attacks. I should have gone against orders and taken the squad anyway. I knew it was the right choice even though the Republic thought otherwise. It's not the first time I've disagreed with Command, it probably won't be the last."
Hunter waves a hand down the hallway, beginning to lead the group again. "Then you may understand our-" He chooses his next words wisely. "-reservations about the Republic's decision to send you to supervise us."
Bryn stops and places a hand on the Sergeant's shoulder plate, "I'm not here to supervise you. I requested this squad. I see a chance for us to do for others what I couldn't do for the 43rd."
Wrecker cocks his head to one side. "You want to be here with us?"
"Your files were very promising. This elite clone force will be able to tackle the missions entire Legions can't figure out. We can save lives and hopefully bring this war to a swifter end." Bryn responds.
Crosshair rolls his eyes. "A Jedi wanting to save innocent civilians, how novel." He mutters under his breath.
"Not just civvies. Clones." Bryn says sternly. "The majority of the Republic leaders have yet to realize that throwing bodies at a problem rarely ever works. I'm looking to change that."
She turns and continues walking. "So, Sergeant, I know the skills of your brothers. What about you? With a name like Hunter, I might guess extreme patience. While that may be true, I sense there's more to you than that."
She chuckles at her own joke, which actually brings a smile to the squad's faces, save Crosshair. Though, Bryn is fairly sure she saw the corner of his mouth twitch upward.
Hunter rubs the back of his neck, smiling. "You would be correct, General. Heightened senses is the gift I got, but you're not wrong about the patience either."
Hunter paused at the doors the mess and they slide open to reveal a huge hall filled with the same face a few dozen times over. Hunter leads the way to the mess line, but a blanket of hushed whispers falls over the room as the squad walks through it.
"A Jedi?"
"That's General Caro."
"What's she doing here?"
A wash of relief falls over Squad 99, for once the whispers aren't about them. As they find a table to sit down with their trays, a shiny saunters up to Bryn with a smirk plastered across his face and two other shinies at his side.
"You know, General, why don't you come over with me and I'll show you how a real clone troops." He leers at Bryn. Many nearby clones turn to watch the scene unfold.
Squad 99 watches her, intrigued at how she'll respond. She simply keeps her eyes on her tray, spooning some stew towards her mouth. The shiny gets bolder and places a hand on her shoulder.
"What, you shy, loth-kitten?" He taunts.
The squad's eyes widen at his comment. Now the whole mess hall is watching. Hunter even clenches a fist, ready to stand to Bryn's defense. Bryn calmly takes a sip from her glass, and sets it down on the table, ignoring the hand on her. The shiny tightens his grip on her shoulder, opening his mouth for another comment. Suddenly a bowl goes flying off one of his mate's trays, landing on his head and splattering its contents everywhere. Hunter could swear he saw the General's hand twitch. Snarling, the shiny reels back and wipes the stew from his eyes only to see the general standing tall in front of him.
"Are you alright, Trooper?" She says, her voice smooth and calm. "You should be more careful, you might end up with your foot in your mouth instead of your lunch. What are you called?"
The shiny's face reddens, he answers with a growl. "CT-13-"
Bryn raises a hand, interrupting him. "No, what is your name, soldier?"
He blinks at her. "I- I don't have one."
She smiles. "Well, looks like you just earned one, Stew. I think it would be best if you finished your meal somewhere else." She turns and sits back down without waiting for a reply. The shiny and his mates slink back to a far corner of the mess hall and the general bustle returns to the room.
Bryn turns back to her meal but pauses when she notices the Squad is staring at her, mouths open. "What?" She asks plainly, a spoonful halfway to her mouth.
Hunter shakes his head. "I didn't know how you were going to react, but I certainly didn't expect that."
"That was awesome!" Wrecker exclaims
Bryn smiles. "That was a Jedi trick, Wrecker."
"Are they always that entertaining?" Tech asks, wiping a few drops of stew off his data pad.
"Definitely not." Bryn replies. "But I do seem to specialize in tricks of the edible variety. I threw a pastry at a fellow Jedi when we were in the Academy together, a besalisk with a bad attitude. Though, I just threw with my arm that time."
Again, the corner of Crosshair's mouth threatens to turn upwards, but a question from Tech draws Bryn's attention.
"So, Bryn. I'm curious, you said you're from Takodana, but you mentioned your brothers perished in the Battle of Jabiim. Did your family relocate and live in a village that was destroyed?"
Hunter can hear her heart skip a beat. "No. My brothers enlisted in the GAR at the start of the war. The 43rd legion was home to a battalion of nat-born soldiers. Sembren, the youngest, was only 24."
Tech rubs his chin. "Ah, so they chose to fight. I wonder why."
Bryn shrugs her shoulders. "I guess with a Jedi as an older sibling, they felt like they also had to answer to a greater purpose. I wasn't there to see them grow up so I wouldn't know. I never thought to ask when I did meet them. Sometimes I wonder what their lives would look like if they hadn't decided to serve the Republic."
"So you're the oldest of your family I take it?" Tech continues.
A shadow of something flits across Bryn's face, but she quickly replaces it with a smile. "The Jedi have long since been my family."
"What other Jedi tricks do you know, General?" Wrecker enthusiastically asks.
Bryn laughs. "Well, force-kinesis is definitely a party trick, but it can be a useful skill. With concentration, a Jedi can influence an individual's thoughts, though the success rate can depend on the subject's willpower or species. With study and practice, some Jedi can accelerate their healing. Many get visions in their dreams when the mind is more vulnerable. And of course, Jedi tend to have quick reflexes-" Her hand flies up and catches something- a spoon.
Wrecker, Tech, and Hunter turn in surprise to see Crosshair's outstretched hand.
"-which can be a huge advantage in battle." Bryn finishes calmly, setting the utensil down. "Though, the most helpful skill, in my opinion, is the ability to sense an individual's thoughts and emotions." She raises her eyes to Crosshair, who gets an uneasy feeling that she's actually looking through him.
"So," she continues. "If you all are done eating, then we can get going."
Hunter's brow furrows. "To where?"
"Oh I thought they would have told you." Bryn says apologetically. "I'm not just here to meet you, I'm here for our first mission. You're shipping out with me, tonight."
The squad's eyes widen as they look to each other. They're actually leaving Kamino.
Wrecker suddenly stands up, nearly knocking over the table. "Well what are we waiting for?"
Bryn and the rest of the squad stand up and clear their trays before walking out of the mess hall. The Jedi glances around her at the white Kaminoan hallways that all look the same.
Hunter appears at her right side. "You needed to go see Shaak Ti, right? Do you know the way to her office?"
Bryn shakes her head. "Admittedly no."
The sergeant smiles and jerks his head toward where his brothers are standing. "Come on, our barracks are on the way."
Once again Bryn finds herself winding through identical hallways until Crosshair, who's leading the group stops at a door. It slides open for them and the squad files in, Bryn last. She glances around and can quickly decipher whose bunk is whose.
Wrecker's is an absolute mess, blankets tossed everywhere, littered with ration bar wrappers. Bryn does notice there's a tooka doll tucked into the corner by Wrecker's pillow. Crosshair's is pristine. Three practice targets are hung on the wall, three sets of blacks are neatly folded on top of his crisply made bunk. He's managed to arrange some spare crates around his bed into a barrier between him and the rest of the barrack.
Much like Wrecker's, Tech's blankets are haphazardly thrown on the bed, but instead of ration wrappers, pieces of spare wire and mechanical components are strewn about. The majority of his bunk is occupied by what looks like a long-range transmitter, and the walls of his bunk are decorated with various scribbles of equations or gadget designs. Hunter's bunk is neatly made, not to Crosshair's caliber, but neat nonetheless. A spare pair of boots sits at the foot of his bed, a storage trunk beside them. He's decorated his wall will the same skull emblem as the one on his red bandana and '99' in Aubresh. He has his Sergeant accolades pinned above his pillow.
There are two spare bunks in a corner of the room. Neither have blankets on them, both are taken by storage crates holding a slew of random items. Hunter sniffs a couple times. "Ah, sorry about the smell, General." he says, setting his helmet down on a crate by his bunk.
Bryn chuckles. "Don't be, this is nothing. The 501st? Some of them are fresh enough to peel paint."
Again, Hunter smiles at her and turns to his brothers. "Start packing, boys. I'll be right back."
He steps back out into the hallway, pausing to make sure Bryn follows him. It only takes a couple minutes for him to escort her to master Shaak Ti's office.
He turns to make his way back to the barracks, but Bryn calls out to him. "I won't be long. When you all are done packing, meet me in Hangar 99. Expect to be gone for about ten days."
The doors to hangar 99 slide open as Hunter steps through with his brothers. His eyes fall on General Caro who's leaning up against an Omicron-class attack shuttle. She's added some armor pieces over her Jedi robes, something many generals choose to do. Hunter comes to attention in front of her, giving a salute. "Reporting, General." He says curtly, his brothers following suit.
Bryn chuckles and casually waves her hand. "No need for that boys, I hated it when an entire legion did it, still hate it now." The squad returns to their normal postures as she pushes herself away from the starship. "I trust you had no trouble finding your way here?"
Tech adjusts his goggles. "Hangar bay 99, very fitting."
Bryn smiles. "I thought so too."
Hunter scans over the ship behind the general in awe. "What is this" He asks plainly.
Bryn gestures wide to the ship. "Welcome to your new home away from home. The Havoc Marauder." She presses her hand to a button on the landing gear and the gangplank slides open. "Come on in."
The batch walk up the gangplank in turn and begin investigating the interior. After only a few minutes inside, it's clear the starship has been modified with a few more creature comforts than a regulation Omicron-class. Half the jump seats on the wall opposite the entryway have been replaced with a massive databank and multiple displays. The cockpit houses four chairs that look much more comfortable than regulation. Through the entry galley there's a hallway with two doors on one side and a single door on the other.
The first of the two doors reveals a mess storage with a ration warmer and even a small kaf press. Next door is the refresher, complete with a shower stall, albeit a cramped one. Across the hall is the med bay with a permanent bunk in the corner and some basic exam and trauma instruments. At the end of the hallway is another door that leads to a large space at the rear of the ship. On one wall there's three fold-down bunks and on the other side of the space are weapons racks and storage crates. The entrance to the rear gun is here and in the center of the space is a ladder leading to both the upper and lower cargo holds.
When the boys are done exploring, they come back to the entry galley to find Bryn leaning against the bulkhead to the cockpit.
"So?" She asks with a smile on her face. "Will this suffice?"
Hunter glances around him. "This can't be regulation."
Before Bryn can reply, Tech chimes in. "It is not. Clearly this ship has been heavily modified. Though, I may need to make a few more."
"How did you get this?" Wrecker asks, still looking around him with child-like glee.
Bryn shrugs. "Well... You nearly get yourself killed a couple times and people will give you something nice every once in a while. Crosshair, what do you think?"
The sniper's eyes had barely glanced around the ship before training on the general. As Crosshair's eyes narrow, Bryn braces for another snide comment that doesn't come. "Your armor."
His brothers focus on the general and they finally notice the armor plates she added to her Jedi robes are gleaming maroon-striped metal with the Republic insignia on her left shoulder, the crest of the Jedi order on her right. A striking set of jiag eyes adorns her chestplate.
"Beskar." Crosshair breathes, his unspoken question hanging in the air.
Bryn crosses her arms. "House Vizsla." She responds plainly.
"Woah." Wrecker exclaims. "Wait- what's that?"
Tech adjust his goggles. "House Vizsla." He repeats. "One of the oldest lineages of Mandalore, and the first Mandalorian bloodline to produce a Jedi."
Wrecker blinks. "But I thought you were from Takodana?"
"I am." Bryn replies. "My family descended from a branch of House Vizsla, but my ancestors left Mandalore not long after the start of the Mandalorian Civil Wars. This armor is one of the last pieces of that history."
"Would you ever go back?" Hunter asks.
"Although I have blood of the Creed, I would never be considered one of their own, I honestly have no desire to be. My people are elsewhere. 'Aliit ori'shya tal'din'."
The squad's eyes widen when Bryn speaks in their native Mando'a.
"Family is more than blood." Hunter repeats.
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After the recent encounters with Sebek and Lilia’s tsums, Silver suspected his own tsum must be out there somewhere, waiting for its turn to make an appearance. What he was not expecting, however, was to wake up one morning and find a whole trio of his doppelgangers sitting on his bed.
But they aren’t tsums. Sitting astride on the pillow next to him are three tiny, humanoid creatures with silver hair, white skin, and eyes a curious blend of blue and purple. One creature is dressed in the Diasomnia dorm uniform, another in the school’s PE uniform, and the third in the white lab coat and green goggles that students wear for alchemy class. Each one is no bigger than the palm of his hand.
He wonders if they’re stuffed animals, or perhaps some playthings his father had left on his bed as a prank, but quickly discovers that isn’t the case when the creatures stand up and scatter as he reaches out to touch them.
Still half-asleep, Silver hastily gathers the three little oddities in his arms and calls Lilia and Sebek to the dorm lounge. He stops by Malleus’s room on the way and goes to knock on the door, but can’t bring himself to lower his raised fist onto the wood. He continues to the lounge, not wanting to disturb their young prince.
Lilia leans over and picks up one of the creatures - the one dressed in a tiny Diasomnia uniform, hat and all - and it lets out a startled squeak as he raises it into the air.
Sebek twists his face into a grimace. “Blech! It squeaked! Not only do they physically resemble rodents, but they sound like them, too.”
“Did you just call me a ra-”
“Wait, is that a tag affixed to its back? Is there something written on it?” Sebek asks. He points to a white strip of paper peeking out from underneath the creature’s coat.
Lilia turns the creature over in his hands and brings the tag up to his face, reading aloud the miniscule text as he squints.
“It says… Nui..guru..mi? Nuigurumi? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
Lilia looks up at Sebek and Silver, and both boys shake their heads in bewilderment.
“You guys haven’t either, huh. Hmm…” Lilia turns the creature in his hands this way and that, looking over every inch of it as though searching for some hidden clue that might unravel this mystery. “Well, for the time being, I say we just keep an eye on them. Just like we did when those tsums appeared.” Lilia sets the creature down on the floor and it toddles over to hide behind his legs, staring up at the three of them with unblinking eyes.
“I think that’s a good idea, father,” Silver says. Sebek crosses his arms and huffs, “Of course it’s a good idea, you twit! This is Sir Lilia we’re talking about! Legendary general of-“
“Anyways,” Lilia interrupts with a laugh, “We’ll need to figure out what to call these things. “Nuigurumi” is a bit of a mouthful, but I think “nui” would work just fine.”
Before Silver can open his mouth to voice his agreement, Sebek lets out a cry and starts clawing at his back.
“Augh!! Silver, unhand me at once!!!”
“I’m not touching you?”
Sebek spins on him like a panther.
“I know that!” he spits. “Clearly I was referring to the miniature Silver that’s presently crawling around on my back!!”
Silver sighs and plucks the nui off the other boy, but it quickly wriggles free from his grip and jumps down to the floor. It races over to join the other two nuis clinging to Lilia’s legs.
“Hmph! Wretched little things…” Sebek mutters.
“How about this: Just so we know who’s talking about what, w’ell call this little one “Dorm Silver”, this one “PE Silver”, and this one “Lab Silver”? Does that sound alright?” Lilia offers.
Sebek and Silver both nod, frowning.
“Why must those creatures insist on accompanying Sir Lilia everywhere he goes? It’s vile. Do they not understand he requires his personal space?”
“Yeah, it’s a real shame.”
Lilia, with the nuis in tow, had announced he’d be eating lunch with a few of his classmates so they could work last-minute on some group assignment, and Silver and Sebek agreed to wait for Malleus at their usual table. Sebek rips a massive chunk out of his turkey sandwich and chews noisily as he glares at the nuis from across the cafeteria.
“And why are they so determined to do every little thing for him? Look, now the one in the gym uniform’s trying to pour Sir Lilia’s tomato juice for him! As though he were but an infant! Do they not realize he’s more than capable of tending to his own needs?!”
“Reminds me of a certain someone.”
“Whoever that may be, I should hope they’d learn to cease with such unsightly behavior!! It’s truly maddening!”
Sometimes, Silver just can’t tell if Sebek is joking or not, and he doesn’t have the energy that afternoon to try and find out. But Sebek is right, the nuis havebeen hovering around his father nonstop the past few days – taking turns riding on Lilia’s head and shoulders any chance they can get, and happily fetching black licorice and other snacks for him from the dorm kitchen while he games.
And they haven’t just been doting on Lilia. Silver didn’t need to chastise his father for picking up the tv remote with his feet again that morning, for Lab Silver knocked the device out from between Lilia’s toes with an angry squeak before Silver could even say anything.
Although Silver’s been enjoying the short reprieve from having to keep an eye on his father’s antics, he’s also been perplexed by the man’s behavior the past few days. There are moments when Lilia grows so quiet and so still that Silver wonders if he’s still even there, and he’ll look over and see his father cradling the nuis in his arms and rocking them with a gentle sway.
Something tugs at Silver’s heart when he sees his father smiling down at them like that - with all the warmth and reassurance of a childhood summer. But he doesn’t know what that “something” is, can’t find a name for it as he’s plunged once more into that same broad expanse of emotions his father has pulled him down into countless times before. He gropes blindly through the water, desperate to find his answer, but his pale hands are empty each time he surfaces.
Silver blinks away the heat threatening to build in his eyes and turns his head, scanning the cafeteria for that familiar shock of brightly dyed hair.
When Malleus comes over to their table a few minutes later with his lunch tray in hand, he notices Silver looking at something in the distance, his thin lips pulled into a frown. He asks if something is the matter, but the boy doesn’t turn around as he quietly replies that everything is fine.
Malleus follows the line of Silver’s gaze and smirks. “Heh. Are you jealous of all the attention those little creatures are getting, perhaps?”
Silver whips around and stammers, “I-It’s not that! It’s just… I’m not sure, really. I’m just not used to seeing father act so… mushy? I guess.”
Malleus’s smirk melts away into a soft smile. “That’s just how he is with infants. He was like that with you, too, you know. He still is, if you ask me.”
“Ah.”
Silver feels his face grow hot. He ducks his head and pokes listlessly at his salad.
By the time Silver gets back to the dorm that evening, only the green glow of the candles lining the hallways lights his path. I bet everyone’s retired to their rooms already, he thinks to himself as he walks through the dimly lit corridors. He hadn’t meant to stay out so late - his study session at the library was going so well until that familiar pull of drowsiness began whispering its temptations into his ear. The sun had long set by the time he finally woke up.
Silver stops before his room and pushes the door open with his free arm, careful not to spill the books and papers he’s balancing in the other. He starts to reach out for the light switch, but stills his hand midway. There’s someone in here. Squinting, he tries to peer into the mass of shadows that stretch out before him, but he can’t discern one black shape from the other.
He unclips his magical pen from his belt and holds it up. Three sets of beady, auroral eyes reflect the light radiating from the pen’s gemstone.
“Ah, it’s just you guys. I apologize, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Silver reseats his pen and flicks on the light switch. The three nuis stare back at him from where they sit on this bed.
Silver thinks back to the past few days. This must be the first time he’s seen them away from his father; they’ve been glued to his side ever since they appeared. Concerned, he sets down his school materials on his desk and pulls out his phone.
I found the nuis in my room. Is everything ok?
It doesn’t take long for Lilia to message him back.
Yes, pop music club meeting is running late. Can you look after them for me until I get back?
Silver responds that it won’t be a problem, and he can feel his lips tugging up into a smile after Lilia sends a slew of hearts and bat emojis in reply. A quiet squeak pulls his attention from his phone, and he looks down to see the three nuis gathered forlornly at his feet.
“What’s wrong… Ah, are you sad because father’s not here?”
The nuis nod.
“Don’t worry, he’ll come back eventually…” And then after a moment, he adds, “He always does.”
The nuis squeak happily, and Silver motions for them to follow as he heads to the door.
“Come, I’ll make us some coffee and we can wait for him together.”
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