Chapter Text
Part one: The Crooner
Tilting her head ever so slightly to the left she focused. Concentrating with every ounce of her being on the gentle sounds the breeze brought as it filtered its way through the tall young grain stalks in the field near the stream. The warm rays of the sun basking on her skin. Slowly her lids fluttered shut as she simultaneously allowed her body to sink backward. Cushioned in the thickness of the grass. Not even her bed felt this glorious. She wiggled her toes. The coolness of the gentle currant rippling over her feet.
She smiled, tucked her right arm under her head. Thoughts drifting, nowhere in particular to be honest, sometimes it was just that nice to keep the world out. The dark void of nothing was under rated she thought. It was freedom to her. Before she knew it Ravna had drifted off to sleep.
Suddenly a dark shadow overtook the warmth of the sun on her face. Etain, Ravna’s 7 standard-cycle Tookia, growled and hissed. Ravna jolted up losing her footing, causing her to fall backwards. Right into the stream.
“Whoaaaaaaa” A huge splash and she was waist deep in water. “Ragnus!” she shouted in a grumbled tone as she was hoisted out of the stream by her older brother. He grabbed her by the nape of her neck depositing her, drenched body and all, onto the bank of the stream.
Ragnus towered at 6’4” with a chest expanse some said was as vast as the galaxy. Arms folded across the expanse of that chest as he looked down at his sister. “Mother’s looking for you.” His brow cocked as he smirked. “You were expected hours ago.”
Ravna jumped up to her feet shaking off as much water as she could. “Look at me! I am soaked and I have to go to the tavern and help Dev.”
She was startled by someone clearing their thought behind Ragnus. Slowly peering around. “Why…Tech…..Echo…I didn’t know you were here on Nubia.” She smiled moving around her brother. Her eyes scanning the field.
“He’s in town …..on business.” Ragnus leaned down whispering in a low baritone voice. Chuckling to himself as she rolled her eyes acting as though she didn’t know what he was talking about.
“Ravna” Tech nodded not even bothering to look up from his data pad. Fingers pressing buttons and calibrating measurements quicker than any droid.
“Hello Ravna,” Echo smiled kindly. She always thought what a gentle soul he was. “Yes, we’re here for supplies…and….”
Ragnus interrupted as he pushed passed them. “…and Tech is helping father and I calibrate some updates to see if we can improve the harvest for next year.” Looking over his shoulder. His long dark red auburn hair glowed in the sunlight. “You best get home; father is not pleased you have been missing all morning.” Grabbing a stalk of grain, he pulled the stem from the husk, placing it his mouth. “Focus on your tasks little sister and keep your mind out of the clouds” He strolled off followed by Tech who merely waved backwards at Ravna.
Echo nodded “Mam” Turned to join his companions.
She smiled and waved. “Bye Echo.”
Grabbing her weighted down hem, she began to ring it out as she ran through the field as fast as her legs would carry her. Etain followed close behind her. “Thanks for the heads up, Etain.” She scolded.
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Out of breath Ravna finally reached the dwelling stopping at the door to catch her breath hoping no one was home. As soon as she stepped through the threshold her head dropped.
“Mother….father…” She stopped- smiled coyly. Water dripping from her dress hem. They stared. First at her then each other.
Her father, Khutmuth Steelbender, rose from his chair pressing massive knuckles against the wooden table to support himself. He sighed. His head turning to the side he gazed at his wife Forfuna.
Khutmuth was also tall and built in the same stature as her brother. Both men had dark auburn hair, with thick curly beards. Ravna on the other hand, favored her mother. Short with thick wavy hair as dark as voided deep space. Their eyes greener than Spring grain field. They were thick and curvy with a gentleness about them that could warm a block of ice.
“I know……I know….. I am late…I am…...sorry.” Running toward her room. “I will change and be on my way.”
They watched as she scampered across the stone floor leaving a trail of water in her wake.
“What are we to do with her?” He sighed.
Forfuna slowly strolled over to the table, smiled as she caressed her husband’s back. “We could always sell her to the highest bidder at the festival in the morrow.” She bit her lip to keep from laughing as her husband unamused glanced in her direction.
He rose full height, placed an arm around his wife’s shoulder kissing the top of her head. “I doubt we could muster a fourth a credit for her.
They both chuckled.
“She is still young. Give her time, husband.” She placed a kiss on his bicep before resting her head.
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After a short while Ravna reappeared in dry clothes. Her hair pinned up with loose curls haphazardly poking out at whim. Pulling her boots on one at a time as she hopped across the floor until she reached her mother at the table. Forfuna was packing the last of the T’ill seed cakes into a basket.
Ravna slipped her hand under the covering and grabbed a T'iil seed cake shoving it in her mouth. Forfuna playfully smacked her hand. “Daughter….stop. Those are for Dev.”
With her cheeks puffed out from the pastry Ravna giggled reaching for another.
“Those are for Dev-don’t touch another one Ravna.” She scowled. “I promised her to bake two parcels for the festival in the morrow.” Kissing Ravna on the forehead. “Don’t eat anymore. And see she gets both backets.”
“I will promise that I will try very hard not to eat anymore T’ill seed cakes.” As she hurried out the door.
“Do more than try young lady.” Forfuna shouted over her shoulder.
Ravna had taken the speeder bike into the village. Tempted to reach in the pouch and take just one more T’ill seed cake. But she did promise. She pulled in the back of tavern slowly swinging her leg over the back and hopping to the ground. Ravna brushed her skirt then adjusted her bodice.
Grabbing both baskets she headed in the back door.
It was quiet for an afternoon. But not surprising. Most everyone was busy making plans and arrangements for the Harvest Festival. She looked around for Dev, placed the baskets on the counter and headed towards the interior.
Slowly she stepped in and immediately heard a voice swooning an unfamiliar melody.
She stopped to listen and found herself memorized.
“Kiss me once, then kiss me twice…..then kiss me once again….it’s been a long, long time.”
She caught site of Dev behind the bar. She had just placed a candle in the bar top and was looking at the crooner.
“Dev…” she whispered noting Dev looking over her shoulder. “…Who’s singing?” Ravna stepped quietly in a few more paces.
Dev signaled her in smiling. Pointing for her to duck behind the bar. Suddenly Ravna’s breath hitched as she realized who it was and dove bumping her head. It went quiet for a moment ‘Dank Farrik’ she thought to herself holding her breath.
Hunter checked to make sure the tavern is still empty before he picks up where he left off.
“Haven’t felt like this before since can’t remember when” the singing began again.
Ravna let out a quiet sigh of relief.
“I don’t know why you don’t sing more often Hunter.” Dev smiled.
Ravna bit her lip fearing he would hear her heart pounding. She never thought he would have such beautiful singing voice. So deep and soft.
“Well…..” Hunter started with a chuckle “It’s been a long, long time.” As if on cue.
Ravna pressed her fist against her mouth to stifle a chuckle as Dev Looked over and rolled her eyes at him. She began to write in a notepad.
“Regardless of ‘how long’ it’s been you have a beautiful voice.” She said penning something. Then hands it to him.
Hunter takes the list looking it over as he hums. He scoffs.
“I think you’re alone in that opinion, Dev.”
She looks up at him. “Oh, I don’t know, Captain.” Pauses briefly as she looks down at you.
Ravna folds hands together mouthing in a pleading begging way ‘Please…don’t say it… don’t say it please.’
Noting the smile on Dev’s face she knew she was a goner.
“…..Ravna seems to think so too.” She winks and smiles at you.
You return the expression with a sarcastic grin and glare.
“What?” Hunter looks over at Ravna tucked and crouched behind the bar. He smiles so softly at her. “Hello Ravna.” He swoons.
She curses him for being so inexplicably perfect.
She leaps up form behind the bar stammering for some sort of an excuse. “Hello Hunter…I….I…. I…. was….” Franticly look around. “I was just…..just…..” Looks at Dev blankly.
“I dropped something and Ravna was kind enough to get down and look for it for me.” Dev offers.
“YEAH!” Ravna shouted one minute then quietly the next. “Yeah….“ Noting Hunter’s smirk, as his arms fold across his chest. She drops down rummaging for anything on the floor. Grabbing the first thing she found she leapt back up proudly displaying a……….spoon….. “I found it!” She exclaimed handing it to Dev. “It’s been in her family for ….years.” She offers as an explanation.
Dev takes the spoon from Ravna looks at her with a head shake. “Oh yeah… it’s an heirloom…. Been in my family since…..” Her voice trails off as she heads to the back kitchen.
Ravna exhales pivoting on her boot heal. “So…….” Melting as he leans in, resting his forearm on the bar top. “Sorry to intrude. I hope you don’t mind….Hunter.” She gulps. Tucking loose strands of hair behind her ear.
“It’s alright…” he leans in closer “I hope you enjoyed the song.” His voice so deep.
She grabbed the bar top for support as her knees felt as though they might buckle. “It was……beautiful.”
Dev returned from the back humming. Slid a plate of T’ill seed cake toward Hunter and winked at Ravna. She was chuffed with her slick matchmaking skills.
“Speaking of beautiful…….” Hunter crooned. “You look……” He looked at Ravna......then at Dev.