Mother

~\*{ MOTHER }\*~

One-shot

IC: Kas'sparr Bathori / Mab Bathori

Location: Batorine

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music:

'I went to far' by, Aurora

https://youtu.be/eT6dLJd3rYk

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The ramp of the freighter closed shut, with C00-K13 on his shoulder Kas'sparr stood at a distance waving at the ones who just dropped him off on Batorine. Home, he was finally home after nearly a year. As the freighter took off the horned Chiss picked up his bag and started walking towards the house. It was still a few clicks through the thick forest as he had requested to be dropped off far from the house. He wanted to surprise them but also the long walk would give him the opportunity to think about what he would say. When he left Batorine it wasn't on good terms, he had a big argument with his mother and had said quite hurtful things to her.

The sun stoot low in the horizon, orange beams of light seeped through the canopy. His orange BD unite sat comfortably beeping his shoulder. "Yeah I know Cookie, she probably will still be angry" the young Chiss sighed, thinking about his mother. "But I'm sure they will love you though." He added and at once the little droid chirped happy. The tall pine trees gracefully bend in the cool afternoon breeze as he continued to make his way back home. Kas'sparr's feet sunk deep into the thick mossy layer on the ground as his mind started to wander, thinking back about the fight.

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"No, I don't want you to go." Mab said with a worried expression when Kas'sparr told her he was planning to join a smugglers crew. "I want to do something useful" he responded, "you can be useful here. Help me with my research or help Terrogate with his." Kas'sparr shook his head, he got sick and tired of the research the two of them were doing, he wasn't interested studying ancient history, he wanted adventure, he wanted to travel. "You know I'm not interested in Tython or Kesh!" frustrated he kicked against one of his sister's toys, as it flew across the room he continued "I don't care about your Order, I saw what the last one did to you! Or have you forgotten?!" He yelled as he pointed at her prosthetic arm. Her face changed he could see she felt hurt. "I'm trying to make a difference" she responded calmly but he felt the anger resonating from his mother. "Well so am I" he said a grabbed his bag. "You are not going Aro!" She said with a raised voice. It was rare for her to call him by his birth name, it surprised him. "Why not!! I will help the resistance, like you did." "You are just 17, a child. Don't you remember when you went to Cathar, the terror? The nightmares you had?" Mab stepped closer, she was right in his face "I'm your mother… I will not lose you, you will stay home." Her golden eyes pierced at his red eyes, he felt her pain but Kas'sparr was to angry to think straight. "Why do you even care!! It's not like you were there for me the first 12 years of my life!!" He snapped at her and he stepped back. "You even send me away for nearly 3 years!, you are no mother and certainly not mine!!" Her eyes became watery but the boy didn't care, he turned around and walked out. He was picked up by the crew he joined and didn't speak to his mother ever since.

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C00-K13 kept bleeping on Kas'sparr's shoulder. "I don't know if she will forgive me, I said pretty awful things." The boy knew very well his words broke his mother's heart, he knew it wasn't her choice to leave him on Corellia. He knew she sent him and Khara away to protect them, she loved them and would do anything to keep them from harm. "I was an idiot" he sighed and paused, in the distance he could see the house. He hesitated, wasn't sure if she would actually be happy to see him again. On his shoulder Cookie beeped, trying to make him move. "Ok ok ok… I'm going" Kas'sparr responded and continued to walk, following the narrow path along the stream. His heart was racing in his chest, his palms were sweaty.

A few minutes later he walked up the steps to the terrace, through the windows he could see Jovian the Echani housecarl with Khara. The wingless S'kytri saw him and rushed to the door. "Kaspar!!" She yelled in joy as she ran through the door with he arms wide. She was only 7 but almost as tall as him. "Khara" Kas'sparr smiled and embraced her, holding her tight. "You've grown so much" he said with a smile. "I missed you. So much" his sister said as she let go. The little BD unite looked at her and beeped cheerful "who is that?" Khara asked. "This is Cookie" he responded as the little droid jumped off his shoulder. "Hello Cookie" his sister said and knelt down "I am Khara" she continued with a smile. C00-K13 bleeped and jumped happily "I think he likes you."

Kas'sparr turned around and saw Jovian standing in the doorway. "Welcome home Kas" the Echani said with a friendly smile. "Hi Jovian" the boy felt awkward, even the housecarl knew the things he had said to his mother, he was there when it happened. "Your mother is in her study," the Echani said, understanding why Kas'sparr had returned. "Thanks" he turned to his droid "you stay with my sister ok?" C00-K13 looked up and bleeped dismissive. "I think it's better if I go alone" he responded with a grin and entered the house..

As he walked up the stairs he heard Khara giggling, he was relieved at least someone was happy he had returned. With hesitation he made his way to his mother's study and stopped in front of the door. It stood ajar, he could hear her turning the pages of an old book softly mumbling to herself. After a few seconds it suddenly went silent. But then… "Are you planning to come in or what?" His heart skipped a beat and he froze, 'does she know it's me?' He thought to himself. "Yes, I know it's you" she replied and his eyes grew bigger. He could hear her getting up, footsteps closing in and then the door opened. Holding the door she looked at him "Have you forgotten I can read your thoughts?" He shook his head but he actually did forget she used to do that.

His mother stared at him with a blank expression, he couldn't sense if she was happy, sad or angry to see him. "What brings you here?" She asked as she walked back into the study. "Mother..I." he stammered as he followed her, she turned around. "Mother?...I thought I was no mother…if I remember correctly, certainly not yours" her voice was bitter, her emotions began to show although he could see she tried very hard not to. "I'm sorry mom" Kas'sparr couldn't find the words, he knew she was hurt. Standing in front of her desk she turned another page, trying to ignore him. "Mom, please. I'm sorry for what I said. I'm sorry for leaving." Looking at her he sensed her emotions building up. "I know you are," the golden horned Iktotchi said and sighed. Still staring at the page she spoke to him "you are very much like me" her voice was soft "if you put your mind to something nothing stops you." She turned to face him "I would never stand in the way of your dreams but I was worried about you." "Mom..I.. " she interrupted him before he could continue "I was much younger when I became a mercenary and traveled the galaxy.. I understood your desire to go out there. But you are my son, it's my right to worry and to try to stop you." Finally a faint smile appeared on her face as she took a good look at him. "ofcourse I am happy to have you back, even if it's just for a few days." With open arms she stepped closer and embraced him. "I missed you boy" he could feel she was crying and held her tighter. "I missed you too mom. I wanted to come back sooner but I was a coward." He paused and thought about meeting his stepfather in turtle cove cantina "if it wasn't for Terrogate I wouldn't be here." "I am glad he could convince you." She said softly and let go. Her eyes were watery just as the last time he saw her, for a brief moment they said nothing but then out of nowhere she smacked him in the face.

"Ouch! Mom!" The horned Chiss yelled. "That's for not listening and shouting at me" she said as she wiped her tears away. "I waited a year for the opportunity to slap you." "I guess I deserved that" he responded as he rubbed his glowing cheek. She nodded and let out a chuckle "yeah you did… now tell me, are you planning on staying?" Kas'sparr looked up at his mother "if you'd let me, I would very much like to stay." Her face lit up, "excellent.. I'll have Jovian prepare your room." Walking to the door she continued "you can tell me about your adventures over dinner."

There he stood, his cheek glowing lavender from where his mother smacked him. He chuckled, a little confused. Kas'sparr didn't expect it would go that easy, he thought she would kick him out. But he was relieved she didn't, it felt good to be home to be with his family again...

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Art: by Anders Røkkum