Life Day

[Jamo Jakatta]

In the shadow of the Massassi Temple, also known as Rebel Base One, there were fires burning. Spitted meat turned on skewers, as the wine and ale flowed freely. Somewhere, someone struck up a tune with a bow and rowdy drum beat soon followed. Hundreds of shadows moved to and fro, footsteps crunching on the frosted grass. The voices and laughter of adults and children alike filled the air, as ensigns mixed with admirals, Jedi with junior cadets and everyone else inbetween.

It was a gathering the likes of which the Rebel Alliance hadn't known for many moons, with faces old and new coming together to celebrate Life Day. As the world from which they had executed the destruction of the Death Star, Yavin 4 seemed like a hell of a fitting choice for a hell of a shindig.

At the fringe of the crowd, Jamo Jakatta ducked low and scooped up a handful of snow, which he padded into a rough ball. He moved on his toes, craning his neck to find the face he was looking for. Sure enough, he spotted the Commander of Rogue Squadron after a minute or two – and moments later the snowball was hurtling through the air at Kelly Perris's handsome head.

[Carré Inirial]

It was so different than anything else she'd seen at home, or even in her time at the Academy. Decorum was set aside for what looked like a rather lot of fun...the dancing, the games, the food, the sentients all mixing together. This, Carré knew, was how it was supposed to be. Not the uptight, protocol-driven soireés she was accustomed to from home, or the rank-specific get togethers she'd known in her short time at the Academy.

Times like this made her miss her brothers all that much more...half would be in amidst the dancing, while the rest joined in the games - and inevitably one of them would drag her along no matter her protest. It brought a smile to her glossy lips, their pearlescent sheen glimmering in the light. It matched the shadow above her emerald eyes, and the soft white parka, pants, and boots she wore.

Fingers smoothed out the fitted garments as she rose, abandoning her cushion and her empty mug on the rock a short distance away from the festivities. Uncertain of, well, everything, her boots crunched in the snow as she walked the perimeter of the group, looking for a familiar face.

A sculpted brow arched as she caught sight of Jamo tossing a snowball, and wondered who on earth his intended target was. Pulling her gloves out of her pockets, she crouched down and formed one of her own - packing the snow nice and tight before lobbing it straight at Jamo and plastering a bright, innocent expression on her face.

[Jehkran Dmath]

He watched.

He always watched.

Jehkran leaned up against the post. He had his flack jacket on and mitten. It was cold. The helmet hid his white Echani hair. He was comfortable against the pole. A few tents had been bent up right. Small places of refugee during the cluster. Life Day was as festive as ever. Folks from across the galactic war turned to peace for a day, here. The very thought could bring a smile to a face. Jehkran just wouldn't smile - he rather smirk. Behind the dark eyes and slanted looks cooked something devious.

A snowball flew by.

He saw it coming. As it hurled through the air, his brows rose with a knowing excitement. All around was green, and white. A cool flew through. Against the chill of the post, with his arms crossed, he felt his mouth water. The young soldier sucked at his teeth with hunger. It wasn't his stomach that grumbled. It was his spirit.

He still smirked.

There was no hesitation. He went down, and scooped up some white. A pat here, there, and there had the snow in a perfect ball of doom. He snicker like an evil baboon. Ready to attack with his head craned back, and arm further. The picture of pitcher, he slung the ball with sedated fury and joy. The smirk that was smeared across his face into a smile as he leaned in to his throw.

His perfect snowball went diving into the crowd around him. There was no aim...just faces. Just rebels. Just fun.

Oh, how he loved Life Day.

[Sanis Prent]

"Give me another."

One of the junior officers passed a bottle down a makeshift bar in my direction, which I deftly halted with the back of my hand. I paused, looking down at my empty glass, the ice barely having melted from my previous drink. I listened to the disjointed but eagerly-joined life day carols, hating the sound of them precisely because I couldn't feel whatever so many people here obviously did. Maybe it was because my dad left before I was born and my mom died on the streets. Maybe that was just my excuse. Maybe because I chafed and railed against the notion of belonging to anything at all.

I filled my glass, and took another drink, hiding my unease behind an easy smile. That part was easy. I knew I could lie. Lie to everybody including myself.

I passed the bottle on down the line to Cirr, who simply drank from it, eschewing the glass. We paused, looked at each other, and almost nodded. I knew where he came from, and he knew where I came from. That absurdity is about as close as I've come to family.

Small miracles.

"Who knows, maybe we'll even make it around another turn. Half of me still thinks I'll live forever. Half of me is amazed I didn't die at twenty."

Cirr took another drink, laying a heavy arm over my shoulder.

"Yeah, and jin anotherr ljife jI was marrrjied. Then jI woke up. Glad jI djid, and yet, maybe jI want to drream agajin someday?"

I made a screwed up face as I paused with a mouthful of liquor. Swallowed.

"That's something I never want to hear with your arm around me."

[Dashiel Starborn]

Alongside the makeshift bars were various free-standing barbecues and cook pots, most of which had just thrown together on a whim at the last moment using whatever equipment they had to hand, none of it intended to be anywhere near a kitchen. There was a huge bin of root stew on the boil, but it was some char-grilled meat that caught Dash Starborn's attention. The chef – wearing a Special Forces patch and a proud grin – was dishing out burgers.

Dash sniffed at the offering and prodded between the two slices of hard bread that held the burger. “No blue sauce?”

[Kelly Perris]

He saw this fight coming. Find snow, rebels, throw the illustrious Rogue Squadron into the mix and certain predictable hijinks were bound to ensue. You'd think leader-man had been here before. Oh, plenty of times. Most of which he was the guilty party, the instigator. Jamo had beaten him to it this time. Already, Perris had packed a few hard balls of the white, fluffy, cold stuff. And with one enroute to his face and barely whizzing overhead as he ducked, Kelly had no issue with returning the favour.

"Jamo, you mutinous, lightloaferin' sack of..." and he lobbed the whiteball with expert aim at his intended target. And that wasn't all.

Someone had already come to his defense. While that was all fine and dandy up in the black where, if he was being defended, it was obviously needed, his momentary knight was cheeky in assuming he'd needed the help here. The next pre-prepared sphere was for that pretty head, which he could see - Rogue Squadron's latest addition, Carré Inirial.

"And if I needed your help, missy, I'dve asked for it!" He shouted over the rapidly increasing, chaotic fray and he whipped the ball right at her.

No point in posturing over 'not beating up on the women' where it wasn't necessary. Being a gentleman did have its limits. Though, with his action of snowballing them both, it might have begun to sink in just what kind of payback it might mean for him.

Kelly Perris grinned, as his targets both laid eyes on him momentarily, before they all ducked more peltings. Two on one? More than that? It could be handled. Maybe.

Life Day was always fantastic.

[Jamo Jakatta]

The crowds were a blessing and with a well timed dodge Jamo saw to it that one of Kelly's snow balls didn't strike him, but instead caught the furry head of a Bothan. Lucky for Perris that it wasn't a Wookiee!

As he weaved away from his pursuer, Jakatta came alongside Rogue Squadron's newest recruit. He eyed her get-up for a second, an amused grin curling his lips. In his hands was another snowball, ready and raring to go. “Hey, fluffy – funny, isn't it, how even when we're out of the cock-pit, we just can't quit hunting?”

[Saricia Ask'lan]

s'Ilancy had more or less ordered Saricia down to the moon and have a good time. Any words that attempted to escape the Kroenen Lupine's lips to dissuade her mentor, were silenced by encouraging words that would not be moved. She had learned quickly that the elder Lupine was emphatic in her beliefs, no matter how small or large the issue. It was annoying, truthfully, but no one should be alone for Life Day. Well, that was the argument, but the native Sacorrian had been alone for years, taking care of a sick mother who would never recover from the illness that had attacked her mind.

The last thing she wanted to do was celebrate. She never had anything to celebrate, but here she was, a ghost amongst the fires and song, lost in the merriment that was a stranger to her. Today she wore brown dress that provided much warmth from the cold. Its fibers were thick and strong so that the biting cold would be absorbed before it hit her pale skin, as did the hood covering her head. Kneeling by the fire, she bathed in its glow and warmth as blue eyes surveyed the scene before her.

Even she could not deny the small smile wanting to form. Snowball fights, drinking, singing, and dancing, it was enough to move full lips in appreciation.

[Navaria Tarkin]

Just out of eyesight, unless you knew where to look, Jedi Master Navaria Tarkin was nestled against a tree and looking up at the night sky. Yavin IV held no memory for her personally, but the moon's past was deeply rooted within her bloodline. It was here within the orbit of this very moon, that her Grandfather, the Grand Moff Tarkin, was killed by the Rebellion. A sense of peace washed over the Jedi over the loss. Being here was not only a place of victory for the Rebels, but a place of personal history where Navaria's family had changed forever.

Simply being present at such a historic location, especially considering who she was, gave the Rebels a moral boost. To think that a Tarkin would aligned themselves with Rebellion would never have been thought possible. But she didn't want to push her luck just yet. Being just outside of the festivities, watching her comrades dance and laugh was perfection in its own right, and Navaria didn't want to ruin the moment and remained a silent observer.

[Grace Van-Derveld]

Life Day held little meaning to her in prior years, but that was because she had Dasquian Belargic to force good spirits upon her - even if good spirits were a simple smile that parted serious lips just once. All though there was one year that the Spy actually danced with her partner, much to the surprise of everyone present on the Vostech, one of the Mon Cal cruisers that hosted Life Day that year. He always brought out the best in Grace, hell, the brought out the best in each other. Without his presence, she should have been locked inside her quarters and away from all of this festive fun. As the Director of Intelligence, she felt a duty to her subordinates and allowed her presence to be known - at least at the bar.

She was on her third ale, and they were going down smooth. Too smooth. It had been so long that Grace could not remember the last time she was intoxicated, but tonight was a good a night to bring about a deadened mind from drink. Her presence was noted and ignored for the most part, save for a few nods, smiles and waves out of respect for who she was. Most were savvy enough to stay away. The Director's mood, though quite competent in her work, had diminished into robotic mannerisms that everyone knew were attempting to hide the pain of Belargic's death. Though, some of that pain was oozing to the surface with a fourth drink and haunted eyes that were alight by the glow of the fires.

[Daria Nytherciria]

After weeks of breathing recycled air, the chilly night air of Yavin 4 was glorious. The earthy smells, the presence of life all around them... these simple things were enough to lift Daria Nytherciria's spirits considerably. Space travel didn't suit the Miraluka Jedi Knight, so – in spite of the risk the stop-over posed – she had been pleased to hear they would be spending Life Day on terra firma.

An over-enthusiastic member of the Wheel's crew had just thrust a pair of cups into her hands, knocking them together with his own. “To the health and wealth of the Rebellion!” he toasted, as hot, spicy scents rose from the cups. Daria couldn't help but smile, though she had no desire to join the crewmen in their raucous celebration. Her path took her away from the throng of people to the edge of the forest, where she found Navaria Tarkin in quiet contemplation of the night sky.

Sinking into a curve in the tree trunk, Daria offered one of the cups of hot, spiced ale to her companion. “From the crew of the Whaladon,” she said, venturing a small smile.

[Corell Capstan]

“Corellian rum.”

The blonde Jedi padawan held up one finger to the barman, who had kept the bottle close to hand knowing that the tumblers he had already poured for Capstan were not likely to be the last. Having spent the past years crewing with a bunch of vape-heads on a smugglers ship, Corell took to drinking like a Mon Cal to water. As she knocked back another mouthful, complete with a ice-cube that she crunched between her teeth, her eyes drifted down the bar to another solitary drinker. This time, two fingers were raised to the barman, then gestured in a quick slicing motion between herself and Grace Van-Derveld. The look in her eyes said she would be glad of the shot.

[Sanis Prent]

I watched a familiar brunette wander over to the festivities, and my mood changed from the stoic rut I'd previously been in. An easy grin crossed my face as I finished my drink, clapping Cirr on the shoulder.

"Find some trouble to get into, big guy. I've found mine."

I crossed through the throng, seeking out the doe-eyed Lupine.

"Didn't take you for the party type of girl. I'd like to think I had something to do with you braving the snow. Want a drink?"

[Saricia Ask'lan]

"Didn't take you for the party type of girl. I'd like to think I had something to do with you braving the snow. Want a drink?"

She recognized his scent immediately even before the first words had escaped his lips. Just meeting him once had made a lasting impression.

"Sanis Prent," Saricia said and looked up towards the human with a polite smile. "You're correct, I'm not."

The Lupine moved to her feet, "To be honest, I was forced to come down here but it is nice to see you again."

[Navaria Tarkin]

With attentions skywards, the intimate presence of Daria would never go unnoticed for only when she was near did the Jedi Master feel whole. Brown eyes fell in time to see the Miraluka stand beside her, the enticing smell of spice ale coaxing her to take one of the cups and taste.

"They have my thanks in their generosity," she replied and took the cup, noticing how vibrant Daria was tonight. The time spent away from space was already bringing color to such gentle skin that not even the cold could erase. Her companion was positively radiant and Navaria could not help kissing her against the cheek softly. "And you have my gratitude in joining me."

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

A little body skipped through the maze of adults and ducked through legs, darted around droids, and twirled about in a generally aimless direction. It was her second Life Day, and Teagan s'Ilancy was bursting with excitement. Who would she see today? Would Wyl be here? He better be - he was her husband after all.

She wore a pair of red and white striped fuzzy tauntaun horns on her head, with small gold-colored bells on each horn tip that jingled with each step she took - they'd been a gift from her Dad, and Dama had groaned at the sight of them. The little Lupine was quickly learning that anything which made her mother perplexed was always worth having.

Dama had also made sure that she was dressed warmly enough, though thankfully Dad had made sure that his daughter didn't look too much like a Corellian tick was about to pop. Whatever a Corellian tick was. She'd only looked at him funny when he'd said it.

There! There was a familiar face!!

Doing her best impression of a happy tauntaun, the little Lupine clomped through the snow.

"Merry Life Day!!!"

[Sanis Prent]

"Didn't take you for the party type of girl. I'd like to think I had something to do with you braving the snow. Want a drink?"

She recognized his scent immediately even before the first words had escaped his lips. Just meeting him once had made a lasting impression.

"Sanis Prent," Saricia said and looked up towards the human with a polite smile. "You're correct, I'm not."

The Lupine moved to her feet, "To be honest, I was forced to come down here but it is nice to see you again."

"Forced?"

I made a face.

"Sounds unpleasant. Come on, they're ladling out some hot spice grog. It'll warm you up, and you can tell me all what you like to do for fun instead of party."

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

"Sanjis! Damn!"

Cirr sighed loudly, turning to the barkeep for another go at a drink. It seemed there was absolutely no shot at any pretty girl that crossed their path. Sanis always made sure he was there first.

He gulped down a double of whiskey, wiping at his mouth with the back of his hand as he let out a small burp. Was there no consolation for him? There was that blonde-haired Jedi, Corell, just a few seats down. He thought about the possibility. She liked to drink, and he liked to drink. That was common ground right? Damn, he really wasn't any good at this whole thing. If he was back on Carshoulis, it would simply be a matter of working out and looking good until the right girl just slipped a collar on you. He wasn't sure he was cut out for all this effort.

"Merry Life Day!"

And then, a familiar voice rang out. Cirr turned around just in time to see a little...tauntaun? Whatever it was, it tackled him at the knee, and then Cirr knew.

"Tak!"

The disaster of his romantic life put aside, Cirr reached down to heft the little kid up eye level with ease.

"Happy Ljife Day to you too!"

[Grace Van-Derveld]

A shot of something was placed before Grace and the Rebel sniffed it curiously. "Corellian rum?" she questioned with an arching brown brow at the Rebel manning this make shift bar.

"Yep, from Corell down the way."

She lazily lobbed her head towards the blonde's position and gave her an honest smile of appreciation. Though a bit of a hot head, Grace knew she was training with the Jedi and probably sense her foul mood. Taking the shot in her hand, she toasted the air towards Corell and downed it in one smooth gulp.

[Saricia Ask'lan]

"Well, more encouraged with a stern gaze perhaps?" Saricia joked and followed Sanis across the way. "Something warm does sound good."

She was afraid of saying anything more about fun. There was no fun in her life lately, only sewing, taking care of the kudri herd before her life landed inside the Rebellion Fleet. Now it was training and studying her Lupine heritage.