Saga FINISHED Ice And Steel, Thryce drabbles to the official inktober prompts

27. Climb
Everything worth having was like a mountain to climb. Arihnda sighed, looking at the white-clad mountain before her. It wasn't that she wouldn't climb him like a mountain, or a tree for that matter. No, Thrawn was being obnoxious on purpose.
"He has an excellent reputation among artists."
"For covers for romance novels!" Arihnda swallowed the adjective just in time.
"Is this not a romance?"
She glared at him, crossing her arms.
"For me then." Thrawn almost smiled.
Everything worth having, she reminded herself. It sure was an uphill battle. "Alright." She cupped her forearms protectively. "But no short sleeves."




28. Fall
It was a strange expression. Thrawn didn't understand why humans would expend so much power on denying the choices that led to caring for another. It was natural and important for everybody.
As a motion, falling was too undirected, something that could not be controlled and had also not been instigated consciously. But relationships did not work like that. Trusting Eli had been a decision made over time, based on their interactions and, admittedly, thorough research.
Chance had nothing to do with who he decided to spend his time with. It was a choice, his choice, and he had chosen.

 

Squeak & Fall -- that in particular is insightful and true.

 

Wow, finally caught up. Your writing skills are amazing. For you manage to tell a thrilling story in haiku style: deep, elegant & colourful.

 

WarmNyota_SweetAyesha - Thank you. Squeak is one of my faves because - squeaking Grand Admiral. Adorbs. And we have so many strange idioms. Who thought they are making sense?

AzureAngel2 Thank you. Drabbles force you to concentrate on the important bits. there is never enough words...







29. United
"He's the Emperor!" Arihnda swallowed.
"Yes, Thrawn replied calmly. "And he has allowed this. Look at the facts Arihnda. Is his, is this government one that can bring stability, order, peace?"
Arihnda closed her eyes. She hated it when Thrawn was right. "So what will you do?"
"We," he corrected with a thin smile.
"Right," she agreed reluctantly. "We."
The system was serving her well. She had what she had come for, power and safety for her family. She could lose it all. But she had seen where the Empire was headed. That way she would lose everything as well.



30. Found
It was surprising, Thrawn mused. So far from everything he knew, from everything he loved and cherished, from everything he cared for, he had found another person to warrant full commitment. Not the commitment of pleasure, allegiance or even friendship, but the full commitment to a shared future.
Aligned where it mattered. The same motivation to protect the ones you loved; the same willingness to do whatever it took regardless of personal cost; the same determination. It was unexpected but not unwelcome.
Thrawn tightened his hold on the woman sleeping in his arms. Maybe this time things would work out.

 

United -- enjoyed the "we" of relationship and common goals. Found -- that last line

 

WarmNyota_SweetAyesha - Glad you liked it. Well, I am not a believer in the one-true-love myth. We love, we love again, we hope it works.



31. Mask
Arihnda closed her eyes and leant against the door after it hissed shut behind her. Exhaling slowly she covered her face with her hands. There was one place, one place in the whole galaxy, where she didn't need this.
It might have been made from glass, keeping her features in place throughout the day, but Arihnda knew it was there every single second. But not any longer.
Her fingers dragged the stiffness from her face like invisible clay. No more pretending. No more lies. No more hiding.
When she opened her eyes Arihnda found Thrawn looking at her. She smiled.


Aaaand this is it. thanks for reading.

 

Congratulations on finishing and a very thought-provoking conclusion it is. I can imagine that Luke and Leia also have their masks and it is good that they, like Arihnda has, is with someone she can be herself with.