Saga - PT Every Day's a Gift (MMM #14)

Title: Every Day's a Gift
Author: Happy Sando
Timeframe: Saga - PT (approx. 22 BBY)
Characters: Mylo Lloyd, Ludo Gum, and a Very Special Guest Star
Genre: Mush / Open to interpretation

Summary:
Mylo finally admits the true extent of his feelings.

Notes:
This project is an entry for Monday Mush Mania, Challenge #14: The Most Sensational, Inspirational, Muppetational Quote Roulette! It's based on the eleventh prompt quote:

"Life is full of sweet surprises,
Every day's a gift.
The sun comes up,
And I can feel it lift my spirit,
Fills me up with laughter,
Fills me up with song."
Robin the Frog as Tiny Tim Cratchit, The Muppet Christmas Carol

It's also a non-essential companion piece to the ongoing Steadfast adventures, set shortly before the forthcoming Star Wars: Episode II - Defending a Clone.

My best friend, Em Smith, is a graphic designer. Last year, she surprised me with artwork based on my original characters. Consequently, her designs inspired me to include the necklace featured herein, and so this story is dedicated to her.

***


A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…​

As he steadied himself against the kitchen island, Mylo Lloyd used its polished veneer to catch a glimpse of his sleep-deprived features. Good grief, he looked rough. Battered. Bruised. Dead on his feet. Totally out-of-place in this opulent high-rise apartment.

The ache in his left thigh throbbed again, almost as though it was angry at being ignored. He indulged it a brief wince.

Suddenly, a tall beaker of green ooze was slid his way, cutting across his reflection. In accepting the pungent beverage, he met his host’s curious gaze. “Thank you, sir. Appreciate you seeing me like this. I realise it’s impolite to doorstep a public servant, ‘specially before breakfast, but my crew and I wanna be off-planet within the hour. Just in case.” He paused to emit a sardonic little snort. “As usual, the bulletins only tell half the story.”

Mylo sensed confusion from his singular audience. Only then did his exhausted brain piece together the absence of any sunlight pouring through the apartment’s giant windows, the words of his own apology, and the fact that the person he was talking to was still sporting sleepwear.

He quickly and apologetically reached across the kitchen island to tap at an embedded media button.

“…with repair estimates expected to be in the millions. Preliminary assessments from police probe droids have confirmed no casualties, since the cargo terminal in question was fully automated.”

Suspended in mid-air, the flickering image of the HoloNet news anchor morphed into showing the rear carriage of a maglev hover-train. Its aft connection was a gaping wound, twisted metal aflame, with a plume of smoke vanishing as it trailed beyond the projector’s limits.

The tiny figure desperately dangling from the damage was barely discernible at this resolution.

“Once again,” the anchor kept on narrating, “we’re bringing you security footage of a Banking Clan cargo train which was attacked during a high-speed chase through the industrial zone late last night.”

While his host became engrossed in the report, Mylo had to look away. It was beginning to threaten his composure.

Sights. Smells. Sensations. All came flashing back to him in snapshots, snapshots he had been trying so hard to suppress.

“Sensors recorded multiple explosions after the train failed to stop at its designated checkpoint.”

The din from the bombs. Ears ringing. Head spinning.

“Due to the runaway’s extremely high velocity, we only have these few seconds to show you, which have been partially reconstructed from stationary holocams.”

The sheer windspeed, all funnelled through that last carriage. Buffeting them. Staggering them. Pushing them toward the exit’s burning maw.

Toward the drop.

“Authorities have yet to release a statement regarding the identity of the two humanoid suspects who were aboard…”

His left shoulder slamming against a bulkhead. His lack of care about the agony coursing up his left leg. His need to stay braced.

A three-fingered grasp, slipping through the palm of his glove.

Losing its grip.

“…and whether or not the one seen hanging out of the rear carriage managed to survive its fall.”

The sound of the Force as he summoned its power, resonating from the depths of his very soul. Not subtle, nor warm, but altogether louder, sharper, and more aggressive.

Somewhere between a howl and a thunderclap.

Primal. Savage.

And then, it was all about the other fella. Yanked back mid-fall. Flying right at him. Crashing into him and flattening him to the deck.

Covering him like a blanket. Breathing heavily. Panic replaced by relief and gratitude. No longer framed by a blurry abyss of certain death, but with long haillu still flapping in the background.

Their chests pressed together, rising and falling in unison, subconsciously syncing up as they slowed.

Eyes locked. Never blinking. Silently saying so much.

And then…

“We’ll bring you more on this story as it develops. Now, for a sky traffic update in your region, we go live to–”

Mylo abruptly deactivated the HoloNet. He had snapped himself out of his reverie by downing his entire beaker of green ooze in a single swig, earning the admiration of his still-somewhat-perplexed host in the process. It made for a useful opener.

“My partner is Gungan. Been drinking this stuff for the better part of a decade. Sometimes I even prefer it to coffee, and that’s sayin’ a lot, ‘cause I really like my coffee!”

He then shifted his weight and got serious. “That was us, on the train last night. Please believe me, we were not the aggressors. The Banking Clan will put out a statement later, which’ll be total poodoo. We had evidence that their Chief Executive was illegally smuggling ‘dancers’ on behalf of several prominent clients.” Mylo grimaced as he gravely added, “Unfortunately, everything we gathered just, er… went up in smoke. Literally.”

But his expression soon softened. “My partner’s name is Ludo. He and I left Naboo shortly after the Trade Federation’s occupation, ten years ago. Together with our crew, we do our best to fight slavery across the galaxy. Ludo is the reason why I had to meet you, sir. Going back to Naboo isn’t an option for us. Right now, you’re the closest I can get.”

Ignoring yet more bodily aches, Mylo straightened up to deliver the point of his early morning imposition. “Senator, do you–”

He was cut short by a bashful wave. “Meesa no bein’ Senator. Meesa simplee a humbule Repee-sentative.”

“My apologies,” Mylo checked himself. He recognised the humility with a slight smile.

Because it reminded him of Ludo.

He took a beat before starting over. “Representative Binks, do you have something from our homeworld, something authentic from Gunga City? Something which carries meaning or significance, which I might be able to give to Ludo, as a gift?”

Jar Jar Binks took the same hand he’d used to interrupt his guest and placed it underneath the flat end of his bill-shaped chin, adopting the universal posture of deep thought. “Hmm.”

Mylo immediately fell victim to a shiver of insecurity. Just what the heck was he doing here? Showing up earlier than dawn itself, at the private apartment of a Senatorial Representative? Freely admitting to being a fugitive, about to skip the planet? And all based on… wait, all based on what, exactly? Another one of his gut instincts?

Well, his gut had been through a lot lately. The events of the past twelve hours had tied it in a whole bunch of knots.

Yet he needn’t have worried. When Jar Jar finally replied with a question of his own, his genuine desire to help shone through, reinforcing Mylo’s positive recollection of the accidental hero.

“Wassen type o’ gift yousa be lookie for?”

Score one for Mylo’s gut.

However, the rest of him was still playing catch-up. “I, er… y’know, I’m not really sure. Sorry.”

“Heesen ever be gettin’ yousa anytink before?”

Mylo fought his fatigue to mentally scan the last ten years. “He pays for the odd meal when we’re out,” he shrugged. “Got me a fresh pair of boots this one time.”

Jar Jar finished his own drink with a gulp. “An’ yousa nocombackie wit a prezzie for him?”

“Picked him up a new hydrospanner after he lost his on Lanupa. It’s all been practical stuff. Nothing like this.”

Never one to underestimate a Gungan, Mylo blamed himself for Jar Jar’s random investigatory tangent. Too much had been assumed, left open to a lighter, more straightforward interpretation.

He needed to remember who he was here for. To take inspiration from the example they set.

He needed to speak without filter. “Sir, I–” But the revelation’s words got stuck in his throat. Knowing it and thinking it was apparently a lot different from saying it out loud.

Nevertheless, standing here, in this instance, he felt that he could. That he should. That he must.

And so, Jar Jar became the first person Mylo ever told.

Deep breath. “Sir, I love him.”

The declaration was met with a broad grin. “Why yousa not spake’n so? Meesa gotten yous bombad hep!”

On that note, a more excitable and animated Jar Jar practically ran past his guest and disappeared down one of the kitchen’s adjoining corridors. Left a little stunned, and unsure whether or not he was supposed to follow, Mylo used his few seconds of solitude to shift his weight, granting the pain in his thigh another break.

He made sure to hide any visible flinching by the time Jar Jar reappeared, now clutching a small object in his hands. “Here,” he was nodding with eager encouragement, “taken dis!”

Mylo did as he was told, and found himself studying a round, flat stone of marbled aqua blue. It was barely an inch in diameter and yet, for a pebble of its size, its weight was half of what he would normally expect. Which excused the lengthy loop of rough-hewn twine fed through a pinhole near its edge.

He peered back up at Jar Jar. “What is it?”

The question was taken literally, its answer accompanying an attempted demonstration. “Issen be goin’ around da neck-base, liken dis–”

“Oh, no, sorry!” It was Mylo’s turn to make a polite correction. “I meant, what’s its significance? Its meaning?”

Jar Jar retreated a step. “Um… my forgotten,” he had to confess, slipping a hand between his haillu as he sheepishly scratched the back of his head. “But issen pitty hot, yousa tinken?”

Mylo most definitely agreed. His gaze returned to the necklace. On closer inspection, he gasped as he registered thin strands of light dancing beneath its surface. Peaceful in this context, the enchanting effect was unmistakably reminiscent of Gungan energy weapons.

“It’s perfect,” he whispered from a lopsided smile.

Still conscious of his intrusion, he then cleared his throat, stood as tall as he could, and squared his shoulders with his host. Performing the short yet deliberate bow caused him a great deal of discomfort, but Mylo considered the price totally worth it. “Thank you, Representative Binks.”

Jar Jar honoured him by mirroring the formal gesture, before reaching out to initiate a vigorous handshake.

“Hey, anytink for a pallo of da Gungans!”

***

​

His open-top air taxi came to a temporary halt, held at a busy intersection whilst other rush hour traffic crossed its path.

But Mylo Lloyd was ignoring all of the organised chaos. He remained transfixed by the Gungan necklace, cradling it in both hands to better appreciate its ethereal beauty. Its soft blue glow sparkled in his wide brown eyes, making him sigh a happy sigh. Merely looking at it was simultaneously lifting his spirits and burying his doubts.

This felt valid. He’d done good.

Refusing to be chauffeured around like some kind of pampered politician, Mylo was sat up front, beside the taxi’s pilot. She was a burly middle-aged Ovissian who, using the stop to click and stretch her muscle-bound joints, noticed her fare’s new obsession.

“What ya got there, then?” she asked innocently enough.

Mylo kept it vague. “A gift.”

“A gift, eh?” The pilot shot him a knowing look. “From someone special, or for ‘em?”

No verbal response was necessary. Mylo’s coy, reflexive head tilt did all the talking for him. It made the pilot chuckle. “Well, best of luck to ya. Hope they like it!”

“Same.” Not that he was actually planning on giving it to Ludo anytime soon. Not after everything that had happened. Not after everything had gone so wrong. Better to let their emotions settle. To wait for a calmer moment. The right moment. A moment which, thanks to Representative Binks, he now trusted himself to recognise.

For now, it was over. The mission might have failed, but Ludo was safe.

The rest would keep.

So, with that thought, Mylo gingerly slipped the necklace into one of his flight suit’s many pockets (specifically, one where it wouldn’t get detected by a certain pallo’s penchant for hugs).

The intersection’s lights changed in their favour. With nary a jolt, the taxi got underway again. Swooping higher to switch lanes, it rounded the corner of an exceptionally monolithic skyscraper.

At which point, Mylo and his pilot came face-to-face with the awesome splendour of a Coruscant sunrise.

The Ovissian shook her head, blinking rapidly. She seemed borderline wistful. “Best view in the whole galaxy, that is.” She then briefly glanced at her passenger. “Hey, kid?”

Mylo was flattered by the epithet. “Yeah?”

“Trinkets are nice an’ all, but don’t forget, when ya got someone special? Every day’s a gift.”

She had no idea how freakishly perceptive she was being. Mylo simply had to laugh.

It was either that, or cry.

Written by
HAPPY SANDO

Based on STAR WARS by George Lucas

Inspired by
MONDAY MUSH MANIA CHALLENGE #14
Set by Raissa Baiard

with elements from
STAR WARS: EPISODE I – THE PHANTOM MENACE
STAR WARS: EPISODE II – ATTACK OF THE CLONES
STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS
and
STAR WARS: BATTLEFRONT II (2017)​

 

a sweet piece despite that news about the wrecking.of a train. Meeting Jar Jar and that unexpected gift fron him and getting to understand his own feelings. A nice MMM

 

Awww! Mylo and Ludo are a perfect fit for any MMM challenge, but you took it up to eleven here with the idea that Mylo acknowledges Ludo as his special someone and that he breaks into Jar-Jar's apartment to find a present for him. The entire scene was so perfectly written, with the interpolation of the flashback to tell us why Mylo is so beaten up and why he's so emotionally wrecked from having very nearly lost his partner, but also with the fact that you take your sweet time revealing that he's speaking to Jar-Jar. And of course, Jar-Jar is as adorbs as always, not questioning for a moment that Mylo's intentions are good, and coming up with a personal item that he can give to his pallo. For the umpteenth time, I have to applaud your Gungan dialect; in this story like in every other it was pitch-perfect.

And then, the cabbie! That's the sort of encounter that's sent by the Force itself, to have someone reminding you of such an important truth in front of a glorious Coruscant sunrise – which was the perfect setting to end this story: a new day, for a new beginning.

Lastly, I'm super-excited for the next adventure of the Steadfast that you have in the works. Bring it on!

 

Huge (and belated, with apologies) thanks to @Findswoman @earlybird-obi-wan and @Chyntuck for leaving such kind feedback! Very much appreciate it all, especially considering how nervous I was about submitting this challenge entry.

Wow, I hadn't even considered that as one of the possible prompt interpretations, so thank you! My approach to the prompt was pretty much literal, although I did re-read the whole piece just before locking down its final draft and felt that it connected to the lyrics better than I'd hoped. Perhaps that's why! Because you're right, overcoming that moment of self-doubt would definitely have surprised Mylo. Nice catch!

That whole train sequence flashback was originally much longer, and not a flashback at all. I got halfway through writing it before I remembered that this was a mush challenge, so stripped it way back and then added the news report framing device. Thank you!

I'll admit, that was a lot of fun, figuring out how far to push the "unseen audience" gimmick. I'm glad I seem to have gotten the balance right, thank you!

Appreciate you saying that, and your compliment regarding my Gungan dialect. Having written so much Ludo these past couple years, I'm almost on auto-pilot with his dialogue now, so switching to the OG and having to write Jar Jar himself was suddenly quite nerve-wracking (considering how important a character he is to me). I got so distracted, I made a silly error about the story's timeframe, one it took me far too long to notice!

Thank you! It's going slowly, but it is going. Hoping to make some proper progress with it soon.

 

This was a very sweet look into Mylo's and Ludo's relationship. It's interesting to see that their past exchanges of gifts have been practical items without much emotional thought associated with them, until Mylo almost loses Ludo and everything comes into sharp focus for him-- sharp like Mylo's use of the Force felt at that moment.

I enjoyed seeing Jar Jar eager to help some random stranger showing up at 0-dark-30 and not being upset or annoyed or even asking for anything in return. I'm curious about the necklace's origin and if there's any significant cultural connection to it that Jar Jar forgot, or if it's simply an intrinsically beautiful item from Naboo. And I wonder if the pair will ever learn more about it. Regardless of where it came from, though, I'm sure Ludo will love it when Mylo is ready to give it to him.

It was fun seeing these characters again. Great job!