Before - Legends Tuur de tuur, or Day by Day. (2008 Dear Diary Challenge) Updated 3/8!!

Title: Tuur de tuur, or Day by Day.
Author: Niobe Asha
Characters: OC, possible others
Summary: The passing of days, as viewed by one Mando woman during the war with the Republic.
Author Notes: This is actually based largely on a character I created for a Star Wars RPG. I keep thinking of these great things for her to say and talk about, but they never fit. Another note, the game is actually set post-Clone Wars, but that won't work here. She's a bit erratic and flutters in and out of Mando'a, so try to keep up. Anyways, enjoy!

PM List
Meredith_Kenobi
Kelia
Corran_Fett


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Day 1, Entry 1

So I've decided to keep a journal. Why? I don't know. I guess to record my thoughts and feelings for posterity or something. Maybe because I'm setting out to look for my ad'ika, even though he isn't little any more. I've been thinking a lot about family and things lately, ever since the idea to go find him popped into my head. I think it's a good idea, as much as it terrifies me. I sure am not cut out to be a mother, but it's high time the boy starts learning our ways. Listen to me - our ways. That's what happens when you become Mando'ad, you start feeling like you've been here all along, like you belong and are one of the people. Really though, by gai bal manda, you do.

Anyway, the kid's almost 14 and technically way behind. The thing is that I don't even know where to start looking for him. A vod told me that he has no doubt I'll find the kid, but I'm not so optimistic. I'm worried that he's got this fabulous life now and doesn't know I exist, and that if I go to find him, I'll ruin all that for him. I don't want to do that. Another vod, though, told me to feel the fear and do it anyway. I'm still not sure, but I think this the path I'll take.

Let's see, what else. It snowed two days ago, a hard, nasty blizzard. The winds were so strong, we had a couple of technical and equipment issues, but things are getting back on track. It seems another will move in tomorrow though, but today, as I was out on patrol, I just happened to notice how quiet things were, under all that snow. I pulled my helmet off even, and I stood there for a while, with the sky grey and the ground and trees buried. Something about it was just really nice, with the icicles in the branches and such.

Anyway, my shift is due to start soon. I'll write again some time.

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ad'ika: child, diminutive form
Mando'ad(e): Mandalorian, singular (plural) - literally, child of Mandalore.
gai bal manda: name and soul, the formal adoption of new members into Mandalorian society.
vod: brother/sister/mate, etc.

 

This looks cool. I'm curious to see what everyday life is like for a Mando woman.

PM me when you update? Please?

 

Interesting. I have no idea what those Mandalorian words were, but I still want to read this.

Good start, keep it up.

 

Thanks muchos! I've edited in a little translation section at the bottom of the first, so I guess I'll do that from now on.

Day 4, Entry 2

So that storm did come, like it was supposed to, which kept us running again. I actually just woke up after a couple hours rest and was on my way out to grab something to eat, but I thought I'd write a little bit. What's funny is that I feel like I talk so much in here, when I'm writing. I hardly ever talk out loud, because of my voice - it sounds like a Trandoshan, but less hissy, or like metal on metal, but less screechy. I guess it sounds kind of like when a normal person gets sick and their voice gets gravel-like. I don't know how else to describe it. I can't believe I just spent all that time describing my voice - wow.

Ok, moving on... I have to get my armor re-fitted. There are a couple of spots that are uncomfortably tight, since all the work I've done in the past few months and the food. They really do have some of the best food I've eaten anywhere right here. The mess cook, Ruusaan, is just amazing. She can make a decent meal out of anything. Her uj'alayi has got to be the finest in the galaxy, although I'd gladly take samples of others' just to check.

Speaking of food, I can't ignore my growling stomach anymore. Off for now.

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uj'alayi: uj cake - dense, very sweet flat cake made of ground nuts, syrup, pureed dried fruit and spice.

I actually was inspired by this description and came up with my own version. Fantastic! Also, I'm certainly not going for any awards here based on quality or clarity. This is obviously just stream of consciousness-type writing, but for me it's an exercise on getting inside a character's head to know them better.

 

Very nice beginning

I'm enjoying the look into the mando culture and I certainly hope this mom has a happy reunion with her son.

Please add me to the PM list

Looking forward to more

 

You made me realize I was hungry, too!

Nice little update. Thanks for the PM.

 

Thanks Kelia, I appreciate that. I hope for a happy reunion, too, but well...when you consider who my master is... We shall see, no?

Meredith, you are a dear as always. No mention of food in this one, so I won't send you running this time.

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Day 8, Entry 3

No more storms lately, but I have been busy with my project. I finally remembered the name of the adoption agency that I surrendered Cuyan to. That's what I've started calling him, rather than "the kid". It means "survivor" and if he's anything like me, it's a fitting name. Fierfek, I'm praying he's like me and not his father - Demagolka would be more fitting if that was the case.

Anyway, they changed names since then a couple of times and now are called Angel's Arms. So I get on the comm without thinking I was still in my armor - I never saw someone's eyes get as big as that receptionist's. She just sat there for a few minutes opening and closing her mouth like some kind of fish, before I realized the problem. I didn't even have my helmet on, but I was still far enough away that it was obvious. I got closer to the comm station and said, "Uhh, hello?" My voice obviously didn't help to soothe her, but she managed to squeak out a, "Yes?" I told her who I was and why I was calling, and she relaxed a little and went into this speech about forms and privacy and on and on, then says she'll send them to me over the holonet.

Two days ago, I get this packet of forms. It took me every kriffing free minute until just now to finish. Osik, I'm telling you they want to know EVERYTHING there. I don't remember having to fill that much stuff out when I gave them Cuyan. Maybe that's the idea, so you don't just give up and keep the kid.

There was only one thing I couldn't fill in truthfully - father's name. I had to put "unknown" again, even though I know quite well who it is. What was I supposed to say then? Garrul Rekenava - spice dealer, extortionist, rapist, murderer, collector of souls. Sure, that would have been a fabulous idea back then. Now? Now I really don't care. But things have to match for verification, so says the receptionist. But I'm getting off track. So I turned in the forms and will hear something "soon". We'll see.

I've got to do something to keep me from sitting here waiting, so I'm heading out for some sparring.

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demagolka: A horrible, evil, monster of a person.
osik: impolite term for droppings

 

"Uhh, hello?" My voice obviously didn't help to soothe her, but she managed to squeak out a, "Yes?" I told her who I was and why I was calling, and she relaxed a little and went into this speech about forms and privacy and on and on, then says she'll send them to me over the holonet.

I could just imagine the receptionist switching easily from shocked, to bored and droning.

I really like how you provide a translation for the Mandalorian words. They're not completely neccessary because it tends to be fairly obvious from the context, but it's always nice to know specifics.

Fierfek, I'm praying he's like me and not his father - Demagolka would be more fitting if that was the case.

Me too, it sonds like he wasn't a very nice guy. To put it lightly.

Wonderful update. More soon!

 

I was still in my armor

Whoops

Well, at least she made an impression

I just hope the agency is forthcoming now that all the paperwork has been filled out.

Great update

 

Entry 2

There are a couple of spots that are uncomfortably tight, since all the work I've done in the past few months and the food.

Hehe, have to let it out around the middle. I understand.


Maybe that's the idea, so you don't just give up and keep the kid.

True, how true, you can always get out of paperwork when you're giving something away.


What was I supposed to say then? Garrul Rekenava - rapist, murderer, collector of souls.

Just his name. His occupation can come later.

 

I just discovered this. I'll read it when the I get the time to, but in the meantime, do you want this added to the [link=http://boards.theforce.net/fan_fiction_resource/b10304/25209849/p1]Mandalorian Stories Index[/link]?

If so, just write me a PM and I'll add it to the list. We need all the Mando stories we can get.

 

Meredith! Thanks again. Sorry for the delay - school, home, work, homework, etc. - busy, busy!

Thank you Kelia - hopefully the impression left on the receptionist will keep the forms from being lost. We will see, eh?

Thanks for stopping, Master. It didn't need let out about the middle, but across the shoulders and in the arms and legs. The poor dear didn't take very good care of herself before she came to be with the people.

Coran Fett, yes I would, thank you. I'll send you a PM ASAP.

I'll get an update up today. Thanks all!

 

Entry 3

Just a quick note to say I'm still waiting to hear back from the Agency. The weather is still awful, we had something bad, but classified, happen, and not to much else. Things should be settling down in a few days, and I'll get more details in. Gotta run.

 

Oooo, look! A real update!

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Entry 4

Hmmm, I actually have time to write in this diary for once. Well, well, well, let's see what we have to talk about. I sort of got caught up in work and recovering and haven't even thought about writing anything down, but since I'm on light duty at the moment I have some time. Wait, let me back up.

Ok, last time I wrote, I was on, well, I can't say the name of it, but in a place where it was cold and snowy. Shortly after that, my unit was called back into active, front-line service. We moved quickly, as is to be expected for a unit like mine, and soon were deep in the middle of it again. Now, we're not an infantry division, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. Good because we don't get those nasty nicknames, bad because of the high level of danger in some of our missions.

Command decided to experiment with a different tactic at some point, and orders come down for us to infiltrate several enemy targets and pick up intel. When it's all sad and done, we're split up into a number of fire teams, with yours truly ending up with the division's CO. Now, I can imagine a lot of people being intimidated by this, but it served as a great motivator to me. I admire and respect him very much, so this was quite an honor.

Everything goes right on the mission. We ran into some guards, which was expected, but because it was night, there weren't as many as there could have been. Anyway, as we're extracting from the facility, we get into some trouble. Can you imagine how shocked I was to get shot? And we're not talking with a blaster, but with an actual slugthrower! Things kind of went into a blur after that, but here I sit on my bunk, so it turned out well in the end. My left arm was what was hit, but it's left a haran of a scar, not to mention how messed up my tattoos are from it. I'm back to work again, but I'm down in the mess hall until I'm tip-top. I swear though, some days it is as bad as the front lines.

Let's see, what else. Jarkiv just turned up, so I'm signing off. He seems like he's been round more than usual since I was wounded, but maybe it's just me. Anyway, we're heading down to the range so I don't get sloppy while I'm back here. A few days ago, we sparred a little which felt as good as it did painful. He doesn't hold back because of my size or my injury, and I really appreciate that. Ok, I'm getting A Look, so I'm off.

PS - They found Cuyan. More on that later.

 

Can you imagine how shocked I was to get shot?

Yep, I can imagine. As prepared as you try to be for missions, one never quite expects to be the one injured.

I can't wait to hear all about Cuyan.

Great update

 

PS - They found Cuyan. More on that later.

Personally...that probably would have been the first thign I wrote. But then, I'm not Mandalorian.

Cool update! More soon.

 

This is a fun read. You characterize her very well, I've noticed that some make the Mando women too good and others do them outright evil. Yours is where a Mando should be, hovering around the middle ground - give or take kindness and brutality.

Like the Mandos would say - Jate'bora!