Jedi and The Knight

Underneath That Mask

Warnings: Mention of blood, Mention of death. (We don't see anyone die, but the person is there)

~~

On the planet Naboo, a quiet ledge looks out to a great expanse of sea, surrounded by waterfalls flowing graciously. The grassy plateau sits calm and peaceful, gently caressed by the sun above it. It's late in the afternoon, and the amber light from the sun elegantly rests on the tips of each blade of grass. Small creatures native to Naboo, known as Voorpak, lounge upon the smooth, emerald-green ground.

A small ship approaches from behind the ledge and lands roughly, startling the creatures nearby. Carbon scoring and dents paint the outside of the ship. The hatch lowers gradually as a small girl hunches over at the entrance, carefully dragging a broad figure behind her.

This girl is Mars. The day of The Great Purge and the day her master and friend died.

The young Mars steps down the ramp tattered and dirty, Marked with a fresh scar just by her right eye. Dried blood marks her face and attire, and she continues her way down the ramp towards the ledge.

Her black raven hair is cropped short and rests just below her ears. Mars' hair is pulled up, keeping it out of her face. The pink, fresh scar stands out amongst her youthful, pale skin sprinkled with dust and dirt.

Along with the dried blood, evidence of tears is shown by clean stripes down her cheeks. The dirt generously placed on her face was pushed away by the now dry tears.

Grunting and huffing, she eventually collapses several feet from the ledge of the cliff. Her restful master lay on his back, touched by the gradually setting sun. Mars takes a bottomless breath and begins digging.

Mars had watched her fellow friends be killed by the hands of the ones she once trusted with her life. From powerful Jedi to younglings, the clones had no mercy. Though her master had died, he did not disappear. She had seen many colleagues pass on. Disappear or not; they were still Jedi, and one with The Force now.

Mars' little hands grew calloused and scarred. Digging a hole with her hands was not the most enjoyable. Especially; when you would hit a rock, and it would cut you or break a nail.

Mars grew exhausted physically and emotionally as the sun began to set. The hole went about three feet deep, enough to put her master in and cover him up. No way in hell is she going to dig another three feet. If she were, she might as well dig herself a hole.

Mars rolls her master into the divot in the earth. She kneels by his right side and places both her hands on both sides of his head. Gently, she pulls his forehead to hers. As they gently press together, tears well up in her eyes and drop on her master's face. "Thank you." She says.
Years of training with her master, after every lesson, he would press his forehead against hers and give a meaningful 'thank you'. Though the gesture was small and the words were few, the action grew heavy with meaning. A thank you for not only doing your best but being there.

As the sun sets, Mars sits beside her now buried friend, master, and father figure. Her knees huddled close as the beautiful scenery takes Mars within its chilly yet comforting grasp.

She was alone now, and she had to keep it that way.

The soft mixture of honey, gold, crimson and plum paint the sky; the final notes of a beautiful song ending and creeping toward darkness just to start anew. Mars found comfort in the elegant atmosphere and vibrant colors around her. Through the dimming shadows, she could let her imagination run wild on the luxurious planet of Naboo.

A small fluffy creature stalks its way towards the young Mars, feet tilting its head in curiosity. A feeling of sonder caresses Mars as she looks around at the lively nature around her.