merging | happy father's day

happy father's day - blindrun

[Honestly? He's been here wayyy longer than he planned to be. He knew it'd be hard to escape, but it had to be possible. That's what he kept telling himself. Days turned into weeks turned into months and now? It's been over a year.

The other Inquisitors still don't completely treat him like one of them. Or maybe teasing is their way of doing so? He rolls his eyes whenever they call him "baby brother", thinking they could at least have some sense of professionalism. But everything's been going okay for the most part. As okay as it can be when you're an Inquisitor-in-training.

Except today was... well, it was something else. They were assigned to ambush a small rebel cell that was said to be working with a Jedi. It should've been easy, except for the part where it wasn't. The rebels got away and the Inquisitors had failed. Now Ezra's standing outside the Grand Inquisitor's office while the adults debrief. It's frustrating, being left out like this, but he also knows there isn't much he can do about it.]

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[Coming from anyone else, he might be offended at the not an Inquisitor bit. From her, it's a compliment.]

Ezra. Ezra Bridger. I was told the Jedi were gone... except for you.

Oh? Well you heard wrong. I'm not a Jedi.

[ her hands plant to the ground and she rises, sensing no danger for the moment. ]

I am Ahsoka.

I know.

[Cause the Inquisitors did get that part right, at least!]

But if you're not a Jedi, what are you?

A person.

[ mo_om ]

[He crosses his arms and gives her a look.]

You know what I mean.

Do I?

[ heh, he's funny. easy to tease and rile up. how did he get stuck in that uniform she wonders... ]

Don't you have a sweep to finish?

Don't you have a base to evacuate?

[He turns to leave, to leave it at that, but... he can't. This is the perfect opportunity in some ways. Ezra looks back to her.]

I want to join the Rebellion. And I know you're not a Jedi, but I- I want to- ... the Force. Like that.

[ she doesn't respond right away, pondering. true she doesn't take him to be an inquisitor, but he still wears those clothes and above she can feel the real deal walking about. he can't sense her only because she has closed herself off for the moment to avoid detection.

even so, the boy sensed where she was and his eyes have not turned yellow like theirs. he is not lost to the dark. ]

You don't need to ask to join. [ she settles on. ] The rebellion isn't an organization, or a governing body. It's a choice. You choose to fight for the greater good, above all else.

...If you want to walk the path, all it takes is one foot in front of the next in the right direction.

I've been trying to. I helped one of the rebels to escape, and that's why I killed the defector too.

[He doesn't really get that maybe violent murder isn't the best way to go about turning to the light. In his mind, he killed someone bad so that equals good!]

I've been planning my escape ever since my master took me in, but...

[But it's admittedly harder to get away from the Empire than he thought it'd be.]

So you saved a life and took another. [ she says simply, without judgment. ] Did you even consider why that person defected?

[ she can't say she knows, but the answer is almost always fear. he killed a man in fear for his life. moving on-- ]

You've chosen a dangerous path Ezra Bridger. Do you know who Inquisitors even are?

No, but...

[But he betrayed her and everyone here! Just like his parents were betrayed. If that man was willing to trade everyone else's lives for the sake of his own, Ezra figured he deserved it.]

I didn't choose it. Not exactly. Third Brother offered to teach me. I didn't have anything- I didn't have anyone else. I haven't been given a title yet, but I am one of them.

[It feels shameful to admit that, but she might as well know the truth. He knows them well, better than he knows his own parents.]

He offered...

[ she says it quietly to herself, thinking. inquisitors don't choose to take on apprentices. that isn't how it works. third brother must be sensing what she is right now - a force sensitive child aligned neither with light nor dark. someone who can be molded. ]

Inquisitors are Jedi who were taken by the Empire and... [ she stops, pushing back down the pain of the past, then continues ] and were tortured, physically and mentally, until they broke. Corrupted and turned to pawns of the Emperor, filled with hate for what they once were.

If they plan for you to become one of them, it won't be long until they put you through their initiations. You can't stay there.

[ her voice turns stone and resolved. she won't let another be turned to the dark side. ]

They were Jedi...?

[As well as he knows them, he didn't know that. Third Brother was a Jedi. He wasn't always like this.]

I know, but... my master will be suspicious if I stay here any longer. You can escape once we're gone. How can I contact you?

...

[ it's a risk to trust someone who calls himself an inquisitor. but if he hasn't turned yet, and if he has doubts, she can't let them break him too. the light fights, but is dim in the overwhelming strength of the dark.

from the gauntlet on her arms she clicks a button and out pops a small chip. ]

Plug this into a communications hub. It'll scramble the systems and let you contact me, but it only works once. Make it count. [ she tosses it to him. ] Go.

May the Force be with you.

[He nods, shoving the chip into his pocket.]

Thank you.

[With that, he heads up the stairs, being careful to cover up any sign of Ahsoka's hiding spot. Once it's secure, he quickly runs back to meet up with Third Brother. Ezra thinks of all the terrible things that must have been done to his master, once a Jedi, and he finds his anchor in the dark side in those thoughts.]

[ ahsoka says nothing more and lets him go. slowly she returns to the ground and lowers her presence again, numbing her connection to avoid the inquisitor above. good thing she's had years of practice.

third brother waits for him at the landing pad, noticeably impatient despite his helmet still being firmly on. he turns head when he senses ezra's presence approaching. ]

You're late. [ he clips, but then moves on- ] Anything unusual?

I wanted to be sure we hadn't missed any stragglers.

Like for example, Ahsoka. But he shakes his head, this one big secret added on top of all the others he's keeping.]

It's clear. What about on your end?

Nothing. Seems we got everyone. [ captured, mostly, but some killed. ] Strange though. None of the rebels we captured striked me as a commander. I wonder if the one who escaped was the leader.

[ it'd be the only thing that makes sense. he shrugs - the more important thing is the base can now be repurposed to an empire stronghold. ]

Good work by the way - catching the informant that is. We can't let defectors into the ranks of the Empire. You made the right call. [ he turns, done dolling out praise, and moves out. ] Let's head back.

Thank you, Third Brother.

[His pride in the kill is almost palpable, even if he's being praised for the wrong reasons. Truthfully, he had wanted Ahsoka to be proud, or grateful even, so he'll take this for now.

Ezra follows behind him, no quips or comments. A perfect, loyal soldier.]

[ he smiles at ezra's respect and leads him back to the ship. the ride back to base is smooth without interruptions. once they land and head inside off the landing bay third brother leads them to a meeting room. there are a few people inside who immediately go silent at third brother's presence and within a few seconds dismiss themselves without having to be told.

once they're gone he removes his helmet and turns to ezra. ]

I have good news. The Grand Inquisitor has become impressed with your diligence and loyalty. He wants to promote you to an Inquisitor within the next few days.

[He's listening, diligent and loyal... but at that revelation, he drops everything and is back to just Ezra.]

Wait, really?! Like with a title and a number and everything?

[Next few days, though. He thought he'd have more time to prepare his escape.]

[ he restrains a laugh at his shock, taking it as a welcomed one, and smiles broader. ]

You did it... Ezra. You've worked hard and now you can reap the rewards.

[ his parents could very well be free in a week. and while something fierce in him claws at him about it, he knows Ezra won't be able to go now. they'll be brothers as it should be. ]

That's... Thank you.

[Luckily, his speechlessness is fitting for the situation. Gotta stay in character.]

Do you know what my number will be? What happens when I'm promoted? Is there some initiation? Do I get to work on my own?

Easy, easy.

[ his chiding is warm and proud. they're both excited and it's a win he has been working toward with ezra, right beside him. pride swells his heart knowing his apprentice will serve well. ]

There is an initiation you'll be put through starting tomorrow. Once you complete, you will be given your rank - Eleventh Brother. You'll be assigned your own trooper battalion and missions. We'll still work closely together when called on, but otherwise you'll be your own agent.

Whoa.

[Tomorrow's really soon! It's tomorrow!]

What's the initiation like?

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