happy father's day - blindrun

[merging]

 [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.]

Comments

[prover]

...

[ 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.

[merging]

[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.]

[blindrun]

[ 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?

[merging]

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?

[blindrun]

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.

[merging]

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.]

[blindrun]

[ 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.

[merging]

[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.]

[blindrun]

[ 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. ]

[merging]

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?

[blindrun]

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.

[merging]

Whoa.

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

What's the initiation like?

[blindrun]

It's a test of your will and power with the dark side. The Grand Inquisitor will conduct the proceedings.

It isn't easy but you'll pass. [ he sets a hand on ezra's shoulder. ] I've trained you well and you've exceeded all expectations. Soon you'll have all the power I promised you and more. The power to make the changes in your life to your hearts content, unhindered.

[merging]

[Passing's sort of what he's worried about. Well, failing and dying would also be bad. But he can't stop thinking about what Ahsoka told him initiation consisted of. Not for his own sake, but...]

Third Brother, what was your name before? When you were a Jedi.

[blindrun]

What?

[ the hand on ezra's shoulder is pulled back, the room turning cold with his shock. ]

How... who told you that?

[ he doesn't deny because the bigger concern is how he learned of it. ]

[merging]

You did. Just now. I wasn't sure if it was true.

[A lie, considering how trusting he was of Ahsoka. Until this moment, he hadn't even thought of the fact she could be lying herself. But she told the truth about this at least.]

Second Sister's told me a little about initiation, but I was never sure if she was just teasing me. She said she pitied me, having such a weak Inquisitor for a master. "But he was even weaker before," she said. I didn't believe her then, but it's true, isn't it?

What were you like? [Was he happy? Did he have hope? Did he have friends or family?] I'm excited to become Eleventh Brother, but I've only ever been Ezra Bridger. I want to become stronger, like you did.

[blindrun]

[ his brow creases down when he realizes ezra tricked him, but he can't admonish a clever tactic in good faith. he rolls his eyes lightly at second sister's insults because they're a dime in a dozen, and decides to focus on the questions. ]

I was about your age when I was part of the Jedi Order. [ he leans himself into the desk, a little uncomfortable but not unwilling to speak. ] It isn't so different from what we are as Inquisitors. We were a collective working for the Republic, trained by seasoned Jedi Masters, taken in when we were children from our families.

[ he thins his lips, then adds: ] If that old Order existed, they would have detected your potential as a very young child. So young, you wouldn't even remember your parents when they took you.

[ it feels petty to mention it but he wants to highlight it because ezra's attachment to his parents is so incredibly alien and baffling to him. third brother doesn't have any single memory of them, and that was long before he turned. ]

[merging]

You don't remember yours?

[Taking kids away from their families like that doesn't sit right with him, but it's not like the Empire's been so great when it comes to families either. Besides, Ahsoka's not a Jedi.]

And you still haven't told me your name, you know.

[blindrun]

What is your obsession with my name? [ he's tired of the question and decides to outright question it. ] I don't have one anymore. Soon neither will you. I will only call you Eleventh Brother, as will the others.

[merging]

Why are you so afraid to tell me? I want to know who you were, so I can better understand who I'll become. That's all.

[And he's trying to redeem him, maybe.]

[blindrun]

I'm not afraid. It isn't relevant to me anymore. I haven't used my name since I was younger than you.

[merging]

Then tell me. If it doesn't matter, then it shouldn't hurt to tell me.

[blindrun]

[ he pauses, long, thinking. ezra makes a point - if it doesn't matter then he shouldn't have a problem saying it.

so slowly his lips flutter, as if he's about to speak, but... his expression slowly turns pained, and something chokes up in his throat. he breathes in harsh through his nose and brings a hand to his throat. nothing is happening, neither in here nor outside the room, but it feels like he's being strangled as his chest constricts and his breath shortens. ]

[merging]

Third Brother?

[Despite everything, despite the fact he's planning to escape tomorrow, he can't stop himself from being concerned.]

Are you alright?!

[blindrun]

I-I'm--

[ even saying that much strains and burns in his mouth, as he has to grip one of the chairs for support to not collapse. his every instinct turns to flight, demanding he run, run for his life as he always has. but you can't run from the empire. you can never run away, it's hopeless, there's nothing out there--

he eyes tighten close, burning hot, and he snaps them open - a burning yellow as the whites of his eyes turn to black. ]

Ezra -- go. Now.

[ his voice is weak, strangle still tight, as a surge of hate and loathing threatens to expel out from him. he's losing his grip and feels his vision going red. ]