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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.]
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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[ he sounds surprised and incredulous at that, as never once as he addressed his apprentice by first name. he closes his eyes and groans low again, body beaten to hell, and then starts to remember. the grand inquisitor, the plan, the chokehold--
do not discount my mercy, third brother. fail again, and it will be the death of your apprentice.
ah, right. now he remembers. he opens his eyes again, a solid yellow, and looks at the boy. stupid, stupid boy. ]
That stunt you pulled yesterday? Never again. Understand?
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[And he's going to hold that over him. Maybe he's getting close to learning Third Brother's name finally.]
I know. I won't.
[Ezra snaps, quick to defend himself. He thinks about arguing that he didn't think anyone would notice, but that isn't true. He just didn't think things through in the first place.]
You said it wasn't my fault.
[It's a reminder, and a bit of an accusation. Sure, he blames himself, but he also doesn't like getting scolded.]
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[ he breathes out a light scoff, ezra's petulance tiresome. he knows he has to rein him in more, but it's also kind of funny? mostly a pain in his ass, but you get what kicks you can in this position. too bad he isn't laughing. ]
You realize I almost died right?
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[So yes, he does realize, but he's too busy repressing things at the moment.]
There was... something else too.
[Maybe he shouldn't bring this up. After all, Third Brother seemed really angry, almost like he could kill him. But it probably doesn't have anything to do with him! It's probably something else! And he's too curious to let it go.]
When I was helping you, you got mad all of a sudden and pushed me away. You wouldn't tell me what was wrong or if something had happened. That's the last thing I remember.
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I spent hours getting electrocuted yesterday, among other things. I don't remember.
[ he sees no reason in hiding what he went through. there is no mercy or spared feelings in their lot and he never treated him with kid gloves before so why start now? ]
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I was cleaning your wounds, I started with your face since your eyes were- wait. [He looks at Third Brother, examining him closely.] How'd your eyes get better already?
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Didn't even know my eyes were damaged.
[ it must have been... not the shocks no. the grand inquisitor had him strapped down and together they discussed ezra, the year since he took him in past, and... and caleb dume. he swallows, not quite remembering the conversations or the details, but remembering the feelings. the self-loathing he still carries and why he can't say that name. ]
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[Ezra has a way with words.]
But now they're fine. [So how come neither of them can remember what happened? Third Brother's excuse makes sense, given the torture and everything. But Ezra was completely fine and then he passed out and couldn't remember a thing. Like... the holocron.] Did I...?
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Can you help me up?
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[He quickly moves to help Third Brother to stand up, and the good thing is they don't need Second Brother's help this time. He had been weird last night too...
As he helps him up, Ezra looks away, his voice quiet.]
I'm glad you're alright.
[And there's a glimmer, a spark of light in his presence leftover from yesterday.]
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yet then he feels the light again, a warm glow, and straightens up. senses sharpen and something in him recoils again. ]
This Resistance is getting stronger. [ he decides to say, wanting to divert the conversation away from his wellbeing or lack of. ] The Grand Inquisitor is going to increase our time off base. They must be crushed.
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If we can actually separate them next time, it should be easy. Without that Jedi helping them, they're pretty weak on their own.
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[ his hands fold in his lap, gaze steely as he looks to ezra. ]
Her name is Ahsoka Tano. For whatever reason, Darth Vader has taken an interest in her. He wants her brought in alive.
[ and that's the problem. no other jedi has been asked to be returned alive. it's always kill on sight. what gives? ]
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[Not like he'd actually say that to Vader's face. Er, helmet.]
You think he wants to turn her?
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[ but even that is strange. padawans like him were turned in the wake of the purges. the survivors, deemed with the potential to surpass their masters, were exposed to the truth. a truth that broke and resurrected them into the warriors they are now. but that was after the purge, and ahsoka is about the same age he is. he doesn't think she can be turned. ]
The thing about her is she's more than just a Jedi. She's a symbol. If we take her down, the resistance will crumble without her. The rest of them are easy pickings without her protection. Without her to give them hope.
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[It doesn't sound like he's listening, but he is. Just probably not in a way Third Brother would approve of. If she's gone, they'll be able to crush the Rebellion. He doesn't care for the Rebellion, considering it's what got his parents killed. But he still doesn't love the Empire either.]
When do you think my training will be complete? I'm tired of being called baby brother.
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[ the mean girls gonna mean girl. he motions a hand to his side, inviting him to sit with him at the bed. ]
The thing you need to understand is in raw power, you're already at our level. It isn't about that. The problem is you aren't loyal.
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But... he can't argue against that. He can try to talk his way out of it, though.]
I'm loyal to you.
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We serve only one master. Soon enough, the whole galaxy will serve him too. You must fall in line.
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[Perhaps he should be more grateful considering how many times Third Brother's saved his life. Unfortunately, using the dark side's done very little to fix his arrogance and selfishness.]
You've known from the beginning that's the one thing I'll refuse to do. You know my parents were rebels. You know I draw my power from my hate for the Empire. So whose loyalty is really the problem here?
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[ but... he knows ezra has some points. was he wrong to take him away? of course ezra was never loyal to the empire and he knew that, but he thought he could at least make him loyal to the dark side. to the power. but that doesn't seem to be enough because he can feel his hold on him weakening. he is strong in the dark side and there are glimmers of light he has yet to comprehend. third brother fears that faint light, and its potential to grow.
and to that end he sets a hand onto ezra's shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. ]
You are strong, but you resist still. Why? Talk to me.
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[It's what comes naturally to him, after all.]
The Empire took my family from me. You guys might call each other brother and sister, but that doesn't make it true. Besides, it's not like you've all been very welcoming.
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[ he has a roof over his head. he has food, clean clothes, a room, and a family. ]
Do you know why we are called Brother and Sister, Ezra? It's because we have no family. None of us. We have no one in this world but each other.
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[Ephraim and Mira Bridger. Two other reasons he doesn't like being called baby brother. He'd rather be called Ezra.]
And you know you don't have each other either. None of the others would've cared if you died.
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his hand slips off his shoulder and, with new found strength, he stands. ]
Follow me.
[ and he walks out the room, sluggish compared to his usual stride, but resolute in his decision. ]
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