Log:Clan Kora: Welcome Home
Clan Kora: Welcome Home
OOC Date: November 6, 2021
Location: Great Hall - Echoy'la Morut, Ealor
Participants: Valeska Jaivon, Hahtavi Kora, Avery Ihala Kora, Hadrix Kora, Evie Leven, Sumi Kora Clan Kora
Back on Ealor and Valeska had intended to get comfortable. Relax a little. Ah, but no rest for the wicked. In the carvernous, buttressed Great Hall Valeska pads her way towards the center directly below the skylight. The sun still has a few hours before setting, but the shadows are getting long and the bright blue of a daytime sky is already beginning to dim.
Dressed in a plain, beige tunic and cutoff pants to match, Valeska is busy trying to tie her hair back away from her face; a vibrosword resting at her feet. "Not to question your judgement, Sumi, but you're sure we shouldn't practice in armour first?" Black hair is tied back about as well as it's going to allow and the merc stoops down to arm herself with the sword. Whatever the Alor's answer will be, Valeska seems game to go along with it.
"You do not come to appreciate armor until you've felt the sting of a blade. You need to learn to use a sword first, then a sword and armor second. The two are separate weapons, one half to the other. A healthy respect for the blade comes first." Sumi is in workout clothing that's tight fitting, revealing the tanned length of her legs, her shoulders and thick arms, and the shape of her body. Without armor, Sumi seems more humble and small, more feminine and definitely more agile. Unlike Val, Sumi holds a thinner sword with a slightly tapered curved blade. By no means is it fancy, but its edge catches the light beneath a godray that originates from one of the windows, and it glitters slightly with a fresh coat of honing oil; Sumi had been sharpening it.
Greeza and Pheegus are the first of Hadrix's collection of life that has coalesced around him. Slipping through the doors of the hall to find themselves a fire and a table to settle in at to have their supper and their usual lengthy chats that range from playful joshing all the way to heated debates and back again.
Hadrix, Mir, and Kar are shortly after. The toddler clinging to two of Gripper's arms and being aided along by the floating droid while the old man and the mountain speak quietly with one another - pausing only at the sight of Sumi and Valeska as they are with weapons drawn and dressed down.
The elder's quiet blue stare shifting to catch sight of the mismatched red and grey to his left.
Valeska's blade is nice in the sense that, so far as she knows, it's not been used that often. Given that Hadrix had gifted it to her, though, it's possible the blade has seen quite a bit of action and it is simply a matter of the weapon being properly cared for. Placing herself to the opposite side of Sumi and a respectable distance away to start, Valeska flexes her fingers around the vibrosword's hilt and rotates her wrist.
"I mean... I respect the armour pretty well already, yeah? Save for the times it lets a slug get through the cracks." With a bit of a dramatic sigh, the younger-by-age woman rolls her should and looks up at the skylight. "But if you say it must be so, Alor, then--"
No warning. None verbally, anywways. Valeska pushes against the stone floor and rushes the much smaller woman; two quick swipes too easily dodged or deflected. Without a proper defense, Valeska is left wide open and in what feels like a blick, there are a trio of burning swipes in three different parts of her body.
The biege tunic and trousers are showing the faint, shallow marks of first blood across both upper thighs and one clean slice across the abdomen.
Sumi suspected Val would launch a surprise attack; in Sumi's youth, she did the same to Sana. History repeats itself in both respect, and Sumi bats away Valeska's strike, countering with two swings of her own that mark the woman's abdomen and the tops of her thighs; the second cut was one swipe that hit both legs. Sumi was masterful with the blade though, and she pulled her attack to only make small incisions, enough for pain to register and a little bit of blood to surface.
"If you cannot defeat an opponent without your armor, what makes you think you will in your armor?" Sumi goes back on the defensive, taking a fundamentally basic stance and holding the weapon out again. "Again. This time, cut me."
The ID10 leads Kar to where he can sit near, but not too near, one of the fires and supplied with conifer seed cones to throw in; or try to throw in - all the same to the little toddler who delights whether they go in and start popping or bounce off of the durasteel and stone braziers.
Hadrix and Mir, though, go to the edge of Sumi and Val's chosen sparring circle. Measured steps from both ending with the older mandalorian taking a seat on one of the benches, scrubbing fingers through close cropped gray hair. The big man himself halts and lets his feet come to rest at shoulder width and where hands might have locked behind his back - jetpack thrusters and forearm gauntlets direct the instinct for them to cross before his belt - right hand over left forearm control bracer.
The lunge by Valeska earns a small, not-mocking, laugh from Mir and Hadrix simply watches, studying.
The sound of boots come though the corridor, not loudly, and into the great hall. It's been a while since Hahtavi had been to Ealor. Too long, actually. He stops briefly in the access portal that lets into the vast chamber. His gauntlets reach up to remove his helm as he observes Sumi and Valeska sparring with blades.
With him, Iriin stops by his side and likewise removes her buy'ce as well. Her pale hair is done up in braides that encircle the top crown of her head with a few loose strands to hang here and there, softening the effect.
A faint smile eases his scarred face as he watches Valeska making a hit on Sumi. Very low, softly, his baritone rumbles to his daught, "It is not easy to touch Sumi in sparring." Hahtavi knows that well.
The pair of them move further into the Great Hall and take up a position along one wall to wait and watch. A respectful nod is offered to Hadrix, should his Al'verde's attention flicker in their direction. Sumi and Val are much too busy so greetings can wait.
A spring from her knees bounds Valeska back, but the three clean cuts are already burning into her flesh. A hand touches her torso with growing frustration as Sumi's words fall onto open but annoyed ears. It reads clear on her face; contorted in pondering aggitation.
Valeska grunts to herself, gritting her teeth and fighting down that insticnt that tells her to get angry. Anger hasn't been doing her much good lately. In fact, quite the opposite. The tight expression relaxes and hazel eyes flick only briefly to Hadrix and Mir before they settle on her opponent-slash-trainer.
A flutter of her cotton tunic and Valeska rushes in again, more measured this time but only just slightly. A clang of their swords is followed up with an immediate slice to Sumi's right arm. Valeska's eyes brighten with the small victory.
That is immediately dashed with another attack from the Morellian that Valeska is definitely not prepared for.
The next trade off leaves a mark across Sumi's upper arm where there's no ink, making it easy to see the blood that surfaced. Sumi hisses from the pass of the blade, yet responds with a trio of attacks that find more openings in Val's defense. Sumi darts behind Valeska, tapping her ass with the blunt edge of her blade, then cut across her front with a pair of swings intended for the torso, yet only one finds purchase. Again, it wasn't deep at all; Valeska wouldn't even need stitches.
"Good! Arms are good if your purpose is to disable. Again!" Sumi resumes her defensive stance, handicapping herself by tucking her arm along her back to simulate that Valeska had disabled her arm.
"Blade is only part of the weapon." Hadrix rumbles, offering Hahtavi a nod as he speaks, a statue otherwise, "Pommel, grip, guard even the half-swording grip... all can be used." the only little tidbit it seems when the big man silences again and the elder sitting near simply nods.
Far to the side a series of hard cracking sounds and staccato series of pops followed by delighted laughter from the half-echani toddler, nursemaided by Gripper and now Clankah as the old battledroid settles in, keeping the kid from getting too close to the fire.
The big man's mouth shifts into a lopsided smile for both the action seen, and unseen, doing his level best to keep to purely observation now that he's said his piece.
Sumi parries each blow with precise hits, obstructing Valeska's blade from finding purchase. Sumi's response is to press the fight aggressively by stepping toward her opponent to cut quickly. Leg, to arm, and torso and Sumi grins. Meanwhile, Sumi's arm remains behind her back. She steps back and raises her sword in salute. "I think our lesson is good to pause, for now. We can compare notes after some time is spent reflecting." Sumi drives her sword back into its scabbard and sets the weapon on one of the tables. Then, she's moving toward the back corridor to go get dressed into armor!
When the spar comes to a halt, Valeska remains locked in a ready stance. It is only now, while Sumi casually steps away, that Valeska realizes how heavily she is breathing. Parted feet draw back and Valeska stands to her full height; allowing herself to relax. "I'm starting to see more and more how I keep getting shot in the field, yeah?" It's not immediately clear who she is talking to until Valeska turns her head slightly to the rumble of Hadrix's voice.
What little blood she got from Sumi is wiped off her blade with the hem of her now cut-up tunic and then returned to its sheath. "One of these days, Hadrix. I'll get there." But for now the tired and very cut up woman leaves the circle and goes over to where Mir is sitting. Which also happens to be where her armour lay to be put back on piece by piece.
"Hey, Old Man." A term of endearment as she smiles to Mir warmly. "Glad to see your old face on Ealor. Gotta be a change from Mandalore, yeah? Cannibals not withstanding, of course."
"Cannibals on Ealor, cannibals on Mandalore - the only difference is it's far colder here." the old man has a chuckle for her as part of that response, still armored and festooned with his flowing desert robes of whisper thin layers that protect from sand and heat on one world and now keep him warmer on this one.
"One of these days you might fight either of us to a standstill as well. All in due time." Hadrix's comment chases after with another slow nod before he makes his way towards the dais and kneels down to open a concealed panel behind it with the hum of small motors and the growl stone brushing past stone.
"I look forward to it, if I'm honest."
"How honest, though, can you truly be, Hadrix Kora, name collector."
"Hush old man, you're as bad as Gripper."
For his part, Hahtavi looks amused at the banter between Hadrix and Mir. If Mir looks his way, Haht gives him a polite nod as well. Mostly though he's quiet and finds a place to take a seat in the hall, stretching out his long legs while they await the arrival of others of his clan. Lately, these past few months, he's been keeping more to himself and not having much to say.
Iriin on the other hand is drawn to the hearth where Hadrix's toddler plays. She offers a smile and kneels down to join him, asking "What game do you play?" Her basic is still slightly stilted though much improving rapidly. She looks interested in the tossing of pine cones into the fire to pop! They also smell very nice.
In the time it takes Sumi to get changed over, the morning has transitioned to mid-day. Birds can be heard outside the stone fortress, and bright sunlight crisscrosses from the skylight creating godrays through the glass. Fires crackle, warding off the chilly air from outside and giving the great hall a comforting ambience.
Sumi Kora emerges from the back corridor in full armor now, the blue painted plated beskar dull beneath the light save for the freckled blemishes of old wounds potent enough to dent the armor. Sumi ascends the dais where the throne for the clan was, unseated and draped with fur, bones, and all manner of other trophies. It was a misconception to say the throne belonged to Sumi; it belonged to Kora, the clan, and upon it sat their accolades. Without the trophies and decorations it was just a chair on a raised stone platform and nothing more. Any power it had was provided by the clan itself, and that's how it'd always stay.
<"Bring it in... Valeska, front and center.">
Sumi points to a spot up on the dais with her where the woman can see the rest of those assembled today. Braziers crackle at each side of the dais with fire, casting an orange glare over the throne and surrounding area.
Avery arrives late, but right on time, joining the group when Sumi returns and calls for Valeska to step toward the dais. With the silver and blue bucket clipped to his belt, he makes his way through the hall to grab a seat near the front, nodding at everyone with a bright smile while he goes. If Valeska meets his dark green gaze, he gives her a wider smile and a solemn nod, dropping into the selected chair to settle himself comfortably. It takes a minute, with a couple of shifts and tugging at plates, especially trying to find a 'right spot' for the metal cone beneath his knee. He's still saddled with that temporary limb, the wound and return from Mandalore still rather fresh in the manner of things.
"Pop!" is the chosen majority what Kar has been saying through the morning "Throw pop." lifting more of the conifer cones and shaking them happily in between times where he's been offering one to Iriin before awkwardly hurling one of them himself - barely getting it into the fire where the dry woody panels catch - the heat forcing the cones open with a fireworks stutter of snaps and pops. Stopping when Gripper floats close and issues a gentle shushing sound.
Hadrix has returned as well, with whatever he'd gathered from behind the throne, that he disappeared with to another part of the fortress and now returned with a small crucible of blackened stone that may have started its time a dusty pink speckled with white and gray. A personal heating ring fixed to its base.
He's silent as he goes, approaching the brazier by the throne, reverently putting a small iron rod into the coals.
The bracers go on last. The right one first then the left. Mir's commentary towards Hadrix grabs a laugh from Valeska's chest and hurls it out into the crisp, late-morning air. "Name Collector? That's apt, yeah? Do we all get nicknames or do we have to earn them?" A playful nudge of her shoulder against Mir, Valeska is flexing her fingers in her gloves when Sumi calls her up.
"Hm?" A gentle 'ha-yup', the woman rises from where she is sitting and makes her way over to where Sumi points. On her way, she passes Hahtavi with a wave. "Good to see you again, vod. I hope the hunting has been well." A quick glance towards Iriin and Kar at the fire tossing in popping pinecones softens her resting-grump-face. Avery, too, gets a nod though she can't say anything as she's almost up to where Sumi and Hadrix are.
Donning the crimson Journeyman armour with her helmet clipped to her belt, Valeska stands at the dias and tilts her head.
Avery's arrival gains his attention. Hahtavi watches his brother, and especially how he moves with the loss of his leg. A faint tightness of sympathyto his own expression for what Avery has suffered in loosing the limb, though Avery seems to be coping with it well thus far. A welcoming nod to his vod.
Iriin inhales the scent of the burning resin. It's sticky however and she doesn't want it all over her hands. She smiles at Kar but moves to stand as the adults are getting ready for something and Gripper encourages them to be quiet. Her attention is particularly taken by what Hadrix is doing.
Valeska gains an upnod from Hahtavi. As things look to get started, he too moves to stand but keeps his place by the table where Avery is seated.
With everyone in place now, Sumi begins.
<"Today is about the Clan, and it is about Valeska. For awhile now, Valeska has experienced the crucible; the time for proving; while not a ceremony so much as a constant test beneath the flames of conflict, adversity, and pressure. Valeska has emerged from the flames honed, focused, and eager to present her warrior spirit to be judged before the clan. Judge her for her actions, her sacrifice, and the pain she has bore while lifting up this clan, and our missions. I invite those of the Clan to cast their vote to determine if Valeska will bear our brand, and earn the right to be named Kora. Yay or nay.">
The Slicer sits and listens to their Alor speak, his head nodding along to her speech in various points. At moments he tilts his head to watch Valeska, considering her nerves as she awaits votes by her clan. Once done with her oration, Avery moves to stand, stumbling a bit with the awkwardness due to his new physical nature, but stand tall, metaphorically speaking, and proud he does.
Avery's gaze roams the room while he begins speaking. "Valeska has time and time again proven her mettle, her strength, and her ability to be in the thick and thin of battle and war. Mandalore is not an easy place and we have gained much there at some cost. She willingly throws herself into any situation with a thirst for knowledge, and a burning desire to overcome adversity." His verdant eyes shift to take in the woman in question, the one who they have all assembled for. "There is no one, in my mind, more deserving of becoming blooded into the Kora Clan than Valeska Jaivon... I am proud to know her, stand beside her, and have her as one of our own."
The messy haired man nods to her then, his regard shifting back to Sumi and Hadrix with a crooked grin. "Thus I say, Yay." Measure given, and a quick wince stifled, Avery settles heavily back into his seat.
Iriin stands back from the adults, watching, listening. Her young face unscarred, her pale eyes bright. She glances at Kar who may have no idea what's going on, but she seems to. She gives her respect though she has no vote in this matter.
From Sumi it goes to Avery, and as Hadrix continues to make preparations, Hahtavi's baritone speaks up. "Valeska is strong willed and sharp tongued. A bit too hot headed, at times. But so was I many a time. She still has a lot to learn about being Mando'ade. Yet, she contributes, pulls her weight, and focuses. I know she's got our backs, and we hers. Aye, from tal'at'cuyir to tal'aliit." It's all he has to say so Hahtavi falls silent once more.
Iriin stands back from the adults, watching, listening. Her young face unscarred, her pale eyes bright. She glances at Kar who may have no idea what's going on, but she seems to. She gives her respect though she has no vote in this matter.
From Sumi it goes to Avery, and as Hadrix continues to make preparations, Hahtavi's baritone speaks up. "Valeska is strong willed and sharp tongued. A bit too hot headed, at times. But so was I many a time. She still has a lot to learn about being Mando'ade. Yet, she contributes, pulls her weight, and focuses. I know she's got our backs, and we hers. Aye, from tal'at'cuyir to tal'aliit." It's all he has to say so Hahtavi falls silent once more.
Jaw locked, Valeska stares ahead as Sumi initiates the ritual. She had witnessed this ceremony only once before many months ago when it was Hahtavi being judged and voted upon. She was left in awe that day; confused and inspired by what she had witnesses from those whom she had then-recently met.
Today?
Today Valeska keeps her eyes on Sumi as the voices of her clanmates rise up behind her. Well, she mostly manages to do that. Her gaze does shift a little towards the direction of each voice with an instinctive need to keep track of them. She doesn't interrupt: unsure if she's supposed to say something and also not knowing what to even say if she were.
The gaze only breaks from the Alor to go over to Hadrix who had been tending to the small crucible in the brazier. There her eyes remain on the man who has sponsored her from the beginning.
<"I have the votes of the absent today and they declared, 'Aye'."> Hadrix rumbles out, his helmet having been put on during his absence. Form and figure concealed in the heavy plates he wears. For each person there is a momentary look - when his visor centers and holds on them. Offering a nod to Avery first while the crucible is set on one of the arms of the throne and the iron rod in the coals is tended too.
But his voice growls out like stones tumbling down a shale laden hillside, <"Valeska was being held by the neck, breaths from her end when I happened down an alley, taking a shortcut... maybe looking for a fight... spitting in the faces of her would be killers."> the big man's visor moves to Hahtavi next, head canting to one side, <"She doesn't chase glory, she chases battle. She fights to the last - even when she's falling out of a tower with a remembrancer trying to gut her with a kad."> motioning vaguely towards Valeska now as his head turns.
<"Doesn't give up. Doesn't let in, puts her family first. Keeps fighting when there's a ten millimeter slug exploded in her hip, keeps pushing when surrounded. True Mandokarla."> the black, glassy, T holding on the woman now, though his voice is cast towards the blue armored alor whom he dwarfs.
<"My vote is aye, she's shown she's true mando'ade. As much as anyone here now.">
Mir has appeared to one side - outside the circle of the clan - cool gaze resting and his expression of one listening carefully.
<"The votes are in, but before I cast my vote, I want to hear it from the woman herself."> Sumi's mirror like visor orients to face Valeska now, giving the lady her own reflection. <"To join Kora is a lifelong commitment. You are no longer sponsored, you are family. We fight for you just as you fight for us. We will die for you, just like you would die for us. Knowing the commitment up front can feel daunting, we never know what waits with the next dawn, or what lurks in the night; only one thing /is/ for certain, though. Whatever waits for us out there, we face it together.">
Sumi up nods Valeska then, and says, <"Now it is your turn. Speak your heart and let us hear what it is you desire. Do you want to be Kora?">
She can't see his eyes under the visor, but Valeska locks with Hadrix all the same. That moment in the alley on in: quite the road they have walked together. Twisting slightly at the waist, feeling the fresh cuts from Sumi's blade as a reminder of further forging to come, Valeska looks to the others present one by one. Mir, Avery, Hahtavi; all the way to the children present and the droids, as well. All whom have become important parts of her life.
Then she turns back to Sumi and Hadrix at the dais, her eyes studying them as she digs in her mind for the correct words. "That night in the alley. It is both a haze and a night I remember clearly. I was dragged in there knowing I would die. And I was carried out by you." She nods to Hadrix. "And brought to a haven. It was the Kora who picked me up. Put me back on my feet."
She looks to Hahtavi. "Who gave me knowledge and encouragement on Mandalore and lessons in their beliefs." Then to Avery. "Who embraced me warmly. Taught me to laugh again and help fresh wounds start to heal." To Sumi. "Who saw potential in a listless mercenary and showed unending patience sharpening the rough edges." To Hadrix. "Who has guided me through it all with an ear to listen, advice to offer, and a hand outstretched."
Valeska stops, taking in a deep breath and waits for the echo of her own voice to fade before speaking again. "I counted the Kora as allies to who I owed a great debt. Now I count them as family. My brothers and sister. This is where I want to be. This is where I belong." She squares her shoulders and takes in another deep breath. "I am a Mandalorian and Clan Kora is where I belong."
Iriin looks to Kar to see what he thinks of all of this - and to make sure the young boy isn't doing anything foolish that night land him in the hearth. Between herself and Gripper, Kar's safe enough while his buir is otherwise occupied.
Standing in his black heavy battle armor, Hahtavi watches and listens. His gaze particularly unfocuses with past memory, a thousand yard stare, perhaps even thought about his own possible future, at Sumi's recitation of the oath he himself had sworn not very long ago.
Behind them the fire pops and crackles.
Hazel eyes widen in a brief moment of panic. Oh, no. She had forgotten about the brand! The gears are turning in her head. The mark needs to go somewhere important. Somewhere that has meaning. A gaze to the helmet at her hip is given consideration, but then something clicks and instead, Valeska raises up her right bracer; presenting it to Sumi as the words come genuine and strong.
"I am your kin, your friend, your companion for life. No matter the field of battle, regardless of time, clime, or place you will find me, your family, beside you. No battle will claim you absent of me. Where you fall, I will be there to pick you up. You will not die alone."
A nod granted to the bracer just above her right hand to be branded, she adds to Sumi. "This hand will forever fight for Clan Kora. The one that will extend outwards. To catch those who slip. To help carry the fallen. To wield the blade and the blaster. Of this I swear."
Avery can't help it, the grin slowly spreads across his face as the ceremony gets closer and closer to completion. She's earned the right to be part of the clan, more times over than he can count, and the ritual that takes place is only cementing what he already feels in his heart.
The slicer pushes to stand, shifting in place uncertainly, as he waits for their newest sister to be branded. He feels she's chosen well in the placement of the mark, looking to his own chest piece that bears the burned hand that covers his heart. Avery watches quietly, on the edge of clapping, his hands primed and ready to applaud their newest member.
While Evennia's affairs had kept her on the other side of the galaxyfor some time now, she wasn't going to miss this moment. There wasn't a chance. She'd commed ahead to get her vote in, and tinkered on her ship to try and make it fly even *faster* towards the Kora base on Ealor...
...unfortunately for her, an old capacitor that she'd been meaning to fix blew and the asteroid ended up limping, not racing to the finish line at the end of it.
Heels have been kicked off -- she's not going to have click-clacks interrupting the sanctity of this situation.
Unfortunately for her intentions, bare feet make a slapping sound of flesh against floor that's almost louder. She stops at the entrance to the Great Hall, standing to watch the last moments of the sacred event take place. For a rare occasion in her life, the woman known for being boisterous says nothing. Not yet. THAT moment is coming.
The brand is placed into Sumi's palm by Hadrix as he moves to the throne, to the small crucible, lifting it up to carry back towards the pair. The contents thin, red, obviously blood that may have been kept in a chiller before and warmed now. Swirling slightly with subtle movement of his hands.
Kar is just watching, heterochromia gaze of metallic silver and storm gray rapt on the dais now so that even the cone in hand is simply held there, resting in small hands while Gripper and Clankah keep close and attention fixed on the boy.
<"Welcome home, Valeska. Whether you keep Jaivon or take on the name Kora. Kin in spirit, richer than blood that. Regardless if you feel as so with blood you came from as you do with kin you've marched with."> Hadrix's helmet visor remains fixed on Valeska now, turning as if to focus his real eye on her more than the cold bionic that blazes a balor red behind it.
<"Par'te Verde te'haat'kyr kyr'am. Te'Verde nayc'chaab kyr'am, Par'ibac takisit oya'la. Te'Verde kar'taylir val nu'liser shukalar buruk, a'par buruk'ika val'liser mav'ashie teh chaab. Val payt'oyayc mar'eyir vercopaanir o'r'val ijaat'kyr'am. Val'tion'ad partaylir rejorhaa'ir Be'val'mandokar, be'tion'tuur te'ca'nara olaror; val'epan ba'dinuir'an. Gehat'ike oyacyir'bat. Shi'Verde olaror lo'eyn'gev."> something so often heard being muttered by the man, hot-mic'd more often than not when Gripper fails to catch it in time.
For the warrior the only true conclusion is death. The warrior does not cower to death, for that would belittle life. The warrior knows that they can not defeat danger, but for a moment they can free others from fear. Let those left behind find hope in their sacrifice. Let those whom knew them well speak of their fierce loyalty, unwavering convictions, and when the time came; their ultimate willingness to give all. Legends live on. Only the warrior comes to an end.
<"Let your legend continue to be spun out with us.">
Sumi nods, her helmeted head tipping down to look over the outstretched arm and bracer. A moment later, she lifts the sizzling brand to press against the armor, burning the sigil of Clan Kora in place, creating a unique smell of hot metal. When she pulls the brand back, it's dropped into a bucket of water, creating a loud HISSSS noise with steam that billowed up.
<"Your mark is conceived this day,"> Sumi states, lifting the woman's arm up higher to reside beneath the glare of the light peeking through the windows above.
The Sumi's head turns to look for Hadrix and the object he brought to Sumi. She dips her hand into it and smears the crimson blood over the freshly burned sigil on Val's arm. <"..and it is sustained by the blood of our victory.">
<"Welcome home, sister.">
The brand has been given and the waiting to applaud has ended. As such Avery lets loose with a whistle and a cheer, his hands smacking against each other with great vigor and verve. His smile stretches from ear to ear when their new sister is presented and Sumi has spoken. "Welcome home, Valeska!" He calls, face contorted in a wide joyful gaze as he announces his glee.
It's a build up. Up and up and up. Valeska's guarded expression is starting to crack. The blood hits the brand upon her hand with its own sizzle and briefly -- oh so briefly -- Valeska wonders where the blood came from.
But that's gone when Sumi welcomes her and Valeska does a very Mando thing: she throws her arms around Sumi and gives her a big hug. A big, squeezy hug. The others present get the hug, as well. One squeezy hug at a time.
Then to her sponsor, Valeska beams up at him not unlikely a very proud little sister. It could be one of the few times she looks younger than her not-the-many years. The moment passes and Hadrix, too, gets the big bear hug. As big a hug as one can give a wampa in armour.
Oh, aye, when Valeska steps towards him after hugging Sumi and Avery, Hahtavi gives her a brief bear hug in return with a few thumps to the back of her armor. "I had no doubt, once you got over your own insecurities about yourself, that you'd do fine. Welcome aboard." He steps back and lets her absorb the congratulations of her clansfolk.
There's a look to Mir, studying the older man. Meanwhile, Iriin slips in between the grown up adults and sneaks in a brief hug to Valeska as well. "You did it!" A big smile for her big 'sister'.
Usually, she's the initator of hug-fu. Well. Either her or Hadrix. It's just the way it is. But, apparantly Val's come into that mindset also, and Evie? She'll allow it. For one, it's Val's special day, for two? It means *she* can focus on not getting the aforementioned bare feet stepped on when the armored woman comes up to embrace her, and wriggles her arms free to hug Valeska back. "Welcome home, sister! I knew this day would come." she tells her new sister, grinning from ear to ear.
Sumi weathers the hug with a muffled laugh conveyed through the helmet, patting the woman's shoulder endearingly before stepping back to part from her. She settles into the chair upon the dais, reclining and slouching to one side to watch as the clan rejoices their new sister. Sumi reflects on the past quietly as Sana Ryder steps from one side to settle on the arm of the large chair, her arms crossed, watching, too.
