Sandra Mana: Before the Dawn

Sandra walks into Mon Calamari’s Consulate and looks around at the busy bureaucrats. Everyone coming and going to and fro, sitting and moving at desks, and typing their various reports as they assist citizens with various things such as visas, transfers, political refugees, and more.

With a datapad in hand, she makes her way to the Black Ops sector. On the way, a fellow watches Sandra come by and delivers a firm hand onto her rear, with a slight grasp. She squeaks and comes to stand straight at the harassment. He smiles up at her and she gives his chair a kick, launching him into the corner of his cubical, knocking some coffee on his lap. He gives a few ow ow ow’s and she resumes on.

When she gets to Bernie’s office, he’s not there. Perhaps he had an emergency or something and had to step out. Though there wasn’t much else to do at the moment other than sit and reflect for a moment on everything that’s happened. She reaches over and pours some of Bernie’s Whiskey bottle into a glass and takes a deep swig.

She thought of Sin’Claire who died as a hero. She could still hardly believe what Gogen had told her and it was rather insane to imagine all of that was a possibility. But she had seem some extreme things herself. It wasn’t for her to really doubt, as the force works in mysterious ways. Sandra thought of the various days and times they spent together and it did make her smile, despite the tears that were building in her eyes. Her admiration for Sin’Claire was absolute and it did make her rather happy to have had her as a student, friend, and for her to have given the galaxy a chance to survive. Sandra was proud of her darling student and takes out her lightsaber to look at from her thigh holster under her skirt.

Solomon… her former student also, was also gone in a way that was different than simply dying a hero or ending up dead in a backwater somewhere. Turns out he lived her rather clear stabbing. In a way, she was relieved, but in others, she was upset that she failed. Regardless, perhaps Ambrose had a point, that there was still a way to turn his tainted notion of protection into something that was light again. She doubted it, but the force works in mysterious ways. It likely tore his friends apart to imagine he was dead. That group of Sith apparently are considering a few things, but they weren’t important to her.

Another matter was her hearing the Jedi were distancing from her for now. Likely motivated by some treaty she had no idea about until days later. It was unfortunate, since she was enjoying her time being around a temple again. Though that’s just how it goes…

Some Republic nuttahs wanted to speak to her also, but that wasn’t of big worry to her also. There was a lot of ways that she could justify what she did and they could likely let her be with some showing publicly.

Elyd came to speak to her and offered a lot of insight to what happened also. It was a fair bit of stress to take it all in, but she knew that she needed to know. There was a lot happening on Viscara right now and she was here on Mon Cal… doing her duties and studying as normal. But perhaps it was for the best to avoid Viscara for now. May well not shake up the people there unless she had to.

Then there was her grief and missions to do.
Bernie was working with some officials to prepare a defense operation that she wasn’t sure of yet, and that was a whole matter when her head was in a tizzy. But at least she wasnt utterly wrecked and could function properly. Perhaps losing Darian and SinClaire made her realize that there really was nothing left to lose. There was no need to be absolutely depressed when everyone was more so a passing figure in her life.

Then Ambrose, who had collapsed mentally when she told him that she killed Solomon. It was almost two weeks later that she saw him again and he said that he was forgiving her. It was odd to hear. He didnt want her to fall into inhumane actions and it was a fair thing to seek. It was much more surprising to her that he still wanted to spend time with her regardless. It made her happy to think that at least someone gave her the benefit of the doubt right now, along with Elyd.

Sandra keeps her gaze on the lightsaber and runs a finger along the contour, pondering as she did and sighs, finally noticing the tears on her cheek. She wipes them off and then slides the saber back into its holster. It was then she decided that she didn’t really feel like studying today. Instead, she gets up and goes to meander to the water cooler where three guys and two gals were talking about work. Sandra takes a cup and drains some of the water into it, taking a sip and adjusting her blazer a slight. The group looks at her and whisper among themselves. One of the guys shakes his head rapidly and nervously before he’s shoved towards her. They bump a bit and she lets a little slight of breath as they collide.

“S-Sorry, miss. Um… I d-didn’t mean to bother you with their a-antics. Name is Morallis.”

"…It’s fine. Sandra Mana. "

“R-Right, uh… w-well. Can I ask you a question?”

“As you wish…” She notes passively before her emerald gaze turns to him.

He pauses in the gaze and swallows some air.
“W-W-Would you like to have dinner together tomorrow?”

“No, thank you…” Sips some water and peeks away before setting the cup to drop into the trash bin.

“O-Oh, alright… right. Yeah, busy lady and all. C-Cool.”

Sandra gives a wave back as she heads out, the group loving to see her walk off. Morallis swallows some air and looks to the group. They all shake their heads and offer other motivational notations.

Sandra returns home to her ship and sits on the couch. Staring into nothingness for a time before laying on her side, just taking her blazer and boots off. When she notices reality again… it’s been a night gone of sad thoughts…

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Sandra sits in Bernie’s office after a meeting for the mission she would go on to appease the Sith of Viscara for her ‘crime’, so to speak. Of course, it was farce enough to slap a big label such as ‘suicide mission’ and all that on the cover. Though giving enough of a presence with the ‘tracker’ on was enough to signify a sort of punishment had ensued. Regardless, it didn’t matter much to her. The Republic wouldn’t properly punish one of their best agents at the moment. Work as an agent is what it is after all, and making actual friends isn’t part of that specification.

Again, she didn’t think much on it. Instead, she puts her datapad and various notes away for now. She gets up and flattens a pleated skirt with an adjustment of her black blazer. The evening light shines through the window behind Bernie’s office window and she considered going outside.

She walks outside to a series of cubicles with various workers and decides to get some water by the cooler. Some water is drained from the glass container above into an economical thick bio degradable cup. Several people walk up to the cooler while chuckling and giggling and laughing. They whisper to each other a slight louder than expected…

“I hear that redheaded woman is some kind of ninja, wizard assassin”

“No way, that sounds like a weird tabletop RPG character build.”

“That’s fake news. Those things don’t exist! Thats the perfect ass of a secretary. Bernie has good taste.”

“She always looks bored or something. Must be some lame ass jobs in the back area.”

“What do you think happened to the blonde guy?”

"Must have moved to a different department.“He was like, totally hot. Too bad he transferred. I’d let him type on my data pad all night.”

“Why is it always datapads with you? Datapads aren’t sexy, Becky.”

“Like, whatever. I heard that nerd asked out that redhead. Got rejected of course, haha”

“Nerd? Didn’t you see blondie out on the volleyball court? Dude’s got ‘stress exercise’ bod. Probably some Gym rat who’s family got him the job.”

“No, Jeff, I mean the guy by the water cooler. Such a dweeb. It was so painful to watch, like, ha”

“Oh yeah, Morallis from accounting. Go easy on the poor guy Becks, the universe has already been mean enough to him with that shy ass demeanor and that posture.”

“Least he’s not shady as fuck like that weird guy in the red jacket that kept lurking around. Looked like a used speeder salesmen that dealt porno on the side.”

“Gosh, such dweebs, I swear. This is why I use Tandor to get dates. At least I know who has better pics and better lies, ha.”

“Eh I don’t bother with sites like that, most of the profiles just depress me honestly. Like the ladies with all their jax’s on their profile or the guys posing with swords.”

“Listen, Becky, just jerk off like everyone else and make scrappy attempts at dates like Morallis, and maybe you’ll get some jocks on your rotator cuff. And not here bitching with your ye ye ass up-do.”

“Go on, Morallis. Get her damn number already. You want to be a grown ass man, right? Get!”

“I don’t know why I hang out with you guys. You’re literal bullies.”

The group shoves him forward, but this time she peeks over through some strands of hair to meet his gaze. He freezes where he is and swallows some air at the soft piercing eyes. He steps forward a lot slower than he thought he was and after a few seconds, is standing next to her. He looks over and she’s still staring at him. Morallis gives a little nod. Sandra gives one back and looks to her water now.

“H-H-Hello again, S-Sandra. What b-brings you here today? haha…ah…”

“…Doing some research for Bernie.” She responds softly and monotone.

“Sounds n-nice, I think? S-So there’s this cafe that we all g-go to near the end of the day. Want to come with us?”

“No, thank you…” Finishes her water and puts the cup in the trash bin.

“W-Wait um… then can you at least come by my cubicle when you’re around a-again? Just for a few second?”

“…Which one.”

“T-T-Two One Six. Just at the corner.”

“Very well.” Sandra goes to walk off and leaves the group behind.

The group look on Morallis and blink.

“coMe HaNG oUt aT mY cuBiCAL. Fraking idiot.”

“Hey, progress is slow, but grand. Going so show her your whole ass work station. EXCITING.”

“H-Hey… You’re all the ones that pushed ME, remember?”

The few banter for a while longer, but meanwhile Sandra returns to her ship where she finishes preparing for her ‘suicide’ mission for the Republic. She picks enough things for her utility belt and side bag. Once all set, she puts her black stealth suit in the case and sighs a slight. Her mind drifts to images of Sin’Claire and Solomon when they were at peace, learning.

For a time, Sandra practices with an odd device loaned to her by Callista a while ago. It’s now that she has some time to continue practicing with the deflecting part of a previous lesson. The first hour goes by rather quickly, and then a few more, but in the end, it wasn’t really about the training. It was a way to get her mind off everything and take a slapping from the odd device.

At the end, Sandra stands in the shower and stares down at the water circling her feet to make its way to the drain. Her mind wandered to a few people who were appearing in her life a bit more often.
Ambrose, who had been staying with her frequently, recovering from his emotional trauma in his own way and he was rather pleasant to have around.
Clive was clearly infatuated with her, though she wasn’t sure how to really respond to his feelings outside base notions. It was nice knowing that he was there to support her though.
Callista had finally returned and though she herself was worried, it was a wonderful thing to be at her side again. It’s clear that she’s really been learning a lot and, in Sandra’s own mind, really was a better Jedi than she herself was.
Markus seemed a lot more at peace lately and had a warm sense of freedom to him. He was certainly a lot bolder and playful, and hearing about his family is always a pleasant thing.
Kairos seems a bit conflicted. Keeping it a bit secret that she visits to have tea with him is a curious thing, though the Jedi are still on their little distance thing for herself. Perhaps once she finished the task and ‘repented’ she would have such a thing dropped. It’s an oddity that he has such little hidden doubts, but he’ll be fine.
Sarkell, curiously, was one of the few to really ask her why she stabbed Solomon. Either she was brave or just so curious that she risked safety for this information. In either case, it was simple to give. There was nothing unique about her action all in all. And at least she was pleasant enough.

While there was much more that she could call out, there wasn’t much will to consider much more. She turns off the shower and come out in a towel after drying and sits on a the couch, her legs crossed. It has been rough thinking about what she ‘wanted’ because there was nothing really left for her to protect that personally mattered to her. She did think of something suddenly though… her new found desire to just be ignored. To remain out of sight of humanity, for the most part, and considered the means to resume studying Force Cloak. Likely things to be done proper on missions, but the missions were her life for now. She would do some investigation on Shadow Artes soon enough.

For now, Sandra lays on her side and sighs heavily, gazing at a random pattern of metal on the floor…

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