The art of Rawdoggin’

“Hey Cal? Y’think you could engineer it into my baton…?”

While this isn’t a major piece of trivia, it does remain relevant to Tobruk and Orson’s story; What once served as Director Orson Krennic’s paperweight would become the very thing that protected Tobruk during her time in the Empire and beyond — a kyber crystal.

Once used by the long gone Jedi to power their legendary lightsabers, kyber crystals became a crucial component of Project Stardust, mainly to power the Death Star’s planet-killing laser… and with Orson being responsible for overseeing said project, of course he’d have one in his possession — or one lying around, really… but of what use could such a small crystal be to him besides, again, a paperweight? The man had no clue until not long after he and Tobruk got together, thinking it’d make a beautiful token of his love for her to have…

El Tobubu…

Now I know this isn’t art, but I got accepted into my country of residence’s branch of the 501st yesterday! Tobruk (my Imperial OC) was created shortly after I got a shitty uniform off of Vinted back in early 2023, and now, three years later, Tobruk makes a grand return and my love for her pushed me to get a tailored uniform and gave me to courage to finally sign up with the 501st!

I’m still so full of glee and I’m looking forward to what my time in the 501st will bring me!

(Not relevant, but seeing as I’m talking about irl stuff, here’s a/my bonus Director Krennic ita bag! It’s still a work in progress and the pom-poms are a pain in the butt, but I finally have a place to put my merch of him!)

The bright turquoise-colored water of Scarif’s ocean reflected off of Tobruk's eyes, their serene lake colors Orson so loved to get lost in mixing with the tropical flair of his favourite planet. Their favorite planet.

The internal injuries she’d sustained at the hands of Vader had healed up completely, finally allowing the two of them to take little beach walks during Scarif’s golden hour. Despite having been brought to the brink of death, Tobruk’s once visible wounds — hemorrhaging of the sclera and extreme bruising of the throat — seemed to have faded completely as well, her pretty little face being back to pristine as it should be, as if it had all just been a bad dream… though much to his chagrin, Orson could still see the visible damage in his mind's eye; What lesions Tobruk may have carried on her body, he would forever carry on his soul, and no matter how often she reassured him that she was fine, he still felt compelled to cling to her — thank goodness she was anything but opposed to that.

"Credit for your thoughts, bub..?" Tobruk smiled at him, so soft and loving that it made the soon-to-be former Director melt instantly.

"I—..." He swallowed hard, overwhelmed by the sight of his beloved standing in front of him, alive, healed and far, far out of harm’s way… ready to embark with him into an uncertain future. "I'm, er... I'm so happy, but also... scared? I can't really remember what it’s like. Outside the Empire, I mean… as an ordinary citizen."

The Empire had devoured both of them, utterly consumed the two like a fanatical cult and turned them into blindly devoted followers. Orson was glad he'd finally opened his eyes, but nevertheless, he couldn't help but feel lost without the structure he was so used to.

And as always, Tobruk seemed to understand; She just beamed at him, her smile radiating nothing but love.

"I know... hell, I'm nervous too, but at the same time this feels so right, even if we'll have to get used to it at first. That’s what freedom’s like, though... we’re free now, Orson." She then murmured, stepping even closer to Orson, who reached out to cradle her head, framing her wonderfully soft face with his fingers.

"We're free now…" She repeated, almost whispering. "We can finally go home..." Home. A place Orson hadn't really been able to pinpoint since he'd left Lexrul... until he met his Tobruk, and wherever she’d go, he would follow.

Today was their last day in the Empire — tomorrow? Written in the stars, to which Orson couldn’t help but chuckle to himself; He really didn't have any reason to fear — not if they had each other.