#badbatchtober

Wrecker 🏵️

It’s no secret that Wrecker absolutely adores anything and everything bright and vibrant; specifically explosives. But when you saw how his whole face and demeanor shifted upon seeing heaps of marigold petals for the first time, you couldn’t wait to take him and Omega on a wondrous experience of trail making.

"See? You just spread the petals on the ground like this and they lead all the way home." A handful of fluffy fronds fall from your fingertips and fling about the pavement. They create a glowing pathway that flickers in the wind like an ocherous river of fire.

“And then your friends can find their way back to us?” Omega asks, always with a never diminishing curiosity.

“Precisely. Where I come from, these flowers symbolize the brevity of life. Prized for their bright coloring and potent fragrance, marigolds are thought to attract the souls of the dead to the ofrendas prepared for them.” You never thought you’d get the chance to participate in the festivities this year. Yet here you are, showing your squad the eccentric annual practices of your heritage.

“What’s an of- of friend a...?” Wrecker tries to pronounce the new word you added to his vocabulary.

“Nice attempt, Wrecker! But oh-frehn-dah is how you say it. It’s Spanish for altar. Do you guys remember those Jedi temples we’ve come across on our missions?”

“Oh yeah! With the sacred artifacts on those pretty tables!” Omega is eager to answer as she sprinkles more petals behind her with Wrecker dropping larger clumps in a humorously failed attempt to spread them out. This growing girl was already proving to retain all the knowledge she came across, absorbing everything in her path like the resilient sponge that she is.

“You’re getting more intelligent as the days go by, mija.” Omega isn’t your biological daughter, but you couldn’t stop yourself to treat her as such. “They’re similar to that except, where the Jedi say that attachments are forbidden, attachments are more than encouraged here. You place their photos, gifts and offerings upon the altar to honor them. They are kept alive in our hearts by telling their stories and what we are doing right now gives them a way to find us.”

“We should have Tech fasten a canister of these to the back of the Marauder so we can leave a trail everywhere we go!” Wrecker adds with a boisterous laugh while throwing a fist full of orange blossoms into the air, fluttering delicately to the ground. Omega jumped into their descent, feeling it’s softness and marveling at the confetti-like falls. You smile at their joyous involvement and you feel just a little closer to this found family.

Hunter🖌️

Your valiant squad leader practically volunteered to take the reins on this next activity. Half his face already sported a skull with the way his tattoo covered his skin and now he got to decorate everyone else’s with a charming variation. You and Tech worked on a formula of his the day before, tirelessly steeping various organic materials in a tincture to create a non-toxic stain that would hold up for lasting wear and fade away like a temporary tattoo. Hunter’s steady hand brushed the dye onto everyone’s forehead, nose, cheeks and around their eyes with a striking likeness to your own makeup you’ve administered to yourself to show him how it’s done. 

“Hey! Now everyone has our logo on their faces!” You chuckle at Wrecker’s notion. He was adorably correct in a relative sense.

“My turn!” Omega hops up into the stool in front of Hunter to finally get her makeup applied. 

“Alright, eyes up and don’t move a muscle.” Hunter warns. He dips the brush into the black pigment first to trace an outline of a skull before filling in the gaps with all the other colors. Despite her excitement, she held as still as a statue which made the application much easier than he expected. 

“Aren’t skulls supposed to be scary?” Omega asks with half her makeup done.

“Yes, but don’t you feel so courageous wearing something this dark and spooky? Skull or calavera face painting is a chance to overcome the fear of death and a way to ward off evil. A type of 'memento mori' if you will. In other words, a reminder that we all must die one day but to never fear the transition into higher consciousness.”

“Wow... That’s surprisingly comforting.” Echo says from afar with a dedermined look, accentuated with his face paint. He placed a hand over his chin to study his reflection more closely. You could tell that his mind wandered back to his darkened past before a smile cracks through the detail around his lips, empowered with the knowledge that he’s already postponed his trip to the afterlife once. He will do it again. 

“There. You’re all done!” Hunter exclaims to Omega as he hands her the makeshift mirror Tech constructed from polished durasteel panels. She turns her face from left to right to fully examine herself, grinning as wide as can be. 

“We’re not scary at all!” She shouts with delight while spinning in place. The rainbow of color that emitted from her filled everyone else with utter amusement as she twirled like a top off it’s hinges, a chorale of laughter immerses the environment with revelry.

Crosshair🎯

When everyone saw you rounding up a massive stack of tinted paper, scissors and an a provisional writing utensil, they tilted their heads in collective bewilderment. None of them were privy to your next pursuit but you were certain it would be a fun one for them nonetheless.

“These decorations can be used year round but they hold a special type of significance with the duration of this particular holiday. They’re called papel picado and it basically means punched paper.” You fold the flimsi into a pattern with the thoughtful intent of the continued success of your squad. Snipping various shapes out of the leaflet that, once unfolded, forms a compelling rendition of their Clone Force 99 insignia. Everyone gawked at the magic tricks you performed in front of them. “All of the physical world’s elements must be present, even the wind that guides souls. Adding images such as these make them unique to your purpose as they pass through these offerings.”

Crosshair picked up your finished attempt, pondering to himself with a roll of his toothpick between his teeth. While looking between you and the finished ornament, the others began picking their own preferred colors of filigree to start the arts and crafts.

“I have an idea.” He says mysteriously while taking a small stack of your variously hued leaflets outside along with his prized rifle slung over his back. He’s accumulated quite an audience, all watching as he hangs the blank pieces across many vantage points, each one a few meters apart from one another. Once they’re securely fastened, Crosshair begins to load his rifle and you’re finally figuring out just exactly what he has in mind.

He uses your pages as a target board of sorts. Bright flashes of photon bolts whiz past in gleaming clusters that scorch holes into each one. Slowly but surely, an image was forming. The precision was similar to that of watching a printer operate in real time. Every precise shot added more depth to his creation until it revealed a charred depiction of their emblem.

Walking up to collect his masterpieces, Crosshair waved each one in the air to rid them of the carbonized fragments that would otherwise obstruct the image. He hands you the stack for you to hang up, dedicated to see them fashioned as banners betwixt everyone else's handiwork.

"How's that for 'punched paper'?" He jokes, earning a rumbling laugh to sound off from the vicinity.

"I'm impressed! We can fill the whole ship from end to end with these!" An honest reply with your astonishment as you appraise his thoughtful operation. He created more than enough to be used as placards with a skillful spin on your customs.

By the end of the ordeal there wasn't a square inch of ceiling inside the Marauder that didn't have a rippling rainbow hanging from it.

Echo 🥐

When you asked Echo for help with this next project he was a little confused, but nevertheless proved to be the perfect candidate. To your surprise, Tech acquired every single ingredient necessary to create one of your favorite jovial foods of your homeland. He even went the extra mile and found sufficient substitutes that would have little to no impact on your recipe.

“Can I help?” Omega asks while reaching to tap on Echo’s shoulder.

“Of course you can. As soon as I find out... what exactly it is we’re doing.” Echo mutters to Omega with a stifled laugh.

“We’re making bread!” Exclaiming with commotion while assorting your mis en place. The pair shadow you, watching as you blend the components of your confection. Omega is careful in combining the wet and dry mixtures with your humble instruction. Stable, tiny hands pour them together without a fragment of spillage. Once she formed it into a somewhat kneadable dough, you initiate the help of Echo. After thoroughly disinfecting his socket arm he could utilize it much like a stand mixer until it was smooth and elastic. You divided the mass into a set of smaller spheres, one for each member, and reserved a larger portion for a master loaf with the traditional skull and crossed bones pattern that gave the bread it’s signature look.

“This isn’t just any bread. It’s called Pan de Muerté or Bread of the Dead where I’m from. The round shape of the bread symbolizes the circle of life while this cross divides each realm into four points ruled by the ancient gods, including this smaller circle at the top representing the skull." The entire group watches you point out each characteristic as the dough proofs on seasoned durasteel trays, also forged by Tech. "The citrus essence we added pays homage to the everlasting presence of the faithful departed. It is a sweet celebration of the connection between life and death. We will leave this larger loaf as an offering upon the ofrenda for our loved ones to partake in it’s deliciousness from beyond this physical realm.”

“Will we know if they ate any?” Curiosity filling Omega to the brim, wondering how a spirit could possibly eat.

“We can try some after the holiday is finished and they’ve gone back to their eternal resting place. If the bread is a little stale and flavorless then that’s how you’ll know!” The revelation influences Omega promise herself to be especially protective of the largest offering, keeping a keen eye on Wrecker who may want to sample a piece or two before it's time.

“How are we going to bake them?” Echo asks, slightly distressed.

“With this!” Tech walks in with a portable and sleek contraption that is light years ahead in technological advancements than you've ever seen before. “This electron oven uses particle rays to accelerate the heating process, thus baking your goods to perfection every time!”

“So this is why you needed my help finding parts a few days ago. I didn’t know you were making an oven!” Echo is fascinated to see it work, helping to power it on with his cleaned off scomp. Omega has the honors of placing the tray inside, wincing slightly from the acclimated temperature. Tenacious as always, she fearlessly places it snugly and closes the hatch.

“How long do we wait?” All the involving inquiries from Omega filled you with treasure at her constant intrigue.

“Well... typically in a normal oven it would take anywhere from half an hour to forty-five minutes. How long do you both think this one will take?” Asking Tech and Echo with confidence since they constructed the invention.

“Oh, about half that time.” Echo adds with assurance.

“Fifteen to twenty minutes at the most, to be precise. Though, it’s rigged with carbon readers so it will automatically shut off before anything is burned.” They really though of everything when it came to you and this celebration. No obstacle was impossible for them to conquer and it’s worth it all to see the enjoyment in their faces when embracing your ancestry.

Omega sat on a stool with you and Echo in front of the oven to watch the loaves rise and transition to a beautiful golden brown. Once the oven shut off Echo took it upon himself to retrieve them. All are eager to try the finished product, indulging in the flavorful aromas of the freshly baked rolls that filled the Marauder. Echo assists you and Omega with coating them in warm spices mixed with crystalized sweetener before finally serving them to the impatiently awaiting crowd.

The verdict was told by the evidence of nothing but crumbs and elated smiles on their faces. Wrecker, of course, ate his in one bite. Tech, Echo and Hunter all consumed theirs in a timely manner while Omega and Crosshair seemed to savor them the longest, blithely nibbling on them throughout the day as they helped you prepare another batch with the remaining ingredients.

some art of Echo baking I thought would fit here.

Omega 🧸

A new batch of steamy handmade rolls are cooling off, the decorations made in congregation are aimlessly flapping with the breeze and there are ambient melodies flowing from the PA system in the ship's consoles. You’re bobbing your head without a thought, just feeling the music find it’s way into your soul. Slowly, you’ve found yourself comfortable here in this home, with this family. You glance around the room at their dapper attire they've donned just for you, noticing that Omega is playing with the hem of her colorful skirt. She’s entranced by the chromatic tides of textile that flow around her like currents. 

“Try spinning again like you were doing before, but to the music!” The suggestion took her breath away. You shared a wholesome gaze, the gratifying jubilation from her expression, and felt heads turn to your direction all around you.

“From the tap of your foot to the beat of your heart, dancing fills every corner of the galaxy with you, Omega. When the departed make their visit this is how you show them you’re happy!” With that admission, you began to rock to the beat to give an example for her to follow, gracefully waving the lengthy fringe of your skirt in a periodic flourish. Fast learner as always, she mirrored your movements perfectly. Wrecker turned up the music and was quick to join the party, advancing towards the both of you while performing his own preferred jig. His towering form wobbled and shook with a silly shimmy, coaxing a rumble of hilarity from his onlooking brothers.

With a lively giggle, Omega runs to pull Hunter onto the dance floor. He tried to deny her, succumbing to his own self-consciousness, but he couldn’t possibly tell her ‘no’ when she was having so much fun. Taking her hands, he helped Omega step onto the tops of his shoes, supporting her weight to accomplish their interpretation of a familial waltz. With every stride Hunter took he grew more confident, basking in the cheer this small but ever-memorable gesture brought.

Crosshair, Echo and Tech watched the fanfare from a distance, drumming along and swaying in cadence with one another. It wasn’t as grand a display as with your little gathering, but they discovered their own tensions loosening with every trill of your voice. The amount of merriment you’ve exposed them to with this impromptu spree gives them a sense of mutual belonging. All inclusive, despite their heritage, or lack-therof.

Tech 🏛️

Tech and his expanse of a mind. He did more than surprise you with his extensive research of your heritage. He forged a whole itinerary for a trip to Coruscant where the First Battle Memorial proudly stands amidst the Republic Center for Military Operations. They always passed by that massive slab of polished Geonosian rock that held column after endless column of designation numbers, but never knew the clones' real names. Perchance, they've crossed paths with those who fought by their side and knew them in life as well as mourn them in death.

Despite their common dismissal of the 'regs', this piece of memorabilia demonstrates a whole new meaning to them now that they've met you. These fallen brothers are more than just integers on a stone. Memories, friends, and extensive tragedy can be felt within each engraving and here you are to familiarize yourself with the textures of every cessation.

"Wow... It's much bigger up close!" Omega nearly falls backwards trying to scan the monument all the way up to the top. Wrecker is close behind and catches her with his free hand that's not holding the bouquet of marigolds preventing her from a fall that would otherwise scuff up her pretty clothes on the pavement. They share a smile before holding hands and falling in line with the rest of the squad.

"Reports indicate that one hundred and seventy-nine of the four hundred jedi lost their lives at the Battle of Geonosis along with about half of the initial ten thousand clone commandos commissioned and only thirty thousand of the one hundred and ninety thousand troopers survived." The facts don't lie and Tech stated them with a slight wavering to his voice. Everyone shares a collective moment of silence upon hearing such grim details. The gravity of this loss, regardless of circumstance, made it no less heartbreaking.

Omega looks especially sullen, a forming frown is still recognizable even through her brightly colored makeup. You and Tech kneel down to her eye level with a hand on each of her shoulders before you offer words of comfort. "Do you remember all those fun activities we did the last couple of days?"

She sniffles, nodding as Tech wipes her tears, but smiles through the remembrance of these nameless victims. Everyone huddles a bit closer, as if to make the weight easier to bear for this little hopeful soul.

"That was for all these people." You tell her with a wave your hand towards the grandiose monolith. "They never had families to continue their legacy so it's up to us to give them that chance. To let them know they're not alone, even from beyond the grave." The tone of your voice forced everyone's mind to leap to the inevitable future, thankful that they're surrounded by those who will remember them long after they're gone.

Wrecker is the first to break away from the group to place a couple flowers at the base of the memorial. Omega follows suit and takes the bouquet from him to place her own selection of florets. She passes them to you, keeping the motions going until every last person has left an offering.

"Well? How did everyone like their first Dia de los Muertos?" You ask with vigorous zeal.

"Can we celebrate Day of the Dead every year, Hunter!?" Omega begs, hopping uncontrollably.

"Yeah! Can we!?" Wrecker joins.

"Let's just see how the boys feel about that one. Tech? Echo? What do you guys think?" Omega can't handle the teasing. Judging by the smiles on their faces she knows the answer is going to be yes, but waiting for the actual confirmation is torture!

"I wouldn't mind making more of that bread..." Echo agrees with a watering mouth. "You got my vote."

"I'd quite like to participate in these festivities again." Tech replies with an adjustment of his tie. " The attire suits us, pun intended."

"Crosshair?" Hunter beckons.

He takes a momentary glance at everyone's brightly lit faces before closing his eyes with a grin of acceptance. He can't deny the fact these past couple days brought him more joy than he expected and wouldn't mind participating for as many years as they could. "Hmmm... Sure. Why not." He confesses with nonchalance.

"Then it's settled." Hunter concludes. Omega and Wrecker commence their jumping for joy and it's a contagion that finds it's way to infect the common passerbys, earning a flock of smiling onlookers to observe your family's merriment.

🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

You understood why Hunter was like that, of course you understood, but what you wanted was for him to also have a good time, at least for a few hours, with you. Words were not enough, not in the simple way that was to go to him and talk to him. Hunter wasn't going to change his mind like that, no matter how much he loved you. While you were thinking of a costume, you came up with two ideas, which at the same time was one.

Hunter was in the cockpit, doing the usual stuff like checking systems, until he stops, and sharpens his hearing when he hears Wrecker and Omega talking about you.

“Ugh! Why is Y/N taking so long?” Wrecker asked.

 “I don't know! She locked herself in her room and told me she was thinking” Omega said. “I am worried”

“Relax, kid! I am more than sure that she is fine”

“How do you know that?”

“I… Uh…” he scratches his head and sees Echo, who was with a datapad organizing what appeared to be supplies. “Echo! Y/N is fine, right?”

“I can't tell ya. She didn't tell me anything. Only that she wanted to be left alone to think” Echo said. 

“Should we… knock the door?” Omega asked. 

For a moment the thought that you were sad or offended crossed Hunter's mind. He felt guilty for some reason, perhaps because he thought his refusal to join you for Halloween had made you sad.

“I'll take care of it” Hunter said, although it was more of an order. 

No one was going to disobey Hunter, especially since it was obvious that he was the only one capable of talking to you. The door was locked, so the sergeant proceeded to knock.

“Cyare, it's me” 

The door opens, allowing Hunter to enter, and when he enters and the door opens behind his back, he is surprised to see you. You were looking in the mirror and putting on dark gray face paint. You turned around to see him and smiled, which made him even more surprised.

“Hey, Hunter. So, what do you think?”

Hunter couldn't believe his eyes: you had painted a skull on your face, just like him. You were beautiful, you always were, but seeing you like this made his heart start beating much faster, and thanks to his senses he could feel it in his head. A clear blush appears on his cheeks.

“It’s beautiful… I mean!” Hunter clears his throat, bringing his knuckles to his mouth. “I just wanted to check if you were… fine”

“Oh, thanks! I am” you smiled. 

“Right, right…” he smiles, but you could see it was a nervous smile. “So… that face paint”

“Do you really think it's beautiful?”

“You are beautiful, and it really suits you” he approaches you. Carefully he brings his fingers to your jaw where you had no paint, and looks into your eyes. “Although, I would paint better here”

“Oh! In that case, can you help me?”

“Ha! Sure, cyare” he smiled. 

Hunter starts to help you paint your face, especially the areas where the paint was missing, and you wanted to smile, but you had to keep your face relaxed. Your heart, like Hunter's, beat fast every time you felt his fingers touch the skin of your face. And although he was focused, from time to time you look into each other's eyes, and he smiles all those times.

“I thought you might want a less simple costume”

“You know I'm simple about some things”

“I wish you were simple with everything” Hunter joked, with a smile.  

“Haha” you laugh sarcastically and give him a little punch in the chest, playfully. “Now just for that I'm going to wear one of your bandanas”

“What makes you think I'm going to let you do that?” he strokes your chin.

“Because you love me? Also, who do you think I got my inspiration for my costume from?”

He already knew that, but when you said it even so his heart began to beat even faster and his cheeks blushed a little more.

“Inspiration, huh?”

“Of course, my sergeant” you smiled.

You move a little closer to Hunter, and he smiled and didn't take his eyes off you. You were beautiful, you really were, and having you closer made his senses go a little crazier. You didn't paint your mouth much, so your lips were free of paint, and that's why Hunter gives you a kiss. You reciprocated, and although you wanted the kiss to last longer than at other times, you only broke apart due to shortness of breath.

“What do you say? Will you join us to celebrate Halloween?” you asked, with your fingers you stroked a strand of his hair. “I want you to be at my side. Omega also wants you to come with us”

Now you could see other eyes than before. Now Hunter's eyes did not show disinterest, but rather showed love. He, with a smile, chuckles a little and nods his head slightly.

“Now I can't say no to you, cyare”

“I knew you would change your mind” you smile. “What convinced you? My costume?”

“You convinced me, with those beautiful eyes, that beautiful smile... that beautiful face” he caresses your lips softly. “You are really so beautiful… I’m sorry. I shouldn't have said no the first time you asked me if I wanted to go with you”

“Hey, it’s okay. You need to distract yourself, handsome, and I'm glad you've changed your mind” you give him a little kiss on the lips. “I need the man I love and who inspired my costume by my side”

“You have no idea how much I love you"

Before you could say anything, Hunter kisses you back and your smile gets bigger. You managed to convince him to go with you and the others to enjoy Halloween at Ord Mantell, and so when you finished painting your face, you grab one of Hunter's bandanas and put it on your forehead. He looks at you now with a raised eyebrow, but always with a smile.

“How does it look on me?”

“More than good, cyare”

“Thanks! Now I just need to imitate your voice”

“What? Oh, no, no” Hunter rests his hand on your back. “You're not going to do that”

“Not even a word?”

“Nope” he gives you a little kiss on the cheek. “Come on”

With you ready, everyone was ready to get out of the Marauder to celebrate Halloween. Omega, who was dressed in the squad-like armor that Tech made for her, was happy to hear that you convinced Hunter to go with you. To your surprise, going out to celebrate at Ord Mantell was perfect, being with Hunter, Omega, and the others made you very happy. 

You never saw Omega so happy, she really seemed to have fun with that like any kid, despite the life you were leading. Sometimes she would hold your hand and make you walk at the same speed as her, which was very fast. You also noticed that Hunter was relaxed, which was a relief because for several days he was very busy focusing on the mercenary life you had. Seeing him calm, sometimes even smiling, made your heart happy, and from time to time when you walked, you would hold hands.

You've never had so much Ord Mantell Mix as you've had before, and you've never seen Omega and Wrecker so happy about it.  

At all times you had not seen the time, it must have been several hours since you left the ship, but unfortunately the fun had to end sometime. You had a lot of sweet things to eat. When you returned to the ship, you preferred to take a bath instead of staying with the others in the cockpit enjoying the candies. You had to wash off the paint, after so many hours it was starting to itch your face. So you went into your bathroom and took off all your clothes after the shower was ready.

Now you were taking a shower. You rubbed your hand against your face to remove the paint, and you could see it finally fall off. You felt more relieved about it.     

“What beautiful and attractive views”

The sound of the water against your skin muffled most of the other sounds, so you didn't hear the bathroom door open, but you did hear that voice and that's why you smiled. You turned around and see Hunter with his arms folded and his shoulder leaning against the door frame.

Hunter's heart skipped a beat when you turned to look at him. You are really very beautiful.

“I was wondering when you were going to show up” you said with a smile.

“Well, I was wondering where you had gotten to” he was smiling. “Lucky I didn't call you on the comm, I would have missed this”

“Probably not. I would have been waiting for you” you wink at him.

That makes Hunter chuckle a little.

“That's my girl” 

“You know you are free to join me. You need a good bath too”

“Don't tell me twice, cyare”

Hunter begins to remove his armor and clothing. It was always a spectacle to watch him undress, plus he did it in an attractive way to turn you on even more. When he is finally naked, you watched him as he slid into the shower to face you, and you see them sigh in relief as the warmth of the water made contact with his body, which instantly relaxes. You start stroking his cheek, until you bring your hand up and make his wet hair fall back.

“Much better, right?” you asked with a smile. 

“You're so right about that"

Hunter felt good having your hands touching and caressing his skin. You with your touch could tell that his heart was beating hard, so, smiling softly, you press your lips to his cheek to give him a kiss.

“Today was a great day. I love spending time like this, all together..."

“Me too, cyare” he kisses you back on the cheek. “And thanks to you for convincing me to go with you... I would have missed some beautiful hours. I had to relax, forget about everything and think about other things... Like how beautiful you are and how lucky I am to have you”

“I am the lucky one to have you, my sergeant...”

That closeness didn't last much longer and you brought your mouths together in a kiss. You ran your hands across Hunter's chest; and you could feel his hands caressing your waist and back, which was a soft touch, although you could feel that he wanted to touch you lower. As you had broken away from the kiss, he brings his mouth to your neck and starts kissing it.

The day was not over yet, and you were going to end Halloween in the best possible way.

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