#Hidden Path | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

depressed-sock · 8 days ago

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Follow the Path (1747 words) by depressed-sock Gift for: revanchxst (BadWolfGirl01) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Relationships: OC dechipped clone working for the Hidden Path/OC Jedi survivor Characters: Original Female Character(s), Other Star Wars Character(s), Original Clone Trooper Character(s) (Star Wars), Original Jedi Character(s) (Star Wars) Additional Tags: The Hidden Path, Mild Hurt/Comfort, PTSD, Getting to Know Each Other, Pre-Relationship, Treat Fic, Trans Female Character, Building trust, Post-Order 66 (Star Wars) ...

Circuit’s been on the hidden path long enough that it doesn’t surprise her when the Nautolan Jedi, with the sickly purple skin, she’s meant to be escorting freezes as soon as her mask comes off. It’s familiar in a way that hurts but is still understandable. Her face is one of millions and she has no doubt most of the surviving Jedi will be seeing it in their nightmares for years to come.

She holds up her hands, leaves her mind as open as she can. The scars in there are impossible to hide anyway. “I know,” her voice a raspy whisper. The last gift the Empire gave her before he had found her.

She still doesn’t know why the old Jedi master had saved her but she’s never gone a day where she hasn’t tried her best to repay him. Circuit was given a path forward and now she returns the favor.

“I know,” she repeats, keeping herself calm even as the Jedi’s hand goes to the lightsaber hidden within their clothes. “I escaped the Empire with the help of a Jedi. I follow the path.”

The Jedi watches her. Circuit knows that they won’t use their abilities, not with how long they’ve been on the run. Not with the threat of the Inquisitors.

So she slowly sits, hands still up. The Jedi tenses but doesn’t move to skewer her so she considers that a win. “I’m just here to guide you to the next part of your journey to safety.”

There’s a moment when she thinks the Jedi will bolt, instead they slowly follow her lead and sit. Still prepared to fight but open to other possibilities.

“What’s your name?” They ask suspiciously, sunken dark eyes narrowed like they can physically see through any lies Circuit might tell.

“Circuit, I chose it when I escaped.” She watches as the tension eases out of the Jedi, not fully gone but calmed enough that Circuit thinks this will all hopefully turn out alright. “What should I call you?”

“Melody.”

“Melody, please let me guide your path.”

…

They’re still weeks out from the next safe point, where someone else will take over and allow Circuit to find another in need. It’s… well it’s been awhile since she’s run a Jedi. Most of what she sees nowadays are force sensitives with no connection to the order. So she’s not fully prepared for this.

Melody is a force of nature that Circuit hasn’t seen in a long time. She’s about as Jedi as she can be with having been on the run and in hiding. Helpful to a fault, skilled to a degree that leaves people downed before they’re even aware of it. It’s amazing.

She’ll never say it out loud though.

Instead she tosses a ration bar to Melody, pretends she doesn’t see the way Melody’s eyes glass over as the ration bar instead hits the wall near Circuit’s head. Circuit pulls her mask back on, steps back several steps, sits once again as she waits for the Jedi to return to herself.

It was stupid move. She knows better. But she can’t take it back, all she can do is mitigate as Melody’s breath catches in her throat, panic curling her tendrils.

“My name is Circuit. You are in a room on Lothal. We are headed towards a safe point that will take several weeks for us to reach.” Facts, plain and simple. “Can you tell yourself three things you can see?”

Melody’s breath hitches, her shoulders are shaking but Circuit can see her mouthing words to herself. Objects within the room.

“Four things you’re touching?”

She inhales, takes a shuddering breath. “My tunic, skin against skin, the socks I wear on my feet, the fingerless gloves on my hands.”

Circuit is about to continue when Melody holds up a hand. “Thank you, that’s enough.” She sighs, brushing her tendrils back over her shoulder, “I apologize-”

“No, I didn’t think. That one was on me.” Circuit states firmly, leaving no room for argument.

Melody blinks owlishly at her, before giving a small smile and nod of her head. “I understand.”

“Good,” she nods her head before slowly standing back up. “I should go see if I can purchase some more rations.”

Melody blinks again, scrunching her face in confusion before her eyes go to the spot on the wall that used to be food. “Oh… oops…”

…

She reaches out, grabbing Melody’s hand and dragging her up the side of the cliff side. Fala’ven Six is more cliffs than planet but it makes for a good hiding point when the Imperials get too close. Too many crevices for them to accurately search, and they can’t risk an explosion unless they want to take themselves out considering the air itself will light on fire from a single blaster bolt.

It’s a pain though, when you’ve got to rely on a rebreather until you find one of the safe-houses.

She steadies Melody who watches their surroundings more than her own step. On high alert for anything the force might warn her about. Circuit taps her shoulder, signs a quick, “Almost there.” Then continues to guide her through another series of valleys.

Another two hours and they finally reach it. Practically falling in through the doorway just to hit the atmosphere equalizer fast enough.

Melody spits out her rebreather in disgust. “Never have I wondered what those would be like if I needed one underwater.”

Circuit takes hers out with a rough laugh. “You get used to it,” her voice croaks and winces in pain.

Melody frowns at her. “Would you prefer to sign instead? You know I can understand it.”

She shrugs her shoulders. It’s… It’s not a big thing. She’ll never be the same after what was done to her, in so very many ways. This is just another piece. Something lost that she’s still struggling to hold on to. Unable to give in because it feels like that’s letting them win.

Melody doesn’t say anything, just reaches out a hand towards her. Circuit blinks at it, then with a smile reaches out and takes it. Allowing herself to be pulled further into the safety of the base.

…

Another day, another planet. They’re a few weeks late of their original deadline but Circuit got word out about the delay. Now they just need to get there with their new time table. It doesn’t mean that they can’t stop and enjoy some things.

Circuit is about as force null as she can get, so she doesn’t truly understand the connection between the force users and this planet. She knows that every force-sensitive she’s helped needed this stop though. A Force Nexus she was told. Dangerous to those unprepared because of how connected it is to the force.

This place though is hers. She cannot feel it but she knows it. She’s explored every crevice, every inch. Has bleed here, has seen terrible things as much as she has seen good. Now it welcomes her like an old friend. The waters of this cavern lie still, the plants glow to light the path, the wildlife lets them pass without incident. It’s home in a way not much else is nowadays.

She watches silently as tears drip down Melody’s face as she meditates in a place where the light of the sun hits just right through the cracks in the ceiling. Lighting her purple skin to something closer to lilac. She looks healthier, more like how Melody might have looked before even the war.

It’s already been hours but she knows better than to rush any force-sensitive in this kind of place. Not when the visions they see here can be as violent as anything in the real world. Circuit never asks what they see. But when Melody opens her eyes, gaze trained on Circuit like she’s the only thing left in the world, it makes her want to.

She doesn’t. She can’t.

There’s only so much time left before they both have to part ways.

Never to see one another again.

…

They reach the rendezvous without further incident. Melody carries herself straighter, more assured than when they’d first meet. The signs of malnutrition are already on their way to being gone. “Do you know who we’re supposed to meet?”

Circuit shakes her head before signing, “Safer not to know ahead of time.”

Melody hums in thought, then like she’s about to be attacked she whips around to face the doorway. The shock is clear on her face and Circuit is almost tempted to laugh. But it’d be cruel to do that when she knows how likely it is for Jedi to see other surviving Jedi.

The man that steps through the doorway is a familiar one. Dark skin scarred by lighting and prosthetic arms that grip tightly to the long walking stick he uses. One clouded and dark eye meets her own.

“Mace,” Circuit croaks, “Thought you were headed towards Jedha?”

He gives her a slight smile and a raised eyebrow, “I was, though, I’m certain you’re not supposed to know about that,” she grins at him and he sighs, “Cere told you.” Shaking his head in amusement he continues, “This is on my way back to another part of the path.”

“Master Windu,” Melody’s voice breaks.

“Ko Urdia.” Mace’s voice is soft as Melody runs to him, the hug a tight one as she sobs into his shoulder. “I am so glad you are safe, Padawn.”

“My master, she didn’t-”

“I know.” He pulls back and squeezes her shoulder.

“I’ve been going by Melody,” She rubs at her eyes before giving him a watery smile. “She knighted me before everything went to… well, before everything.”

He nods, “Knight Melody, then.”

Her laugh is more of a hiccup.

Circuit’s chest tightens in sympathy. She works the lump out her throat before coughing into her hand to gain their attention. “You’re guiding her to the next point then?”

Mace shakes his head, a dark look overcoming his face. “We lost Point Nexu, I stopped to tell you you’ll have to take your charge a bit farther than expected.”

“Shit, how bad-”

He holds up a hand stopping her question. She closes her mouth, nodding in understanding. The less she knows about it the better. Instead she turns to Melody who's been watching her carefully. “Willing to let me help you along a little farther?”

She smiles, “Guide my path, Circuit.”

So she does.

#star wars #trans clone trooper #original jedi oc #hidden path #my writing #fanfic #sock-writes

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