42 ABY Outer Rim Territories
His arms protectively wrapped around the small blanket in front of him. They were hiding in the shadows of the alley.
One… Two… He mentally counted to himself. He could feel his daughter starting to stir in the blanket.
“Shhh…” The Mirialan whispered, completely hooded. His blonde hair was barely seen underneath the dim light that the alley provided but his soft blue hues could be seen.
“Okay.” Serenity timidly replied. Minutes passed and nothing happened as Castor started to slowly relax.
“What does the datapad say?” Castor asked, his head turning to check all directions. There was normal movements and body languages of people. None of them were screaming that they were looking for someone. There was a long pause as he could feel her move around under the blanket. She must be so hot in there but she had never complained since the day after Life’s Day when this all started.
“Not close,” came the small child’s reply. He sat her down, her little boots touching the ground as he removed the blanket and threw it over his shoulder. She was holding the datapad close to her chest which was almost big as her torso. He checked over her and frowned at the height difference with her cyber leg.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
“No, daddy.” Serenity frowned but he stared at her. His lie-adar went off.
“… a little but it doesn’t hurt!” She protested as he sighed and nodded, not wanting to push the matter further. He needed to find his sister.
And soon.
“Come on.” He held out his hand for her to take as they started to walk down the alley, Serenity slightly limping behind but nothing of severe. They turned around the corner and stopped at seeing a massive armored giantess. Castor protectively pulled Serenity to behind him. To the armored woman if she paid attention, they would look odd. He was completely covered, from head to foot and his knuckles had some bruises on them. The child however, was very clean, though her strawberry blonde hair looked like it hadn’t been brushed for a whle and she clung onto the datapad with one hand and tightened her grip on her father’s hand with the other.
“Excuse me.” <@227653769842655233>
Yuki stood there, staring silently at the man and child, her blue-gray eyes cold, but curious. The appearance of both was a curiosity to the giantess, but nothing really out of the ordinary. One fingertip idly stroked the sword hilt at her waist. “A curious thing to find even here at the ass end of nowhere.”
The Nagaian woman had only recently finished a task of some importance and was on this relative backwater looking for a bit of relaxation after what had ultimately been a fool’s errand. She’d sort that out with Wulfram later. Now, however, she started through the helmet’s visor at the two that had all but skidded to a stop upon seeing her. Yuki was unrelentingly honest with herself. Being the size she was, and bristling with weaponry, would make just about anyone skid to a halt and stare for a moment before rabbiting in another direction. She thought to head that off fairly quickly.
With deliberate actions, she beckoned the man forward with a snap of her fingers that was nothing short of a command.
“You come here. I will not hurt you.”
The modulated voice was soft and oddly soothing as she directed the Nagai’s natural ability at the man, her voice soothing in ways only her species could manage.
<@216702440140046336>
Castor’s head twitched. Her voice. It was alluring and soothing. He felt calm as his shoulders sagged. His body was heavy. He wanted nothing more than just rest and for them both to be safe. The Nagai promised not to harm him. He took a step forwards towards her-
“Daddy…” Serenity whined. Castor’s throat tightened. His daughter. She needed him. The Nagai’s voice… just another step…
“She will not harm us,” Castor tried to reassure her. Serenity shook her head, tears threatened to spill. She was obviously scared of the giant golden thing.
“Daddy, please.”
Yuki pulled her helmet off, blonde hair falling down to the middle of her back as she shook her head. The Nagai had many differences from what could usually be seen in her race. The compulsion in her voice continued as she held her hand out.
“You’re safe now. Nothing can harm you anymore.”
Her blue-gray eyes flicked around the scene, taking in the surroundings, the man, the girl, everything. The giantess put herself closer to the level of the man and child, kneeling down on one knee with her hand still outstretched.
“Dad-” Castor gently squeezed Serenity’s hand. Serenity’s ears twitched and almost flattened against the base of her skull.
He reached out and placed his hand on the giantess’s hand.
Yuki closed her hand around the man’s own, dwarfing it within her palm. She turned her eyes to the child and smiled at her gently.
“You know,” her voice no longer held the charming tone and was simply softly musical. “Where I come from there are many, many children with ears like that.”
The Nagai turned back to the man, her face serious but still openly friendly. “And you, sir, are moving far too fast in far too dangerous a territory to be out for a stroll.” A slashing glance at his clothes and general condition. “And you are in desperate need of getting clean, I daresay.”
Castor’s muscles tensed but her grip was strong. It would be a bad idea to try to start a fight. He was armored but nothing like her. She would had the upper hand.
However, the mention about her possibly coming from Thustra same as her mother, that got Serenity’s attention. “Where are you from…?” She asked timidly while Castor kept a watchful eye on the Nagai, obviously not amused with her comment about them needed to be clean.
“We’re aware and we’re trying to get to my sister.”
And making sure no one followed us. He mentally added.
“Mind giving my hand back?” He wasn’t sure why he placed it there in the first place, there was something about her voice-
Wait, wasn’t she one of the species that can charm people? His jaw tightened. Did he just endagered both of them?
The giantess looked back to the child with a smile. “A place far, far from here. I planet called Kiast.” Her voice dipped to a conspiratorial whisper as she winked at the man and let his hand go. “Planet where cities sit above the clouds and they train Jedi there.”
“You need sleep and to be clean. You will stay with me today and in the morning I will help you find your sister.” Her voice was crisp and no-nonsense as she rose back to her feet with another smile. “No voice tricks. I have a soft spot for children and to help one is to help the other.”
She stopped for a moment and smiled again. “How rude of me. My name’s Yuki.”
Serenity stayed behind Castor but her ears twitched. Her lips curved into a very small smile. Castor worked his jaw as he considered it. They were tired and exhausted. He needed a moment of respite.
“Daddy…” Serenity started as Castor glanced down with his soft blue hues. “I am hungry…” Castor took in a deep breath. Can he really trust her? A stranger out of the streets? She does seem honest…
“I’m Castor and-”
“Serenity!” She chimed in with a big grin on her face. Castor’s lip twitched. He hasn’t heard that joy in her voice for a few months now.
“If… it would not be a bother, we would like to take up on the offer.”
The giantess laughed softly and beckoned the man and child. “This way then. We’ll have my lodgings prepare hot baths and enougb hot food to fill an army.”
She turned slowly and began to walk away before stopping. Yuki looked down at the child with a grin as she knelt once more and held a hand out to the girl child. “Perhaps you would like to breathe the air from higher places, ad'ika?”
Castor blinked. Who was she to have enough hot food to fill an army? They started to walk by Yuki. As long that datapad doesn’t start beeping, Castor can relax. A bit. Serenity was limping and before he could pick her up, Yuki offered the same. His eyes narrowed.
“Oooh~” She exclaimed, her ears perked as high as it could be while Castor’s eyes narrowed. He also didn’t know what ad'ika meant.
“Can I, Dad? Pllllllleaaaasssee?” She handed the datapad over to Castor as he sighed heavily.
“Alright…” He murmured, obviously not too thrilled with the idea as he took the datapad from her.
Yuki lifted the girl easily, her features not showing that she understood the man’s expression. Settling the girl on her broad shoulders, the Nagai gently cupped the girl’s calves, for stability and little else. “How’s the view from up here, little one?”
The giantess’ voice was soft rumble. “This way, Castor. You look like a servant and she my own small child. Hiding in plain sight, as it were.” She smiled and looked around, giving the girl the chance to survey the area around them as well.
“You know, where I’m staying they have seven different kinds of breads and more than a dozen cheeses?” Her voice seemed shocked to the child, but to the man, it was evident the giant Nagai was putting on a show for the girl’s benefit.
“Do you think your papa would like to try some of that? If not, we can find him something warmer.” Yuki grinned and watched the girl from the corner of her eye while she began to walk towards what was more than likely some kind of lodging.“ She pointed at one of the taller buildings some distance away. "That’s where we’re headed, ad'ika. Can you keep an eye on it so we don’t lose it?”
Castor didn’t know how to react of him looking like her servant. He wasn’t that dirty. Was he? His hues glanced down at his own armor and hooded clothing as he winced. Okay. Maybe a little.
“Oooh! I want to be tallll too!” Serenity chimed in as she made sure to be very careful not to harm the lady by grabbing her hair or anything like that. She giggled at the mention of food.
“Dad will eat anything. Momma had a bad day once and she burnt all the food but he still complimented her. It was grosssss. Black tongues evvverrrrywhere.” Castor felt his heart tugged and he fought pushing down his emotions while keeping an eye out on their surroundings and holding onto the datapad.
“Excuse me, Miss, what does ad'eeeka mean?” Serenity inquired, her eyes glued to the tall building that Yuki had pointed out.
Yuki watched Castor briefly examine himself and wince before she rolled her eyes slightly, she’d have to explain it to him later if she really needed to. Though perhaps her lodgings would tell him plain enough.
The giantess smiled at the girl, her hands gently wrapped around her lower legs, feeling the difference between the two. “Ad'ika means little one. Or darling. Sometimes just kid or child.”
Yuki wrinkled her nose as she spin in a circle just once as she continued moving. “In this case, it is little one.”
The Nagai navigated the streets expertly, listening to the chatter of an excited girl child. Her fingers gently, discreetly probed the artifical seeming leg as she smiled and listened to the girl.
A momentary lapse in the stream of chatter and Yuki stepped into the silence swiftly. “And what sort of things does little Serenity like to eat? We already know your papa will eat anything even if just to be polite.”
She winked at the man sidelong, her fingertips still moving slowly.
Serenity pouted, “I don’t want to be little…” She glanced down to behind them quickly, making sure her dad was still there. It seemed that she was a bit nervous being away from him a little bit. Once she saw him still there and gave her a small nod, she continued talking. Castor noticed the wink and didn’t respond to it.
“I like a lot of things. Fried chicken! I hate veggies…” She added quickly and there was a heavy sigh from Castor.
“But I do eat them!” Serenity declared.
Yuki wrinkled her nose at Serenity. “You won’t always be little, Serenity. Your people just take a long time to get there sometimes.”
The giantess thought for a moment and grinned slyly. “What if I told you I know of a way to make you loooooooove veggies?”
She exaggerated the word on purpose to try to entice the girl. “In fact, I know many ways of preparing veggies and other non-meat options.”
Serenity grumbled under her breath. “Too long sometimes…” then she made a face.
“Noooooo, our droid tried that too! It roasted, uh, chopped them up in itty bitty pieces but I can still smellllll them! He also had this huuuuge thing and tossed the stinky vegetables into them with bunch of sauces and species-“
“Spices,” Castor gently corrected her.
“Spices! And it was still so grosssssss. Then it tried to do that cass-a-roll thing-“ ger voice trailed off as she became sad. Her fingertips played with Yuki’s hair. Castor noticed and his muscles tensed. Should he grab her before she starts crying?
“Hand me my daughter, please.” His voice sounded strained as Serenity hiccuped and rubbed her eyes.
Yuki smiled sadly and lifted the girl child from her shoulders. Impulsively, she placed a light kiss on the child’s forehead and handed her down to Castor. “My own girls got like that sometimes.”
She waved a hand quickly, dismissing the sentiment as she continued on towards their destination. “They’re all grown up now and don’t have much need for their mother.”
Yuki smiled and shook her head again. The twins had grown up, become strong in their own rights and looked out for each other. A flicker of thought as she wondered what those two were up to before she turned to look at Castor from the corner of her eye. “I won’t press, but if you want to talk about it, I’ll listen.”
She stopped before the doors to the building and gestured the man to go in. “This is us.”
The building reached to the sky, glass panes and gilt everywhere. The appearance of the building alone screamed the price of food for a month to just set foot inside. “Let’s get you and the girl inside where it’s quiet. You can rest, get cleaned up and we’ll have dinner brought up to us. Go to the turbolift and take it to the penthouse. I’ll speak with the desk and get you an extra keycard.‘
Castor felt the hair on his arms rose in protectiveness when she had planted a kiss on Serenity’s forehead. But then calmed down when he had his own daughter in his arms. Holding her close to his chest as her sobs were muffled, Castor shoved his feelings down.
His soft blue eyes widen in surprise at hearing the Nagni mentioned she had kids herself and that they were grown up but then he gave her an understanding nod.
The protectiveness of parents. His jawline tightened at the thought to talk to her if he wanted to.
He absolutely did not.
He would destroy planets to keep his baby girl from crying like that. Anything for her. He could feel his soul being torn one by one every time she hiccupped between the tears. Then slowly, the hiccups and sobs were becoming more quiet. She was falling asleep out of exhaustion. He can feel the weight from her becoming heavier.
Castor winced at the building. He would be a moron if he didn’t know that this woman was either rich, high rank of some sorts, or even both. His eyes darted to the left and right right before they entered. On the bright side… they wouldn’t consider them hiding inside somewhere like that. Just who was this woman?
Penthouse.
Who was she?
Castor silently made his way through, ignored any screaming paranoia in his head at the eyes inside the building as he made his way to the turbolift. Supported his sleeping daughter with one arm, he pushed the button with the other and they made their way up to the penthouse.
Yuki walked over to the desk and conversed with the being behind the counter. After a few minutes, she flipped the extra keyboard and caught it with a grin. It had been a long time since she had a little one in her arms. Even the orphanages were starting to grow older and move on.
Thankfully, she thought to herself. The Chlldren of Mortis didn’t create more of them.
Yuki walked over to the lifts and tapped one of the buttons with a finger. Waiting for the lift, she looked around and took in the patrons of the building and the workers.
The soft chime went off and she entered the lift and leaned against the wall, her large frame barely fitting inside.
Suns… Castor thought to himself the moment he saw how big the penthouse was. Cleaned up never sounded so good so it took him a moment to find the bathroom. When he did, he gently woke up Serenity and gently placed her on the counter by the sink as he started to prepare her for the bath.
It was harder than he thought. Serenity’s head was lolling so he leaned forward, her forehead on his chest while he struggled with removing the cyber leg for a moment.
Finally.
A soft click and hiss of release, he placed it aside and picked her up while he ran the water.
Castor placed Serenity in the rising waters and it was enough to wake her up for a moment.
“I can do it!” His daughter protested, but Castor kept an arm on her at all times just in case. The heavy eyelids on her were almost comical. He froze at hearing the soft chimes.
“Dad?” Castor didn’t turn to look at her but kept his grip with one arm while keeping an ear out. It could just be Yuki but-
“Water is getting cold…” His attention turned towards her as he helped her out of the tub and wrapped her with a towel.
Then he winced.
They didn’t have any clothes. While he was thinking of how to make clothes for her out of makeshift towels, the now-alert-for-the-time-being little girl hopped her way out of the bathroom, she kept one hand on the towel and the other on the wall.
Yuki stepped into the penthouse, ducking through the entryway with a smile. She took in the state of things, trying - and failing- to not laugh. The sound was deep throated coming straight from her toes as she closed the door behind her.
With graceful steps, she quickly made her way to the girl and knelt down before her. “You seem to have left something behind, ad'ika. Were you in such a rush to see me again you ran it right off?”
As if to be silly, Yuki pulled the glove off her left hand and pulled back the synthflesh. “I left mine behind somewhere too.”
The giantess seemed completely unconcerned by the girl-child in nothing but a towel as she stood up and continued stripping off the bits of armour until she stood in the form-fitted body suit.
“There are robes in the wall closet just inside the bathroom, Castor. I might not have one to fit your daughter, but we can find something that works.”
She walked over to one of the separating doors and suit herself inside to get dressed.
“There’s a menu in the main room. Order whatever you and the girl desire.”
Serenity’s eyes widen in familiarity as she quickly grabbed the hand and started to inspect it. As much as she could with one hand, since another hand was still holding onto a towel.
“The joints for the knuckles!! I see how you- mom did the same! She also- wait- where’s the-” She moved the hand around and wanted to find where the nerve points for it to be connected started, “DAD-” Serenity protested as Castor gently wrapped her in a robe and picked her up at the same time. Castor placed a kiss on the side of her head as he put her down on the chair.
He pointed at her playfully. Serenity giggled as she pulled the oversized gown over her like a blanket and Castor worked with her to remove the damp towel away so now she just had the robe.
“You two can geek out over…. the…. um-” Castor brows furrowed as he was trying to find the word he was looking for. Serenity did a big heavy sigh, “Cyber-Prosthetics?”
“Yes, that, later.” Castor grabbed the menu as Serenity rolled her eyes then grinned.
“I want all the sweets-” Serenity started. Castor wasn’t going to do that but he can at least, get the ones he knows that she’ll like.
“Sold but-”
“I knoooow.” Serenity groaned as she looked to be in deep thought. “Chicken nuggets annnnnnnd-” She pouted. “Daa-” But she stopped when she saw the parental ‘look’ that Castor was giving her. “Ookkkay. I’ll take some peas.”
Castor was going to call but then hesitated. His eyes glanced over to where the woman went and quickly averted his eyes.
“Ms Yuki, is there anything you wish for me to place an order for?”
Yuki smiled at them and nodded. “Just tell them to bring the usual for Lady Suoh. I’m here often enough they know what it means.”
With that, she closed the door behind her and began to peel the body suit off. The design of it kept her from sweating all that much but the confining material made her entire body itch. With a sigh of relief, she stepped to the walk-in closet and began to pull clothes from the different hangars. A pair of boxer shorts and a loose-fitting tank top were the final decisions as she looked at herself in the mirror.
She traced the seam along her shoulder, the barely discernible line between flesh and synthflesh, and smiled slightly. She had lost the entire arm during the Collective’s first assault and only recently taken to wearing the synthflesh over it.
Yuki smiled and stepped out of the closet and picked up one of the many datapads spread over the room before re-entering the main area.
Sitting down at the table, she began to tap through the screens, letting the man and his daughter find the time on their own to catch their breath and footing.
If Castor wasn’t so good at hiding his emotions after all those years with his family, she would’ve noticed the color drain from his face.
Lady. Kark. His jaw tightened as he glanced over to Serenity who was rubbing her eyes rather hard of out of exhaustion.
She has not shown any hostility. He reminded himself as he made the call. When it was done, Serenity looked at Yuki as she stepped out and quickly pretended like she wasn’t tired.
Despite the fact her head immediately lolled to the left and Castor flinched, thinking for a moment he would had to catch her but she caught herself.
“Do you have the tools? I can fix my own leg! Mom showed me how bef-” Then she stopped as Castor winced and picked her up as she cried into his shoulder once again. Her being so exhausted had made her emotions much more tenfold and so big for her. Castor just rocked her while standing and rubbed her back. The hiccups and crying slowed down as he placed her on the couch. His hand gently slipped between the robe and her back to make sure it would be able to keep her warm. Her strawberry blonde hair was barely peeking out of the robe.
Castor sighed as he took a step back and ran his fingers through his hair and rubbed his face. Kark. He needed a shower. But a chill went down his spine. Can he really trust her to leave Serenity to go shower?
Then he realized he didn’t have clothes. So instead, he sat down on a chair by the couch. He cleared his throat. He wasn’t bothered by the appeal she had chosen to be comfortable in.
“Thank you,” his voice was slightly strained, it would be obvious he doesn’t usually say thank you often or at all.
Yuki looked up from her data pad and raised an eyebrow. “No thanks are necessary. I might not have really helped you but for the child. No child deserves to be hungry.”
She smiled and shrugged as she gestured to the bedroom. “You can set her down in there for now if you would like to get cleaned up. A robe and the laundry service will have you feeling like a new man after you get cleaned up.”
She turned her attention back to the pad and continued her work. “I am someone who has the ability to solve problems. You don’t have to worry about anyone coming to find you here.”
The Nagai fixed her gaze on the man, her eyes friendly but hard. “Get cleaned up. By the time you’re finished, the food will be here and you can tell me the problems that can be fixed.”
Castor made no movement to move Serenity into the bedroom. Serenity was at the age where everything was comfortable. He had caught her sleep on top of things that would killed his back for a week. And the firm and yet squishy couch wasn’t that bad to her, or even him.
He was also uncomfortable with the idea of having her further away from him right now.
He paused for a moment and decided to head into the bathroom. He couldn’t leave the door ajar with the pneumatic system in place. Who the kark has that kind of credits for karkin-
He felt his hairs stood on all ends as he exhaled sharply through his nose, trying to keep his anger in check. Ever since he got exposed at the Ethereal Realm and gained the Force through it, he had been struggling with his emotions.
Another reason to seek out his sister. Castor winced as he started to remove his armor, bruises evident on his body as he checked in the mirror to make sure none of them needed immediate attention.
The shower was nice but he felt bad about the dirt and grime. Serenity didn’t get dirty as much as Castor did or thankfully, hurt. He wouldn’t-
Castor grunted under his breath. This was not the time to dwell. After putting on the robe, he grabbed his clothes and hesitantly stepped out.
Yuki glanced up from the datapad with a smile before she turned her attention back to it. “We can have the staff launder your clothes and the girl’s.”
She stole a glance at the child with a sad smile. It was one more thing she had heard about for her own children but never got to see it. A friend of hers had spent more time with the twins than she had, constantly flitting from place to place.
The door chimed and opened slowly as two young women pushed in heavily laden carts. They parked them near the large dining table and bowed themselves put after the Nagai pressed credits into their palms with words of thanks. “Sit and eat, Castor. Wake the girl up if you cam and get her to eat something as well.”
She sat back down at the table with an almost weary sigh. It had been a long day and finding a few who were in desperate need of help wasn’t exactly on her agenda for the day.
Yuki smiled and shrugged as she turned her attention back to the datapad. She wasn’t that bothered by helping people. In fact, it was something the Giantess most enjoyed.