“` Esen sending message to Rue 💐:
“Hey Rue, how are you and Alkie doing? I am free this weekend, is the offer still on the table for you to do my hair? We are on a ship called the Voidbreaker and I can probably get you access for the night if you want to stay the night? Only if you want to. There’s loads of things to do here and you might enjoy it. Hope to hear back from you soon. Take care. 💝 -Esen” ”`
“`
Dear Miss Friend Esen Dulle,
Hello and Blessed Day or Night, Miss. I am well and Alk is well also. He Is eating many Leaves and to-night we are having the mushrooms in stew. They are called sifloa endoces, phedous biphorus,, and gravalos biphorus which the are called Seabalm, Salt Spurs, and Wood Spurs, which are colloquialisms and not true names. I like the Seabalm most. Very good raw also. Alk says hello also. And I have told Miss Hunyi of your message and she bids Hello also.
I would love to do your hair!!!! It does not have to be at a table if you would prefer elsewhere such as this ship. We can yes stay the night if you would like me to. Will it be cold enough for a Sweater? It is very warm here on Selen. We got much sun To-day and then some rain but it quickly was sunny again. I am excited to see you.
How do you make the pink picture in the writing? I hope you are also well Miss Friend Esen and thank you. Goddess walk with you. Thank you. Good-bye.
-Rue Kendis”`
“` Esen to Rue 💐:
“Glad to hear about your dinner, and that you and Alk are doing well. It’s warm here, but an sweater wouldn’t be bad to bring in the off chance you need it. Just make sure you’re packing enough items to stay the night. An extra set of clothing and a swimsuit in the off chance we visit the pool. Maybe ask Miss Hunyi to help you pack, if you need it. I’m sure I can find a spare cot or something around here and you can stay in my room. Are you okay with droids? I have two, one’s awfully fussy about my cabin sometimes.
We will be at Port Ol’ Val soon. I’ll attach the coordinates to this message. Send me a message whenever you’re ready and I’ll meet you at the port. See you then.
P.S. You can bring Alk if you like. I’ll have to check with staff so we have enough food for him, but I’m sure it’s fine.
-Esen” ”`
Esen shuffles her way out of her cabin, after nodding and assuring her droid that she’s fine, and will be back momentarily.
She walks next door to Remy’s cabin room door before buzzing the ringer to enter.
Remy kneels on the bare metal floor, her mind stretched to its limits and far away from her room. The empty air is filled with the clicks and clatter of B1 dis and reassembling its prized rifle, black metal fingers careful not to scratch the paint. The buzzer on the door is unheeded from Remys deep meditation, at least the first time. As minutes pass, B1 eventually looks up in annoyance before moving over to shake Remy out of her trance.
“My lady, there is someone outside, and they are disturbing my repose. I am not authorized to leave the room as commanded,” it spoke with words pointed and lathered with poisonous scorn strange for a droid, “so, I cannot open the door. If you would?”
Remy looks up at the slitted metal eyes above her and considers dismantling B1 to replace its faulty processor for the umpteenth time before the buzzer rings once again, and she rises to her feet.
“Go back to fiddling with your weapons B1, and mind your digital tongue. I have half a mind to begin replacing your parts,” Remy moves to the door and presses the opening button on the door pad.
“A normal Battle Droid personality would not suit you, nor I, nor would it be as effective. I know you love me.”
B1 returns to its desk, continuing its unending ritual.
When Remalia opens the door she’s faced with an Esen who has the most pitiful look plastered on her face. She toes the ground with one of her boots. To really amp up her performance she sticks out her lower lip. A look Remy has seen many a times when Esen asks her to do something.
“Remmmmmmy” she says with a guilty smile, and her hands interlock as she moves them straight downwards locking her elbows.
She inhales, and in all in one breath she speaks quickly,
“I’ve invited Rue over to do my hair, and to spend the night.” The guilty sweet smile returning as she pauses for a moment. In a much more normal pace for speech,
“Would you like to join us for some activities tonight? I’ve already gotten some spicy snacks for you. We could watch a holoflick or go to the pool, maybe the bar? He will be sleeping in my cabin…. Which reminds me…” pauses her ramblings, as she side eyes Remalia inquisitively.
“Do you know where a spare cot is?”
Remy stands motionless, not even moving her hand from the door pad. Blinking slowly, she lowers her hand, unsure how exactly how to stand without her cane.
“I would have thought years in the military would have… I needed to speak with Rue at some point anyway. He has shown abilities I haven’t been able to find in any detail in my own studies of the Order, and I would like to see if he would be willing to teach me anything. I suppose some… activities would be worth that. But with all this ‘relaxing,’ we will need to do twice the work to justify it, yes?”
She moves back to close the door again, “I will be watching for Rues approach. If you need a cot, there should be plenty of spares for that kind of thing in the cargo hold, beyond that I do not know, I have only been here as long as you have.”
The door slides closed once again, Remy kneeling in her spot and using the sound of clicking and scraping to lull her into another meditative trance.
“Hunyi!” Rue exclaimed, jumping up from his chosen circle spot in the sunlit sand and scurrying over to the Wookiee. Except it was less of a scurry and more of a dance. More spinning and twirling and even hopping giddily, to which Alk immediately recognized his favorite game, and started stomping and jumping around too. Rue just laughed and smiled even bigger, his half arm hugging his datapad to his chest as he jumped in place next to his seated friend, who was ponderously whittling. “Hunyi! Hunyi! Look, look!”
He thrust the pad out at her with his one hand, then retracted it to hug it joyfully again, before realizing he had to stop that to show it and presented it once more. His tail flicked straight up in glee.
The Wookiee mercenary chuffed, showing her canines among other flat, leaf-eating teeth in a gentle smile for his enthusiasm. She set aside her machete and then the large stick before taking the pad in her only hand, giving a soft growr as ever to the delicate operation that was technology and her claws. Rue braced it for her, a familiar operation after a year together, and she was able to scroll more easily.
“This is the new friend?” she growled at him, reserved but not unkind.
“Yes!” he growled back, much higher. “This is Esen. She is inviting me to do her hair and to stay the night over on their ship. Hunyi! It is like Sulla has! The sleepover!”
His first sleepover.
Her remaining golden eye squinted in suspicion at the pad. Rue could hypothesize why. It was much the same reasoning he had walked through in a panic when Brelon had invited him to go with him to meet Ras at the party. Hunyi and Elly had helped him establish rules, to keep him safe, when he was ‘too trusting.’ Not going away with strangers, particularly to any secondary locations. Not getting in vehicles with strangers. Trying not to do things just because someone ordered him to, or asked him to, or barely suggested he do.
- And of course, they had been particularly careful about the Oval ever since he had nearly died there the year past from the drugs.
But.
A sleepover. With a friend. He had not had one of those before.
“I want to go,” he said in a very, very small mewl. The words were very practiced. Every morning and night with his prayers he practiced saying “I am” and “I want” and suchlike first person statements. Wanting was particularly difficult. Most nights, he still shook saying them. But the practice helped. “She also said I this one can bring Alk. Surely I would keep him safe, so you do not have to worry.”
“I know you would keep him safe, Rue,” Hunyi assured. She handed the pad back, and then set her paw carefully on his shoulder. When they had first met, that simple gesture had thrown him to the ground and broken four ribs and two fingers, which he had not told her, as they healed quickly once he rebroke and realigned them. The bruises healing before her eyes had told her enough about both his delicacy and his fortified constitution. He had been created to break and break and break and mend again. A reliable test subject. “This ship. I have heard of it before. It is of the clan here.” Her mouth made a grim snarl, then settled. She sighed. “Message me when you board. And if you want to come home sooner at any time. I will be there.”
Two shades of golden eyes met. Rue smiled at her, then touched their foreheads together.
“I know you would.”
Then he pulled back with a gasp.
“This one has to choose what to wear! What is appropriate for a sleepover? Sulla has pajamas with voorpaks! Do I need pajamas with voorpaks? does Alk need pajamas? Hunyi!”
The hybrid spent the next hours furiously consulting his research, his small wardrobe, and his other friends. There was going to be shopping.
Hunyi smiled quietly and resumed her whittling.
The Oval was still a frightening place.
No sky, no sunlight. A dome of rock and metal overhead. Mazes of shadows and tunnels he knew nothing about. On the back of his tongue, he could still taste the powders and pills the man had given him.
He breathed out. Started reciting. Aurek to zenth. Alk snorted beside him, content and looking all around for anyone that would pet him. They had not been able to find adequate pajamas for the Mott in seventeen hours while also sleeping, and so he wore a soft blanket tied around him like a cape instead. Sulla had insisted on the donation. It was a bright carnation pink and cornflower blue with dancing tip-yips in the blue stripes. He also wore his booties to protect his toes from the metal Rue remembered of the station.
Standing at the appointed dock, Rue shivered as many people and things moved around him. He’d worn his hood and cloak over his own new pajamas and slippers, which Sulla had also advised him on, though Elly had said he should really wear shoes. He did not want to be noticed.
However. How else would Esen find him?
Trembling, he unwrapped his head scarf and pulled down the hood, freeing his hair. Bright flashes of color immediately sprayed over the plating from refracted light, the glowbanks above unforgiving. He nervously searched the crowd for his Zeltron friend.
<@267489687902486530>
Remy steps up behind Rue with her cane clicking on the metal floor.
“Rue. I wouldn’t say Esen sent me to welcome you, exactly, but I came for that purpose. I am still no master of Sensing, but your presence is almost unique and exceptionally bright.”
Although her voice is flat as usual, her overexplination betrays a sense of pride.
“She told me she invited you. We are docked in bay 6F if you would follow me.”
At the sound of address so close and sudden from behind him, the tense hybrid flinched, quickly dropping down to his hands and knees in a kowtowing bow that awaited punishment. He realized himself a moment later, the click of the cane registering late, the sound of her particular heartbeat, her voice. Not very familiar, but not a stranger.
He scrambled up, whispering, “Sorry,” for startling and, “yes, Mistress, ah– apologies, apologies, this one apologizes, just Remy. Um. Yes. Please. Lead on. Ma'am. Ah, you remember Alk?”
The Mott had moved easily up to Remalia, recognizing her scent. He nudged at her expectantly.
Esen runs up to the two of them, both arms offering support to the dark little droid attached to her back. He had hopped on her back as she ran out of her cabin and off the Voidbreaker, not allowing him a chance to properly get settled. She was already late, and he insisted he come to see the guest. If he could keep up, he could come, if he couldn’t he would have to wait until she had gotten back. Honestly, how she is able to go places alone sometimes astounds her.
“Hey. Sorry I’m - we are late. We were busy setting up the cabin, and got a little carried away. Hello Alkie. How are you doing Rue?” Bowing down to direct her attention to Alk, giving him a polite welcome, as best she could whilst carrying the drone. Sensing a bit of uncertainty and nervousness from Rue,
“All packed and good to go? I have a few things planned, but none of which need to happen if we don’t want to… More of if we want to, things to do as a possibility.”
She crouched down, bending at the knees allowing the droid to fully adjust to his normal position so she no longer had to support him.
“Oh and I checked with kitchen staff, we should be fine for feeding Alk, forgot to send you a follow up message.” She chuckles, standing from her crouched position, droid sitting properly now.
“O-oh, perfect, thank you,” Rue stammered, realizing he took had forgotten to follow up. Though he’d packed Alk snacks, in his haste, he hadn’t checked. A critical error.
But he would not be able to atone now, and Alk would be fed, so he pushed that panic aside, focusing instead on the two womens’ heartbeats in the dock crowd.
“T-this one is. Sufficient. Miss. It is good to see you. We did. Pajamas,” he managed to get out, gesturing between himself and Alk in his blankie cape. He was hidden by his cloak but the slippers peeked out. They were fuzzy blue. “Miss Just Remy was. This one is to follow. Yes?”
Remys eyes lock onto Alk as Esen rushes in rambling. Finally, when she is addressed again, her eyes clear and she turns back to Rue.
“I have not met this… Alk before. I saw it- him in the hotel, but I never got close. I assume by the fact he is allowed in public spaces, he is not dangerous.”
Gingerly, Remy reaches out a hand and rests it on Alks head, moving robotically, like someone who has occasionally heard of the idea of “petting” something.
“I actually have a request to make of you later, though I understand it is bad manners to talk buisiness during recreational events, especially at the beginning, so I will withold for now. Come, I imagine you have been aboard the Voidbreaker before? I was told that most at the Flitz were Brotherhood affiliated, and being from Selen I assume you are Arconian as well.”
Remy moves off towards the proper docks at a relaxed pace despite her very not-relaxed looking stride.
“I apologize for my lack of knowledge on most things related to the Brotherhood. I am somewhat close to the bottom of the hierarchy and most of my time has been spent filling gaps in my knowledge of the Force under Master Sulvir, so I have not had time to be… making connections.”
“Ooo Pjamas! Cute! I’ll change once we get in then. Pajama day woot woot.” She was wearing her standard white tee and dark green tactical pants and combat boots, with her hair pulled up into a bun, no gel this time. She was off duty. Patches and tufts poking out without the gel to help it hold position.
She interlinks her arm and Remalia’s while extending her other arm to Rue, offering him to take it if he wish. An open invitation with no weight behind it. “Shall we head in?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Esen had taken Rue and dragged Remalia along for the tour of the Voidbreaker. She didn’t show him everything, mainly just the Recreational floor - Level 4. She had showed him most of everything on that floor, which consisted of: a lap pool, dojo, gym, lockers and showers, the sauna, and her personal favorite the leisure pool and hot tub.
Saving what she thought be the best for last for him, the Conservatory room. Rare and exotic plants from across the galaxy were arranged on intricate hydroponic trellises. The upper walls and ceiling of the room are outfitted with complex screen systems which are both able to provide an accurate projection of the exterior starscape the Voidbreaker II currently occupies or be toggled to present an artificial daylight environment configurable to mimic most common habitable planet conditions. A small recirculating pond rests in the center of the area, stocked with a variety of colorful filter-feeder fish to both keep the water healthy as well as provide a pleasing visual display for those utilizing the room’s amenities.
Stepping back letting him take his time looking if he wish before finally getting to the quarters floor.
Indeed, there was very much to see. Rue marveled shyly and nervously at everything, sticking close to Esen by their looped arms, Alk happily trotting along. He had an entire host of questions about some of the amenities, having never seen suchlike before, but saved them on a list to ask during The Activities if it was permitted.
The conservatory, though: that had him letting go and running free. He scampered into the room and twirled around at rhe pond’s edge, head tilted back to gaze up at all the trellises, gaping and then laughing in genuine delight. He was vibrating to inspect and chatter about each of the plants, to see how the planters worked, to share what he knew of the species and sketch those that he did not.
But there was the sleepover to be had, and that required the rooms. As they trailed down the crew halls, Rue looked around some more, trying to parse out any difference by the doors alone.
“Which is yours?” he inquired.
There was movement next to Rue, a massive black mass that stepped from an opening door directly into the path of the hybrid. The mass collided with the smaller thin shape. At first, warm soft fur greeted Rue. Then, harder muscle met the bony figure. They collided in a way that Doon was not prepared for - he was busy adjusting the towel around his hips - but it did not stop him from reacting rather quickly.
Before Rue could stumble too far away, massive soft paws gripped at his hips, jerking him closer to the Shistavanen who growled a sharp curse in his native tongue. It was followed by an annoyed “Sorry. I couldn’t see you.” The reasoning was quite obvious once Rue was able to focus - the black wolfman was very much missing his right eye, the side in which he approached. Lichtenburg scars scrawled over his should and up over his eye, keeping the lid there shut permanently. Doon then slowly released the other man’s waist once they were stable.
Remy stops and looks up, “Ah, Master Sulvir. Esen and I are showing a… friend around the Voidbreaker. His name is Rue.”
She turns and motions the same introduction in turn, “…and Rue this is my master, Master Sulvir. His appearance is savage, but outside of battle it is deceptive. He has as many manners as anyone, and surprisingly soft fur…”
She trails off, realizing she was trying to pre-emptively soothe the fear she expected was coming, and hoping she didn’t come off as patronizing.
Esen had heard shuffling from around the corner into the showers. She had reached out to stop Rue, but it was too late. She just had to sit and watch the collision with bated breath.
Esen released a gasp as the two of them hit. Her eyes looked and then not trying to stare at Doon, drifting to the floor.
“Oh hello Mister Sulvir” pink blush had bloomed on her cheeks, eyes locked to the floor.
“Sorry for interrupting you. I-we were headed back to my quarters. Rue is here for the night. Rue is wonderful at doing hair, and offered to do mine. We were just showing him the Voidbreaker… which Remy… just said.”
The blush had deepened and spread to her ears. She finally looked up through her lashes at him, slowly drifting up from his torso, to neck and shoulders. Finally looking him in the eye, before drifting to peer at how his wet mane fell differently around his head, now that it was wet.
“Speaking of hair… would you let us do something with yours? A braid perhaps?”
The moment the collision and subsequent grab had happened, Rue had gone limp. The force of impact and the sensation of hands clamping around his waist had him at once loose as a puppet and trembling like a storm-blown leaf. His breathing turned rapid and shallow, gaze glazing over, the words everyone spoke around him floating by his tapered ears. He just bowed his head as low as possible, neck exposed as his braid fell over his cloaked shoulder, single arm at his side.
Master Sulvir.
-# “Master.”
It was the barest whisper, terrified and obedient.
But then Alk nosed his way up the hall, butting into Rue’s side, as if picking up on the distress. Rue gasped in one sudden, harsh whistling breath, and things were… different.
The hands were larger, and soft – “…and surprisingly soft fur.” – and tipped in cool metal claws that didn’t prick his skin. The growling language. Fur. Fur. A wide stature. Other voices. Esen – “Mister Sulvir…doing hair…” – and Remalia – “…friend, Rue…many manners…”. Alk. Alk. Alk.
Cold, metal walls. Yes but. Not the same ones. God’s red eyes weren’t watching. It wasn’t–
“…….”
Alk slowly stepped around them. Slowly snuffled at some water puddles. Slowly…opened his mouth towards a black tail sticking out from a towel’s edge.
Rue blinked back into the moment, a sudden growl of his own, though much higher pitched and a different language, “Alk, no! No little trouble-taster, that is not for you. Here.”
He swung his own tail around, dangling the top back and forth for a moment to draw the Mott’s attention. Recognizing his second favorite game, Alk chased after it, leaving Sulvir’s own be.
“U-um,” stuttered the hybrid then, remembering himself. He was still very close to the large Shistavanen. His mind sputtered on everything just said. “This one does not think Master Sulvir appears savage. He is a Shistavanen. This is typical aesthetic and phenotypical expression for their species, though Sir is larger than average in several respects. Indeed his fur is very soft. This one apologizes for inconveniencing you, Master, Sir. It is only staying the night. It and Alk will be no bother. Of course this one would serve you if also Master wished for his hair to be braided or gelled.”
He tried to bow, reflexively, at the end of the recitation, but only succeeded in pressing his head briefly into Doon’s chest. He squeaked and stiffened again, muttering more apologies.
Warm soft fur met Rue’s face, more alike a large fur blanket than one might expect considering the bulky muscles that the fur did little to hide. The comforting sensation was backed by the pleasant earthy floral smell of Iris. It appeared that Master Doon had just exited the showers. His dark fur was fluffed slightly, plush, and still held heat from some driers. He was wearing a basic towel around his waist, having not anticipated meeting someone new.
Let alone someone as multicolored and shiny as this Rue appeared to be.
His head tilted to the side, letting him give the hybrid a detailed once over. He was.. interesting. But Doon’s attention returned to what he and the other two had said. “A visitor for the night? This should be fine.” He growled in a calm silky rumble. “Why does everyone wish to style my hair?”
He looked briefly annoyed, but after a moment looking between Esen, Remy and Rue, he let out a sigh. “Alright. I have nothing important tomorrow.” He gestured towards the other two in a relaxed gesture, telling them to lead the way.
To Rue however he rumbled a “Your description is flattering. You are no inconvenience to me or this ship. If you wish to stay longer, let me know, I will ensure you are given a room.” He wasn’t sure the exact story behind the hybrid, but he felt the need to offer safety, and there was nowhere the black wolf would call safer than the halls of the Voidbreaker.
With a pace or three of space now, Rue dipped his proper bow, the hood of his heavy cloak briefly flopping forward, before rising out of it and it flopped back again.
“Master is very kind. This one thanks you.” Gold eyes skittered up, briefly looking near Sulvir’s face, though not directly at, before they drifted down again to a harmless spot to the side. “Master smells of irises. These are a wonderful bloom with much meaning. It seems suiting.”
He went quiet then as he waited for the women to guide them on, aside from Alk’s footsteps as he chewed on Rue’s tail where it poked from his cloak.
Remy watches Rue fall further and some sort of weight forms in her stomach. Most of her Siblings thought like this, and she had not been able to coax even one of them to join her crusade. But maybe she could… shift the negative emotions? She had always tried to smooth over her abrasiveness, but maybe that could be helpful, for once.
“No,” she says as she steps in between Rue and Doon, clacking her cane in a notably arrogant and challenging pose, “Master Sulvir is my master. He may go and train others as he pleases, but nobody gets to claim him but me. If you would try to take him from me, then you will have to fight for him. If you are not willing, then you will call him friend, Doon, or whatever else, but not master.”
This may have cost Remy her lessons, but she was here to give of herself to keep the peace, the Jedi way. It also didn’t help that Rue was leagues stronger than her, so this all boiled down to a bluff anyway.
Another flash of distress crossed Rue’s face, and he took a quick pace back further from both Doon and Remy – Alk holding on to his tail prevented him from retreating further still. He shook his head rapidly, bowing twice.
“T-this one did not intend any claim, Miss Just Remy! This one would never dare such disrespect. It is not worthy of such as claimaiment. It would never try to take anything from you either. Or fight! It will never h-hurt someone.” In his spooked ramble, his tongue suddenly stumbled, stuttering on the sin of dishonesty. He was truly unworthy of these friends and this life. But he was alive. And so it was.
Another bow was turned on Doon. “This one apologizes again also, it would not presume to call you friend, m– Sir Doon Sulvir. It is sorry. It is sorry, Miss Just Remy. It only means to do the Sleepover Activities and assist Miss with her requests, it swears this, it–”
His ramble was once again interrupted by Alk, who, snacky, tried to nose at his satchel but without actually spitting out his tail yet. The end result was that Rue was slowly spun around in place, being tugged in circles as the Mott chased a bag that for some reason stayed the same distance away from him. Rue was forced to straighten up, whining.
“Alk! Alk, please, I am trying to– oh, stop it, you silly litlun, here, let me– let go. You have to let go first, little one, come on–”
Doon’s eye narrows as Remy makes her display of… what, jealousy? Was she concerned she’d be replaced? It drew a soft frown from the wolf, his eye remaining on her as she made her display. He spoke softly as he stepped forward, meant only for her but his voice was not an easy one to hide. “Calm. You will not be replaced so easily.” He reached out in a calming gesture, miming a pat on her shoulder without touching her.
He then turned his attention past her, to the hybrid who’s groveling was interrupted by the little creature tugging on their tail. It did not take much effort to expand his awareness, the consciousness plagued by shadow extending to brush against what made up Rue. The fur on his neck shifted, had he not been fresh out of the shower it might have been noticed. There was a vast complexity to Rue that manifested as simple emotions. Easy to read but not to understand. He let out a grumble, his initial instinct to offer protection confirmed.
He stepped to the side of Remy, extending a large paw to Rue to shake, or hold, as they saw fit. A display of equality. “Sir is fine enough. Though perhaps by tonight’s end you may consider me friend.”
Rue looked at the paw, recognizing the gesture by now, though he never offered, only accepted. Disentangling from his Mott friend, he meekly reached for it, his much thinner, fine-boned hand seeming small in the grasp, despite their relatively near height.
“Perhaps if Sir wishes,” he conceded demurely.
Satisfied that her stunt was at least somewhat successful, Remy stands and watches for a moment before flicking up her cane and catching it further up on the shaft with a slap and turning to move away.
“Very well, my Master. I would ask you at least source some pants before going downstairs.”
Stepping closer to Esen as the two others introduced properly, she continued quietly, “you did not react this way to Nashs nudity. Did I misinterpret ‘Doon training you with the sword?”
Esen returned the quiet question with a matched quiet whisper, the droid on her back peeking up and down to Remalia, Esen, then Doon. Occasional beeping was heard.
“the Nash situation was different, that was a quick invite and he wasn’t prepared with swim trunks. Everyone else was swimming and also wearing very little.. This is us accidentally bumping into Doon and not swimming. We are fully clothed and he is not. It was our bad not his, should I not feel slightly second hand embarrassment for him? ” she squinted her eyes, not entirely happy with her response.
“Besides I was looking at his scars. I was thinking to myself if I was able to attend to his injuries when they were fresh the scarring would have been significantly less prominent.” Yes this excuse seemed fitting.
“Nash was nice, interesting character, very cool experience to meet a music artist and actually get to chat and spend time with them. He’s just… not my style? Doon is a nice guy, a big ol tough guy on the outside, on the inside he seem’s- this is not the point.” She shakes her head.
“The point is yes, Doon is training me to fight with blades. That’s it.” She smiles brightly giving Doon and Rue a nice big toothy smile, still shoulder to shoulder with Remalia. Holding her smile she speaks through her teeth quietly to her,
“Talk later?”
Announcing to the group. Looking at Doon, eyes never straying farther lower than his shoulders.
“Ah yes apologies once again, Doon, we are headed to my cabin. Ah- uh 303. If you would like to finish up with your activities and meet us there? Just buzz whenever.” Giving him a slight head nod. Ushering Rue and Remalia down the walk way and to the lift. The BD droid attached to her back had turned, its visual sensor locked on Doon as the group grew farther away.
The group of three eventually made their way to the cabins. Second door in from the right as soon as getting off the lift, Esen had stopped in front of 303.
“This is me! Er, -well us, for the night.” She turns to the side of the door plugging in the code. Beeps were heard from both the droid and the door as she started imputing.
“I’ll write down the code for you, once we get inside, if you need to go anywhere in the night and I am asleep.”
A whoosh noise was heard, and the door slid open. Revealing a bed pushed against the back,left, corner wall. The walls were painted a bland white, and quite honestly, most of the items in the room were apart of the the grey scale. The bed was lined with white sheeting, and a dark green blanket lay across the top of the sheet, tucked neatly square in the corners. A singular white pillow lay in the head portion. Ontop of the bed lay an ewok plush, with a banadage around its head.
In line with the foot of the bed, with a slight gap of space, was a grey desk filled with various trinkets, paperwork, and supplies, all neatly stacked and in containers. Her green medical bag had been tucked under her desk in the corner neatly.
In between the bed and the desk sat another droid, this one, the minty green color was so washed out and faded it almost looked white. The droid perked up and produced a series of Gonk Gonk gonk gonkgonkgonk at the group in the doorway. The droid on Esen’s back was looking at the other droid now, beeping another boop boop back, as Esen had crouched in the doorway letting the BD droid dismount safely. It hopped over to the Gonk droid and distant gonk gonk and beep doop, boop eep were heard as they were locked in conversation. She slightly giggled, shaking her head at the two droids.
Pushed against the third corner, the same walls as the door and the desk, was a cot that had been set up, well, assuming it was a cot. It was very hard to tell as it had been covered with many folded blankets and pillows, all different colors and textures, ranging from super fluffy comforters, to thin soft blankets. Big round pillows, to small square furry ones. Attached to the roof above the cot specifically hung, paper mache, and origami flowers, and shapes of the sun. A poster was hung on the wall by the cot as well, high enough that Alk even on his tippy toes could not reach it. The painting was an artistic rendition of a rabbit hopping through a field of flowers at dusk. The rest of the walls bare.
In the last corner of the room, on the same walls as the door and her bed, lay a brand new, dark green, large pet bed. Close to it, though not super close to prevent spilling, lay a bowl, with a large wide, heavy base, on a grey rubber mat. Prefilled with water. Another much larger mat lay close to it, though empty.
In between the pet bed, and feeding area, pushed closer to her bed, was her mobile closet. Under normal circumstances, this closet usually was not this close to her bed. The closet consisted of being neatly organized, all white tee shirts, white tank tops, hung on hangers on the left side. A gap in between, MANY brightly colored shirts, and dresses all color coordinated in sections, like the rainbow on the right side. Under the hanging shirts and dresses were many duffle bags, and totes, as well as some drawers. Designated shoe pocket cubbies, lined the sides of her shirts. Many of her shoes were boots, but there were a few nicer elegant shoes as well, in much better condition than some of the boots. Atop the closet lay on the side, as if it had just been placed there, hanging slightly over her bed, a clothing mannequin, dressed in Dajorran military dress blues.
In the center of the room had been three chairs all close together, as if someone had just dragged them from elsewhere and placed them hastily in the center.
Esen entered, making her way to the desk, rummaging around in one of her totes, silently giggling to herself as she heard the distant gonk gonk and Doop beeps grow quieter and quieter until they eventually ended. She could just feel the BD droid visual sensor glaring at her for messing up his organization. She pulled out a note pad and pen, scrawled down the code to the room before tearing it off the pad. She looked over to Rue and Remalia,
“Do come in and sit wherever. Here’s the code, Rue.” Passing him the paper. Before once again rummaging through another tote, and pulling out a holopad which she proceeded to fiddle with, a few swipes and a couple clicks.
Rue drifted into the space, saffron eyes wide as he took everything in. His gaze arrested on the little ewok plushie on the bed with its bandage, and for a moment, he was frozen there staring at it, drifting closer, until he stopped just before picking it up. He caught himself and turned back to take the code passed to him, gripping it as he turned around instead to look at the cot. The tears that had built in his eyes spilled as he blinked a few times, wiping at his face.
“It is w-wonderful, Esen,” he whispered, then repeating, louder and thick with emotion, “wonderful, thank you, so much, for your kindness and consideration. For Alk. For this one. It does not deserve…”
He cut off, sniffling, then shook his head and settled on a simple correction.
“Thank you. I will try all the blankets.”
Following in behind, Remy quietly steps to a corner, carefully setting her cane down so as to not let it click as Rue and Alk explore. Resting her hand on the head, she remains motionless, trying not to loom.
Alk, who the writer did not forget, trotted in and began sniffing E V ERY TH I N G. At a quiet Wookiee growr from Rue he did not start eating Esen’s boots out of the closet, but instead went to his bed and snuffled at it.
Esen peeked at Rue over her holopad, tracking his movements slightly, as she continued to click away.
“You can pick him up if you like. His name is Wamoo. Named him when I was little. He was a gift from my brother. Guess I always wanted to be a medic.” Giggling softly to herself. “If you want, he can sleep with you tonight. All I ask is he not be used as Alk’s chew toy. Wamoo is very dear to me.” Finishing up a couple clicks, placing an order, she sets her holopad down on her desk, gaining a few more beep Dwooop from the BD droid.
“I wished I could do more, with the decorations, it was very last minute. I was also trying to keep them out of Alk’s reach, I do hope you like it. As for the blankets and the pillows, I wasn’t sure how many pillows or blankets you like. So I brought all that I could find. You do not need to sleep with them all, just there if you want them.” Chuckling softly, as the BD droid hopped over to the cot and pillows, glancing at the ceiling, to the dangling flowers. To the pet bed, and Alk. Bweep bwoop, Doopdeepdooop
“Oh you hush, Vox, it’ll only be up for another day.”
Boop, boop, beep, boop, dwoop. As he shuffles off to go back to the Gonk droid, to continue with their bantering.
Gonk gOOnk, Dweep dwoop deep boop
She gets up and starts digging into one of the drawers of her closet. Pulling out a set of bright, vivid, blue plaid, pajamas.
“Pajama party right? I’ll just go change. If there’s anywhere else you’d like to see, or have any questions, I’ll be right back or ask Remalia. Oh if you want to hang up your robe you can,” Nodding to the closet and the hangers hanging on the bar, “You don’t have to, just whichever you prefer.”
She dips from the room.
Rue nodded to Esen’s information and explanations, too choked up to speak before she left the room to change. He continued to cry silently, shoulders shaking and occasionally sniffling, but in a way that was contained, as though making any noise would be bad – or earn punishment. It was something Remalia recognized.
He drifted back over to Esen’s bed and picked up Wamoo, not clutching it so much as just staring at him, thumb brushing over the bandage. He murmured softly to himself, a whispered prayer, eyes squeezing shut as he cried harder for a moment before smiling and kissing the bear’s head. Then he set him carefully back down, mindful to wipe away his own tears from the faux fur.
While Alk made himself comfortable in the bed, Rue turned his wet face up to examine the flowers and the picture better. He was smiling, even if it radiated sadness as well. He dabbed at his cheeks again, glittering eyelashes dewy, and looked over to Remalia.
“Esen is very kind. This one is grateful. I hope you treasure her friendship. Do you have pajamas also?”
As this was said, he began to undo his cloak, the heavyweight fabric that swallowed most of his form falling away. Rue was thin. His dress at the Flitz had implied as much, but it was much clearer now without a skirt in the way, his long legs and arms barely more than skin and bone. But that skin was healthy and whole, unblemished, save for scales and freckles, and the peek of a silvery scar at his collarbones otherwise hidden by his shirt.
Though, not much else was hidden. His pajamas might have been an attempt at seduction with how they displayed his middrift and rode low on his hips enough to expose a band of underwear, except that the sleeves and pant legs were obviously too short on him. It was almost comically so. And when he moved about, the fabric pulled taut in various places. The sleeve on his half arm flopped about freely, not yet altered or tied off.
Remy gives a small shake of her head, “No. I usually sleep standing or sitting in uniform. It is best to stay in certain habits should the need for them to arise in the field. If I need higher quality sleep I usually just use my bed in my undergarments.”
Remy falls silent again for a few moments, the air only disrupted by Alks snorts and rues quiet sobs.
“Esen saved my life. Well, several times, but more importantly when she didn’t know who I was, when I was even worse, more… rough than I am now. I was a stowaway on Zeltros. After learning that each person there is worth more than some planets, I knew that I may be thrown in a prison more resembling a hole than a building if I was lucky, can’t let anyone think that illegal immigration to a luxury world will be tolerated. She… let me in. She hid me from the authorities for no reason, even with how I treated her. It was all I could do to help her get off planet when wanderlust took her, but I still haven’t been able to repay even that act, monetarily a stay that long on Zeltros would be in the millions of credits.”
She stops, looking at the ground, her eyes glowing a bit brighter than usual for some reason.
“This is to say… she is pure, in a way. She can be trusted, simply because she is not capable of doing anything less than her best to help others.”
Remy whose stance had shifted slightly as she spoke, moved back to her original position, like a droid resetting.
Rue tilted his head. He still did not grasp the sheer enormity of monetary importance in the outside, but…
“It seems to this one, that Esen, being so pure, would not consider any debt, particularly not one involving money. I think she just wants you to be well. I would advise that, if you wish to ‘pay her back,’ then you work internally to change your own thinking of yourself and your worth. This is what this one has been trying to do this year past. It is why I practice saying ‘I’ and such every morning and night. And try to do things and have things just because. Perhaps, you should have pajamas… Just to have them. To wear them with Esen. Being here, to do activities, is good, I think. Being a person…is hard. But those who would love us would love it for us.”
He smiled at her.
Remy looks over at Rue, her eyes slowly growing brighter.
“You are correct, she does not keep track of my debt, but if I were to forget as well, I would be taking advantage of her generosity. If these positive traits are not rewarded, they may dissolve, either in one person or over generations, and the galaxy becomes a darker place, which is counter to my purpose. I am here, in the Brotherhood, to become more powerful, specifically for that purpose, and it is very obvious the power I seek can be found here, but I cannot achieve it by laxness. Others may be able to split their attentions and achieve greatness, but judging between the gap between us, I am not afforded that luxury.”
Remy closes her eyes and quiets for a second, before she looks up again, her pupils dim once more.
“I am a killer, a sword. I am not afforded a choice in this, it is written in my genetics. But I may choose where I fall, and I choose to protect with that. That has to be enough, for Esen and everyone else.”
Rue’s expression saddened, sorrowful and tired at once. His eyebrows scrunched at her, his tail drooping low, shoulders slumped slightly.
“Oh, Remalia. There are many things about our genetics we cannot overcome, but behaviors are traits that can be changed. Purposes rewritten. Every cell you have may have been constructed to optimize a sword, but you can still choose to be a shield. Moreover, to be you. Just Remy. If you are looking for a gap to repair, please. Please consider that you are capable of more than base violence. Even in the name of protection…violence is violence.” His tone quieted, and his gaze drifted back to Wamoo. “I was an expiment. Thousands and thousands of my children were experiments. We were made to die. And many did. I will die one day, any day. But I yet live. And I choose to heal.”
Remy nods slowly, “I had figured something similar. But if you were an experiment, then I am a product. My brain was altered to make my into what most would call a psychopath, with alexithymia. Fortunately I was never finished, so they didn’t finish conditioning blind loyalty. Either way, there is nothing to fix, nothing to heal. Worry not, a tool is not demeaned by being used for its purpose, and if I can prevent more like myself from being created, it will have been worth it.”
Rue tilted his head, drawing up slightly as he approached her now. His saffron eyes, though still glistening wet from emotion and kindly soft, held a more alert look about them. His gaze was studying.
“Do you possess any neurological disorders or specific psychiatric disorders instilled for this purpose? Or was the alexithymia chiefly meant to be instilled through psychological conditioning for deleterious emotional functional outcomes?”
(Behind them, Alk was stomping around, trying to reach the hanging flowers but unable to.)
The door swooshed open, the from immediately filled by Doon’s bulk. He took a step inside and spotted Remy to his side. He took a wide step to go around in an appropriate bubble but as his momentum carried him, he picked up on a presence he was rapidly approaching. He froze, towering over Rue.
The Shistavanen tilted his head so he could see Rue properly. He had come less than an inch from fully slamming into the Hybrid once more. As it was, Rue’s face as being tickled by the chest fur of the topless Wolf. He had gotten pants however, he wore a dark grey set of sweatpants that sat somewhat loose on his waistline. The warmth he radiated was still scented with the iris soap he had showered with.
“Oh.” Doon commented, feeling a bit bad for almost laying the poor man out a second time. At least this time he didn’t have to scramble to grab the thin man. “I should be more careful taking corners, evidently.”
While Rue had stiffened at the door opening and the movement that barreled in, less due to speed and more due to bulk, but he didn’t panic as he had upon their first collision. Rather, this time his head tilted back – an uncommon occurrence, but not a bother, being not too far – and he blinked up at the Shistavanen through glittering, multicolored metallic lashes. He gave a shy little smile, brain slowly switching tracks from medical diagnoses to uncertain social moores.
“It is perhaps in evidence,” he demured, “though two can still be coincidence – a third replication predicts a pattern. I hypothesize you are typically quite careful as is.” A heartbeat passed, in which a small fang poked out as Rue bit his lip, somewhat nervous. “This is a ‘humor’ attempt. Please do not be concerned for this one, Sir Sulvir. All is well. Welcome to the Sleepover.”
Noting Doons entrance, Remy waited until Rue finished speaking to give a formal, yet shallow bow to the huge man.
“Master,” she said in greeting, “Esen stepped out to change and should be returning momentarily.”
Given their audience and presuming Remalia would wish for her medical information to be private, Rue briefly glanced at her, brows furrowing a moment in concentration.
We can speak more of our pathologies at a latter date, if you wish, he thought to her before his face relaxed again.
Doon glanced over at Remy and nodded, then returned his gaze to Rue. He gave the hybrid another look over before stepping past him into the room. “Then we will wait for her. Where shall we sit?”
The wolf took in the details of the room, noting the little plush and other various pillows and blankets. He stood in the middle of the room, near the chairs. It would be suitable for them to be angled inwards with him placed in the middle, if they were truly to attempt to fiddle with his mane.
<@147021450706944000>
Rue’s tail flicked back and forth at the tip, a curious little mrr leaving him as he pondered the query, also taking in the room once more. He stepped out, tone taking on the guiding, secretive and delighted tone he used when telling Sulla or Lektra a story.
“Well, you see…my research and a very good authority on Sleepover Protocols indicates that the way is for us all to be in the pajamas and cozy and then sit on the floor with a multitude of pillows. This one thinks the blankets shall suffice. Miss Esen has done quite well. There are also the chairs of course if one prefers, but I am told foregoing furniture is part of the fun for its irregularity. A tent fashioned of sheets, or Blanket Fort, is also advised. Also, there will be hair braiding, and possibly games, snacks, and an exchanging of secrets. Also the polishing of nails. Of course we can see what is preferred….”
As he spoke he began selecting blankets from off his cot, then proceeding to arrange them around the chairs, gently scooting the seating aside to use as supports. Alk got up to ‘help,’ dragging more blankets down. He was familiar with this process; it was very close to how Rue and Hunyi set up camp at night.
Quite quickly the hybrid fashioned a blanket fort with a nest of pillows and more blankets inside, the chairs providing stilts for the ‘roof and walls,’ bending and contorting this way and that to spread them properly, tail flicking all the while. He made a little chirrup as he finished, then stepped back and folded his single hand to his chest, head ducked, looking to Doon and Remy for approval.
Doon watched the hybrid work, very intently studying his motions and the swaying of his tail. He wanted to lend a hand but not to butt in or make him feel incapable. So instead he crouched down, inspecting the tent as it was completed. His ear twitched when Rue made his noise and he looked up to gauge the shy man waiting for approval. He nodded and rumbled a “very good, Rue.”
It was a bit awkward for the large wolf to easily lower himself, but he rocked back into a sitting position on the floor under a blanket that made up the tent. He was somewhat hunched as he maneuvered “inside”. “I have not been to one of these before, but I have heard of them.” He commented on rue’s knowledge of sleepovers
The hybrid beamed under the praise, blooms of rose suffusing his lilac cheeks. He bounced lightly on the balls of his feet, seeming too energized to hold absolutely still in a place where he no longer had to, and with a glance at Remy, waited too for her approval.
Alk, of course, did not care about approval, and went to splashy-drink in his water bowl.
Remy watches for a while as the other two cobble together a sorry excuse for a “fortress” made exclusively from cloth and the little metal that coul be found in the chairs. After Doon went on all fours to cram himself inside, she knew she couldn’t let this stand.
“It is too small. Move the chairs back and in an arc.”
Leaning her cane up against a wall, she moves over to Esens bed. According to Rue, it was unlikely to see any use itself, so she lifted the mattress off the metal shelf and pushed it vertical against the wall between the cot and desk. Waving a hand, out of sight of Doon, Remy lifted the corner of the blanket now dragging on the floor to her hand, and tucked it behind the mattress, now making the whole thing look like a ramshackle lean-to. After stepping back, she absentmindedly grabbed at the sheet laying on the now bare bed and draped it to form at least one wall for it.
“This should provide something that lets you two at least sit upright. Esen would have fit in the last one, as she is short. I will go get my own blanket for the last wall.”
Without waiting for a response, Remy slides the door open and vanishes into the hallway.
Rue’s demeanor fell slightly into something more respectable and still at Remy’s critique, but he nodded and bowed his head, scurrying to follow her direction. His saffron eyes caught the short display of telekinesis, causing another pang in his heart, but he dutifully followed instructions and then stepped back to allow the woman to work.
“Thank you for fixing this one’s error, Mistress– Just Remy,” he corrected to her retreating back. The door swished shut behind her.
A beat. Rue peered into the newly lifted tent, still waiting in his servile, if at least upright, pose.
“This one apologizes, Sir Sulvir. It did not mean to make you hunch.”
<@160141735354171394>
Esen entered through the doorway carrying a large brown paper bag in one arm. Her pants she was previously wearing when she left, folded neatly in her other arm. Still very much wearing the white tee as an undershirt. She had taken her hair down and the black band used for her bun lay wrapped around her wrist. The loose, blue, locks flowing freely and framing the sides of her face.
Her gaze initially was downward, focusing on her walking, but upon entering she had discovered not only her room in much more disarray than she had left it moments before, but Remalia was gone, and her presence replaced with a very shirtless Doon. Who of which was… sitting under a blanket fort which consisted now of using her mattress that had been stripped, and only the frame left behind where her made bed once sat.
Vox hopped up to her, beeping very fast and frantically.
Making eye contact with Doon, she very quickly tilted her head downwards, causing her hair to curtain her face, concealing her heated cheeks. She pulled part of her hair back, hooking it behind her ear.
“Oh. Um. I see you all made yourself at home. I’m sure if Vox were alive, he would probably have a heart attack at this.” She gives a slight chuckle and made her way to her closet where she took out a white robe and wrapped it over her clothes, setting down the bag in the process. Never quite looking in Doon’s direction.
Once the robe was wrapped firmly, she turned around, it was as if a switch was flipped and the anxious, quiet Esen left. Speaking in an upbeat chipper tone,
“Sorry it took me so long, I went to pick up my order with the kitchen staff… I brought snacks!” Holding up the bag.
“Oh and Mr. Sulvir I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I picked up some extra chips and jerky? If you’d like I can order something different and send Vox to go grab it.”
The BD droid’s sensor had closed slightly, surely focusing, but it appeared as a squint as he shook his little robotic head. Giving her a series of longer drawn out beeps. Higher pitched gonk gonk, gonk gonk were heard from the back of the room, sounding oddly familiar to a persons laughter.
“Where did Remalia go?” Ignoring the droid’s protest at her feet.
“She went to retrieve another blanket from her room,” Rue answered promptly from where he was standing, waiting. “Does Miss Esen approve of the blanket fort?”
Even as he spoke, he tilted his head, hearing Esen’s heart rate and respirations increase since she’d entered the room from when she was approaching down the hall. They had also been erratic earlier. And her complex was flushed. Was she ill? He watched her closely a moment, observing signs.
<@267489687902486530>
“They will be fine.” The Shistavanen rumbled from his position under the new tent In response to the jerky and chips. He sat as comfortably as possible, digitigrade legs folded infront of him carefully. His paws were resting on his thighs while his eye was closed at the time of Esen’s entering. His ear twitched occasionally as he relaxed, mentally focusing on each of his limbs to relax his muscles from their usual tension. It was taking some time, as had just finished a cold shower after a workout.
He’d open his eye after Rue spoke, glancing between them. “As I stated before you entered, I have no experience with these. Is there something I should be preparing for?”
“Pre- ha. No. Sleepovers are supposed to be, ah, er- fun.” Chuckling softly to herself as she takes inventory of the contents in the bag. Mentally doing math on the side.
“Growing up I used to have these all the time. They kind of lose their charm when adult life takes form, but they can still be fun and nostalgic.”
She pulls out a bag of chocolate truffles, handing them to Rue and giving him a slight head nod, ensuring these are all for him.
“You just kind of do, well, whatever you like. Snacks are common, holomovies, hair, lots of talking. Usually ends up always talking about boys…” pausing and trailing off.
“- listen- all of my experiences come from when I was like 14 with my childhood friends.”
Setting aside bags of spicy chips on the desk.
“Now where are the-“ A knock on the door.
Walking over to answer, revealing a small droid, carrying a massive platter filled with multiple different types of greens.
“The greens for the mott, Miss Dulle.”
“Ah, right on time! Just what I was looking for, thank you.” Taking the platter and placing it on the designated Alk food mat before returning to the snacks in the bag.
Placing the generic drinks on the desk. Taking the rest of the snacks out, and placing them down next to Doon inside the fort. Before she herself crawled in to also sit under the fort. Patting on the ground beside her, beckoning Rue to join them under the fort.
Now permitted by both Doon and especially Esen having returned, Rue twitched towards the fort, but hesitated. Remy was not back yet. She should also be in first and permit him.
Also…Esen had not actually approved of the fort. He had not done well as evidence by Remy’s critique. Perhaps this was a mistake? Though Doon had praised it.
Who was he supposed to listen to the most? Who had hierarchy?
The hybrid gnawed on his lip, fangs drawing blood as always, but healing over near instantly. This was likely the incorrect line of thinking. Friends were meant to be equals, though Sir Sulvir was not yet his friend and was Remy’s Master. And this was Esen’s room. He should seek clarification.
“Uh, pardon…should this one not wait for Remy? Er…may it, I…” He nodded at the fort. “Apologies. I am somewhat confused on whose orders to follow. Or if there is an order. There are both friends and Masters. It is…” his bloodied lips pursed, thinking of the colloquialism lists in his journals, “crossing the…barrels? In my mind.” <@267489687902486530> <@160141735354171394>
“Remy has the option to join when she’s back. You can wait for her, or not. That decision is up to you, and you alone. There are no orders here, just fun.” She fiddles with opening one of the snack bags of jerky for herself.
“There are no masters here, just friends. Technically Doon- Mr. Sulvir is Remy’s master during training, but it is the weekend, we are off duty. As of the current time and day, we are all friends here. Do what you want. All is well. Vox will get over it.”
Vox now had made his way to sit next to the other droid and a series of small quiet beeps were heard at the mention of his name, but for the most part he didn’t move or say much else.
“To answer your earlier question, the fort is wonderful, you all did a wonderful job. -Eh er, your lip. Do you want a napkin?” Her eyebrows scrunched, slightly concerned.
Rue nodded along to the information, relieved by the forthright explanation and expanded context. Often people got caught up on how he asked what he asked, upset by his phrasing or questions. It was nice that Esen just managed to tell him things.
He glanced over at Vox at the beeping, worrying his lip harder. Had he upset Sir Vox? What was there to get over? Could he fix it?
“Hm? Oh.” The hybrid looked back to her question, deciding that if he could decide, he would join the soft fort. It was surely warm in there and the pajamas were drafty. He crept forward carefully and crouched at the entrance, then licked his lip and smiled to show Esen the lack of epidermal breakage. “No, Miss, this one is well. Apologies, the chewing is a…ah, the term is ‘bad habit,’ I believe? When something is considered improper but there is no rule or law against it? It will heal in a few heartbeats. The bleeding should be minimal enough that dressage is not required.”
He peered at the snacks, then back at the droids.
“Pardon, is Vox upset? I am sorry, I do not speak the droid. Can you tell him I will try to make it better?”
Doon was silent, glancing between the both of them as they spoke. His eye was caught by the snacks, as well as Esen struggling with the annoying plastic strip that opens the package. He leaned forward, extending his long arm to casually pluck the jerky bag from Esen’s hand. It did not take long for him to bite the corner and tear, opening the jerky quite easily. He stuck his snout into the bag to try and sniff it, but handed it back to Esen as Rue neared. He was familiar with stress caused self injury, the palms of his paws bore more than a few scars from his own metal claws.
He collected his own snack, tearing open a bag of spicy jerky. When his snout withdrew from this one, a strip of dried meat was caught between his teeth. He bit through it easily, a quiet rumble turning over in his chest while he chewed.
Rue’s nose twitched, his face screwing up somewhat at the sudden strong scents of spices and meat.
“They have that…stuff…at the Shame Corner,” he observed, in a quieter tone that indicated breathing more shallowly.
Following his visual movements to the snacks and then to the droid, listening to his words.
“The snacks are for anyone, though the chocolate truffles are for you and you do not need to share if you do not want to. Feel free to these in here. Though, fair warning, some are spicy.” All the while, continuing to struggle opening the bag of jerky.
“Don’t you worry none about Vox. He’s just a busy body. He stresses out about the state of the room, and his current main complaint is Alk. I’ve never had animals before, and he’s worried about the potential mess.”
A slight gasp left her as Doon took the bag and opened it. Her eyes locked on his movements. Murmuring to him a slight, “sorry for bothering your-“ she waves her hand to gesture to his sitting posture, “-zen - peaceful moment with the crinkling.” A sincere look plastered on her face as she gently takes the bag from him.
“… I - assured him I’d help him clean the room after the sleep over is done. Yet, he still stresses, and still complains to Gonkles who just laughs at him. It’s quite amusing sometimes, better than some holoshows.”
A slight smile and nod acknowledging Remy, whilst scooting over to let her in, Esen whistles a series of higher then lower pitched sounds. In return, Vox, begrudgingly murmurs back a set of monotone beeps before springing up on the desk. Knocking the spicy chips, she had placed up there minutes before, to the ground. Vox then drops back to the floor, with a small kerchunk. where he slowly shuffled the chips to the door to the fort, leaving them in front of Remalia. A few more notes were whistled from Esen and Vox then went to curl up next to her side.
“ -I did however tell him what you said, and that’s why he’s finally decided to calm down slightly, and join us.” She pressed the creased sides of the bag inward with her hand, making the opening as wide as it can be, before angling the wide opening to Doon, allowing his snout enough space for another sniff if he pleased.
Doon leaned over towards Esen, eye on her before dipping down to the bag. His head lowered and he sniffed the offered opening again, the quickly snapped a single piece up between his teeth. He chewed it as he returned to his position. His ear twitched, and he nodded to Remy as he chewed.
He waited to speak until he finished chewing. “Now with Remy, we are all present.” He set his bag down, intent on returning to it in a few moments. His large paws pressed together, pads rubbing against each other as if he was rubbing them clean of nonexistent dirt. “How do we.. begin?”
“Oh.” He has not realized the truffles were not only for him but that specific instructions included not sharing. Rue clutched the bag to his partially bare chest, then turned to Vox, facing the droid between the girls and trying to make ‘eye’ contact. “Vox. This one will help you clean. I promise. Thank you for opening your home to this one for its first sleepover.” Then in answer to Doon, he commented, “Well we have a fort…snacks…Sulla says there is the hair and nail doing…so there is that. I promised to make Esen’s hair a flower with gel. Or we could do braiding. I can braid your fur if you wish it. And we can do the talking about boys during that!”
He paused, head tilting, a little questioning chirp leaving him as his tail flicked back and forth at the tip.
“Is there a reason for only males specimens to be the subject of discussion? Would not females also be pertinent to any study? Or any combination thereof. What are we discussing about them? Should there be notes?”
Excited, he twisted in place before an answer and lunged for his bag, stretching out to reach like a fully stretching feline. He grabbed it and dragged it over, producing a notebook.
Remy sits on a blanket and holds her knees close to her chest, trying to free as much room up for the bigger and lankier of the group.
“Judging by the general priorities of upper class teenage girls, I am guessing she meant ‘boys’ in a courtship context. I am afraid I cannot add much, but I can try to give commentary.”
Rue opened to a fresh page and pressed it flat between all of them to be easily seen, then began writing down:
The last one was underlined for emphasis.
Doon did not know what was supposed to occur with these Sleepovers. He could only assume from what little he had heard between Sera and Diy chattering between each other. As Doon chomped down on a fresh jerky strip, he watched the cat like man stretch across floor to reach his bag. In particular, the sunset tuft tail seemed to catch his eye the most.
“I believe it is to… Gossip. About interests in men, in the security of a safe place.” He chomps another strip, already half done with his bag. He made a soft rumble, the spicy strips seeming to be at least somewhat satisfactory.
“Gossip…this one has not heard this word before. Can anyone define it? What interests? Why is security needed? Is it privileged or harmful information?”
Rue looked up from his position, still bowed over the notebook, at Doon through his lashes. His head tilted at the rumble.
“Shistavanen are obligate carnivores, similarly to one of this one’s chief species. Sir must be enjoying the meat,” he observed, then turned back to his note taking.
Esen blushed out of embarrassment.
“We don’t need to start. It’s already started! Er- Sleepovers, or at least ones I’ve been invited to and heard about, were basically comprised of early teenage girls. Hormone levels were wild, you know.. At the time we were only interested in boys.. which is ironically funny being as Sedeena now is married to another woman.” She chuckles to herself reminiscing over past memories.
“Sleepovers have a lot of talking usually, and conversations at that age happen to mainly talk about courtship or romantic interests. Not needing to be- specifically about ah- er male… specimens.” She looks to the ground grabbing her ankles of her cross crossed sitting position.
“Activities are really common too, like stated, hair, nails, snacks, Vox here has some downloaded holofilms if we wanted to watch a flick later.” She takes a slice of jerky out of the bag, popping it into her mouth, shrugging.
Rue took notes furiously, his script changing from flowing penmanship recognizable as Basic into something that more looked like scratches and short symbols. He had a neat paragraph of lines and dots and shapes by the time Esen shrugged and munched her own jerky. Satisfied, he nodded to himself, then finally sat up out of his stretched pose.
“Apologies. I am getting…perhaps too focused on studying this. When I should be ‘experiencing.’ Elly has said I do that at times.” Sheepishly, he closed the notebook. “Um. Sulla also said they do games at hers. With secret keepers and fortune tellers, which she taught this one to construct, and also games, such as the Truths of Daring. Is this correct?”
Trying to model the others, he picked his bag of truffles up, bracing it with his only hand and, not unlike Doon, biting on to the edge to tear it with a yank. Truffles went everywhere as the bag tore in an uncontrolled fashion, but Rue didn’t seem to mind, clearly used to such a result. He just began gathering them up with a sweep of his tail and plucking with fingers.
<@147021450706944000> <@160141735354171394>
“Ah yes! I had forgotten about the joys of truth or dare! Thank you Rue, good notes! Here I’ll start.” She looked over at Rue,
“Truth or Dare, Rue?”
“Um.” Rue paused in his truffle gathering. “This one has not played, what are the rules? Truth?”
Remy grabs the bag of chips Vox had offered and began to open it with precise movements, apparently trying to keep from making too much noise.
“One person requests either truth or dare, then that person either asks a question of them that must be answered truthfully, or demands an action to be performed.”
Finishing opening her bag, Remy places one in her mouth, “it should be noted that the game is intended to be light hearted and in good faith, so truths and dares should be embarrassing at worst.”
“I see. This is informative. Thank you, Remy. Thank you both. I know I ask many…” Rue surreptitiously glanced at his notebook longingly…and then fidgeted, busying himself with opening one of the truffles. He popped it into his mouth, and loosed a small moan that transformed into a hard, chittering purr, a surprised expression melting as his eyes fell closed. “Ooh. T'is ish gud, Ehsen. Tanku.”
Doon’s ear twitched, he shifted his position slightly to be more evenly facing the others. Another strip was tossed into his mouth for him to silently chew as they spoke. He had played games like this in the past, they had gone… interestingly.
“I second what Remalia said. Then after doing said dare, or answering the truth you then get to choose one of us to ask.” Not satisfied with the explanation as words fail her, her eyebrows scrunch.
“Here I’ll ask someone different, so you can see the example.” Shifting her attention to Doon,
“Doon, truth or dare?”
<@160141735354171394>
Rue nodded along, appreciative of both lecture and demonstration based learning methods. He turned to face Doon, scooting closer and watching keenly.
(Meanwhile Alk was still trying to reach the hanging flowers. Alas. He was getting tuckered out. Huffing, the off duty gentlemott dropped back down and moved to sniff around instead, crossing over to the Gonk droid and snorting.
He rumbled a contemplative noise. “Dare.” he then ran his tongue over his teeth, ensuring all the meat shards were freed.
She ponders, staring at his facial features, thinking. The corner of her mouth lifts up into a side smirk.
“I dare you to show us your most embarrassing dance move,”
Rue leaned over, whispering (ineffectively) towards Remy, “What makes a dance move embarrassing?”
<@147021450706944000>
Vox had chirped up, hopping up and down excitedly, before glancing between Esen and Rue repeatedly. Very eagerly chirping beeps before nodding with his head. Calming down shortly after, he returned to nestling between Remy and Esen.
Gonkles portrayed a series of higher and lower tone gonk gonk and as Alk had approached further, the noises became more frequent. Yet, the Gonk droid did not move, and actually hasn’t moved at all. He just sat there, nestled between Esen’s bed and her desk.
Though it wasn’t the chirps Vox was making, Rue attempted chirping back. Then a thought occurred, and he pulled the massive heft of his thick braid over his shoulder, beginning to pick out the flowers he put in it today while they waited.
Alk pawed at Gonkles, puzzles by the noises. He jumped about in place, trying to start a game of stompies.
Gonkles continued to make noises, more frantic this time, but remained put, unmoving, besides the movement caused by Alk pawing at him. Upon hearing the panicked gonk, Esen calmly scurries out of the fort. Standing up and walking over to Alk’s food platter, grabbing a couple strands of greens. She walks over towards Alk, giving him him a few soft pats, angling the greens in front of him. Luring him towards the direction of the greens platter, and away from the unmoving Gonk droid.
Rue leaned out, looking at the scene, and growred a soft word in Wookiee. Then, to Esen, “Apologies, he is trying to play with Gonkles. Perhaps after food he will want to nap.”
Then a repeated command to Alk, who followed the tasty greens in Esen’s hand towards his supper, blankie cape dragging behind him.
Still angling the greens,
“No worries at all, thank you very much.” She sighed slightly,
“I found Gonkles on a job, left like trash. He was still active and alert yet, unable to move. He is an older model indeed, but to leave him there like that. I could not.” She pauses for a moment,
“I’ve been trying to see if I could fix him. Alas in the midst of getting settled, and training… I have kept him waiting long enough. I have a meeting with engineering staff to help me fix him. Hopefully soon he will be up and running, or- er- waddling?”
Remy leans over with a much quieter voice to actually remain unheard, “People who put effort in to maintain a certain appearance with others often feel embarrassed when they do something that conflicts with that image. A dance move that is childish, lewd, or otherwise undignified might be considered ‘embarrassing’ for that reason. While someone like Master Sulvir might not be consciously maintaining an image, most people are, at least to some extent.”
She sits back up, subconsiously eating another handful of chips.
“My droid was pieced together over years. Thanks to the simple and commonplace nature of B1s, I was able to find enough whole, undamaged pieces to construct one without proper knowledge. Unfortunately, its processor, while powerful, was even more eccentric than most B1s, so I have been considering finding a new one.”
“Oooh,” Rue murmured to Remy’s quiet explanation, wondering about these appearances and what, if any, Sir Sulvir might have had. And then, of Gonkles, “Oh, that is terrible. I am glad he has found a loving home with you. Please do not be too harsh upon yourself. You have been very busy, and still care for him.”
And finally, turning back to Doon, who still seemed hesitant, he offered his hand, “Does Sir require a dance partner for embarrassment?”
Doon, who had been running through the catalogue of all two dance moves he knew in his mind, raised his gaze to Rue as his hand was extended. With a moment to consider, the wolf pushed himself up to his feet. He then reached down to gently grab Rue’s arm. He softly pulled, helping lift the hybrid without wrenching his arm. Still holding hands, he scooted away from the tent slightly, into the open room so they would have enough space.
Freed from the confines of the tent temporarily, Doon inspected rue over again. He settled on the easier of dances, holding Rue’s hand out to the side and letting his other soft paw rest on the exposed hip. “Have you done this?” He grumbled, opting to settle into the position before beginning.
“Yes,” Rue replied softly, tilting his head back. He was easily moveable, the waifishness of his form even more apparent when one nudged him even slightly, though the way he stepped suggested being significantly more accustomed to leading in dancing than following. Nevertheless he went pliantly, willowy and easy, and chuckled as he smiled up at Doon. “Although, this is the first time in over a half-century I have had to look up at this one my dancing partner. Usually, they are litluns. What would you like this one to do?”
As Doon and Rue get out to try and dance in the small room, Remy decides to try her own hand at something else. Her eyes narrow as she tries to focus like she did whenever using the force. Staring intently at the side of Rues head, she tries to imagine that the barrier between minds is weakening, like a stream flowing from one pond to another.
Reaching out slowly, carefully, Remy tried to project thoughts, anything into Rues mind and… she saw his bright hair ruffling almost imperceptibly in an invisible breeze. She lets out a slow breath, hoping that her Master would not notice her “frivolous” use of the Force.
Doon tried to settle into his stance, only getting distracted for a few moments by the rainbow haired Hybrid gazing up at him. “Follow. I will start slow.” He rumbled, apparently not noticing Remalia’s efforts. With a long, slow breath expanding his chest, he started a slow Waltz-like step.
It seemed he too was not used to dancing with someone close to his height, even if rue was still shorter. He moved slightly awkwardly, keeping his back straight and chest forward. His usual posture was more inwardly hunched, animalistic. Now that he stood at full extended height, he truly was towering. Once more, the fluffy fur of his bare chest tickled at rue’s face and neck from the closeness of the dance.
Rue himself, however, did notice something like a slight pressure against his mind, like a child trying to knock but doing so too lightly to be heard. His gaze briefly darted to the women, noting Remalia’s concentrated look and raising a brow at it, but then flicked back once Doon spoke. He dipped his head in acknowledgement, then carefully followed along, his tail swaying behind him as they went back and forth slowly.
“Is this correct?” he asked, glancing at Esen, then back, smiling encouragingly at Doon.
<@267489687902486530> <@147021450706944000> <@160141735354171394>
“Yes. You are doing well, Rue.” He reassured, almost absentmindedly as he was very much focusing on his wonky legs not buckling or somehow kicking or stepping on Rue. He slowly turned around the room, leading the by hand and hip. His tail trailed after their movements, following as the wolf made use of what room there was in the cabin.
He made a rumble noise, glancing at Esen as well.
Esen clapped her hands excitedly nodding.
“Yes wonderful! Though that dance is more formal I was expecting something more. Hmm. Embarrassing.” Giggling softly to herself.
“Nevertheless, the dare is done. Now because the question was posed to him, and then he followed through, it is now his turn to ask someone else.”
Walking over beeping slightly at Vox, music started playing Galactic Top 1000
“If you can’t think of anything I got this book from the Shame Corner.” Walking over to her closet and pulling out a 100 Truth or Dare questions
On Esen’s approval, Doon finished the dance with a gentle dip, tilting rue over while maintaining a solid grip. He rights himself and the Hybrid, then turns his gaze upon his apprentice. “Esen. Truth or dare.”
He stepped away from rue, slowly clambering back into the tent.
<@244244163002892288> <@147021450706944000>
Rue gasped slightly at the dip, not expecting it and clutching on a bit tighter, before he laughed. He bowed once released, both to his dance partner and to Esen, and then scurried back into the tent.
He tucked up a little closer to Remalia this time, resuming his work removing the flowers from his hair so that he could go to work weaving them. Two small piles were made, a quick glance at the BD unit judging circumference.
“Were you trying to say something?” he whispered extremely quietly to the other experiment while Doon addressed Esen, his lips not even outwardly moving; it was a practiced technique of one meant to be seen and not heard.
<@147021450706944000>
Remy doesn’t move from her compact position, but sets aside her now empty, and neatly folded, bag of chips.
“I don’t not believe I have any secrets from you, Master, but if you would have more from me, then truth.”
He sat with a slight grumble, letting out a long sigh as he eyed his student. “What is one thing you want? Physically, not power or knowledge.” He plucked a piece of Jerky to chew, munching it as he awaited a response.
Remy remains motionless for a long moment, her even stare idly locked on her Masters single eye.
“I… doubt I could give an answer that would properly satisfy you. My needs are as they have always been, safety, training and time. Anything else is just… an extention of those.”
She looks away from a second, out the door of the fort. For a moment she seems almost… reluctant, more emotion than she ever shows normally.
“I suppose the closest I could get to a frivolity… a commission from a sabersmith? Improving on the functionality of a lightsaber is rarely worth the cost, I imagine, so that could be considered a… want.”
She falls silent again, head lightly resting on her knees as she continues looking off to the side.
Rue smiled at her, encouraging softly, “It is very hard to want things when we have never known it. I think that is a good want.”
Esen pipes up after finishing another bite of snack, nodding her head to the music.
“Now it’s Remy’s turn to ask truth or dare to someone.”
“Desires are favored bait of the Dark side, as well as distractions from responsibility.”
Moving only her eyes, Remy then looks at Rue, “But that leaves you. Truth or dare.”
There is another moment of silence as Remy tries to think of something to actually ask that wouldn’t be entirely too grim or personal to ask in the current setting.
“What was your… happiest… moment.”
The hybrid blinked as his hands slowly stilled, his expression loosening as his gaze took on a distant glaze. His lips curled slightly, a softness about his smile accompanying wetting eyes. A few more blinks, and he looked properly at Remalia again.
“Would you like to see?” Then, thoughtfully, to the others, “or, all of you? If permitted and comfortable, of course. This one has a certain skill in…the sharing of memory…but also some small illusory magicks. It is how this one would often entertain the litluns.”
<@267489687902486530> <@160141735354171394>
Remy blinks and lens forward, her legs splitting to sit tailor style. To experience something like… memory sharing from such an advanced practitioner of the Force would definitely teach her something. Of course, it could be something derived from Rues genetic hodgepodge, but she felt it was unlikely.
“Of course. I strive to see as many such abilities in practice as I can.”
Doon thought for a few moments, staring down at the final piece of spicy jerky speared on a metal claw. He nodded, glancing at Rue. “I will partake.” He then bit down on the jerky, tugging it off his claw with a smooth tearing motion.
“You don’t get to see my thoughts yea? If not then sure. But if so… that makes me reluctant.”
“This one could receive some stray thoughts if it was to perform the memory meld,” Rue explained, finding Remalia’s sudden piqued interest notable. “In essence, it would be giving you my happiest memory also. But this is direct only. I cannot do it to all of you at once. For sharing, an illusion would be more appropriate; and does not access your thoughts, only affects your senses.”
To demonstrate, he lifted his only hand, drawing their attention to it, and suddenly a glowing flower blossomed into existence, and the room seemed to be permeated with a floral fragrance.
“This is not real. But with the Goddess’s gifts, this one can manufacture the image, the scent. If this suffices, I can merely show you the moment; you will not feel it like a memory. If not, this one can simply relate the story.”
<@160141735354171394> <@267489687902486530> <@147021450706944000>
“I will take the illusion. Thank you though. I’m not the biggest fan of someone even peaking into the rats nest of my mind. It’s nothing against you Rue. I just-“ she inhales,
“I can feel emotions of others, this is true. I cannot control it, but I don’t feel it’s the same as reading minds. In a persons mind it- is a place they can be entirely themselves. Have their own thoughts privately. I am sorry.” She deflates slightly, but peaks back up with the,
“But I’d love to see the illusion.”
Rue just smiled at her. “There is no offense committed and no need for forgiveness, Esen. It is a nice thought that there is a place such as that. This has not been this one’s experience, but it is kind of you to try and extend that kindness.”
Turning then to the dare at hand, he was quiet a moment, eyes fluttering closed and brows lifting and furrowing with the concentration of memory. And then:
Sudden, frigid cold. White tile underneath and around them, a transparisteel wall. The blankets of their fort poked through in spots, as did their snacks. The music seemingly cut off, filtering in and out. Singular bright red eyes in the corners of the room, watching from the ceiling, ever-sentineal cyclops.
And:
A small figure ran through the tent wall and into their midst, no snacks disturbed despite their dashing through them. They were tiny, no more than four or five, certainly, though entirely lacking in the baby fat a toddler should have had. They were stick-thin, skin stretched over bones, dressed in flimsy white clothing made from the papery material of hospital gowns. Bright red, violet, and mottled yellow bruises bloomed on their arms, legs, and chest, and several bandages wound around them. The catheter of an IV was implanted in their hand but disconnected for the moment, just a needle sitting at home.
- They looked like…well, like Rue, only with white skin and hair. The same scales and eyes, the tail, the montrals. The same fangs as they shrieked in joy like only a child could.
“PAPAH!” the girl squealed, running forward and reaching up, jumping. A hazy shape, matching Rue’s colors but more like paint with water dumped on it than the crisp features of the child, caught and lifted the little one up, spinning them around in both arms. *“PAPA I DID IT! LOOOOOK!”
“You did it, baby, I am so proud of you!”*
Just like the blurry approximate of a figure, the voice that was Rue’s was off, or perhaps just what he heard rather than what his fellows did.
“Apologies, this one is not very good at approximating itself,” said the real Rue from his seat, watching the images dance. He was crying yet again, his shoulders slumped with the weight of worlds, but his expression adoring. “She had been practicing very hard for some time and finally managed her goal. This was her happiest moment. And so it is mine too.”
Abruptly, a violent choking sound rocked the illusion, and red flared, splashed across. The present Rue made a wounded noise, and suddenly the imagery faded. The music came back full force. It was warm again.
“A-apologies. I did not mean– that last bit. My mind slipped.”
Remys first instinct was to grill Rue on exactly what he was doing to make the illusions, but even she knew this would be an innapropriate time. Thinking back to the… experience a second time, she noted the cell-like appearance of the location.
“You are a father then? Your answer makes sense, many parents claim their childrens happiness is their own.”
“Yes,” Rue’s reply was soft, gentle words treading on holy ground. He busied himself again with the flower crowns, tail and fingers working deftly, mindless with time and practice. “I have had many, many litluns. Now that I have seen them, I would say as many as there are stars in the sky– but of course this is exaggeration, for space’s size. More than there are books in some libraries, perhaps. She was…she was one of the ones I had the longest with. She. She grew. Had. She was– we had nine beautiful years. Nine.”
The hybrid inhaled hard, snotty, and smiled to the group with tears spilling down his speckled cheeks.
“Her happiness is this one’s happiness. It is no claim.” Another sniffle, a huff of breath. “Although I will admit the greatest joy that has been being here in the Outside and finding that children are typically healthy. It is statistically significant, that a majority are. A majority! This is also a great happiness…but when you asked, I thought of this moment. So it is.”
Finishing the crown at last, he turned and offered one to Vox, glancing a bit shyly at Esen.
“This is for you, Sir Vox, as this one cannot braid your hair.”
Doon watched silently.
Every scrap of meat he swallowed decided, at the same time, to launch themselves sideways in his gut.
At least that’s what it felt like.
He leaned forward slightly, eye drawing to a distant, shadowed corner of the tent. His ear started to ring, dulling the voices of the others as the fur across his shoulders raised.
<@267489687902486530> <@147021450706944000>
“I always wondered if my mother hated me.”
Remy was now looking up, remembering a piece of her past she didn’t think about to often, meaning most of it.
“I never met my father, and they only let the mothers become servants to us after… well, it was a test. If any of us showed affection to our mothers, they would remove us and start over. She taught me things, some basics of the Echani language and martial art but… I wasn’t really her daughter I guess. More an object that looked like her. I’ve heard that one of the most common cultural faux pas is to mess with corpses or speak ill of the dead, so maybe something like that?”
Her eyes refocus, “Eh, I didn’t mean to be dour. My mother is alive and being taken care of by the Siblings somewhere in the New Republic. So no harm was done. Who would you target, Rue?”
“That was beautiful Rue and I’m glad you have those memories to live through.” She gives him a soft yet genuine smile.
Vox hopped up to Rue, squatting down in a slight bow allowing the crown to be placed before standing upright and twirling in a circle, like an excited dog, beeping happily.
To Remy in a slight murmur,
“I don’t think your mother hated you from what you’ve mentioned to me. It just- seemed like she was trying to survive as best she could in that situation both of you were put into.” Esen grazed her fingers on Remy’s forearm, a faint whisper of a touch. Her eyes filled with empathy.
“Besides, you already know that my parents accept you for you, and you’re welcome and loved there.”
Turning her attention to Rue, brushing off the internal thoughts of sadness for the two of them,
“Alright Rue, you answered so now you get to choose one of us, to ask Truth or Dare to.”
<@147021450706944000>
Rue smiled, still sniffling but beaming, as Vox twirled. He chirped back, even if it wasn’t Binary. Then as the droid retreated to keep dancing, his saffron eyes went to Remalia, sad but understanding, and he thought to speak to her later, as promised.
For the moment…he could sense he had caused sadness and discomfort all about. Clearly the truth was not wise for him to choose– he would create an atmosphere that was not ‘fun and light-hearted’. He would select dares henceforth and try to repair the damages.
Which turned him towards Doon, whose heartbeat and respirations had stilled and spiked and whose stomach had cramped– he could hear it all. Nevermind the raise of his fur, a sign he knew from litluns with Shistavanen genetics. Or the distant look. At least Remalia and Esen were both speaking. They were lower down the triage list.
“Pardon me, Sir Sulvir?” Rue asked very softly, reaching out to touch one of the soft paws once more. “There is much hair for this one to do…may I begin to braid yours, while we play?”
<@160141735354171394>
“And I will ask…Esen, of the truth or the daring!”
<@267489687902486530> <@147021450706944000>
Doon was slowly brought back as Sulvir was spoken. The paw twitched at being touched, and his eye refocused on the rainbow swatch that spoke to him. His jaw clenched, then relaxed as he nodded. “Yes, may as well begin.”
Golden eyes took in the jump of muscle, and Rue crept closer, reaching up to carefully, gently run his fingers through the thick, gray-speckled black mane. He debated a moment, considering the blanket fort around them and the logistics thereof.
“Pardon, Sir…I can work on either side of you, or…this one knows it is considered inappropriate in some instances to sit in the lap, but I could also access the front that way. Whatever Sir is comfortable with.”
Esens cheeks heated to the question, slightly nervous, but ignoring the gut feeling,
“Truth. Though I don’t feel my life nearly as interesting as yours.”
Noticing Rue start to fiddle with the mane,
“Oh that reminds me!” Esen quickly scrambles up again from her seated position. Before moving her way to her closet and pulling out a small zipped up bag.
“Here.” She said giving to Rue. Inside the bag were plentiful amounts of combs, hair ties, bobby pins, scrunchies, gel, hair spray, and assortments of clips. All sorts of different shape, sizes, and colors.
“Save me a section eh?” She added towards Rue as he started with the hair.
Doon watched Rue for a few breaths, then shrugged his large shoulders. “I do not care where you sit. If is comfortable and convenient for you.” He moved his arms, pulling them away from his lap so it was freed if that was indeed where the Hybrid chose to sit. With a roll of his neck and a soft rumble, he prepared himself for the styling.
“Oh!” Rue gasped in delight at the bag. “How fun! Thank you, Esen! And yes, I will…save you a section.” Though he did not know her plans, he was agreeable. Except: “But Esen. Surely your life is very interesting, as none have lived it but you. And you have already shown this one and it seems also Remalia so many kindnesses and new experiences. Please do not doubt yourself so.”
In fact, that gave him an idea.
“Such as! Ah, the previous sleepovers, with your friends, and the talking of the boys. Are there boys to talk of here? On your ship? Tell us of this,” he decided, hoping this would be correct.
At Doon’s assent, he crawled even closer before clambering into the Shistavanen’s space, his own thin legs spreading so he could hover over one of Doon’s thicker thighs, briefly bracing himself for balance against Doon’s chest before he got his center. Then he went to work, his tail flicking up and high to join his questing fingers in beginning to plait the mane.
<@267489687902486530> getfucked <@160141735354171394> <@147021450706944000>
Esen’s blush deepened slightly,
“There’s a lot of males on the Voidbreaker. I could tell you of their name and rank, but I am not sure exactly the question? I uh, - the previous sleepovers when talking about boys was more of, who is dating who. Are you asking whom I am dating or if I am?” Stated very coyly.
Remy turns to Esen slowly as she sets down her… third folded and empty bag.
“I think it’s fairly obvious he meant any you would have your eye on. Again, in a courting manner, in case you wish to try and play the fool. I feel the need to mention that this topic, in specific, was suggested by you.”
“Yes, that,” Rue chirped, nodding decisively as he fiddled with a plait. “Thank you, Remy. This one apologizes if it lacked clarity, Esen.”
Esen’s embarrassment blush had deepened thoroughly to her ears by now. She fiddled with her fingers that rested in her lap.
“You know my mother worried about me when I was younger, thought I’d never find someone, being as I wasn’t really interested in relationships, well- not like the other Zeltron. Later on I found out that I was just craving the emotional attachment. Talking and getting to know them first, the uh- physical attraction comes later.”
She sighs straightening her posture from a slouched position.
“I - we… only just moved onto the Voidbreaker fairly recently and I don’t think relationships would be advised as it is unprofessional in a work environment. On top of that I haven’t really gotten to know too many males specifically.”
Taking a deep breath, steading her waves of emotions, chin held high, posture unmoving.
“Out of the few, a possible contender would be Doon.”
Resisting the urge to ramble more to save her from her overwhelming embarrassment. Fighting the internal battle of self consciousness, how she’s probably not his type, and he’d not be interested anyways.
<@160141735354171394>
“Oh,” Rue said from his position on said man’s lap, and then, hearing the escalation of her heartbeat and rush of blood in her cheeks, added cheerfully, “apologies, Esen, this one did not realize the talking of courting boys would be what it believes to qualify as the stated verboten embarrassing or difficult, due to your mother’s worries. It is sorry. If it helps ease your or her mind at all, it is in this one’s extensive century of medical and psychological education that developmental wellness does not necessitate physicality. This one has no such relationship or attraction experiences, but it has noticed that it seems to find itself staring for an inappropriate duration at some of its male friends and acquaintances– its um, friend Sevarin, in particular, is very beautiful.” Roses blushed in his cheeks. “Sir Sulvir is a prime physical specimen of his species. This one can also admire his form. You are not alone. This is the gossiping, yes?”
Then he smiled at her and kept braiding.
Remy reached forward and grabs a bottle of… something. She had never really paid attention to foods like these, usually just eating whatever was available in the mess hall or was shoved in her hands by one well-meaning person or another. She cracked it open and took a long sip.
“I suppose I must defer to Rues judgement on that. Such a pairing would be a statistical anomaly, but many things are. I should mention, though, that it seems many, if not most of our superiors are already engaged in prior romantic relationships. For instance, my commander Wild'en and the Captain, or First Mate Zig and Zuza. From what I have seen, the Brotherhood at large is not much different.”
Remy is quiet again, seemingly thinking deeper for a moment.
“I believe you are permitted to pursue anything in this Brotherhood, aside from anything counter to your superiors interests.”
Doon’s ear twitched. He glanced towards Esen, watching her for a few moments. Then Rue agreed, and his attention shifted to the hybrid. He glanced between them, his tail making a single swish along the ground behind him. He rumbled a sound off and spoke. “No one will stop you from pursuing an interest here. As long as you do it respectfully. This goes for you, too, Remalia.” He shifted, lifting himself a bit off the ground so he could turn to face everyone evenly, carrying Rue along quite easily if not tilting him closer to his chest.
“I am not offended. My own interests are wide, varied. Many and plural. Stare, if you wish. I am not bothered by such interest or closeness.” He grumbled and gave the two a glance before shutting his eye, relaxing as best as he could while remaining upright.
<@147021450706944000> <@244244163002892288>
Rue gave a small, surprised mrrt at them moving, but not much else. He just was forced to brace, his half-arm pushing into Doon’s chest with a typical jolt of pain from the ulnar nerve.
“This one finds there to be many different rules for so many different things. Laws compared to rules compared to societal niceties, which is a classification it is struggling with the depth of. The defensive civil and criminal law was much simpler.” He twisted at the hips and pushed up, stretching over Doon to reach a particular spot. “Who is next, Esen?”
Doon cracked an eye open as Rue shifted, watching as the man stretched over him. He was silent for a moment, then blinked. It looked like he had a deeper thought, something more profound to speak on in the matters of law and etiquette, but words did not leave him for one reason or another.
It was becoming apparent that Remys growing pile of trash was sorted by recycleability, mostly just paper and different grades of plastic. This is mildly concerning, as it is hard to see exactly when she is eating something. Setting down a small plastic case that had previously held some sort of fruit, she looks back up at Doon.
“You know I pursue my interests as much as I can though I am not entirely sure of the intended subtext.”
She grabs a sleeve of crackers as she shifts focus to Rues back.
“They are all ultimately the same thing, standards agreed upon by a group that all members of the group uphold. Laws are for states, rules for organizations, taboos for cultures, etcetera. I find that if you just stick to formality, speak when spoken to, and only do what duty requires, breaking those standards is rare.”
The tiniest of gwrows left Rue, a chitter of frustration that from his position Doon could see was a rapid flutter of the hybrid’s lips and jaw that showed fangs. Like an indoor tooka chattering at prey it could not reach. His tail flicked sharply once before he reached behind him and caught it, giving a smack almost, and then both limbs went back to deft braiding.
“This one would have thought so, but by and large, this seems to be incorrect in this one’s experience– there is too formal, and not speaking enough, and this one has no assigned duty, only a purpose which in the Outside is considered ghastly and continuously causes emotional turmoil and upset, and, thereof, only a singular wish which in the Outside is often rejected, constrained, or even protested due to perceived notions of tribalism that confound who is and who is not deserving of life.”
By the end of his ramble, his voice had actually risen for the first time in present company, litling tones thickening with more of a rumble. His skin glimmered with the faintest silvery sheen, and his tail’s fur had risen.
He took a deep breath, pausing in his braiding, and seemed to catch himself, ducking his head.
“Apologies. It is only…frustrating at times. This one has always been very good and followed every rule. It was good, before. It knew how to be. Now goodness is always in question, violence is the most oft solution, and– and every other time I speak I make someone uncomfortable or have done something wrong. I would be silent, silent and still and unseen, this was the ideal, but that is wrong too! The world is …very wonderful. But very confusing.”
“Yes but I would stop me.” Esen said no more than a faint whisper.
Unfortunately for Esen, she was in a blanket fort with at least one or more people with super-senses. Rue’s Kessurian montrals allowed him to hear heartbeats from across a room. A whisper didn’t escape him. Lowering his arms – this was not a very fast braid, he had to say – he twisted around on Doon’s lap, leaning towards his friend braced on his one hand, as if he might crawl up to her in a moment. His brows were furrowed.
“Why would you stop you?” he asked.
Esen straightened her back and posture, placing that invisible mask over her emotions.
“Hmm? Oh- you know. It’s rather unprofessional, like I said earlier.” Flashing a smile.
“Oh-uh er. Remalia truth or dare?” Still fiddling with her hands in her lap.
Remy stops halfway through a bag of her own jerky, emblazoned with markings of fire and peppers.
“I see no reason to venture beyond treaded ground. Truth.”
Rue frowned at her, a look of mingled concern and hurt splashing across his expressive features. It stayed there as he retreated with a slumping posture, dipping his head in deference and turning back around. He stared blankly at black fur for a moment before he went back to braiding wordlessly.
Esen’s face turned to a smirk, might as well.
“What is your biggest pet peeve? Extra points if you mention if it’s relating to me.” Chuckling to herself.
((As if summoned by the word pet, Alk, who had finished his veggies, trotted over to join the group, his blankie cape dragging against the other blankets that made the wall. Astride Doon’s leg, Rue wasn’t quite quick enough to keep him from nosing into the open bag of chocolates, and he got a few before the hybrid spoke a Wookiee no at him.
Remy folds the top of her bag as the thinks, her half-closed eyes looking through, more than at, Esens.
“Something objectionable, but not objectionable enough to be considered a true offense… I suppose it is the pity, the condescension. I am different from most people, hold views and priorities that would be considered ‘sad’ or ‘pathetic’ for normal people. This leads to people trying to ‘fix’ me or ‘educate’ me on the correct way to live. They are only people trying to take me from my path.”
She makes a calming gesture at Esen, hoping to curb any particularly negative reaction from her.
“You are far from the worst at this, Esen. You often pull me out of my comfort zones, and that may be from an attempt to correct my worldview, but I have made known my goal of meeting and making allies, as well as social skills to do that. You are… different, in a way.”
Rue’s braiding slowed slightly while Remy spoke. He was not unfamiliar with what she spoke of, but had never had the words to articulate it before. And they still were not exact, too confrontational, too bound to this path she spoke of, but…
Briefly, he turned and looked back at her.
“Thank you, Remy. You have voiced something… This one did not know the words for. It will perhaps help this one find them better, in the future.”
Doon was silent, and content with watching the others interact. Remalia’s response was not too explosively surprising to him. It was somewhat surprising for her to call out Esen to her face. His ear twitched and flattened, attention turning to see how she’d react.
“I try to push you to experience more, while not making things too uncomfortable.” She gives a chuckle,
“Your turn to ask someone.”
Remy nods and looks back at Doon, “Your turn, actually. Truth or dare.” <@160141735354171394>
With a contemplative rumble, and with paws slipping into his lap in between himself and Rue,, the wolf spoke. “Truth. Pry from me what you wish.”
Rue had started purring softly while he worked, not loud enough to interrupt anyone, just enough to soothe, quiet like breathing. He didn’t seem fussed as Doon’s paws settled between them, just shifting again so he could reach various places. Having been crouched and stretching for a good few minutes now, his hips let down, straddling one of the Shistavanen’s legs.
He was almost done. Except for the spot Esen had claimed.
Remy stratches her chin idly for a moment, “Scenario. A master of the dark side smashes in your door and uses a new ability crafted from the hateful slurry inside him on you. He does not survive long. Nonetheless, the power takes hold. The question: would it be more preferable that you grow double your size, or shrink to half your size?”
Her eyes grow distant for a moment, trying to imagine both forms of Doon. The large one would certainly not fit in the tent.
Doon frowned, head tilting down with his eye focused on the distant floor. His nose twitched, lost in thought. With a slow breath, his gaze rose so he could answer. “Doubled. I would be.. the size of a pup otherwise. Unable to do much of anything. Even if I do not fit in.. society. I can travel somewhere, once. A forest. There I will live, as a giant.” He nodded once and his own answer.
“This one would come visit in the forest,” Rue supplied brightly.
“I don’t think you would have trouble fitting in,” Remy says after a pause, “in fact, I do not know Zig well, but I get the feeling she would demand the cargo bay be made into your quarters. I think a giant would be looked on more in awe then anything else. People seem to like you.”
“Oh! Remy is wise. You could also come to the beach, with Hunyi and this one,” the hybrid added excitedly. “Who is ‘Zig?’”
“Don’t want to bite ankles?” She chuckles.
“I think I’d also choose double height, if the question were aimed at me.”
“Zig is the first mate of the Voidbreaker. She is not technically the captain anymore, but she still has much of the sway onboard.”
Remy moves a little, stretching muscles one at a time from her sitting position.
“If you stay aboard long enough you will likely meet her.”
“I see,” Rue acknowledged, finger combing more of Doon’s mane forward so he should finish his work. He wriggled closer, more or less climbing Doon’s front to lean over his shoulders.“It is then Sir Sulvir’s turn to ask again, correct? Oh, this one is nearly done, then Miss Esen can have her turn.”
As Rue finished, Doon rumbled, curious to inspect what had been done to him, and even moreso what exactly Esen intended. However, he felt the fur of his paws sticking from the jerky spices. While it was acceptable on his muzzle, normal to him, he did not enjoy the sensation on his paws.
“I will be back,” grumbled the Shistavanen, rising and fluidly displacing Rue, depositing him by the hips with a small mrp! on the blanket and pillowed floor where he had been sitting. Doon crawled from the tent and rose to his height, stretching briefly, before departing for the fresher.
Rue resettled, and looked to the ladies – and Alk, and Gonkles, and Vox of course.
“Esen, would you like your flower gel next?” he inquired politely. “What shall we do now?”
<@147021450706944000> <@267489687902486530>
“Oh- um sure! Whichever you prefer, you have a better taste for style than I do.”
She scoots closer to Rue, giving her back to him, adjusting her hair so all of it flowed down her back.
“As far as what we do, after this, I do not care. Did you like the plants from earlier? Maybe we could go there again if you wanted. There’s always the hot tub for me while you’re examining.”
“Oh, well.” Rue moved to get the hair gel Esen had offered, then settled behind her with a happy, calming purr. “I did like the plants very much! Does Esen want the tub that is hot? What is this? Would Remy like it?”
“I am fine with whatever you want to do, Rue. You wanted to gel and style my hair, yes?”
“Yes!” chirped the hybrid, getting to work. He grimaced behind Esen at the texture of the gel on his hand, but was quick to start the floral sculpting as Esen shook out her pale, dark navy locks.
“Does Esen have a favorite flower?”
Esen settled back getting comfortable.
“Hmm- oh uh, Lillies.” She pauses for a moment just content with the movements and the room.
“Have you considered being a hairstylist on Selen? Could always offer mobile services, going to peoples living spaces, and maybe make a few credits here and there.”
Rue hummed and his movements shifted at the indicated flower, beginning to sculpt. At her question, he gave a thoughtful mrr and shrug.
“This one has not considered it, no. Its purpose was to be an experiment, and some little beyond that, a healer. I…wished to help. To heal and repair and keep safe. These are also skills it excels at, both in medicine and in the Force. It was …I did not learn about the commerce and its acts until coming here. I did! Assist some of the Envoys! Which is why I wanted to bring flowers, when we met. This was my first job. I do not know what hairdressing would entail. Or how I would begin…”
Remy spread out a bit more, now that the largest member of the group had stepped out.
“I’m certain you have friends enough that at least one is buisness minded. But given what you are able to do, your styling skills could be considered a luxury service, and you could charge much for it. Do not forget that like knowledge or the Force, credits are a great source of power you could use for the betterment of others.”
Rue paused, a look overcoming his face as though Remalia had illuminated something entirely new.
“They…could?”
Remy nodded, “Yes. Most who operate under the title of ‘hair stylist’ simply cut hair for utility or basic appearance. What you do would more likely be considered ‘hair art,’ and is something that more affluent people might commission for important events.”
She places down her third bottle, her rapid consumption finally seeming to slow.
“Should you enter buisness you must consider this. If you make your prices too low, you must deny most requests so you have the time to work on those you accept. Again, you should find someone who knows how to run a buisness and ask them. It is easy for new entrepreneurs to be taken advantage of.”
Esen listened to them back and forth murmuring her agreement, trying not to move too much for Rue.
Rue eyed his notebook where he’d stashed it with a hopeless sort of desperation. Alas. He kept working on Esen’s hair, happy for the doing, just wishing he had more limbs.
“Hunyi is a mercenary…she told me about finding her jobs. And Elly is a lawyer. But I do not know anyone who runs businesses. Perhaps this one can find answers with research at the library.” He tilted his head. “Do either of you want to do a business?”
Esen calmly stated,
“Not me, I like travelling too much, seeing new places, and new things to do. Being in the military, I am used to descesions made for me, and- I just don’t think that’s for me.”
“Esen has been in The Military long?” Rue asked.
“That depends on how long is long. Esen has been serving Selen for five years, since we first went there.” Remy looks over at Esen, pausing as she thinks for a moment. “We are young. Five years seems a lot to us, but I know most considered ‘veterans’ have served for decades. All things considered, Esen proved herself capable of supporting the Brotherhood very early, and unlike I, she only started working for a dangerous life with her conscription. That, in addition to her speedy advancement, shows latent ability in the extreme.”
“ah yes, I joined shortly after I turned 18. Am 22 now. Ah- er 4 years. More or less. Yes, Remy has seen a lot more than I, unfortunately.” Her face turns solemn.
Remy nods once, still thoughtful.
“I suppose that is true. The time Esen spent in the military, I spent as a… treasure hunter, more or less. With the Order fallen and Luke’s academy vanished, there is no real official way to train as a Jedi, so I set about collecting as much data as I could. I have many scrolls and files on datapads, even a small holocron, though it has little information of actual import. But in those times, I did travel much, see many places, run down as much of it was. I came back to Selen when I found a functional lightsaber in a New Republic sanctioned archeology dig, and needed a place to hide out for a while.”
Rue was quiet as he listened to them both, absorbing the details of their lives. His lips curled and eyes wetted at their speaking of being young, when they had lived five full years. On top of twenty-some. Or however many additional ones Remalia had.
“This one has heard of the Republic but is not overly familiar yet. Its studies have focused elsewhere. Surely it is certain though that you have both lived much, and are incredible as you are.” He hummed a few melodies. “So Esen is twenty and two and joined the military…and Remalia seeks to be of the Jedi, and is…?”
<@267489687902486530> <@147021450706944000>
Remy began to fidget. She had reached her hourly calorie limit already, and had nothing to do while the other two did their buisiness with Esens hair.
Doon isn’t here she thought, there is training to be done then
Most of her Force training required either an opponent or too much focus to continue engaging with Esen and her guest, but she did have some trash laying around. She lifted a hand and the caps of her three bottles spun off of their own accord, after which they moved in front of her and began to slowly rotate in an intricate pattern.
“I am not much older. Twenty-three, by galactic standard. I have not achieved much beyond what few missions I was allowed by the Inquisition, but I hope to accelerate soon. Since joining the Brotherhood I have realized how impotent I truly am, and time is a luxury that comes at the cost of lives, so I need to grow my power rapidly while I have access to the Brotherhoods resources.”
“No matter what you think of yourself or how you think the Brotherhood views you… You are valuable to me, Remy. A-and my parents. No matter what you do or don’t do.”
“So very young indeed…and yet so old…” Rue murmured more to himself. Then after the girls went on, he added, “This one agrees. Remy is more than her productivity or test results. This is something we must learn, no? That to be not only an experiment, to be also people, is to place value beyond objective metrics and our previous definitions of worth.”
<@147021450706944000> <@267489687902486530>
“Very well worded, Rue. Yes, I agree with that very much.”
Remy shakes her head as her bottle caps spin into a trinary orbit.
“I am not gaining power for it’s own sake, honors, or some arbitrary measure of value. Strength, the Force, credits, rank, knowledge, all of them are tools to forward my mission, which is time sensitive itself. To waste time on leisure or dulling my edge to ‘be a person’ is to endanger more lives for personal gain. As it stands, that edge is the only thing allowing to progress at an average pace, so it would be even worse for me specifically.”
Rue tilted his head as he finished the last of Esen’s petals.
“A time sensitive mission?”
The battle caps stopped spinning and snapped into a smart line.
“The one who created me, or rather the one responsible. The Republic claimed they killed him, but he was too paranoid and intelligent. He had too many backdoors, backup plans, and too much forewarning to be caught like that.”
One of the caps flew away from the line and buried itself under a pillow.
“The rest, the Siblings, the menials, the breeders, they wanted to leave. Become refugees and put that life behind them.”
A second cap hovered over to its bottle and spun back into place, leaving one last cap floating in front of her.
“I am dedicated to hunting him down. I will find him and end him myself before he can create another armory of living weapons to feed another Empire or First Order.”
As she spoke, the last cap floated over to the pillow where the first was hiding. It lifted out from behind, now accompanied with the contents of a half finished chip bag. The last cap slammed into each of the chips in something resembling a space battle, until the two caps shattered upon each other, leaving a small pile of broken plastic and grain based snack products.
Remy began to clean, again with the Force, redirecting the garbage into one of the bottles.
“Every day I go to hotels, casinos, or slumber parties is a day Tant has to gather people to twist into doll soldiers. Unfortunately, there is something about my biology that is incomplete, so if I negle t leisure entirely my productivity slows considerably.
As Remy spoke, Rue merely looked sadder and sadder, not in any tearful way, but in a tired way. His saffron gaze was old beyond measure, weighed with decades on decades of grief and exhaustion.
“Violence and hatred of that kind are terrible things, Remalia. The anger is poison to your body and soul and to all those you touch.”
He gestured with a sticky hand at the trash shrapnel put into the bottle.
“It bleeds into all you touch. I feel it in you. Please. Please consider peace. Elly is a defense lawyer. Her entire job is to protect others by taking care of the ‘bad guys’ within the law.”
“I told you before, I don’t feel hatred or anger. This is merely a duty I have taken upon myself. There is no emotion, only peace.”
She finished cleaning and moved the remaining cap from one bottle to the other, so as not to spill.
“And the law is impotent against the rich, powerful, and particularly tricky. The Empire was built under the feet and over the head of the Jedi Order at their peak through and because of the law. I will not allow him to escape because of a bribe or a slimy lawyer.”
The hybrid merely sighed softly and shook his head. For all her words, what he sensed was decidedly not peace.
“Goddess guide you,” Rue whispered, and wiped his hand off. “Your hair is done, Esen. Thank you.”
Esen was silent throughout the duration of their conversation. Present yet staring off at the wall. Face unmoving. Despite her withdrawn appearance, she heard every word.
The words ringing through her as if she were a large cave and they were the echo.
Every day I go to hotels, casinos, slumber parties, is a day that Tant has to gather people
A soft,
“Thank you, Rue.” was said with her head tilted slightly to the direction of him.
Her face stern, and zeroed in on Remalia.
“Would you like to go train rather than be here? We can go with you. At least I could. Train for a bit. I don’t want to seem like I am wasting your time.”
Rue was quiet, bowing his head to Remalia at Esen’s question.
“Apologies. Whatever is wished.” Indeed, he was not worth her time or consideration, and had no wish to burden either woman.
A misstep. Remy always tried to avoid this line of conversation, and now both of the others were closing up like a carnivorous plant poked with a stick. In retrospect, she realized that she had, in effect, called Esens efforts a waste of time that Remy was just dealing with. She considered mentioning that she was always training, If not social skills then some form of subtle Force powers, but concluded that wouldn’t help this situation.
Mystery. People did not like people who explained the chemical processes of love, the barren emptiness of space, or the uncaring randomness of nature. People found beauty in mystery.
“You have asked me to accompany you on leisure trips nearly daily since we joined the Brotherhood. You have invited me to simple walks and high end balls. I often refuse, meaning that I do not waste my time for your benefit. But I do accept your invitations often. Make of that what you will.”
Why did she do these things? Surely she could accomplish this Force training better elsewhere, and she was obviously inept at socializing. Why bother training in your weaknesses when-
The thought skittered away, as they sometimes did. Remy had always figured it was a way her mind filtered irrelevant information, like how she did in battle.
“I am bad at speaking, aside from reports. But I am here of my own will. That should say something by itself.”
Finally, the door opened again. In walked a ball of heavy, fluffy blankets with equally fluffy arms wrapped around it. The blankets were varied in color, and a large head poked over it, tilted so Doon could somewhat see where he was walking. He waddled over from the door that slide shut behind him, stopping infront of the tent.
Fwumpf
The mass of blankets hit the ground, sending a small blast of air into the tent. From the top of the pile of the blankets were three squared bottles, one already opened. Doon plucked them from the pile carefully, setting them just outside the tent before he crawled in, pulling the blankets in with him.
He took a few moments to tuck the blankets away, around behind and over the laps of the sleepover guests before he sat down and collected more around himself. When finished, the inside of the tent had become a den of cushioned soft blankets and existing pillows. With a satisfied rumble, not having noticed the vibe to the room, he reached out side of the tent to grab the opened bottle. He caught the cork between sharp teeth and plucked it out with a pop, then dropped it into his palm. He took a long drink from the bottle, then handed it to Esen.
Only then, once settled and with a warm burn running down his throat, did he actually look at the others to see what he missed.
Rue was silent as Remalia went on, and then as Doon returned and there commented a swaddling. The hybrid was easily moved as a feather or a kitten, finding himself in short order quite surrounded by blankies. His nose barely poked out form the masses as he was transformed into a lump.
-# “Welcome back Sir Sulvir.”
Then, noticing the bottles:
“What is that.”
“Welcome, master,” Remy Intones while bowing her head.
Seeing the bottles and hearing Rues question, she considers.
“Drinkable alcohol. Recreational poison meant to enhance social gatherings…”
People had liked her better that night at the hotel, no matter how undignified and rational she had been…
Remy grabbed one of the bottle and downed a third of the violently painful liquid before Doon snatched it back.
Esen awestruck took the bottle from Doon’s hand, gently. She stared at him a moment, then to the bottle. As if she were weighing pros and cons. Her eyes running circles, tracing the edge, where his lips were a moment before. Around and around the opening. Around and around went her sanity, as she continued to stare silently.
She put the bottle to her lips and tilted her head back slowly. Taking a big swig before placing it down in her lap.
The burn crept its way down her throat. Releasing a slight “mmm”, before licking her lips. Savoring the taste of the Shistavenen and alcohol. Her eyes drifted closed, and she tilted her head back.
A silent moment of bliss…. Of which faded fast. Right, she had invited company over… she had been acting a fool and she was not alone.
All of a sudden she broke out into a cough. Chalk it up to the alcohol. This was not her first time drinking, she was a Zeltron after all, many parties she was invited to in her youth. She could handle alcohol. Still she coughed, playing off her actions moments before.
Raising a hand to her chest,
“Ah, thank you Doon. And- er, welcome back. Came supplied with comfort items I see.” Her face red, another thing she could blame on the alcohol.
Turning her attention to Rue.
“Rue, have you ever had alcohol before? It doesn’t taste good, but it does make you more… relaxed.”
“If you would like to try, I can grab some water. There’s no pressure either way.”
Rue shook his head. “This one has not had the drinking alcohol for the recreation, though it has almost occurred on multiple occasions now since coming to the Outside, only had…um. Other experiences with other non-potable alcohols.” He looked at her curiously, intently, saffron eyes analytical but innocent. “Is Miss Esen well? Her heart rate accelerated greatly and breathing shallowed while she was drinking of Sir Sulvir’s bottle.”
“ah er- yes. I am fine, just been a minute since I last had alcohol.” another forced cough.
“Want to try?” she holds out the bottle for him to take if he wish.
Doon meanwhile, had not particularly noticed Esen’s reaction. He instead pulled a blanket up and over his shoulders, the corner of which fell over the top of his head like a pointed hood that let his one ear remain perked. He grumbled again as he shifted to get more comfortable, leaning back into a selection of pillows and other cushioning that was thick enough to support him.
“It will not be good to drink it quickly.” He stated, his golden eye pointedly staring at Remy. “Take a sip. You will know what it tastes like. Then if you want more, drink more. It will make you feel loose. Tingly. Lightheaded. It is usually a positive feeling. To much, and it will behave much more like poison.”
“This one is familiar with the poisonous effects of the alcohol functional hydroxyl group,” Rue said to Doon, nodding once as he extricated himself from some of the cocoon Doon had made of him and reached to take the bottle from Esen with a smile in gratitude. “These are the experiences this one indicated. Significant experiment needed to be conducted on this one’s organs and bodily systems in response to alcohol poisoning, acute liver failure, blood toxicity, and the like.”
He spoke quickly but eloquently with pronounced enunciation, reciting as if giving a report. A curious sniff at the bottle heralded him sticking his tongue out a tiny bit and poking the rim with it, licking the tip a few times before he sipped as instructed.
Underneath the blankets burying, his tail cramped tight, his jaw locking, tears springing to his eyes. But he was silent and otherwise didn’t flinch at the awful taste and chemical burning. He set it down after a moment between everyone.
“From my experience, alcohol is mostly painful and unpleasant, but it is useful in social gatherings. At the hotel we first met I also met some other people because of the erosion of self control.”
Remy looked aimlessly at the bottle on the floor, waiting for the whiskey she had already drunk to begin taking effect.
“It really doesn’t make much sense. You would think someone who is predictable and stable would be preferable to speak to.”
Rue shrugged his shoulders.
“I understand. This one'e behaviors are oftentimes unsuitable as well. Socialization is difficult and nuanced, moreso than any sciences, mathematics, medicine, law, or other topics this one has studied. We can practice together, if it would be encouraging.”
A flush was rising in his cheeks from both the sip of alcohol and being so swaddled, but he clearly was not affected by the small drink.
“This one is quite robust against poisons and toxins. It suspects a significant volume will be required to alter its state.”
Esen clapped her hands together softly, before shifting her weight to sit closer to Doon. Digging into the bag of hair items, with one hand. Running her fingers through the spot of mane, Rue left for her. Pulling out a small elastic band.
“Right, what’ll it be lads? There’s the pools, conservatory, holomovie. Stay here and continue to drink, I could always order actual proper food from kitchen staff.” Rambling off listing a few more activities.
“Remalia? Hair maybe?” She looked over to Remalia over Doon and peaked an eyebrow in question.
“Oh yes, this one could also do Remalia’s hair if she wished,” Rue tacked on.
Remy froze for a second. This… ritual of hairdressing was strange, and she was always cautious of others being around her hair due to its unique properties. She supposed that was irrational, given that she was displaying it brazenly now. but… She had already messed things up. This might be a way to further smooth it over.
“I… suppose I could allow you to practice your craft on me. I just ask you not use the chemicals, I don’t fully understand what my hair is composed up, nor what it may react with.”
“Of course, Mi– Remy. This one will merely braid.” He beamed at her, and then began the struggle that was getting out of his cocoon. Doon had really TUCKED him in tightly, and he did only have the one arm. Nonetheless, the hybrid made it eventually, wriggling free (and having to tug the loose pants back up) and crawling over to sit behind Remalia. He peered at her shadowy hair with a curious mrrp?
“May this one touch?” he asked, to be most certain.
She nods, “It is not dangerous or toxic, so far as I know. And I believe it has the same properties as most forms of hair across humanoid species, although I have not had much experience in that area.”
It took a moment for Remy to realise that Rue was asking permission, not out of worry.
“Ah, yes, you may.”
After surfacing from the mental waves she was struggling with, had remembered her hair. She had not given Rue a proper appreciation.
She grabbed a small hand mirror from her bag and gave it a look see.
A gasp of excitement left her as she placed her hand over her heart. “Oh my, Rue! This is absolutely phenomenal. I really should have went and washed my hair at the Flitz, and taken you up on your offer that night. It would have been a great conversation starter! This is definitely party hair and deserves to be seen by the world.” She pauses for a moment pondering.
“Maybe when done with Remalia’s hair we go to the Conservatory and see if we can run into anyone along the way?”
Rue smiled and blushed, mrring happily at Esen’s joy. He nodded to Remalia at her given permission, though the information was interesting, and began to braid, finding the texture not too dissimilar from most well kept hair.
“That idea sounds lovely to this one,” Rue agreed. At least the conservatory did. He could hide behind the plants while Esen, Remalia, Doon, and Alk were all seen by the world.
And so he finished braiding his fellow experiment turned person’s hair with floral twists, resulting in a magnificent magnolia waterfall whose tendrils dangled just about at her shoulders.
Alk stompied happily.
And the party went on.