Adventures on Hoth: An Icy Demise

[Aurelio Murtix]

​

Aurelio sighed in relief as he leaned back into the comfortable seat of the civilian transport ship, knowing that in just a short while he would be heading towards a planet where he could grab a decent place to sleep, after possibly finding some decent company of course, and think about his next moves. His eyes were closed in an attempt to take a quick nap, but the artificial light was a bit too bright for him so he resigned himself to just enjoy the peacefulness and maybe a drink or two. The transport was packed with other people on their way to a similar destination, much to Aurelio's dislike, and the ship itself was flying through the savage Hoth system on its route towards its goal.

The young noble found himself bored, and tried to occupy his time by looking out the view-port towards the icy planet. It looked pretty enough from up in the safety of space, but everyone knew that the cold alone would be dangerous for anyone down there, let alone the possible wildlife still running around. It was home to many battles of the past and a few situations even now, but fully taming such a place was truly impossible. For some reason it seemed as if they were moving towards it, and Aurelio began to wonder what was going on as the pilot's voice came over the comm.

"We've encountered a few possible rogue fighters, but we should have it under control momentarily once our escort wards them off." The pilot was trying to sound as calm as possible, but there was an unmistakable undertone of fear in its pitch, "Please stay calm and seated as we rectify the situation as quickly as possible."

After a few more minutes of a fragile peace, where worried whispers and naive optimism could be heard all over, the ship began moving towards Hoth with increasing speed, and the pilot's now obviously frightened voice returned to update them on the situation.

"Our escort ships are engaging what is most likely a group of pirates, but please put on your emergency harnesses while we try to evade!"

Aurelio looked out of the view-port along with the other passengers after securing himself, and spotted a single fighter racing towards them with an obvious intent. It's weapons went off as it got close, firing on the engines in an attempt to immobilize them, and sure enough the engines were damaged almost to the point of no return. With what propulsion was left the pilot began moving towards Hoth to escape, beginning to enter its atmosphere as the escort ships continued their battle with most of the other pirates. The one ship that was on their tail returned for another attack run, firing again but hit the middle of the ship most likely by accident.

Just about everyone aboard was screaming as the attack tore a large hole through the ceiling and damaged the floor, creating a vacuum that sucked out whatever or whomever was not secured to something. After realizing the error in his ways the pilot pulled up from behind the transport and moved back to aid its now battered allies, leaving the ship to continue its rapid descent as it began tearing apart. The pilots slowed their speed down as much as possible to a considerable degree, but in the end it could not stop the damage that was done from splitting the ship in half. Now the ship was in two separate pieces and each crashed with decreased, but still considerable, force. Everything suddenly going black for Aurelio

He awoke from his quick slumber still held into the seat by the damaged harness, but hanging since his half of the shuttle landed on its side. The young noble's face was bloody from a cut to his forehead and cheek, but felt surprisingly fine besides feeling quick sore from the impact. Aurelio undid the secure of the harness and fell a few feet to the ground, which was the other side of the shuttle, and suddenly realized he was in fact not as well off as he thought when he suddenly felt a very sharp pain in his chest that made him grimace and grunt. After some searching he found his durasteel case, opening it to find his blaster and foil, then bundled himself up in as many pieces of clothing as he could before venturing out to see what his situation looked like. He was not pleased.

@Aurelio Murtix [member="Ærin Firebrand"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Aurelio Murtix"]

To sleep, perchance to dream…

The constant hum of the shuttle engines formed the back drop to Aerin’s dream. The image of her sister’s smiling warm face gave Aerin a sense that Inger is alive and well. But Aerin knew this, the force bond between the two, as it is recognised now, dispelling the fears once held after the ruse of her heath on Midvinter. However, this did not remove her concerns, she had not seen her sister for some time and Aerin wanted to speak face to face with her. This is the purpose of her travels now.

The vision of her sister vanished abruptly as a sharp jolt of the infernal flying metal beast shuddered violently. Rudely awoken, Aerin looked around for the cause of such intrusion on her repose, only to see the confused faces of the other passengers. A second explosion sent the confused faces into fear followed by screaming which drowned out the pilot’s announcement.

Aerin, already secured to her seat could do nothing. Barely able to contain her own fear, the fear she always had when flying. The long fingered hands wrapped around the end of the arm rest turning her knuckles white, her breathing became laboured as she held for impact.

Another explosion rented the ship in two, air rushed into the gaping hole sending all lmanner of items and debris hurtling toward her, small shards of metal cut at her face before she turned her head away, only to see several passengers cut and killed by larger pieces of the flying metal. Others, sucked out and fell to their deaths. One by one Aerin felt their life force leave their bodies.

Fear was soon replaced with anger, this was not how she had envisaged her own death, uncontrolled and out of her hands, to die for a noble purpose much preferred, but destiny would deny her this? Then everything went black.

Aerin, unaware of time spent in the darkness of her mind, awoke to the smell of rank gases and burning. She had survived, and the need to get out immediate. Unclipping the harness, she stood. Her long legs protesting with pain. Looking down she saw the tear in her leather trousers blood caked to the torn hide. Pushing through the pain, she walked to the gaping hole of the ship. Passing many death, she focused and searched through the force, trying to locate any other survivors. Nothing save for a faint life form some distance away.

The view that fell before her gave her pause, as ice cold air tickled the skin on her face. If it was not for the tragedy of the crash, Aerin would have laughed with joy. Ice, snow, subzero temperatures, yet she allowed her heart to sing.

She felt the blood running through her veins cool, the invigorating cold giving her renewed energy, something she had not felt in some time, and this set her soul on fire. Limping she moved out onto the ice field, her eyes falling on the sharp peeks in the distance, it was then she allowed a smile. But reality soon revisited, she is alone with on way off or provisions, and still very much in danger.

Looking back toward the downed ship, the nose buried deep into the ice, she wondered how she had survived. Had another? Yes, she remembered sensing them, the force alerting her once more, as she turned to see in the distance, the other half of the crashed shuttle. Someone is alive and so she began to make her way across the ice toward them. The temperature holding no deterrent for her.

 

[Aurelio Murtix]

I hope the sun runs into this planet some day.

That was what Aurelio was thinking as he shuffled through the snow, covered up in various pieces of clothing he collected off of the corpses near him, and began walking up a hill to try and get a basic idea of what was around. He was shivering and cold, with his warmth slowly slipping away bit by bit every time he moved. Once on top of the hill the possibly doomed traveler looked around the landscape as harsh icy winds began to blow into his face, and after a few moments he spotted what looked to be the ruined remains of the front half of the transport!

For a moment he was excited at the prospect of possible survival, but his hopes were quickly dashed by the thought of how anyone could survive that kind of crash. Aurelio himself somehow did, but for now he was just going that he was on his own and not depend on other survivors even though he had no real skills to make it much longer. At this rate he would be frozen stiff by tomorrow, and he knew it. With draining heat and optimism, it seemed as if fate had other plans for him besides death when he spotted what looked like a cave far out towards the other half of the transport.

Whether the cave could be dangerous or not did not matter to Aurelio in the middle of this weather, and after some time and struggle found himself inside the mysterious area. He was still holding the clothing tight to himself, but could not get warm for the death of him (which he sought to obviously avoid). He tried rubbing his hands, which made for a very quick flash of heat before becoming a useless waste of energy, and even slamming nearby rocks on each other to create a fire to no avail. After these failures Aurelio laid down on the hard and rocky ground of the cave, glad to be free of the harsh winds, but now he knew that he was so poorly able to cope with this that death was the only outcome he could image at the moment.

And if I do go, I hope the sun eventually takes you with me Hoth!

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Aurelio Murtix"]

A black column of smoke snaked up into the sky from what was left of the stern of the shuttle. Although cautious to approach, Aerin had to get inside. The scene similar as before, bodies strewn throughout and the ship appeared more damaged here, the engines hardest hit. At least now, she knew the ship had been attacked, no malfunction, scorch marks evidence of that. This widened the danger more, who ever had shot down the shuttle did so with purpose and no doubt they would seek their spoils soon.

Aerin found the cargo hold, easy enough considering it now lay waste to the elements. With small hope, she looked for her trunk in which her possessions are stored. She searched kicking away broken metal, climbed damaged crates, contents spilled which she noticed contained food rations. About to give up, her eyes fell to the back of the bay, several trunks scattered .. she ran. She found her's soon enough, her heart lifted at the sight of it, quickly she opened it, inside undamaged her bow and quiver along with personal items and her thick fur coat, a possession she holds dear.

Her sword ever ready on her hip, Aerin dressed in the fur coat after which her bow and quiver placed on her left shoulder, her right carried the back pack. Leaving the way she entered .. she paused by the broken crates, quickly gathering scattered food rations and filling her pack. A small explosion from the engine room quickened her pace, as Aerin once more, walked the ice.

The presence of the life form nearer, but moving, her head turned left in the direction of a hill, only a black dot on the horizon indicated the person. The cold weather of Hoth unforgiving, at least she is adapted, but most are not, whoever it was would be frozen in a couple of hours if they do not find adequate shelter. As is her habit, her face lifted to the skies, no cloud or sign of impending storm, at least that was something, however the day would come to an end in four hours. She began to run toward the wayward figure, hoping to find the person still breathing whence she arrived.

Her long legs pumped through the iced snow, her leather boots crunched with every foot fall. As she progressed her eyes found what looked like the entrance to a cave, to get clarity of direction, Aerin reached out through the force and sensed the person inside. She approached with caution and entered finding a man on the rocky surface. The force told her he is still alive, however, his energy levels dropping fast.

"Are you hurt badly?", she asked on approach, and pulled off her bow, quiver and pack. Aerin peeled out of her fur coat, "Here take this", she said more, but did not wait for a reply as she placed the fur over the man.

 

[Aurelio Murtix]

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

What he hated most about this was not simply that he was going to die, although that was obviously a big thing he didn't appreciate, but that he was going to die a pathetic death without having done what he set out to do. Honor, wealth, and glory would not be his, and his legacy would be that he ended the Murtix line by dying in a frozen heap of random clothing. No matter how hard he fought, the cold was simply too much...

"Are you hurt badly?" he suddenly heard a woman's voice, most likely another survivor he had not known of, "Here take this." Suddenly he was wrapped in a thick fur coat, the cold trapped outside for now as he began building up heat again. Aurelio didn't really believe in things such as the afterlife and gods, but there was one mystical thing he knew for a fact existed and decided that maybe it didn't want him dead just yet.

"Th-thank the f-f-force you're here." he could barely get the words thanks to his chattering teeth, annoying him a bit since it made the young noble sound like a fool, "Help m-me and I w-w-will repay you as b-b-best I can."

Aurelio used his returning warmth and strength to bundle himself up more in this miraculous fur coat, then glanced over at his savior. She was pretty, with fiery red hair and piercing blue eyes, and looked more than ready to take on this harsh world in all of its frozen cruelty.

"Are y-you from around here?"

------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile up in the space above Hoth, the pirates had just finished off the last of the escort fighters and were regrouping to think of a plan. Their leader was a brutal Chiss woman who saw potential in this planet as a base for their operations, and could not have survivors giving her away. That was shy she wanted to simply disable the transport up here and do what had to be done before scuttling the ship. That was unfortunately not how things went down. The foolish Gran pilot who had damaged the transport that much would be punished of course, but the pirate captain didn't say how or when.

Once the remaining five fighters were ready, they all began flying back into the atmosphere intending to find the crash site. On the way down, the leader opened a channel with the fool who put their operation at risk.

"Hey idiot, slow down a bit so I can keep an eye on you. Otherwise you'll screw something else up."

The target of her insults knew he messed up, but never liked it when she got like this. Always berating him for even the smallest of mistakes. Sighing, the pilot slowed his descent and put himself directly in front of her. That would be his last mistake, as she suddenly opened fire on his fighter. In mere moments it was reduced to a flaming ball of wreckage, and the rest of them pulled away from it to head towards the crash sites.

"Let that be a lesson to the rest of you; Do not make any more problems for me. Now two of us will check out each spot, look for survivors, and end them before they ruin everything."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Aurelio Murtix"]

The effects of the Fur immediate which is what Aerin hoped for. At least the wind chill factor reduce with the thickness of the coat. With time the man would recover his temperate, but they do not have time, danger is still present and closing fast.

"No, I am from a distance planet, I am not aware of this place", she said as she looked over the man before her. "We shall concern ourselves with details later, but for now we need to move from here", she said as her head turned back toward the entrance. At that moment the sound of ship engines rolled into the cave. "Who ever shot down the shuttle have arrived and they will find our foot prints in the snow .. we are still in danger".

Aerin knew at this point the man was in no condition to travel, she will have to be intrusive. Both her hands lifted and she placed her palms on his cheeks, it was at this moment she noticed his handsome face which is very pleasing to her eyes. Using the force she pushed through her energy and strength, he would feel a gentle tingle on the skin, and his blood and body begin to warm with the transfer. She could not sustain this for long, but it would provide him with the needed strength to move coupled with the use of the coat he will be able to maintain a good level of body temperature, until they can get somewhere safe.

She stood and gathered her possessions. Aerin sensed nothing immediate in the area no life form of any significance. "Where are we?", she asked more to herself. A cave or is this something more. She looked back to the man for this thoughts.

 

[Aurelio Murtix]

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

The strange woman before him spoke of danger, and it was only then that Aurelio remembered that they did not crash here by accident; they were shot down. The ones responsible for all this must be on their way to finish the job and take the spoils of their crime, and even though he had survived the cold with her help the baron was not sure just how the two of them alone could deal with pirates. He tried to stand and found himself too cold and weak, which was when the woman suddenly placed her hands on his cheeks and began to demonstrate her abilities. With a simple touch an odd sensation moved all over his skin, and after mere moments he felt as warm and strong as before the crash!

The rejuvenated Aurelio quickly got to his feet as the mystery girl moved to collect her things, and pulled the coat tighter around himself to keep in his new heat while he watched her with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity. It was most likely that this girl was a force user, evidenced by her strange ability, and Aurelio always found himself feeling a bit jealous when facing those who were blessed with such power. She could do so much here while he could do so little, so he would have to rise to this challenge if he didn't want to prove himself weak.

"Where are we?"

"I didn't have time to explore the cave before you arrived to save me." He looked deeper into the cave and found that he could not see the back of it, "It's possible that this cave goes deeper, and I feel it would be better to explore that option than go back into that damn cold." Aurelio began to walk towards the darkness of the cave's depths, then pulled out his foil and ignited it to create some light with its blue blade before turning back, "By the way, I am Baron Aurelio Murtix and I am in your debt. For now."

Before she could answer he moved on ahead into the shadows without her, determined to not be seen as useless by conquering this cave and finding them a way out. As he moved forward he could hear a low growl coming from straight ahead where the cavern opened into a wider area. He inched forward slowly as he tried to figure out what was making the noise, with sweat slowly coming down his face from the heat of the coat and the fear in his mind. Eventually his foot hit something soft, and upon inspection found it to be the half-eaten body of a Tauntaun. It's corpse smelled horrible, but it was what was eating the rest of it that caught his attention.

"What is that thing?!" He yelled as the fearsome Wampa stood up and looked at him, roaring in anger at his intrusion.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Aurelio Murtix"]

An eye brow raised at his introduction. A hint of a smile turned up the corner of her mouth. She never intended for him to be indebted to her for her aid as it was given freely, but some viewed such things in this way. A Baron no less, a noble.. oh …… great. Although she had to admit, he has amazing dark green eyes and strong jaw line. Her smile widened more at this thought.

Having spent her life in the royal courts of Midvinter, Aerin had left her home planet in order to escape them, well that and the threat of an arranged marriage in order to secure an alliance between two clans. She loathed the politics of the courts, the back ground manoeuvring, play one upon the other, and jockeying for royal favours .. the sycophantic nature of the members court their, façade of smiles, while their minds and hearts loathed.

“Aerin Firebrand, Shieldmaiden of Midvinter, Chieftain’s daughter”, well that much is partially true, the truth of it is she is the daughter of a King.

The blue light from his foil touched the ice walls softly. A weapon of interest that only few carry, the hilt had caught her attention, the design and filigree notably that of a royal house. He spoke the truth she sensed no deception within him, only caution of her which was to be expected. She too now holds such deliberate countermeasure when meeting strangers, the trusting innocent girl well removed since leaving Midvinter, the wider galaxy demanded it if one was to survive.

A sharp spike of force awareness alerted her to an immediate danger. The abrupt halt of Aurelio almost caused her to walk into his back. Looming before them roaring protest and aggression a large beast, the likes of which she had never seen. Both her arms raised for her bow and arrow, an automatic reaction and between them they could fell the beast, however, her mind raced to another option.

“This could prove useful”, she leaned close to his ear and whispered. Although still learning her craft in the ways of the force, animal friendship is a talent she has mastered since the use of it at an early age. Her ability to speak to creatures has earned her the title of Witch on her home planet as the Valkyri know nothing of the force. “If I can quell the beast, it might prove to deter those that will follow us”.

Then the beast roared again and lurched toward them. Aerin’s eyes widened, the creature was in no mood of their company.

“Or we can kill it now!”. Aerin unsheathed her long sword, quarters to close for the bow.

 

[Aurelio Murtix]

A powerful beast now stood before the two survivors, ready to rip them apart and most likely devour them once finished. Aerin spoke of manipulating the beast, most likely with her abilities with the force, to use it against the pirates if they followed through the cave, and almost as if it was responding the Wampa began to move towards them with vicious intent. She pulled out an impressive long-sword with an intricate hilt and also presented the option of simply killing it, but even as fearful as he was Aurelio was not one to waste resources if they could be used instead.

"If you know you can do it, try to conquer its mind with your powers." He said as he slowly inched away from her, using his foil's light to keep the beast's attention, "I'll distract it, and you do what you have to do, but let's not get killed."

Once finished he began his plan of distraction by angrily yelling at the Wampa and waving his weapon around, causing it to regard him as a more enticing prey and turn to face him. It was a very large animal of what was most likely incredible strength, and it decided to prove that point by charging towards him with a plan to most likely just run him down. Aurelio was used to trying to manipulate others through how he could get them to react, and then acting accordingly to use it to his advantage. For those men and women who went off pure instinct, whether it was to kill, eat, find a mate, or what have you, it was even easier to manipulate them. The same could be said of the situation here, but with rabid animals it was a bit harder to defend against since they did it with an intensity and natural drive that was hard to counter.

Aurelio recognized that dangerous fact when it came barreling towards him and he barely managed to leap out of the way of its claws. To keep its attention the baron used his foil to cut a nearby rock and throw a piece at the Wampa's head, causing it to roar in anger and charge just as he expected it to do. He once again dodged its attack, but this time its claws found their way across some of the clothes he still had bundled around himself. Aurelio was not injured, but it was a close call that told him the beast was getting smarter and faster with its attacks. He would not last much longer...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Chiss woman who led the pirates, and was now covered in the looted jewelry of the dead, was still not very pleased since it was obvious from the tracks that at least one person did indeed survive the crash. Her Chistori comrade, second in command for his viciousness, arrived from the other half with his Duros partner to meet with her and the Trandoshan she partnered with on the very hill that Aurelio stood on after escaping the wreckage, and told her of the evidence he had found as well. With two survivors walking around a frozen place like this, it couldn't be that hard to find them.

She raised one hand for them all to stop their bickering while she touched the large scar going across her face with the other, looking around for anything of interest. They didn't see anything as they flew in and the could still find nothing as they followed the tracks in the snow, so where did they go?! It was then that she spotted the cave, and with a devilish grin turned to face her pirate subordinates.

"They must have hidden in that cave over there, the damn rats." She pulled out her blaster pistol and fired a single shot towards their destination, the sadistic smile still on her face, "It's been a while since I've had a good hunt like this, so let's enjoy ourselves."

The Chistori growled in approval, and the other two raised their weapons as they cheered. The hunt was on, and it was only a matter of time before they found their prey.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Aurelio Murtix"]

No reply came from Aerin, she understood his intentions perfectly. For the moment, the Wampa was confused as his prey parted, his natural instincts wanted them both, but it's attention now divided. Aurelio's bravery and distraction technique worked, to well... the beast focused on him, but the result made if grow angrier .. her job now tougher.

Aerin moved behind the creature, careful not to draw attention to herself just yet. If the creature attacked Auerilo, at least she would be able to counter that. The beast grew more agitated, more aggressive.. it is time to move. It's mind working to trap him. Her mind narrowed, focused completely on that of the creatures. She stood motionless gathering the force to her, through her and down her right arm as she lifted it. A gently wash of the force fell around the beast , calm manifesting within her link to it, both physically and more importantly, mentally.

It was fighting her, the aggression innate and strong, it lunge toward Aurelio, at the moment Aerin push a wall of the force toward the beast, a push that would send the creature away from him. She did not stop, her mind penetrating and quelling a harsh mind.

She began to walk toward the large Wampa, as it rose up from the ground once more. Eyes darting between her and Aurelio. It's head shook from side to side, trying to rid Aerin's presence within. This is no sentient being , no force users to counter attack and the Wampa began to subdue.

The link had to be maintained for a while longer, its aggressive nature continued to fight, admirable in her mind.

"You are weary, great one, sleep", she spoke softly, as she began to drain energy from the creature, a temporary effect. But the beast began to comply. The connection continued to flow between them, Aerin removed her own aggressive nature as she drew upon the light side of the Force. The benevolent light side entering her as much as the creature.

"Sleep, be at peace, we mean you no ill will". The Wampa gave in as it's knees buckled and it went to the ground to rest, it's eyes slowly closing, heart rate dropped and breathing shallow.

Aerin inched her way toward the back of the cave, her eyes meet those of Aurelio, a message of haste within them, the Wampa would not remain subdued for long.

 

[Aurelio Murtix]

Just as when they first met, when things were beginning to seem darkest Aerin was there to brighten things up with her powerful abilities and save Aurelio's life. The Wampa finally had him cornered and was ready to strike, which would have killed him if not for her swift blow with the force. From there the baron could only watch and hope as she began working her magic on its beastly mind to put it to sleep. Eventually the creature gave in to her commands and entered a state of sleep, and as Aerin approached him with those powerful and piercing eyes that met his own Aurelio felt once more the quick sting of jealousy and disappointment in himself. Once again he had shown that there was little he could do on this savage planet, but if only he had been born with the same gift she had...

After a moment of staring he finally snapped out of it and looked around for any other ways to get out. He motioned for her to follow, and after a few minutes of searching another small tunnel was found leading into even further darkness. Aurelio was a bit fearful of what could be even deeper into the cavern, and so to alleviate it he turned his head and took a quick look at his new ally. Aerin was strong, and he was glad that she was here with him.

"I hope you're ready Aerin Firebrand of Midvinter." he said in a hushed tone with a smirk, doing his best to cover up his nervousness, "Who knows what else could be around so we must be wary, but if you do become frightened I give you permission to hold my hand. Nobility must stick together after all through thick and thin."

Aurelio turned back around and began the trek through the unknown, keeping an ear out for any strange noises and his eyes strained to see even the slightest of movements. A quick gasp of surprise rose from him when a small worm-like creature appeared next to him on the wall of the cave, followed by a grunt of annoyance as he continued on. Eventually a light could be seen at the end of the tunnel, and soon the two of them found themselves in an open area far larger than the home of the Wampa. It was a ruined military base of old, and yet its emergency lights, while dim, still worked enough to let them see the majority of the area. A nearby sign he found had the words "Echo Base" on it, but the name did not ring any bells in his mind.

"What...is this place?"

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Aurelio Murtix"]

[SIZE=12pt]The truth of the matter was that Aerin did not like the surroundings any more then Aurelio. Even though the cold very inviting to her and gave her a renewed energy that she had not felt since leaving Midvinter, caves are not to her liking. Her love, the outdoors, exploring among the forests of the galaxy, hunting. Her heart sunk a little at this thought, she missed the days of old, hunting for her fare and clothing, trading at the markets of the capital and living her life of solace within the mountains. A large part of her wanted that life back. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She followed Aurelio as he lead her through the cave, only pausing momentarily over a worm, which she smiled at and stifled a giggle. Simply because she might have done the exact same thing. “I am ready Aurelio”, she said in response, deliberately not using his title, something she would avoid unless required. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]“And you have permission to hold mine, if you get frightened”. [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]She retorted, as she followed him through the opening and into an old abandoned base. Aerin had no idea of the place, Echo Base held no reference to her but the joy of having light again filled her heart with hope. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“A gift from the Gods”,[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] she replied to his question, more a thought spoken out loud. She did not believe in Gods of any kind. She walked ahead looking at all the antiquated wares frozen and covered in ice. Their breath visible on the air they breathed. “We might be able to send a signal for help?”, she turned to look at him but with an innocent look, the innocent girl from Midvinter had returned, “I know nothing of technology and useless to you now, but I might be able to start a fire”. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]The isolation of Midvinter, once unknown to the wider galaxy, had seen the lack of technology. Most Valkyri cannot use it, simply because they know nothing of it. [/SIZE]

 

[Aurelio Murtix]

The baron was more than ready to begin bragging about his knowledge of technology, which was minimal at best anyways, but when he turned to face Aerin he was caught off guard by just how small and innocent she seemed compared to the woman who just helped him take down a Wampa. It was almost strange to see her so dependent on him after all she had done, and while this was the chance Aurelio was waiting for he did not enjoy it as much as he thought he would. He wrapped the fur coat a bit tighter around himself, but then decided to remove it from his shoulders.

"I feel much better now, so you can have your coat back." Aurelio muttered as he placed it on her shoulders, "You'll need it more than I do sitting there making a fire, since all the walking around will keep me warm"

Feeling a bit more in control, he began searching the area for anything useful while wondering about how they could get out of here. The facility itself was quite run down, but if the emergency lights could survive after all this time who knew what else he could discover? The chill soon began to return, and as he began to shiver Aurelio finally ran into what seemed to be a console of some kind. After a few moments of tampering it suddenly jump-started to life, and a small holo-map of their vicinity popped up which showed that this was merely a cut off part of the main base itself. Either way it was a miracle that they found it, and after using the console to turn on the rest of the lights another miracle presented itself as he found what seemed to be an emergency signal beacon.

Aurelio pushed the button to send it out, and found himself distraught when it said the task was impossible to follow through with. Their one chance at rescue was possible doomed from the start, but he would not allow it to beat him so easily after all that had happened. A thought did enter his mind however, so he went back towards Aerin to see how she was coming with the fire and present his idea. He arrived still cold, but did his best to pretend that he wasn't.

"Glad to see you're still alive." he said with a smirk to lighten the mood, "So how have you been in this short time while I was gone?"

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Aurelio Murtix"]

[SIZE=12pt]The two stranded travellers were afforded a little respite, in relatively safe cover within the base. Time to take stock of their situation and form a plan. A puzzled look crossed her face as Aurelio’s demeanour changed slightly, she could tell he was still cold but offered the coat back, which she accepted without protest for now, she too feels the cold, and would , if left to the outside elements eventually fall to them, her body however, more able to tolerate the colder conditions.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She threaded her arms through the sleeves and fastened the waist. Aerin did not worry about the fire possibly giving away their location, the light from the base would do that before the fire. So she busied herself gathering anything that would burn, from old clothes, flight suits, some wood from old broken crates. She doubted that the life support on the base would be operational. They had light but that probably would be the limit. Once she was happy she had gathered enough fuel, Aerin took her lightsaber from her belt and ignited the sith blade, the red light filled the space around her, the humming horrible to her ears, however it would do the job. She placed the point directly on the clothes and within seconds they ignited into flames. The old wood began to crackle as flames licked around it. Aerin extinguished the blade and replaced the saber to her belt under the coat. One day she would get rid of it, the saber she found on the body of the dead Sith, as each time she used it, it spoke of ill to her. To her it was just a tool even though she could use it, one day it would betray her, as it would sense her shifting allegiance. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aerin crouched down on her haunches and feed the growing flames. Her head turned slightly as she felt the presence of Auerilo returning. She stood up and faced him with a smile as she stepped aside to revel the warm fire.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“Come warm yourself .. I have food, for what it is worth”,[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] she opened one of the rations she took from her back pack, to discover some foul smelling brown meat, not enticing to her nose, she offered it to Aurelio to see if it pleased his senses. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Her head turned to the entrance of the cave, her brow knitted as she thought, “We need to block that way into the base, I fear this is not over yet”. She said as she settle down by the growing fire, and ate something of the rations. “You not hungry?”, she asked as her eyes looked him over to see if her was hurt by the Wampa, now the coat gone she could see the injuries from the crash as well. She also took the time to look at her own cuts on her legs, the injuries to her face still stinging, but the bleeding had stopped.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“I should take a look at your injuries”. [/SIZE]

 

[Aurelio Murtix]

The fire was a welcome relief after dealing with nothing but a freezing chill, and as Aerin revealed it with a smile Aurelio felt safe for the first time since he got on this horrible planet. The offer of food was tempting as well, his stomach aching for some nourishment, until she actually showed it to him that is. The meat looked at bad as it smelled, which was horrid, and it was decided quickly that he would rather starve than eat a single bite of the food. He would settle with thinking about something better, while astonished that his associate could actually stand it enough to eat.

"I'm...not hungry." He responded to her question as he inched as close as he safely could to the fire, "And as for the pirates, I say let them come. They'll have a surprise waiting for them that they won't forget soon, and then their debt will be paid for stranding us on this damn rock of ice."

Aurelio looked over to see her staring, and it was only after a moment or two that he realized she was most likely looking for injury. He did his best to sit up straight, but winced in pain from the exertion. Aerin was injured to a point as well it seemed, so at least she wasn't as indestructible as he thought. She was human, maybe a bit different than most, but still human and even though she had injuries of her own she was still worried about his.

"If you must..." the baron muttered as he began slowly removing the articles of looted clothing he had on his face and body until the almost frozen cut on his head could be seen, and then lifted the bottom of his shirt after wincing in pain again to get a look at the painful spot in his chest. It had a large amount of bruising all over the right side of his rib-cage area, and while it hurt Aurelio was at least thankful that the harness most likely saved his life if not at least his ribs.

"So...Aerin Firebrand, Shield-maiden of Midvinter and the daughter of a chieftain." If he was going to be examined, he might as well find out more about her in the process, "That makes you nobility...in a savage sort of way I guess. You would make for a very interesting noble-woman on some of the more civilized worlds, I'll give you that."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Aurelio Murtix"]

[SIZE=12pt]“A savage.. are you calling me a savage?”,[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] her brow raised as she discarded the ration. Which she did without protest, as it tasted as ‘good’ as it looked. She sat close to him, her eyes going over his face, before she took hold of his chin and turned his head to examine the injury on his head. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“This look to be deep and will require aid when we get out of here, but the bleeding has stopped”,[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] she informed him. As he lifted his shirt to expose his ribs, Aerin noticed the dark bruising a pattern of the harness and no doubt she would have something similar as her body ached around the ribs. However, there was more concentrated blackening in one area, her hand moved and touched his skin, gently at first. She leaned forward and then past him, her hand reaching out and grabbed hold a piece of ice on the floor, debris from the ceiling of the base. As she pulled back, she smirked at Aurelio as she placed the ice directly to his skin, a little firmer then required, a small payback for calling her savage. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“This needs to be iced”,[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] she smiled. “What exactly is your definition of civilized?, I take it that you have been to Midvinter in order to make such a comment”, she retorted. “After all one could not possibly make such comments without knowledge of it”. She knew full well he had not or she had no doubt he would have said. Aerin looked him firm in the eyes, his beautiful deep green eyes and held her ground.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“And you a Baron making such sweeping statement, oh tsk tsk”,[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] she chided more. “I shall educate you, Midvinter has a monarchy .. a King at the helm. Each province is run by a Chieftain a Clan leader, my father was one until his death. The courts are as you would know, the same political arena. Although the weather is similar to this, it is more beautiful and more convivial, I should take you there one day so you can see for yourself. And what makes you think I am not already a noble-woman?”. Now she smiled more.[/SIZE]

 

[Aurelio Murtix]

It was a stupid thing for him to say directly in front of her, but he had always been pretty open with his words even if they were insulting. He should have realized there would be a price to pay for it though. Aurelio flinched a bit in pain when she touched his bruised area even a little bit, but when Aerin touched it with the ice he had to grip his knee until the pain passed. It wasn't long before the soothing relief of the ice calmed him down some, and since the discussion was already open the foolish baron decided to keep the conversation going with his usual "charm".

"Well for one, I think once get out of here it will be a long while before I choose to go to another ice ball." He smiled back at her while enjoying her own blue eyes that cut right through him, "And while I have not been to your home-world, from the mere fact that you admit to not knowing much about even technology as old as this place's I assume your civilization is not very advanced. Another point is that while you are of noble birth, considering your father is a chieftain, my own people are a bit higher on the civilization scale. It does not make me better than you individually, but makes my people better than yours in that aspect."

Aurelio never knew when to shut up when making a point, especially if the comments were a bit ruder than even he understood at the moment. He kept the ice gently pressed against his side, and slowly began to lay down on the cold floor of the base. The fire was keeping him warm enough, and he sighed in relief to show his satisfaction. He finally could relax a bit, even though there could be pirates at any moment.

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Aurelio Murtix"]

So typical the arrogance of nobility, the superiority complex that views them above others and most of the time unwarranted. "Advanced technology does not equate to a more civilized culture, that is irrelevant .. I have seen your so called civilized people do some horrid things with your acclaimed technology. It is not what one does with this that makes a noble .. but their deeds", she said pulling her fur coat around her body more, not for want of warmth, but out of frustration and anger at the handsome man.

"Those I have seen, with a title of nobility, no nothing of it true meaning, a title is simply that a name given to someone, nobility in my mind is more then this, it is a way of being, a sense of honour and duty, not only to ones self but a responsibility those one rules over".

She stood up abruptly and loomed over him as she lay on the floor, "Your people, better then mine?, why because you fly in ships or press buttons to for services? Technology is nothing but conveniences .. it tells me nothing of you, or your people .. and you know nothing of mine". She could feel her blood boiling for all the wrong reasons. "Midvinter I am sure will not suffer for a lack of your company".

She picked up a pile of discarded clothes and dumped them over him, "There, that will keep you warmer". She began to storm off, more enraged at his words, "... And for your information, I am the daughter of a King, stick that in your noble pipe and smoke it". She left him to his fire and went to cool off.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

:S double post.

 

[Aurelio Murtix]

Aurelio wasn't sure which he was more surprised about; that Aerin was actually the daughter of their king, or that he had actually offended her. To him it was just an obvious sort of truth, but he also had the advantage of being raised in a society such as his while she was from another one entirely that most likely thought about it differently than he did. And now for speaking what he thought of as the truth the baron was covered in scraps of clothing and alone. For the first minute he sat there mumbling about how irrational she was being, but he soon realized that he was not exactly being the most logical person either. Aerin saved his life a few times now, and in return he insulted her people and called her uncivilized.

He sighed in exasperation at the situation and at himself, slowly getting up while trying to fight through the pain to try and go after her. It was cold, but it really didn't matter to him at the moment, as Aurelio followed and stopped behind her. His eyes once again distracted by her flowing red hair.

"I...apologize Aerin. While our definitions of civility may not be the same it was rude of me to insult your people as I just did." Apologizing was never easy for him since it was an admittance that he was wrong in something, but it was better than being alone in this place, "I should have watched my words, and now that I know you are a princess it means I must act accordingly."

Aurelio moved around to face her, and gave a slight bow before placing a hand on his savior's shoulder, all the while giving the best 'I'm sorry' smile he could muster.

"A baron should never insult royalty, no matter what planet they come from or how underdeveloped their people might be. Damn it...I didn't mean it like that."

He really needed to shut up...

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]