Ambition & Avarice | First Order Dominion of Tibrin Hex

[The Major]

Tibrin, Resort Grounds, Undisclosed Time, 853 ABY
Objective 1: Koco Cabana meeting
Allies: Elements of the First Order | [member="Odile Kimura"]
Enemies: None in vicinity
Morale: Neutral

“Please do, Mr. Kimura.” She said with a practiced warmth that almost came across as legitimate fondness. A white gloved hand briefly swept towards the menus on the table beside them. “Feel free to order whatever you wish. All costs have been arranged to be covered in advance.” With that detail aside her tone took a much more friendly, conversational air. “This restaurant is famous in the sector for their particular brand of raw fish dishes -though I read that your homeworld is also renown for such types of food. Having never partaken in such, I’m quite excited to see what the fuss is all about. Eventually.”

The woman said all this without ever stopping to regard the menu herself. Eating clearly wasn’t on her agenda. What remained to be discovered was whether or not Odile was comfortable to eat on his own.

 

[Hansen]

"Lothia" TK-0023
Tibrin, Koco Cabana Resort, Beach
Nearby: [member="Luther Ando"], [member="Seto Du Couteau"]
Interacting With: [member="Luther Ando"], [member="Seto Du Couteau"]

Cruising over the waves the native of sandy Lothal cannot help but grin excitedly despite hailing from an Arid world Lothia found foreign environments to be exhilarating and entertaining in equal measure with the exception of jungles which she loathed and thus had decided to remain on the coast for the duration of any leave she received on Tibrin. Those sinewy limbs attached to the sanguine-haired woman's body carry Lothia with a nimble grace through the seas, accelerated and slowed in a rocking rhythm by the rip-tide rolling through the current.

Observing the Ren 'Seto' as he introduced himself dissapear beneath the waves Lothia suddenly finds herself longing for the pair of goggles she'd left behind in the room the First Order had so kindly leased on her behalf for the Master Sergeant's stay on Tibrin. The water with those eggshell white strands rippling through it an omnipresent reminder that it contained the salt typical of oceans and would punish the she-wolf for forcing her eyes open while submerged beneath its' waves to say nothing of the blurry veil that would be cast over her sight.

Casting an expressionless glance over shoulder towards Luther, the Non-Commissioned in Lothia becomes concerned watching the man struggle visibly with the Ocean's waves. Pivoting around she takes several unsolicited strokes across the waves towards the man. "Having trouble agent Mysterious?" Lothia's tone is plain and dry although the gesture's significance might not be lost on Luther; she did not loathe the Security Bureau enough that her mind longed to watch individual agents drown. Of all her Lothia's characteristics cruelty and sadism are not among them and treading water her verdant jade coloured spheres bob up and down softly with the passing of waves, steadily drifting with the riptide Lothia offers an out-stretched hand towards Luther wordlessly offering her aid should he require it.

 

[Varian Alaric]

Location| Resort, Tibrin
Objective| Have fun
Equipment| Ballistic Knife | Outfit | Aviator Sunglasses w/blue lenses
With| [member="Varas Ren"]
Nearby| [member="Lydia Camden"] | [member=TK-0023] | [member="Odile Kimura"] | [member=Clehid] | [member="The Major"] | [member="Rolf Amsel"] | [member="Madelyn Lowe"] | [member="Marriskcal Lati"] | [member="Seto Du Couteau"] | [member="Eighth Guard"]
Status| Gleeful

“ La tee lo iiaasotee so laso sodoh. It means, I bet you can’t catch a sea-mouse, much less a starfish."

"That was really beautiful Varas," Primat said with a warm smile directed towards Varas. Even though he didn't have much experience with foreign languages, let alone bizarre alien languages of aliens that he had never even seen before...he had to admit, Varas had sounded like she was a natural at speaking the language of the Kaminoans. It sounded like she had known how to speak it since birth...which was true, of course. After all, she had grown up as a clone on Kamino, with her only 'family,' if you could call it that, being the cloners and those who had helped 'grow' her in those cloning tubes. Varas was more than a clone, Primat had known that much when he had first met her. And every moment that he spent with her, he would stray farther and farther away from thinking about her being a clone...thinking more about her being an actual, living and breathing person. Even though she was a clone, she had her own path set out in front of her for what her life was, "You sounded like a natural, you should teach me how to speak Kaminoan sometime!"

Primat brought the straw of the pina colada back to his mouth, his lips hovering over and closing around the tip of the multi-colored straw. It was so sweet and cold, not freezing cold but a nice medium between freezing and cool. His glacier blue eyes watched as Varas quickly got up and ran off, and then he tried to finish his pina colada. Something which resulted in him mostly getting a brain freeze. Though after a minute or two, he had finished the drink. I should try to learn how to make that...pina colada, some time. Reaching up his left hand, Primat took the aviator sunglasses with blue lens from atop of his head, folding the 'arms' of the glasses in on themselves before hooking it into the crook of his shirt. And then, he was off after Varas.

Primat stopped at a jog when he closed in near to Varas, a short smile beaming at his lover. "So, you want me to go in and...go grab one? Are you planning on recording it?"

 

[Seto du Couteau]

Seto Du Couteau, Ren
Equipment: Spot Droid Gauntlet Controls
Status: How long can I hold my breath?
Objective 1: Koco Cabana
In the Vicinity: [member="TK-0023"] | [member="Luther Ando"]

​

His feet continued to propel the young Du Couteau upwards until he broke out of the water and with another deep inhalation of fresh air Seto slowly waded himself towards his poor droid. Spot still refused to go back into the water, but simply chose to hover above it and track Seto by air, the young Du Couteau chuckled as he brought up his gauntlet control and sighed. He needed simply the maps and a decent enough warning time in case of any volcanic activity. I guess I can always just use the Force as a way to detect danger.

The prospect did not exactly fill him with much confidence but with a shrug he continued to wade and slowly swim back towards his other two diving partners. Seto personally did not judge people on basis of what someone can't do, rather solely on what a person does. As TK Twenty Three asked the Agent if had any issues with swimming, the Agent himself dove straight down. Seto caught the glimpse of a re-breather and figured it was all okay, probably.

Seto had wondered how people go for so long not knowing how to swim, but as he traveled more and more, it was probably more likely to not know how to swim than it was for someone to actually know. The young Du Couteau noticed no panic, or a call for help, in fact Seto figured the Agent had purposely dove down. Drowning jokes only work to an extent. Seto mused as he took another breath and dove down as well to see what the Agent intended to find.

 

[Luther Lewis]

Objective: Explore the Caves.
Location: Tibrin Resort - Beach.
Equipment: Out-of-fashion swimwear - Diving Gear.

​

The surface of the water remained calm, gently lapping. Moments passed and still the agent didn’t surface. Minutes passed before Luther suddenly burst from the water. He ripped out his rebreather and let out an exclamation of pure joy. It spiraled down into happy laughter as Luther relished his propulsion through the water.

Swimming was a bit more difficult, he hadn’t actually performed the activity in a while. Plus, his muscles weren’t nearly as strong now, so he would need to retrain his muscles before he participated in any competitions. Nevertheless, the freedom afforded to him, now that he could swim again, was exhilarating.

“No, no trouble” Luther replied to @TK-0023. “I’ve seen the start of the tunnels [member="Seto"] Du Conteau referred to”. He reattatched his rebreather and dived back under the surface.

- - - - -​

The entrance was masked slightly by a rocky lip, but fortunately widened greatly further in. Breaks periodically in the tunnel wall allowed light to filter in, giving the area a dappled look. He swam along languidly, soaking in his surroundings.

The tunnel ended abruptly in with a minor cave-in. Either natural or artificial, the blockage must have been left as a barrier to prevent guests from venturing too deep. He examined the rubble, finding no easy way through.

He twisted around in the water, examining the nearby walls. Perhaps there was a way around? Or maybe one his enterprising companions had another solution.

 

[Armand Temi]

Location: Resort, Tibrin
Objective: Have fun
With: [member="Primat Ren"]
Post: 4

Calf-deep in the water, as she watched Primat jog down to meet her, she thought about the Kaminoan “family” she’d had. At the time, Varas had resented them. The pale, long-necked aliens, while not cold and unfeeling, frightened her and drove her to nearly impossible feats on her new clone legs. But in hindsight she thought fonder of them. The Knight did not miss them, but her anger and confusion towards her situation of being born a clone had been smoothed over by just participating in life as a part of the Order.

Once Primat arrived, she pulled out her datapad, juggling it in her hands so she didn’t drop it into the sea - the device was tough but probably couldn’t survive being waterlogged in the beautiful blue ocean. She wished [member="Marriskcal Lati"] was here so she could frolic around with Varas.

“There’s one. Look at it, Brother! It’s so colorful.” The brunette pointed to a small magenta and cerulean starfish minding its own business below their feet. “I feel bad having to disturb it, but you did say you were good at catching these things.”

Her smile could not be any wider.

 

[Lucius Draugh]

Objective 2

Lucius pulled the commlink from his ear and turned back to look at Jek.

"Everything will be here within the hour, Jek."

Pausing, he swept his gaze from left to right, looking about the relatively sparse plot of land that rested before him. "Actually. Where are your people?"

"My School is nearby, they're coming now, actually."

"...What do you mean, school?"

The older alien paused before chuckling after a short silence. "It is how my people refer to our communities. Hundreds span the planet, and close to one hundred thousand are in view of the horizon. You'll see soon, I hope."

"Of course. Soon," he says with all the cheerfulness that a child of his age could muster.

 

[FN-2499]

Objective: IV - Training Exercises
Gear: In Bio

Candor had never been to such a world in a long time, he read about Tibrin in old military records, yet he never suspected to be in a world so luxurious, compared to the Tibanna Gas mines of Bespin, the miserable bogs of Dagobah, and the barren grassy plains of Lothal. Candor was in awe of it all, from the blue ocean, to the sandy white beaches. It was one his first days as a Storm Commando. He was bumped back down to private to learn more experience but found it odd given he was of a higher standing as a regular trooper. He was part of designation Bravo Team. He met with the group, and was outfitted with new perhaps stronger gear than what he was accustomed too. And given a brand new armor. Not the white standard of all troopers, instead he was given a black version with Red Stripes. To signify the Special Forces Division.

He was ordered to start with ranged weapons, testing the "Hush" Sniper Rifle first, working on taking out droids that were captured in previous battles. Put into use. Testing out the ranged shots with capable accuracy, he couldn't help but bounce back a little thanks to the recoil. "Packs quite the punch huh." He muttered as he then moved to the Maser rifle. Perfect in perhaps almost every situation as he kept firing off more rounds, every time he switched to the next weapon he had apart of his gear. The one thing he did not use was the VX gas grenades. Still wary after reading a report based on the Gundark Gunners and how the entire team was executed just for using them during the first battle of Skor iI which led to civilian casualties.

After ranged practice was over, he was assigned to sharpen his melee skills. Be it he had to use it against Jedi or not he had no idea. Yet it didn't hurt to use his melee skills to good use, walking into the next area he was met with Combat droids with electrostaffs. Eager to face them he pulled out his vibroblade eager to meet them head-on.

 

[Mellifluous Magenta]

Private VX-0013, "Ana"
Post 1
Objective: IV, Training Exercises
Equipment: Various Firearms, FO-02 Stormtrooper Armour, SE-44C Blaster Pistol
[member="FN-2499"]

When VX-0013 woke up that day, the name of address that she heard from her barracks mates was "Ana". After showering, grooming, and getting dressed, when she went to get breakfast in the enlisted meal hall, her name was still "Ana". She could not eat her food without getting recognized by the other soldiers for her fame, and she always hated mandatory breakfast, lunch, and dinner periods because of it. However, when breakfast ended, it was typically time to don the stark white armor which was the primary face of First Imperial power projection and domination across the galaxy. Only then, beneath the frowning white helmet was "Ana" known as VX-0013.

There was nothing that she loved more than wearing the FO-02 armour. The suit's internal climate control, holographic HUD, and high-comfort cellular padding optimized her performance in nearly every way conceivable. The numerous scanning systems at her beck and call gave her an indulgent feeling of omniscience and power, which she had lacked even as a national beauty queen. There was something to be said for the ability to detect an individual's heart rate from a half-mile away.

Having been assigned to Bravo Team for the day's training exercises, VX-0013 quickly took her place on the range and began to shoot the massive "Hush" sniper from a prone position. Next, came the DE-39 Maser, which was much easier to handle given the weapon's much lighter weight.

After firing a few more weapons, the next phase of training was for hand-to-hand and melee combat. VX-0013 took a vibroblade from the weapon rack, and gave the weapon a few test swings before stepping into the designated sparring ring with her droid partner. Assuming a stance that resembled that of Kage martial art, with little delay, VX-0013 maneuvered to strike at her droid opponent's legs, an easy target for the short-statured soldier.

In a stunningly underwhelming and unexpected fashion, the hapless droid simply tripped and fell straight onto it's face.

With an exasperated sigh, VX-00013 straightened her pose and let her arms relax against her sides. Why her superiors continued to insist upon the use of salvaged battle droids for hand-to-hand combat training was beyond her, but there was no point in complaining about it, especially as a Private. Instead, VX-0013 simply kicked the droid aside, and looked for someone else who would inevitably experience the same issue.

Perhaps they could spar.

 

[FN-2499]

FN-2499 simply approached the small arena, his black armor shining in the light as he examined the droid opponents that came at him with electrostaffs. His HUD was able to work out the movements, as he swiftly attacked one parrying one blow, while taking care of the other. He let his anger come into the fold, harnessing it for good use as he began to strike ferociously, the droid blocking the blows at first. But with the adrenaline rush kicking in. Candor desired more. With his senses honed in, he targeted the droids legs first. With a few quick slices he managed to cut one open, the droid stared back in surprise as if to muster a counter-attack, but was quickly stopped before, Candor managed to cut off it's head.

Candor was rather disappointed at how they used old droids for training. Most likely some of which were old CIS battle droids salvaged and used for such a purpose, as he had remembered facing several during the battle of Dagobah, and didn't think he would ever see such an ancient sight before his eyes before. No matter, he had hoped that perhaps he would find a more suitable opponent. He only stood for a moment waiting to see what would happen, if anyone would appear he didn't know all he could say that he would have welcomed more of a challenge.

Then a trooper in the classic white armor of the Stormtrooper Corps approached with his own weapon. Recognizing that it had to be a female the way the armor's measurements were compared to the standard male. Candor asked bluntly as he lowered his weapon and approached her. "It seems you are looking for a partner yourself. What is your designation number."


[member="VX-0013"]

 

[Mellifluous Magenta]

Private VX-0013, "Ana"
Post 2
Objective: IV, Training Exercises
Equipment: FO-02 Stormtrooper Armour, SE-44C Blaster Pistol, Vibroblade
[member="FN-2499"]

The short-statured trooper quickly saw the slender and black-armored figure of the special forces soldier as he quickly dispatched the two battle droids in front of him. His robotic opponents were not much more graceful or skilled than the one she had, but at least they had been able to balance on their two legs. However, in spite of the clumsiness of the soldier's droid opponents, it was clear that there was no deficiency of skill and grace in his movements.

When he approached, VX-0013 assumed a straight posture and gave the special forces soldier a quick salute. "This unit's designation is VX-0013." She replied, in a feminine and melodic tone that sounded less robotic and monotonous than the content of her words seemed to imply.

As her eyes took in the profile of the black-armored trooper in front of her, VX-0013 silently assessed his combat potential by utilizing the data feed in her HUD. The first and most obvious detail was the lankiness of his figure, especially in relation to other stormtroopers. He likely possessed a high level of cardiac efficiency, and therefore, he would be difficult to outlast in a fight. Next, his stature was somewhat lower than that of the average stormtrooper, but not comically short like her. Although he was nearly a full foot taller than VX-0013, because of the lean and lithe masculinity of his profile in comparison to the full and broad femininity of her figure, he weighed nearly the same mass as she did.

​For her peers in the beauty pageants, who mistakenly conflated thinness with beauty, such a fact would have been somewhat embarrassing to admit. However, she was no longer obligated to answer to them, especially considering the fact that she had won.

 

[FN-2499]

FN-2499 "Candor"
Objective IV training exercises
Post 3
Gear: In bio

FN-2499 was unaccustomed to a salute by the female trooper before him. He never really though donning the armor of a Storm Commando would see him so far up in praise. When he was just a simple trooper trying to do his duty. He was here to train or at least re test the skills he had learned within a First Imperial Academy on Bespin. Now he had wished to see if his skills were sharp as they were back then. But he wouldn't know unless he would try. Keeping his Vibroblade down of course, He looked to the trooper who's designation was VX-0013 and raised a hand to wave off the salute feeling a little unsettled by it despite the position he was in wearing the black armor with red stripes.

"As much as I appreciate the salute 0013. I am afraid that is not necessary. I may be special forces but alas I am a private like you. You do not need to salute me in such a case. But I did see your moves, and would be curious to see how a common trooper lasts against that of someone from Special Forces."

He said, his tone rough and hardened as he raised the blade of his sword, and attempted to launch a swift and deadly power attack by raising the blade above his head, and bringing it down in an all but swift motion as he began his spar with her, and if any luck she would prove more fun then some old obsolete battle droids.

[member="VX-0013"]

 

[Varian Alaric]

Location| Resort, Tibrin
Objective| Have fun
Equipment| Ballistic Knife | Outfit | Aviator Sunglasses w/blue lenses
With| [member="Varas Ren"]
Status| Gleeful

“There’s one. Look at it, Brother! It’s so colorful. I feel bad having to disturb it, but you did say you were good at catching these things.”

Primat couldn't help but playfully roll his eyes at what Varas had said. He had been joking about catching a starfish, yet she continued to persist about the idea of him actually going out to catch one with his bare hands. He didn't even know if the starfish here had spines on them, though he naturally assumed they didn't. A few starfish on Tamora, however, did have sharp and prickly spines on them. They were like mobile sea urchins disguised as starfish, which the young Disciple believed was adequate enough explanation to describe them. Even though the man was hesitant to actually go out and try to catch one, he wasn't fully against the idea. Primat thought it would be fun to go and try it again, even though he knew he would probably screw up and trip or something. And he wanted to make Varas smile, even if he didn't catch the starfish. He enjoyed seeing the woman that he loved smile, it was a beautiful smile and something that always sparked a match of warmth within his heart. "Alright, alright fine...I'll do it!"

Giving Varas a mock thumbs up with a gleeful smile, Primat stepped into the cool tropical water. It felt so nice to walk in the water again, it helped to remind the young Disciple of his childhood on Tamora. Stepping in deeper into the water, his glacier blue eyes looked around and across the translucent aquamarine surface of the water. The water was so clear, you could see all manner of creatures below it. From medium-sized crabs which skirted across the sandy 'hills' to the tiny, multi-colored clown fish and the dozens of starfish which prowled across the sandy dunes and weathered rocks below. Primat knelt down close to the surface of the aquamarine waters, the water now coming up close to his knees because he was kneeling close down to the ground now. His eyes scanned across the water, before finally coming across the vibrant starfish that Varas wanted him to capture. Okay, here it is. Let's see how this goes and if I can actually catch one! Taking in a deep breath, Primat outstretched his right arm before bringing it below the surface of the water. He slowly extended his fingers outwards before quickly bringing his hand down atop of the starfish to grab it. He was careful, however, not to crush or hurt the starfish. He didn't want to accidentally kill a starfish on camera. And then he brought the starfish out of the water. "Outstretch your hand."

 

[Armand Temi]

Location: Resort, Tibrin
Objective: Have fun
With: [member="Primat Ren"]
Post: 5
Soundtrack: Your Lovin’

In the distance, Varas could hear the rhythmic tapping of bongos or some other type of island drums. All senses were suddenly assaulted with the pleasure of island life - her lover in front of her tentatively circling around, trying to make out the best way to catch the sea creature, the water lapping on her smooth calves, the sun warming her face and the drums tapping out a conga-like beat.

She held the camera up and said, “Smile!”

Varas pointed the holo-recorder down at the water and seeing all of the colorful fish, exclaimed: “Primat this depth would be great for snorkeling!” Oh whoops, you're supposed to be filming him and obviously keeping quiet as my babbling on would just ruin the footage.

Focusing on her lover she watched him gently place the creature into his hand, and now he held it out for her to hold it. Holding the camera in one hand - as steady as she could get it - she turned her palm upward, and Primat put the exotic starfish into it.

“It’s so beautiful,” she said in a whisper, fascinated and unafraid. Pointing the camera back up at him, she caught his sheepish grin, so adorable and heart-warming at that moment. “Good job, baby. Maybe we can find a parrot next!”

 

[Varian Alaric]

Location| Resort, Tibrin
Objective| Have fun
Equipment| Ballistic Knife | Outfit | Aviator Sunglasses w/blue lenses
With| [member="Varas Ren"]
Status| Gleeful

Primat gently placed the multi-colored starfish into Varas's outstretched palm. The starfish had felt kind of squishy, like a mix of rubber and something living. It was a strange sensation that he didn't know how to explain. The multi-colored starfish slowly moved along his lover's outstretched palm, trying to retreat back into the water and away from the two humanoids who were now observing it. The young Disciple couldn't help but smile sheepishly at Varas and her reaction to having the starfish move across the surface of her palm. Her smile alone and tone of voice were enough to tell him that she was overjoyed at him catching the starfish for her. Primat loved the smile she gave him and it helped to reassure him that although he wasn't the best person, to her he was her world. And he thought likewise of her. "I got it just for you!"

"...Maybe we can find a parrot next!”

A parrot? Really she wants a Parrot now?! Primat was more shocked than annoyed with Varas. He wasn't even really annoyed with her, if only slightly. Though he could and would never stay mad at Varas. He loved her and she was a great help in helping to reassure him about himself and his own faults as a person. As for the parrot, the young Disciple had never tried to catch a parrot before. He had only seen them before, specifically during his life on Tamora. However, other than that, he had no prior experience with seeing any parrots. Let alone catching a parrot. Primat didn't know how to catch a parrot, though he would make do with his current abilities. He would try his best to try and catch on and if he failed, he failed. He just wanted to see her smile again at seeing if he could even catch a parrot. "Uh, yeah we can do that! Want me to catch you one?"

 

[Mellifluous Magenta]

Private VX-0013, "Ana"
Post 3
Objective: IV, Training Exercises
Equipment: FO-02 Stormtrooper Armour, SE-44C Blaster Pistol, Vibroblade
[member="FN-2499"]

With a practiced and efficient grace, VX-0013 once more assumed a martial stance, placing her feet shoulder-width apart and raising her vibroblade in a high ox guard, with the tip of her blade facing the special forces trooper. However, she did not necessarily intend to utilize any thrust maneuvers since this was a training fight.

Maintaining three paces of separation between herself and her opponent, VX-0013 executed a lateral sidestep to her own left to avoid the deadly arc of her opponent's blade. Utilizing her left-moving momentum to amplify the acceleration of her blade and to minimize inefficient motion, VX-0013 delivered a low strike to her opponent's thighs, her blade moving from the left to the right in its progress.

 

[Armand Temi]

Location: Resort, Tibrin
Objective: Have fun
With: [member="Primat Ren"]
Post: 6

The starfish had a gooey, prickly feel, but it moved slowly, and as Varas turned her hand to the side, the echinoderm did not slide off but clung, its survival instincts kicking in against gravity. Wide eyes following the creature, she gently sat it back down into the sea.

With the free hand that wasn’t now holding the camera, the brunette clone reached into the pocket of her romper shorts.

“Someone at the resort, gave these to me and said that the parrots are fond of eating them.”

She held out small pieces of a bright, dried yellow-hued fruit to show Primat. “They smell sweet, but I haven’t tried to eat one yet. Shall we?”

The two took a path off of the main resort that lead into the jungle. The shade from the tree canopy above them, quickly blocked out the sun, causing the picturesque area before them to darken, mist rising from the leafy ground. The jungle was considerably quieter though the faint rush of the tide coming in could be heard in the background.

“Look,” Varas whispered, nudging Primat playfully and pointing.

A low branch was dotted with colorful red and blue parrots, quite crowded with them actually. “Maybe they’re used to getting fed here. They seemed to be expecting us. Want to try?”

 

[Varian Alaric]

Location| Resort, Tibrin
Objective| Have fun
Equipment| Ballistic Knife | Outfit | Aviator Sunglasses w/blue lenses
With| [member="Varas Ren"]
Status| Gleeful

Primat's glacier blue eyes watched the face of his lover, Varas, with admiration and happiness. He loved the little lopsided smile that she gave to the starfish which was squirming and crawling around in her hand, exploring the surface of her skin like it were some valley of sand beneath the waves. Her green eyes were alight with bewilderment, which was something that made the young Disciple smirk at in joy at her reaction alone. He was glad that she was enjoying just the mere sight of the multi-colored starfish as it crawled across her hand. It wasn't much of a gift that Primat had given to Varas, he wanted to give her more than just one tiny little starfish. Though, the smile alone that Varas had etched across her face was answer enough alone to him that she was happy with just this little, multi-colored starfish which was crawling all over her hand. At seeing her put it back in the water, the young Disciple's mouth quivered downwards in a mock frown. "Aww, do you not want to keep the starfish? I got it just for you," Primat said with a gentle tone to his voice and with a wink directed towards Varas.

“Someone at the resort, gave these to me and said that the parrots are fond of eating them. They smell sweet, but I haven’t tried to eat one yet. Shall we?”

Primat reached out his hand tentatively, taking three of eight small pieces of dried, yellow fruit into his open palm. He doubted that the fruit would be poisonous, though he felt as thought maybe the fruit was only made for the animals of this world. But he couldn't deny that smile that Varas gave him to try something new, that was what he had done with Varas. And that choice had thus far, seemed to have been a great choice in his life, one of the few in actuality. "Okay, okay, fine. On the count of three. One. Two. ... Three." Primat pinched the end of one of the dried husks of fruit in the fingers of his left hand before dropping it into his mouth. The fruit seemed to somehow, dissolve once it reached one's mouth and reacted with saliva. And it tasted exquisitely, with a sweet and tangy taste that could not and would not be easily forgotten.

“Maybe they’re used to getting fed here. They seemed to be expecting us. Want to try?”

"Yeah, let's try it. Follow my lead and don't make a sound."