Anaxes Antics (Keturah X)

[Veino Garn]

[member="Keturah X"]


He did not like Anaxes. That was abundantly clear to him now. So many people. So many emotions. They surged over him, hammering away at his barriers, giving him a headache and a feeling of being stretched out farther than he should be. He hunched over in his seat on a park bench, and covered his ears with his hands. Not that it would really help much, but it was instinctual more than anything else. He dove into the Force in its bottomless pool and let its calming cool effect soak through him. He relaxed somewhat, but stayed hunched over, until he had something else to really focus on. That could override the vast amount of information surging through him for a while. But until then, he was at the mercy of the feelings of the people of Anaxes.

 

[Slot 16]

Keturah walked absentmindedly through the park. It was a particularly nice day, with a light breeze and no clouds in the sky. Anaxes was a very active place, but here in the park, everything was quiet and still. It made her feel happy and calm. As she walked, she noticed someone sitting on a bench not too far away. He was cradling his head. Poor guy. Must not be a good day for him. She decided to go over to him. With a bright smile, she leaned down, placing her hands on her knees. "Hey mister. Are you feeling okay?" She asked, her amber-gold eyes twinkling.
[member="Veino Garn "]

 

[Veino Garn]

[member="Keturah X"]

Veino looked up, surprised. Normally he simply got overlooked in these places. Even more surprising were her eyes. He'd never met anyone with eyes that color. He gave a brief nod of his head and forced a smile, focusing the empathy on her to make the rest of the city's emotions fade away. The stress on his face slipped down as well. He gave a more genuine smile now, and shrugged.

"I've been worse." He waved his hand slightly. "But thank you for asking. Not many do even that much." It was true. Quite a few people had passed him earlier, giving him dirty looks and mutterings about a drunkard before moving on again. People were ruder here in the Core than out in the Outer Rim. Sure the Rim folk might shoot you in the back, but they didn't hold such a high view of themselves.

 

[Slot 16]

Keturah's smile brightened. "You're welcome. I don't think anyone should feel bad on a day like this. It's too pretty not to smile about," She said softly. She sat down next to him, looking up at the sky. "I mean, if the sun smiles at you, why not smile back?"

[member="Veino Garn "]

 

[Veino Garn]

[member="Keturah X"]

Veino considered this for a few moments, and then nodded slowly. It made sense, certainly, even if it did seem childish. But perhaps, that was where it's truth lay. In its youthfulness that adults seem to have forgotten. Even hat he had forgotten. He was an adult though, which was an odd thought. He hadn't realized that it had snuck onto him that quickly.
"You make a good point, miss. I'll try to remember that." He helped out his hand to shake, "I'm Veino."

 

[Slot 16]

Keturah shook his hand. "I'm Keturah," She replied. She pulled out two cherry suckers from the pocket in her skirt and popped one in her mouth. "Do you like cherry?" She asked, offering him the other one.


[member="Veino Garn "]

 

[Veino Garn]

[member="Keturah X"]

"Nice to meet you, Keturah, oh, and thank you. I do indeed." He took the offered candy and stuck it in his mouth, leaning back in the bench to look at the sky. It really was a beautiful day. Hardly one worth feeling miserable in. He leaned back and gestured to the other end of the bench, "You can sit if you want." Another thought struck him, "Are you a local?"

 

[Slot 16]

((OOC: She already sat down. ))

"Nope," She said, her words a bit altered due to the sucker, "But I like to visit often. Anaxes is a nice planet. The people are too, once they get used to you anyways." She brushed her hair behind one ear. "What about you? Do you live here?"


[member="Veino Garn "]

 

[Veino Garn]

[member="Keturah X"]

Veino nodded slowly, listening, and then shook his head. "Nah, just here for a while to assist the Republic against the One Sith. Waiting for orders, really, after Alderaan." He paused and shuddered slightly at that memory. "Found any good places to eat here during your visits?"

 

[Slot 16]

Keturah thought for a moment. "Well, there a a couple ice cream parlors a few blocks down, a diner the next street over, and some street vendors who have good fast food." She held up a finger every time she mentioned something different. She smiled at him. "You haven't found very many places, have you?" She said.

[member="Veino Garn"]

 

[Veino Garn]

[member="Keturah X"]

Veino listened, nodding slowly, taking stock of everything she listed,and then shook his head. He hadn't even looked yet. He had barely been able to stagger to the park after landing before the high emotional turmoil on the planet had begun to overwhelm him. "No, I landed an hour ago at most. Spent time working through customs and came here."

 

[Slot 16]

Keturah's eyes got a bit brighter, as did her smile. "In that case, why don't we go get some ice cream? You look a little under the weather, and I know just the flavor to cheer you up," She beamed.

[member="Veino Garn"]

 

[Veino Garn]

[member="Keturah X"]

Veino nodded slowly and gave a half-smile, half laugh. Ah, to be young again. He used to be like that. Before he decided to join a war older than memory and one that would likely go on forever. Excited. Optimistic. Everything that made life seem brighter. He couldn't even remember the last time he had been out to get ice cream. Or even when had had it last. "Sure, why not?"

 

[Slot 16]

Keturah stood up. "Right then! Follow me!" She said happily. She began lightly skipping down the sidewalk with her hands behind her back. To anyone, she would appear to be simply a cute little girl.
[member="Veino Garn"]

 

[Veino Garn]

[member="Keturah X"]

Veino shrugged and followed her, slower than her youthful exuberance, but not ancient. Not yet anyway. He wasn't even 25 yet. Hardly old by any stretch of the imagination, but it wasn't the years that counted. It was the mileage, and he had traveled more miles than many people, both literal and metaphorical. He could certainly keep up with a kid. At least he hoped so. That would be embarrassing if he couldn't.