Become the Beast

[Jairdain]

Juniper City...

It was here Jairdain was Lady Regent until her son came of age. She was occupied with getting a home built for them along with getting things arranged for trade. A meeting which was planned suddenly got cancelled, but this gave her a bit of freedom to walk through the surrounding area outside of the city itself.

Here there were rolling hills, forests and even some canyons. It was a place filled with life and she looked forward to more chances to explore. Having the rest of the day to herself, she now walked through the forest.

Jairdain might be physically blind, but she saw through the Force and it guided her. Her steps took her further away from the city and more into the wilds around it. To her knowledge there was no danger here and she walked with a distracted sense, but she was in touch with the nature and life here.

Luckily she was for when something started following her, the message was given to her. Altering her path, she started heading back to the city. The new route wasn't one that went directly back, but still in the correct direction...

[member="Aaramis Ker"]

 

[Ettiene Kharne]

This world was one I had not been to in a long time. So long I had traveled the outer rim, keeping myself always on the move. It only made sense, I was a travelling merchant of the Outer Rim territories, or so that's what I had created my alias to be. At one time I had been a governor and then a senator, but I could only remain in the spotlight like that for so long as my guise of being nothing more the the average human would be seen through as I continued to age, yet never show the signs of it that such a feeble race such as the humans did. The aged so quickly, becoming venerable, even, before they truly had the opportunity to explore their potential. So I turned from such a life and stepped down from politics overall. It was after that, that I found my way into the underworld, a scene I thrived in. I created my own organization there where I crew my influence and as such the livestock upon which I fed, was in a great abundance. I was never short of food, of soup, there. But it seemed good things never were meant to last and thus I found myself thrown from that extravagance as well and thus I entered a part of my life which is rather a blur now. I learned of this entity that had been dubbed the "Force" by the so-called civilized galaxy, but it was something I'd known of before. But it wasn't until I fed on the first of those touched by its tender caress that I truly lusted for its embrace. The way its touch seasoned the soup of its chosen was beyond anything I'd ever tasted before. It was like a child's infatuation with a new game or toy and I was head over heels for it. I wanted nothing more.

I still want nothing more.

But alas the city offered something I needed. It was a haven for me to vanish within. To be nothing more than the average member of society as I sought out my next meal. I could reach out and feel for the next delicacy for me to partake in. Oh, and it was definitely there, though not exactly nearby at the moment. It doesn't matter, I'm patient. I have to be in order to lure the morsel in for the kill. In order to not give away that which I really am. So that I can keep to my anonymity. It was important to me, but so was my next meal. It'd been weeks since I last partook in such an extravagant meal and I had no intentions of screwing this up.

I withdrew into myself again, not reaching any further with the Force and I slipped into the flow of the crowd. I could tell from my brief brush with them that they were heading back toward the city. To me and I would embrace them. I would call them "friend" and get as close as I could to them and create the emotional attachment that all beings seemed to be bound to - such a strange thing, this attachment and infatuation was, but maybe my thirst for the nectar that those touched with the Force offered wasn't any different.

No matter, for now I only needed to continue to be patient and wait. This is something I'd perfected for the last 500 plus years. I was good at this sort of thing. Great, even.

I brushed my hands across the padded, leatheris jacket that hugged my figure snugly and waited. Patiently.

[member='Jairdain']

 

[Jairdain]

Whatever beast that was hunting her soon found itself being held back and drifted further away from Jairdain. The normally peaceful animals of the forest and decided to try and keep it occupied while she was able to return to the city. Their tactics worked and the distance grew until it no longer hunted her. In her slightly distracted state, she did not notice the light and brief touch of Aaramis on her Force signature.

As she started nearing the outskirts of the town, people became more common and she asked about this beast she had felt. Nothing more than myths were given as answers though and nothing concrete. Something Jairdain would have to research on and learn more about later.

Soon enough she was back in the city proper and people surrounded her going on about their daily routine and business. Something she would have been doing, but was thankful for the free time given to her. Now instead of being the regent, she could be one of them. Not many here yet knew who she was or what her position was. Soon enough it would be clear as the city grew and became more prosperous than it already was.

A few hawkers tried to approach her, but when they noticed she was blind, they decided to leave her alone. Her unfocused gaze was the cue they took. Using the Force to see what was around her, she was still physically blind. Her vision of the world around her was entirely different than how somebody with sight would see it.

[member="Aaramis Ker"]

 

[Ettiene Kharne]

The city was a bustling scene and it would difficult for me to locate my query from earlier should they have arrived back into the city's limits. Even so, it wasn't like those the Force chose to marinate would look any different to my naked eye from those it had turned aside. So . . . so I opened myself once more to its embrace and reached out. Only briefly. I didn't want to draw unnecessary attention to myself when I didn't have to. It's not that I feared an altercation or something of a similar nature, I just didn't want the attention. It was necessary and it's not like I got any pleasure out of a narcissistic motion. Quite the opposite, really. I didn't like attention, nor the abundance of eyes attention would draw my way. Kind of funny, really, considering where I've come from in life. You know? Politician and all. But that was many lifetimes ago. People change. I changed. And now here I was, something far different from what I was formerly.

As I reached out, it didn't take me long to sense the ever shrinking distance to me prey. They were west of me and not far at that. I withdrew again and continued along my way - westward now.

I burned inside with a commotion of excitement. The thrill of the hunt and the bounty it offered. Such happiness and satisfaction would fill me once I gorged myself on such a delicacy. Maybe I'd keep them alive longer. Make more than one meal of the soup. Extend my satisfaction and joy as long as possible. These are the moments I longed for. Where I could take part in such a rare and exciting time. I had to be sharp. Patient. Meticulous. I couldn't screw this up. Not this time. I would never forgive myself if I did.

I pressed further to the west and as I came to a courtyard like clearing lined with various merchant stalls, I stopped. I breathed deeply, closed my eyes and tilted my head to the sky, running my hand through my dark brown, nearly black locks of hair. Exhaling, I reached out once more with the Force. I called on it and this time I would hold onto its embrace longer than before. I needed to locate and identify my query. I needed to determine its location and from there determine what my next course of action would be.

There were so many things that I needed to consider and I didn't have the time to dwell on it. For a simple slip could result in my failure for my goal - that's what this was.

Once I gathered what information I needed, I withdrew once more. At this point, unless they were that clueless as to their uniqueness, they'd have noticed my presence pressed against theirs, but it wasn't as though my aura would have any kind of malevolence to it. No, it was simply a presence. Staying connected to the world around and embracing it a way beyond the comprehension of those untouched. And I was allowed to be curious wasn't I? There weren't any rules I knew of against me getting a sense of my surroundings with my Force abilities.

[member='Jairdain']

 

[Jairdain]

As Jairdain walked through the market, a few additional hawkers attempted to approach her, but they failed like the others had. Perhaps she should have taken a feeling of their wares, but something stopped her. A feeling that she was being watched went up her spine. No, it wasn't quite that, but it was close.

Continuing on her trek through the crowd, she was drawn in the direction Aaramis, but not by him. Home was in this direction and that was where she wanted to be. Turning away from the people, wares and market, she went closer to where he was.

Certainly now able to sense him, there was nothing wrong with what he did. It was in a way quite similar to what she had done in the forest. Just feel what was around her. There was something different about him though. While he projected a sense of no harm intended, she could feel the darkness around him. Whether that was his alignment, disposition or race, she could not pinpoint and she did not push herself on him. Just a simple glance through the Force and it was gone.

Ducking into one of restaurants at the edge of the square, she found an open seat for herself and wondered if this strange Force user would feel confident enough to approach her.

[member="Aaramis Ker"]

 

[Ettiene Kharne]

It's kind of funny how intentions can be misinterpreted and I believe may may have as I watch my query duck into some kind of eatery off the street. I hadn't intended to make them uncomfortable, but perhaps I had. It was a thought since I hadn't the faintest idea what was going on inside their head. I hoped it wasn't that, but I had the sneaking suspicion it was just that.

I let out a dissatisfied sigh and scratched at the underside of my jaw before turning toward a local street vendor to browse their wares. The stand was overflowing with random knickknacks from where I would guess would be different areas of Commenor. Perhaps souvenirs and keepsakes for the adventuring tourist. The gentleman running the stand was Togrutan with his lekku tied nicely in front of him. The vivid red, white and blue pattern that painted his leathery skin stood out among the masses gathered in the streets of Juniper city. I smiled softy and left loose a small chuckle as the man pleaded for him to approach. It was a funny, the riot of color he threw out among the rather blandness of the crowds that pushed their way through.

But I did approach and take a closer gander at the wares he offered, not that I would have any need of them. However I could pass the time while holding a low profile as I awaited my prey to leave her sanctuary.

To anyone passing by, I would appear as just another passerby - a tourist - plundering the streets of Commenor's capital. Even those that may have suspected something of me before, however unlikely that was, would find little out of the ordinary. I was just simply one of the people browsing the various wares each vendor had to offer.

[member='Jairdain']

 

[Jairdain]

His presence hadn't made her uncomfortable, but she had hoped to give him the opportunity to approach her in a public setting. Soon enough it became clear he wasn't going to do such a thing, Jairdain then ordered a small meal and drink. The least she could do for picking a spot to sit while she was here. It was a small meal and she had only juice to drink with it. She had the feeling she would need to keep her wits about her.

Finishing off the food, leaving payment for it behind, Jairdain walked out of the establishment to continue on her trek home. Not intentionally reaching out with the Force to touch this new presence, she could still feel him there. However, he wasn't paying attention to her and was acting like a normal tourist. Nothing to draw any attention to himself and she walked on.

When she left the restaurant, the light would highlight her black hair and violet eyes for just a moment as she turned her face upwards to take in the sun. Having long ago given up on wearing anything traditional to being a Jedi or typical Force user, the only thing that indicated she was the inclusion of her lightsaber hilt on her belt. Her pants were a dark brown and top was lighter shade of green to match the name of the city they were in. Since she had been walking in the forest, her boots were slightly dusty, but not dirty. When one looked at her, they would be able to tell she was not a commoner. Not quite royalty though. However, she was now considered nobility by the court and took care of herself in that position.

There was no hurry in her steps as she left and resumed her walk. Taking a speeder was always an option, but Jairdain rather liked being outside and in touch with the people and nature around her. She was connected to the Force on a greater level than most. Having walked the path of both light and dark, she was now almost neutral. Back to her basics, she allowed her emotions to show and flow, but did not allow them to control her.

Choosing not to dwell on the presence of this other person, she took a right after leaving the market and back out onto the main streets of Juniper City.

[member="Aaramis Ker"]

 

[Ettiene Kharne]

By mere coincidence, I managed to up from one of the grocers' stand, one ornately decorated in various colorful jewels and other forms of jewelry, and saw my query exiting the eatery. I saw as she made a turn to her right and proceeded in that direction. Her intentions or reasons for proceeding in the direction she chose were beyond me, but I couldn't let that affect my judgement nor my future actions. This stage of the hunt was critical. By this time there was no doubt that the prey had noticed the predator, but had they really perceived me as such? I really saw no reason as to how this could be the case, but these days everyone had a reason to be paranoid about something. Always looking over their shoulders and calculating and ever move, the latter of which I did quite often. I had too. My actions for the sake of my own survival were often looked upon with disdain by the civilized types of the greater galaxy. Those that lived and upheld a sense of moral value.

I let out a sigh and reached into the merchant's mind with the Force. It was easy to dominate this man's mind for he was far weaker than the query I sought and I had perfected my art over hundreds of years. But I didn't use this to forcibly have him doing something he otherwise would not, but to ensure he would not catch my sleight of hand motions as I snatched one of his exquisite items from his stand. I may very meticulous in which trinket I swiped from the stand and was relieved that the activity around him had allowed his actions to be further masked from everyone's sight. I fiddled with the object for a moment before sliding it nonchalantly into one of the pockets on my jacket and then released the man, returning him to his own desires. I smiled in acknowledgement to him before dismissing him and turning from his stand. He was oblivious to my actions and that is exactly how I desired it. I'd achieved something for myself, and had not drawn any unnecessary attention to myself.

As I strode away from the vendor, my pace was slightly quicker than those around me as I did have some ground to make up with the delay my antics had caused me. I slipped the silver ring with a fascinating red jewel set in it onto my right index finger in the most normal a fashion possible. It wasn't likely that me placing my new prize on my hand would draw any unruly eyes, but still, I like to be subtle in my actions.

Again, I hurried my pace a bit and the distance between my query and I was still larger than I liked for it to be, but it was closing. It would only take a little longer for me to catch them.

Finally I was close enough and I observed as best I was able. I wanted to know her tendency. Any kind of action she favored. How she interacted with those around her. Through that information I would be better able to begin my approach. I was getting close now. Oh so close. I could taste it and I lusted for it. It was right there for my taking and all I needed to do was play my cards right to secure today's ultimate prize.

[member='Jairdain']

 

[Jairdain]

Outside of the market and as she progressed on her way home, more people became familiar to her. Stopping now and then to have a conversation, this would allow that presence to gain ground on her. This was done partially on purpose just to feel if he was following her. Once her suspicion was confirmed, she would continue along the same route and stopped to speak with people now and then.

Jairdain did not alter her pace or indicate she was onto her tail. Now she knew she was being followed, that a thought crossed her mind. Not only was she being followed, but maybe even hunted. If this person wanted a chase...she could provide one. While she did not consider that he was actually hunting her to have a mea, what she did think of was kidnapping.

Her previous captures had taken her by surprise, this time it wouldn't. This was her city, a place she had started to call home. Here she was safer than almost any other location. She had started to learn the layout, where places were to hide or go to and be safe. To give him a false sense of security, Jairdain did not change a thing in her actions. Whoever this was would hopefully have no clue that she was onto him...

[member="Aaramis Ker"]

 

[Ettiene Kharne]

And so she had virtually stopped now as though she wanted me to catch her. Did she know now why it is I followed? Did she suspect she was being hunted? What was it she suspected? What did she know?

As I finally caught up to her, I somewhat awkwardly extended my hand. I wasn't entirely sure whether she'd know what I was trying to do or if she even knew I'd done this. She was blind and I only just now realized this. Perhaps that's why the offering of my hand was awkward and uneasy. I wasn't entirely out of my element here, it's just I wasn't expecting her to be blind. It kind of threw me off for a second, but I had committed now. I simply hoped she returned the gesture.

"Hello," I said as I greeted her. "My name is Aaramis and I feel out of place here. This is such a strange place to me - an alien world you might say. I hope I did not overstep before I when I brushed by you with the Force before. It's just that I was looking for comfort and thought that I might find it by reaching out like that. I hope you understand." What she may not have realized through all of this is that I never opened my mouth to speak my words today, instead choosing to project my words telepathically through the Force. I hoped that if you did notice that I spoke to her through the Force that it would come off as a sign of my uneasiness and possible shyness in this place. Such an alien world and I felt alone on it. I wasn't from here and had no connections here. Frankly I am not entirely sure what it is that brought me here in the first place.

[member='Jairdain']

 

[Jairdain]

It was probably a good thing Jairdain had focused on being a mentalist within the Force. Since he had not attempted to attack her, his message came through crystal clear. Through the Force, his handshake attempt was noticed and her hand met his. Clumsy or not, the goal was accomplished and she let go after he introduced himself. If others happened to notice they did not speak, there were no under the breath comments at it.

Taking half a step back, she nodded and placed the hand that just shaken his over her heart for a moment. She would provide her name easily. Some people knew who she was outside of Commenor, but she had the feeling Aaramis wasn't one of them.

I am Jairdain Ismet. You're on Commenor and here a welcome can be found.

Her gods knew this well. There was a time in her life when she had been sith and had helped them attack this world. After she realized that she was on the wrong path and returned to that of her people...Her Queen here had given a chance to be a better person. That same chance could be offered to Aaramis, if he wanted one.

What brought you here?

[member="Aaramis Ker"]

 

[Ettiene Kharne]

I struggled to find an answer to her question as she asked it. Why had I come here? Did I have a reason? Would she believe something if I made it up? Probably not. And really I didn't even know why I had come here. I hadn't even come here by means of my own transport, but instead by way of the public transportation network. And who was this Jairdain Ismet person?

I didn't attempt to hide my internal struggle of finding an appropriate answer to here question and instead just decided to speak the dead honest truth. "I really don't know what brought me here nor what drove me to venture to this planet by way of public transit." I ran a hand through my hair and rested it for a moment on the back of my neck before allowing it to fall casually to my side once more. "I apologize, but I really am at a loss of words as to why I came here. Everything has just happened so fast in the last few days. I mean, just yesterday I was watching Grav-ball on Coruscant and now I'm here. I won the ticket off of someone is a game of Sabaac."

I hope she believed me; it was the truth after all. If not, there was a lie I would be able to fabricate to make any more sense than the truth that I just told her.

I gave her a warm smile as I waited to gauge her response.

---

[member='Jairdain']

 

[Jairdain]

He made no effort to hide his effort to figure out an answer. Jairdain did not feel he was going to try and lie to her. She saw it more as an attempt to put his thoughts into words. Breaking the silence between them, he spoke for the first time. It had only been a few moments, but the silence could have been noticed and she was glad Aaramis was able to speak.

"Congratulations on winning a ticket here, I suppose. There's not too much to see right now unless you enjoy watching a planet rebuild itself after war. The sith recently totally destroyed one of our cities and laid siege to the world."

That was how she had become Regent of Juniper. In an attempt to rebuild, the world had been divided into different regions. Her son was actually the Lord over the area, but was only three years old. Until he came of age, she was Regent and would run this region. Aaramis did not need to know this information though and she kept her son secret from him. However, perhaps the fact she was running this area could help this man.

"Are you in need of employment? I could always use help."

[member="Aaramis Ker"]

 

[Ettiene Kharne]

This Jairdain's response seemed welcoming, and well, that was a relief to me. I wasn't sure whether I had been able to piece together the words in a comprehensible fashion, but alas it seems that I had. I smiled and let out an uncomfortable chuckle before I brought my hand up to scratch the side of my head, my newly acquired ring, glistening in the sunlight. And then I looked into her eyes, though they appeared to be distant. Perhaps she were blind, or simply odd. The answer to that did not matter to me and my goal was still the same. I hadn't faltered in my desires, but I played the long game when it came to such things.

She offered me the prospect of employment without even knowing my talents nor expertise. Kind of foolish is you think about it, but she was simply just attempting to be a welcoming host to a stranger in her home. I appreciated the sentiment and gave a quick thought toward the possibility that this would be quicker than I had initially suspected it would be.

"I am not searching for employment here, however, if the right offer came about, I can't say that I would not accept it. Are you extending an offer, or am I simply misunderstanding you?" I hoped my response would not strike any sort of offense, but I can't be certain that it would not. People are strange and are often offended by the strangest of things. Nevertheless, in my discomfort of the entire situation at the moment, I remained guarded in my responses. I had to. The was a demon that stirred within me when I failed to feed for any lengthy amount of time, but for now I managed to keep it contained. To everyone else, I was simply a normal "human" though she knew I at least possessed the Force.

[member='Jairdain']

 

[Jairdain]

The meeting was unconventional for sure, but much of Jairdain's life had been like that. Years ago when she had applied to be the advisor to the now missing crown prince, it had been known she had wanted to be a consular or diplomat. She was taking a chance of offering employment to this man and hoped it wouldn't backfire on her.

"You are not misunderstanding me. An opportunity was given to me here when almost nothing of my past was known about me. I am offering you the same type of opportunity. If you do not need employment, then you are welcome to stay as long as need until you have to move on."

Her tone was calm and collected, there was no anger or sound of being offended. Just a simple statement of truth and honesty. She trusted people far too easily and this was just another example of this.

Perhaps he could be of use in her household, but only if that was something he wanted.

[member="Aaramis Ker"]

 

[Ettiene Kharne]

I frowned a moment, a notion that I was not consciously thinking about as I did it. I don't really know why it happened, but it did, and truth be told, my ticket here had been but one of the one way variety. I hadn't cared at the time, I just wanted to move on and pursue something new. I'd already stayed there for too long as it was. Commenor, even in its rebuilding stature, was far better for me than where I'd come from. Perhaps it would be in my best interests to accept the hand extended to me, but I couldn't be certain that there would be no strings attached in doing.

I glanced away for a brief moment, mulling over my options as I did, and then back to this Jairdain whose gaze still seemed misplaced to me. Finally, though, I fell upon the answer I would give her and cautiously hoped there would be no unsuspecting addendum that would be thrown my way in choosing the answer I had. "I do not understand what actions I've taken to warrant such a warm welcome, nor the invitation for employment you now offer, but I would be rude to deny you, especially when there is much that could be done to aid this place in its efforts to rebuild."

I let out a faint sigh and cast my gaze once more around the city at large. By doing what I had just done, I'd declared that this would be my home for a time. A place I knew practically nothing about, but a place that I would learn in time. I wasn't entirely sure why I'd accept such an invitation, still knowing my original intentions which I kept buried deep within. But as they say, all things happen for a reason and perhaps there was something else at work here that I had not realized yet. Nevertheless, I'd made my bed and now it was time for me to lay in it. Perhaps this was to be the beginning of something new. Of something even I could not imagine, not mirror through my hundreds of years of experience in this universe. Or perhaps there was just something about this woman. About her handicapped yet persevering nature that reconcile within me that made me question my very instincts and desire to feed.

Was I now turning a new page? Was I becoming something else? Or was I still this beast I kept buried deep within?

[member='Jairdain']

 

[Jairdain]

Her words gave him a moment of pause and brought some thought to him. They did exactly what she had hoped for. She was being honest with him in the story of her past. Not every detail had been included by any means, but perhaps if he accepted her offer, he would learn them. It wasn't that Jairdain was trying to keep them from him, most of her life wasn't secret, but they had just met. If he chose to stay, then very likely Aramis would quickly learn who and what she was.

He stated he couldn't figure out what he had done to warrant such an invitation and she smiled a small, but almost bitter smile. Jairdain had an unknown weakness within herself. That was her trusting nature. Until a person proved she couldn't trust them...she extended a hand out to them. Not once had it been bitten and she trusted that would remain the same.

"Do you have a room here? If not, one can be provided to you. Again, until you can get one more to your liking."

Feeling the meeting was going well, she would indicate he should follow her and start leading him to where her new home was currently being built.

[member="Aaramis Ker"]

 

[Ettiene Kharne]

I looked to her as she spoke, trying to be respectful in regard to the hospitality she was showing me, but I knew what I still wanted. I knew what my inner demon still lusted for. That thing, I could not deny, but this was a long game. I had to be patient. I had to make my moves very strategically. Each one had to be with a purpose. And each one had to be without flaw or I might find myself in a situation of the highly unfavorable variety.

As she finished, I cast a brief gaze around the area, simply taking note of what there was around me. This Jairdain was kind, and her heart really seemed to be in the right place, but she'd come to trust me far too quickly. She knew nothing of me nor my real intentions. It appeared as though she'd bit hook, line and sinker to my play that I was helpless and befallen of misfortune. If she was truly this blind to my intentions, I could use her. I would use her. A relationship such as this could have the potential to lead me into a lifetime of happiness and surround me with a number of unknowing sentient delicacies for in my travels I've noticed people tend to surround themselves with what was comfortable. With those like them.

My attention returned once more to my host in the moment, Jairdain, as she offered me a place to stay. No doubt, it likely would not be a place of luxury, but if it could at least offer me some semblance of privacy it was in my best interests to accept it.

"I do not have my own living arrangements here, so I would be grateful to accept your offer," I said, allowing a smile to appear across my face and slightly dipping my head in the form of a nod. "As long as they afford me some kind of privacy while I'm here, I will be indebted to you."

[member='Jairdain']

 

[Jairdain]

Though it appeared that Jairdain was falling into the trap laid by Aaramis, this was only partially true. She extended a welcoming hand and invited him to dwell with her while he was here, but that did not mean she trusted him fully. That could be gained in time though.

"While building happens, privacy might be a bit difficult to come by at first. As things progress though, it will come."

She did not question his reasoning behind the request too much but found it only slightly odd that it would happen so early.

He would also learn that while on Commenor, she did not surround herself with others that could use the Force. Very few of the population could use it and she did not focus on being friends with them or getting to know them at all. Live and let live was something she went by. Unless they came into her life, she did not go seek them out.

"Please follow me and we can see what kind of room we can find for you."

A small motion was given before she continued on with her walk.

[member="Aaramis Ker"]

 

[Ettiene Kharne]

I didn’t particularly like the answer I received in regards for me being able to have a bit of privacy. I mean literally everyone needed some privacy from time to time, but this was a planet of rebuilding in a time that followed a collapse. I understood that and even though I didn’t exactly like the elaboration, I needed to accept it if I were still going to achieve my end game goal. Otherwise I may as well just out myself right now. And let’s be real here, if I did that, they would all be coming for my head with pitchforks and pikes and whatever else they could manage to lay their grimy hands on. That’s definitely something I didn’t want to deal with right now.

I brought my hands upward and to my chest as I exaggerated my moment of pause to think. My finger rubbed against my new-found price I’d lifted from the stall a few moments before and I allowed a smile to carve its way across my face. Blinking a few times, I tucked my chin in a simple sort of bow as I spoke, “I understand.” It was all I said and my tone was genuine, even through my gravelly voice.

Then came small and simple motion from this Jairdain. It was easily understood, especially when accompanied by her words that came with it. “After you,” I said and followed off in her direction.

[member='Jairdain']