Crashing the Lake

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Procopia was a perfect spot for Lori to be alone, as it were. She was enroute to meeting up with her Dad on Kashyyyk when she needed to make a pit stop for refueling the Grey Sparrow, but also to stretch her legs, take in some fresh air and to try to sort things out for herself.

Lately she had been pulled in multiple directions. The path that she was on went in three directions. One went to Kashyyyk to learn the ways of the Jedi with her Dad; a Jedi Master in his own right. Another led to Zakuul to be with her Mom and to learn more about politics. And lastly there was the path that led to her ship Jaster's Sparrow and the crew that she was responsible for. Lori wanted to walk on all of them, not wanting to disappoint anyone. But how long could that last before she went crazy? One of these days she'd have to make her choice. Hopefully she'd be given more than one chance should she fail.

The Grey Sparrow was her training fighter. It had plenty of shields and maneuverability, but no real firepower. All the better to have her go virtually unnoticed on her travels. Neither did it take much room for landing, sonething that Lori took advantage of when she parked it on one of the planet's many islands.

After a bite to eat and some stretching, Lori decided to test out her Escape Boots. One of her Mandalorian mentors had given her a pair and even though she was quite skilled with a jet pack; being propelled by her feet was something else entirely. But she was determined to master it.

With goggles on, her pilot's jacket, trousers and game face, Lori was ready to tackle this. She licked at her bottom lip and clicked her heels to ignite the boosters in the Escape Boots. "Whoa!..." Already she was taken off balance as she soared into the air. Lori moved her legs in an attempt to change her trajectory so that she could fly parallel to the ground. After flailing her arms a bit and bending her knees, she began to change her direction.

However it didn't go as planned.

"Uh oh! Uh oh! Uh oh!.....LOOK OUT!!!"

Lori hit the heels of the boots together after she had managed to pull herself out of a dive, only to hold her breath as she skidded across the water of the lake, looking very much like a stone being skipped. She bounced along the surface until she skidded to the shore, spraying water and sand towards [member="Akabane"] whom had the unfortunate luck of being the lone sunbather on the beach.

Finally coming to a halt nearby, Lori rolled over onto her back, breathing heavily as she tried to calm down her heart.

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

Akabane sometimes went on small trips to try out vacation spots. Any place that had nice shores like the lakes on Naboo was a possible candidate. Something about them made him relax extremely easily and enjoy life. The fresh air and scenery, he'd assume those to be the cause of such happiness. So today he traveled to Procopia to try it out. Akabane stayed outside cities and went straight to the nicest island he could find. Once there, he laid down by the water and shot for a nap. While something else shot at him soon enough. Not even five minutes into his nap, he heard yelling and the sound of skidding water. It didn't feel like a dangerous situation so he didn't get up and prepare for a fight. The person yelling appeared to be in danger though.

Water and sand launched towards Akabane as the assumed lady crash lands nearby. He was unsure how she pulled off that maneuver but she seemed to have failed at the landing part. If it weren't for the sand attack he would've rushed over to her aid. He created a compressed wall of air to block all the debris. It was a great attempt but he couldn't cover his face or upper torso. Pants and shoes survived getting plastered, however the rest did not. He was ashamed of his failed attempt. Akabane exhaled a sigh to show his dissatisfaction with his slow summon of a wall.

It was nothing to pout over though. He quickly got up and ran over to the female who flew towards him. Akabane knelt down and took a close look, face and chest soaked with sand. She was breathing, good. "I don't know how you pulled that off. Are you hurt anywhere?"

[member="Loreena Arenais"]

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

"You mean besides my pride?"

Lori looked up at [member="Akabane"] . Oh boy, she had gotten him good with the sand. No doubt she was covered in it all too. Not to mention she was now wet.

Moving to slide her goggles off, the adrenaline began to fade. It was then that she noticed a few of her fingers on her left hand HURT. "Ouch..." Lori looked and saw that they were swelling up. "I think they're dislocated...or broken...or..." Whatever was wrong with them, she needed them fixed.

Not since she fought in a tournament five years ago had she suffered through a broken bone. She was outnatched, fighting a Mandalorian warrior barefisted while he had a shield and baton. That was quite the learning experience and she had gained a lot of respect that day for not taking the coward's route.

"I've got a med kit in my fighter. I just need to rest a minute....Sorry if I wrecked your beach." Not to mention himself. Her hand started to shake a bit as shock kicked in. Lori just needed to rest. She made no move to sit up just yet.

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

Things may have gone bad for her but she still found room to joke bout her pride. Unless it wasn't, though he took it as a joke and laughed. He quickly returned to being serious. Akabane watched as she went for her goggles. She looked over her fingers seconds later and said "ouch", along with telling him that her fingers were hurt. Taking a look himself, he wondered if she had just jammed them on the landing. "Did you maybe try to brace your impact with your hand and stub a finger or two? A broken or dislocated finger would be very noticeable, as well as painful. I'm sure you'd know right away." Akabane had a great past of injuries. Broken bones weren't too common with him but he had a few rounds.

She wished to rest at this time and deal with the treatment later. He figured she was exhausted from the near-death experience. Akabane understood, giving a nod for a response. Her apology confused him and he felt compelled to clarify. "This is not my beach, sadly. So don't apologize. And if I can help please let me know. I'll watch over you until your energy is restored." He offered help like he would to most people and played the role of gentleman. "Is your hand the only thing that hurts?" It was worth asking.

[member="Loreena Arenais"]

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

It was a joke, thankfully. Lori didn't take any offence to [member="Akabane"] laughing. She'd of snickered herself if she wasn't distracted with her sore fingers.

His description of what could have happened to them made sense. But it didn't make them hurt any less. "Maybe...I don't know. It all happened so fast. I just needed to slow down after pulling out of that dive."

At his offer to watch over her, Lori raised a brow. Now she was the one confused. But then she thought better of it. If their roles were reversed, more than likely she'd be offering help just like he had. She took it easy as she sat herself up."Thanks. Maybe I should get to my feet first and see. I think all of the moisture is water, not blood and--"" Lori cut herself off as she quickly undid some of the buttons of her coat. Where was it?? She flapped the sides of her coat, causing the canvas map that was folded within to fall out. The movement had unhooked one of the corners from the coat's seams, which caused the canvas to fall right out onto Akabane's knees. If he inspected it, he'd see a painting of Lori holding a ball of light on the outside, with a coded map drawn on the other side.

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

She said it could be a possibility but everything happened so fast that nothing was for sure. That was understandable. Akabane had encountered times when he'd made a mistake and ended up paying for it. His robotic foot could be shown as proof of that if he took off his combat boot. Of course he also had flight accidents too, as a windshaper. Luckily, he gained much experience and knew how to use his power now. Not to say he wouldn't end up going splat on pavement one day... anything could be possible in this wide galaxy as any person who'd lived enough in it would know. Failure, success, death, etc. For now he would focus on trying to help though. Nothing good came out of pessimistic thinking.

Akabane feared the outcome of her trying to get on her feet but he couldn't stop the female. She probably got injured many times before if she was brave enough to pull that stunt. He'd assist if need be. But then... she fell into a panic it seemed. Perhaps she lost something important? Something slipped out of her clothing as she roughed it up in a search for whatever she lost. He snatched it out of his own lap quickly and analyzed it. A painting of a woman, which resembled the one before him now. He grinned, "did your boyfriend paint this?" Turning it over to see if the painter's signature was printed, Akabane found something more interesting. A map. He looked at the injured female with curiosity. "What a nice painting. Would you like to tell me about this item here?"

[member="Loreena Arenais"]

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

A part of her wanted to snatch it right out of his hands. But that was probably not the best option. The panic and worry over [member="Akabane"] holding it however was clearly written on her face. Yet she remained as composed as possible, trying to quell her anxiety. "No. Just a rich playboy did it." Lori had no boyfriend. The playboy was her first kiss, yet she wasn't much more than just a flavour of the month to him. So of course she was well guarded to prevent such a horrible thing to happen again.

She chewed the inside of her cheek. Would she like to tell him about it? How could she trust him with the full truth? Sure he was offering her help with her injuries and watching out for her, but that could all be a ploy. She had no idea who he was, nor did he know who she was.

"It's mine. That's all that you really need to know. Now could you kindly hand it back, please?" Lori held out her hand for it.

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

The woman appeared to be upset with his stealing of her property, as anyone would be. That only made him laugh though. Akabane wasn't trying to take it and use the map. So he laughed at what her perspective of him might look like. A man taking advantage of an injured woman by robbing her of her painting. It was silly really. It was also ungentleman-like to take part in teasing someone by holding their property hostage however. She told him a rich playboy painted the picture and later asked for it back. He grinned.

"I am aware of who it belongs to, Miss. The issue is that you won't share much about it. Not many paintings have a map on their backside so I am naturally interested. It'll bug me everyday, will you just be honest? I can be trusted." He really pushed for her to explain.

[member="Loreena Arenais"]

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

[member="Akabane"] laughed at her! First he was offering protection and help. Now he was laughing at her for wanting her stuff back. She wasn't sure if she should be mad at him or if he was just teasing. Given the expression in his eyes, she liked to guess the latter.

"Well I didn't exactly have paper lying around, so I drew on what was available." And it was a good place to hide it. She could frame the painting and none would be the wiser.

Lori slowly got to her feet so that she could tower over him for a moment or two, at least. She tested her weight on her feet and they all seemed fine. Once again she held her hand out for the painting. "How do I know that you can be trusted? Everyone says it but most don't mean it. They just take what they want and disappear. I don't know you, sir. For all I know, you could be a threat." Of course she was the one that crashed his relaxing time and not the other way around. But it was an accident!

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

Her excuse for having a map on the painting was that she drew it herself, nothing else was available to use. This brought on many questions but he laughed again. It was hilarious. At the same time though... this was really interesting. The treasure must've been so important for her to use a precious painting as drawing paper. He stared at it for awhile. Nothing could be figured out though. Perhaps there was more to it than what his eyes could see. So many questions formed but he doubted asking would get him any answers.

Akabane found himself in a very vulnerable position when she stood over him. Luckily, he still had a hostage and destroying the map was a simple move he could make. She probably knew that so he worried not. Although, he still didn't feel like being on the low ground. She held out her hand and asked for the piece once more. Ignoring her request while locking eyes, he answered her other question. "You have a point. However I like to gain valuable contacts since I am fairly young. If I help you now I'm sure you'd return the favor one day, correct?" With that said, he stood up quickly and took a few steps back. He grinned like a devil. "Of course, I doubt you're interested in negotiating. This belongs to you after all. I'm making myself out to be a thief if I go any further."

He held out the painting, signaling for her to come grab it. "I'll return it, I suppose." Akabane's crimson eyes would follow her every movement like a predator, even though he had no intention to strike.

[member="Loreena Arenais"]

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

And then he laughed at her again, as though everything she said was some sort of joke. Well [member="Akabane"] was lucky that she was the goofy sort, otherwise she'd be really mad at him for it. But still...it's like having an older brother around that just liked to poke fun at her.

She clenched her jaw, narrowing her eyes a little, though a smile at the corners of her mouth showed that she wasn't truly angry at him. Akabane was figuring out her character already and they had only just met. "Yes...I'd owe you for helping me..." His sudden movements and demeanor was different than it had been just moments ago. Not in a menacing way, but it certainly was cunning.

Lori took the few steps towards him, reaching for the map with her good hand, all the while keeping her eyes locked on his so that she could try to anticipate his movements. "If you're not a thief, then what are you?"

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

Staying positive and in a lighthearted atmosphere was how he liked to live. It had grew on him like a parasite, becoming a central part of his personality. Life was better that way in his eyes. That's why he joked around and laughed at almost everything. Things just seemed more enjoyable that way. Especially with strangers, unless they were bad of course. This lady didn't give off that energy though and he enjoyed every moment. All games ceased at some point and that's why he eventually got serious. Even in such a care free lifestyle he still found some room to get it together during business.

She appeared to be a decent human and it turned out that she was, since she admitted her potential debts if he were to help. Akabane didn't care about that kind of stuff in any realistic situation though. Debt was a joke. He owed some people but nothing big enough to really affect his day to day life. That's why he could care less about being owed. It would be an adventure anyway and that was enough to make him feel satisfied. Money, treasure, etc. As long as the man had food, shelter, and companionship he didn't mind anything else.

Akabane would reach out himself and placed it flat onto her hand while holding the bottom with his other hand, as if he was greeting her respectfully. "I am Akabane. A man of nature and shaper of wind. It's a pleasure, Miss." He smiled genuinely and kept a firm hold of her hand if she allowed it.

[member="Loreena Arenais"]

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

She watched [member="Akabane"] as he placed the map in her hand, but also held her own. It wasn't as though he was preventing her from snatching it away. It was moreso in...a gesture of greeting? Her eyebrows raised as he described himself in such a way that she hadn't heard of before. Most men liked to boast about themselves and the battles they've fought or number of lovers they've had, or the wealth they carried, etc. But he seemed almost humble.

"Lori. Captain Lori to some. Good to meet you." Of course she made it a habit to not reveal her full name to people that she had just met. Her family were mixed up in a huge intergalactic mess. Who to favour always depended on what side of the political side one was on. Most were enemies to her Mom @Lady Kay . Yet some despised her Dad [member="Veiere Arenais"] too. So of course that hatred spread down to their two children.

It was better to be safe than sorry.

"I don't think that I've come across a shaper of wind before. Are you a Force User? Is that how you shape wind?" Lori wasn't up to speed on ALL of the different Force powers and abilities. There was just far too many to know or remember them all.

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

The young lady introduced herself as a Captain. Akabane smirked without realizing and took note of her title and name. He nodded to her greeting at the end. After they were done with introductions he decided to step back and leave them with some distance. Not that he disliked her already, but he was a cautious man. She didn't appear dangerous other than the little stunt fail he witnessed earlier. Speaking of that stunt he was still dirty from the sand. Akabane was born with no shame so he completely ignored the fact there was a lady nearby... and began stripping. Only his upper half though, as he tosses clothes aside while approaching the water.

Akabane heard Miss Lori's question loud and clear. It was nice to be able to explain his power and its artistic ability once again. He took pride in it after all. The half naked man stepped into the water slowly until he was fully submerged. Then, he started to rise out of it and once fully above the water he'd walk on it over to the ground. "Well I suppose there are many possible explanations. I recieved intense and abnormal training to obtain my powers though. Somehow, I like to think I'm unique because of that." He sighed, landing on the sand. "I'm not at the end of the day however, since I manifest and take hold of wind using my mind. Like a force user."

[member="Loreena Arenais"]

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori blinked as [member="Akabane"] began to take his shirt off. Was he going to show her a tattoo or something? Or? "What are y--" She stopped short of finishing her sentence as he took to the water. Was he crazy? He wasn't even swimming. He was just walking...


Maybe Akabane just wanted to get away from her. Sure she was weird and clumsy at times, but was it enough to warrant someone ending their life over??

And then he rose out of the water, walking on it's surface as though it was the beach. That was....so wicked!

"Intense training? I wouldn't be a good candidate for that. I just can't focus on one particular thing for too long. I'm sure that that disappoints my Dad. He'd rather that I stayed at the Academy and learned discipline. But I just feel too confined. And with all those rules..." Lori was used to getting her own way. She was the youngest in the family. That had it's privleges.

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

An academy? He sent a hand through his hair to slick it back and walked towards the lady again. The mentioning of school caught his interest. Akabane had experienced some sort of schooling on his home planet but nothing as fancy as an academy. Of course it only sounded fancy to him because he'd never been. He was sure she and her friends, among others from her planet had access to many modernized services. She also spoke about how she felt confined with so many rules at that place. Her father wishing she would have stayed there and learned discipline instead of doing as she did now.

For once, he thought of the past five minutes and decided to agree with her father. Akabane would have no issue voicing his opinion on it too. He spoke in a neutral manner though, because he didn't feel like being a hypocrite. "Considering you almost killed yourself and possibly another body, I would say you have something or two to learn." Akabane was being very honest but he remembered being reckless and eager to explore. Her age didn't appear too far off from his own however, maybe he'd adulted faster. Ha! That would be a funny joke. He was fairly immature still but he did have a lot of discipline and a good amount of experience. "Training definitely requires focus but I think you can do it if you really put all the effort you can into it."

[member="Loreena Arenais"]

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori just smirked at [member="Akabane"] 's statement about her having a thing or two to learn. It wasn't as though that was HER fault! Well, not entirely anyways. Yes, she was wearing the boots, BUT they were the crazy ones. "Hey....I was practicing. Can't learn how to fly with them properly if I don't practice." It wasn't her fault that he was in the way either. Of all the beaches for her to crash-land on....

And another smirk was given at Akabane's other statement. Focus? All of her effort? Ha! It wasn't like he knew her at all or all that she had done. Just because he worked really hard on one thing, it didn't mean that she had to. Besides, she wasn't entirely sure of what path was her own right now. Or what she was supposed to become.

"I've had plenty of training in different things. I'm a great pilot, a good shot and trapper. I've escaped whole Sith and Imperial armies trying to catch me. These days, you gotta have a lot of talents to survive. You never know what will happen..." Yeah, Lori was boasting and exaggerating some, but there was a lot of truth there too. It was tough to live in the shadows of her family.

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

The young woman was somehow blaming the boots for acting erratically? Akabane could only laugh, because blaming equipment sounded so silly. However he had recalled times where weapons and such failed him... he just didn't see her as the innocent one this time. She seemed to admit her fault in the end though, but offered up an explanation. He had to give it to her, since she did have a point. After a quick sigh, he would acknowledge her excuse. Of course he wasn't going to let her off easy. "You may be right, practice is how we perfect skills. But how do you expect to practice if you're dead?" Akabane wasn't trying to be sarcastic but he was sure she'd take it that way. This was genuine concern though.

Lori started boasting about her own reckless achievements. Akabane felt bad in a way laughing at most of what she spoke about, but he thought she was comical. Escaping from imperial military was a great feat. It didn't really phase him though, since she mentioned the Sith. Being vocal about his affiliation probably wouldn't be wise if she was at odds with them. Especially if she had any resentment towards the Sith. He was hardly a Sith in the first place so it was irrelevant to begin with. Akabane just replied normally. "That's quite the talent... getting away from an entire armed force." He paused while feeling mischievous. "Have you considered joining a reconnaissance unit?" This question could be seen as an insult or a praise. He'd let her decide, but his tone definitely suggested it wasn't the latter.

@lori arenais So sorry for the wait!

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

((Three months? Wow. I didn't even realize. Time sure flies!))

Lori was about to respond to [member="Akabane"] 's remark, her mouth was open and everything. She was even preparing to point her index finger. But nothing came out because he was right. She couldn't perfect anything if she was dead. And it wasn't as though she was trying to kill herself. That was the last thing she'd ever do.

She took note as Akabane seemed to laugh at her while she listed some of her accomplishments. Did he not believe her? It wasn't as though she was making it all up. However she hadn't exactly made a name for herself, which sometimes wasn't a good thing. Like during times like these.

His comments and the manner of which he said them gave her every indication that he didn't believe her at all. "Hey, it wasn't easy, you know! And it's not something that I'd want to do all the time...." It was actually scary. And she saw her mentor's ship explode with him inside. War was terrible. She was just lucky enough to have made it out alive. Of course the Sith were wanting her for capture, no doubt to be used against her parents. But that wasn't likely to happen anymore. As far as she was aware, she wasn't a target for anyone.

 

[Akabane Jarvik]

After his subtle question she appeared to see his side as well. Akabane hadn't intended to try and win an argument, even though it turned out that way. As a younger man with some experience, he felt compelled to look out for other younger people. Of course his code focused heavily on defending females. That's the biggest part of why he challenged her verbally. Seeing her death would've really disturbed the man. Considering she looked fully matured but yet so young, that'd make anyone his age sad. He said nothing in response to the silence. There was nothing left to say. Anymore and it'd certainly be rambling.

Akabane found himself regretting the laughing since she probably saw it as mockery. He didn't think she was giving a false truth at all. It just sounded crazy and boasting about it didn't sound right with him. To be fair though, he spent many days bathing in his own trophies. Could he really sit there and act like an angel? Sigh. Akabane went over and collected his attire, suiting up in a flash. He smiled after regaining his spot in front of her. "Well, I'm glad you got out of there. Those groups can be so awful." Upsetting her would provide him with zero joy, so he stopped being rotten. Turning around to face the water, Akabane put his hands on both hips. "There will always be conflict when two superpowers oppose each other, Captain. Sacrifice will follow weakness, and spilt blood comes next. Big or small, it will be there and only there for proof of loss. But we can learn from it as well." Akabane wasn't sure how he came up with that. Maybe a great teacher told him long ago? Regardless, he hoped to subside any tension.

[member="Loreena Arenais"]
Sure does lol. I'll try to stick around