Do I or Don't I (ask for invite)

[Arla Ordo]

Arla looked at the names once more these were the names that came up when they checked the genetic database. These were the names of her parents, and yet when she looked on them not a flicker of memory came.

Worse there was no further information they were considered MIA. She ordered another ale as she pondered these names. What was her next step? Did she mount a search to see where they could be?

Did she go back to Tatooine now and show the images, and the names would someone remember, or know? She sighed as she took a draw on the ale that the droid had just dropped off.

She wished she had someone to talk to about this, there were a few that she probably could but she hated to put her personal problems on anyone. She needed to figure this out.

 

[Arla Ordo]

It would answer questions. It would perhaps end the hole within her that she all to often filled with self doubt. Her work with [member="Naimes Ahn-Dross"] had helped restore confidence had given her a friend. He was older and he had recently been promoted which likely meant their partnership during battle might be over as he could now lead his own group. She was happy for him he was exceptionally capable he really would make field Marshall in no time.

She smiled. Anyhow now. Back to the images. To go. Or not. She knew she was going once more last time. To get the answers she needed. She had to or suffer this conflict the rest of her life.

 

[Naimes Ahn-Dross]

...if Arla was some place where a droid was delivering ale to her she must have been in a cantina or bar. Either way it was the type of locale that one Mandalorian in particularly didn't frequent that often though it did happen on occasion. Drinking was best done in times of revelry in his opinion and this was not such a time. The promotion to Rally Master had not been completely unexpected, he may have even been one all along, however it was a promotion that he had accepted with a solemn amount of reservation and an inkling of gratitude...

,,,the silhouette of Naimes Ahn-Dross would stretch out across her table, covering her in the process, before the man took a seat across from Arla Balor. When he did he would gaze at her, a contemplative expression settling across his features, he didn't have a knack for empathy but he could tell that something was on her mind..."What troubles you, Arla Balor."...she had asked him to call her Arla on their last mission and he would be when it came to introductions he would still use her full name....

...his arms set themselves across the table where he sat be it out in the open or part of a booth indicating that he was at ease, he wore the common attire of a wanderer at the moment which was traveling garb with an underlay of armorweave ensuring he had some protection. On his person was the Charging Rhyno sidearm, holstered over his right hip and hidden beneath his garb, and the Fett Kal Trenchknife that found a sheath on the outside of his right leg just over the thigh. They weren't at was here so he didn't need much more than that. Gazing at her the Mandalorian would have turned his head to nod when the Droid approached him beeping and booping causing him to ask..."Anything good here?"...​

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[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

And then as if yaim herself was listening to her before her stood [member="Naimes Ahn-Dross"] her green eyes looked up restful to see a friend. She pushed her long red hair back off her face slipping it behind her ear.

She half smiled, "I never expected to see you in here you're always so in control. So." She shrugged her shoulders, "calm" . What was wrong. What were her troubles. She didn't share personal close to home information. She looked at the holo and then to Naimes.

She turned it on showing him, he had covered her back. What pain could he do to her. "My parents. I don't remember them. They left me on Tatooine, and at the mercy of someone who thought I was property." Too much she just knew she was saying to much.

She wouldn't say when she went back last time that she had almost died. No. She bore those scars no one but her mother the healer Rianna had seen them.

"I'm trying to find them." She couldn't say I feel incomplete, I feel like I'm not sure who I am without knowing them, and why they left me. No. That was too painful and she didn't want him to think her weak.

"As for what's good, they make great uji cake. But they make a great roast shatual too." She smiled broadly, "I think you'd like it. Course I make a better one." She had practiced quite a bit to cook. She wanted to be good at it.

"Can I order you some?"

 

[Naimes Ahn-Dross]

...a calm exterior often hid a more complex interior but Naimes took what he considered a compliment with the nod of his head and a thin smile that touched the corners of his mouth while he made himself comfortable across from Arla. When she showed him the holo he would lean closer in his chair to take a closer look at it, narrowing his eyes briefly as he focused, before straightening so that it was easier for him to look across towards her again..."Tatooine, I know the world."...he began..."You seek answers to the questions you have which is understandable but you haven't asked the most important question of all to yourself."...his words had taken on a nondescript and methodical tone..."Is it better to know the answers that may cause you more pain?"...

...the Mandalorian was older, he had been many things before he'd ever embrace the culture of Mandalore however his memory of his past was mirky at the best of times meaning that much of his previous endeavors were a mystery. Once he'd posed his own question to Arla he would admit..."I don't remember those responsible for my life."...he didn't refer to them as his parents..."I've lived well so that not knowing the names of those two individuals doesn't bother me overly."...yet he could see how having the answers she sought might very well reveal parts of her nature to Arla. A spiritually enlightening moment he think he'd heard it called by someone...

...Arla mentioned a Roast Shatual and he would nod his head..."Well if it is good I will try it."...though it seems he could stop a chuckle from slipping out..."Of course I would also love to sample your own cooking to compare; I have no doubt it is far superior to anything I might enjoy here."...Naimes had always been a fan of home cooked meals since he could remember and that was not likely to change. Food was a passion that Naimes embraced from the role of a consumer. He'd discovered that some of the best cooks he knew infused a part of themselves in their cooking rather than just putting it all together as it were...

...his fingers stretched outwards as he laid his right hand across the face of the table where they sat before he glanced back over his shoulder and surveyed the scene unfolding around the both of them. It was just another night, many faces he didn't recognize but there were a few that he did, that would pass into memory. Looking back towards Arla he would have touched on the matter of Tatooine once again saying..."We have been in the company of one another some time now. If you do travel to tatooine perhaps I can offer you assistance in the form of an item."...​

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[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

Arla listened, really listened she did not want to misinterpret anything that he said to her. She at times when emotionally charged did not hear what was truly said only what filtered through the haze of emotions.

Is it better to know the answers that may cause you more pain?

She toyed with her glass for a moment before she gave him an answer, but then he shared that he did not know his parents either and that it never bothered him so very much. She nodded. "I just feel that because of my tattoo, the mythosaur, that my parents were mandalorian, and that considering that part of our culture is family. Why would they leave family?" She looked at her glass this time, trying to guard her emotions, holding in feelings that she felt would embarrass her friend. "Naimes, I feel like part of me is missing, and if it causes more pain at least that is something I can deal with. But not knowing for me, gives me pain that I can't let go of"

She nodded, "Its good shatual, I promise" then she smiled. "Well if I am to make you shatual one evening then we will have to hunt it as well" Something she enjoyed being outside in the forest for some reason that gave her peace.

She had learned to cook because she did not know how, and the few things that Verz had taught her to make were mandalorian staples. And of course her buir [member="Ordo"] loved a roasted shatual, and shatual stew, and statual kabobs..she laughed he loved anything shatual.

They were back on Tatooine, "I have been trying to decide to go, and every part of me says I must go." He was offering her some help, that was very generous of him what would he offer in the form of an item. "I would be greatful for any kind of help Naimes".

She decided for a moment she would shift the conversation, "Now that you are Rally Master in your own right, you will have a team of your own to lead and teach. You won't have to be my babysitter anymore" She smiled teasing him slightly at being a baby sitter. Truth be told she would miss his calm, direct tactics. But, what he had to offer others would help the Mandalorian move forward. She would have to find calm within herself.

[member="Naimes Ahn-Dross"]

 

[Naimes Ahn-Dross]

..."Not all Mandalorians consider family to be important."...he warned her with a frown when she mentioned that family was a large part of their culture which was true, a stereotype actually but not universal amongst every man or woman who had ever claimed to be Mandalorian. There were those, as with all cultures, who valued other things more than the family that the culture of Mandalore promoted. Often these were dark individuals destined to be banished from the clans however Naimes would not sour Arla's mood by addressing the matter with her further. He did not want her to think the worst. When Arla mentioned how she felt as though she was missing a part of herself all he could reply was..."I understand."...

...Naimes suffered from a form of amnesia. Before joining the Mandalorians he remembered little of his previous life however it was possible that the calm figure now sitting across from Arla was once a bloodthirsty villain of all manner of wretched demeanor. Anything that Naimes had been had since changed though. He was a different man. Even his name had been changed as he could not recall his previous one when he awoke that one fateful day alone and with no memory of his past...

...on the topic of shatual all he would have said was..."I look forward to it. We shall hunt well and eat well."...when it came to eating Naimes had never complained seeing as how he enjoyed a good meal. Indeed it was probably a vice of his as indicated...

....the conversation would veer back towards to Tatooine and his new promotion to Rally Master causing his features to take on a more thoughtful expression while he shifted in his seat..."It is only a title."...he would assure her..."A Ship might be afforded to me, or a small fleet, so that I can preform patrol duties throughout our territory. A few men as well so that I can assist in engagements."....truth be told Naimes had heard rumors that a war was looming but that nothing had been decided yet so he was vigilant to the present circumstances. Nodding his head once he went on..."You never needed a babysitter Arla."...the smile he offered was thin..."I was only your partner."...even now it appeared as though he would reveal little to her concerning the pairing between the two of them...

...their conversation would have veered back to the assistance that Naimes had mentioned when his left hand reached behind the table and into one of the pockets of his attire. Withdrawing a lengthy talisman on the end of a metallic chain he would hold it up and ask her..."Do you know what this is?"...the talisman itself was metallic, circular and with a crystal in its center that was overlapped by several lenses with miniscule gears turning in the background of its frame. Not many people had seen one of these but Naimes had several of them; maybe the only ones that existed in this part of the galaxy...​

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[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

[SIZE=12pt]But wasn’t family part of the Resol’nare. Was it then based on his remark that, they could possibly have not wanted her. Was she defective? No, no she wasn’t. He did seem to understand when she talked about not being complete.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]She wished she had amnesia If she could forget about the past. She looked over at Naimes, who was he, really? No one talked about him, and it seemed no one knew anything about him. She knew there were borders that no one should cross but they were partners. Comrades. Friends. Even though he said nothing something in his eyes said something else, and she didn’t know if she had the courage to ask him what it was.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“I’ll let you know when we can hunt, as soon as dominions and wars take a break” She meant it, hunting would be fun, and a challenge. She assumed he liked to hunt since he had agreed to go with her. And as for eating they’d be eating shatual for a month.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Back to being a Rally Master, “Naimes you know as well as I do, it is a position of a Leader, and you will be great, dar’yaim, you are already. I’ve been with you and seen you. You will lead and do it well” She knew she would follow him, and she would recommend to others to do so.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She didn’t mention the war that had been whispered or maybe she should, her green eyes looked upon Naimes as he spoke of a ship, and a border patrol. A patrol, away from Mandalore. For a moment she felt a pain, that her friend would be gone.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]So fast were the thoughts that when he said she never needed a babysitter, it stopped all the thoughts, “Thank you for being there Naimes, baby sitter, partner, my friend. Your presence in my life is something I treasure.” And that was heartfelt and the most she had admitted to anyone in a very long time.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]What he held out she thought beautiful, “I’ve never seen anything like that” her gaze was upon it, “what is it?” She smiled, this was what he wished for her to have, whatever else it would do it was the first time that someone would have given her such a gift. And for a moment her throat hurt, and her chest got tight, tears were welling up.[/SIZE]

[member="Naimes Ahn-Dross"]​

 

[Naimes Ahn-Dross]

...the Resol'nare was the foundation of Mandalorian culture but Arla must understand that while the Resol'nare was meant to guide the daily lives of those who were Mandalorian not all of them followed it. The Darmanda, those who were apart, were a prime example of this. If all Mandalorians were pure there would have never been reason to exile some of them or punish others. Naimes never meant to come across as harsh but he understood how he may have come across as such telling Arla that not everyone under Mandalore considered the Resol'nare or family...

...when the conversation changed to talk of his new position Naimes had appeared to become a tad more comfortable, he had wisdom to dole out but something about the man would always say that he preferred simple talk to the experience he had to draw from, causing him to smile at Arla briefly. He could read the pain on her features when he mentioned that he might take border patrol and venture away from Mandalore though he did not speak of it any further...

...Arla could at least be secure in the knowledge that if he did take a patrol throughout the borders of their territories that he would return to Mandalore. When that time came she could expect his company for a time, perhaps they might even work alongside one another again. He had seen her operate, he trusted her...

..."We'll always be partners my friend."...he said, looking at her closely as he did, she was a part of his family now...

...then he had produced the talisman which he held out for her to see. Lifting his arm Naimes would let it dangle from the chain that it was connected to in plain sight giving Arla the opportunity to truly regard it. When she asked about it he would have told her..."A Talisman from a galaxy beyond this one. It comes from a place few have ever visited."...his arm outstretched and he would have stated..."A Naat Naa'taylir Talisman from Companion Esk. Only a few exist."...five of them that Naimes could count and he had returned with at least three or four of them from the world where they were created making them quite rare. Now that he'd told Arla what it was he'd let it drop easily into her own grasp...

...the effects of such a talisman were subtle but hold onto it long enough and Arla might be able to discover what its true powers were..."Keep that with you on your travels and your thoughts will always be clear."...Naimes told her revealing, perhaps, why he maintained such an aura of calm about himself so often...​

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[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

[SIZE=12pt]“Partners always” she whispered and smiled. “I like that idea” It was more than relief, the words that she wanted to say hung up in her throat she wouldn’t ever really be alone, she knew Naimes would not let her feel abandoned and he trusted her, as much as she trusted him.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She looked at the treasure he offered to her it was the rarest gem in the galaxy.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She reached over and let the talisman sit on the palm of her hand whatever power it held she might unlock one day but right now it was affirming to her that she mattered to someone. This was the only gift she had ever received in her entire life. It was a bit overwhelming for her.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She was choking on her own emotions right now. She reached up and wiped her eyes laughing a little, she looked over at Naimes. “I will treasure it always Naimes” She got up came over to him and did the one thing she probabaly shouldn’t and that was hug him hard. Her cheek to his for a moment are arms around his shoulders, “you have no idea what you’ve done for me”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She didn’t care who was looking and she could care even less what they thought. She let go turned away and wiped her face again.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Once she was sure that she wouldn’t cry anymore she sat back down and looked at her ale, the tightness was passing even though her fingers still trembled.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“Naat Naa’taylir Talisman” her fingers curled around it, “Will you help me put it on Naimes, I don’t think my fingers will work, please” She held it out to him.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]If she never found her birth parents, or if she did and they were of the type that did not value family she knew that Naimes would help her make sense of it, and help her through.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Arla could finally breath again, she covered her mouth for a moment, “So when do you want to hunting” She asked while waiting for him to place his gift around her neck.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt][member="Naimes Ahn-Dross"][/SIZE]​

 

[Naimes Ahn-Dross]

...Naat Naa'taylir translated, roughly, into True Seeing which is exactly what this talisman was meant to be a Talisman of True Seeing that enabled its wearer to pierce illusion and maintain a heightened level of mental clarity. Naimes had no doubt that by giving Arla one of the talismans in his possession that she would be able to use it wisely however it might need to be the right situation before she understood all of its properties. Nonetheless the time would come and Naimes was confident in his choice to give her this gift, as he'd already said the two of them were partners...

...always the calm individual Naimes was, momentarily, caught off guard as Arla circled around their table to give him a hug while wiping her eyes of the emotion that swelled to the surface during this exchange. Instinctively he would raise his right arm, allowing it to encircle her slowly, and return the offered sentiment which seemed only natural to him at this point as the two of them seemed to share a bond with one another. A bond Naimes related to one similar to family seeing as how Mandalorian culture did promote it above all others. The embrace was true but Naimes sat straight once more as it concluded...

..."Of course."...came his answer as Arla asked for his help and standing he would have moved around her before taking the talisman and slowly sliding it around her neck where it would hang freely after he had fastened the metallic chain around her neck. As he did this Naimes seemed to silently be aware that the crystal in the talisman should come alive and pulse briefly when it recognized its new owner however the sensation could be different for Arla. It was not the same for everyone as had been explained to him...

...as he fastened the talisman around Arla's neck Naimes would hear the mention of hunting and consider it briefly before answering..."We should go soon, I think the season will be upon us shortly."...as he circled back around her and returned to where he had been seated. When he lowered himself back down Naimes seemed to relax while laying his left hand over the table, its palm flat to the surface, while he looked across to continue watching Arla only to mention..."A Hunt and a feast would be nice. I could eat for days."...he enjoyed food, that much was certain, the hunt would be more of an exercise that Naimes would embrace the same as combat. Everything had its place...​

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[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

She stood still as he draped the necklace that held the precious gift, she watched as it drifted down and touched upon her skin. It laid there for a few moments then glowed brightly, she looked over to Naimes, “Is it supposed to do that?”

She realized as she watched it that there were other questions she should ask about this gift. She felt warm as if encased in warm water it was an odd feeling.

She tilted her head slightly as she adjusted to the sensation, goose bumps suddenly ran down her arms and legs. She could feel them bunching up tightening, she smiled it was a feeling she had not felt in sometime.

As for the hunt, “We can go next week if you like, the trails are running hot with traffic, we might see a large male that we can get, and share with another family.” Arla never kept all the meat she shared it with others. Some who had lost family, some who struggled. Strange how some clans did so well, and others struggled so hard.

“Naimes, the talisman does it require special care?” She wanted to be sure she took the best care of it, to show him how much it meant to her.

[member="Naimes Ahn-Dross"]​

 

[Naimes Ahn-Dross]

...Naimes had sat in silence after draping the necklace around her and leaving it fastened against her throat where it would hang low against her chest. At first it appeared as though he may not have head Arla but the truth was that at his age the mind started wander now and then before eventually snapping back to the present. Looking across at Arla suddenly aware that he had been quiet for a time now he'd have said..."Yes, it does that."...some might have described the talisman as attuning itself to Arla and Naimes could recall the first time he had worn his own talisman that it had done something similar. Something to do with the way the crystal inside is attuned it was explained to him but Naimes had never been a scientist so that made repeating what he was told difficult...

...a Droid approached with a tray of drinks, one of which belonged to Naimes, and beeped out something causing him to reach for the cup it was in and set it on the table before the droid went on its way. Lifting the cup to his mouth Naimes drank slowly, tipping the cup higher once he'd placed its rim to his mouth, then he would lower it with a satisfied exhale of breath..."Next week should work."...he'd have said..."I don't believe I am slated for any missions in the near future."....though he might, unknowingly at this time, be on Mykyr for a tournament in a weeks time. One of those things a person couldn't know until they happened...

...if the hunt was successful Naimes had no issue sharing the meat with a family in need. After all his culinary skills only extended into a very basic understanding and it was unlikely he would use more than a quarter of his own portion. There was something to be said about charity and the fostering of good will as well which seemed to be a tall order some days...

...as the conversation drew back to the talisman Naimes was able to offer some advice as to its care when he said..."Usually a cloth will suffice. Ensure it remains in good condition."...though he would adjust in his seat as he want on to explain..."You must also ensure the lenses that amplify the crystals inherent energies remain in working order. They're durable enough to withstand everyday life but if one is cracked you'll need to replace it for the talisman to work properly again."...the talisman, after all, was a product of science and not strictly an item imbued with the power of the force meaning its mechanics were somewhat different. Items like these were quite rare however Naimes had no doubt that Arla would be able to care for it properly...​

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[member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Arla Ordo]

[member="Naimes Ahn-Dross"]

It does that, she picked it up to look at it; wow was all she could think it felt like it was pulsing slightly and then stopped. She looked up at Naimes as he had placed it on her was he ok he looked far away for a moment. Arla had no idea how old Naimes was and mostly she did not take it into account. He was intelligent, calculated, and intense. She had seen them in him as he had moved through the halls.

Would she have thought different of him if she knew his true age. No it would not.

She was still admiring it when the droid brought his drink, she had not finished hers and would likely nurse it until it was time to go. She liked the taste, and she had to admit at times she liked it too much suffering all the after affects and promising not to do it again.

“next week, ok” and if he was off world she would wait until there was a time that would be better she did have patience. Maybe too much so.

He once again seemed focused on the talisman, she nodded, “I will take good care of it Naimes, I promise” She would, she would fret over it to be honest.

“You know Naimes, I might wait a few weeks before deciding to go off looking. I have to go mining for beskar for new armor, and I want to consider what you’ve told me. I’d probably suffer” suffer was an understatement of what she would feel, “terrible self-worth problems if I found out my parents decided they didn’t want me. But” She swallowed, if anyone was to understand this strong need she knew he did, she had already told him that she felt like part of her was missing.

“and you might be right, it could be more painful” She guided the talisman back down her hand remaining over it. She still had a hard time knowing he gave it to her, just because of their friendship.

“Naimes you don’t say much about yourself really. And here I am babbling away would you tell me a little about you?” she asked in a soft voice there was more to him than the soldier. But what was it? And was it something he wanted to share?