Harmony Between Two Suns

[A'Runda]

The harsh twin suns radiated their light and heat onto the hot surface of the desert world. As awful as it was, this was home for A'Runda. He spent almost his entire life on Tatooine. The lone Tusken walked along in the Jundland Wastes, bordering the Great Chott Salt Flat. Even after being exiled from his clan and going off world, he kept being drawn back to the barren planet.

How does one survive out here? The answer was the Black Melon. A hardy vegetation that grew in this region of the planet. Providing one with essential fluids to live out here. It was in times like this that A'Runda wish he had his old Bantha. However, when he left he gifted it to his younger step brother. Whatever black melons weren't consumed by him he'd sell to the local Jawas, trading them for crude components to his lightsaber to make it more stable.

It was out here that A'Runda did a lot of thinking, most thoughts negative. Thinking over his life and events that would lead him to where he was today. Looking over his memories over and over, to the first city that he went to. To the first time going off world, and flying his ugly starfighter. However, when he did this he often felt an odd sense of mysticism and a somewhat higher being. Something he could never really explain. Was this the curse his clan told him about, what it was that made him leave? But then, out of the blue he felt something, like someone was around, or like he was being watched. Where was it coming from? Who was it? What would someone be doing way out here?

[member=Kimiko]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

The dessert sands baking under the Twin Suns. As inhospitable a place as could possibly be anywhere in the known Galaxy. At some point in time the planet had been referred to as "the planet farthest from bright center of the universe".

Whoever had said that was right.

Tatooine however, could also be useful. If one wanted to disappear, the shifting sands, winding valleys, and any number of shady cantinas were the perfect place to hide...

...and this was exactly what had become of Kimiko.

Her failed attempt to free her people from the oppressive grip of her sister had sent the woman and most of her crew running scared.

-----

The later part of the day cast long shadows into the canyon that the Cyaron was nestled in, somewhere just south of Mos Eisley, Kimiko and her crew had hunkered down for the time being. They had settled into the routine of watch shifts to guard the vessel from interlopers and the occasional Jawa. As well as making supply runs to the nearby space port every few days.

Kimiko herself had spiraled into a bit of depression and spent most of her own time meditating, when not caring for her rambunctious son. It was during one of these times as the tiny tot was nestled into her arms, that her ears perked up at a certain sensation, one she had felt before. A slight melancholic tone rang out with this feeling, as if it's source was scared or confused.

She had heard tales from the old days that this planet had seen some of the most powerful Force users in the Galaxy rise and fall and that it had left a sort of stigma and mysticism to the planet itself.

She meandered her way towards the bridge to find her daughter, who was getting a lesson from Chika in the captain's chair.

Both women immediately responding to her approach, but the younger speaking first,"Mama, is everything alright?"

Apparently she couldn't hide the concerned look on her own face, and she countered with a soft laugh,"Yes sweetie. I'm just...going to check something out. I need you to watch your brother while I'm out."

She passed the young woman the sleeping boy, and nodded to a smiling and still quiet Chika before heading to the loading ramp to fetch one of the speeders...

"Please don't be anything I regret being curious about..."

@A'Runda

 

[A'Runda]

What ever the feeling was, it seemed to become stronger, and fast. In a sort of scramble A'Runda looked around quick, almost throwing himself off balance. Looking out into the massive salt flat he watched the mirage dance in the distance and he saw something. It looked to be a speeder.

The Tusken quickly made an assumption of them being militiamen from the moister farms. Then vengeful settlers sometimes would patrol the Jundland Wastes for small, Tusken search parties to hunt down. Seeing it close in on him A'Runda reached for his lightaber. However, it seemed like it was just one speeder, and a small one at that.

Bringing his hand back away from his lightsaber he simply watched as they came by. It seemed as if that was the source of the feeling he was getting. He'd felt it sometimes before in his trips to go off world looking for answers. They called it The Force. Perhaps this was a person with the same curse. But what was their motive? Were they here to hunt him down? He would have his lightaber ready, but he would keep a neutral posture for perhaps they were friendly. As they got closer he would wave as a welcoming sign, also showing he wasn't your typical Tusken.

[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

"Strange..."

The woman slowed as she neared the stranger, noting it did not seem threatening in the manner it was waving put her at ease.

Kimiko pulled to a park, near the strangers standing spot and she observed him from beneath her hood. Sparkling blue eyes taking in the sight with sheer curiosity. Her thoughts finally settled as she dismounted, finally putting together he was a Tusken, Sand Person, one of the actual natives of the planet. It intrigued her more when she returned to face him, and lowered her hood, releasing her flowing white hair and tall ears atop her head.

She cautiously approached, offering a welcoming smile with each careful step. Her mind racked itself and couldn't remember how to exactly communicate with him. She settled on Basic...

"H-Hello. I...felt your presence. I could assume, with the way you greeted me, that you felt mine as well?"

She reached out a gentle hand in greeting, along with a wider smile, her tails swishing low behind her.

@A'Runda

 

[A'Runda]

With some mimicry he pulled down the hood from his poncho, looking over her through his masking garbs. He was getting used to seeing others without being clothed head to toe. He quickly felt eased with her welcoming smile, finding her to be rather attractive. He felt like it was clear that she was indeed the presence that he felt in the force. But then he listened to her speak.

She confirmed what he was suspecting. As he reached over to her hand she could see his crude lighsaber on his belt. However, strangely it didn't have the force signature of a kyber crystal. After taking her hand he spoke. "Hello to you as well." he said clearly in Galactic Basic, sounding very much like the human he was behind the mask. He was a little surprised with the warm behavior of her. From his experience Tuskens were widely despised race. "That feeling... that's the force right?" he asked, clearly showing his ignorance in the force.

As he pulled his hand back he spoke once more. "Um, my name's A'Runda, you don't look like you're form around here." He stated, being someone that very well knew who was and wasn't from the desert planet.

[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

The figurative ice had been broken, although he had surprised her by speaking clearly in return. She caught a glimpse of the metallic hilt of his saber, but it felt odd. It didn't phase her though as she nodded in response to his first question, tilting her her head in curiosity at the pretense behind it.

He knew of the Force, but not what it was by the sound of it...

...curious indeed.

She straightened back as well, placing her hands in the open ends of her robe before bowing politely,"I am Kimiko, a pleasure to meet you A'Runda. You would be correct in that assumption, I am most definitely not from this planet." a melodious chuckle escaped her,"Yet here I find my crew and myself in a sort of, exile."

The woman would sigh before returning a smile to her face,"Tell me though, why is it you are alone out here? Don't your people usually travel in groups?"

@A'Runda

 

[A'Runda]

"Kimiko..." he repeated to himself. "That's a nice name" he added. He listened to her words intently. Exile, well he knew what that felt like. Then he heard her comment about Tuskens being together and him being alone. The words giving him a sudden feeling of homesickness.

"That's is true, Tuskens do like to stick together." He replied, "However..." A'Runda thought for a moment, was it wise to explain his situation to a stranger. Well, she's been kind thus far, he couldn't see why it would be all that bad. "I had to leave my clan. All because of this, Force." He said with some disdain in his voice. "To many Tuskens here in the Wastes it's has been considered a curse. So to keep my clan out of harms way I left." It almost brought him chills taking about it. Knowing of the stories of the demon in black with their red sword.

After a moment he spoke to her again. "Since I left I've been wandering rather aimlessly. Trying to understand what it is in me. But all I hear what sounds like myths and ramblings of The Force." But, A'Runda knew that she to seemed to process the same thing that's within him.

[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

"I see..." she contemplated his words, they were intriguing to say the least.

"So, you were discovered to have more affinity for the Force than most of your kinsmen and have entered a self-imposed exile? I can...understand that more than you could know."

Her smile never wavered even through such somber words. She waved her hands dismissively before her, as if catching herself saying something wrong.

"I could understand the confusion one must receive as their sensitivity manifests itself within them. For me, it was sort of frightening. But," she paused, looking at him sincerely,"over time I learned so much about the interactions and how to utilize such a connection."

Her grin became toothy, but still not threatening in any manner as she threw her arms open dramatically,"I welcome you, A'Runda, the Force is with you!"

@A'Runda

 

[A'Runda]

Once again A'Runda listened intently to [member="Kimiko"]. Perhaps there was more of a connection between the two of them then he originally thought. More the just sensing her form across the desert. But when she opened her arms ad spoke he felt like it was a little bizarre. Almost feeling like she was beckoning him into a hug, but he stood his ground.

Then he thought over what she said. She two seems to be connected to The Force, and seems to have a much better understanding of it then him. If that was the case. She may just be the kind of person he was looking for. Should he ask? A'Runda wasn't sure. "M-Miss Kimiko... I must ask, can you help me? For a while I've been searching for answers to The Force and have only become confused and more alone." It was true, slowly he'd been slipping into the darkside without really knowing it. His frustration with his situation festering within him.

"I-I'm sorry, that's probably too much for someone like me to ask a of a person like yourself. I've just been so lonely, and to find someone that not only has the same connection as I do, but a much better understanding is almost like a dream come true for me as of late." He was sure she understood where he was coming from.

[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

She giggled delightedly, her display fallen to the side.

Her tails lifted and waved about with excitement behind her back at the question,"Of course I will help to the best of my ability. But first, let's return to my vessel, it is to be night soon, and the cold would not be welcoming."

She turned and began approaching her speeder, before turning back to him,"Besides, a little hospitality wouldn't be to much to ask of a host right?"

Swiftly, her hood swallowed her head along with it's features, before she straddled her seat and scooted as far forward as she could. Looking at him expectantly, she patted the seat.

@A'Runda

 

[A'Runda]

A'Runda was very much glad to hear that she would have him as a sort of student to train under. Then nodded to her comment on the nights. Which he had to agree with. The nights he often felt were worse then the long days under the sun. Especially when you're out on your own. Once again mimicking her, he brought up the hood from his poncho as well. "Thank you very much Kimiko."

After getting on the speeder behind her, he wondered if she lived here, or was just visiting the planet. All he knew was that she wasn't from here. Either way, knowing now that he had someone what could have him understand the force and give him answers filled him with hope. He wouldn't really say anything. just waiting for her to take him off and away from the Wastes fro now.

[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

The ride had been in silence. She wouldn't admit it, but piloting a speeder without crashing was one thing...adding a passenger to that made the ordeal nerve-wracking.

They arrived at her vessel's ramp and Kimiko moved to dismount, removing her hood in the process,"Welcome to the Cyaron! She's my mobile home of sorts. We have basic amenities and I am sure we can get you set up in a cabin if you desire."

@A'Runda

 

[A'Runda]

A'Runda always felt worried whenever he got into more populated areas given how unpopular Tuskens are. As he got off the speeding he kept his hood up and looking at the "mobile home". "Very nice." He said, do to the situation he couldn't help my smile some behind his masked face.

"Just wondering, will we start lessons tomorrow?" He was pretty exited to get started, even hoping they could get started tonight. Even though that might no happen. After that A'Runda wondered if he'd need to meet anyone else as well. Nonetheless he was ready to follow her.

[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

Her eyes blinked rapidly for a moment in thought on the question before she turned and offered a smile,"I just have to check on someone really quick, but I do not see why we cannot begin tonight. It is still early no?"

@A'Runda

 

[A'Runda]

"Um, yeah...Okay, great" He replied, unsure who she meant she had to check on. "Well then, I'll be ready whenever you are." After that A'Runda began to wonder how things will start out. Will it be hard? Will it be an amazing adventure? Only time will tell.

[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

She motioned him to follow before sauntering through the with a wide grin, hands clasped behind her back,"I just need to check on my children, and ensure my little one does not need anything."

She skipped and twirled to begin walking in reverse,"So, tell me A'Runda, when did you first feel the connection you held to the Force?" she questioned with a genuine air of curiosity.

"This'll be interestingly fun" she thought to herself.

@A'Runda

 

[A'Runda]

Well, he didn't know she had children. That means that she was probably responsible and that can make for a good teacher of sorts. Then he hear her speak and listened to her question.

"Well, it wasn't much longer after I killed my first Krayt Dragon when I was fifteen." He remembers that day very clearly. His clan was so proud of him. "I kept it hidden for a while. I was worried, scared of it. Eventually I let my clan know." After that was when they told him it was a curse.

[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

"Impressive!" the woman exclaimed, the pieces beginning to fall before her.

She had reached a hatch that led to the bridge. Placing a finger over her lips as to say 'keep quiet', she peaked through the view port and after several moments, her smile broadened.

With a giggle she detached and continued her path,"So, after your trial, you informed your kin of the development, and I am under the assumption that they did not welcome it?"

@A'Runda

 

[A'Runda]

Following her he kept quite as she non verbally said to him. Only asking her next question did he speak. "You'd be correct in saying that, yes. Our clan's... historian I guess you could say, spoke to me of an old legend. One about a demon in black with a crimson sword. An entity that has slaughter tribes and clans in the past. Some clans even to this day are said to perform sacrificial rituals to ward off the demon. So, for the longest time I was led to believe I was cursed."

He looked down, feeling a little embraced. "I'm sorry, to an offworlder it might sound silly. But believe me, Tuskens take their culture and history very seriously." A'Runda said as he followed her through the ship.

[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

A hand would wave dismissively,"Believe me when I say I have my own share of 'silly' stories."

They would arrive at a hatch which would open into a deceptively large room with a lowered central floor. It was plainly decorated and still seemed somewhat calming.

"Welcome to my personal meditation chamber. I figured this would be the best place to discuss things. But please, make yourself comfortable." she offered with a smile.

@A'Runda