Have a Heart [Korros]

[Darth Athora]

Vaynai
Midday
The sun shined ever so brightly over the pristine waters and beautiful islands of Vaynai. Many of the highborn inhabitants of the planet littered the beaches in their bathing suits, bathing in the sun and having good old fashioned fun. Now that the planet was free from Sith Empire control, Vaynai returned to it's ways of being a resort world of the Outer Rim. The sounds of water crashing against the shore, children laughing in merriment, and birds calling out at each other in the air made the atmosphere so friendly and relaxing.

Jala was there in her new coolth suit, sitting on a dock that reached out far into the ocean. Her icy blue eyes looked out at the pristine waters abroad, scanning the horizon slowly. She sighed softly as her boredom grew with each moment. She rose from her laid down position and returned to the mainland to find something to do. Something had to be happening soon. It was about the same time that the criminals and their like would be seen in abundance.

Jala's communicator began ringing. She pressed the button, answering the call. "Hello?" she answered. It was a droid of hers at her ship, checking in. "Alright. Everything good? No problems? Good to hear. Check in again in two hours. Bye." She then deactivated the communicator and continued walking along the beach.


[member="Korros"]

 

[Korros]

He’d snuck aboard a random transport days ago, their supply hold had been too much of a temptation. The boxes of fruits and vegetables a buffet for the Kushiban, he hadn’t meant to get trapped inside. He’d stuffed himself silly, then curled up to take a nap, only to wake up to the doors crashing shut. The darkness didn’t bother him, he had a small lantern, what bothered him was that he didn’t know where it was headed. He made the best of it however, plenty of food and water, quiet, what more could he want?


He knew that they had arrived to wherever they were headed when he felt the ship descending into the atmosphere. He hid the evidence inside another crate, tucked himself into another and waited. When the doors opened he decided to just wait till he could leave. That had been the plan till he smelled dog. He hated dogs with as much single minded fury as he did cats, at least cats could be reasoned with, dogs however were too loyal to their humans. He tried to come out quietly, but some of the stuff in the box shifted. Said animal and his wonderful packmates caught him, he bolted.


In his wake were the sounds of less than pleased humans, but that faded fast whereas the dog noises kept on his tail. He didn’t look back, to look back would mean slowing down and he knew they were merely a couple feet behind him. He exited the landing port, running towards the beach, because he was lighter he hoped he’d gain distance. The heavy dogs would be slowed down more than he would be. He leaped over someone, using the bigger humanoids as obstacles. He left chaos in his wake as the dogs weren’t nearly as nimble or careful, they simply plowed over and through things.


His terror and energy would only last so long and as he raced up the railing of some stairs leading off the beach he was panting. He bolted between two buildings, but it turned out to be a dead end, he spotted a wooden pole and climbed it. It was a better choice, but he was too far away from the buildings to jump. All he’d managed to do was put himself out of reach of the dogs as they arrived barking, snarling and jumping. His paws ached, his claws hurt and below him was certain death. He stared down at him his fur a miserable stormy blue color baring his teeth. The owners were going to come along eventually and notice that the ‘animal’ they thought was wearing clothes and a small bag. He would be in even worse trouble then, but how could he get away before that happened?



[member="Jala Rekab"]

 

[Darth Athora]

Jala walked onto the repulsorlift that took her up to the floor her room was located. Once she was inside, she put on her Templar armor, secured her lightsabers to her hips, and exited the room back to the repulsorlift. She left the hotel room, shielding her eyes from the sunlight with her hand. Luckily, the coolth suit kept her body as cold as ice. "The sun is unbearable today." she thought to herself.

Jala held her wrist up to her face, activating her communicator. "R6, I'm headed back to the sh-" Jala began before her sentence was interrupted by the sight of a little creature speeding across the beach with two dogs at his rear. "On second thought," Jala continued, "I'll be a minute..or two." Jala took her wrist away from her face and began sprinting to see what the commotion was all about.

The chase led Jala to a alleyway where the dogs had the little creature cornered. It was all very confusing to Jala. All she had to go on was the creature that was on the pole was in trouble and needed help. Jala acted. She slowly crept up on the dogs, placing her hands out before her, calling on the Force to calm the beasts and gain their friendship. It was hard but she managed to do it. The dogs were no longer ready to attack the animal they were chasing, but were instead standing at Jala's side, tails wagging. Jala petted her temporary companions then looked up to the small, scared creature and gave him a warm smile. "Everything's alright. You can come down now." she sad softly to it. She didn't recognize his kind. Jala wasn't much of a galactic explorer so there's many species she had yet to meet before.

[member="Korros"]

 

[Korros]

He stared at the woman, not really sure what just happened. One moment the dogs were snarling after his heart's blood, the next they acted like they’d known her for ages. She’d saved his life. One might argue he should be happy except he wasn’t. He’d managed to go without the help of those bigger than him ever since he’d ran away from his ‘master’. By being saved, he owed her now, he had to return the favor. It was only fair. He slowly got down, climbing down the pole backwards lest he hurt himself further. Once he was on the ground he eyed the dogs carefully, then straightened his vest and backpack.

He drew himself up with as much dignity as he could, despite his broken pride and looked up at the woman. “Thank you…”

He kept a safe distance from the canines, his fur slowly changed to a tired washed out grey color. His ears didn’t droop, but she’d get a sense that he was only standing because of the last shreds of his pride. The truth was, he didn’t even think he could walk, his paws hurt and his body ached from the high activity.


[member="Jala Rekab"]

 

[Darth Athora]

Jala kneeled down to meet him on his level. She held her hand out to him, beckoning him closer. "Don't worry," she said softly, "you're safe. No one's gonna hurt you." she smiled warmly to make the atmosphere a bit more friendly. The dogs sat there, looking around, no longer trying to attack the creature. "I'm Jala. What's your name?" Jala asked.

[member="Korros"]

 

[Korros]

He didn’t move any further, where he stood was still much too close. “Korros.” When he spoke the dogs looked over at him with interest, but thankfully they didn’t move. “Their owners will be along eventually, I don’t want you to get in trouble. I...was an accidental stowaway, these dogs were chasing me.”


He didn’t say why it was accidental, but he didn’t want her in any trouble due to his situation. He didn’t think the humanoids had got all that good a look of him, but just in case he’d rather limp off and find a place to hide.




[member="Jala Rekab"]

 

[Darth Athora]

Jala bit into her lower lip as she thought about the situation he had gotten himself into. Suddenly, the dog's owners had caught up to them, guns at the ready, pointing them at Korros. "Speak of the devil.." Jala muttered. The padawan exhaled as she stood up to turn and look at the thugs who were chasing after Korros. "Look, I don't want any trouble, boys." she said to the thugs. "You may not want it," a thug began, "but you and that thing got it."

The thug readied to fire his pistol, but not before Jala could reach for her lightsaber and activate it's golden blade. "I said..I don't want any trouble." After she said this, the dogs began growling at their former owners. They were fully dedicated to Jala and were at the ready to defend her.

[member="Korros"]

 

[Korros]

When they showed up his ears drooped, he’d warned her, but then he stared at her when she displayed her weapon. It explained why the dogs had acted like they’d know her forever, she was a Jedi. How was someone like him supposed to save the life of someone with her power? It would be like trying to stab a god with a blade of grass. He would be in her debt forever. One of the thugs looked at his partner and took a step back “Bol, no wonder those mutts of yours are acting strange, I’m not messing with a Forcey. Lets just get out of here…”


They had more intelligence than he’d first thought, but then again Force users were highly feared. People only saw what happened when they attacked, the destruction that cost those without such power. If they sneezed wrong they might ‘accidentally’ drop a building on you, which was just one of many worries said of them. He actually didn’t know what alignment she had, just that she hadn’t killed the dogs, she might just like animals. They hurried off without a backward glance, forgetting the dogs in their hurry to get out of her sight.


He sat back on his haunches, putting his front paws gently in front of him, his tail curling around him. His head was hung, his ears drooped along side his body, the very picture of worn out. He didn’t even have the energy to feel, he was just too damned tired.




[member="Jala Rekab"]

 

[Darth Athora]

Jala turned back to Korros and the dogs chased after their former handlers. Their barking faded the further away they went. "So, mind telling me what happened?" Jala asked, referring to what Korros did to anger those two thugs. "You owe me that much at least." She kneeled down once more to his level. "Something about a..'accidental stowaway', hmm?" Jala laughed a little at his predicament.

[member="Korros"]

 

[Korros]

He heaved a sigh not meeting her eyes as he started telling her “I was working for a shipyard a couple days ago, just walking around keeping an eye on things. The guy who hired me said he’d pay me, I’d been working there for a week. So, time rolls around that he was to give me what I earned, he screwed me over. I was at the end of my last few credits and this ship rolls in filled to the brim with food and water. I went in, intended to eat then dash as my ‘payment’ then be on my way. I got trapped in the hold, three days later, I got free and those dogs caught me.”


His stomach, reminded of those three days of being fed, voiced its opinion rather loudly. Mostly at that moment he was thirsty, very very thirsty, he licked his lips and looked up at her. “I am in your debt.”





[member="Jala Rekab"]

 

[Darth Athora]

Jala squatted there as Korros' tale of how he got himself into the mess Jala pulled him out of. She laughed a little once he was done explaining. "Seems you got yourself in a bit of a bind there, friend." she giggled. "Hey, how 'bout you come with me?" Jala suggested. "Dangerous galaxy for someone like you and I could always use more friends. And you won't have to steal any food." Jala flashed a friendly smile and extended his hand out to Korros, waiting for a handshake.

[member="Korros"]

 

[Korros]

He stood up with effort and stepped over to her taking her hand “Alright, I’ll stay with you.”


She’d see the tiny pads on his extended hand-like paw were raw looking. Climbing the wooden pole had abraded the skin, despite the fact that the pads were rough from hard work. His feet had fared better because of the leather, but his hands not so much. He wouldn’t be able to keep up with her if he had to walk on two legs and walking on all fours would make the aggravation worse. It wouldn’t have been so bad if he hadn’t run on sun baked ground or sand before scrambling up weather exposed wood. It was amazing that he didn’t have paws covered in slivers.


At least she seemed to think of him as her equal, a companion, instead of a pet, but things could change. “What will I be doing to earn my keep?”


He doubted this situation was as one sided as she presented it and he wanted to know what her expectations were of him.





[member="Jala Rekab"]

 

[Darth Athora]

Jala thought about all the possible things he could do in payment for saving him, but out of them all, she only wanted one thing. "Stick by my side and do what I say when I say, how's that?" she offered. She saw him as a potential traveling companion. One that she would need indefinitely in the future. Also would be a plus to bring another person into the Crusade. The Mother would be pleased with this. Very pleased. "Oh, and another thing," she added "should you want to, you are able to join me in the Moross Crusade."

[member="Korros"]

 

[Korros]

He looked at her, his eyes wide with shock “You mean your faction would take someone like me?”


He’d never thought much about joining any of the various factions, his strengths were hardly useful to those bigger than he. It was a good thing, even if he hated knowing he’d have to serve the faction in some way. It was protection, resources and possibly never needing to miss a meal, which was worth it. He felt a bit embarrassed asking, but it beat trying to scamper after her on sore paws “May I ride on your shoulder, the hot ground made my pads sore.”





[member="Jala Rekab"]

 

[Darth Athora]

Jala chuckled softly and shook her head at the little Kushiban. "Yes, of course. In the Crusade, we accept anyone and everyone willing to follow the ways of Moross."

Jala turned to walk out of the alley and looked over her shoulder at him. "Hop on." she said, tilting her head to tell him to come on. "Let's get out of here, hmm?" Jala suggested before walking down the street towards the spaceport after Korros would jump on her shoulders. "So, what do you do? You good at anything?" Jala asked, striking up a conversation.

[member="Korros"]

 

[Korros]

He climbed up to her shoulder, careful as he could with his claws. “I’ve been everything from a sentry to a table washer. What you should be asking is what jobs do I enjoy.”


He settled, making himself comfortable and licking his paws to soothe the ache. “I like fixing things and making things best, I followed my parents skills so I can make clothing, though as of late just my own. I tried to take that more honest route some time ago, but I didn’t enjoy fighting to be treated as an equal. Far too many don’t take me seriously. In the end I just took work where I could and what I needed when I couldn’t.”


It was one thing to be small and look humanoid, another to be small and look like an animal. People don’t see a being that looks like him as more than what he appeared to be and thus didn’t care about being honest. Would she turn out much the same?





[member="Jala Rekab"]

 

[Darth Athora]

Jala walked onto the strip that was adjacent to the beach and led towards the spaceport where her ship rested. She noticed the awkward stares of the people she walked past. They weren't judging her or Korros. At least it didn't look like it. Seemed like they were amazed at how cute the two looked together. The blonde beauty and adorable fuzzball.

"Hmm, I see." Jala hummed. "Well, I suppose I could make use of you as a sort of organic astromech once you learn the ins and outs of starships. Think you could do it?" Jala asked.

[member="Korros"]

 

[Korros]

He nodded “Sounds fine, don’t recall if I’d ever done such a thing, but it sounds interesting enough. I’d be willing to learn to fly the ship too, if you’d like, it looks really easy.”


He didn’t really pay attention to the people around him, he was too tired. If he had he might have been a bit self conscious, embarrassed and probably uneasy. He didn’t like drawing so many eyes usually.







[member="Jala Rekab"]

 

[Darth Athora]

"Yeah," Jala began, "I bet it does look easy in the hands of a professional. I'm not even sure a little guy like yourself could effectively fly my ship. Not fit for someone your size, but, if you really wish to fly it, I could get some adjustments made possibly."

Jala turned onto the steps that would take her up to the spaceport. Once at the top, she took a sharp left down a corridor until she reached docking bay H-11 where her ship rested. "Well, here she is," Jala opened up her arms and presented to Korros her personal Cyhraeth-class light freighter. "It ain't much of a fighter, but she gets me where I need to go safely." she mentioned.

[member="Korros"]

 

[Korros]

It was the weirdest looking ship he’d ever seen, but also the coolest. He stared and then looked at her blinking “Its certainly the most unusual ship I’ve ever seen, I like it.”


He didn’t feel comfortable running into her ship like some excited kit, but he wondered just how big inside it was. “Where are we headed after this? Is there a bath on this ship? I think I carried half the beach in my fur...”



[member="Jala Rekab"]