Return to Yourself [Invited; PM for Invite]

[Mirshko Betna]

[member="Arrbi Betna"] [member="Anija Betna"] [member="Coryth Elaris"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Muad Dib"] [member="Elpsis Kallikora"]

Pirate's Bay Shadowport, Syvris - Elpsis' Ship

Her eyes wide for a moment, she simply stared at Elpsis. And then she seemed to shake herself free of her surprise. Flipping the dagger once in her hand, she sheathed it smoothly in her left boot. That done, she took a quick look around the ship and let her eyes drift closed for a moment as she tried to get her bearings. She'd never really been on a ship like this, so wasn't overly familiar with the layout of it. After a moment, she looked at Elpsis a bit helplessly.

The older woman shrugged and pointed Mirshko in the right direction. With a nod, Mirshko sprinted off towards the lower gunwell. At least the woman's tone had helped to galvanize Mirshko into action. She wanted out of here just as much - if not more than Elpsis. And Manda forbid if she ever came back. She never wanted to see this place again. Suppressing a shudder, she dropped down the access into the lower gunwell without even using the ladder.

Pounding on the hatch was louder down here... probably because they were closer to her here. Gritting her teeth, she fumbled with the chair's crash-webbing for a few moment before she got it sorted and buckled herself in. She had left the cloak in a heap on the deck of the cargo hold. After a few moments to look over the controls for the dorsal turret, she slipped the headset on over her ears and turned it on. "I'm in, moving to position now...." she said, keeping the talking short as she focused on her task. The controls were very similar to the ones she's learned on buir's Pathfinder, so that helped.

She swung the chair around, tracking towards the hatch. There was the one main group near the hatch itself of perhaps half a dozen, and as she swung around, she noticed another group closing in from the left - the direction of the hangar access. Swallowing, she swung back towards the hangar access and began blasting away at the group there. She hadn't seen Kuryr among either group - of which she was glad. Her fingers pressed down on the firing controls, and crimson bolts flashed across the open space towards the other group. When it reached them, the hail of bolts bit into flesh and fabric... and a good portion of the group went down. Mirshko hadn't been consciously focusing on the Force... but using it instinctively to focus as she'd learned to do.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

It seemed Siobhan would not be the only one coming to the homestead today. Not at all. The tiny redhead had accompanied Siobhan in the journey. Her extreme lightsided ways the complete opposite of the Dark Jedi Master beside her. Though, despite their differences the two got along well. More than got along in fact, but that was a story for another time and place. Not here.

Losing a child, Coryth could imagine more than most, having given up her own daughter at birth. It wasn't really a choice then. Elpsis had been gone from her life for a very long time before the redheaded Jedi even had the chance to reconnect. And even still, so much lost time. So, when Siobhan had gotten word, Coryth decided where she was needed most was at Anija's side.

Though, this was not the first time she had helped Anija. No, once before the redhead had healed her and helped to take care of her after a terrible accident during training. And in her eyes, she still owed the Mandalorians a great deal for them helping to save her own life not too long ago. A debt that she personally believed still needed to be repaid in whatever ways she could manage.

Seeing Arrbi, Coryth bowed her head respectfully. "Anija did, yes. Siobhan asked me to come along, under the circumstances ... I could hardly say no. I hope you do not mind."

[member="Muad Dib"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] | [member="Arrbi Betna"] | [member="Anija Betna"]

 

[Anija Betna]

[member="Coryth Elaris"] [member="Muad Dib"] [member="Arrbi Betna"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Betna Homestead
Enceri, Mandalore

A moment later, Anija pushed the door open and stepped out onto the porch. The dim light caused her to blink several times as her eyes adjusted to it from the brightness of the computer screen. She'd been staring at the fething thing for hours, and her eyes were burning from the strain. When her eyes had adjusted, she leaned against the railing, and scooted up to sit on it as she regarded the small gathering in the darkness. It wasn't pitch black, so she could faintly make out faces... and she could sense them in the Force. At least as much as they allowed her to. She wasn't the type to pry unnecessarily.

And now, she could feel the worry... the determination rippling off of those gathered at the porch. Her gaze tracked to Arrbi, then Muad... and then to Sio and Coryth. Those two, she couldn't put a finger on the relationship between the two women, but she knew they were close friends at the very least. A faint frown crossed her face as she spotted the carved toy that Muad had laid on the porch railing. She'd last seen it months ago. And to see it now caused a lump of emotion to rise in her throat. She crossed the porch, and gently picked up the carved gun, turning it over in her fingers.

Her eyes drifted closed, and she too tried to get a read off of it. She wasn't especially skilled with visions, but she did get some strong emotional impressions from it. There were several seconds of silence before she spoke. "Sio knows the initial details of how and when she disappeared.... and we've spent the last six months trying to locate her. For a while I was geting help from Orick T'ane, but I've been unable to reach him for the last month or so. His last message did say that one of his contacts had sighted her in what he called a "Shadowport", but he didn't know where. And even that message is over a month old..." she said softly. "We also visited the Witches of Dathomir and consulted their seers. As I can attest, they tell us she's alive and unharmed.... and they also tell us she's '..with a being of legend.' " At this, she frowned slightly. "I'm not sure what that means." She paused and ran a hand through her disheveled hair. Her clothing was rumpled and there were dark circles under her eyes. "His last message also gave a general location we might start looking, based on where his contact sighted her. But there is no telling if she's still there..."

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Mirshko Betna"]


Shadowport


Pirates, pirates everywhere! It reminded Elpsis a bit about certain video games she liked to play. Predictably she was a fan of First-Person Shooters. She could feel and hear Mirshko blasting away at some of the attackers with the dorsal turret. It seemed the girl had shaken herself out of her shock and got her fighting spirit back. Good. Elpsis decided she sort of liked her, though of course she would not admit that!


But more pirates were closing in, carrying heavy weapons. Sooner or later they would break in and then things would...suck. Like it or not, the fiery redhead could not take on a horde of scum. Fortunately she did not need to. A red light glowed on the computerised interface, showing the torpedo had been prepped. Blaster cannons would unfortunately not suffice to blow in a hole, but this would. Fingers danced over the interface, then she pressed the button and fired.


With a whoosh a torpedo leapt out and shot right towards the sealed, reinforced hangar bay doors. Boom. The aforementioned doors were engulfed in a massive fireball as the shot hit home and blew them up. As fires spread, Elpsis took the controls, pushing the engines for all it was worth as the freighter accelerated. Alarm sirens blared and the computer reported damage from impact when suddenly turrets began firing, whereupon she activated laser cannons, spitting out red bolts of death.


The ship shook and shuddered under the pressure of explosions, either inflicted by grenades or turrets. Fires licked at the battered vessel before she managed to sink in the Force and let them sweep towards the attacking corsairs, igniting some of them with flames. "Hold on...tight," she called out to Mirshko as the ship shot out of the hangar into space. Now they just had to survive any pirate ships that might come after them and then make out it to hyperspace!

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Anija Betna"], [member="Coryth Elaris"], [member="Muad Dib"], [member="Arrbi Betna"]


It was a bad habit, but Siobhan felt herself experiencing a strong craving for a cigarette. It was narrowly suppressed. She gave sweet Coryth a thin smile though. Recently the little redhead had decided to become a Rogue and ditch the Jedi, something Sio totally approved of. After all, she still had a maxed out light side metre!


As for the nature of their relationship, well, that was a tad complicated. Even for them and their writers, but that's not what this story is about. "I gave Elpsis a call. Coryth's daughter," she said for the benefit of the three Mandalorians. "She hangs out in places like that. Seemed reasonable she could find something out since Orick is out of touch with you guys. Last I heard she was heading to a 'shadowport' at Syvris for business and she said she'd keep her eyes open. Haven't heard anything from her yet though."

 

[Muad Dib]

Muad looked between the small group that had gathered. As they spoke he stubbed out the end of his deathstick and placed another between his lips, fingers snapping lightly and creating a small blue flame which caught then end. A deep inhale as he glanced over at Arrbi as if to say, these won't kill me, I die in battle mate, but his smirk wasn't as pronounced as it would have been considering the situation.

Looking over at Anija it was obvious she was worn down by the loss of her child. It was bad enough to lose someone in death, but to not know, and the uncertain whereabouts and well being of the child had to be worse then the other. Of course Muad didn't have a kid and cared little enough for so few people to ever really be able to empathize with the Betnas. Thos he did care for were warriors, and warriors died. It was the order of things. But just because he was a tad insane, no conscience, and was trained as a sith, it didn't mean he didn't sympathize with them, his friends.

Looking now to Sio he gave her a nod, a blue plume of smoke wafting her way before settling his sight on the other woman he had never met. He felt the lightside aura around her and his hackles raised, teeth gritting. He hated jedi, a trait he had learned during his time with one of the galaxy's orders, and even though he was mando'ad now it wasn't something he could just turn off. Burt she was here to lend her support for his friends, so the Mad Knight stifled the urge to ignite his lightsaber and launch himself at her. Plus from the emotions he sensed from Sio it was obvious she wouldn't take kindly to that. Pity, that would have been fun, a good fight. But again, now wasn't the time or place.

Sighing he exhaled more smoke and looked back to Anija as she spoke of having a general area as well as the words from the witch council and elders. He chuckled lightly.

"The witches can be as bad as the jedi at times. So vague in their omnipotent visions, and yet so useless. If you have a direction, a possibility of a trail, I say let's go. Or you could wait for this other source for a fresher scent. You know you have me for what you need ner aliit."

Muad was always ready for action and a fight, but he knew this endeavor needed a more subtle approach, finesse over brute force. That's why he was willing to follow the Betnas' lead. Their kid, their way.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Anija Betna"] [member="Arrbi Betna"]

 

[Mirshko Betna]

[member="Elpsis Kallikora"]

And hold on she did, releasing the controls for the turret and sinking back into her seat. She could still feel the adrenaline pulsing in her veins. And the slight pull from the inertia as the ship accelerated away from the shadowport. Honestly, she had no idea where Syvris even was. Right now, her memory of galactic astrography was failing. Cursing softly, she rubbed at her eyes and realized she was .. filthy. She didn't care. What mattered right now was she and her new friend - she didn't even know the woman's name - were getting the feth away from that cesspool of piracy.

At least.... that's what she hoped for anyway. She'd not sensed any deception from the woman... but she wasn't entirely sure she could. She was after all, still learning. After a moment's thought, she drew up her knees, mindful of the turret controls. The adrenaline was wearing off, and Mirshko found herself suddenly tired. Laying her head down on her drawn up knees, she found the faint hum of the engines lulling her off to sleep.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Mirshko Betna"]


Boldly they rode and well...hopefully not into the jaws of death! Pushing the engines as much as possible, the tramp freighter erupted into space and shot away from the shadowport as fast as it could. The ship rocked and shuddered strongly as turrets fired upon it. There were flashes where the laser volleys impacted. Shields were slowly being eaten.


Elpsis grit her teeth and did her best to ignore the nagging alarms as she tried to steer the ship. Fortunately it had been fuelled and such. It just was not armoured to withstand big battles. All she cared about right now was getting the feth away from the pirate cesspool they had landed in. Scanners indicated fighters being launched to impede them. Gripping the controls she activated those laser turrets that could be fired from the cockpit, blazing a trail through space with a hail of laser blasts. Many missed, but at least they kept corsairs at bay to an extent.


Conveniently though the freighter was quite old it was still fast and it showed as she engaged in evasive manoeuvres to escape the attackers. One indication that the corsairs were working for whoever had abducted Mirshko was the fact that they seemed to be using ion cannons, which made sense since they presumably wanted their former captive back alive! It was probably good that Mirshko was asleep, though hopefully Elpsis' rather wild piloting would not suddenly wake her up, since she probably needed a good sleep.


Gaining space away from the port Elpsis punched in the coordinates for hyperspace, though before she made the jump she took the time to send a message. It would probably reach Sio and [member="Coryth Elaris"]. Presumably. "Saved the girl. I'm so noble and stuff. Better get a reward. Love, Elpsis." She was totally not embellishing at all. Well, maybe a little bit. Because it's not like Mirshko had evaded her captors and stowed away on her ship without Elpsis' input. More fighters came gunning for them, shooting through space. Blue rounds of ion cannon fire shot towards them, then the blue tunnel of hyperspace swallowed the freighter.

 

[Mirshko Betna]

[member="Arrbi Betna"] [member="Anija Betna"] [member="Coryth Elaris"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Muad Dib"] [member="Elpsis Kallikora"]

Tramp Freighter - Enroute to Mandalore

Mirshko wasn't sure how long she slept. But when she woke, she found that she was rather stiff. Frowning slightly, Mirshko unfolded herself from the chair in the dorsal gunwell. Digging a hand into a pocket, she pulled out a couple small food parcels. Unwrapping one, she popped a few dried bits of meat into her mouth and chewed in silence. It was hard for her to wrap her mind around the fact that she was getting away from Kuryr. granted, he not ever really lad a hand on her physically, except for the couple of times she'd challenged him and his control of her situation.

Sure, she viewed him as somewhat of an elder brother, or Or'vod as she called him. But, how could she not? He'd given her a home, food, and clothes at a time when she didn't have much else. Not that she'd had much choice at the time. She'd seen time and again what had happened to those who's refused his offer. The thought made her shudder slightly. Frowning, she climbed up and out of the gunwell and into the main cargo hold. Once there again, she spotted a couch tucked into a corner. Stuffing the food packets back into the pocket they came from, she made her way towards the couch and curled up on it, drawing the large cloak over her like a blanket.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Mirshko Betna"], [member="Arrbi Betna"], [member="Coryth Elaris"], [member="Muad Dib"]


Tramp Freighter - Enroute to Mandalore


They had escaped the Shadowport and were now safely in hyperspace. Hooray! Presumably the trip would take a while. Well, admittedly this writer has no clue how long the flight to Mandalore would take. Probably as long as the plot demanded. In any case in the cockpit Elpsis activated the autopilot and unbuckled her seatbelts. Never forget, kiddos, to always have your seatbelt on when you're pulling off daring escapes from pirate-infested scumpits.


She ran her hand through sweat-matted red hair and got up. Walking down the corridor she found Mirshko, curled up on a couch and with her cloak covering her like a blanket. The redhead was not sure whether the little Mandalorian was asleep or not, but decided to speak up anyway. "Hey, we're in hyperspace. I gave your folks a call. Headin' to Mandalore. I'll take you to a bunk. You can sleep there." So without another word she picked up the little Betna and her clue. Fortunately Elpsis spent plenty of gym in the gym, so she could carry her well enough. The bunk she carried Mirshko to was obviously far from the height of luxury. Well, it was small, cramped and not luxurious at all, but there was a comfortable bed she could lie on, so Elpsis deposited her on it and pulled the covers over her. Then she got out her flask, unscrewed it and helped herself to a good drink of whiskey.

 

[Arrbi Betna]

Betna waved away Coryth's last comment. He didn't mind, they needed the help. He turned his head to face Siobhan for a moment before his head tilted to the side in thought.

"Shadowport near Syvris," Betna repeated Sio's words quietly. After a moment he stood and dusted off his rear before moving up to his wife's side.

"Where can we meet your daughter, Coryth?" he asked, his mind racing. "If she can find shadowports, then maybe she can find the ship that left Druckenwell. If she can find that ship, then she can find our daughter."

[member="Muad Dib"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Anija Betna"] [member="Coryth Elaris"]

(short post is short, sorry >.<)

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth glanced to Siobhan as mention of her daughter came up. Admittedly, that wasn't the usual mother daughter relationship. Not when Coryth had placed her up for adoption right after birth and only now was starting to get to know her once more. Some of her daughter's habits more than grated on her nerves, but little could be done about it. She wasn't there for that, or what started it. It was just something she was going to have to live with now.

Reaching up she pinched the bridge of her nose, cringing slightly. "She does, not that I like it. But she's got good contacts. It's a decent start."

The question of where they could meet her came up, and the redhead frowned. Knowing where her daughter was at any given time was like knowing the exact location of a needle within the galaxy that you tossed out the airlock years prior. Impossible to know, sometimes just as impossible to contact. But as fate would have it, that was not going to be how it was today.

Her commlink vibrated in her pocket, in a most timely fashion. Pulling the device from her pocket, she lifted a finger, signaling for a brief moment for her to read it's contents. "Umm ... uh, well..." The redhead started after reading the message over, three times just to be sure. "It seems Elpsis has found her, and is on her way back .... here." It seems my kid is capable of good deeds once in awhile. She thought to herself. Which comes somewhat as a surprise to me. Not what I expected after meeting her on Rhen Var. "Just surprised that she found her so quickly."

[member="Arrbi Betna"] | [member="Elpsis Kallikora"] | [member="Muad Dib"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] | [member="Anija Betna"]

 

[Anija Betna]

[member="Arrbi Betna"] [member="Mirshko Betna"] [member="Coryth Elaris"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Muad Dib"] [member="Elpsis Kallikora"]


The silence stretched between the group for several moments after Arrbi spoke. And it wasn't exactly a companionable one, either. Anija was nervous and worried. And for all Arrbi was doing to hide his emotions and presence in the force, Anija could read the worry on his face. Not that she blamed him in the least for wanting that bubble of privacy. There were times she wanted it too.

But now, they had other concerns. She started slightly when she heard the soft tones of Coryth's commlink. She didn't know the contents of the message ... that is, until Coryth spoke. She listened closely to what the the redhead had to say, and felt her heart soar. "She's coming.... here..?" Of course she was. Turning quickly, she gripped Arrbi's hand, and met Coryth's gaze. "If you need, I can get her the codes for our nav beacon. It can been a bit tricky to navigate in the mountains."

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Coryth Elaris"], [member="Muad Dib"], [member="Anija Betna"], [member="Arrbi Betna"]


Siobhan was about to say something in response to Arrbi when suddenly they received the message. She leaned over to get a look at when Coryth got out her commlink. "Well, that was quick. Glad to hear Mirshko is OK," she said needlessly in what probably constituted a Captain Obvious moment. If she had been a wet hen she might have sulked about Elpsis 'stealing her glory'. But since she was not she could be happy for Anija and Arrbi finally getting their little girl back.


Goddess knew what poor Mirshko had gone through while being held captive. Your kid's not that bad, Coryth. She's kind of sweet and...I think she was trying to hit on me when we talked, she broadcast to the tiny redhead over the telepathic radio. Elpsis' fangirling had made Siobhan very uncomfortable, truth be told. Having all of Coryth's memories had turned out to be rather awkward. She gave Anija a nod. "Best to send her the codes then. We've got her comm frequency." Or whatever it was that was the equivalent of a phone number in this sometimes weird Galaxy.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth nodded, "Yes, she is." And much quicker than even I expected. There was no telling what the girl had been through or what she'd be like when she finally got back with her family. At least, she was safe. She'd be okay in time.

"Yeah, please grab me the codes and we'll get them to Elpsis. Best way to get her here the quickest." She said softly, and gave a glance to Siobhan. I suppose she isn't. She's just different, but given it's my genes running through her, I shouldn't expect anything less than different. I just never know what to expect with her. That will take time, and getting to know her I think. And also, I have no doubt she was trying to hit on you. I imagine that's all sorts of awkward considering you 'remember' her birth. Sharing memories tended to be a bit of a pain after all, and more than a wee bit awkward after all.

Reaching out she grabbed Anija's hand and squeezed it for a moment before letting go. "She'll be home soon. It's almost over."

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] | [member="Muad Dib"] | [member="Anija Betna"] | [member="Arrbi Betna"]

 

[Mirshko Betna]

[member="Arrbi Betna"] [member="Anija Betna"] [member="Coryth Elaris"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Muad Dib"] [member="Elpsis Kallikora"]

Tramp freighter - enroute to Mandalore

Mirshko stirred slightly when Elpsis spoke, but otherwise was rather un-disturbed. The poor girl was exhausted... and it was finally catching up with her. As Elpsis picked her up, Mirshko's small frame relaxed ever so slightly in her arms. to know that she was going home after so long was...a relief. But she also somewhat dreaded what Da might do. She had wandered off on her own... and she wouldn't be surprised if he saw fit to ground her or some such.

In all honesty, Mirshko didn't give a feth about the state of the bunk. It was a place to sleep that wasn't the floor. In the end that's all she cared about. That, and that she wasn't locked in a cell somewhere. A slight shudder ran through her small frame after Elpsis set her down. And not from anything the older girl had done. Memories mostly. Unconsciously she dug the small polished stone from a pocket and clutched it in her hand. Just that alone helped her calm.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Mirshko Betna"], [member="Arrbi Betna"], [member="Coryth Elaris"], [member="Muad Dib"], [member="Anija Betna"]


Tramp freighter - en route to Mandalore


Mirshko was safely deposited on the bed and despite some difficulties seemed to be able to sleep. Elpsis lingered for a bit, unsure of what to do. Simply watching her sleep seemed terribly creepy to her. So she helped herself to a good drink from her whiskey flask and, after giving the sleeping girl another glance, walked out of the room, though she tried to make as little noise as possible.


Yeah, sometimes Elpsis could try and be considerate. The freighter was still drifting through space so she hit the 'fresher because she seriously felt like she could use a shower. Then she would probably get some rest and maybe have a bite to eat. Give or take an indeterminate amount of time that advanced at the speed of the plot, and the freighter would arrive at Mandalore. By then Elpsis would have received the message detailling the coordinates to the Betna homestead.

 

[Anija Betna]

[member="Arrbi Betna"] [member="Mirshko Betna"] [member="Coryth Elaris"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Muad Dib"] [member="Elpsis Kallikora"]

Nodding, Anija fiddled with her gauntlet computer for a moment as her free hand clutched at Coryth's hand. She gave a firm squeeze in return and a hesitant smile. When Coryth released her hand, she slid her fingers into Arrbi's. She was nervous, worried.... but also excited. It would be good to see her daughter again.

The last six months had really taken a toll on both of them, and it showed itself by way of new worry lines in both their faces. They looked tired. But they were determined. Anija typed a few more commands into the interface, inputting the comm frequency from Sio. Carefully, she entered the coordinates of the homestead and the frequency for the nav beacon. And then she hit send. "There... she should have it shortly..."

 

[Arrbi Betna]

Betna was quiet a long moment. The worries were still there. The fears still present. Even good news such as this couldn't dispel such emotions like smoke before a strong wind.

But it was good news. It was the best of news. It brought hope and happiness to the warrior once more.

"We do not all follow the paths of our parents," Betna said after a moment to Coryth, speaking calmly and surely. He felt in a haze, almost in a dream, but meant every word. He cracked a grin at the heady feeling for a moment before continuing. "Manda knows my father wanted me to stay a farmer, but we all have our paths. Even if the child strays from the path the parent wants, we should still be proud of our children for their accomplishments. Today your daughter has saved our daughter. She has my eternal gratitude."

He gave Anija's hand a squeeze for a moment or two before looking back to the Jedi Master. His tone became serious for a moment as he gently pushed his soaring emotions down slightly.

"You and your family have done my clan - my family - a service I can never fully repay, but I intend to at least try," he said, nodding respectfully to Coryth and then to Siobhan. He didn't know exactly the relationship between the two, but he knew there was some level of familiarity and kinship. That much was obvious and he fully intended to include both of them. "Should you need anything from my family or myself, do not hesitate to call on us. Our generosity, our home, our services, and our skills are yours should you ever need them."

Betna glanced up at his friend, Muad, at that point. A lopsided grin on his face clearly visible.

"You as well, Muad, though there's still no smoking in the house."

[member="Anija Betna"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Muad Dib"] [member="Coryth Elaris"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Arrbi Betna"], [member="Coryth Elaris"], [member="Anija Betna"]


Err, yeah, it was...very awkward, Siobhan responded to Coryth via the telepathic radio link. It was always handy to have that sort of thing since it was useful to keep the phone bill down. If she keeps it up can you teach me bending light? she asked half-seriously.


She looked over to Arrbi, giving the Mandalorian a thin smile. "Thanks, Arrbi. I appreciate it a lot. I'm just glad you're getting your little girl. I know how I'd feel if something happened to Galina and I lost her," she said softly, giving Cory's tiny shoulder a squeeze. "Since Elpsis is coming here, maybe you can use the chance to spend some time with her. Grab her and use your special Elaris charm."