Roots

[Choli Vyn]

Now how does one respond to that?

Not quite one of the topics of sage pieces of advice Janes had given her before. Well, his drunken tales about Whiskey Girl maybe didn’t count. Half the time the crew wasn’t sure if the Captain was merely saying bullshit tales or if they had validity to them. Perhaps it was a mixture of both. There is always a bit of truth in myth.

There couldn’t be a deeper shade of coral than the one currently saturating Choli’s face. It was just an overload of sensations and emotions; of the sort the girl hadn’t experienced before and it confused her. It was both spine tingling as it was alarming, all bundled up in a swaddling of growing, awkward teenage embarrassment.

Choli didnt have to have Trextan’s fancy experiences with discerning truths from lies to realize that he meant what he said. It was evident in the way he carefully held her hand, how he had rubbed it gently between his palms, the truth in the slight rumble of his youthful voice.

The young Rogue took stock. Mentally piecing together the bits of information Trextan relayed along with what other observations she could make. The most immediately, was that she’d been holding her breath.

A small whoosh of air came blowing out of Choli’s mouth, chest falling and shoulders sinking a bit. Not in dejection but because every muscle had been coiled tight in tension. There was not beating around the bush when Choli asked her questions; however, honest answers could go either way and to be honest, she wasn’t quite sure if she’d be able to comprehend his answer.

Trextan surprise her. He wanted to hold her hand because he wanted to; because it made him feel as if she wanted him close, and that he liked her. Funny, how just hearing him say that spread warmth across her chest and the fluttery feelings returned.

“Oh.” Not her most talkative, for sure, but the Rogue was processing through it all. Uncharted territory. Definitions were a bit complicated. Did she like him? Yes. What did that mean? Choli didn’t quite know. However, she enjoyed being with him and it made her feel comforted to know that he did his best to try and find out her status after Mustafar. He didnt have to, but he did. In a way he was a bit like the Captain.. just not so much.

Rogue squadron looked after one another, Choli understood that. One grows to care for the well being of others the more you get to know them. In that aspect, the same could be said of Choli for Trextan. She cared for him. LIked him. Yet for a teenager emotions were wild, fickle things. All the more so when they are barely being discovered; raw, fresh, and quick to burn.

So what could I say?

Seemed simple, even if a bit embarrassing.

“Well I like you too,” the girl replied, confessing rather bluntly much in the same manner she had before.

“And I don't mind kissing you.” Another truth. Her face contorted a bit in abashed revelation. “I know I'm not good at it.”

The tip of her tongue went to sweep over her lower lip, feeling the slight dryness of the flesh and the fine grain of dust that would float in the air and catch where it could.

“I guess holding hands isn’t so bad.” Another admission, if said at a lower octave.

“Just don’t normally do.”

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Trextan gave a small nod and a smile. “I’m glad you don't mind either of them,” he replied. “And that you like me too,” he muttered under his breath. The little smile kept threatening to break into a large one. Even with his hawkish features and youthful skin she would see the twitch across his cheeks. So she wasn't used to kissing or even holding hands. He didn't know the culture she had come from but today he had learned that she'd been plucked from it just two years ago and taken out into the wider galaxy. She had seemed so brave and self assured, but it couldn't have been easy for her to adapt.

“We can both work it out together,” he mused. The cadence of his heart seemed to ease off. Some of the tension that had built melted back. With a sigh he leaned in. Not to kiss this time; he hoped that was clear from the way his chin moved for her shoulder. He sighed into the embrace, letting both arms wrap around her. She was quite slender across the chest, he realised. His hands could feel her shoulder blades under her robes. They seemed small and delicate compared to his own. To his annoyance some of the lessons Jacen had been attempting to impart before he'd left came to mind.

“I don't want to do anything you're not comfortable with,” he murmured into her shoulder. Clearly this was all very new for her. It was for him too. Not just the kissing. Getting ambushed a few times when the masters weren't looking by a girl two years older wasn't the same. Exciting, yes, but they had barely shared five words. He desperately didn't want to do anything to upset her or frighten her. He also had to avoid something something really stupid again. He didn't have a line up of overly enthusiastic squadron mates and sailors trying to offer helpful, yet conflicting advice. If he had he probably would have been even more confused.

But this, he realised, this was just nice. If he saw past the awkward tension. Put aside that lingering knowledge that they were still essentially trying to figure each other out and discover their feelings. He was here in the waning light of a beautiful sunset, on a peaceful courtyard holding someone who had admitted she liked being kissed by him.

Trextan left space for her to reply, to breathe, to think. But unless she broke the embrace he would make his intentions clear by slowly bringing his cheek back to hers, sweeping her hair aside as he sought her lips once again..

 

[Choli Vyn]

So there they were; in perhaps one of the most awkward embraces that the pair could have entangled themselves with. Where Trextan was likely seeing it with a little bit of rose tinted glasses, the reality of it was that both teenagers were sitting down and facing each other. The positioning left them with a series of bumping knees, shifting thighs, and required both to lean forward to even be able to reach around with arms to hold.

It was clumsy. It was awkward. It involved a bit of shuffling and getting particularly close enough to once again smell the beer of their breath and the dry sweat off their skin.

But it felt nice.

When Trextan drew her close, Choli wasn't sure if he was trying to kiss her again. More so when his face ended up going for her right ear, well no, not her right ear, by her shoulder. He was hugging her. Again, such a random thing, but it felt nice. They bumped knees again and she had to strain a little bit forward for him to be able to completely get his arms around her back, but it wasnt so bad. Most hugs in her past had been brief hellos and goodbyes. Nothing lingering like this.

A slight hint of embarrassment went rippling across the Rogue’s olive face and her body. Keenly, she took stock of how his hands came to rest at her back and the slight tickle his breath by her ear gave.

So what now? Well, Trextan again managed to calm a bit of the worry when he said that he didn't want to do anything she wasn't comfortable with.

Which in and of itself was a floating topic because neither were really aware what they were comfortable with.

Well, save kissing, as Choli felt the brush of his lips again as they sought hers. When he brushed her hair away, she felt the strands shift against her cheek only to be tucked back. Was it just natural to close one eyes or did one have to purposely remind themselves to? Such a silly thought considering Choli did exactly that, finding herself closing her eyes and tilting her face up to the younger Voidstalker.

It was an awkward positioning. Their bodies likely would feel the strain of it soon. Really, why didnt they just find a far more comfortable position? Well, because they were teenagers caught up on the act and newness of it all.

Downstairs, Kellan figured that perhaps that last round of beer might be in need of some snacks. Maybe they were hungry again. The way he found them last time suggested that they were still in that awkward getting to know each other phase. He could recall it himself.

Fond memories colored the old, weathered man’s mind as he brought up a few snacks for the pair. The trip up the stairs was short, the pourstone material well worn from use. A small smile drew at the corner of his mouth. Well they were just kids. Well, no, he followed that thought with what he had learned about Trextan and his local guide. Both had been though harsh experiences, Kellan didnt need to get the details for that. Young, perhaps, but not naive.

“Hope you don’t mind, figured that you both would want --” he began, turning the corridor into the terrace where the pair sat. Trextan’s uncle froze, then gave a rather apologetic expression, “Ah.”

Well, if there ever was a way to suddenly jerk Choli away from Trextan grasp it was then. Eyes flew open, her face turned a bright, coral red, and she sat back against her chair.

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

The sound of another voice didn’t give Trextan an immediate start. Last time it had just been a loud voice in the market. Choli pulled away quickly, which made Trextan follow the sound of the voice. His sense of awareness had collapsed into a bubble that just included himself and Choli so it took a second to recognise the voice. He slowly sat back and placed both hands on his lap. His organic hand was tucked neatly into his prosthetic.

“Erm…” Trextan went.

Kellan stood still. He pivoted on one foot back towards the house, then back towards the teenagers again. He had been planning on stopping for a quick chat. Just because that plan now seemed to have gone away didn’t mean he had to leave. Despite both looking quite flustered they were firmly back in their own seats. He could also recall going from the ‘getting to know you’ phase to the ‘best keep kissing for half an hour because it will take a day to get the courage back’ phase.

He gave a shrug and continued on. Kellan placed the tray down on the table. There were some simple fresh breads with dips and some strips of dried meat. Tucked under his arm were a pair of menus. There were simple laminated paper and just a tiny bit sticky.

“See you’ve been doing a little planning,” he said, nodding down at the map. Best thing to do was press on and ignore it all, he decided. “I’ll leave you both to it. If you want some more food just shout down and I’ll come up.” Translation: I won’t barge in again. Turning away, Kellan held the tray on its side loosely by his finger tips and went to see how his customers were getting on.

It seemed to Trextan that her skin tone could change as well as her eyes at times. Of course he hadn’t read between the lines and now assumed Kellan would come back up again soon. He just wanted some privacy for a while. The solution seemed simple.

“We could…” he stopped himself very suddenly. It was now obvious that Choli wasn’t experienced at all when it came to boys. Suggesting a return to one of the bedrooms was almost certainly going to fire past that line of comfort. “...we should probably order some food,” he covered. He combed loose strands of hair back over his head and tried a brave smile.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]


There were many things racing through Choli’s mind then. Half of them consisted of telling herself to remember how to breathe and relax while the other half was grateful that it hadn’t been her Pebbledrone companion. Now R4 really would of had a a field day. Likely would have blabbed back when they returned to base too. The last thing she needed was Lieutenant Omar making any more commentary about Trextan or her.

“Yeah, food is good.” Although the Rogue arguably wasn’t too hungry. It was an excuse, however, to look down at the menu and rifle through what was available for a few minutes of composure.

Bantha wings, grilled Ronto, Womprat stew - not really made out of Womp Rats, just the colloquial name of the toss whatever you can find into a pot and hope for the best sort of stew. Each cook had their own variety and secret species that they added - or so they said - to make it the best of its kind. Spices were expensive, however, and beyond salt and desert brush, anything else was imported in.

A lot of what was available Choli was able to make a bush variant; maybe not as tasty, but none the less enough to fill an empty belly.

“The grilled meats should be good.” Choli wasn’t sure if Kellan grilled his over an open flame or not, but the safest option if Trextan wasn’t feeling too adventurous for the stew.

“They grill them on a sagebrush stick if they are anything like I know of.”

Choli could still feel her lips still tingling. She have wanted to rub them but figured that would look rather odd and silly. Did Trextan feel the same? She gave a slight peek over the sheet of filmsi over to the Justicar in training, watching him for any signs.

A pause, then she added quietly.

“Then we should probably get some sleep -- we’ll be leaving well before first light.”

Reality of course, never strayed far from Choli’s mind. The reason they were here to begin with.

The Durindfire crystal Trextan wanted for his lightsaber.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Choli would see a content smile on Trextan’s lips. He looked a little spaced out as he tried to convince himself that the last few minutes had actually happened. It wavered slightly when she mentioned going to sleep soon. He rallied and nodded slowly in agreement. Slightly reluctant agreement. He hadn’t felt compelled to come here just to spend time awkwardly exploring physical intimacy with Choli and even if he wanted to spend a few days just exploring Espa with her it would be betraying himself. It was his father - the one who had died - who had tried to install a sense of discipline when approaching a task. Yet he would have found the notion of chasing something down that provided little personal or monetary gain a folly. Jacen on the other hand had been quite supporting of the idea. Even if he’d made himself an embarrassing pain about Choli.

“Well that made you jump,” he announced. “I’m not actually feeling all that hungry, but that’s probably just the heat. Grilled meat does sound… wait they stew womprats? Well I suppose meat is meat.”

He ran through the menu quickly. From here he could smell the scent from the grill wafting up from the kitchen. He wondered if he was going to let himself get distracted by thoughts about Choli whilst out in the expanse of the wastelands. That he couldn’t allow. He’d promised he would follow her instructions. Perhaps just a little distracted.

His eyes turned to the map, following the path she had traced with her finger out to the Wound. Obviously they would be travelling at night as much as possible. That meant they needed to pack and head out early and find somewhere to set down out of the light of the midday heat to rest. His mind was bouncing around now. He attempted to return to the most basic question.

“Alright, I know what I’ll get. I can head down and order for us if you want?”

 

[Choli Vyn]

[SIZE=10.5pt][member="Trextan Voidstalker"][/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]There was a mild scruntch of the brunette’s features at the pointing out of her sudden withdrawal. Her nose crinkled and both brows rose as if to say, [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]okay, [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]the sense of embarrassment still lingering upon her ruddy features.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Is that payback for the pink Twi’lek comments?” reminding him of a time when she had caught him in a similarly embarrassing situation. Of course, she’d been a bit more brash about her commentary then.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Pointing out the obvious?” Choli meant it as a mild tease, setting down the menu to look at the map again. “And it isn’t really Womp Rat meat… well, I guess that depends on how literal your uncle sticks to the recipe.” maybe moving on beyond the whole, being caught kissing would be good for them both to settle their bodies and emotions. Well, sort of. The Rogue still found herself casting glances at Trextan. She felt her feet rock from heel to toe and back again, feeling the sense of restlessness linger.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It generally tends to mean whatever is available.” she elaborated, looking back at the map again. Carefully, she let her hands come to the edges, curling around it so as to pick it up.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I’m okay with a few Bantha skewers.” Choli added, “I can plot out a course in the meantime so that we are ready and all.” why was she still feeling jittery? Was he looking at me? It felt as if he did. Or was that just her imagination? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Funny how that awareness of another just spikes exponentially, making the young native of Tatooine restless under the young man’s gaze.[/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Aghast, Trextan felt the heat bloom up though his collar and over his face. Choli wouldn't be able to miss how quickly he turned scarlet. For a few seconds he felt like curling up under the table out of her sight. Back then it had been embarrassing, but it was worse now. The comment had been in jest, but would she have a problem with knowing what he'd been moments from doing when she's plonked down on his bed. At least she didn't know that the night after that he'd been using his imagination rather than a datapad, with a very specific Rogue-shaped focus.

“I think you're still owed some change for the pink twilek comments,” Trextan countered. He managed to reply in spirit with a poke of the tongue. It wasn't her imagination; Trextan was sparing glances in her direction. He tried not to picture the mental images he'd conjured in his hospital bed as he looked to the lips she'd just let him kiss. Suddenly it was his goal to steal just one more before the night was over and their quest began.

“Be right back then,” he said. Back inside he found the restaurant was now half full. Occasionally someone at a table called for drinks and R4 came rolling out to take the order before heading back to relay it and continue totting up bills.

“Feed then?” Kellan called as he emerged with a tray of clean crockery from a utility room.

“Oh, yes, just some bantha skewers for us both please. Maybe some juice?”

“Not a problem. And sorry about the intrusion.” Kellan replied. He paused before asking: “you two not been together long then?”

Trextan was at that age where an adult could still embarrass him but he tried hard not to show it. “Yeah.”

“Ah I remember that. Just about. All a bit scary but you'll miss that spark one day.”

“Aright,” Trextan replied. Did they always have to dispense advice?

“Be up in a few minutes then.”

When Trextan returned to Choli he relayed the message. At the same time he told her he had been successful in his mission whilst also warning that someone would be up soon. She was hovering over the map, so he went to join her.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[SIZE=10.5pt][member="Trextan Voidstalker"][/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]“I figured.” Choli’s voice came floating over the map, almond shaped eyes finding their way from the Wound over towards Trextan. They both became part of a gaze shuffling game that continued for the next few seconds as Choli continued, “It’s his shop after all.” as if to say, well, Kellan would wander where he pleased. Still didn’t wash away the slight heat of embarrassment at being caught. For a small moment, she wondered if this was how Trextan had felt when she had found him with the data pad and Pizza Twi’lek. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]On second thought, let’s not linger on that. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Clearing her throat, the Rogue took her forefinger and began to retrace a path against the map. “ Should be rather straightforward, if nothing has changed since the last I traveled the Wastes. “ [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]“We should stop at the Oasis here as our first camp. Then along these canyons come nightfall. I know a few pockets carved along the steppes here where we can find shelter -- after checking them for any inhabitants of course.” be it animal or humanoid. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]“We’ll be more exposed in the Oasis if a sand storm hits, but the tent should keep the bulk of the sand out of our eyes and mouths. Arr-Four may not like it as much, though.” there was no avoiding it then, sand would get everywhere. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]“Two days time to get there. Maybe a day to search. Two days after that to get back.” flicking her attention back up to the standing Jedi, Choli watched him through the dark fringe of wayward wisps of hair, “Think you can handle the heat and the sand for that long?”[/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

“I guess we’ll find out won’t we,” he replied with a smile. “Despite the complaining I’m not actually so easily deterred from things.” His right hand gave a subconscious flinch as he said that. He had been watching Choli out of the corner of his eyes. Observing the concentration on her features as she regarded the map. As she’d turned to him she would find him leaning in to go over the map with fastidious care. It was silly really. Both were aware of the stolen glances.

Tapping the map he actually found there were several images tagged onto the location of the oasis. It matched his expectations surprisingly closely. An oval-shaped body of water with a tight ring of trees around it. One one side the sand dune rose high. On the other the terrain was flatter and sparse shrubs and smaller trees extended maybe fifty metres away from the water.

“So we find sleep for two to four hours at night and midday?” he asked, thinking of the way the GADF tended to rotate troops on the ground and ships to prevent fatigue. He’d seen firsthand those soldiers pushed to the limits to the point they made mistakes. “I can draw on the Force to keep fairly refreshed without too much sleep. You know, I’m just trying to wrap my head around that you lived out there in the wastelands for fifteen years or so. R4 might complain more than me. I guess being a rolling ball isn’t the best way to keep sand out of his joints either.”

His family had all lived here for generations back. Some in the major settlements, some out running moisture farms. He and Choli had lived on opposite sides of the Galaxy in conditions poles apart. On Coruscant you couldn’t breathe for the mass of people. Here you could probably walk for a week and never see another soul. He wondered what his life would have been like here. Simple like Kellans? If he’d encountered Choli out in the wastes he probably would have fled. The idea slightly amused him. Running away from Choli wrapped up in raider garb, the young girl inside entirely disinterested in his activities as she went about her search for water.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

“About that.” the Rogue confirmed, recalling how her own Tusken Clan would rotate temporary bases as they wandered the Jundland Wastes. The Ahmar Clan were small, but a highly nomadic group that would travel up and along the valleys of the Jundland Wastes and towards the Wound for annual pilgrimages. At times they would settle for a few days, at others for months. It depended highly on the resources they could find, be it from their surroundings or from raiding other tribes. It had been a small clan of about thirty members, with few children and women. The latter whom would work equally alongside the men in hunting and gathering, save for raiding. That wasn’t to say they were defenseless; women and children were taught to defend themselves from the dangers of the desert -- be it two legged or four.

“This time of year the weather is warmer at night.” odd to think, but there was to a small extent, seasons on Tatooine, noticeable only to the inhabitants of the arid world. “That should help a bit.”

Choli wasn’t sure if she should feel embarrassed or not over Trextan pointing out how it was such a strange thought that she lived out in the Wastes for the bulk of her life.

“No, it wouldn’t. He’ll likely start once we have to travel on foot. Otherwise, we can keep him strapped to a speeder.” not that the Pebbledrone would enjoy that much either. He was a rather independent little astromech. Another half shrug and Choli began to wrap the edges of the map together to put it away.

“You’re not the only one.” Choli managed to say, perhaps confusing Trextan. Hazel eyes went flickering up to his angular face, and she added, “To think it strange that I grew up here.”

Her olive face gave a slight scrunch, “Or that my closest family are Tusken Raiders.” she still hadn’t been able to find them. By now, she would be considered an adult, past that really. One who hadn’t gone through her coming of age ceremony. A flicker of a grimace drew over her expression, eyes shifting into a dark bronze of pensive thoughts. Her Bantha was dead, lost in the commotion that had begun the entire journey away from the clan to where she was now. By all accounts, Choli should have gone with it. It is said that one of the people without their mount is cast aside and left to the desert, left to wander alone. If they were to return back with a new Bantha, they were held in great esteem. Choli had not been able to do that.

In essence, Choli by all accounts is one of the People who is lost.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Did she regret being taken away from that life? He observed her carefully as she stared wistfully out towards the wastelands. It was the tone she'd used to say 'closest’ family that made him ache slightly. What would he give up to see the family he had lost? His mother, his step father and youngest stepsister. To start again and have had a normal relationship with Jacen. A lot. He realised it was a lot.

“I'm sorry. Didn't seem to be rude. Just the way you pilot a ship, can work with machines. Not long ago you were with a people that - unless I'm wrong - barely use machines. I guess I'll see more of the ways that it makes a lot of sense that you did grow up here.”

He had said not long ago in the day that he had enjoyed seeing her more in her element. She had seemed a little uncomfortable under his scrutiny at the time, but had appreciated the compliment he thought.

“You know,” he said in a lighter tone. “I was just imagining what it could have been like if my family had stayed here and you'd been here. Might have met in the wastes. Then I realise you probably would have mostly ignored me as a city boy out of his element and carried on with your plans. Which - when you think about it - is pretty much what happened on Polis Massa.”

That probably wasn't what she wanted to talk about, he silently chastised himself.

“Are they out there?” He asked, tone shifting again. “Would they talk to you if you could find them? It's just a crystal I'm after. There are plenty in other worlds if you would rather go out there and do that.” Trextan looked towards her, expression serious as he spoke. The offer was quite clearly genuine.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

The brunette had kept her head low, keeping her focus on the map she was carefully setting away all while Trextan elaborated upon his earlier comments. The slight shuffle sent the rebellious raven strands of straight hair back down to brush her cheek again. I’ll need to redo the braid again, she thought to herself, battling the short memory of how it felt to have Trextan sink his fingers into the thick tresses.

That light flutter came back, all the more so as Trextan continued. Choli wondered if this constant state of flushing under Trextan’s regard would be a continuous affair. The Rogue could feel him watching her intently, ironically enough, his emotions plastered on his face as he would follow her every move. There was a concern in his eyes, followed by a shifting in the tenor of his voice that surprised her when he made his offer.

Fingers came to a pause, tightening slightly around the map. That struck a cord. Choli's head swung up back to Trextan, eyes reflecting the hazel gold flecks of surprise. Her mouth fell open only to shut. Brows gave a pinch, and she wasn’t sure how to feel then. Those gold flecks reverted to streaks of jade and silver, her expression puzzled and unsure. If Trextan wondered if the Lieutenant Commander ever seemed her most vulnerable, it was then.

“They are,” she finally said, referring to her clan bring out there in the Wastes, looking away to finish placing the map away, “...But are a grain of sand upon the Dune Sea.” it would be difficult to find them. The shore leave and time off she had before had been spent searching.

Not to mention, it was a somewhat complicated matter to go back. That was the problem. The clash of cultures was intense, and it wouldn’t be so easy as to simply slip in as if nothing had changed. Too much had changed and at the same time, it had not.

“It’s complicated…” Choli began, only to pause. Far too complicated. There was only one thing she did know, though.

“Blessed it will be if their paths cross with mine.” she took a deep breath, shoulders rising, a small nod of her head the following suit. How she spoke had a tone and beat reminiscent as if spoken as a prayer. Turning back to Trextan, Choli gave him a half smile.

“Thank you, but we came here for your crystal. I am okay with that.”

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Does she know how much her eyes change colour? he mused. Trextan could feel when his expression shifted or his face was flushed, but he recognised these in other people. He'd never met anyone with eye colour like this so did she even know which colour meant what? It wasn't as if she could see her own irises.

She wanted to see them again, very much. That wasn't a surprise. He had failed to consider just how large the open dunes were. Even the most powerful satellite network - assuming one could even run here - would struggle to find individuals in such an area. Let alone differentiate between tribes.

He had never seen her quite so introspective. When he had ever forced her to think about her time in captivity was perhaps the exception. Trextan was used to the shades of blue, green and grey her eyes went, with the bright little flecks when she was alarmed. Now he'd also seen some of the deeper shades of blue. Almost a shame this colour combination was with negative connotations as it was quite striking.

“If we see them we see them,” Trextan agreed. Without thinking his right hand came out to settle against the curve of her spine as she leaned over the map. Hopefully if they were near they spotted them early and didn't end up getting shot at.

“If I can sense anything that seems sentient out there I'll let you know and we can investigate. Probably best we do that anyway I guess.”

Other people, he reminded himself, had problems as devastating and complicated as his own. Trextan just didn't tend to have people open up to him to hear about them. Perhaps because he wasn't usually a very good listener, he reflected.

“You miss them?” He said, yet the tone was rhetorical.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli had been in the process of handing Trextan the map when she felt the press of his hand against the small of her back. Now that both were standing, there wasn't the awkward bump of knees in the way. It made it just a little bit more intimate than before, the resulting conversation about her clan, what they may find out there, and his inquiry if she missed them went clashing with the juxtaposition of the Jedi in training close proximity. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Her chest rose, the girl taking a breath, once again confused and trying to figure out her emotions. A small grimace drew over her olive face, her racing thoughts muddling together. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It was the only life I knew.” She finally said, thinking back to the years wandering the desert with the clan. Reminiscing over the times and connections she made there. She might have been found in the desert, but they took her in. Didn't turn her into a tribute, which was something at least. They were a rough people, a proud people, violent yes but incredibly poetic with the oral stories passed down from generation.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“The only family I have.” She slowly let out a breath, “They are a part of me. Will always be.” Carefully she pressed the map against Trextan's chest, giving it to him. The very special gift Kellan had given him. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“So yes I do.” Wide, almond shaped eyes stared up at Trextan and she gave a small nod. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Here, you should put this away somewhere safe.”[/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Trextan took an awkward moment before taken the map that was held against his chest. Fingers brushed against hers as he took it with a slow nod. People who had shapes him were gone. Forever. There was no hope of finding them, no matter how slim. Their influence had ended. But there were others who cared. His eyes fell upon the map. Had she been deliberately making a point with it?

“I should visit my sister,” he muttered suddenly. Things had been difficult after the incident that destroyed the family. And then Trextan had been isolated from everyone in the sith academy. Jacen was trying to care for him now. Taheera had looked after him in hospital more than she'd needed to.

Trextan used his right hand to try and tug Choli closer. After what she'd said he wanted to do nothing but good her tight.

“Food’s up.”

Trextan didn't jump this time but he did grimace. He let his hand slip away as he stepped back to take his seat. Kellan stepped between them. What he was carrying sizzled loudly. He had a metal frame which let several skewers hang down. Kellan set out two plates for them and a few sauces.

Trextan thanked him and Kellan gave them both a smile and headed back inside. The Justicar fumbled for something to say. All he really wanted was to hold her.

“That saying. Was it tusken or something you learned from Chloe? I guess your ship must be close though? Janes seemed protective enough,” Trextan offered a faint smile.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt]It was the sudden rush of information at hearing that Trextan had a sibling that startled Choli. Her brows gave a scrunch forward, head tipping back a bit to get a better look at his face. He was pensive, troubled, and suddenly hearing that he had a sister threw Choli a bit off.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Food’s up.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Well, at least this time the Rogue wasn’t jumping out of her skin, although her head did turn sharply towards Kellan’s direction. Both teenagers managed to sink back to their respective places, Choli providing a small smile of gratitude along with a, “Thank you.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]He has a sister? He had mentioned about his stepfather and mother, plus how Master Voidstalker was his real biological father. Nothing about siblings. Yet before she could inquire Trextan was already asking her more questions about her past. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Learned what?” her turn to be confused, the brunette sinking down to sit again. The air was cooler now, the suns well on their way at sinking beyond the distant horizon. Starlight would soon fall upon them, the lack of light pollution allowing for the distant stream of the galaxy to cascade in a white streak upon that indigo sky. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli wasn’t quite sure she understood what he meant, her expression twisting as if she couldn’t follow his question. [/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

“Oh that phrase,” Trextan replied as his hand hovered by a skewer. He could feel the heat radiating off the metal and decided to leave it a moment despite a protest from his stomach. It wasn't winter, but the difference between night and day was still large. As the temperature dropped it became more apparent that he was hungry.

“What was it? Blessed it will be if we cross paths? I don't mean to be nosey. Just I remember you said Chloe taught the Force as a religion with actual Gods. Didn't sound like any Jedi phrase I'd heard is all.”

Trextan gave her a smile and touched the skewer with his middle finger. Still hot. He hoped he hadn't overstepped the mark as he knew some people could be quite private about their beliefs. Choli had seemed fairly candid about her lessons with Chloe before though.

“Hopefully better than a packet of crisps,” he said of the skewers, referencing the bargain that had struck together once more.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]


[SIZE=9pt]While Trextan was wrestling with his skewer, Choli took her own. Or more like, her right hand went down to her waist. A shift of her body and she brought out a small vibroknife. A quick flick of her thumb, and it activated, allowing the girl to use the sharp tip to sink into the first lump of grilled meat. With precision, the meat slid off the skewer, allowing the girl to bring the portion to her mouth sans burnt fingers. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Oh,” the knife hovered by her mouth for a moment, considering the question. “From my clan.” she didn’t distinguish them as the Tusken Raiders. While they were known for that label, it didn’t mean that their sole identity was based upon that. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Chloe believes in the old Corellian Gods. Nine of them if I remember correctly.” the elder blonde woman was a true believer at that. For her, it wasn’t the Force’s will or anything like that, but more the will of the Gods. That everything happened for a reason. Choli understood a bit of what Chloe meant. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]A half smile shone at him, mildly amused, “Not everything has to do with the Jedi, you know.” she took a bite of her grilled meat, enjoying the slight peppery taste. It was good.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Now it was Choli’s turn. That puzzled expression returned, “You have a sister?” he hadn’t mentioned her before. [/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

[member="Choli Vyn"]

Trextan had been holding his left hand near the skewer. As she spoke he looked down and it and shook her head at his own stupidity. His prosthetic hand came up, grasped the skewer and took it from the rack. He brought it to his mouth and blew on the chunk of meat at the end.

"Yes," Trextan replied. There was a slow nod as he mentally steeled himself to go through this. She'd told him a lot in the last few minutes she deserved the candid truth.

"Can't remember exactly what I've told you. My mum remarried when I was ten or eleven. He had to daughters from a previous marriage." His fingers curled up lightly as he approached what would inevitably have to be crossed. "Go got along alright, but they didn't pay me a great deal of attention really. They were a good bit older than me. Vyrn, my youngest step sister was with my parents...at the end. She didn't make it either."

He sat back in his chair looking contemplative. "I haven't spoken to Alenna properly for a long time. I should have really. They cut me off from everything in that Sith camp and all I've done is send her a few messages across the holonet since."

Trextan visibly deflated with a sigh when he had finished. He didn't talk candidly or at length about the subject much at all. As awkward as things were there was also a comfort in talking to Choli. Human nature mimicked and he responded to how honest she was in talking about her own past.