Roots

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

“Oh,” so he hadn't? Why did that make her feel better? Stop being silly, the Rogue told herself. So there isn't anyone that close to him now? At least in training. Would he want to though? So many questions ran through her head that it took a bit to see where the Jedi was going at. The missing month in her memory.

Choli gave a little frown, watching Trextan slowly speak, his expression fading the grin he once had to a more darker expression. This one was more familiar; broody, contemplative, and perturbed.

There was a restlessness that grew over Choli. Talking about it bothered her; well, no, it angered her and frustrated her because it was a month of her life she had a total lack of recollection. The unknown was a terrible demon of the mind, twisting and clawing at potential what ifs. Choli would have worked through it better if she had an idea. Yet with nothing it meant it would forever be at the edge of her mind.

The ever growing waning light as dusk fell would perhaps hide it, but Choli’s eyes began to change hue from their amused jade green to the gold flecked bronze of mild anxiety.

“I don’t know-- maybe.” She managed out, turning her face so that her profile would be to him, her attention drifting out towards the setting twin suns as if to avoid the conversation. It was still pretty raw. A sensation that brought tumultuous thoughts until she felt the warmth of a larger hand encapsulate her own. They were not the weathered rough hands she’d noticed of his uncle, nor the slender, pale lengthy ones of Captain Janes. Glancing back as if mildly surprised, Choli locked her gaze upon Trextan for a moment. He certainly enjoyed holdings hands quite a bit. It was odd, a little strange, needy perhaps. The young woman hadn't really grown up in a place where there was much physical contact.

However, as awkward as it might seem, Choli didnt mind it. At least, in the sense she managed to get just from Trextan’s expression. He meant well.

“It is what it is.” She finally said, taking a deep breath. It would still trouble her, but what else could she do? Focusing on it more would only drive her mad.

Swallowing hard, her throat gave a bob, fingers curling slightly against Trextan's hand. It was warm, not clammy this time around. That made her mouth twitch.

“How is your arm handling?” Cutting the subject towards his cybernetic was a safer topic.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

[member="Choli Vyn"]

He silently thanked Choli for moving the subject on. At the same time he managed to berate himself for even raising the subject. What an unfathomably stupid thing to do. It still hurt her. That was obvious. He hadn't made her smile then by asking questions and putting forward theories. But she had smiled, in the end. And she'd looked at him very differently on that last day. He wished he could reply that memory in perfect clarity. His mouth started moving again before his brain could intercept it.

“I wish I'd been closer then and helped. I couldn't have been far.” he said ignoring the question. Why had the Force led him to the Scarred and not Choli he wondered. “And I wish I'd been on Mustafar too. And I know that's a little silly. Because I can't be and… Force knows you're better at handling yourself than I am. But still…”

He trailed off as he held her gaze. That was one of the most honest things - and about the most words in a row - he'd said in a long time. No intention behind them. They weren't an instruction or an attempt to provoke a reaction. They had just words he wanted to speak to express himself. Her question on bonds had made him think. He had few friends and Kellan was starting to make him realise that he had sorely missed having close family. There were few close friends. Rebel perhaps, maybe Taheera. He often thought that perhaps he just wasn't an easily likable person.

Choli - the stubborn pilot who'd spent their first hours ordering him around and the next few days flinging blunt insults - saw through him. There was no hiding there. For a few days everything had been remarkably normal. She'd kissed him on the cheek in thanks and everything had shifted off kilter just a little bit.

He almost lost himself in the slowly shifting hues of her eyes.

“But the arm…” he said suddenly. “Once this idiot stopped fighting it turned out it worked just fine... but you knew that. Most of the time don't realise it isn't my own.” He tilted his head from side to side. With a final rub of her fingers he took his left from hers and swapped it for his right. Browse furrows in concentration as he mirrored the last touch. “Sometimes it's obvious though.” He smiled again and have a subtle shrug, as if he hadn't just made the most ridiculous confession.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

If there was ever a time to feel lost, that was it. Well, okay, not lost as much as a bit overwhelmed and unsure of exactly what to say. How was he able to simply say that all so easy when she was struggling to juggle all the advice given to her by Janes, Lucy, and Chloe. It didn’t help that R4 had been ribbing on her as well, joining the fray every now and then to remind her about how the squadron had taken to teasing her.

Of course, the Pebbledrone in question was more than amused at this. He even gave a little wiggle as if gearing up to give a low whistle or hoot.

Choli’s eyes swam in a shift of hues from the bronze of confusion, to the gold flecked of abashed curiosity, and settling in a gray green awkwardness that had her stare at Trextan a bit oddly, unsure of what to say. The heat on her cheeks grew warmer. He'd summed up that he had wanted to be there to help but also complimented that she could take care of herself. Now, what do I do?

Janes would have offered advice to just kiss the guy. Sometimes men talk too much Choli. Just shut them up by kissing them, it is easier! The thought, however, still made her belly feel a bit unsettled. It was new territory for her, certainly, she hadn’t grown up in quite the same laissez faire environment Asmus had. Not to mention being awkwardly aware of R4 would squash any of that.

Salvation came in the form of a blond head poking in. It was Trextan's uncle, a bit apologetic but with his easy, weathered smile. He felt, more than saw the tension between the teens and he internally gave a wince. Ah, bad timing.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

[member="Choli Vyn"]

Two sets of eyes watched Choli carefully. More accurately one set of eyes and an ocular sensor. Trextan's gaze flicked briefly to the droid when it gave a little wiggle. R4 was her friend and companion, but it was starting to feel like he was observing them a little too closely.

She didn't say anything. That left Trextan feeling increasingly anxious. I've said too much, he chastised himself. Just blurting out questions and confessions like an idiot. The fingers of his right hand did a little dance. It wasn't a habit, just a little exercise they had taught him to get used to the hand, but apparently it has surfaced to distract his mind.

His mind could go to dark places quickly. He started to imagine that Choli had been planning to break the news that she didn't want to explore how they might feel about each other - as they had agreed to do in some manner back at the hospital. Then he noticed her eyes. Shifting so quickly between hues he couldn't recognise the emotions behind them.

Despite the emotions he felt himself he forced himself to stay silent and let her own mind settle.




Kellan saw two sets of eyes turn towards him sharply. Noticeable was that the droid was instead shifting its gaze back and forth between the teenagers. His smile remained, but seemed slightly frozen in place. Kellan was about to quietly excuse himself as quickly as possible when the droid hooted something impatiently at Choli.

Teenagers often though that they were unique individuals with their own problems. That adults could never truly understand them. Kellan was no expert on their species, but he knew enough of them. His question about the rooms had been enough to reveal something of the dynamic between his nephew and his guide. And the role the droid seemed to have decided to play.

“Another couple of beers?” He asked. “Just let me know when you want food, just a little shorthanded tonight.” He saw the reaction that elicited. Both would probably jump to help out for his hospitality. Good kids.

“Actually need someone totting up the bills and ferrying some messages between front and the kitchen. Good job for an astromech.” Kellan gave an awfully innocent smile.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]


Now it was one of the more interesting crossroads Choli had ever come across. While Trextan’s uncle had certainly managed to break some of the tension, that cloud of anxious awkwardness would linger. R4 of course, while happy to be of assistance wasn’t quite that ready to move his ocular sensors from the two. He made some quick chatter that he would be able to help but he still had a very important job in observing his surroundings. That last bit spoken with enough droid coyness to warrant a mild expression of annoyance from his owner.

“Yeah, that would be great.” Choli finally added, glancing from Trextan and back to his uncle. Keeping her hands busy was doing wonders in settling a bit of her anxieties. Then again, as she gave her bottle a glance, she was well on her way at finishing this one off.

“Do you want another?” she shot the inquiry back at Trextan, those swirling, color shifting eyes a broad spectrum of conflicting emotions and teenage angst. Janes would have done loads better in her situation. Maybe even Lucy as well.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Trextan found himself unable to read anything off her eyes. They moved between vibrant hues too quickly for the subconscious part of his mind that had started to recognise them. Did it mean she was moving between strong emotions or just indecisive

“Yeah, please,” Trextan said. His voice was slightly more enthusiastic than necessary.

“Just shout when you want some food,” Kellan added. A pointed look was levied at R4 before he headed back inside.

“It's not like I get to drink much,” Trextan added, concious of how he had replied. “Probably better than the cheap water. And a similar alcohol content.” He mustered a smile, still silently berating himself for just blurting out thoughts.

A clink and Kellan was back with a couple of fresh bottles. “There you are,” he said before leaving with the old.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

“Thank you,” Choli said, hand extending out for her bottle, watching Trextan accept his with a combination of broody self reflection. One could almost imagine him internalizing whatever it was that he was doing. Part of the Rogue wanted to simply say, out with it! Another wasn’t sure if she was ready for anything similar to what he had said before. It was a conundrum. One she managed to fill the time with by finishing off her beer to start on her next one.

“What, the Jedi don’t let you drink?” a rather safe topic, gingerly given as an olive branch for the teenager to not feel that self concious. Or really for both of them. To be honest, Choli wanted to say something in return but she wasn’t sure how to start or how to exactly explain it. Where she could often times be brutally honest, she felt a bit out of her element here.

A tap of the glass with her fingers and R4 gave the approximation of a sigh. Really, they were not going to get anywhere like this. A hoot and a few beeps relayed that the Pebbledrone was going to go help Kellan.

“Try not to get swiped by Jawas. Don’t need you pulling a Trextan.” it was said more in a teasing manner, hoping to perhaps bring back a portion of the light hearted air from before. Nonetheless, Choli was still kicking herself for being so silly. Around a boy no less. She could face off the Dune Sea on her own or fight the wild beasts of the Jundland Wastes. But for the life of her Trextan was just tying her in knots and she was struggling to keep up.

He likely knew other girls who weren’t as anxious as she. Certainly far more experienced -- whatever that meant. An internal grimace would follow, thinking back at Rogue squadron and Captain Janes’ new team. It was like every one of them had some form of hedonistic affair. Out of all of them, Choli was the odd Mynock out.

R4 gave the equivalent of a snort, rolling away to follow Kellan’s wake. Leaving Trextan and Choli with their second bottle of beers to marinate in.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Trextan canted his head from side to side. An amused smile returned. “I’m not sure the jawa was swiping me. I think he was going to come along for the ride,” he said. He thought of the determined little creature dangling from his arm. It was more amusing now than it had been at the time. With R4 gone things could have gone one of two ways. Of those options he actually felt more relaxed without the droid, rather than apprehensive at finally being alone. It was the comments that he couldn’t understand that perturbed him. The little ball was clearly enjoying himself poking fun at Choli.

He took a swig of beer. It was noticeably cooler than the dregs of the one he had just finished. Even with the sunning running low it was hot and it wouldn’t take long for this beer to warm up. He sped that up by wiping the moisture from the bottle across his brow.

“Think this is going to take some getting used to,” he reflected. “And I don’t think any of the Jedi said alcohol specifically. It’s probably under one of their lessons on responsibility. You know, the ones about not using your abilities for stealing food and showing off. Just haven’t had the time really.”

It was obvious that he was becoming slightly more talkative once more. Within his robes his artificial arm moved until his hand was exposed.

“How many things were working on the arm last time? Had a chance to use it properly now.” Including, he thought to himself, his duel on Barkesh during the invasion of Mustafar.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

Even under the waning light of the Twin Suns, it was still bright enough to see the glint come off his cybernetic arm when he made the slight wave of his hand. The approaching dusk painted the normally dull, beige pourstone and set them afire, reflecting the bright orange and yellow hues against the matte adobe. It also began to cast more shadows between the small terrace that they sat in, the murmur of the bazaar ebbing and flowing with the coming of the night.

“Showing off… like back at the hospital?” The corner of her mouth gave a mild twitch, thinking back about their mission to the cafeteria. He spoke of no time. Then what had he been doing?

“Busy then? What, training with Master Voidstalker?’ Had she’d not know the brief background he had given her about his family, she’d might have simply said ‘your father’. However, he seemed a bit touchy about the subject, so the girl erred on the side of caution to simply go by the Jedi Master’s name.

Choli drew her attention upon Trextan’s arm, the small commentary on the additional perks and extras that it contained reminding her of how she’d practically molested him on that starfighter back at Polis Massa just so she could get a closer look. Piqued interest renewed in her color-shifting gaze, curiosity painting her eyes a green flecked hue. One that followed mild abashed remembrance that she just couldn’t go up to him and do the same again. Well, with forethought that is.

“The shield was one.” That she could recall well. A pause and the brunette took a deep swig of her beer, the bubbles coating her tongue along with the hoppy aftertaste. A lick of her lips and a furrow of her brows. At least speaking about the mechanisms of his arm was a relatively safe affair. Plus she really wanted to know more about it. The Jawa wasn’t the only one with the interest.

“Plus the additional strength that it gave you.” Not to mention the high quality material it was made out of. Back then, she hadn’t had the time to really dig into it.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Trextan looked down. His elbows rested on his knees and the bottle of beer dangled between them, held lightly by the neck in both hands. His lids fell as he smiled on one side of his mouth.

“Yeah, back at the hospital…” his voice trailed off. A few days of mischief and silly banter. It had been such a change to the weeks and months before. Though the banter had been more cautious after the time they'd been caught on the couch by the nurse. An awareness had suddenly appeared that had been almost entirely absent before.

Trextan recalled showing off by holding a lightsaber against the arm and felt mildly embarrassed. It was strange how the background noise of street bustle increased as the evening drew closer. Dangerous at night, too hot to travel through the middle of the day. Choli’s independent attitude made sense.

Would I have survived growing up out in the wilds? How many of them are orphaned and move on with their lives?

He turned back up to face Choli. “Training and more trouble. Had to pick fights with a few Sith and Ren.” He took his hand off the bottle and balled it into a fist. “Turns out when someone wears Phrik armour punching then in the chest with this does more than a saber.”

He turned his wrist upwards and held out his arm towards her. Taking a last swig before placing the beer down on the table he tapped on the screen to bring it to life. It had been left on mapping and showed a very broad circle that encapsulated an area well beyond Espa. It seemed she wasn't exaggerating about the signal problems.

“Not for sale though,” he chuckled, taking his beer back.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

The mention of having to pick a fight with Sith and Ren perked Choli’s attention. Curious gleamed with the flicker of hazel green eyes. Truth be told, the Rogue didn’t know much about the Ren. Who they were. What they are. What they stood for. The same could be said about the Sith. From what she had been able to gather from Chloe’s datacrons, there was just about every flavor of Sith as there were Dexter’s Diner ice cream flavors. It was just a different shade of philosophy that confounded her at times.

He didn't look worse for the wear, so clearly he managed to come out of that fight all the better. Or at least, from what was visible. There had been a renewed confidence his in abilities, at least with how he’d spoken about punching the Sith in the chest. That meant something right?

It was a sharp contrast to her own tangle with the First Order Soldier who had used a biological weapon that had burned her skin and lungs. LIkely would have killed her had Janes not come along with Rogue Squadron. They saved her life.

“What makes you think they were Sith?” A pause, then the frown of the slash of her brows as she admitted her lack of information.

“And just what are the Ren?” A small bent forward, forearms leaning against the tops of her thighs.

His world was nothing like hers.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

“Oh kark knows,” Trextan swore in an exasperated tone. “I've met one dressed as Darth Vader, the one who took my arm was a hissing lunatic, and then Baldie on Skor who talked plenty sweet and stupid. I think they all follow a cause but I don't really see a common philosophy you know?”

A beer and a half down and being free from R4s observation and Trextan seems to be relaxing and talking more easily. He wasn't even acutely aware of how much closer they were.

“But I know the dark side of the Force. Too well. They all seem to serve it whilst telling anyone who'll listen they're the saviours of the people.”

Trextan's expression shifted from his serious thoughts. “Guess the people of Skor didn't want to listen though eh?” He shifted the line of his robes, loosening it around his neck and shoulders now the sun wasn't bearing down on them. “Shame you didn't get to meet more of them. They were...interesting.”

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

Hearing him curse brought a widening of her almond shaped eyes, the thick fringe of her lashes blinking momentarily before the amusement that pooled there matched the widening grin. Pearly white teeth flashed against a backdrop of olive skin, Choli playing with the neck of her bottle as she took another deep sip.

Swallowing, her right shoulder gave a half shrug, as if she knew just as much as he. Not likely with the same sentiment as she hadnt really had to deal with any of them, although the Rogue could likely add her own stories dealing with First Order pilots or their ground troops from Mustafar or any other previous battles.

“Darth Vader?’ A perk of her brow and the puzzled expression told all; she didn't get the reference. Over 800 years since the former Sith Lord lived and breathed, with much lost during the 400 year darkness. Having the native of Tatooine confused was to be expected, especially for the everyday layman.

At the mention of Skor and the Squibs that lived there, Choli’s expression brightened. While Skor had been rather interesting, meeting the Squibs and seeing the mass of ingenuity with what they were able to scavenge was more than worth the trip. That and seeing Trextan again. The thought made her face faintly warm again; something she could blame the beer on right? Cheeks pink, she added, “Well, I might be able to go back. Talk to them some more.” A clink of her short, trimmed fingers rapped against the side of her bottle.

“Although at least we didn’t crash on that ship you got from them. She held together at least.” The grin broadened, splitting her face in two, the memory of how Trextan had mildly panicked upon revision an amusing thought.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

“They can talk more. Never doubt that a squib can talk more. It's getting them to stop that's the hard part. And I had complete faith that the ship would hold.”

He pulled a face as he brought the beer back to his lips. It was amusing now they were on the ground of course. Not falling through the skies in a collection of welding joints held together by spare parts.

The easy smile returned as he set his beer down. This time he realised how close they'd become. Both leaning forwards and resting on their thighs they were just a foot apart. Her thick, dark hair, easy grin and shifting eyes were all so much easier to appraise from here, he thought. He hadn't kissed her. Not properly anyway. And just once. His tongue ran across parched lips as he imagined that.

“Vader was some old sith lord in that short lived empire at the end of the republic. Looked ridiculous apparently and so did his followers. Would I wear a mask and dress like my thousand year dead hero? I suppose at least they left peacefully at Skor. Though I did want to give Baldie a slap a little bit…”

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

“Sure you did,” Choli countered, mirroring Trextan’s action and taking another swig of the beer. She could feel the fizzy almost floaty sensation that would settle when she was in her cups. The Rogue rarely ever did; being the youngest for so long meant that she had to be the designated lugger of those beyond inebriated back to the barracks. She was usually the one making sure that the rest of the crew didn’t make utter fools of themselves. Often times, against her best intentions, they did so anyways. Captain Janes included.

Her nose gave a slight scrunch at the revelation of who this ‘Darth Vadar’ was. “Ah. I see.” she let that marinate for a bit, following up with an arch of her brow. “I don’t know, would you? You already wore pink. No to mention your shiny, gold robes from Skor. “ a wry smirk went dancing across her face, giving him a mock complement of, “Very pretty.”

“Really brought out the chrome of your arm.”

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Trextan sharply raised his left hand, four fingers wrapped around the neck of the bottle and one pointing accusingly at Choli. He opened his mouth but was short of a retort.

“Alright got nothing the…” Trextan had to bring the bottle up and close his mouth over it quickly as the foam threatened to escape the bottle.

“Oops. Yeah right you had to wear the pink too but it's not as bad as those robes. People don't dress you in those for public appearance and guard duty.”

Trextan gave a shake of his head. The more traditional side of the Jedi Order still bemused him. “Less breezy though!”

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

At that, Choli gave a rather satisfied smug look and went leaning back in her chair, bringing back the distance between them both. Although they were no longer a foot apart, her body language and the easy going smile that drew over her face reflected that she was in a far more comfortable position than she had before.

“Breezy. Right. As if that was the real issue at hand.” Half way into her second beer made her a bit more blunt. A little more bold. At least in the form that Trextan would find more familiar from the first time he met the Lieutenant Commander.

A frown drew over her face, thinking back to Polis Massa. Why had he followed her? Well she got the gist of it really. He hadnt seem to be too happy about being on that med bay as much as she. Didn't answer why he followed her in the first place unless he was just using her as a venue to escape himself.

The murmurs from the crowd beneath them coming from the bazaar increased in volume. Lanterns shone, lighting pathways and casting darker shadows along dusty alleyways. A small gust of wind swept across the town, scattering grains of sand and the scent of dry sage in the air. The sizzle of grilled meats soon joined with its smoky char, almost, but not quite reminiscent of an open campfire flame.

“Mmm… should be a warm couple of nights. Hopefully clear skies.” She finally added as a half thought, thinking ahead to their upcoming travels. Choli brought the bottle of beer up, bringing it to rest along the right side of her cheek, feeling the grit and cold condensation cool her skin. A tap of her fingers gave a little rap in contemplation.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

There was just a subtle narrowing of his eyes at her frown. It vanished as soon as it came. He couldn't read into every expression that crossed her face. Trextans own mind went back to the hospital. Of all the places to ever focus on for happy memories, the recovery after a few days in bacta at a military facility would never have crossed his mind before. Trextan imagined that depth of concentration in that instant before the dark waves had overwhelmed him. When an entire U-Wing had felt like a toy to the Force.

Clarity came from time to time. He didn't know if it was the Force or simply just his own thoughts aligning. This felt right. Being here, with her. He felt the weight of the lightsaber tucked away. Forged by hate, intended for revenge. It had no place at his side any longer.

“Are clear skies good?” He asked. “Or does a bit of cloud cover in the day normally bring something else to kill you out there?” He looked down at the beer. “Only a few more,” he thought out loud. “It does sound like there are a lot of ways to die out there.” He grinned before taking another swig. As the temperature cooled he started to realise that he was becoming more hungry and he had promised food for his end of the bargain. Even providing better than salted chips, he was getting the better end of this deal.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

Trextan’s inquiry prompted a half chuckle from the Rogue, shoulders shaking a bit. Well that was one way to put it…

“Mmm, clear skies are good -- up until we get towards the middle of the day when the Twin Suns are up high.” Her forefinger went uncurling from the neck of the bottle and gave a point up towards the approaching indigo sky.

“We wont be traveling then. You aint used to the heat and it be better to find a place to rest for the few hours before the suns wane and we can travel again.” Truth be told, it would be better to travel more at night, much like she had told him earlier. They’ll balance it out one way or another.

“And yeah… there are a few things out there that would consider us to be an advantageous meal.” Her left hand began ticking off a few names. Beasts and wildlife of the deserts and the wastes.

“Rock Worts, Scyk, Sarlaccs, Howlers, Sand Demons… Krayt Dragons.”

Swinging back to Trex, she added, “You might laugh at Womprats but a few carry Womp Rat disease; they are fearless and pretty much come at you if you get close enough. One is fine to take a pot shot at -- a whole pack would run you down fast if you aint good with a blaster.” To which… well, the most she’d seen him fight was in close quarters. Did he even know how to use a blaster.

That was a vital question.

“You do know how to use a blaster, right?”

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

“What a lovely collection of wildlife your planet has,” Trextan replied. He grinned and shook his head from side to side. As he always did when smiling he half closed his eyes. “Cockpit of a starfighter probably seems safe to you,” he added as he tugged the blaster free from his hip.

“I’ve been practising. No rifleman,” he said with a shrug. He turned the blaster pistol over in his hand. It was a reassuring, heavy weight for a pistol. “I’m good out to fifty metres or so. Not with this mind. It’s a scattercannon scaled down to a handheld. Hard to miss below twenty metres with that and anything closer than ten probably won’t exist if you point and shoot.”

He passed the pistol over to Choli. It sounded as if he was going to have to be on his guard the entire time. The desert was far from devoid of life, but any predators would have to be relatively sparse. There simply wasn’t enough food to support a high density of killers. He could stretch out his senses quite far to find lifeforms if he concentrated.

“Are there any carrion birds? Or an equivalent?” he asked.