Private Ruck March

[Haro Aven]

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LOCATION:...KORRIBAN > KOR'ETHYR ACADEMY > HARO'S DORM​

OBJECTIVE: RUCK MARCH AT DAWN WITH Naamino Zuukamano ​

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It was the wee hours of the morning on this side of Korriban and Horset had just begun to creep up over the horizon line. Slowly but steadily, the dull red star began to warm the frosty shadows and bathe the academy grounds of Kor'eythr in a rich red glow. The campus was mostly empty, cradled in the silence of those few chaste hours before students and staff would fill it's sprawling ever-shifting corridors, classrooms and common rooms in earnest. Like most reasonable folk at this hour, Haro Aven was fast asleep in his bed after a frustratingly restless night, sprawled unceremoniously on his stomach, long lanky limbs mostly uncovered by his blanket. Despite his exhaustion, events from the previous day had left the youth feeling decidedly broody which was even more frustrating considering the relative mundanity of it all. It's not like his life had been in danger. Well... not really. It was just that the way things had been left after his workout with Naamino, Lesh's interference, even some of what he'd discussed with the girl after had weighed on Haro's mind late into the night. The fact that Naami had personally returned the belongings Haro had forgotten in the locker room to his dorm had helped him feel a bit better but it was really the note the zabrak had left that had made a real difference. It was certainly not an apology and the tone was expectedly gruff but the kindness of the gesture was not lost on Haro. Naami had made it clear in his own surly way that he still wanted to train with Haro and, despite the tension between them, Haro found he still wanted that too. That said, Naami's note had not specified exactly when or where this "leg workout" would take place and Haro certainly did not expect it to happen before class...​

 

[Naamino Zuukamano]

A stout and surly shadow entered the dark dorm room, moving quietly though not for secrecy so much as respect for Haro's roommate. The twi'lek boy still gave a terrified squeak before he blearily recognized the horned figure from a dozen or so hours prior. Naamino set down a backpack beside Haro's bed and gazed down at the boy as he startled awake. In an uncharacteristically soft voice, the zabrak explained.

"Time for that leg workout."

More than a little mystified by the glittering blink of the boy’s glowing eyes, Naami waited with unusual patience as Haro Aven regained his bearings a bit. The zabrak waited for the boy to sit up, calmly brushing away any of his own annoyance at perceived whining or protest. That the boy was still willing to workout with him was made clear and it appeased Naami enough to maintain a calm sense of composure. He remembered his own initial irritation at frequent summons by Darth Thaliax for training in the middle of the night. This was different of course but he made the attempt at empathy while he watched on in silence.

Eventually as Haro started to get dressed, the zabrak provided feedback.

"You need more layers, yeah- cold as kark out there."

And

"Got bantha wool socks? I brought extra. Trust me you wanna wear the best socks and shoes you have."

When he realized he hadn't yet explained the specifics of their workout, Naami clarified.

"Gonna take a little march, loaded your pack for you- promise I'm keeping it reasonable for your first ruck."

Once he made sure the teen was properly dressed, he helped him set the straps on his pack. It wasn't the first time Naami had gotten so close but it was the most gentle. He continued practicing care and patience as he adjusted the pack straps to fit Haro's tall, lean frame. Leshanna's words never far from his mind as he worked.

"Don't worry, packed us plenty of food and water" he added as if to forestall complaints about a lack of breakfast.
"And believe me, it's not worth the cramps to eat before we start."

Naami was also a firm believer that exerting oneself while fasting was a good way to build up one's constituent for difficult times. Once satisfied that his companion was as well prepared as he could be, the pair set out. They walked off campus and struck out from there, Naami directing their sun protected gazes to a spire in the distance.

"Few miles there, few miles back and our bodies will thank us later" he assured in a flat tone as he set a steady pace.

 

[Haro Aven]

Ever the light sleeper, particularly in the morning, Haro did indeed startle awake as some subconscious part of him perceived someone approaching his bed and he heard the soft rustle of movement. He pushed himself up onto an elbow with a pained groan. His arms ached terribly and felt like they weighed ten times more than they should. Still, he managed to wipe the drool from his lip, then blinked blearily up at the intruder.
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"...Naami? What're you--"​

"Time for that leg workout."​

Haro squinted, scrunching his face up in tired confusion. ​

"Wha... ri'now? Seriously?" He asked, his words slurred with fatigue as he glanced around, trying to get his bearings.​

Haro proceeded to sit up and rub his eyes, mumbling an inquiry about the time before he reached for his data pad, suddenly worried he'd overslept. He groaned again and made a comment about how it was barely even morning. But it soon became clear that, yes, Naami was in fact very serious. Haro's yawn turned into a begrudging acceptance before he pulled himself out of bed and shuffled over to his dresser. He dressed in a daze, blindly taking Naami's advise and gingerly pulling on more layers without thinking to ask why since his brain hadn't fully come online yet. Eventually, Naami clarified that they were going to take "a little march" and Haro idly wondered what a "ruck" was. It wasn't until he was being outfitted with the pack that Haro started to register how patient and diligent, even kind, Naami was being with him. The other boy's close proximity seemed to sober Haro and he watched Naami's stern expression as he clipped Haro in and pulled the straps taught. The effort straightened up Haro's normally slouched posture and rolled his shoulders back. Pain shot through his pectorals, shoulders and upper arms and a truly pathetic whimper escaped him before he could stop it. He glanced away and cleared his throat, fighting down the blush rising up his neck while he grumbled something about being sore from yesterday. Thankfully, Naami didn't make any snide remarks, he just soldiered on, explaining that he packed them plenty of food and water, and Haro began to wonder just how "little" this march was going to be.

By the time they got off campus, the chill of the early morning air and the steady movement had brought Haro out of his sleepy haze but he was still exhausted and sore. And maybe still a little miffed at Naami from the day before... and from waking him up so damn early then having the nerve to be sweet about it. When Naami pointed out the spire that looked like it was miles away then confirmed that it was indeed the plan to hike to it, in sandy terrain no less, Haro stopped in his tracks and looked at his buddy like he was a mad man. Naami just walked on like it was the most casual thing in the world. Haro threw up his hands and marched after him.
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"Oh, yeah, sure. Just a little eight mile march through the dunes at the butt crack of dawn. That's totally normal." Sarcasm dripped from his tone. He shook his head and sighed dramatically as he trudged on.​

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"How often do you do this?" He asked, as if something was wrong with the zabrak for wanting to do it at all.​

 

[Naamino Zuukamano]

Ever the stoic presence, Naami merely marched on even when Haro paused to protest at him. The zabrak looked sidelong over his shoulder without losing his pace and raised one dark eyebrow at the subtle sass of his lanky companion.

"It's normal for someone who wants to get stronger," he retorted flatly before turning back to look ahead as he soldiered on.

"Once a week or every few weeks when I've been busy."

He considered for a moment, then decided to ask even if it might be considered rude.

"How'd you not lose your mind on Coruscant with it being so… duracrete and people everywhere? I'd take a really long walk through a desert or across a savanna, over crowded corridors any day."

 

[Haro Aven]

Haro rolled his eyes at Naami's initial sassy retort, but he had to admit it was a good point. If Haro wanted to be even half as strong as the zabrak boy, he would really have to push himself. In that light, an eight mile hike once a week seemed almost reasonable, especially when Haro had been worried Naami was going to answer with "everyday" or something ridiculous.

He hesitated after the question about his homeworld though. He didn't take offense to it. In fact, he saw it as veiled curiosity about Coruscant but, more importantly, about Haro. It was the second time Naami had brought up where Haro had come from as well as his aversion to the idea of such a densely populated place. It also gave Haro further insight into what the other boy's experiences and preferences were and that excited him.

"Eh, it's not that bad," he shrugged. "It can actually be kinda cool, being around so many different kinds of people from all over the galaxy. Everybody's got their stories and cultures, all mixed up together. Guess it helps when it's all you know though."

"I had only seen places like this on the Holonet. If I'd known just how beautiful it really was in person..." He trailed off as he looked out over the open landscape before them–Horuset rising over miles and miles of red dunes speckled with megalithic rock formations and ancient ruins jutting up out of the sand, bathing the capital city of Vardin to the East of them in its crimson light. Haro took a moment to take it in, letting himself slip into that awe he still felt since arriving here.

"Well, the Loth-cat's out of the bag now. I can't wait to see more parts of the galaxy!" His bright smile and enthusiasm had found its way through his fussy mood with talk of adventure.

"What's a savanna?"​

 

[Naamino Zuukamano]

At first, Naami just grunted in acknowledgment, blue eyes focused ahead save for the occasional glance sideways. He particularly appreciated the brief moment of awed silence that Haro slipped into, and not for any mean spirited reason either, but because he saw just a little bit of himself in the boy at that moment.

Empathy had been hard to find for Haro during Ozzuk because of the nature of the competition. And afterwards, once the boy started at the academy, it had been only natural for the zabrak to feel a sense of competition. Especially because the quick witted chatterbox seemed so interested in getting close to all Naami's friends in particular. For the first time though, Naami felt able to set aside all personal grievance or minor sense of being put off by the boy's over the top charm and near constant peppy attitude.

"Yeah, I look forward to all the travel too," he eventually agreed before answering the boy's question.

"Uhm— grasslands mostly. Think the actual biome is characterized by 'scattered trees and numerous grasses with distinct wet and dry seasons' but yeah… beautiful like the desert in a lot of ways."

At first his explanation sounded directly out of an educational holovideo. In fact if Haro had put credits on it, he would've won. Then the zabrak genuinely acknowledged the awe they both seemed to feel when presented with natural landscapes. Though gruff and matter of fact, it was perhaps the closest Naami had come to discussing something less concrete and more emotional with Haro.

 

[Haro Aven]

Clearly thrilled to have found common ground with Naami in something as exciting as traveling the galaxy, Haro glanced over at him with a warm smile. He wondered if that was why Naami wanted to be a pilot too and almost asked, but then he suddenly remembered what he'd promised himself the day before. He wouldn't let himself get caught up in that feeling of camaraderie again and let his guard down. Not until he got an actual apology from the stubborn Zabrak for the stunt he pulled in the gym, or at least an explanation. Though his concern was tempered by the fresh memories of how Naami had shown up for him this morning, he needed to be careful and stay vigilant, especially out here in the desert with no one else around. So he pushed down the initial urge to enthusiastically engage the other boy in talk of other biomes and travel, instead slipping back into a more pensive mood.

"Hm. Didn't realize you were such an expert on biomes," Haro muttered distractedly with an uncharacteristic dryness that may have seemed out of place, especially given the tone of the conversation just moments before.

"So..." he began in a more serious tone, "this ruck march..." He wasn't sure what Naami would do if he directly confronted him with his suspicions so he decided to start by fishing for more information.

"Have you done this with other people before?"​

 

[Naamino Zuukamano]

Glancing sidelong, Naami made note of the dry somewhat sarcastic sounding response. Though he'd been making a focused effort to be kinder to his new peer, the sudden shift of tone had him feeling more cautious again. He didn't immediately respond, Haro's sass not warranting even a grunt. Then the boy continued on tentatively like the topic he addressed next might somehow be weighty.

Naami raised an eyebrow at the question and took a moment to consider. He found the answer somewhat surprising upon reflection, but he kept his tone stoic and matter of fact while responding.

"No, not really. Micah and I have traveled for days through the desert though-" he saved my life out here, Naami almost added.
"And I first met Gavin at the spot I'm taking you to, where he and Reign were having a lesson of sorts."

The boy trudged on, but let curiosity get the better of him.

"Do you miss the city planet, like have you been homesick?"

He sounded a little skeptical even as he asked, but the genuine curiosity was clear.

 

[Haro Aven]

Listening carefully, Haro studied Naami's body language for any tells that he might be lying or fabricating some placating story to lure Haro into a false sense of security. He found no such signs and, in fact, he found himself admittedly surprised by what he heard. As far as he could tell, Naami gave him a guileless and unexpectedly touching answer to a question that had secretly been steeped in suspicion and Haro was suddenly moved to guilt despite himself. Even in the short time he'd known Naami, it was made undeniably clear that Micah and Gavin were among the most important and closest people in his life. To be placed in the same category as those two, even in this small way, warmed Haro's heart and effectively quelled his suspicions, at least for now. It did not, however, forgive Naami's bully behavior from the day before.

Haro hadn't realized he'd been too lost in thought to offer much in the way of a response until Naami followed up with a question about Haro's home world and if he had been homesick. The answer came more quickly than he'd expected it to.

"Honestly, no, not really. I mean, I miss some of the people, like Mrs. Khaal and my friends," he said a bit wistfully, watching the path ahead of his feet.

"But getting out of the Undercity is the best thing that's ever happened to me." There was a depth of truth and feeling behind the words that even Haro hadn't expected until he spoke them aloud. It wasn't that he was ungrateful to Mrs. Khaal and all that she had done to give him a good life, but at this point he truly couldn't imagine what his life would've been like if he'd never met Niynx or seen the stars or experienced hyperspace or come to Korriban.

"What about you? You ever miss Wistril?"​

 

[Naamino Zuukamano]

His companion seemed thoughtful, more solemn than usual, and Naami found that he rather enjoyed the boy's company more when there was some clear depth to his personality being displayed. Naami was of course none the wiser to the fact that Haro was so heavily impacted by the incident the day prior. It certainly hadn't left the zabrak's mind, but he was the one who'd been chastised so thoroughly.

Naami found himself nodding when the boy answered, relating to the idea that getting off-world from the place one grew up was the start of the grandest adventure. There was also no hesitation when the question came back to him.

"No, not at all. I think about my cousin Viv sometimes— but she's fine, happy studying urban planning."

He gave a half shrug. Again, the response was unusually mellow and straightforward. It seemed that the surly zabrak was decidedly less uptight and gruff when he was being active outside, getting fresh air and doing something simple but purposeful.

"Who's uh—" he almost thought better of asking, suddenly aware that they were drawing very near to subjects that could dive into the deeply personal.

"Who's Mrs. Khaal?"

He decided to press ahead. Curiosity and the words of Leshanna echoing once more in the back of his mind. "Treat him as one of your own…" and he figured she meant "one of our own", one of the tight knit squad that was forming amongst the students at Kor'ethyr. So he allowed himself the question and hoped Haro would focus more on talking about himself rather than turning too much curiosity back onto him.

 

[Haro Aven]

Once again, Haro noted that Naami failed to mention parents when he spoke of home, only an aunt, an uncle, and now a cousin. Haro had tried imagining countless times what it might be like to have cousins or siblings, how fun it would be to always have someone that was close to his own age to talk to and hang out with. He wondered why Naami hadn't mentioned his parents though. Did he have a bad relationship with them? Perhaps they weren't around anymore.

For the first time since the two boys had met, their conversation actually seemed to flow with ease. Much of the tension that so often existed between them fell away in the wake of their scenic early-morning march and talk of home. Haro found that he similarly rather enjoyed Naami's company more when he was calm and straightforward as opposed to being so uptight or posturing. He took a deep breath, consciously letting go of some of the tightness he'd been holding in his shoulders. Thankfully, his body was feeling better and better by the moment as they marched on, and he found himself grateful that Naami had strapped him in so well and outfitted him to be comfortable for the journey. Haro was unaccustomed to having someone take care of him like that, and he found that he quite liked it.

"Oh uh, she's my mentor. She runs the shipyard I worked at back on Coruscant." It was a safe answer, vague and shallow. He wanted to share more but he hesitated. Ultimately, he went with his gut feeling.

"She's a friend of my mom's. Took me in after mom passed." The lightness of his tone was a thinly veil over the deeper grief that still lingered after all these years.

"She looked after me, gave me something to do, kept me out of trouble... mostly." A slight smirk curled his lip, the little quip an unspoken permission to keep it light after sharing potentially heavy news. Haro fell into a thoughtful silence for another long moment as they walked side by side.

"What about your parents?" There was clearly some uncertainty behind the question as he steered them deeper into uncharted and potentially vulnerable territory but Haro hoped he'd laid enough groundwork with his decision to share about his mom in case his suspicions about Naami's parents were true. "You haven't mentioned them, only your aunt and uncle, and Viv..."​