Run and Never Look Back

[Aubrey Landcaster]

“...So I pulled him over the bar and beat the living lark out of him. That’s was the last time I was going to get a watered down drink!” A man said loudly, a couple of other passengers laughed. They were in the lounge area of a cargo ship. The man telling his story suddenly brought his gaze to Aubrey. He had been on a job with this crew, and were tying up loose ends.

“Eh! You what’syourname what’re doin’ over there? Come drink and listen to our tales!” The man shouted, the others in the lounge went quiet. Aubrey sighed as he took off his hood, he had been trying to catch some sleep as they made their way to their final stop.

“Aubrey.” The Merc said as he sat up off the crates he was laying on. The group began laughing. “What was your mother thinking?!?” The man laughed loudly. Aubrey sighed again. “Look don’t take this the wrong way: but I’m never going to see you lot again.” He dusted off his black jeans. The group went silent again. Aubrey ran a hand through his hair as he double checked that his blaster was in his holster.

“I just don’t run with the same crew twice. It’s better that way.” He said with a nod as the ship entered Kashyyyk’s atmosphere. The group glared at the younger merc. They didn’t have time to respond as the ship landed on an unmarked beach. The group stayed seated.

“Go ahead, finish the job and leave.” The man said as he threw a sack of credits at Aubrey. The merc caught it and smiled. “Alright.” Was all Aubrey said. He pulled open a crate and dragged out a wide eyed Neimoidian. Pulling out his blaster, Aubrey led the Neimoidian off the ship and down the ramp onto the sands. Soon after the ship took off. Aubrey smiles. That’s how it always s was.

“Sorry dude, A job’s a job.” Aubrey said. His prisoner looked at him and pleaded. Aubrey sighed as he aimed his blaster pistol. A shot rang out and the Neimoidian flinched. His bindings were destroyed. “Run, don’t look back. If I see you again, I’ll kill you.” The Neimoidian ran at Aubrey attempting to attack him. Just as quickly the merc fires off a shot.

Aubrey shook his head and holstered his blaster. “Was it worth it?” He said to the deceased Neimoidian. He sighed as he looked down at the corpse. “Looks like the loose end got tied up after all."

The brown haired man looked out to the ocean. What was he doing? He should be looking for his partner. He sat down next to the corpse without realizing it, lost in thought.


[member="Eenia Vahn"]

 

[Eenia Vahn]

As of late, the beach had been a place that Eenia avoided like the plague. Despite the fact that the ocean was one of her calming places, with everything she had experienced that was beach related over the past two years, she just hadn't figured it would be a good idea for her to venture down to the sands or get near the water.

However, with the very slow progress she had been making in terms of getting past everything that had happened to her recently, she had decided the the serenity she garnered from the ocean was no longer something to be ignored. So Nia had ventured out of her room, and made her way down to one of the spots she knew would be less occupied. She found herself stopping only once she was at the water's edge, and having abandoned her shoes she sighed as the waves washed over her toes. The lids fell closed over sea colored eyes, and the blonde's head tipped back against her shoulders. And in that moment? She just breathed.

There were moments when her thoughts attempted to swallow her whole; to creep up and completely take her down all over again, but Nia managed to push them away. The serenity she always felt when near the ocean seemed to be keeping her at ease. At least until she heard blaster fire.

Both of Eenia's eyes snapped open, and her head righted so that she could look around. When she didn't see anything immediately around her, she moved towards where she had heard the sound come from, and when she found the source both of her brows lofted at what she found. And for some reason? She found herself moving close. Why? Even Eenia didn't know. She didn't even think about it, her feet moved and she let them carry her. Thinking hadn't been good for her lately after all, so why start doing it again now?

"Please tell me this was justified, and not something I need to report..." she let out once her feet carried her close enough.


[member="Aubrey Landcaster"]

 

[Aubrey Landcaster]

The sound of the water crashing on the shore was surprisingly soothing. A small sigh would escape Aubrey's throat, this was the life, how many can say that they get a moment's peace? The mercenary smiled lightly.

"Please tell me this was justified, and not something I need to report..."

A voice sounded. Aubrey looked up and towards the source....A woman? Aubrey cocked his eyebrows, What was she talking about? was sitting on the beach somehow against the law? Well enough to be reported. Aubrey wondered. The man looked down at his holster, and out of the corner of his eye a hand came into view, wait, a body. The Neimoidian! That's what the woman was referring to. Aubrey gave a light smile as he remained seated.

"Oh! you mean this." Aubrey gestured to the corpse next to him. "Yes ma'am, it was justified, I released him from his bindings, and he attacked me. I defended myself. I don't kill in cold blood." Aubrey stated, giving the body a last look before standing, and brushing the sand off his pants. He would let his brown eyes fall on [member="Eenia Vahn"]. She was a bit shorter than the Merc, possibly a bit younger too. Aubrey met her gaze. The man would suddenly smile brightly.

"Oh! I'm Aubrey by the way. And can I just say, your eyes are beautiful." Aubrey held his smile. It doesn't hurt to flatter her a bit, maybe they got off on the wrong foot with the dead body and all. Aubrey thought. "Look I apologise for the recently deceased. I don't wanna make any waves, Maybe take me on a tour of the area? That way you can keep an eye on me and decide if I should be reported?" Aubrey smirked and ran a hand through his hair.

 

[Eenia Vahn]

It was justified. Somehow, Eenia was just a little skeptical of that answer, and yet she didn't immediately run off and attempt to inform the authorities of one sanction or another. Instead, her arms slowly folded against herself, and she took a moment to eye this situation as a whole. The corpse, the person responsible for the corpse, back and forth for a good few, drawn out moments.

"You're some sort of mercenary." it wasn't a question, and sea colored eyes lifted back up from the dead body on the sandy beach floor, to the gaze across from her own. "And since I have no desire to be on the wrong end of mercenary work, I saw nothing." she shrugged her shoulders and turned herself so that she was facing the water again rather than this stranger and his felled target.

Was it morally questionable? Probably. But what had Eenia ever gained by having a totally righteous moral compass? A trip down some seriously dark and negative paths.

She did at least look at this guy when he spoke up again though. Dark place or not, she wasn't intentionally rude. "I'm Eenia." she told him, though the comment about her eyes made her lips press into a thin line and she looked away. While Nia was aware her eyes were definitely one of her most striking features, they were a bit of a sore spot in terms of subject matter. "I get that a lot - or did, at least." Her head shook and she sighed, and since the last thing she wanted was to be questioned about her eyes? Her arms dropped to her sides and she shifted to half face Aubrey.

"Are you planning on sticking around Kashyyyk?" she questioned him curiously. "I mean a tour is good and all, but is really only necessary if you're planning to stick around, or visit regularly." There was the slightest hint of a smirk on her lips.


[member="Aubrey Landcaster"]

 

[Aubrey Landcaster]

A Mercenary. Aubrey had been a merc for as long as he could remember, granted he couldn't remember too far back. Sure he could start fresh and become a bartender or a waiter, but where was the fun in that? Aubrey let out a dry chuckle as he turned to the ocean. Aubrey smiled. The woman next to him was certainly an enigma. Of course Aubrey would have to change that.

"You're sharp E." Aubrey said with a sly grin. She said that she got comments about her eyes a lot, or did. Aubrey kept his grin up and looked out to the ocean to watch the waves form and break. "Well I don't worry too much about what others think about you. And I know, I know, don't kill me for the cliche" Aubrey joked. Eenia then asked if Aubrey was sticking around Kashyyyk. Aubrey nodded. "That sounds about right." Aubrey kicked a bit of sand.

"Don't know how long I'll be here but I should make the best of it. It would be amazing if you could give me a bit of info about the area." Aubrey smirked as he noticed a hint of a slight smirk on her face.

"So E, what brings you to this nice little beach?" A wide grin would spread across his face. He looked to [member="Eenia Vahn"]

 

[Eenia Vahn]

He called her sharp, and Eenia made a soft noise in her throat in reaction. She wasn't sure if anyone had ever called her sharp before. It kind of had a nice ring to it. Though to be honest, what choice did she have but to be sharp? She had learned a very devastating lesson due to her innocence and blind faith in people, and she had sworn never to let it happen again.

"Alright, I guess I can tell you what I know. Which pretty much extends to the Rest, maybe a few shops and a bar." she shrugged a shoulder and looked at Aubrey again. Nia hadn't ever had anyone call her 'E' before either, which was also a nice change of pace, all things considered. When he asked what had brought her to the beach, the blonde's head turned yet again, this time so that she could look out at the ocean once more. She sighed slowly through her nose and then lifted a hand to rake her fingers through her hair a bit roughly.

"The beach is the place I feel most calm. Most serene." Her hand dropped away and hit against her side with a soft slap. "I had honestly thought that it would just be another place I would feel uncomfortable and upset. Too many memories that I'd just rather not think about anymore. But," she shrugged a single shoulder and sighed again. "I get here and just feel the usual serenity..."


[member="Aubrey Landcaster"]

 

[Aubrey Landcaster]

Serenity....Something Aubrey hadn't felt for a while. A fleeting idea, that wouldn't embrace the Mercenary. Or so he thought. [member="Eenia Vahn"] Said that she would tell Aubrey what she knew. He listened carefully as she listed the places, one caught Aubrey's attention. The Rest. He wondered what that was, he'd never been to Kashyyyk before, was it an inn? Unlikely. Aubrey shook his head and watched as Eenia ran a hand through her hair.

Aubrey let out a friendly chuckle. "Keep that feeling with you E, once it's gone, it will be hard to regain." Aubrey gave her a genuine smile. She seemed like a person that let the past get to her. Aubrey didn't really have that luxury. He clicked his tongue. "A piece of advice: The past is gone, and the future is yet to come, but the present it's now. Don't let things get to you." Aubrey smiled and crouched down, grabbing a fistful of sand. "Be like the sand and go wherever the wind takes you." Aubrey slowly let the sand fall through his fingers. a light breeze blowing the sand.

Aubrey dusted off his hands and stood up. "I have a question, E. What exactly is the Rest?" Aubrey asked as he made eye contact with the woman.

 

[Eenia Vahn]

Well, he wasn't wrong. Living in the past wasn't good for anyone. It drug them down, swallowed them whole, and typically turned them into the worst versions of themselves. Unfortunately, that wasn't Nia's issue. "Its good advice," Eenia stated, though she was no longer looking at Aubrey while she spoke. At least not for the moment. "I have no desire to live in the past. My past abandoned me without hesitation or a wit of remorse. I'd love nothing more than to forget it all and just press on with my life as if none of it had ever happened."

Now her gaze shifted so that she could look at him, "It's not a matter of not being able to let go, it's the fact that the wounds are still fresh." her shoulders shrugged and she folded her arms once again.

When Aubrey asked about the Rest, Nia was admittedly thankful for the change in subject. She sighed, but smiled just a little. "It's the Jedi temple here on Kashyyyk." she answered him. "It's also where I live." she added with a shrug.


[member="Aubrey Landcaster"]

 

[Aubrey Landcaster]

Ah she was a Jedi. A Jedi with obvious troubles. Aubrey didn't know much of the Order, only that they were peacekeepers who strives for balance. Even that information could have been wrong though. He nodded as Eenia said it was good advice, but it didn't help if the wounds were fresh and the pain still lingered. Aubrey felt she was talking about a person, but he wasn't sure. Aubrey wondered what happened. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He knew that feeling all too well.

"I know that feeling, that's for sure. A few months ago I was in an accident, I have no clue how or what happened, but My partner wasn't around the crash site, nowhere to be found, I don't know if he was taken, or just got up and walked away, either way, I felt like he abandoned he, He was my best friend. That pain of not knowing...of not having him watch my back, or be there for me. That still lingers. Moving on is hard, I totally understand. I'm still not moved on." He said as his eyes watered. He looked to EEnia then shook his head, putting on a fake smile.

"Let's go get a drink, E. We both need one." Aubrey said softly as he stepped aside to let her lead the way.
[member="Eenia Vahn"]

 

[Eenia Vahn]

Finding something in common with someone through abandonment was an unfortunate thing. It was something she wouldn't wish on anyone, ever. The feeling of your whole world being ripped away from you was not a pleasant one, and the changes that followed were never easy to cope with. And for those who were able to just up and abandon someone? To take something so important to someone away with no remorse or a backwards glance in most cases? Shame on them.

"I'm sorry," Eenia stated, "I'm pretty sure I have time to go and grab a drink." she informed Aubrey, then made a gesture up the beach. "This way." she told him, then turned so that she could start heading up the beach and away from the sands. "Have you been looking for your partner?" Nia asked him once they had been walking for a moment. "Or have you just written it off entirely?" she question, curious over the matter.


[member="Aubrey Landcaster"]

 

[Aubrey Landcaster]

Aubrey appreciated E’s sympathy, it wasn’t often that he talked about his problems, he was the type of person to put his energy into being there for other people. The mercenary let out a small chuckle. “I appreciate you taking time out of your schedule to talk to me.” Aubrey said as he followed where Eenia was pointing. He began making his way up the beach with her. After a bit of time walking, E asked Aubrey if he was still looking for his partner or if he just wrote Josh off entirely. Aubrey took a moment and smiled; tilting his head towards the woman next to him.

“I’ve been looking, that’s for sure. How do you drop someone that’s been in your life for so long. I’m not going to give up on him that easily. The only thing is, it’s hard to come by leads. It’s like he just vanished.” Aubrey waved his hands in the air with a laugh. He let out a sigh. “I don’t know. Maybe I should write him off. For all I know he could be dead.” Aubrey said as he ran a hand then his hair. Aubrey didn’t know what to do. He was caught in between his own feelings. “I don’t know, I don’t. It’s just got me real messed up.” Aubrey looked to his feet, then back up to [member="Eenia Vahn"]. “Jonas was the closest thing I have to a brother.”

He sighed again before looking straight ahead. “The wound feels pretty fresh” Aubrey said with a light laugh, trying to use humor to hide the pain.

 

[Eenia Vahn]

"Well rest assured, I don't have much of a schedule as of late." Eenia had stated easily enough in reply once they had started walking. But as the subject shifted and he answered her question, Nia felt herself frown. It wasn't the fact that he had answered her, no it was because of something he had said when he answered her.

How do you drop someone that's been in your life so long? "You know, that's a question I ask myself daily." she sighed out, and her arms folded loosely against herself as she walked now. "How someone can just let go of and turn their back on someone who has been in their life for so long. How do you just let go of something like that, unless it wasn't important to you in the first place?"

Her head shook, and she made a noise in her throat. "Sorry, not trying to drag the mood down any further, I promise." Truth be told, Nia hadn't said much of anything about what had happened to anyone, in any form. So just that slip, to a stranger no less? Unheard of. "What sort of leads have you gotten so far?" she asked, working hard to change the subject back to something that could possibly be more productive. "Maybe there's something you're not seeing, some sort of pattern or something."


[member="Aubrey Landcaster"]

 

[Aubrey Landcaster]

In Aubrey’s book, having a clear schedule was completely fine, it gave him time to find missing pieces. Yet he was missing something. Aubrey nodded when E said that she thought about that question daily. That meant she understood what it felt like. It made Aubrey glad that he could at least share his experience with someone, something he didn’t do often. “Exactly. It doesn’t make sense. It’s like: did you even care at all?” Aubrey laughed a bit. When E apologized Aubrey shook his head and smiled. “E, don’t be sorry, if it made you feel better it’s a win. It definitely made me feel like I wasn’t alone heh. That you could relate made me feel better.” Aubrey said as he slipped his hands into his pockets.

[member="Eenia Vahn"] asked what leads has He gotten that there might have been something he was missing. Aubrey coughed and wiped his face. “Nothing major, just a few potential sightings, witnesses at bars and markets. But that was a few days after the crash, from there, nothing. We crashed outside Mos Eisley on Tatooine.” Aubrey sighed. “And if I’m being honest I haven’t been back to the crash site since then.” Aubrey rubbed the back of his neck.

 

[Eenia Vahn]

He wasn't wrong there. Having someone who understood what she was dealing with was kind of nice. Granted, she had dealings with others who had, had similar experiences, but she had yet to come across someone who knew what it was felt like to be utterly abandoned. The situations were entirely different, because there was no telling what had happened to Aubrey's partner, but the feelings were the same. Being left behind was not ideal in any situation, ever.

"It is nice to have someone who gets it." Nia sighed out, but that was all she said over the matter. Especially since he had answered her question about his leads. That brought a more thoughtful noise from her, and she was quiet for a long moment as they walked. "Well, I've never been to either place...so I really don't know anything helpful to say or even suggest." Both of her arms went up behind her head and her fingers linked together. "What about the crash itself?" she questioned again. "What happened there? Malfunctions of some kind, and attack, or sabotage?"


[member="Aubrey Landcaster"]

 

[Aubrey Landcaster]

Aubrey remained silent for a bit, focusing on the sounds of nature and things that was around him. He forgot to do that, take a break every so often, listen to the greater world. He shook his head. Eenia asked about the crash itself. If it was a malfunction, attack or if it was sabotage. Aubrey stopped dead in his tracks. Realization spread across his face. "Wait, why haven't I thought to ask that question? Hm..." Aubrey thought for a second, then shook his head.

"Last thing I remember was going to check on our package. After that, I woke up from the crash. Maybe I just have to go back to the crash itself. I'm not too sure." Aubrey said as he started to walk again.

Aubrey looked to [member="Eenia Vahn"]. "It could have been sabotage I don't know. I'm sure we can figure it out E."

 

[Eenia Vahn]

Eenia made a thoughtful noise, her expression concentrated as she continued to walk along with Aubrey. He hadn't thought about sabotage, which wasn't exactly uncommon. Most people either went one way or the other; either it was something they didn't consider, or they jumped immediately to sabotage. There wasn't usually an in between.

"What sort of package did you have?" she questioned him, turning her gaze so that she could look at him now. "I know revealing those sorts of things isn't usually protocol, but considering that you were in a crash and most likely lost the cargo anyhow, in this case I think it's alright to say." she shrugged her shoulders, because really she didn't know if he would look at it the same way or not.

"I can't promise to be a great deal of help, but I can certainly try." she did at least assure him.


[member="Aubrey Landcaster"]

 

[Aubrey Landcaster]

Aubrey continued to follow Eenia his hands resting on his head. She asked him what they were carrying when they crashed. She was right, it wasn’t normal protocol to reveal what was in the package. But Aubrey has to admit, it would probably help. The merc frowned for a second as he racked his brain to remember what happened.

“Well, from what I remember, we just finished attacking a gang or something, had to retrieve a giant crate. Our employer told us not to open it...a normal procedure for us. So we loaded the crate and took off, had to bring it to some Hutt that had a Cantina somewhere in Mos Eisley. Obviously we didn’t make it that far. I didn’t even think to check on the package. Just focused all my attention on trying to find Jonas.” Aubrey said. “Sorry if that wasn’t very helpful it’s a bit hazey.” Aubrey sighed. He had a feeling he’d have to go back to Tatooine. Grimacing at the fact that the crash site might be cleaned up by now.

“Maybe our cargo was slaves. Now that I think about it...why else would there be a large crate? I mean especially on a planet like Tatooine. I dunno. Still doesn’t explain where my partner went.” Aubrey said softly. He shook his head.

[member="Eenia Vahn"]

 

[Eenia Vahn]

Eenia made a soft sound in her throat, "Sounds like a slave run alright. I mean big crate, taking the delivery to a Hutt, had to forcibly remove it from somewhere else first?" the blonde's arms folded across her chest and she watched the ground ahead of her as she walked now. "Not to mention whatever reason brought you crashing down to the planet as well."

Her head shook just a bit and she lift her gaze back up to Aubrey. "I think I agree with what you said earlier, about how everything was probably cleaned up from the crash site by now. That would definitely make sense if someone wanted your cargo and was attempting to cover it up." Nia frowned just a little. "I don't like the idea of a conspiracy of any kind, but maybe whomever is responsible for all of that, has your partner too."

It could possibly be a long shot, and Eenia was aware of that fact. But, it could also be true. If said partner just up and vanished, and if someone had orchestrated the crash? What was to keep someone from taking what they thought was the only survivor?

Or...Maybe Aubrey's partner had been the one to orchestrate the whole thing in the first place...But she didn't want to bring that up.


[member="Aubrey Landcaster"]