Public [Social] Songs for the Fallen, Strength for the Living

[Xeno]

Fondor
Tags: Vitiion Daivik

Luxar | Klocto | Sword​

"Wow. Men can be such idiots sometimes. You know that right? You don't need to say it in a supportive way. You've already been supporting me"

"I... yeah..." Xeno mumbled, turning away sheepishly.

Well, she was smiling. Laughing even. That was all he could really ask for, even if it was at his own expense. It was... strangely comforting to hear that he was a good man. Sure, he wasn't a good man before, but he was now. He didn't have a choice to be moral when he was forced to be an assassin, but now he was his own person. Someone who committed himself to bringing joy to others.

Xeno didn't know if he thought higher of himself, but he certainly felt a little better.

"You're important to me," he stated. "You and Klocto and Luxar... It makes me feel good that I can do what I've done. If... that is the path I need to walk to be a good man, then I'll do it..."

As Xeno turned back to Vee, movement in the corner caught his eye. He turned to the arched doorway of the balcony to see Luxar and Klocto peering their heads around the corner, Klocto at least grinning in a way that seemed to be particularly at his expense. The half-Nagai let out a huff.

"Oh, shove it and hit the bricks, Klocto," he scoffed.

"Yes sir."

The two saluted and vanished behind the doorway.

 

[Vitiion Daivik]

"Choose the path that makes you happy Xeno. I have. I could have chosen the path that had me focus on being part of the Defense Force. That had me purely focus on "taking out my targets. Instead I chose the path that keeps me happy, around you."

Vitiion sighed to herself, making air quote marks as she spoke. In her eyes, that would have been the easier path. Turn herself into some kind of machine that killed for the Alliance...but it wasn't what she wanted. It didn't suit her. The same way that she thought Xeno being a killing machine didn't suit him either.

"Find a balance if you need to. Sure, you make me feel better and I'm sure Luxar and Klocto feel better being around you as well, but that doesn't matter to me if it means you aren't happy."

At that, she folded her arms along her front. It was a way to show her stubborness, but not for herself but for Xeno. She was stubborn in her belief that his happiness was equally as important as her's and anyone else's. She didn't want Xeno to put their feelings above his own...Though she doubted he was doing that. It was just a concern she had. However she raised an eyebrow at Xeno's comment, turning her head back to look over towards the two little "spies" before watching them hurry off.

"...I wonder how long they were listening for. At the very least, they didn't seem to disagree with what I was saying."
Even with that said, Vee's cheeks had turned a faint pink. She didn't like the idea of anyone listening in whilst she was trying to be open to Xeno . It was...embarrassing to say the least.

 

[Xeno]

Fondor
Tags: Vitiion Daivik

Luxar | Klocto | Sword​

"...I wonder how long they were listening for. At the very least, they didn't seem to disagree with what I was saying."

"Not long... They only just got there..." Xeno sighed. He noticed them walking up. It was still more than enough for them to tease from a distance. "Morons..."

Xeno paused before speaking again.

"I am happy," he stated. "I... like the feeling I get when I bring joy to other people. I've... never felt more fulfilled by anything in my life. It's a symbiotic relationship, y'know? The place I need to be is... where other people are. Well... where you all are."

He did manage a smile. It was awkward, but he was genuinely pleased at where he had wound up. Sure, he was prone to brooding, but in the end of the day his life had changed for the better. The people around him improved his mood, and there was just enough good around Xeno for him to be a better man.

That was worth something.

"Not for nothing, but you helped me get to where I am now," the musician noted. "I... well, I think I'd be bleeding out for starters. But... I think you've made me a lot less cold..."

A more wry smile came to his face.

"I don't know if anything will make me like fancy venues though."

 

[Vitiion Daivik]

"Oh. You'd be more than just bleeding. And my best outfit wouldn't have gotten your blood on it."

She broke out into her grin once again. As much as she pretended to have been mad about it at the time...well, she wasn't pretending at the time but now she didn't care. She was just happy that Xeno was alright and healthy. Physically at least. She did nod however at the comment about fancy venues, her grin only growing. Her face was going to be sore tomorrow but she was grateful for the happy moments.

"Don't get me started on the fancy stuff. I hate it. I mean, look at my dress. I just threw on the fanciest thing I had."
Vee sighed to herself as she waved up and down her clothes. She'd rather be in her armour. It's what she felt comfortable in. It could be worse, she supposed. She shrugged and stepped back over towards Xeno's side to look outside at the view of Fondor once more.

"It's good to hear you're happy. Though I wonder how much those two think it's because of me."

With that, she jabbed her thumb in the direction that Dumb and Dumber had went. Though she supposed it was true. She was a lot happier because of him, and it seemed like Xeno was happier because of hoer.

 

[Iandre Athlea]

Taking a sip of her drink, Iandre silently observed the other event guests. This was the first time in a great many years that she had been around many people. The itch to keep busy and move on was starting up, so she took the rest of her drink in one large shot and stood up. She didn't even entirely understand why she was even here. Growling, she put her empty glass down and started to leave.
A voice stopped her, though, and she looked to the stage again. Her tanned skin lost a bit of color as she knew this voice from her first life: Master Caltin Vanagor. She seemed to remember having encountered this man at some point as the Clone Wars progressed. He was a commander in the field of war and somebody she might have even looked up to back then. He was the kind of person she could have grown into being if that chance had been given to her.
Listening to his words, the old Padawan felt like she had been punched in the gut. Not wanting to draw any attention to herself, and certainly not that of this man, she would attempt to leave the gathering. Not that speaking to him would be a bad thing; she just wasn't sure what she would say to anybody here.

Caltin Vanagor

 

[Xeno]

Fondor
Tags: Vitiion Daivik

Luxar | Klocto | Sword​

"It's good to hear you're happy. Though I wonder how much those two think it's because of me."

"I'm... sure they have their theories..."

Xeno felt... strange. Not in a bad way, just in a way that perplexed him to no end. Everything felt so far removed from the way he had been brought up. Born to slaves, taken to be a Sith, forced to kill to survive. Now he was well dressed, somewhat famous, surrounded by good people. But it was Vitiion that was really the one thing that put all of that into perspective. Something about her presence made it all so... different.

"I can agree about the fancy clothes," he noted. "This suit is stuffy... You... look good, though."

Oh. Why had he said that? It wasn't untrue, it just didn't really make sense. Xeno was the last person to pay any mind to how people appeared. His company was certainly an indicator of that. He turned away, trying to think of any kind of justification for this sudden shift in attitude.

No such answer came.

"If... you don't mind me saying. Sorry, that was kind of out of left field. I'm not... I'm not sure what's gotten into me..."

 

[Vitiion Daivik]

"I mean...I have my theories as well."

There was more of a grin on her face as she stared out towards the sky. She was at least...somewhat more familiar with how she was feeling about this. Vee didn't have the full on confidence to say it, but she had read through some of those novels that people left laying around. She did raise an eyebrow however at the comment about her looking good.

"Oh. So I don't look good all the time? I feel like I should be offended. I will say though, the suit looks nice on you. Even if it is a bit stuffy."

Gentle teasing. She was starting to walk on eggshells, at least in her own mind. Her eyes darted around for a moment, trying to make sure that the Two Amigos weren't lurking on them still. Maybe she should try and get some more training for the Force stuff. It might make her job more simple...but that wasn't important to her. She just reached a hand out to gently grab Xeno's.

"You know there's a better view this way, right? Not the wall."

I finally remember to put in the damned dress Xeno

 

[Xeno]

Fondor
Tags: Vitiion Daivik

Luxar | Klocto | Sword​

She just reached a hand out to gently grab Xeno's.

"You know there's a better view this way, right? Not the wall."

Xeno felt her hand slip into his. The sudden shift almost demanded his attention. Sure enough, his icy blue gaze was drawn back in her direction. Everything began to feel strange. His heart beat a little faster, his spine seemed to get chills running up and down it, his toes began to curl in his boots against his will. Was it wrong that he just wanted to stand there? The noise of Fondor seemed to be drowned out in an instant.

What did he even say. Should he say something? A thousand plus thoughts seemed to rattle around in his eggshell of a head, uncertain on how to proceed. It was like he was in a black hole getting pulled apart, stuck in time unable to move.

"I..."

Strangely, Xeno seemed to begin to get shorter. More accurately he was sinking, unconsciously Phasing slowly into the floor below him. He didn't notice initially, a bit lost, but then looked down to see his partially submerged boots. His white face went even more red.

"Oh chit."

Before he could sink any further, Xeno got in control of himself and scrambled to pull his legs up, letting out a sigh. He didn't, however, let go of Vitiion's hand. He would take a moment to tap his feet on the ground to ensure that his abilities weren't rebelling against him anymore before looking at Vee with a sheepish expression.

"Uh... sorry," he began with an awkward grin. "I don't really have a good excuse for that one..."

He paused, considering his next choice of words.

"I... you..." Xeno let out a frustrated sigh. "I'm trying to put together a coherent thought, but you're... you're making it really difficult. Not like you consciously, just your presence...I should be able to articulate what's going through my head... but what I think I should be able to do and am actually doing don't really seem to be aligning right now. So I think... I think I'd just like to shut up for a moment and not say anything dumb. Cause I feel like you probably already understand... even if I don't fully..."

 

[Vitiion Daivik]

At first, Vee was getting confused at the silence, turning her head around to spot Xeno slowly but surely sinking into the ground as she blinked to herself. And then blinked again. Before a sudden fit of giggles escaped her mouth, even as she tried to cover them up with her other hand.

"If you wanted to get away from me so badly, you only need to say so."

More teasing. It was fun to tease Xeno like this. Even if she would actually be very hurt if he asked to get away from her. She probably shouldn't try to tempt fate in that way now that she thought about it. This was meant to be...sweet, right? That's how the Lady Velvet novel books sometimes made it out to be.

Though then she listened as Xeno tried to put together a "coherent thought" as he said, tilting her head. A soft smile spreading across her face at the mentioning of how "difficult" she made it. However she didn't laugh this time, or interrupt him. Vitiion let the Half-Nagai get out whatever he needed to say before she'd speak. Then once he finished, she took in a deep breath.

"Oh. I do understand. I've understood for a long time. Since well...Zinder. I wasn't sure at the time, but then after doing some...reading. Yeah. We'll call it reading, I realised some of it made sense. Some of it at least. Most of it was a bunch of fluffy nonsense to fill pages I think."

Another wave of her hand. She knew Lady Velvet wasn't meant to be a perfect story. It was what middle aged women and men read to make themselves fantasize about a better relationship or something. She couldn't truly fault the book though. It helped her figure herself out more.

"You don't need to do or say anything right now Xeno. Take all the time in the Galaxy you need to think. And I'll just stand here, ready to listen to any words that come out of your mouth."

And with that, she took Xeno's other hand in her own, keeping the smile on her face. Xeno

 

[Xeno]

Fondor
Tags: Vitiion Daivik

Luxar | Klocto | Sword​

"If you wanted to get away from me so badly, you only need to say so."

"Vee..."

Now she was really messing with him. She certainly knew that he was incapable of fighting back, so it wasn't really like he could do much about her teasing.

Her following words though were... comforting? Scary? She had known since Zinder. In hindsight it had been a beacon lighting up everything that should have been rather apparent. And now she was simply waiting for him to say what she already knew. There was a lot there that he struggled to unpack. Xeno knew it was true. The way she looked at him and held his hands seemed to spell it out as clear as day, but it all felt so... undeserved. How had he wound up here?

But here he was, physically present and on the cusp of something that felt larger than himself. It all hinged on his words...

"I would... like to be closer with you," he finally managed to utter, his voice low. He gripped her hands a little tighter. "I clearly feel differently about you than Klocto and Luxar... and I want to... I want to tread unfamiliar water. I'm not really... experience at all, in regards to what people may expect from a that sort of deeper connection... but you make me want to try anyways."

"If you would have me... Vee..."

 

[Vitiion Daivik]

"If I would have you? You make it sound like...it's so much more important."

It was important. But that wording just felt...strange to her. It made her cheeks flush. Made her more aware of all the various heartbeats rushing through her body. It was a thunderous sound that was echoing through her body as she tried to keep herself calm at this point. Teasing was all fair game, until things became serious. Then those worries. Those fears of doing something or saying something wrong started to creep into her mind.

"I'd...like for us to get closer. Yes. It'd be...nice. Is that the right word to use? All of my examples use a lot more flowery language than this. I've never been...much for flowers though. I prefer getting to the point...which I seem to be struggling with right now."

Words were so much easier when they were used for teasing. For jokes. Being serious was something that Vee had tried not to do for a long time. It made things so much more...heavy on her. Heavy on her mind. On her shoulders. But the more she spoke, the lighter her chest felt. This was going to be alright. She just had to believe in herself.

"To answer your question. Yes. I'd have you. As long as you'll have me...Which I know you're going to say yes...but I'd still like to hear it."

Xeno

 

[Whottoomuzz Chantin]

It was unheard of for a Hutt to willingly part with credits. Charity, of all things.

There was one thing that typically couldn't be purchased with credits. The opportunity for publicity was unmatched. A safe, publically visible transit with relative safety from any number of grudges through the most densely populated sectors right to the core, the heart of the Galactic Alliance, no less.

It was no scam, of course. Whottoomuzz did make a sizeable donation. Aside from the press (good or bad mattered little), recovery efforts in the core were bad for business. Less credits heading out to the mid and outer rim meant less for the taking, and until this recovery was completed his Kadijic would have poorer targets, clientele, and cartel associates. Not a healthy environment for business.

A career crime Lord such as Whottoomuzz can spot a phony charity from a parsec away, and if the lovely Valery Noble - Grandmaster of the Jedi and frequent undercover interloper in underworld business (only ever discovered after the fact) was personally singing than this was far from a phony event.

The 3000+ lb Hutt sat on his repulsor-throne with his entourage of servants — bringing slaves within Alliance Space was not worth the risk — he was delightfully visible in resplendent robes, gold and silver jewelry, and dear Xoff Chantin at his side.

The best part, however, was not throwing his weight around, the environment of the event, nor the strategic plotting.

It was basking in the sheer audacity of being directly in the heart of Alliance Space, performing an uncharacteristically benevolent deed like rubbing salt in a wound, making both his presence and the prospect of harming or detaining him distasteful. Absolutely splendid. The Hutt had no intention of intentionally fouling the event with anything more than his presence, observing all expected courtesies and etiquette.

That they didn't get know one of their own Jedi was being hunted at the Galaxy's edge only made his presence among them all the sweeter.

Yes, the Hutt was donating a sizeable sum to charity, but the show was well worth the cost of admission.

OPEN​

 

[Xeno]

Fondor
Tags: Vitiion Daivik

Luxar | Klocto | Sword​

"To answer your question. Yes. I'd have you. As long as you'll have me...Which I know you're going to say yes...but I'd still like to hear it."

"Yes... of course..." Xeno assured. "If you want to hear than I'll say it..."

Strange. The weird pit in his stomach seemed to drift away. In fact, Xeno felt light. It was as though a great burden had been taken off of his back. Gravity wasn't fighting to keep him down. The most earnest smile he had ever made appeared on his face, not the slight up-curve he usually gave.

"I'm... glad," he stated. "No, that seems too passive. I'm thrilled, I think. I felt like this was going to go much differently."

He stood there for a moment, perhaps a bit lost in the bliss of the moment. It was probably the most joy he had ever felt in his life, a ray of light pushing back the inky void.

"You won't have to worry about flowery talk with me," he noted with a chuckle. "That's... not my style. I'll leave that to the music."

Xeno let one of his hands slip out of Vitiion's, which seemed to naturally find it's way to her cheek. There was sort of an unspoken responsibility between the two of them now. Their worlds had been joined together, a burden which now lay on both of their shoulders in tandem. Something about this was reassuring to the half-Nagai. If it wasn't alone, what was a little extra on his back? Uncertain as it was in regards to where this would go, Xeno did feel hopeful.

One of a string of firsts.

"Can... I be honest with you about something?"

A more sheepish expression appeared on his face. He was still smiling, but the irony of what he had to say was beginning to dawn on him.

"I'm not sure how much experience you're expecting me to have," the musician remarked. "But I can confirm that the number of people I've kissed is zero... Turns out you don't have many romantic encounters when you're forced to be a Sith assassin..."

 

[Everest Vale]

Eve settled into more comfortably into her seat, the weight of the performance still lingering in her limbs, though now softened by the quiet company. Her quartz eyes turned to Reina, catching the way she masked discomfort in her usual way. She didn't press, she never did, but when Reina turned the question back to her, Eve took a moment to answer properly.

"I'm..." She exhaled slowly, then offered a small, sheepish smile. "I'm still figuring that out." Her eyes dropped for a moment, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve before she looked back at Reina.

"But I'm okay. Still just... learning to breathe around some scars, you know? I think... being able to play like that, offer something... It helped. And you being here... It really does mean a lot." There was no heavy pause, no dramatic swell of silence. Just a small truth placed gently between them. Then, a flicker of mischief returned to her expression.

"And anyway," she added, nudging Reina's arm with her shoulder. "You've basically saved me from sitting here staring dramatically into space for the rest of the night like a tragic holo-drama extra."

The laugh that followed was quiet, but real, and her silver eyes sparkled just a little brighter for it.

Reina Daival​

 

[Reina Daival]

Location: Fondor
Tags: Everest Vale
Lightsaber - Pequod

"I'm still figuring that out."​

Weren't they all figuring out how they were doing? Reina's eyes didn't meet Everest's. Not at the moment as the woman stared at her hands, clenched together between her knees. There were dozens of thoughts going on in her mind right now. Things she was trying to figure out what she wanted to say. Words weren't something Reina had ever been good with. She was better with her hands. Her actions. She'd let those speak for her. It was why she'd always put her body on the line when it came to fighting. It was one of the most important things to her.

Which is why it was so important to her when things went wrong. When she failed the people she was meant to be protecting. It was like what Serina had told her. Reina would break. If she took all of the weight on like she had been doing, she'd falter and fail in her goals if she did things alone...She wanted to be a shining Knight, a beacon to guide people. But she couldn't do it herself. She had tried. But none of her attempts shined as brightly as Valery, Jonyna or even Everest...
​

"But I'm okay. Still just... learning to breathe around some scars, you know? I think... being able to play like that, offer something... It helped. And you being here... It really does mean a lot."​

It meant a lot. Just for Reina to be here. It was a reminder that what she did best were her actions. Not her words. Whilst Everest was good with her words. She said things that needed to be said. Reina could do that, sometimes. But not supportive words, not in the same way as Everest. Reina could tell the harsh truths. The things that people didn't want to hear but needed to. Whereas Everest could say the things that people wanted...Reina took in a deep breath, as her eyes stayed glued to her hands.

"...It's taken me a while to realise this. But I need you Everest. You make up for my weaknesses. I'm stubborn. Headstrong. Fighting is what I do best. But...you're the opposite. You're caring. Thoughtful. You have a heart. Today's proven that more than I'm willing to admit. You care about the people who have been lost. Those who have died. But for me?...I'm ashamed to say I won't lose sleep over any of it."

She was talking more than she cared to. But she had to say it because she knew it was the only time she'd be able to go through with it. Talking about her feelings and her weaknesses wasn't something Reina liked to do.

"I know that if I was by myself...I wouldn't be ashamed of it though. I'd be heartless. Cold. Cruel. Like I used to be. But...you prevent that. You've helped make me care...And pardon me, if I sound like I have an ego for saying this...but I like to think I've helped you. I know it's your experiences that have hardened you. That made you into the kind of person who could go on that stage and play that song...but I like to think I've helped. You aren't alone. And nor am I."​

 

[Everest Vale]

Eve listened without interrupting. No soft reassurances, no reflexive comforts. Just silence, the kind that makes space for truth to breathe. Her warm silver gaze was steady on Reina's bowed head as she spoke, though there was a glint of something stirring beneath the stillness of her irises. When the silence finally settled between them, Eve didn't hesitate. Moving closer, she delicately wrapped her arms around her, shifting like a blanket settling over her. Even if her friend would tense in response, she didn't let go, instead giving Reina the chance to ease into the hug at her own pace.

"I think..." she began softly against her ear, her voice like dusk settling between stars. "I've always wanted to be brave in the ways you are. The kind of person who could charge in, shield in hand, and protect everyone. You are that. Even when you're hurting. Even when you're afraid. Even when you have your own battles going on. You still fight, you still press forward. That means more than you think."

She pulled back, placing her hands firmly on Reina's shoulders, her own eyes locking with a fierceness that was coming more easily to her these days.

"You've helped me more than you know," she added after a breath. "You helped me remember that scars don’t make me weaker — they just mean I’ve lived, and I'm grateful for that, grateful that you can tell me how things are when I need to hear it." Eve's eyes simmered now with unshed tears as a soft smile came to her, knowing and loving.

"You're far from heartless, Reina, and you're not weak. You protect your heart differently, but it’s still there. I see it."

She raised a hand and pointed her index finger, placing it at Reina's chest.

"I see you."

After allowing that declaration to settle inside of Reina, Eve pulled her into one more hug, this time more firmly, with more strength.

"I'll always be there for you. I promise."

Reina Daival​

 

[Vitiion Daivik]

Vee couldn't help but grin at Xeno's words, alongside his own smile. It was the biggest smile she had ever seen him have and it made her even somewhat more at ease. Though now that she thought about it, Klocto and Luxar were going to be extra pains now with all of this as she wondered how different things would get exactly. She knew at least she'd be getting out of the barracks more often now...

"Don't expect me to be like some kind of groupie though. I don't think that really suits me. I don't see how things could have went differently today though. There was no other result in my mind."

A smug smile came to her face before she felt the hand on her cheek, causing her face to flush once again. It had been a good way to rub the smugness off her face as she stuttered over her words. Affection wasn't something Vee was used to, as much as it was a nice feeling, it was also incredibly surreal. At least it felt like she was finally becoming someone.

"Of course you can be honest. I'd prefer if you were."

And then she listened. Tilting her head into Xeno's hand as he explained how he hadn't kissed anyone. As if that would bother her, but she couldn't help but grin once more.

"Here I thought being a whole stealthy assassin would have meant you'd have been swimming with kisses. Glad to see you're not so different from me."

Xeno

 

[Reina Daival]

Location: Fondor
Tags: Everest Vale
Lightsaber - Pequod

At the hug, Reina almost instantly tensed up. She still wasn't entirely used to letting people get close to her. Physically nor emotionally. She had always seen it as a weakness, a vulnerability. Something that could get her to break more easily but she was slowly realising how very wrong she was about all of this. Eventually, she leaned back up against Everest, resting her head against her friend as Reina closed her eyes. Everest was like a warm blanket that made Reina feel...comfortable. Safe from the bigger threats of the Galaxy. Of course it was only for the moment, but that was all Reina needed.

"I've always wanted to be brave in the ways you are. The kind of person who could charge in, shield in hand, and protect everyone. You are that. Even when you're hurting. Even when you're afraid. Even when you have your own battles going on. You still fight, you still press forward. That means more than you think."​

"I'm not brave. Never have been. I'm just...an idiot. Stubborn. I don't know how to give up. That's why I keep pressing forward. Because I don't know how to do anything else."

Her eyes stayed locked onto her hands. She couldn't bring herself to look away from them. Couldn't risk looking at Everest and losing her own train of thought as she rubbed her hands over each other. Reina didn't think she had much of a heart to protect. She was selfish. Arrogant. Violent. That didn't sound like the kind of person who had a heart. Even if Everest seemed to think differently...though then she said something that caused Reina to tense up once more.​

"I see you, Reina."​

​

"I see you."​

It was similar. Incredibly similar. But whereas Serina's voice had been a murmur, and almost intimate in the way Serina had tried to let the words settle, Everest's was far more of a...statement. A declaration. Everest saw Reina, no matter how much the fisherwoman tried to hide herself. Tried to protect herself. She finally lifted eyes from her hands as she pressed her face against Everest's shoulder and just started to cry. Letting the tears flow. It was a healthy cry though. She needed it.​

 

[Everest Vale]

Eve didn't speak. She didn't need to. As Reina leaned in, breaking at last under the weight she had had been carrying, Eve wrapped her arms around her once more and held her, not tightly, not possessively, but with the kind of quiet, enduring strength that didn't ask for anything in return. Her hand rose instinctively, brushing through Reina's hair before settling between her shoulder blades, where it began to move in slow, gentle circles. Over and over. A grounding rhythm. The same motion Valery Noble had, once upon a time, used to soothe her after Jedha; a gesture passed forward now, from one wounded soul to another.

Reina's tears came freely, her face buried in Eve's shoulder, and Eve let them come. She didn't flinch, didn't freeze. She simply stayed. Present. A soft anchor in the storm.

"I've got you..." she whispered.

Just three words. No promises. No demands. Only the truth of the moment.

And even as Reina cried, Eve felt her own throat begin to tighten. Her chest ached with the rawness of it, not from fear or sorrow, but from the depth of empathy that bloomed so powerfully within her that it was almost too much to contain. Tears pricked at the corners of her own eyes, not for herself, but for Reina. For everything she had endured and all that she was still carrying.

But still, she held her. Let her fall apart, because Eve knew, in her heart, that sometimes strength looked like this — like staying. Like silence. Like love, steady and uncomplicated, offered freely in the dark. Eventually, wheh she felt Reina had gotten out everything she needed, no matter how long that may have taken, Eve whispered a soft offering to her, in case it was needed.

"Did you want to get some fresh air? It looks like a nice night out."

Reina Daival​

 

[Reina Daival]

Location: Fondor
Tags: Everest Vale
Lightsaber - Pequod

Reina was just letting herself crumble. Sobbing against Everest's shoulder as the walls that Reina had put up against everyone had broken down for Everest. She was someone that Reina truly trusted now. If Everest was going to be here for Reina, well Reina was going to be here for her. Reina sobbed for as long as she needed to, until her eyes were bright red and puffy. Until she could cry no longer. By that point, Reina pulled her head away from Everest finally to look her friend in the eyes, sniffling ever so slightly before breaking out into a small smile.

"...Some fresh air sounds good. I've never liked being stuck in stuffy places."
It was the truth though. Reina wasn't a fan of being stuck inside buildings. She wasn't a fan of big cities either. Nature was what appealed to her. The open air, the sounds of rustling leaves. Though what she wanted the most was to hear the sound of waves gently lapping up against the shore. Unfortunately for her, that wasn't necessarily something she'd be able to get on Fondor. She wasn't even sure if this planet had any form of open water.

For now, Reina just threw her arm over Everest's shoulder to get up to her feet. It was going to be a bit of an effort to walk outside but life was a constant amount of effort that Reina was willing to work for. She sniffled to herself, trying to act as if the crying hadn't happened. As if she was putting her walls back up. Though Reina knew that no matter how much she was going to act now, she trusted Everest.