Tatooine: Desert Flare, Signal in the Sands. (Nima)

[Kei Amadis]

Looking at our own hearts. He found himself listening to Nima more closely. She was the Jedi Master that people needed, at least Kei thought so. In every way that mattered, that was his first impression of Nima Tann today. It was having an effect on the nervous twi’lek ahead of them, she was sitting less fidgety.

“You’re not wrong, not one bit. You need your heart and your head.” The Epicanthx grinned broadly to Nima, and looked to the girl, “but you need your own heart and head to be right before you can help them.” It was a hard truth about life, that unless your life was in a stable place, it was much harder to provide that stability for anyone else, and a young girl trying to do that, before she’d even found her own place in life was never going to be good for her, or the people around her.

Kei appealed to the girl and the mother both, making some headway with each, but this was a hard issue, with more than just their dynamic to look at, in the girl’s mind. “I..if I go, nobody wi…will own the land.” She stuttered and stumbled, heartbreakingly so. The older woman just gave them all significant stares, “she has responsibilities here, it cannot be helped.”

“Doesn’t everyone want this land?” Kei turned to Nima, more sure of himself in his expression. “Well, why not give it to everyone, let them work it out, you’re what? 14, 12. You need to be exploring life, finding out about it.”

“Thirteen.” The girl chewed her lip, even the tribal elder seemed affected by that line of thought… did Nima know her, was that age significant? The herbs were also making him drift off a bit, was that intentional, he blinked shrugging it off.

“She has responsibilities here," the elder said more sharply, stoking the smoking container with more herbs.

Spoiler

That’s okay Nima always as you feel the muse or have the time. Can always wait for a Nima post.

[member="Nima Tann"]​

 

[Nima Tann]

"Who do you think you are to make a choice about what she needs to do?" She asked to the woman, with the same sharp tone she used seconds ago. "I am her mentor. Who are you to tell her what she needs to do?" She answered, the tension was growing between them as the elder woman put more herbs in the pipes, she felt like her head was going slowly... she couldn't find the right word for it, like her thoughts starting to fly in her head, left and right, slow and fast. What was she planning to, and what were those herbs she were making them to breathe, but for now, she didn't say anything, didn't want any misunderstandings since they were still new to the area and didn't know herbs that much and also didn't want to get the tension going further since it was going to get bad. So she looked at Kei, listening to his words and smiling. He was right, she didn't deserve such a life, and such a responsibility, no matter how the life made her into an adult, she was still a child. "Kei is right, Tadi'etti, you are still a child. You don't need to get involved with such a responsibility now. Let them do whatever they need to do, and just go out and explore the world. You don't get to be a child years later, so for now just enjoy the world as it is."

"She will not go anywhere. She will stay here and do her responsibilities. Now, Jedi. I am her mentor, I decide what she does and what she does not. This is the end of the discussion. Get the hell out of her tent." She was annoyed by her voice tone, and with a cold tone she talked to Kei, examining the movement of the elder woman, she was about to do something, she could sense it. "B..but..." Tadi'etti wanted to talk, and immediately met the gaze of the ice cold gaze of the woman and sighed. She wasn't the type to threaten without any preparation. "Kei, can you please escort the woman away from tent? We have heard enough of her already. Our mission is to listen her, not you." It was the time to let the Jedi out and the real Nima in. She wasn't going to just stand here ignoring the things she were saying to them, and let her control Tadi'etti any longer. She was her own person and she deserved the chance to act for herself. And the lightsaber was still in her backpack. The thing was.... they took the backpack before getting in to the tent. Way to go, Nima.

[member="Kei Amadis"]

 

[Kei Amadis]

While the elder stared at Nima, and was close to picking up a cane and shaking it.

Amadis placed his hand on Nima’s shoulder, not saying anything, just being there for her hoping to calm her. “Elder, let’s discuss the situation and how I can settle it in your favour.” Fair was fair, if they were taking the girl away with them, which it seemed the only sane thing to do, he wanted to meditate between the groups. Meditate, Kei Amadis, the galaxy was playing one hell of a joke today, but meditate he would have to.

“Natives here own the land, the others want it. She signs it over to you, you own the land, nice and simple. Means you’ll need to take responsibility giving them water, for protection of the land while you are travelling, and of course something for trade. We’ll write that up, otherwise you’ll never get any peace.”

The Elder liked the first half obviously, hated the second half of that idea, but in Kei’s mind it was the only practical choice, and better than having all three groups at each other’s throats. “Come on, we’ll chat, leave the ladies to it.” Kei winked at Nima, and grinned.

“How do we know they will honor their end of the….” The elder’s voice trailed off as they were leaving.

“That’s what you have me for….” Kei’s voice joined hers, and the two could be heard chatting a short distance away, moving to the oasis.

That left one relieved but still nervous Twi’lek girl, looking up, down left and right, she was settling down, sitting to the side of Nima. “W…what h..h…happens now.” Her Lekku seemed to quiver slightly highlighting her anxiety. “Mupples.” Nima’s sister said out loud, what did mupples mean? Well those small messes she used to make as a kid when she dropped something, she was forever inventing words to fit each situation, incredibly artistic but never realising that, too nervous, at least now. This was her word, and maybe a word Nima remembered.

[member="Nima Tann"]​

​

Spoiler

This will give Nima and Tadi a chance to talk, I’ll get her bio done.

 

[Nima Tann]

Thank the Force Kei was here, if he wasn't... The situation would be much worse. As the older woman left with Kei, speaking about the land ownership, which she didn't like at all since she didn't trust one bit to the woman, but she trusted Kei, he must have had a plan about all of this talk. "Thank you." She spoke to his mind, "Let me have a minute or two with her. Do you think you can keep her away this much, and try to learn what herbs she put in the pipe?" The last sentence was joke, even though you can't tell it when speaking to mind, he would probably understand. And they slowly disappeared from the tent, going away towards the oasis, the old woman still looking at the back with a cold gaze to the poor Twi'lek. She closed the tent, to make her more comfortable without eyes always watching her. She said that word again, mupples, was it? Nima almost recognized the word from somewhere but she couldn't tell. "What happens now?" Repeating her words, a big smile appeared on her face, she patted her shoulder, her voice tone was calm and encouraging. "Now you and me talk like sisters, without any eyes to watch or influence us. We can do this, right?"

"Tadi'etti, you are free to talk. Don't worry about what she will say or do, it's just you and me here." So much pressure can crack a soul, and Tadi'etti was like that, it was like she would collapse any moment, so it was her duty to make her calm down a bit. "You are your own mentor, you have the power to make a choice. I am only here to help you, not make you choose. The thing is, what do you want, Tadi'etti? Do you want to own this land? Do you want to explore the world? Tell me, and I will make sure that you get whatever you want. It's a promise." She had been so much hurt for who knows how many years, rebuilding her confidence would be difficult indeed, but she was here to help her.

"If you don't mind me asking... Where are your real parents?" The most curious about that one, the first question escaped her lips. She didn't want to ask it as the first question, since they were just starting the conversation. But the curiousity got her best. And she added. "You don't need to answer." She had the choice, and she needed to know that.

[member="Kei Amadis"]

 

[Tadietti Tann]

“I..I guess” Tadi’etti held her hands over the pipe, liking the feel of the heat. She eventually put it out, otherwise she knew nima was just going to be flopping over. “ll...like sisters?” The twi’lek didn’t really show anxiety in her body language so much, but her voice was shakey as anything. It came and went in stops and starts, starting to say something then rushing to get the word out, or quietly whispering it.

“Free?” Tadi’etti had been a slave for a lot of years now, the Nomads had freed her then she’d been stuck with this contract and owning the land, “…I, I promised m..mr.. Kell that I’d l…look after his w.wwater.” Kell, her old friend who died in this conflict of interests, leaving the oasis to her so nobody benefited from his death. She managed to get his name out of her stuttering, feeling pressured, feeling squeezed, what had made this young girl this nervous, well a lot of years serving in bars hadn’t helped, thankfully too young for anything else like dancing or anything worse that some slaves went through, but she’d still seen a lot and been beaten before the nomads took her in.

“I…” she didn’t know what she wanted, no she did, she really did. “I ww.want.” Tadi’etti scrunched her nose up, her face following it, tensing her forehead. “I want to go to…” somewhere, ”b.bbut to be.. like o.other kids.” She’d remembered seeing other kids playing and her one dream was to be like that, to be free like them.

When Nima asked where her real parents are Tadi was silent. “Ryloth” she answered more confidently. Tadi was beautiful, at least her skin on the surface, inside she was in knots, and she still had her scars, inside and out.

[member="Nima Tann"]​

 

[Nima Tann]

"Yes Tadi'etti, free. Just you and me." She reassured her, still confused of what to say and do, that poor girl. "If you want to be free like the other kids, then you should be." She winked, still holding her position, near to her but not much, not wanting to cause any discomfort in her but also wanting her to know that she was here, listening her. "Who's this Mr. Kell? I presume he was the owner before you?" The answer of the question was obvious, and she was proud of her. Most of the people would already ditch the place and just go, but she kept her word and stood all the way to today. But today, she was here to free her from this promise, and she knew how to do it. It was just not the place or the time, she wanted to get to know her first, her curiousity came first than her mission.

And her parents were on Ryloth. Ryloth, the place she born, at least that was what her step-sister said. She didn't remember much from her past, since she got shot in the brain, but something, maybe instinct, was saying that she knew the girl from somewhere. And she was pretty sure of it, didn't know why. "My parents were on Ryloth too... Well, parents..." She stopped, fighting back tears. "They tried to kill me once." She said, a sigh followed afterwards. This was a trauma indeed, your biological parents attacking you, to kill you. Everyone had family issues, but hers was just extreme. "But there's a good thing that I don't remember much of my past. So there are not so many memories of them. But my step-sister is nice... I am worried about her though, couldn't contact with her for months." The memories followed and followed, she talked much more than she wanted to share. But, she felt much more relaxed after this, it was like leaving the weight that you carried for a long time.

"What about your story? How did you end up all the way to here?" She asked, now they were talking like sisters, she wanted to keep it that way, it was the solution that she built in her mind to her situation, like pain kills pain. Maybe she would get to know her more if she knew more about Nima.

[member="Tadi'etti"]

 

[Tadietti Tann]

Tadi'etti​

​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwIb7LnP7fo​

Unfolding time, feeling like she was distant as Nima spoke. Just you and me, those words were familiar pulling her into her past, she’d heard them a long time ago, and she felt emotions she couldn’t contain stumbling her words. Tadi’s quiet voice stumbled when Nima’s emotion came, about the same things, but she also had a hidden want to stand up to bullies like she did when she was a kid, wanting to stand up here to defend her sister. She tried to smile happily for Nima, and for a while she did till Nima asked about her life. “i….t.t.taken.” Tadi’etti stammered, “I fought back b.bb.b too much.” Too much, too much. Backwards and forward Tadi rocked sitting, her lekku following her body language, she choked on that emotion, joining Nima in a tear. “L.ll.l ost sister, and the..then t.tthey took me.” Why was she crying, Nima was crying so her sister was too.

Step sister, she had one too, didn’t she? She thought she remembered one. Tadi reached out to touch Nima’s face brushing her hand and retracting,. “s.s.ssorry.” She said and carried on rocking holding her heels. “Lo…look lil.like someone I k.k.know.” She smiled and rocked.

At this point in her life Tadi wasn’t a criminal, was just a young girl who had been in all ways that mattered mistreated, and she was a mess but something about Nima felt good, she felt familiar. “I..I c.come from a village and c.c.aves, but here I was always in.nn bars, helping…. and serving, and” she went quiet. Whether she had been abused or not she was clearly suffering from abuse from being separated from her family, and made to work against her will for so long. “Mr Kell h..he, ss..saved me.” Her lekku were drooping at this point, definite subtle hints that she was hurting for losing her friend.

[member="Nima Tann"]​

 

[Nima Tann]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VMJa3qUDuo

Hearing her story, feeling her pain, her tears slowly moving from her cheeks along with her own... Everything was so... familiar. "Uhh... no... that's... okay. I... umm... feel the same way about you." Now she was stuttering along with her, coming with shock. Her lekku reacted along with her to Tadi'etti's soft touch, trembling. She was still confused why did she feel like that all of a sudden. Well, she felt like she knew her as soon as she saw her but... this time, she was now sure. "You poor girl." She hugged her, tightly, feeling a warmth that she didn't feel for years, the warmth of family, of someone she knew and raised for years, one of her kin, tears going down from her cheeks from her closed eyes. "I am sorry for everything that happened to you. I will help you. You'll get the life you want. I promise." She wanted to explain herself that why did she suddenly hug her, knowing her nervous nature she would be overwhelming by it now. But instead, she let her free from her hug, but looking at her she just... felt happy. Felt that she was helping.

"My sister and I had a special cave for us in Ryloth, whenever we needed to relax, we always went there. And years later, I met her there again. After losing my memory, I continued to go to that cave without knowing whenever I felt stressed from the bullies. You know, we Jedi had their kind in Voss, at least, when I was a child. I don't have all my memory back, always feel there is something missing. And now..." She stopped talking, because she didn't know what to say. But then, she smiled again, wanted to just melt the ice the conversation was creating. "She used to sing me a song... Whenever I feel sad. Do you want me to sing it to you? Maybe it will make you feel better, it always worked for me."

She wondered what was Kei doing outside, trying to keep the woman occupied. She felt bad for him, that woman was indeed not suitable for conversations, she was probably making a hard time for him. But she was going to give him the supplies his crew needed, so it was a fair deal, wasn't it?

[member="Tadi'etti"]

 

[Tadietti Tann]

as Tadi'etti

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHo9o-qmz8I​

Tadi’etti hugged Nima back tightly too, which surprised her as she wasn’t a hugger, not for a long time, her lekku curled slightly. “Th.thank you,” Tadi offered shyly, the angular look to her jaw, her thin little nose hadn’t changed at all from the kid Nima used to know, but would she remember? Confused with their hug, the cave, bullies, and Nima’s tears, it had the young girl’s nose all scrunched up, and her forehead very tense, emotions that knew what her head couldn't yet tell her. There were a million things in Tadi's mind right now, and she was focusing on all of them. Bullies?

“A…c..cave, w.whw.what kind of c..cave,” she said, hugging Nima again, head against the side of her arm. Why was she hugging so tight? She let go and looked down, caves? Tadi’s lekku perked up slightly, easing around her shoulders, but her head still looked down in wonder, singing! “Please, p.please sing.” She said ever so softly, so fragile at the minute, like Nima could say something to break her so easily. a thirteen year old Tadi wanted whatever this feeling was to not go away, never ever.

Distant the voices of Kei and the elder could be heard coming back, Kei was the quieter of the two by this point having got a good tongue lashing outside, and it was continuing, but they’d not be here before Nima had sung her song. Tadi'etti felt they only had a little while, she was scared that when their elder came back their time would be up.

[member="Nima Tann"]​

 

[Nima Tann]

"No problem, Tadi'etti." Then continued. "Different than all of them, a crystal shines in the middle of it, making the cave bright and lovely. And there was a water source that surrounded the little area that has that crystal. Maybe one day I can bring you to there, you'll probably like it." She smiled to the girl, happy that she was now a bit more relaxed near to her. And her hugs were making her heart beat faster. But only thing she could do was smiling. She seemed very interested in her story, listening her and trying to comfort her. Her stepsister was like that too, she wondered how she was doing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFhRWUHGM8s

"I am not a great singer, but I'll try." Then clearing her throat, just like a singer that was preparing to sing, she closed her eyes and started to say the words, trying to remember them because her memory wasn't that clear. "Close your eyes and just relax, sister's here to protect you. You are a star standing in the skies, shining and making it bright. Don't let anyone to hurt you, that's what your sister'll do. Just close your eyes and let the dreams in, and this kiss will always be with you..." And a little kiss to her forehead followed, just as her sister did everytime. Good times, now very very far. She remembered the times that she didn't have to do anything and her sister would protect her from everything. Bullies, little creatures that sometimes swarmed the cave that they played... Good times.

"I know, I am a bad singer." She laughed slowly, it was pretty emotional, that she couldn't even conceal the feelings she had. She was feeling like herself, not the mask she was wearing everytime, not a Jedi, she was just Nima. "I... This feels very familiar to me, Tadietti. I am sorry."

[member="Tadietti Tann"]

 

[Tadietti Tann]

Tadi’s eyes were dreamy, and her lekku had that same dreamy-like sway, even before Nima had started her song. Images that meant so much, their cave, she was listening to Nima’s story loving every word. She even opened her mouth to speak, to tell her, but then Nima cleared her throat to sing, so she popped her hands in her lap and relaxed.

Just like a… sister? Protect her? Closing her eyes, her lekku swayed to her sister’s voice, gentle winds blowing under their tent flap, creeping over their cushions and blowing against their clothes. Nima kissed her forehead and she lifted her head up, sighing happily.

“And the cc.cave had red wa..walls, and smelled of Velanie flowers.”

Sisters, they were sisters! She was really here. Her voice was what she needed to hear, she still hadn’t opened her eyes because she didn’t dare. Then Tadi started crying letting it out, but she didn’t have long and was dabbing her eyes with her sleeve, looking away, because then the tent flap was pulled back… and in came the other two, Kei blundering in first.

“We’ve got it worked out.” Kei said clapping his hands together, and realising he was interrupting, “should we come back? We’ll just…”

"Why is she crying, what did you do?" The elder asked, looking Tadi over and trying to see her face, Tadi just darted her face the other way, "w.w.we are okk.kay." Her voice more shaken than ever, Nima was her sister, she knew it, but she didn't know how to tell her, did she want to know?

[member="Nima Tann"]​

 

[Nima Tann]

"Ho... how do you... How do you know that?" She stuttered with a sudden shock of her words, and the voices kicked in, as if her memory was trying to tell her something, voices of children, she recognized her and her step-sister's voice, but who was the third one? And then another kicked in. 3 children, in a cave, playing. Giggles and laughs and childish voices. Happy. Sisters. She held her own forehead, sudden memories were invading her head, and she felt like her head was about to explode. "Tadietti?" Are you... my sister? She couldn't say the last sentence, only her name.

Why didn't her stepsister told about her before? Maybe... maybe she forgot too. It wasn't just a lucky guess, she knew it, Tadietti was... The answers were on her right now, with all the memories flying, she couldn't stop the tears coming. "You... you? Tell me... who are you?"

Kei and the old woman entered the tent, as she saw them she cleaned her tears, didn't want to worry him, but knowimg him he already understood what was happening here. She let Tadietti speak with them since she was in no condition to talk right now, her eyes fixed in Tadietti, confused, lost.

Memories... The last piece of the puzzle. She was angry with herself. Such a weakness, not knowing anything, being confused, and not knowing answers. "I..." She wanted to talk... Looking at Kei with desperate eyes, wanting to talk but being unable to.

[member="Tadietti Tann"]

 

[Kei Amadis]

“She’s safe.” Kei assured, kneeling beside Nima to give her a hug, and then Tadi’etti a pat on her shoulder, not caring if the old woman saw or not, and giving Nima some comfort. He wrapped his arms around her, they’d just met today but it felt like they’d known each other awhile, and she looked like she could use a hug right about then.

“But why are they crying?” The Elder insisted, Tadietti was struggling not to cry, and unlike Kei wasn’t a big hugger, recoiling a bit at the prospect of familiar touch. Her life had made her hard to touch, and wary when it came.

“Can’t see it can you Elder.” The Epicanthix looked up from his hug around Nima, patting her back and letting her go. Kei could, for the first time in his entire life see something subtle, a more subtle vision of what was really going on, not his usual ham fisted approach.

“They’re sisters.”

Tadietti stood up and retreated to the corner of the tent, opening up her pack and pulling out a pressed Velanie flower, she stood over in the corner, twirling it around in her fingers, looks like they both felt lost at the moment, a shared sisterly reaction.

“We can take her home Nima.” Kei said, clearing a small lump in his own throat, “its all arranged.” Offering his hand to help Nima up if she wanted it.

[member="Nima Tann"]​

 

[Nima Tann]

Kei started to come closer, as she tried and tried to talk, to tell them that she found her sister, but couldn't. They never lost the eye contact as he kept walking towards her, she was wondering what he was going to do, and then, he hugged her... to her shock. She stood there, not so cold, but not so warm either. She wasn't used to hugs, because her experiences always ended with someone getting hurt. But anyway, it... made her relax, not like the previous ones. The shock replaced by a warm smile, but she didn't say anything. He was full of good intentions, and he deserved at least a thank you. Then the old woman talked again, her words full of bad thoughts. She didn't have time to talk with her, she found her sister! Thankfully, her saviour acted again and talked to the woman, which, she now saw the little tears appearing in her eyes. Family, must had a meaning for her too. At least she wasn't that bad.

"She's... she's my sister, Kei. I still can't believe it." Happiness. Once again she felt this emotion, and yes, it had been a lot of time. "We'll all go home. Together." She took his hand and stood up, cleaning her tears, she smiled. And she returned the hug. "Thank you." There you go, Nima. It was the time to move on, she wouldn't stay with the walls any much longer. The walls, always made her worried and sad. And destroying them wouldn't be easy, but the hug was a start. Then she moved towards Tadietti, who had the Velanie flower she was talking about, pressed but still in one piece, and it had the same smell, she remembered the caves. Now that she found her sister, they would go there again just for the old times. "You ready to go home Tadietti? We have a lot to talk." She patted her shoulder, didn't lose the smile. "Sisters, reunited. Well, at least... most of them." Their stepsister was still missing, though. She extended her hand, hoping that she would hold it and they would go the whole way holding hands, it was childish, she knew. But who cares, right?

"Kei... Come with us to Voss. We have a lot of rooms, enough for all your crew." Then she added. "After this day, I owe you a lot."

[member="Kei Amadis"]

 

[Kei Amadis]

“H…home.” Tadietti said and Kei thought at the same time. In his heart he knew his home was with the silvers from this point on, it felt good to be helping again, not being held back from doing good around the galaxy for others, “if you’ll let me be who I am, I’ll always be loyal.” Kei said to Nima, standing and brushing himself down, that was all he wanted, somewhere he could help others, and be free of the politics or drama.

“Don’t forget our bargain.” The elder reminded, and Kei grinned, his stubbled face turning sideways on with a glance.

“I’ll be back.” Kei assured her, he hated breaking his promises, especially as it usually meant a bounty on his head or someone else trying to kill him, so this one he was doing everything he could to keep.

“Once a month.”

“Once a month,” Kei confirmed.

A long commitment he’d made but the least he could do. “You help my men Nima, and you’ve paid me back in spades. We are even.” Turning to leave he held his hand up. “One second.” Kei brushed the old dusty wildcard badge down, it’d seen better days, but attaching the pinned metal shape of a card to his shoulder he nodded. “Now I’m ready.”

Tadietti took Nima’s hand, it took a little while for her to do so, she was trembling the poor girl, but had a smile, she was easing into the thought of finding her big sister again. “I…I’m r.ready.” She grabbed her pack, just a few things, Mr Kells holovids, then her flower collection and followed Nima home.

Home

Fin for Kei and Tadietti

[member="Nima Tann"]​