Quaxo9
Reyth and Arksynn
The pair of them listened with rapt attention to Trystan's explanation. Reyth was unable to fully suppress a shudder at the fate the man had planned for her. Life in a coffin - having the Force sucked out of her one nightmare at a time - no wonder the Jedi had called him a torturer. Really, it wouldn't have been that different from living with Lord Anewe...but the confinement. That was what made the difference. While with Anewe, she only felt trapped - had she been taken by this man, she really would have been. The spark of gratefulness returned and this time she let the ember sit inside her where she could observe the foreign emotion from a safe distance.
When the topic of food came up, Arksynn ducked his head and glanced at Reyth who was full-on glaring at him. "You stole food and lost it?" she said, flipping her hands back inside her cuffs as quickly as they'd exited.
For some reason, her antics made him smile and the embarrassment left him. He stood, shrugging, his eyes still on Siralai and Visper. "Wasn't sure the padawan would let me in without a duel. But sure. Door it is."
He made to step around Siralai, but found himself arrested in place. It felt wrong somehow to just...leave her there. Even if she was getting help from another Jedi and had other able bodies around. Arksynn felt that same uncertainty rush back into him. What was he supposed to do? What did he want to do?
"Do you need help getting her up?" he asked after what felt like a lifetime of debate in his mind's eye. Awkwardness ruined his attempt at indifference.
A Pleasant Day at the Beach
Re: A Pleasant Day at the Beach
Monkey Kitty
Siralai Mahr
Visper nodded to Arksynn. "Sure," she said. "Thanks." It wasn't as if there was a shortage of people ready and willing to help... but if the young Sith wanted to behave unselfishly, that was something they wanted to encourage.
As they moved Siralai to the medical bed, the former Jedi began to regain consciousness. It seemed the Force healing Visper had been doing was having positive effects. "He... he tried to take Reyth..." Siralai murmured, trying to work her jumbled thoughts into something coherent.
"Reyth is fine," Visper assured her.
Siralai wasn't going to be convinced about that until she could see for herself. She turned - with help - until she could catch a glimpse. Seeing that Reyth appeared completely unharmed, Siralai smiled.
Visper, however, was concerned by how far Siralai had to turn to see. She did a quick test of Siralai's peripheral vision, and found it very compromised on the left side where the shrapnel had struck her. "You lost some peripheral vision," Visper said, trying to keep her tone light. "I'm not sure if there's anything I can do about that..."
"It's okay," Siralai said. The most important part was that her opponent had not succeeded. "As long as our people are safe."
Siralai Mahr
Visper nodded to Arksynn. "Sure," she said. "Thanks." It wasn't as if there was a shortage of people ready and willing to help... but if the young Sith wanted to behave unselfishly, that was something they wanted to encourage.
As they moved Siralai to the medical bed, the former Jedi began to regain consciousness. It seemed the Force healing Visper had been doing was having positive effects. "He... he tried to take Reyth..." Siralai murmured, trying to work her jumbled thoughts into something coherent.
"Reyth is fine," Visper assured her.
Siralai wasn't going to be convinced about that until she could see for herself. She turned - with help - until she could catch a glimpse. Seeing that Reyth appeared completely unharmed, Siralai smiled.
Visper, however, was concerned by how far Siralai had to turn to see. She did a quick test of Siralai's peripheral vision, and found it very compromised on the left side where the shrapnel had struck her. "You lost some peripheral vision," Visper said, trying to keep her tone light. "I'm not sure if there's anything I can do about that..."
"It's okay," Siralai said. The most important part was that her opponent had not succeeded. "As long as our people are safe."
Re: A Pleasant Day at the Beach
Quaxo9
Arksynn and Reyth
There it was again. That phrase - not exactly the same because this time it was 'our' people - but the feeling behind it was the same as it was back in Lord Anewe's chambers. How could that have been just earlier today? So much had happened...it seemed impossible. He caught Reyth's gaze which turned to a glare and a nod of her head toward the exit. Right. Food. This time his feet found the door, though he could be heard muttering something about a 'bottomless pit' as he did so. While he didn't clean up the spilled stew, he did pick up the bowls. After all, if Trystan had noticed that two were missing, they might not have any left and then he'd really catch it.
Reyth had turned when she heard the Jedi speak her name, barely shifting her hood to allow one eye to peer out. One eye was almost all that woman had - and yet she twisted herself around to sure that her captive Sith was still there. Not that Reyth could really still believe that her initial assumption was true. If she were simply a captive, there would have been a ransom or torture or something by now - something more than poetry or platitudes. If she were nothing but a captive, she would have been sold. If she were a captive, Arksynn wouldn't have left her here alone. She knew that. She knew that he would fight for her until the end...so why had she been so quick to turn on him?
Arksynn and Reyth
There it was again. That phrase - not exactly the same because this time it was 'our' people - but the feeling behind it was the same as it was back in Lord Anewe's chambers. How could that have been just earlier today? So much had happened...it seemed impossible. He caught Reyth's gaze which turned to a glare and a nod of her head toward the exit. Right. Food. This time his feet found the door, though he could be heard muttering something about a 'bottomless pit' as he did so. While he didn't clean up the spilled stew, he did pick up the bowls. After all, if Trystan had noticed that two were missing, they might not have any left and then he'd really catch it.
Reyth had turned when she heard the Jedi speak her name, barely shifting her hood to allow one eye to peer out. One eye was almost all that woman had - and yet she twisted herself around to sure that her captive Sith was still there. Not that Reyth could really still believe that her initial assumption was true. If she were simply a captive, there would have been a ransom or torture or something by now - something more than poetry or platitudes. If she were nothing but a captive, she would have been sold. If she were a captive, Arksynn wouldn't have left her here alone. She knew that. She knew that he would fight for her until the end...so why had she been so quick to turn on him?
Re: A Pleasant Day at the Beach
Monkey Kitty
Siralai Mahr
"Reyth, if you're feeling up to it, you could go to the beach with Rossi and the others later," Siralai suggested. "I think you would enjoy it."
Of course, 'feeling up to it' would require the confidence that Reyth wouldn't try to kill herself again - or go after someone else.
"Siralai, you need to rest," Visper intervened.
Siralai was about to argue, but she realized it was true. She had fought, and healed, and fought again, and been injured, and been healed herself. It had been a long day. She was spent. She nodded, and lay back on the medical bed.
"I think we could all benefit a little R&R," Trystan opined. No one seemed to disagree with him.
Siralai Mahr
"Reyth, if you're feeling up to it, you could go to the beach with Rossi and the others later," Siralai suggested. "I think you would enjoy it."
Of course, 'feeling up to it' would require the confidence that Reyth wouldn't try to kill herself again - or go after someone else.
"Siralai, you need to rest," Visper intervened.
Siralai was about to argue, but she realized it was true. She had fought, and healed, and fought again, and been injured, and been healed herself. It had been a long day. She was spent. She nodded, and lay back on the medical bed.
"I think we could all benefit a little R&R," Trystan opined. No one seemed to disagree with him.
Re: A Pleasant Day at the Beach
Quaxo9
Arksynn and Reyth
He'd returned in no time with two fresh bowls, asking Visper to let him in to sit with Reyth while they ate. Of course, once in, he had no intention of leaving until she could too. Reyth, while excited to receive something to eat, seemed hesitant to partake - at least until people started slowly filtering out. Lana took the body away, Visper had other patients to attend to and Trystan had the kids to take care of. Siralai seemed to be settled down in the med bay for the night. It was only once there weren't many eyes on her that Reyth started to process of tucking in to her supper. And it was a process. Arksynn's bowl was long emptied and licked clean before Reyth was even partway through her meal. The amount of water she had to drink filled her up so much that she stared longingly at the remaining stew and sighed. She'd be hungry again in an hour, but at least for now she felt full.
The boy knew better than to try to clean up the leftovers and simply offered the warmth of his side by lifting his left arm. Reyth ducked her head, looking away from him and ended up staring at the dent in the floor she'd made when she'd tried to kill him. And then, failing that, had tried to kill herself. She still didn't know where that idea had come from. Why that option had seemed like the best one at the time. It...it frightened her. Arksynn continued to leave his arm in an open gesture and she wanted to tell him to stop. That he shouldn't be so patient. That she wasn't worth being there for. That she was sorry. When he kissed her cheek, she turned back toward him, returning his kiss with feeling. She might not be able to say the words, but her lips spelled out an apology clear enough for him to decipher. The two of them sat together for some time, Arksynn's embrace finally accepted, though both were all-too aware that they weren't alone. Simply being close was soothing enough for the two of them and eventually Reyth drifted off - thoughts of what a day at the beach might look like stirring her mind to dream.
The zabrak was both relieved and a little worried when Reyth fell asleep on him. She'd been sleeping a lot - and while that was probably a good thing that she was getting some rest - it was still very odd. He waited until her breathing deepened before untangling himself and stretching. Lifting her onto the bed, he tucked her robes around her like he had been doing so all his life before lying down beside her with a protective arm over her shoulders. He had meant to keep watch. Really he had. But apparently a day involving getting run through with a lightsaber and helping kill a Darth and two Sith lords was all his body and mind could take.
Arksynn and Reyth
He'd returned in no time with two fresh bowls, asking Visper to let him in to sit with Reyth while they ate. Of course, once in, he had no intention of leaving until she could too. Reyth, while excited to receive something to eat, seemed hesitant to partake - at least until people started slowly filtering out. Lana took the body away, Visper had other patients to attend to and Trystan had the kids to take care of. Siralai seemed to be settled down in the med bay for the night. It was only once there weren't many eyes on her that Reyth started to process of tucking in to her supper. And it was a process. Arksynn's bowl was long emptied and licked clean before Reyth was even partway through her meal. The amount of water she had to drink filled her up so much that she stared longingly at the remaining stew and sighed. She'd be hungry again in an hour, but at least for now she felt full.
The boy knew better than to try to clean up the leftovers and simply offered the warmth of his side by lifting his left arm. Reyth ducked her head, looking away from him and ended up staring at the dent in the floor she'd made when she'd tried to kill him. And then, failing that, had tried to kill herself. She still didn't know where that idea had come from. Why that option had seemed like the best one at the time. It...it frightened her. Arksynn continued to leave his arm in an open gesture and she wanted to tell him to stop. That he shouldn't be so patient. That she wasn't worth being there for. That she was sorry. When he kissed her cheek, she turned back toward him, returning his kiss with feeling. She might not be able to say the words, but her lips spelled out an apology clear enough for him to decipher. The two of them sat together for some time, Arksynn's embrace finally accepted, though both were all-too aware that they weren't alone. Simply being close was soothing enough for the two of them and eventually Reyth drifted off - thoughts of what a day at the beach might look like stirring her mind to dream.
The zabrak was both relieved and a little worried when Reyth fell asleep on him. She'd been sleeping a lot - and while that was probably a good thing that she was getting some rest - it was still very odd. He waited until her breathing deepened before untangling himself and stretching. Lifting her onto the bed, he tucked her robes around her like he had been doing so all his life before lying down beside her with a protective arm over her shoulders. He had meant to keep watch. Really he had. But apparently a day involving getting run through with a lightsaber and helping kill a Darth and two Sith lords was all his body and mind could take.
Re: A Pleasant Day at the Beach
Quaxo9
Neva Xolte
Her eyes rolled open to an eerie green glow, beyond which only darkness existed. It took her a moment to realize where she was, inspecting her hands and allowing them to brush over the mask covering the lower half of her face - kolto. But where was the tank? Had Anewe thrown her in here to heal so she could start the process all over again? It seemed like something she'd do. But something naggled in the back of her brain. Something that said things weren't as they had been when she'd passed out. She could have sworn she'd heard Siralai...but that was impossible. Wasn't it?
Against her better judgment, Neva pressed her face closer to the tank wall and peered out into a strange emerald land. It was a med bay like every other med bay, which was not much of a comfort, but there was someone else in the room. That someone seemed to sense that they were noticed and looked up to lock eyes with her before rising to stand before the tank. Neva had the feeling that if she weren't floating in kolto, she'd be having to look up at the Jedi. There was something else about her that seemed familiar, though she couldn't recall ever meeting this particular Jedi. Strange. Still, she wasn't going to argue when the woman motioned to ask Neva if she wanted out. Her answer? Absolutely. Yes.
As the kolto drained away, the features of the room took on new shapes and colour. It was an Imperial vessel...but this Jedi seemed to be quite at home, so it likely didn't belong to Anewe. Standing on the ground, looking up into her face as the woman helped her remove the mask, Neva's brain started to catch up. Those eyes were indeed familiar - they just didn't quite go with the rest of her. It wasn't until she looked away, seemingly embarrassed by Neva's silent analysis that the Zabrak figured out who it was.
"Little Teizi." Neva's voice was hoarse - barely recognizable. "I don't believe it. What are you doing here? How..."
The Jedi's eyes flicked back to Neva's, her face impassive. "Your friends were set to rescue you. I just happened to be there to offer my services."
"Siralai?" The Jedi nodded. The pieces were starting to come together. "What happened...to Anewe." An involuntary shudder accompanied the Sith lord's name and Neva wrapped her arms around herself as if suddenly cold. Teizi passed her a towel, which she gratefully accepted.
"She is dead and her machine destroyed. You are on Pyrran's ship. He has extended the courtesy of the ship's shower as well as the kolto - Rossi brought over some of your clothes if you wanted to wash up and change." Every line was delivered in the same metered tone as though a Sith maniac's death and a hot shower had the same eternal weight. Huh. She really was a Jedi - though if she were honest with herself, the girl she'd known had been the quiet sort to begin with. The girl she knew...
Neva simply nodded and made her way toward making herself comfortable, though she'd rather have been on her ship. Still, she was in a state and probably not fit to be walking around outside. She was still stiff. Her bones ached from the inside. But as the kolto washed down the drain, the pain wasn't what brought her to her knees. She wished she could control the wracking sobs that echoed in the small space, threatening to make her head explode. Neva pulled herself back into some semblance of control. She didn't break then and she wasn't about to now. Once dressed she felt somewhat more like herself - or at least more like she could take the day.
She was on her way to the exit when Teizi re-appeared. "I'll escort you. Just a short walk - then you should return to kolto."
Neva gave her a narrow look, but didn't answer as she stepped down the gangplank and into the light of what was probably morning on Rishi. She stopped at the base of the ramp and took a deep, heady breath in. Somehow salt air had never smelled so good. She opened her eyes, got her bearings and set her feet toward where she instinctively knew the main house was. She hadn't asked how the mission to rescue her had gone - hopefully everyone had gotten out safely. Either way, the house was where they'd be.
It was a little quieter than she expected - she'd thought that maybe the morning routine would be underway or that Pyrran was visiting his sisters as he wasn't in his ship. Her own footsteps were muted as she climbed the few stairs, the Jedi hovering in the background like she thought Neva might tip over like an old lady. She paused for only a moment before entering the kitchen and starting the hot water for caf. Something told her that was going to be more of a necessity today than usual.
Neva Xolte
Her eyes rolled open to an eerie green glow, beyond which only darkness existed. It took her a moment to realize where she was, inspecting her hands and allowing them to brush over the mask covering the lower half of her face - kolto. But where was the tank? Had Anewe thrown her in here to heal so she could start the process all over again? It seemed like something she'd do. But something naggled in the back of her brain. Something that said things weren't as they had been when she'd passed out. She could have sworn she'd heard Siralai...but that was impossible. Wasn't it?
Against her better judgment, Neva pressed her face closer to the tank wall and peered out into a strange emerald land. It was a med bay like every other med bay, which was not much of a comfort, but there was someone else in the room. That someone seemed to sense that they were noticed and looked up to lock eyes with her before rising to stand before the tank. Neva had the feeling that if she weren't floating in kolto, she'd be having to look up at the Jedi. There was something else about her that seemed familiar, though she couldn't recall ever meeting this particular Jedi. Strange. Still, she wasn't going to argue when the woman motioned to ask Neva if she wanted out. Her answer? Absolutely. Yes.
As the kolto drained away, the features of the room took on new shapes and colour. It was an Imperial vessel...but this Jedi seemed to be quite at home, so it likely didn't belong to Anewe. Standing on the ground, looking up into her face as the woman helped her remove the mask, Neva's brain started to catch up. Those eyes were indeed familiar - they just didn't quite go with the rest of her. It wasn't until she looked away, seemingly embarrassed by Neva's silent analysis that the Zabrak figured out who it was.
"Little Teizi." Neva's voice was hoarse - barely recognizable. "I don't believe it. What are you doing here? How..."
The Jedi's eyes flicked back to Neva's, her face impassive. "Your friends were set to rescue you. I just happened to be there to offer my services."
"Siralai?" The Jedi nodded. The pieces were starting to come together. "What happened...to Anewe." An involuntary shudder accompanied the Sith lord's name and Neva wrapped her arms around herself as if suddenly cold. Teizi passed her a towel, which she gratefully accepted.
"She is dead and her machine destroyed. You are on Pyrran's ship. He has extended the courtesy of the ship's shower as well as the kolto - Rossi brought over some of your clothes if you wanted to wash up and change." Every line was delivered in the same metered tone as though a Sith maniac's death and a hot shower had the same eternal weight. Huh. She really was a Jedi - though if she were honest with herself, the girl she'd known had been the quiet sort to begin with. The girl she knew...
Neva simply nodded and made her way toward making herself comfortable, though she'd rather have been on her ship. Still, she was in a state and probably not fit to be walking around outside. She was still stiff. Her bones ached from the inside. But as the kolto washed down the drain, the pain wasn't what brought her to her knees. She wished she could control the wracking sobs that echoed in the small space, threatening to make her head explode. Neva pulled herself back into some semblance of control. She didn't break then and she wasn't about to now. Once dressed she felt somewhat more like herself - or at least more like she could take the day.
She was on her way to the exit when Teizi re-appeared. "I'll escort you. Just a short walk - then you should return to kolto."
Neva gave her a narrow look, but didn't answer as she stepped down the gangplank and into the light of what was probably morning on Rishi. She stopped at the base of the ramp and took a deep, heady breath in. Somehow salt air had never smelled so good. She opened her eyes, got her bearings and set her feet toward where she instinctively knew the main house was. She hadn't asked how the mission to rescue her had gone - hopefully everyone had gotten out safely. Either way, the house was where they'd be.
It was a little quieter than she expected - she'd thought that maybe the morning routine would be underway or that Pyrran was visiting his sisters as he wasn't in his ship. Her own footsteps were muted as she climbed the few stairs, the Jedi hovering in the background like she thought Neva might tip over like an old lady. She paused for only a moment before entering the kitchen and starting the hot water for caf. Something told her that was going to be more of a necessity today than usual.
Re: A Pleasant Day at the Beach
Monkey Kitty
Siralai Mahr
Siralai was briefly disoriented, waking up in the med bay of Visper's ship, but then the events of the previous day came flooding back - all the many twists and turns the past few days had taken. The side of her face throbbed, and it was hard getting used to seeing only straight ahead with her left eye. She reminded herself what could have happened, though. That Reyth could have been taken by that horrible man. Suddenly the damage to her eye didn't seem like much of anything at all.
She smiled when she saw Reyth and Arksynn snuggled together in sleep. It was good that they were getting along again. Siralai didn't want Reyth to feel she was all alone. Of course, Reyth wasn't alone regardless - she had many people who cared about her and were trying to help - but it was care that Reyth was not ready to accept yet, and might never be. At least she had Arksynn to lean on. It would be very lonely without anyone to trust, even surrounded by other people.
The two young Sith would need breakfast soon, Siralai realized. She got up and strolled to the main house... and was happy to see Neva back on her feet when she got there. Siralai wasn't sure whether to hug her - Neva was probably sore and might not be too eager for physical contact after what had happened - but it was clear from Siralai's expression that she was glad to see her friend out of Kolto and moving under her own power.
"We missed you, Neva," she said. "Welcome back!"
Siralai Mahr
Siralai was briefly disoriented, waking up in the med bay of Visper's ship, but then the events of the previous day came flooding back - all the many twists and turns the past few days had taken. The side of her face throbbed, and it was hard getting used to seeing only straight ahead with her left eye. She reminded herself what could have happened, though. That Reyth could have been taken by that horrible man. Suddenly the damage to her eye didn't seem like much of anything at all.
She smiled when she saw Reyth and Arksynn snuggled together in sleep. It was good that they were getting along again. Siralai didn't want Reyth to feel she was all alone. Of course, Reyth wasn't alone regardless - she had many people who cared about her and were trying to help - but it was care that Reyth was not ready to accept yet, and might never be. At least she had Arksynn to lean on. It would be very lonely without anyone to trust, even surrounded by other people.
The two young Sith would need breakfast soon, Siralai realized. She got up and strolled to the main house... and was happy to see Neva back on her feet when she got there. Siralai wasn't sure whether to hug her - Neva was probably sore and might not be too eager for physical contact after what had happened - but it was clear from Siralai's expression that she was glad to see her friend out of Kolto and moving under her own power.
"We missed you, Neva," she said. "Welcome back!"
Re: A Pleasant Day at the Beach
Monkey Kitty
Tacia
They had taken Tacia out of the Bacta tank as soon as her body could finish healing on its own; Bacta could have strange psychological and mental effects, and they didn't want to cause any more difficulty than she had already suffered after years of mistreatment and objectification. When she woke up, though, Tacia felt better than she had in years. There was a strange sensation... she could tell that she had been cared for. That she had been tended. That someone had gone to a great deal of trouble to preserve her life. She didn't know the details of the lengths that had been taken on her behalf, but she knew that they had kept her alive. That she had mattered to them.
Visper came to check on her - and pronounced her much improved - then sat down to talk to her. Tacia threw her arms around Visper and clung to her wordlessly, overwhelmed by what had happened. Visper was surprised, but hugged her back without hesitation.
"It's going to be alright," Visper promised as she held Tacia close. "Things are going to be better now. I promise."
Tacia
They had taken Tacia out of the Bacta tank as soon as her body could finish healing on its own; Bacta could have strange psychological and mental effects, and they didn't want to cause any more difficulty than she had already suffered after years of mistreatment and objectification. When she woke up, though, Tacia felt better than she had in years. There was a strange sensation... she could tell that she had been cared for. That she had been tended. That someone had gone to a great deal of trouble to preserve her life. She didn't know the details of the lengths that had been taken on her behalf, but she knew that they had kept her alive. That she had mattered to them.
Visper came to check on her - and pronounced her much improved - then sat down to talk to her. Tacia threw her arms around Visper and clung to her wordlessly, overwhelmed by what had happened. Visper was surprised, but hugged her back without hesitation.
"It's going to be alright," Visper promised as she held Tacia close. "Things are going to be better now. I promise."
Re: A Pleasant Day at the Beach
Quaxo9
Neva Xolte
Maybe she just hadn't believed it was real until that moment. Like she was still dreaming and her brain was throwing in the odd memory for good measure. Siralai walking into the room and greeting her warmly was the very thing she needed to believe that it really was over. Her steps weren't hindered by her soreness as she crossed the kitchen to give her friend a hug. The solidness of a body, the brush of fabric against her face, the absolute care with which arms enfolded her and returned her embrace. It was a long while before she could convince herself to let go.
When she finally released Siralai, Neva wasn't quick to step away - she only turned to take the boiling water off the heat.
"I hear I have you to thank for the fact that I am back. How did you do it - how did you find me? I...thank-you. I...don't know how much longer I would have lasted." She seemed to only now notice the state of her friend's clothing and visibly paled. "Are you alright? Did...did she get to you?"
Neva Xolte
Maybe she just hadn't believed it was real until that moment. Like she was still dreaming and her brain was throwing in the odd memory for good measure. Siralai walking into the room and greeting her warmly was the very thing she needed to believe that it really was over. Her steps weren't hindered by her soreness as she crossed the kitchen to give her friend a hug. The solidness of a body, the brush of fabric against her face, the absolute care with which arms enfolded her and returned her embrace. It was a long while before she could convince herself to let go.
When she finally released Siralai, Neva wasn't quick to step away - she only turned to take the boiling water off the heat.
"I hear I have you to thank for the fact that I am back. How did you do it - how did you find me? I...thank-you. I...don't know how much longer I would have lasted." She seemed to only now notice the state of her friend's clothing and visibly paled. "Are you alright? Did...did she get to you?"
Re: A Pleasant Day at the Beach
Monkey Kitty
Siralai Mahr
Siralai smiled when Neva hugged her, and sustained the hug as long as Neva needed. It was good to have her friend back - and good that she was still able to reach out to them. Neva would surely benefit from having support as she dealt with the fallout of her experience.
"I'm fine," Siralai assured her. Her hand briefly brushed at her swollen eye, more as a reflex because the loss of vision was an unusual sensation than for any other reason, but she caught herself and clasped her hands together instead. This was nothing to make a fuss about, she reminded herself, and as long as she didn't, others wouldn't either. "It wasn't... this wasn't her. This happened after we got back. Someone thought he had some business with our Sithlings, and had to be forcibly dissuaded otherwise. It all ended well for us - no need to worry. And no need for thanks. We're just glad to have you back with us. In truth, it was very much a group effort. Everyone contributed a great deal, not just me. Even a rather surprising source. You may recall the two apprentices from the fighting ring? Arksynn was extremely helpful in rescuing you. We truly could not have done it without him. He was very brave. And the other, Reyth... she's having more difficulty, but she's coming around. They're good kids. They'll be okay, now that they're away from that horrible woman."
Siralai had mostly stayed calm through all this, but her voice caught slightly on the word 'horrible.' She couldn't quite manage to hide how upset she was about what had been done to Neva - or how worried they had all been.
Siralai Mahr
Siralai smiled when Neva hugged her, and sustained the hug as long as Neva needed. It was good to have her friend back - and good that she was still able to reach out to them. Neva would surely benefit from having support as she dealt with the fallout of her experience.
"I'm fine," Siralai assured her. Her hand briefly brushed at her swollen eye, more as a reflex because the loss of vision was an unusual sensation than for any other reason, but she caught herself and clasped her hands together instead. This was nothing to make a fuss about, she reminded herself, and as long as she didn't, others wouldn't either. "It wasn't... this wasn't her. This happened after we got back. Someone thought he had some business with our Sithlings, and had to be forcibly dissuaded otherwise. It all ended well for us - no need to worry. And no need for thanks. We're just glad to have you back with us. In truth, it was very much a group effort. Everyone contributed a great deal, not just me. Even a rather surprising source. You may recall the two apprentices from the fighting ring? Arksynn was extremely helpful in rescuing you. We truly could not have done it without him. He was very brave. And the other, Reyth... she's having more difficulty, but she's coming around. They're good kids. They'll be okay, now that they're away from that horrible woman."
Siralai had mostly stayed calm through all this, but her voice caught slightly on the word 'horrible.' She couldn't quite manage to hide how upset she was about what had been done to Neva - or how worried they had all been.