Yvette Dusong
The Painter

"I beseech thee Senators, do not ignore their plight / For betrayal is the only sin that cannot be washed away."
Ambassador Gollund
Soft whimpers echoed between those four dreary walls of the battered ship as it incessantly groaned with life, a pair of dangling bulbs dimly illuminating the crowded compartments as they shook and wiggled in rhythm with every steer of the craft while it made it's approach. Dreadfully uncomfortable silence hanged in the heavy and musk filled air as the numerous passengers huddled against each other for comfort and safety, mothers tightly hugging their children to their bosom as they stared aimlessly at the rusted barriers all around them offering them desolation alongside a mixture of hope. Rash coughs and wheeze bounced between the grey enclosure as the elderly slept peacefully in the numerous corners of their steel carriage, the men giving each other reassuring glances as they embraced their families firmly. Solemn children and teenagers that were otherwise cheerful and joyful sat motionless in their spot, their tear stricken cheeks betraying whatever facade of strength they attempted to hold in front of their peers. Miners, engineers, soldiers, housekeepers, pensioners, and students, all kept close to one another as the barriers between age, class, and species broke down in front of their very eyes as they tried to find comfort amongst each other. Blankets and clothes were passed around from hand to hand towards those that needed them the most, a bonding brotherhood and camaraderie forming within the ranks of the now lawless vagabonds as they felt abandoned in this ever changing galaxy at the time of their need. Patriots and traitors alike shared few words for the occasional somber glimpse, guards and prisoners alike sharing their pillows as they became nothing more than refugees.Mechanical groans of pain and stress woke them from their grave-like slumber as the shuttle heaved powerfully, low tremors rolling through the numerous compartments and sending shudders down their collective spines as they finally touched down upon land. Numerous men set upon themselves the task to wake up the others and prepare them for leaving their rusted savior, groans of annoyance, sighs of relies, and anxious breaths filling the large chamber to the brim as they all began packing their belongings back in whatever bags and packs they had on hand. Each stood close to his own family as the blast doors slowly opened before them, those who were less fortunate sharing a final embrace to steel for the worst as old enemies shook hands and shared one last kiss on the cheek for good fortune. Their collective ears ringed irritably as the noise of the planet began seeping through the ever widening crack of the door, the sharp noise of the air being cut apart by the numerous speeders traveling all around them, almost muffling the incomprehensible chatter coming from the dock in front of them. Silently they descended down upon the croaking ramp beneath them under the watchful eye of numerous guards and military personnel, whatever feelings of disgust and hatred they might have once harbored for these men and women replaced by bloodshot eyes and slumped postures.
Pathetic mewls slipped through the cracked lips of an auburn-haired woman near the back of the group as she approached the ramp, cloth covered arm quickly placing itself on top of her forehead to block the rays of light trickling down onto her sleep deprived visage. Heavy bags hanged underneath her eyelids as she slowly walked forwards, the lithe frame hidden underneath her tattered red dress trembling and shivering violently as she desperately attempted to stay up onto her feet. She idly followed behind the large herd without any proper idea of what to do or where to go next, hunger and thirst clouding her judgement as she felt her knees buckling underneath their weight. Underneath her left arm hanged a series of canvases tied together with a string of cloth, the only possession she could bring along in exchange for surrendering her spare clothes and backpack back at the port in Corellia. As wide and as tall as her own upper body, the painting in the front that was put on display for all to see unintentionally was the very same painting that she received numerous complaints and heckling in regards to from the other passengers, until she finally agreed to place it in the corner of their shared compartment and cover it up. An unsettling and unearthly figure was drawn in black paint upon the white canvas using sharp motions, the shadow-like monstrosity tilting its head to the side at an impossible angle. Its mouth was turned into a grotesque smile plastered upon an otherwise blank face, a pair of small beady white eyes being the only exception. The more someone would stare at the wretched thing as they walked past, the more disturbing the image would become as it seemed like those quivering orbs followed their every move. Its diabolical smile would widen in order to reveal a disgusting row of canine teeth and fangs hidden underneath its supple lips, its hands slowly moving upwards and firmly planting themselves onto the canvas. The blurry outline of its frame seemed to shiver ferociously as it continued to lean the rest of its body forward, seemingly slipping through the canvas and coming to life.
[member="Matsu Xiangu"]