Private A Sanguine Thirst

[Kito]

//: Ayra Lowe //: Valaine Valentine //:

Kito looked over the tablet in front of her. She was working on a rescue mission that involved a Jedi. Vessel crash. It was something that she didn't know what to expect, but that had been most of her days recently.
Kito was the type to stay busy, and with her Shadow training, rescue and recovery missions had been where the Order had placed her.

Yawning, she looked at who was involved, and a sigh escaped her throat. Of course, it would be the annoying Echani. The girl seemed to enjoy getting herself into situations that required Kito to come get her. Looking over her shoulder, some of the troops and other Jedi called her over for a quick briefing.

It was a standard rescue, and from what they stated, Ayra was potentially alive. That was a change from the last time Kito rescued her. At least she was expected to be alive.

The shuttle landed, and the flames were still burning around them. Frowning, her eyes moved, trying to see any other survivors beyond the cowardly Jedi. It seemed like a tragedy, and Kito did her best not to think too much about it. The others would handle recovery there. Kito's mission was to find the white haired chicken.

Moving through the debris, she moved towards the forest. If there were any survivors, the forest would provide shelter from anything that would come across the crash. Her eyes focused, narrowing as she peered through the darkness. She looked for anything that resembled the girl.

Thankfully, her white hair stood out, and Kito made her way over to her. Kneeling down, she shone a light down on her — she seemed to be breathing, but something else caught Kito's attention. Reaching down, she pulled back the fabric of her top and saw the bite mark.

Kito knew where it came from and, absentmindedly, reached for the necklace. Her thumb moved over the tip of the fang, feeling the pressure; she had developed a habit of using the small prick of pain to ground herself. Tucking the light away, Kito knelt down and grabbed Ayra, slinging her over her shoulder.

"You idiot…" Kito grumbled at the Echani as she paused. Her eyes looked deeper into the forest, trying to find the person she now wanted to see.

"Padawan Kito!" a voice called out to her. It was one of the Masters. Kito moved to him and handed him Ayra. She was a limp noodle, which meant she wasn't dead.

"She has a wound on her neck; she'll need a blood transfusion." The Master nodded and then waited for Kito to follow him.

"I'm…" she paused, trying to think of a way to explain herself. "I'm going to look for other survivors." The Master nodded and took Ayra back to the shuttle to be taken care of, leaving Kito to search.

Turning, she moved through the Force quickly, her eyes darting from side to side, searching. The bite wasn't like the ones Kito had been used to; something had happened — it was too focused, which meant Valaine could be hurt.

When she was far enough from the others, she stopped in the small clearing.

"Valaine?" Kito called out — not loud enough to draw attention, but enough for the Sangnir to hear if she was near. "Valaine, I'm here. Where are you?"

Her voice carried a hint of worry as she moved carefully through the clearing, scanning every shadow and line of the trees. The thought that Valaine might be hurt made her chest tighten, she needed to find her sooner than later.

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Ayra Lowe Kito

Valaine had made a short amount of distance to hide from the reinforcements and she could distantly hear their voices with her sharpened senses. Her clarity of self hadn't fully returned as she stood in an opening, moonlight shining down on her bloodied form as she breathed a staggered breath as her body tensed. Coming down from the feral state she had been in was always rather taxing and disorientating for her.

But even in this state her pointed ears picked up a cadence of tone that shined above all others for her; Kito's voice. If she didn't hear her she would have picked up on her scent instead, so familiar was she with the Shaper at this point that she could easily identify her by such methods. At first she felt a sense of relief that here of all places at one of her lowest lows Kito had found her, but that relief was shared with the concern of being seen in such a condition. No doubt the Shaper already seen the state the young Sangnir had left Ayra in, what would she think of that? Would she reprimand her actions? Curse her name as nothing but a monster of the night? The doubts clouded her thoughts as her body shuddered in guilt and pain.

She heard Kito call her name and her eyes opened as she remained still. Though Kito had entered the clearing Valaine would have been difficult to see even with her enhanced sight, for she stood so imperceptibly still that she might've been a statue in the dark. "Here, Kito..." came her response as she kept her gaze to the open sky above the clearing.

Valaine's form was bloodied, her sleeves had been torn off and her robes were practically in shreds. Her arms all the way up to her elbows were covered in dried blood and much of her face, mouth, chin and neck were the same. Her injuries had mended themselves but she looked awful like this, even her normally straight dark hair had tangles of dried blood in it.

"Stay back... I'm..." she paused for a moment as she breathed in a deep breath of restraint, "I'm not fully in control yet..." she admitted. Though she had sated herself on Ayra's blood her body needed time to process it. The agony of her hunger still burnt in her chest as it ebbed away, but the beast she had become was still very much present and wrestling for control of her senses. It wanted to attack Kito already, it wanted to feed on her and Valaine could feel its pull. It was why she kept her tired grey eyes to the sky; to not tempt the creature within any further than it already was. "Just... Just give me a minute, please... I don't want to hurt you..." she spoke with a tinge of guilt easy for the Shaper to recognize.

She knew what she'd done to the Padawan and frankly she didn't know if she'd survive her attack or not. It pulled her thoughts back to Jutrand, the people she killed just to keep herself alive in her days as a freshly created Sangnir. She remembered every attack as her body was pulled on strings by the instincts within, every brutal murder she committed.

 

[Kito]

//: Valaine Valentine //:

Kito's attention turned quickly towards the sound of Valaine's voice. Even if she didn't speak or Kito didn't hear — she'd always know when she was close. There was no mistaking the ebb and flow of her presence, even if it was weaker than most. Kito knew she had grown used to it and could always find her.

Her gaze took in the sight of the Sangnir; she had never seen her like this, and Kito figured Valaine had never wanted to be seen like this. Despite it, nothing changed in the Shaper. Her footsteps were slow and steady as she moved closer, her hand already untying the belt at her waist. She dropped her blades and her belt and slowly removed the tunic from her shoulders. Kito held it tightly as she continued to move — only stopping when Valaine spoke again.

Kito held her breath and her words as she listened. Her movements stopped, and she stood a short distance away. Her initial assessment of Ayra had been correct. This wasn't Valaine having fun, indulging in a little hunt — this was hunger and survival. What would have happened if there had been no source for Valaine…? Would she have… died?

"Valaine… Let me help you." Kito moved again, another footstep in the direction of the Sangnir. Maybe it was the Ronin's hubris, but she fully believed that if Valaine did attack, she would be able to fend her off. But even then — if she needed more, Kito would give everything.

If her heart could break even further, it did. Shattering into pieces for the woman who stood back. She had done something to survive, but her guilt bled into her voice.

Kito no longer cared about the danger or the warnings. She continued to move, clearing the rest of the distance between them. Looking down, she searched for her ashen eyes, but they were focused on the sky above them. Was she trying to stop herself?

"I'll be fine," Kito whispered between them as she offered her clothing to the Sangnir. "The girl," the Shaper started, knowing that was the source of her guilt.

"She's going to be okay, I found her, and they're taking her back to the temple." Another final step, as Kito watched, she wanted to pull Valaine into a hug, hold and comfort her through this. She wanted to tell her the words that she knew she shouldn't say.

"I…" she hesitated, standing in front of her. Not out of fear, or disgust — just concern.

"I stayed behind because I wanted to find you…"

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Kito

The Sangnir's form tensed as Kito neared, her hands poised like grasping claws as they flexed. Still she kept her tired grey eyes skyward through the clearing as she felt the gentle cool breeze against her crimson-stained porcelain skin. The creature within could sense Kito drawing closer, unheeding of the warning given. Valaine steeled herself as a result, eyes closing to push down the urge to turn and attack the approaching Shaper.

A shuddering sigh escaped her lips. The blood she had consumed had sated her, the hunger for violence fading, the agony ebbing away. She still felt tense, raw even, the adrenaline that had pumped through her veins keeping her restless and distressed. But she had a hold on the instinct, a leash on it, she would not attack Kito.

Stormy greys opened to the sky once more and steadily she started to lower them to meet Kito's ember gaze with ash as she was offered her tunic. The Sangnir appeared to calm as she silently allowed the Shaper nearer, to drape the tunic over her shoulders if she wished. "That's... That's good..." she nodded gently at the mention of Ayra being in good hands.

Valaine held Kito's gaze in silence for a brief moment before she turned them away, "I must look like such a mess..." she spoke gently, not aware of her own condition save for that she was never particularly in good shape after a bout of hunger like this. A weak smile was offered, "... A nice surprise though, seeing you here..."

 

[Kito]

//: Valaine Valentine //:

Kito could feel the ease, the shift in her posture. Whatever part of her that had taken over, the part that drove her to survive had subsided. It gave control back to the Valaine she knew, the Valaine she loved. Kito carefully draped the tunic over her shoulders, pulling the front forward to ensure she was fully covered. Kito smiled softly, the crooked little smile that was only for the woman in front of her.

"You're still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," she murmured quietly between them. "I promise I'll say it quietly, though, I don't want the trees to be jealous." A small joke, one to hopefully lighten the spirits of the Sangnir. Ayra would be fine, and she could feel the swirl of emotions coming from Valaine.

Fingers pinched gently the lapel of the tunic, running down the length till she ensured that everything was in its place. It was sudden, but Kito couldn't hold back any longer. The fear, the worry, and the joy of finding Valaine alive all collapsed onto her at once. She pulled the lithe woman into her arms and hugged her tightly.

Her words, about being surprised to see Kito — they worried her. What if the Masters had found her? What if she had attacked them and they had killed her? The thoughts plagued the Shaper as she held onto the Sangnir tightly. Most would shy away from the sight and the smell, but not Kito; she just held on.

"I'm happy it was me," Kito whispered as she rested her head against Valaine's in their embrace. "I was worried. I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner." Kito loosened the hug; she never wanted Valaine to go through anything like this again. Despite that, she knew that she couldn't always be there — even if she wanted to.

Gently, she wiped away the blood that she could from the woman's mouth with the silken sash she often wore with her tunic. The dark color hid the blood, but Kito would wash it before anyone would notice. As she cleaned Valaine's mouth, her free hand cupped her face gently, supporting her as her thumb caressed her porcelain cheek.

"While I was looking for you, I heard water." She paused and let both of her hands hold the woman's face, still gently caressing, comforting as well as she could.

Any other time, she would have given in, leaned in, and kissed her, but she didn't this time. Despite what she wanted, she couldn't. Even saying what she wanted to say, Kito paused.

"There's a lake nearby, and I can warm the water enough so you can clean up. My pack has extra clothing." Her hands fell, but not before brushing back stray strands of dark hair from the Sangnir's face.

"We can clean you up, let you rest, and in the morning, we can head into town, and I can take you wherever you want to go." The hand that brushed her hair back reached for her hand and held it gently.

"At least let me do that, let me make sure you get home safely."

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Kito

Kito's familiar crooked smile gave Valaine a smirk as she nodded lightly at her. "Mhm... The trees are pretty rooted in their jealously, say it too loud and they'll never leaf you alone..." she answered with a tired and soft chuckle as the Shaper placed the tunic upon her, drawing the lapel so that she could be embraced in its warmth, and very warm it was considering who had just been wearing it.

The beast had all but been sated at this point and the Sangnir felt herself in full control once more, and just in time as Kito gave her that firm and pleasant hug. She breathed a soft sigh as she slowly let her arms wrap around the Shaper in return as she felt the heat of her form against her own. In the dark of this cold forest, body still aching with the remnants of adrenaline, it was a soothing and desired embrace.

"You're going to get blood on you..." commented Valaine softly, she was after all very much still covered in crimson, though most of it had now dried and flaked at the touch.

She then gave a light huff, "Always apologizing..." she muttered with a smirk, "... If anything I'm more glad for the insane amount of luck I apparently have. Of all the places you could've been..." she spoke as her head leaned against the Shaper's, giving her a firm squeeze of her arms before she'd steadily start to loosen the much needed embrace.

Her gaze shifted towards the sound of the water, she had heard it too at one point in the silence of the dark. As Kito's hands moved to hold her face in their warmth she nodded, "Mm... That'd be nice, yeah..." she spoke in agreement as she brushed a hand through her dark hair, it was tangled and stained in blood.

With that she'd gently reach a hand for Kito's, to hold it in her grasp and allow her to lead her.

 

[Kito]

//: Valaine Valentine //:

Kito wondered if it was luck or if it was some weird fate the Force liked to play. Quite often, the Jedi found herself questioning the intentions and motives of the Force. There, she met someone who reminded her of a piece of herself that the Shaper had figured had ceased to exist that day on Kro Var. Still, the Force was an annoying weaver of fate.

She didn't mind the blood; it was at the end of it all, the least of her concerns. As long as the blood wasn't the Sangnir's own — it was okay. From Kito's understanding, Valaine had healed up from whatever wounds she had encountered in the crash and her scuffle with Ayra (if it even was that).

Hands fell from Valaine's face as her hand took Kito's. It was better they got moving, just in case the rest of the Jedi decided to try and find her. If they came across Valaine, Kito already knew how things would play out. There was no one in the Order she wasn't afraid of facing if she needed to defend Valaine.

Kito slowed her pace, glancing back when she realized Valaine had begun to lag behind. Even after feeding, the Sangnir's steps were heavy. A quiet sigh left Kito's lips as she turned fully to face her.

Without a word, she released Valaine's hand and stepped closer. Her movements were careful — one arm slipping beneath Valaine's knees, the other bracing her back as she lifted her from the ground. The motion was smooth, the kind born from instinct rather than thought.

"Just hold onto me," she murmured, voice low as she adjusted her grip. Before the Shaper started to move again, her lips softly brushed against the woman's temple as she whispered, "I love you..."

Kito walked a little faster, but still enjoyed the small moment between them. She realized that they were both lucky that Kito was on this particular mission and not somewhere else in the galaxy. Again, her mind questioned the Force and its mysterious ways.

It didn't take long for them to arrive at the edge of where the river stopped. The small lake seemed secluded, which Kito thanked the Force for. She continued to walk till they were closer to the edge of the lake.

After, she carefully set her down and brushed off any of the dried blood from her face again. "It won't take long to warm up the water a little, so it's at least a bit comfortable." Kito moved towards the edge and placed her hands into the water. Heat bubbled from her palms into the lake, bringing the small space around her up a few degrees so that it was like a relaxing, warm bath instead of an ice-cold lake.

Standing, she smiled again. "Should be ready, take your time, and I'll figure out how to make camp — and we can eat something." Kito had some supplies on her; she tended to travel without necessities. Before leaving the edge of the lake, she placed down a small bag containing soap and other bath items. One item in particular would be familiar to the Sangnir.

Kito paused and looked down at the undershirt she was wearing, chuckling. "I'll clean up after I get everything together myself, and then we'll eat."

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Kito

As Valaine followed just behind Kito she felt that her body was still very much aching, the all but forced exertion of it during her feral state had taken some toll on her muscles, and it seemed the Shaper had taken note. She paused as Kito released her hand and then promptly just scooped her up from the floor. Her arms moved to hold around the woman's neck as she was carried; she didn't seem to mind it at all.

When words of love were whispered to the Sangnir she couldn't help but smirk up at Kito in response. "... Getting all sappy on me already..." she muttered gently in a light jab, "... I love you too, idiot..." she answered in response, always feeling the need to add just a little levity to such strong words and phrases.

The Sangnir was carried through the dark silent forest as she clutched tightly to the Shaper, eventually reaching the lake and being set down. She scrunched up her face when Kito wiped the dry blood from it, revealing more of her pale skin beneath as she let the woman take care of her.

"It won't take long to warm up the water a little, so it's at least a bit comfortable."

A soft smirk appeared on the Sangnir's lips, "Like a portable heater... Handy." she responded once more. At least her sense of humor hadn't been impacted by the ordeal. She watched as the Shaper approached the water, hands dipping beneath the surface as a small section of the lake was gradually heated. Valaine could only think on how useful such an ability was, to have warm or hot water whenever you needed it.

Once the water was heated she offered a light nod to Kito in response, "Thanks Kito." she smiled. When the small bag of soap and bath items was set down she started to rather lazily undress herself, removing the tunic the Shaper had draped around her and folding it neatly before she sighed and pulled what remained of her tattered robes from her form. She settled herself into the warm water and just closed her eyes for a moment, to let that warmth seep into her aching bones as she relaxed.

Such a comfort was sorely needed after the events of the night and steadily all the dried blood upon her pale form was being washed away with the heated water. Glancing back for just a moment she noted that box of supplies left with her as tired eyes turned to one item in particular; her coffee-scented perfume.... So that's where that bottle ended up...

 

[Kito]

//: Valaine Valentine //:

The small exchange put a special smile on the Shaper's face. There was something affectionate in the way Valaine teased her, even if she called her an idiot.

"Yeah, well..." Kito smirked, "unfortunately, I'm your idiot."

While Valaine cleaned up, Kito kept herself busy, putting up the temporary camp. It wasn't anything like the shelter she had semi-permanently on Malachor, but it was enough for the evening. The finishing touch was a small campfire. Kito kept it small and contained, knowing how Valaine felt about fire in general. The heat from it would help give the small camp a warmth that would keep out the chill for the most part.

Rummaging through her pack, she pulled out a few rations she'd stashed away — precautions for getting separated. Kito was never unprepared. Threading small cuts of meat onto skewers, she held them above the fire and slowly turned them with her fingers. The smell of the cooked meat filled the air, and its seasonings made her mouth water.

She took the meat off the heat and kept it in a container; it would stay warm until the pair was ready. Kito gathered up a few bits of clothing, figuring that Valaine's robes were scraps at this point.

Holding the clothes and a skewer of the meat, Kito wandered toward the edge of the water where she had left the Sangnir.

"Your portable heater has returned." She chuckled, setting the clothes down, also giving them a bit of warmth for when the woman decided to change.

"Water holding up?" Kito crouched down, dipping her hand into the lake.

The current was slow — the heat she'd fed into it earlier still clung faintly to the water. Unsatisfied with the temperature, Kito closed her eyes for a moment, letting the warmth flow again through her fingertips. If anything, she would help maintain the heat.

When she looked up, her gaze caught Valaine's before she quickly turned it back to the water. "You look a bit better," she said quietly, her hand moving slowly through the current. "Feeling better?"

Kito cupped the water and splashed some onto her face, wiping away any grim or mess that had happened when she had checked on Ayra and then carried Valaine. As much as she didn't mind the dried blood, she doubted she'd want it much longer on her body for the rest of the evening.

Feeling instantly cleaner, Kito lifted up the thin shirt she typically wore under her tunic and dried her face. Using the fabric of the shirt, she dried around her chin and ear while grabbing the skewer.

"Oh — right," she murmured, suddenly remembering the food in her hand. She returned to the edge of the lake and held out the skewer.

"I made you something. Just a snack before dinner. There's a bit more in camp if you're still hungry."

As she moved, her eye caught the glint of a small glass bottle near the bag of items she had left — Valaine's stolen perfume. Kito froze for a heartbeat, then casually nudged it deeper under the rest of the items.

"It's, uh… pretty good," she said quickly, wiggling the skewer in a half-hearted attempt to redirect the Sangnir's attention.

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Kito

Valaine took this moment to try and relax and calm her nerves. The ache of the adrenaline that had flowed through her veins ebbed away and her body untensed as she sank into the water. Just her head remained above it as long dark hair pooled on the surface in a curtain of black around her. She dipped low enough that her mouth was beneath the gentle lapping waves and her nose just above it.

She took this moment to reflect on her nature as a damned creature of the night; a parasite forced to feed off of others in order to survive. She was fortunate to have met people like Kito who would abide her nature, even feed her, but the fact of what she was never left her thoughts. That night that she was attacked, that her father-figure was murdered, replayed often in her mind as the moment her life went from bad to worse. The people she killed in those early days for the sake of her own survival ever weighed heavy upon her, and she recalled every single attack, every throat that she ripped out with her teeth in an agonized frenzy. She was worried tonight would have been the same.

But Kito seemed to be a constant blessing in her life; someone that seemed to show up at the right time, someone that understood. If she hadn't shown up then it was likely she would have killed her victim, but for once fate had smiled on the young Sangnir and granted her some small mercy this time.

The water grew colder with time as she felt the naturally icy lake creeping towards her, but just in time, as always...

"Your portable heater has returned."

A soft smile beneath the water as Valaine heard Kito's voice once more. She lifted just enough to bring her head out of the water in order to speak; "Just in time, it was getting a little cold..." she spoke gently in response as she turned in the water to look towards the Shaper with her tired grey eyes, fixating upon her as she watched her hands dip back beneath the surface to heat the water once more.

She noted that Kito's gaze averted from her and she couldn't help but chuckle lightly at the response, then she offered a nod. "Feeling better already, yeah. Also don't act like it's anything you haven't seen before..." she snorted before she dipped beneath the light rippling waves to get the water over her head and wash out the dried blood and grime from her hair before she resurfaced. Her long dark locks now clung tightly to her porcelain skin in a stark contrast of black and white.

The Sangnir watched as the Shaper cleaned her own face with her shirt before she was then offered a skewer. Her stormy gaze shifted towards the food before she drifted closer to reach a hand out to grab it. "Always skewers..." noted the Sangnir, but not that she minded, Kito was a fairly decent cook by her own standards.

Valaine had noted that Kito realized she left out her perfume but she didn't poke at the fact; if she was embarrassed about it then she wouldn't go for the throat for once and so she only smiled before she took a bite from the skewer. She let out a hum of satisfaction as she swallowed down the meat before turning her attention to the Shaper again, "Hope I didn't scare you earlier, Kito." she spoke. She understood it can't have been easy to see her in such a state, and especially with a warning that she might have attacked her against her own will.

 

[Kito]

//: Valaine Valentine //:

Hearing Valaine's approval of the food made Kito smile. It was hard not to, even after everything that had happened tonight.

The Shaper's cooking was simple, as always. In the wilderness, there wasn't much room for luxury, and most of what she knew, Kito had taught herself. Still, some lessons came from her family, her mother's hands guiding her through the basics, and her eldest brother showing her how to cook over a fire. The skewers were her own small tribute to him, a quiet way to feel close to her favorite sibling.

Valaine had caught her brief glance away and couldn't help but muse softly to herself. The woman was right; there was no reason to be shy — not anymore. It was habit, that instinct to offer privacy even when none was needed.

Between them, there was nothing left to hide. Of all the people Kito had ever known, Valaine was the only one who had truly seen her and still stayed. That understanding, that acceptance, was why she loved her. It was something she'd never known before.

With Valaine, Kito could simply be herself. And in turn, Valaine could do the same.

She began to undress silently, folding away the last of her layers and setting them aside before stepping into the water. The heat lingered under her skin as she shaped it, keeping it comfortably warm.

Kito slipped in slowly, careful not to splash. Her gaze flicked toward Valaine, and her breath caught — just for a moment. The contrast of her dark hair against soft, pale skin, and the reflection of moonlight softening her form — she looked almost ethereal. No one, nothing, could ever compare.

When Valaine's voice broke the stillness, Kito blinked, grounding herself again. The Sangnir's tone carried the faint tremor of guilt and sadness, and Kito could feel it resonate through their bond — the ripple of emotions brushing against her chest like an echo of Valaine's heart.

"I wasn't afraid," she said softly.

Reaching out, Kito brushed a strand of dark hair from the woman's face, her fingers lingering for a moment. The gesture held all the tenderness she could never put into words.

"I was more worried about you than anything. I've never seen you like that before," she continued quietly, "but whatever drove you to it… It must have been horrible." Her eyes dropped to the water for a moment as she gathered her thoughts.

She wanted to comfort her, to ease the weight of what had happened, but she knew that some things left scars that couldn't be washed away.

"I could never be afraid of you, Valaine," Kito whispered, lifting her eyes again. "Even at your lowest, when you feel the worst — I'll still be here. I love you. Nothing, not even tonight, could ever change that."

Even if Valaine had killed Ayra, Kito wouldn't have turned away. The Shaper knew it, deep down. Her heart had long stopped belonging to her when it came to this woman.

"I'm just glad you're feeling better," she added after a moment, her tone softening.

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Kito

The Sangnir watched as Kito began to undress herself, her tired eyes watching casually, idly, it was after all just like with herself; nothing she hadn't seen before. When the Shaper stepped into the water she could already feel the warmth she was channeling through it, it only prompted the pale woman to drift closer to her to share in that heat. She smiled lightly in response to hearing that she hadn't frightened her beloved friend with her more feral blood-starved state as dark strands of black hair were brushed away from a pale visage.

"I was more worried about you than anything. I've never seen you like that before," she continued quietly, "but whatever drove you to it… It must have been horrible."

"It's this little curse of mine~." began the young Sangnir as she moved right in front of the Shaper, close enough to keep her voice low but not so close that they were pressed together, but just hovering an inch or so away. "When I don't feed on blood enough my body is wracked in agony, and if I starve too much then things become a haze, something else takes over. It's... Like my body understands it's about to die so it sort of goes into..." she pauses in thought as if trying to find the right way to describe it. "Something like auto-pilot, I guess. I'm aware of everything that happened after the fact, though. In this case..." she turned to look back in the direction of the crashed vessel. "It wasn't so much that I was starved, but I spent too much blood trying to heal myself, it... emptied out the 'reserves' I guess, if that makes sense. Starved me through that alone. Next thing I know I've got some girl pinned to the floor and I'm killing her."

The way Valaine spoke about this state; there was a clear underlying tone to her words that'd tell the Shaper she didn't like it at all, but it was something she had learnt to accept as part of what she was now. Stormy grey eyes shifted back towards Kito with a light smirk, "It's why I do my best to keep myself sated. That pain is really awful..."

Kito's words of comfort did well to bring her peace however, and she couldn't hold back her warm smile in response to it. "You're too sweet, Kito. You know that? To think that if the light of your flames hadn't hit me just right you wouldn't have hesitated to kill me when we first met... Somewhat thankful for my fear in that regard. We might not be talking like we are right now otherwise." she spoke as she recalled their first meeting, how the Shaper had terrified her with her fire, and the ensuing coined 'spicy tumbling' that came after.

"It goes both ways, of course... Not that I think you ever would, but if you did something like what I've done tonight I don't think it'd really change much at all..."

 

[Kito]

//: Valaine Valentine //:

Kito's eyes followed Valaine as she moved closer; it wasn't the closest they've been before, but this was the new normal. She had accepted it, not knowing anything different. Valaine was still here and had kept her promise not to disappear. Kito did her best to quiet the urge to pull Valaine that inch or so closer, to embrace her in an attempt to comfort. Her words pulled on the young Shaper's heart, to know that someone she cared for deeply had this weight on her shoulders.

"I wish I had been here sooner…" Kito was quiet; she had felt something off before they even got the recovery call. The day had been a mess for her, and the sinking feeling was something she couldn't shake. It didn't occur to her that this might be the reason. If only she had recognized it sooner…

The Shaper wouldn't voice it, but there was a part of her that was thankful Valaine's body knew how to survive. If anything terrible happened, she would come out of it alive. But knowing this was the price for that, Kito wondered if there was any way to prevent her from feeling the agony that came with survival.

Out of habit, her hand searched for the Sangnir's. Under the warmth of the water, Kito would intertwine fingers with Valaine's in an offer of comfort and understanding.

"Me being there for you includes that as well," Kito nodded, her eyes wandering to the water and then back to those stormy eyes she could get lost in.

"In every and all aspects, I'm here for you."

A sheepish little smile spread on Kito's face as she was almost embarrassed by their initial meeting. She had seen Valaine as a target, one to get information from and to further her penance. Instead, she found something a bit more.

She closed her eyes, almost to remember that moment. It was one that often played in the Shaper's mind. The way the flames danced across her skin was something so beautiful that it made her hesitate. That hesitation allowed the rest of this to happen. Kito was thankful for the Sangnir's fear as well.

And that moment, the Shaper's heart melted.

"I'm thankful to, honestly, not just because we have what we have… without you, I'd probably be dead." Kito's eyes opened as she smiled softly. If things had played out like they would have, she would have died in that dungeon, and no one would have known.

"I'll always be grateful for you, while our paths have not been kind to either of us…" Kito pulled Valaine's hand from the water and kissed her knuckles gently. It was enough to express things she couldn't say and quell the urge to pull the woman into her. "We found each other."

A soft laugh escaped the Shaper's lips as she sighed softly. "You're special to me, I'd rather burn the galaxy than ever see you hurt," Kito whispered, kissing the woman's hand once more.

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Kito

A soft smile was returned to Kito as the Sangnir shook her head, "You came exactly when you needed to." she answered as she felt the Shaper's hand searching for hers beneath the water. She accepted it into her own, fingers intertwining while palms pressed together. The pale woman sank herself a little into the water once more, letting the gentle warm waves lap against her chin as ashen eyes shifted up to meet the warm embers that stared back. The Shaper's words had her think back to that dungeon once more, to see Kito chained and muzzled like a beast, deprived of aid and warmth, bleeding out on the floor in front of a tyrant as cold and shadow closed in around her.

The thought alone boiled her blood once again and she found her brows furrowing in anger. There were so many things she would have done different in that moment had she the chance, but hindsight was 20/20 as they say... What had happened could not be undone, but at the very least it could have been so much more worse. Valaine took solace in that she was able to get Kito out of there at all. But now here she was, more or less returning the favor...

Her mind drifted elsewhere, towards chance and fate, perhaps even destiny, and that frustrated look soon faded from the pale Sangnir's visage as she lifted just a little more from the water and offered a warm smile towards the Shaper. "Seems we work out pretty well for one another, huh? Getting each other out of troublesome spots... I hope that it stays like that, it's nice knowing that at any moment at my lowest of lows you might come along and pull me out of it again..." she spoke as she lifted her other hand from the water to gently place it upon Kito's cheek, smoothing her thumb over soft skin as the water trailed from that digit and down the Shaper's face.

"Where would I be without you, huh Firefly?" she paused and glanced around as she let out a huff of amusement, "Probably in a much colder lake I guess..." she joked before stormy greys returned to smoldering ochres. "You're special to me too. Not sure how much more often I'll need to tell you that, though..." she smirked lightly.

​

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[Kito]

//: Valaine Valentine //:

Kito could see the change in the woman's expression. She felt bad for bringing up that moment, knowing that — like her- Valaine was frustrated with the situation. Still, Valaine had shown up right when Kito needed her and helped her survive the ordeal. Thinking back, she was happy that they were no longer meeting on Malachor; the desire to burn the spire often churned the Shaper's stomach.

Her pursuit, though, was over; there was no reason to chase a tyrant with no name.

The warmth of Valaine's hand brushed against her cheek, the water rolling off her heated skin. Without realizing it, as she blushed, the water around them grew warmer. Her body temperature rose for just a moment as Kito let her face melt gently into the Sangnir's touch. The Shaper took advantage of the moment, allowing herself to fully enjoy the brief moment. With how the evening went previously and memories of that evening… Kito just wanted things to feel familiar again.

Kito snorted with a smile as Valaine mentioned the colder lake. She wasn't wrong; Kito rarely took cold showers or baths while she was camping. Something that the Sangnir would have already known about the Shaper. Kito rested her hand on the one against her face as she brought it to her lips. Giving it a quick nibble and a kiss, she let the woman go and grinned crookedly.

"Well, I have a terrible memory — so you'll have to remind me quite often." Kito shrugged, "I do hit my head on things a little too often."

Another laugh, and she looked at Sangnir's hand. "We should probably get out to eat and rest." She yawned slightly and dunked her head entirely under the water, washing away whatever was left lingering on her. Coming back up, she wiped her face free of the water.

Her hand splashed a small bit of the water towards Valaine. She paused for a moment, once again catching the way the nearly full moon cast its light against her. If the Shaper could, she'd never let this moment end.

Kito forced herself to look away for a moment, then back towards Valaine as she sank into the water for a bit to take in the last moments of the lake's warmth.

"The one thing you'll never need to remind me of is how beautiful you are in the moonlight." She paused and thought quietly to herself.

"Well, in any light really."

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Kito

The young Sangnir gave a nod in agreement, "Mhm, spend any longer in the water and I'll turn into a prune..." she sighed gently. She enjoyed the warmth of the lake, more so when Kito was embarrassed and she felt the temperature rise even further, but she had taken the time now to wash the blood from her form, to let the adrenaline leave her veins and her muscles loosen. She winced lightly as the water was splashed towards her and she huffed in amusement, "I'm already clean, dummy..." she commented with a soft smirk.

As Kito spoke of Valaine's beauty she felt her pale cheeks tint with color lightly as she couldn't help but smile at the compliment. "Moonlight, firelight... Even darkness would be considered its own light for you I'm certain." she chuckled gently. "But thank you Kito. I'm not usually very... good with compliments I guess, but you must know that I think the same. I'd like to say it's rare that I can go from fear by flame to adoration so quickly, after all." she replied as she recalled again their first meeting.

Finally the Sangnir turned to depart the water, stepping out of the warm lake and back onto dry land as she took her time in drying herself off and dressing once more. She didn't seem to mind doing so in front of Kito as she glanced over her shoulder towards her. "Won't your friends come looking for you if you're gone too long?" she asked curiously, she after all knew that the Shaper hadn't come to this rescue alone, and that other Jedi were in the direction they had come from.

"If you need to go back... I don't mind resting all by my lonesome." she added with a light raise of her brow towards the Shaper. She already knew the answer she'd be given in response but she felt it right to ask anyway as she donned the Shaper's tunic.

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[Kito]

//: Valaine Valentine //:

There was a sheepish little grin that Kito hid under the water as Valaine returned the compliment. It seemed they were both terrible at taking them, but the Shaper enjoyed hearing them from her. She watched quietly as her companion climbed out of the lake and began to dry and dress herself. Despite having seen all that she was before, Kito admired her as if it were the first time all over again.

No one could ever compare, even if they tried.

Kito finally regained her composure and pulled herself from the lake as well. No longer was she shy about anything and followed suit. Drying off from the lake and giving her head and hair a little shake before she twisted them back up into a bun.

The question that lingered between them made Kito stop, the tunic hanging off her shoulders as she was reminded of the other Jedi. As much as she was a part of them, the Shaper often marched to the beat of her own drum. After a bit of thought, she shook her head.

"They won't, I'm often left on my own. I'm essentially a forward scout — so I tend to not join the team for things." Kito shrugged as she acknowledged her role.

"I've been listed with the Shadows — so stealth and the like. We usually are single agents." Kito began dressing again, pulling the tunic around her and tying it off with the belt.

"So after I said I was going to spend some time looking around, they went to take care of the girl." Pausing, Kito knew that Valaine still felt bad about the situation. "She'll be fine." Another attempt at reassurance, this time followed by a hand folding into hers with a squeeze.

"Anyways, I wouldn't leave you alone — you know that, Pe'a iti. " Kito chuckled as they finished dressing and headed back into camp. The evening was quiet; whatever had occurred was gone, and Kito found herself enjoying this chance encounter. It seemed to be the case between them.

As they drew closer, Kito gave Valaine's hand another squeeze.

"If they did come back, I'd send them off…" She turned her head away slightly as she mumbled, "I am looking forward to spending the evening with you, even if it's just tonight..."

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Kito

Valaine glanced back towards Kito just as she was about finished dressing and explained that no other would be stumbling upon them for the rest of the night. She smirked softly and nodded in agreement, "Bit of a lone wolf mm? Should've guessed really..." she replied as the Shaper approached, once more taking her hand in her own. The Sangnir gave it a squeeze in return as she nodded gently at her. She took the moment to admire the Shaper's inherent beauty as her stormy gaze glanced over her form in the light of the moon and smirked, she couldn't deny the woman's allure and frankly she found it absurd that none seemed to have caught it before. She hoped that if someone did they'd treat her with the same adoration she did; a bittersweet thought.

"Aha?" came a light tone of surprise as the Shaper spoke a name at her, "Cute nickname, what does it mean, Firefly?" she asked as she returned the name she often referred to Kito with in response. "But yeah, I know you wouldn't. I'm thankful for it, being alone after tonight would've sucked." she paused at her choice of words with a light realization of the unintended pun before she tilted her head smugly with a chuckle to her tone, "More than it already has, you know?" she huffed in amusement at her own joke.

The second squeeze of her hand had her return it in kind once more, a constant reminder that Kito herself also wasn't alone. "It's only been a little while since we last saw each other, you have my information right? But I know what you mean, nice to speak face to face and be in each other's company now and then. I'm sure you know I prefer it too. Kinda bothers me to know you're by yourself all the time." she spoke as she then turned, keeping Kito's hand in her own as she started heading back towards the temporary camp that had been set up.

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[Kito]

//: Valaine Valentine //:

Kito chuckled at both the lone wolf comment and the unintentional pun. It was still odd to hear herself laugh or to feel herself smile. Parts of her had wondered if she had forgotten how to do it, but somehow she remembered. Thoughts muddled for a moment as she mused over everything. Looking to Valaine as they arrived at the makeshift camp. It wasn't her best work, but for the evening it would do.

"Oh, sometimes I forget." Kito smiled as she released Valaine's hand reluctantly and reignited the fire, warming the food back up for them. She rotated the skewers enough to warm, but not to overcook.

"It means little bat, or little fox. On Kro Var, there's a very adorable critter that flies." Kito chuckled, "It sounds funny in basic, but trust me, it's a term of endearment."

The rest of the camp was easily laid out; trees had been bent and tied for a shelter, and whatever Kito had — clothing and survival gear — lay out inside to provide some comfort in the middle of the forest.

Kito handed one of the skewers to Valaine and didn't take another for herself; she wasn't that hungry, wanting to make sure that the Sangnir got her fill and energy back from the evening. A few logs had been moved, providing some seats near the fire. Even that had a protective barrier with a screen so it wouldn't get wild and threaten the pair.

"I do, and don't worry about me," she nudged her body slightly against the other girl as she tried to be playful. "I honestly prefer it sometimes, it's something I'm used to." Kito smiled as she looked at the fire, watching the flames flicker and provide warmth in the cool evening.

"I've kind of always been like this; people can be overwhelming." Her attention returned to Valaine.

"You're the first person that I don't feel that way about. I feel like I can always be around you, and even if we're not talking, I feel at ease."

Kito smiled, taking the opportunity in the calm of the night and the winding down of the events. She leaned and pressed her lips gently against the pale cheek of the Sangnir.

"It's a reason why I love you."