Private A Whisper in the Waves

[Ayra Lowe]

// Padawan Lowe //
// Objective // Find the Song //
// Focus // Reina Daival //

---

---

The Academy on Eshan hadn't been Ayra's home for long, staying during the rallying against the Galactic Empire and their new super weapon. Nerves still ran along the body of the young Echani, still unable to muster the courage to ride out diligently along with the rest of the Jedi. Even among them, and after Master Everest Vale's training, she felt fraudulent amongst such strong warriors.

Doubt never left her mind as the date to mobilise crawled nearer and nearer, like a hand grasping for her throat. The girl would wake in a cold sweat in the middle of the night, lightsaber clenched tightly in her palm. Her breaths fell heavy and panicked as the others sharing her room slept calmly, confidence and solidarity helping strengthen their rest.

Ayra felt alone, fighting with a cowardice that she knew the others didn't hold.

She silently dragged her robe over her figure and exit the domicile, careful not to wake any of the other padawans from their slumber. Just because she couldn't find any peace in sleep didn't mean that they shouldn't. The melancholic figure wandered the halls quietly, her arms clenching herself for comfort as she tried to understand quite why she was feeling this way. She knew she wasn't the most powerful Jedi, of course, Kito had already had to save her life on two occasions.

If the girl was here now then perhaps the Echani wouldn't be as afraid. Part of her was annoyed that her thoughts turned to the K'paur, but mostly she just craved any semblance of comfort. The ability to summon some small courage in order to fight a war that needed to be fought. Perhaps Master Everest Vale was right, maybe she should stick to the backlines of the war to not endanger any of the others.

As she wandered the lowly halls something strange caught Ayra in her steps, a sweetness that lightly caressed her ears. Melancholy exit its stage to allow for curiosity to take the spotlight, a song hanging low on the floor of the temple as the Echani sought its source. The halls were unlit as Ayra moved forward, following the shanty to where it came from, turning corners as she eagerly sought its source.

There it was.

A girl, sat upon the edge of the waterfall that crest the temple. It was a secluded area, safe from the hustle and bustle of masters and knights preparing for war. A calm garden terrace that shied away from the rest of the world. Perhaps that is why the girl had come here, and perhaps that was why Ayra was guided to it. She looked over the girl, silently listening to the song she hummed. The tune took grip of her heart, unsure how it hung so delicately in the girl's grasp. She radiated as she sung, orange hair illuminated by the water in front of her.

She seemed almost an angel sent to lift Ayra away from this, perhaps that was why the Echani was so hesitant to speak.

"Ummm..." The voice came quiet, not breaking the trance of the song. "Hi there, I didn't think anyone else would be awake."

 

[Reina Daival]

Tag: Ayra Lowe

Her gaze was firmly fixed upon her own reflection in the water ahead of herself, listening to the roars of the waterfall that helped to somewhat try and ease her heart. It was like a living replication of her Reina's emotions, rushing and roaring through her mind before settling into a calm ripples. There was far too much on her mind, and very few for her to talk to. Most of those she trusted were busy. With matters far more important than Reina which she had accepted. And so she did what she did best in these cases. When she couldn't get out her frustrations through her fists, she released them through song.

"Oh, the River knows my name tonight. She calls me soft, she calls me low. She takes the rage I cannot fight and drowns it deep down below."

Even before becoming an Ersansyr, Reina was a competent singer. Now? It had far more of a mystical feel to it. Her voice carrying on the wind like a gentle embrace. Carrying her emotions with the breeze, under the assumption there was none to hear her. Loneliness was the only time Reina was truly herself it appeared. With most, she came off as angry, aggressive, a problem waiting to happen. With others, she put on a brave face, acted as if she knew best. But at the root of it all, Reina was terrified. Alone. And only the water could keep her company.

"They say the strong don't ever break, but strength is just a brittle lie. I've seen it crack, I've heard it crack. Look at me and you'll see why..."

Strength. She had been told that she was strong, and that she targeted the weak. That she hurt them. But that was far the opposite for Reina. She was not someone strong preying on the weak. She was someone weak pretending to be strong. Hiding her weaknesses and fears through anger and frustrations as opposed to letting herself be seen.

"I'll sing until the night forgives, for all the pain means the same. This is the song that lives, by the river that knows my name."

At that, Reina let the singing trail off for a moment, returning to a small little hum as she rested her tail amidst the water. The chill biting at her skin yet she did not flinch as her gaze turned off to the Moons above. How she wished she could be as bright as them. Yet her thoughts were brought to a halting stop at the sound of a voice, causing Reina to spin her head round behind herself, her hair flicking around at the same time.

"Oh. I was...of the same thought...Are you okay?"

For a moment, Reina's speech still carried the same melodic tones of her song, whistling through the wind but as she carried on, it slowly came to the "tone" that Reina preferred. It was still ever so slightly song-like, but there was more of a conscious effort to restrain the "siren's song".

"You can sit if you want. I don't bite."

Well. She did. But only when she was fighting people. Either way, Reina swung her tail out of the water to face the Echani,, her tail slowly shifting and morphing in front of the stranger, turning into a pair of...well, human legs. The process causing Reina to break out into a grin. She was getting better at this whole shapeshifting thing she could do now.

Spoiler: OOC Notes

: Means written/typed communication : < Means Sign Language communication >

 

[Ayra Lowe]

// Padawan Lowe //
// Objective // Find the Song //
// Focus // Reina Daival //

---

---

Pale blue eyes watched silently as the girl in front of Ayra appeared to radiate, the song coming from her enchanting the girl unexpectedly. She clenched the sleeves of her hoodie as she listened, the song cascading to a finale as she broke the girl's concentration. A part of her lamented that it had ended, yet the wonder remained on her face.

"I didn't expect anyone to be singing here... You have a really beautiful voice." The words felt ashamed as they fled from her lips, not quite sure how the girl would take them.

The wonder on her face stayed stained upon her lips as the girl revealed the tail of a mermaid, delicate scales shimmering and decorating the length of the girl. Ayra had heard tales of women like this in stories, but to see one in front of her was so much different. The transfixion didn't lapse as the beautiful tail of the girl morphed into an equally beautiful pair of legs. Her gaze lingered upon the limbs longer than it should have, enchanted by the transformation she just witnessed.

"Oh... No I'm alright."

A blush crossed her cheeks as her eyes darted away, a bit of embarrassment as Ayra caught herself staring.

"And thanks for promising not to bite, that's been more of an issue than I ever really thought it would be."

Her mind turned back to that dark night in the forest, the wound upon her neck still aching as a hand unintentionally raised itself to caress the injury. Fortunately, Ayra suspected that vampires and mermaids were very different creatures, and that one would hardly be in the ranks of the Jedi. The Echani meekly moved towards the girl, finding courage to look her in the eyes once again.

"I just can't sleep, how about you?" A soft smile parted her lips as she spoke, hoping a kindred spirit had been found. "Stuck awake like I am?"

 

[Reina Daival]

Tag: Ayra Lowe

For a moment, a flicker of...discomfort came over Reina's face at being told she had a beautiful voice. It vanished as quickly as it came but Reina's eyes settled on the Echani in front of her, as Reina spoke once more.

"I...Thank you. Are you...feeling alright? You aren't...dazed or anything, right?"

It was something she wanted to reassure for herself. The Echani didn't seem to be reacting to how Valaine did when Reina had used her voice (by accident) to enchant the Sangnir. It was also around this time that Reina noticed the staring. The gaze lingering that caused a sudden warmth to come to Reina's cheeks. She still wasn't used to people looking at her like she was some kind of beauty. In a way she was, but she didn't want to let the ego go to her head. Either way, she decided to try and hide her embarrassment with a joke.

"Trust me. I get how much of an issue getting bitten can be. It's a bit of a pain in the neck."

She kept a smile on her face...Up until she saw the Echani's hand go towards her neck. Reina's glowing gaze squinting for a moment as she pushed herself up to her feet and made her way closer towards the Echani, slowly of course. It seems like the comment was more literal than Reina had been expecting. There was a part of her, a despairing part that thought it was an injury inflicted by Valaine. She felt horrible for assuming it, but she didn't know how badly Serina had...infected Valaine's morals.

"I haven't been able to have a restful night of sleep...for a while. Maybe if I tried sleeping in the water I'd feel better but..."

Reina shrugged her shoulders. It could be comforting but at the same time, it wasn't exactly safe like it was to sleep in your own bed. Either way, the Ersansyr held her hand out, keeping a small smile on her face, even as there were still a few specks of scales on her skin, shimmering in the moonlight.

"I'm Reina. It's nice to meet you. I don't think I've seen you around."

Spoiler: OOC Notes

: Means written/typed communication : < Means Sign Language communication >

 

[Ayra Lowe]

// Padawan Lowe //
// Objective // Find the Song //
// Focus // Reina Daival //

---

---

The concern out of the girl was welcome, a bit too much Ayra thought to herself. It was a bit worrying how much comfort the Echani felt when others showed concern for her wellbeing, worrying that it could be construed as weakness. Still, it was nice of the mermaid to ask if she was alright, though she tried to hide the fact she wasn't with a soft smile. Her lips slowly shifted, but the melancholy behind the movement was clear.

"I think so, your song is still stuck in my head though." The tune lulled itself in the depths of Ayra's mind, the fogginess passed as a symptom of her restlessness. "It's nothing you wouldn't expect after a few days being unable to sleep, at least." But the look in her eyes could tell Reina that her enchantment had an affect on the girl, though it's efficacy muffled by the thick walls of the temple.

The Echani let out a weak chuckle as Reina made her joke, more of a pitying laugh than anything but in her tiredness Ayra had managed to find the amusement. But it was clear that she had made the red head uncomfortable by revealing her wound, and eagerly sought to change the subject. A part of her mind wondered why she was such an expert at making other girl's uncomfortable, but quickly passed it in her head.

"Sleeping in the water?" It sounded deeply awful to the girl, as much as she enjoyed a good bath, falling asleep in it was a terrible thought. "I mean there was one time I passed out in the shower after a night out when I-" The words suddenly cut themselves as Ayra realised the story she was about to say, cutting it off before revealing.

"But yeah, I've been finding it hard to sleep." Pale eyes hit the floor as she spoke, meekly hoping to avoid explaining the reason why. "My name is Ayra Lowe, padawan of the New Jedi Order. Decentralisation has been a difficult transition for our order, so we've been spread across our territory. Not too many of us these days, so we're looking to support everyone else in the wars to come."

A boot rubbed the back of Ayra's calf as she spoke, clearly speaking about stuff she didn't fully understand. The girl hadn't thought she would be sent to war so early, but perhaps that was the path that all Jedi ended up upon.

"It's nice to meet you, though. Perhaps if I had earlier you could have sung me to sleep."

 

[Reina Daival]

Tag: Ayra Lowe

Still stuck in her mind. That was the last thing Reina had wanted to hear. At least they seemed conscious enough. At the same time, Reina was able to completely look through the fake smile that attempted to hide how Ayra felt. It was a familiar smile, one that Reina had tried to do plenty of times herself. A small frown coming over Reina's own face before she shook her head. It wasn't entirely that she was uncomfortable about it. It was just...strange for her to see someone who acted somewhat similar to her when it came to hiding how they truly felt.

"Well, it makes sense for me to sleep in the water. Ersansyr are both land and water based."

At that, Reina jabbed her finger at the direction of her neck, showing off some of the faint gills that were there. Yet Reina's eyebrow raised at Ayra's story that the Echani had left Reina hanging on.

"...Come on. You can't tell a story and leave a girl hanging. I have a fair few stories of my own I can tell...Though most are violent as opposed to interesting."

With that however, Reina listened to Ayra introduce herself. The frown on Reina's face growing more and more evident as the Echani spoke. More concerned than uncomfortable still. It was strange to hear someone else who was struggling amongst the Order. Though it was technically a difference reason to Reina's.

"I'm a Padawan as well. Was part of the New Jedi Order but...I kinda bailed after the Coruscant fiasco. One of my masters went missing and the other wasn't...She doesn't think highly of me. I don't have a Master anymore. Don't think I fit in with the Jedi much. I'm a fighter...A monster."

The Ersansyr rubbed her arm carefully, rubbing her thumb over one of her scales. She was still getting used to all of this. Being something other than a human. Instead she was some kind of "monster" in her eyes. She wasn't a natural Ersanyr. No. No. She had been artificially made, but of course she wasn't going to traumadump all of that on Ayra.

"It's nice to meet you as well Ayra. Though...I have a feeling if I sang, you'd be doing your best to stay up to listen to me."

Spoiler: OOC Notes

: Means written/typed communication : < Means Sign Language communication >

 

[Ayra Lowe]

// Padawan Lowe //
// Objective // Find the Song //
// Focus // Reina Daival //

---

---

A blush took the cheeks of the Echani as Reina asked her to finish the story, hoping that it would just be allowed to pass. Her foot dug into the ground as she struggled to decide if she would share the embarrassment.

"Well it's not exactly violent, moreso embarrassing." She spoke weakly as she assented to telling the story. "I'm sure you've heard it before, a couple padawans manage to find a master's liquor cabinet. Just because we're Jedi doesn't mean we don't like a good drink of course." Ayra strained to look Reina in the eyes as she spoke, hoping the girl wouldn't think less of her. "To make a long story short, I had one too many Coruscanti drinks and passed out quickly... In the shower."

She waited the reaction, either a laugh or a look of disappointment on the girl's face.

"With my clothes on, though I'm not honestly sure if that makes it better or worse."

She quietly took a seat on the ledge beside the mermaid, listening as she spoke. Ayra hadn't been there for the whatever happened on Coruscant, but she could assume it tied closely with the New Jedi Order's decision to decentralise. It had hurt the padawans above all else, both girls sat here without anyone to train them.

"I also don't have a master, but the others her have been nice in helping me learn. The skills help, but I still don't feel like enough. You know what I mean?" She continued to listen as the girl spoke, face shifting to pity as she heard a tale similar to her own. Ayra had never been something that she could consider a monster.

Worse, she was a coward.

"You're not a monster, Reina." The sweet words came low, but sure. It was true that the pair had just met, but the Echani felt confidence in her words. "Something as beautiful as you could never be. If I had the ability to sing like you, or to wade in the water as if it were my home, I may never shut up or come home."

The words were wistful, though ignorant of Reina's situation. As much as she hoped to encourage the girl, she may have done more bag than good.

"Maybe, but I don't see a way I could complain if you lulled me to sleep with that voice of yours. Not that I would ever try to waste a private concert."

A chuckle escaped her lips as she spoke, finding levity in their situation. Two padawans, stuck awake in the middle of the night and pitying themselves. What an inspiring pair they make, Ayra thought to herself, a soft smile sticking to her lips.

 

[Reina Daival]

Tag: Ayra Lowe

"Oh trust me. I know that very well. I used to drink like a sailor. Which...makes sense. I used to be a sailor before I joined the Jedi. Joined up to learn how to use the Spirit of the Ocean...or well, Force. Stayed to help people. Don't feel like I've been doing a lot of helping though..."

Her gaze fell for a moment at that, before swiftly looking back up at Ayra, where instead of a laugh or a look of disappointment, Reina instead gave a smile of reassurance. She wasn't going to judge someone for getting drunk. By the Spirit, there were plenty of times she wished she could drink as much as she used to.

"I'd say for most people, getting your clothes wet probably sucks. Unless like, you're trying to show yourself off which you obviously weren't."

She nodded away as Ayra spoke. The sense of feeling like you weren't good enough was one that Reina was quite familiar with. Yet in a way it was different to the experience Ayra was going through as Reina's eyes drifted off to look towards the moons.

"I get what you mean perfectly. I feel like...I'm not good enough to be a Jedi. I get too angry. Too frustrated. My master thought I'd become a killer who used anything she could to justify herself. She doesn't understand. Sometimes feels like no-one does."

Reina's gaze was firmly fixed on the moon as Ayra continued on talking. A small frown flickering across her face as Ayra said she wasn't a monster. Talking about how she was beautiful. The way she could sing. How Reina could wade through the waves like it was her home. In the past, she'd have snapped. Let her anger get the better of her. But Ayra didn't know better...

"...I wasn't always like this. It was forced on me Ayra. I was...a regular human, not too long ago. A Sith captured me. Experimented on me. She wanted to make me into what she thought was the "Best" version of me. Which is...this. You've only seen me when I'm focused on being human-like. The teeth I can get. The claws. I can look beautiful...but I can also be a monster. My voice? It's meant to seduce people. Enthral them. It's...why I don't sing around people. Sorry...if that was too much for you."

It wouldn't have came as a surprise to her if Ayra moved away. It was more than likely a shock to have all of that just dropped on you out of nowhere. But in a way, it was Reina showing trust in Ayra.

Spoiler: OOC Notes

: Means written/typed communication : < Means Sign Language communication >

 

[Ayra Lowe]

// Padawan Lowe //
// Objective // Find the Song //
// Focus // Reina Daival //

---

---

It was nice being honest with some, Ayra had never thought she'd tell that story to anyone. It was a chapter better left in the past along with the rest of the stupidity of youth, but maybe there was a bond to be shared there. If Reina wouldn't laugh at her, then Ayra thought it alright to give herself a small giggle.

"You're not trying to get me into a pool right to show off for you, are you?" A shoulder lightly pushed against Reina as she teased the girl.

But as Reina spoke of her trauma, the smile faded. Her pale eyes looked on as the girl spoke, attempting to understand and empathise with her so shame didn't catch with the words. The Echani felt stupid for fighting with being a coward, though she knew Reina would tell her that it's just as valid as her own shame.

But it wasn't.

The mermaid didn't choose to become what she was, and there was no way to change back. To revert what had been unjustly forced upon her. The padawan bit her lip as she realised what she said earlier, probably only jabbing at scars that threatened to open up if they were poked too hard.

"Anger." Her eyes fell downwards as she spoke, trying her best to empathise without denying Reina's chance to open up. "I only recently felt what true anger was. It scares me, but unlike the masters and other Jedi, I won't blame you for feeling that way. As much as they teach us to move past it, when we're victimised..." The words choked, remembering the vampire's teeth clenching around her throat. "When we're attacked and told only to fight back with passivity and goodness, it only further serves that anger."

A hand fell upon the redhead's, clenching it tightly as she looked into her eyes.

"This isn't the Jedi way, and perhaps it's shouldn't be uttered into words, but your anger is justified. There is a righteousness that must be used when fighting against those that seek to twist the world in their hands." A fire illuminated her pale eyes. Even if what she was saying was against the Jedi code, it was clear that the belief was held deep within her. "As long as that righteousness is aimed in the right direction, then I'll happily dispense that justice."

Ayra allowed the words to pour from her lips, hoping that they remained in the silent seclusion of the pair. She would be in trouble if some of the masters heard her, but what she said right now was what she believed Reina needed to hear.

"And if enthralling me is what needs to happen to hear that beautiful voice of yours, then seduce away."

Her head fell against the shoulder of the fellow padawan, her eyes closing restfully as she hoped the teasing wasn't enough for the girl.

 

[Reina Daival]

Tag: Ayra Lowe

"If I was trying to get you in the pool, I'd have done it by now."

And with that, Reina raised an eyebrow. Listening to Ayra talk about anger. She could already say that it was a relief to not have someone instantly smacking her down with her frustrations. That was what she had needed this entire time. Someone to listen. Not to tell her that it was wrong. Sure, she didn't need to be told it was right either...but the words from the Echani helped. They helped Reina a lot. To feel seen and heard.

"Anger and frustration is all I knew when I was young. Abandoned on the ocean by my parents...I found out it had been an accident later on but at the same time...I felt unwanted. Raised by a bunch of fishermen. Never felt like I belonged. I closed my heart off to people."

Her eyes darted off to look at the hand resting atop of hers. A small flinch in response to it. Physical touch was still something she struggled with in a casual setting. But she was getting there as she ended up relaxing.

"I'm already a pretty karking bad Jedi. I've killed. With ease. A bunch of slavers to save kids. I ended up...losing my leg because of it. It came back when I was changed...but it was still a lesson I tried to learn from. But I don't kill because...I think I'm right. I rarely am right. It's just...I don't know how to word it. I'm not a healer. I'm not a teacher. I can't make things. The only thing I can contribute to the Galaxy is that I can fight. That's all I can do to protect people..."

Of course, there were flaws in Reina's own logic. She could teach. Just not in the way she thought was suitable. She could teach people how to fish. How to sail. She couldn't make things, but she could fish. She could contribute to getting food for people. But in her eyes, that wasn't big. She couldn't do anything worthwhile...

Then came the comment from Ayra. She could seduce away with her voice if she wanted. For once, she was grateful to be out late at night. It hopefully made it harder to see the bright blush creeping onto her cheeks as Ayra leaned against the redhead's shoulder...and Reina lifted her arm up to wrap it around Ayra in a side-embrace.

"I-I...don't do...seducing. But...thanks. I think?"

Spoiler: OOC Notes

: Means written/typed communication : < Means Sign Language communication >

 

[Ayra Lowe]

// Padawan Lowe //
// Objective // Find the Song //
// Focus // Reina Daival //

---

---

The Echani listened without judgement as the redhead spoke of her struggles, not ignoring the irony of their struggles. From what Ayra could tell Reina made quite the warrior, there were no shortage of Jedi that would be willing to have her under their wing. The padawan hid her own feelings of battle, an attempt to cheer herself up by helping a new friend instead.

"I've never had much of a family myself." She confessed lightly, attempting to not make a big deal of it. "I've had my brother and sister, of course, but my mother left when we were children and my other mom..." The words trailed off once again, attempting to hide the bittersweet connection of her name.

"I understand where that anger can come from, at least. But if that is what allowed you to save those children from slavers, then is it so wrong to feel those emotions." There was no judgement in her voice, no attempt to steer Reina's heart to a path it didn't belong on. "If that ability to fight is what keeps the innocent safe and sound in the galaxy, then why deny it? Just remember when you feel that anger to remember where it's directed and what you're fighting for. Slavers don't deserve that weight you bear."

A yawn escaped her lips as she leaned more heavily upon her companion, allowing the hand to wrap around her. It was a nice hug, one she'd sorely needed for quite some time.

"For what it's worth, I don't think that song of yours would be needed." An attempt to lighten the mood escaped from her lips, unsure if it was welcome or not. "One look at you would be enough for any man or woman to fall head over heels."

The moment sat quietly between them, though an unease boiled in the stomach of the Echani. That she had listened so patiently without sharing her own struggles to Reina.

"My issue is the opposite of yours, funnily enough." A small chuckle came, though it lacked the warmth of her earlier laughter. "I'm actually quite the coward you see. I'm not seeking to fight for any inner fire or a righteous cause, Master Everest Vale suggested I be best behind the front lines. She's probably right..."

Another silence, the self worth of the pale eyed girl apparent in the moment.

"But I know that as soon as I retreat from the fight is when that cowardice becomes real, and I'll spend the rest of my life fleeing." Her hand tightened around Reina, whether it was to comfort the mermaid or the Echani was unsure. "But these are battles that need to be fought Reina, and I can't stand back and let girls like you fight them for me. I just don't know how."

None of the Jedi judged the Echani for her weakness, not vocally at any rate. But the harshest critic came from inside, telling Ayra that she hadn't belonged amongst the warriors of the galaxy. She may truly have better served the Jedi by staying back, but some small part of the Echani refused to defeat herself. In silence, she awaited Reina's words, a look hoping that she might affirm her feelings. Or judge her for her cowardice.

Anything to acknowledge how she felt.

 

[Reina Daival]

Tag: Ayra Lowe

"Heh. At least you had your siblings. I had no-one. I didn't care at the time...I saw them all as my family. The Captain was my dad. The medic was my uncle. Stuff like that..."

Perhaps fortunately for Ayra, Reina didn't connect the Echani's name to anyone. Reina for better or for worse wasn't familiar with politics or "big" names in the Galaxy. She didn't even know the name of whoever was in charge of most of the various great factions across the Galaxy. They didn't involve her, so why would she be invested in them?

"Y'know...you're saying everything I've needed to hear Ayra. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing. I know frustration and anger isn't good. That it can lash out and hurt people you don't want to...but I want to learn how to direct my anger better. My old master said I needed to stop holding onto it...but it's why I'm alive. Why I haven't given up. Spite. Frustration. Anger. It's what keeps me going in a fight. It's not me versus them. It's me not wanting to give them satisfaction."

The yawn brought a smile to Reina's face. The fact Ayra seemed to be getting more and more sleepy was good in the Ersanyr. Though once again, a blush came to her face at the attempt to light the mood. Yet then Ayra started to speak of her own issues. The warmth that Reina had got used to in the Echani's voice seemingly gone as Reina turned her head to look down at the Echani.

"Well...Eve is one of my best friends. She might have a point. But you have a point of your own. But you're looking at it in the wrong way. Being behind the frontlines isn't running away. It's not cowardice. I promise you that."

Reina lifted her hand to carefully turn Ayra's head to look the redhead in the eyes. A small but caring frown on her face as she made sure that Ayra was listening to her.

"There are battles that need to be fought. But you don't need to be at the frontlines. There are people who will need protecting, behind the frontlines. Medics. Civilians. They need someone strong to protect them, in case things go wrong. You think that to be strong, you have to be out there, fighting whoever you can. But that's not entirely true. You can be strong by protecting. Don't leave the people who need you."

Was this the pep talk that Ayra needed? Reina wasn't sure. Was it going to help? Or make things worse? Reina had never been good at talking about her problems, nor was she good at helping others. She bit her lip for a moment, trying to figure out what else to say before sighing.

"...Plus hey. If I was stuck in some kind of medical tent, seeing you would be a boost to my morale."

Spoiler: OOC Notes

: Means written/typed communication : < Means Sign Language communication >

 

[Ayra Lowe]

// Padawan Lowe //
// Objective // Find the Song //
// Focus // Reina Daival //

---

---

It was nice to hear that the girl felt the words that Ayra said, for better or worse. It certainly wasn't the traditional method the Jedi spoke about when dealing with negative emotions and the Echani presumed if a master was present they would both be made to serve the lunch halls and meditate for the months.

But righteousness had ever been the tool of the Jedi, so where was the point in denying its purpose. It was far more careless of the Jedi to try to change a persons fundamentals that it was to help guide them in a just way. There was a passion behind Reina's anger, one that sought justice, fuel that could burn her star that much brighter.

"Evelyn helped me out when I was low, maybe ask her for some advice as well. She seems pretty smart." Thoughts turned back to the knight, wondering if perhaps Ayra should request more training as well. "But trust me I understand what you're saying. Evelyn said the same thing, that to be away from the front wasn't shameful, that allies needed healing as much as our enemies need to be fought."

The Echani's feet swung as she looked down in thought, her head lowering as she tried to find the right words.

"And I agree. Healing is a noble venture, and being able to assist in any way you can helps the Jedi as much as anything else." Ayra's eyes turned back, a melancholic passion lit in them. "But it is not through strength that I would choose those paths, it is a weakness that chases me away from the front." Her words bit the air around them, almost angry at her own lips for speaking them. "And if I allow that weakness to fester because I'm afraid, then what hope would I have to recover?"

The words hung low before a minute, scattered against the running of water behind them. A long exhale pressed the feelings out of her chest as she tried to reset herself mentally.

Thankfully a jest from Reina made it easier.

"True, hot healers are always a quick rode to recovery." Her shoulders bumped against the Ersanyr's as she gave a playful tease between new friends. "But you might get a better view chasing behind me in the battlefield."

 

[Reina Daival]

Tag: Ayra Lowe

"No. No. I don't mean...as a healer. I meant as the last line of defense. The last bastion protecting the healers and innocent...but yes. Evelyn is a genius. I'm proud of her. She's far advancing ahead of me. Strange to think her and I were Padawans at the same time...but she's now a proud Knight, with her own enclave."

Jealousy. It was something Reina had been new to. Yet both her major experiences with it were connected to Everest. First was being jealous of Tigris, Everest's fiancee...And now, it was being jealous of Everest herself. For the progress she was making whereas Reina felt like she was stuck. Isolated. Unable to progress anywhere. Yet she hadn't brought this up to anyone. Reina had the idea of discussing it with people outside of the order, but they wouldn't understand. Ayra seemed like she'd be able to understand the jealousy at least.

Either way, Reina rested her head atop of Ayra's, letting herself enjoy the moment. Her eyes focused ahead of the pair as she contemplated what Ayra had said. The Echani had clearly poured out her feelings on how she felt, and whilst Reina felt like she had given a good alternative, at the same time it was also good to show that you had listened.

"The fact you're acknowledging it shows to me that it won't fester. You'll always have hope. If I think you're starting to become weak, I'll kick your ass into gear and snap you out of it."

A soft chuckle came from Reina's mouth, before she heard Ayra's teasing words. A small flush coming to Reina's cheeks...As she lifted her head from Ayra's for a moment to lean backwards and look for a moment before resting her head back on Ayra's.

"I mean...I feel like the view is better being behind me. But what do I know?"

Spoiler: OOC Notes

: Means written/typed communication : < Means Sign Language communication >

 

[Ayra Lowe]

// Padawan Lowe //
// Objective // Find the Song //
// Focus // Reina Daival //

---

---

The words from Reina attempted their best to plant themselves in Ayra's heart, but found it an ill fit. As much as most tried to convince her to go to the back lines, she could never view it as cowardice. And as much as she knew she was one, allowing it to define her was something the Echani could never allow.

Her mothers were cowards, and she would not follow in their footsteps.

Fortunately, Reina managed to salvage the moment with some lightness. A soft chuckle chased away the dark mood as the mermaid offered to kick her ass, a jostling of their shoulders as they jokingly flirt with one another. The mermaid's gaze softly fell behind her and Ayra found herself enjoying the attention.

"Hmmmmmm..." The Echani raised an eyebrow in feigned introspection as their heads rest upon one another, before another impish smile took her lips. "I'd need a better look before making that call, gotta know what I'd be following."

A weird frustration built up in Ayra as she made the request, not expecting Reina to do any such thing. But as the joking flirtation continued, she found herself getting redder and redder. This was just a joke between girls, she told herself in an attempt to chase away the flustered feeling from her chest.

It was all for sake of cheering up after all...

 

[Reina Daival]

Tag: Ayra Lowe

There it was. Reina was being able to cheer up Ayra...Though it seemed more to be the joking about butts that was making the Echani smile. Maybe it was something to do with their combative nature? She wasn't sure herself. It wasn't something Reina was good at, making people happy in her eyes. Though she decided to go with the flow, as Reina suddenly stepped up, brushing herself off and standing in front of Ayra, putting her hands on her hips.

"Well, you'd be following me at the end of the day. You'd just need to be able to keep up."

With that, Reina swivelled on the heel of her foot turning her back towards Ayra before the Ersansyr ran over towards the water, before leaping up into the air and diving into it. Submerging herself into the cool depths, letting out a satisfying sigh, with various bubbles floating up to the surface. Reina stayed down there for a solid minute or two, before she surfaced from the water, resting her arms alongside the edge of the ground, breaking out into a wide grin in Ayra's direction.

"Come on in. The water's fine. A bit chilly but..."

For now, she didn't have tail out, just gently kicking and treading water. A small, more serious look came over her face however as she looked back towards the water.

"That's a joke by the way. Don't come in. I'd rather not have you get hypothermia."

Spoiler: OOC Notes

: Means written/typed communication : < Means Sign Language communication >

 

[Ayra Lowe]

// Padawan Lowe //
// Objective // Find the Song //
// Focus // Reina Daival //

---

---

"I don't know about that, you might be racing to catch up with me after all."

The playful smile stayed as Reina lifted herself from the stone wall, watching as she sauntered in front of her. Yet it quickly erased itself as Reina displayed herself, pale blue eyes tracing along her figure. As much as they had been joking, a knot tied in the stomach of the Echani as she looked at how the diving suit highlighted the curves of the Ersanyr in front of her.

Smart comments failed the Echani as she found herself speechless, simply staring at her companion. It was a confusing feeling, one that she had only felt with one other girl. The heat building in her chest made her unsure just quite what the emotion was, but there was little she could do to chase it away.

Thankfully the moment was erased as the redhead dove into the water behind them, droplets spraying across the stone as Ayra watched closely.

"No I think a swim sounds lovely right now."

Hands quickly moved to remove the pyjama pants and top away, stripping down to her underwear so she wouldn't have to stand in soaked clothes after enjoying the water. Her dive was less graceful than the Ersanyr's, and as she rose from the water white strands decorated her face as she swum nearer to Reina.

The moon shone overhead, illuminating her hair and porcelain skin against the water. She looked over to the mermaid once again, and unintentionally began to struggle to swim. Her head bobbed up and down as she was unsure why she feigned the skills, but a part of her knew it was so that Reina could come help her.
[/tag]

 

[Reina Daival]

Tag: Ayra Lowe

"Wait, wait, wai-"

Reina was too late to stop the Echani from diving in the water. Well, not entirely too late. It was more that she was shocked that Ayra had gotten out of her pajamas to dive in with Reina. What was she thinking? Reina sighed to herself as she watched Ayra try to swim on over. Giving a small playful roll of her eyes...until she saw how much Ayra was struggling, and it was as a switch had been flipped for Reina. Her legs had already shifted to their tail form, it had been good that Reina had made some adjustments to the diving suit so that she could wear it with legs or tail...

"Ayra. Ayra. Calm down. You should naturally float. Just hold onto my shoulders."

There had been an urge in the back of Reina's mind to use the hypnotic-like quality of her voice to command Ayra to calm down...but that wasn't who Reina was. She swam as close as she could to make it easier for Ayra to grab onto her. If this had been one of those romance holovids people loved to watch, then Reina would have done something like brush the wet hair out of Ayra's face, or held onto the Echani to keep her safe, but this wasn't a holovid. This was real life, and in Reina's eyes, Ayra seemed like she was in danger. It wasn't the kind of danger that came from facing down a lightsaber or a blaster, but the water held many a danger that most wouldn't expect.

"Why'd you jump in like that? Diving into cold water is a terrible idea. You're asking to fill your lungs with water. Are you asking to need CPR?"

Of course, maybe now wasn't the time to give a crash course on diving. But behind all of Reina's bravado and slight grumpiness, she was afraid. At the end of the day, Ayra was Reina's friend, even if they had only just met. It was the way Reina mostly made her friends if she was honest. They'd dump trauma on each other, and Reina would end up trusting them in some way. This had bit her in the rear more than she'd care to admit...but that was neither here nor there.

Spoiler: OOC Notes

: Means written/typed communication : < Means Sign Language communication >

 

[Ayra Lowe]

// Padawan Lowe //
// Objective // Find the Song //
// Focus // Reina Daival //

---

---

As the Echani coughed and sputtered some water, she saw the redheaded figure swimming gracefully towards her, the exact image of the stories she heard as a girl. When Reina drew near enough, arms would be thrown around her shoulders and pull the pair of them tight together. Ayra retained enough of her senses not to drag both of them down, but the steadiness of the mermaid's paddling was enough to hold them regardless.

Looking through trusses of white hair, pale blue eyes calmed down as they locked onto Reina's and a blush returned to her cheeks. Not the blush between friends, but something deeper. It was a feeling uncommon to her as she floated in the mermaid's arms, red strands floated around the pair as the water seemed to glow.

Words continued to fail as her saviour held her, continuing to scold her about the dangers of diving into such a lake without much experience. The words fell deaf as Ayra felt their bodies touching, the brush of scales against her bare legs as they float.

And then Reina mentioned CPR.

Whether it was the lack of sleep or the situation, the Echani found herself unconcerned for her own safety and more curious. She bit her own lip as she looked at the mermaid's, the idea of them touching hers raising a heat within her. An imagination unfurled a world of being rescued, the mermaid brushing aside her hair as she leaned down to kiss the Echani and save her.

"Maybe I do..." Her eyes lingered on Reina's lips as she spoke low, wondering just what would happen next. "Hey could you get the hair out of my face... Please?"

This had been a midnight swim between friends, something so simple and plain to never be misconstrued. And yet, Ayra could finally name the feeling she felt for the mermaid. She was attracted to her. Whether it was the caring attention, or the image of the mermaid showing off her hind, something base in Ayra had been awakened. The Jedi way taught repression as she had learned, but those lessons seemed distant now as she fell into Reina's arms.

 

[Reina Daival]

Tag: Ayra Lowe

"Well, you shouldn't be trying to experience it! I've watched people get their ribs broken from needing it and...are you even listening to a word I'm saying?"

Reina gave a slight pout, as she noted how Ayra seemed more interested in staring at Reina than listening to her words. Was there something on the Ersansyr's face? Sure, her hair was somewhat stuck to her face from having dived under the water, but that was nothing to stare at. Were her teeth showing? No. No. That wasn't a look of fear that Ayra had on her face. What was it then? Reina couldn't quite figure it out if she was being honest.

And then Ayra asked Reina to brush the hair out of her face. It caused Reina's brows to furrow in confusion at first. Ayra had her own hands. She could do it herself. But then she realised the completely logical reasoning for why Ayra had asked for Reina's help. Ayra was holding onto Reina! She couldn't brush the hair out of her face and hold on. So Reina just gave a quick nod, raising her hand to gently brush her thumb along Ayra's face, getting the white strands and brushing them behind Ayra's ear carefully.

"There. Your hair is out of your face. Just...be careful. Okay? I don't want you freezing."

Then again...wouldn't Echani be used to the cold? Was Reina worrying over nothing? Her eyes dipped to look at her and Ayra's reflection in the water, blinking to herself. At the very least, the most important thing was that Ayra was safe.

"Come on. We should get you back onto solid ground to dry yourself off an-...Ayra. Are you even listening? You're looking at me, but you don't seem to be paying attention to what I'm saying."

Okay, that was slowly starting to get on Reina's nerves. She didn't like it when she felt as if people were ignoring what she was saying. Reina didn't talk often, so when she did talk, it was usually something she deemed important.

Spoiler: OOC Notes

: Means written/typed communication : < Means Sign Language communication >