Private Another Name on File

[Lossa Aureus]

Naboo Hospital - Family Wing
Outfit - Bracelet - Heels
Briana Sal-Soren​

The time spent with Zane Cameron was still fresh in her mind as she made her way to find her cousin. Sid gingerly keeping in lockstep with Lossa and the bundle she had in her arms.

The Droid had been hesitant to give back the babe, or maybe he'd been trying to pry information from her using Zeriana.

Either way, the brief but intense stare down had passed without incident when Sid finally allowed her to hold her daughter once more. Thoughts still clouded in that strange way as her hand pressed against her own lips. Gaze locked on something several light years away as they rounded the last corner to spy Briana finally. Sid the first to notice and draw attention to her presence as Lossa finally snapped back from her entrancing thoughts.

Briana was going through the familiar motions of physical therapy after an extensive fight on Coruscant had left her needing medical attention and a few nights of thorough care. Something Lossa had the mind to never properly wish on anyone given how stern nurses could be.

"Hey hey hey. Seems we both got the short end of different sticks." Tone falling between amusement and sympathy as they both approached.

"How's it coming along? Anything serious?" Lossa opted for a seat as Sid closed the distance between himself and Briana to offer a hand.

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Outfit: XoXo | Equipment: Lightsaber, Echo Stone | Tag: Lossa Aureus ​

"Sid! Lossa!" Briana's beamed as she turned from a window she'd been peering out, a spark of warmth in her voice that even the sterile hospital room couldn't dim. "A few broken bones, a bump on the head," Briana said, waving her good hand dismissively and offering a lopsided smile."I've had worse hangovers."

But the forced casualness of her tone belied the concern that lingered in her eyes, trying her best to avert them and cover the lie. It'd taken her a long time to piece together what had happened after the rubble buried her. Faces had been hazy, names elusive. Even now, her memories of the battle were severely fragmented and often punctuated by dizzy spells and throbbing headaches. The doctors that'd been seeing to her had needed to pin her arm back together with enough metal to build a spare astromech. They told her there was a possibility she might never regain full use of her hand...

But dwelling on that wouldn't help anything, not now. It would only enrage Sid and needlessly worry Lossa, who already had enough on her plate with the new baby, having to pick up the slack on Jakku, and deal with Romi's death on her own...

Guilt gnawed at Briana's gut. She should have been there for them, for all of it. Abandoning her post was not how she'd envisioned her first tenure as a member of the Jakku Council.

Pushing away the self-recrimination, Briana tried to focus on the present, easing herself down beside Lossa and trying not to wince. "Rik got to me in time. Could've been a lot worse." That, at least, was true.

Her eyes then softened marginally as they settled on the small figure cradled in Lossa's arms. "Is this her?" Briana asked, trying to keep her voice low so she didn't wake her, gently pulling the blanket down to get a better look at the child's cherub face. "Oh, Loss — she's beautiful."

​

 

[Lossa Aureus]

Naboo Hospital - Family Wing
Outfit - Bracelet - Heels
Briana Sal-Soren​

Briana was awake and speaking. The cheery tone almost enough to throw suspicion until the mention of a bump to the head made her narrow her eyes. Avoiding their gaze didn't help, but she wasn't gonna push just yet about the subject. Maybe.

"A little bump to the head? Hmm." Her legs crossing as she adjusted Zeriana in her arms and kept her eyes locked on Briana. Sid was fretting, little static filled blurbs as he divided his attention between owner and babe as he found himself a spot behind them both.

"I will check charts at a later time." Firmly announcing his intent as he settled in to listen. A moment of reprieve from responsibility with all three charges in the same room.

"Glad Rik was there then. I. The temple. That was, a whole fething mess by the sound of it." A frown painting her face until Briana began to examine Zeriana.

Sleeping peacefully with a full stomach, little chest rising and falling as she fussed a little with the blanket moving. A proud smile emerging in place of the frown as Lossa adjusted once more to offer Briana a better view of her niece. Making a point to keep her voice at speaking level instead of speaking softly.

"This is her. Zeriana Rominae Aureus." Nodding at the mention of how beautiful her daughter was. Not expecting to have a child of her own, at least not for some time, she hadn't imagined the feelings within her. Each little compliment to her daughter shaping something she had no understanding of as her hand curled a little tighter around the bundle.

"She is that, my little star. Just hope she is a little less chaotic than I am. Take after her aunt maybe?" Trying to inject a little humor into the situation with a glance to Briana and her arm.

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Outfit: XoXo | Equipment: Lightsaber, Echo Stone | Tag: Lossa Aureus ​

"Yeah, I owe him one. Or ten. I don't even...I don't remember most of it. Just bits and pieces." Her brow furrowed, gaze drifting away as she tried to call up the hazy images. "There was this... overwhelming sensation of darkness, fire everywhere...I think I might have been thrown into a wall...or a pillar?" Her tone turned questioning at the end, seeking confirmation. She could still feel the jolt of impact, the blinding pain that followed. Briana waved a hand dismissively, brushing the thoughts away like cobwebs.

"I heard you had it pretty rough too. I felt you, when..." Her voice trailed off, eyes misting. One of the worst parts of Coruscant had been feeling Lossa's fear in the Force when her labor pains came on, knowing there was nothing she could do to help her. She sniffed, rubbed a finger beneath her nose and shook it off. "I'm just glad you're both okay." That was all that mattered, anyway.

"Zeriana Rominae Aureus," Briana repeated, the name rolling off her tongue. It felt right. Strong and defiant, a fitting homage to Romi. She swallowed hard, emotion tightening her throat. "Well I can already tell she's got your spunk." A small smile played on her lips as she reached out a finger to brush aside some of the black wisps of downy hair. "But less chaotic?" Briana snorted. "Our entire family is the poster child for 'cautionary tale'. There's not going to be any avoiding that, just gotta teach her how to roll with the punches. And throw a few of her own. Which, I'd be happy to volunteer for, by the way. Not that she's going to have any shortage of those." Zeri would have a whole team of people looking out for her, Briana silently listing off the names in her head: Brandyn, Cybelle, Aiden, Bastila, Valery, Lily... even Blaire, whenever she decided to pop in again.

"Can I hold her?" Briana asked, the vulnerability creeping into her voice despite her best efforts to keep it steady. "I'll need help, but I still have one good arm I can put to use, if you don't mind?"

 

[Lossa Aureus]

Naboo Hospital - Family Wing
Outfit - Bracelet - Heels
Briana Sal-Soren​

When she mentioned only remembering bits and pieces, Lossa couldn't help but furrow her brow.

A bump to the head was drastically underselling the injury she'd received. Grateful at least for some of the medical knowledge she'd gleaned over the years to realize the trouble Briana might be having.

"Maybe ask for his latest tab instead as a thank you." Her mouth was running ahead of her brain as she muttered the words. Lips curling inward after finishing the sentence, not entirely sure if it was to keep herself from laughing or continuing the small slight against his character. He was a standup guy, even if he was a scoundrel at times.

"Ah. Yeah. Had something similar with a roof once." Unable to hide the smile behind her words. Commiserating her own incidents was the best she could offer at the moment without trying to overwhelm Briana. No doubt her cousin was already in her own head about things, and adding to it by taking her place as the worry wart wasn't exactly her forte to begin with. "Buildings and Sith I've noticed tend to go hand in hand with property damage and strange injuries though. So you can scratch that off a bucket list at least."

Reminded of her time in the sky, Lossa could only nod at the words. Tilting her head slightly as Zeriana cood and reached a hand out. Eyes wide and staring before the same hand made it's way into her mouth.

"We're fine. More than fine. If a bit sleepless." A glance down at Zeriana made it plain who was truly sleepless as her daughter stared out the window while she sucked on her hand. Briana's hand playing with the strands of hair getting a sharp turn from Zeriana as her free hand shot up in the air. Just shy of smacking her mother in the mouth if Lossa hadn't jolted backward.

"Yeah, definitely got that." As if turning to see if Lossa had seen what had happened, Zeriana twisted her body to stare at her mother. "Yeah, she touched your hair, just like you touch everyone else's."

Shaking her head before turning her attention to Briana's question with a warm smile.

"Wasn't going to leave before you got to. They have a timetable for you, or just as it goes?" Adjusting her chair closer and helping her cousin until Zeriana was settled into Briana's good arm. Looking between the two of them with a wide grin. As much trust as she had in Briana, her hands were kept clear and free in case she needed to make a sudden reach. Zeriana to her credit was enjoying the new person, staring wide eyed as she continued to keep one hand in her mouth, while the other batted at a strand of brown hair.

"Mm. She will yank by the way." One hand extended to fix the stray lock before pausing, silently asking permission.

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Outfit: XoXo | Equipment: Lightsaber, Echo Stone | Tag: Lossa Aureus
​

"I don't know, that might be a debt even I can't afford." Briana teased, gently rocking Zeriana in her arm as the transfer was made, carefully adjusting her until Briana was certain that her grip on the babe was steady. "Maybe I'll just make him sit through one of our family dinners to square us up, he might enjoy it."

Zeriana's weight was both unfamiliar and at the same time comforting in her arms, even despite the injuries. Just holding her made Briana's heart feel close to bursting, aching in a way she'd never experienced before. Dark hair framing a tiny face, deep pink eyes that shown as bright as starlight, offset by the rosy pink of her velvety skin. She was such a delicate little creature that somehow already had a certain kind of resilience about her. Briana had never really given much thought to babies, or even considered if she wanted any herself. More often than not, she avoided them—their screams, the messes, the constant chaos. None of it had ever appealed to her, but this... this felt different. This was family, family whom she instantly found herself loving and wanting to protect more than anything.

"Ah. Yeah. Had something similar with a roof once." Unable to hide the smile behind her words. Commiserating her own incidents was the best she could offer at the moment without trying to overwhelm Briana. No doubt her cousin was already in her own head about things, and adding to it by taking her place as the worry wart wasn't exactly her forte to begin with. "Buildings and Sith I've noticed tend to go hand in hand with property damage and strange injuries though. So you can scratch that off a bucket list at least."

"I'm not sure if that was ever on my bucket list to begin with," she remarked, catching Lossa's hesitant movement out of the corner of her eye and the warning that Zeriana would pull. Briana gave a subtle nod. "Go ahead," she said softly, allowing her cousin to fix the stray lock. "So you've got a thing for hair, hmm? You're definitely your mama's daughter." Briana cooed in a sort of sing-song voice, subtly wrinkling her nose in jest when she met Lossa's gaze again.

"We're fine. More than fine. If a bit sleepless." A glance down at Zeriana made it plain who was truly sleepless as her daughter stared out the window while she sucked on her hand.

"Sleepless nights are part of the package, I hear," Briana continued, watching as Zeriana's tiny hand found its way back into her mouth. "But if you ever need a break, you can always bring her over to me and Aiden, or we can come to you guys. We'd love to help out." Not that she'd asked Aiden, but he always seemed to have a natural way with children and a patience that seemed to elude her.

"They have a timetable for you, or just as it goes?"

At that, Briana shrugged. "The Doctors say they are optimistic and maybe I'll be out of here in a couple more weeks, but right it's all just playing it by ear." Her jaw tightened subtly. "In some ways, I'm almost grateful," she admitted quietly. "It means I can put off telling Brandyn about what happened on Coruscant... but mostly, I hate it. I just—"

She clenched her good hand into a fist, the unspoken words hanging heavily between them. "I hate being stuck here, when I know that there are other things I could be doing. I could be out there—" Looking for Romi in the rubble. Briana stopped herself from saying, pursing her lips together before giving a deflated sigh. "Just not used to being down for the count."

​

 

[Lossa Aureus]

Naboo Hospital - Family Wing
Outfit - Bracelet - Heels
Briana Sal-Soren​

Admitting that a debt to Rik Perris might be a even outside her ability to repay earned Briana a gusty sigh from Lossa. The man had a penchant for being where he was needed at the right time. Lossa didn't want to think about how many times her lovable but headstrong cousin might have required his help or how many favors he had earned by being present for her. The gravity of that thought dramatically lessened by the words she had tacked onto the end of her statement.

The Zeltron turning her head as she managed to keep the barking laugh contained, albeit in a sharp wheeze through her nose. Picturing Rik seated between Briana and any one of the Sal-Soren's with a look of absolute glee nearly broke the control over her giggles.

Managing a very deep breath instead of outright laughing. Which came out as a series of very soft and windy cackles.

"He would have a field day listening to everyone dogpile the other." Tilting her head enough to look at Bri from under her brow as if to warn her off the idea.

Either the man would take every opportunity to remind her cousin of what was heard, or the Alliance gossip columns would suddenly be lit with hyper rich fuel for the gossip flames. Either option was a roll of the dice in her mind when it came to Rik, or he could very well never mention it again aside from a knowing glance. Realizing quietly how uncertain she was as to his tendencies, she switched gears before she could begin to make assumptions. All the while Briana was basking in the presence of her new niece. A warmth in her that Lossa hadn't seen for some time as the little bundle in her arms settled in before a tiny pink hand began to rise upward.

The permission to fix the stray lock acted upon quickly as she placed her own fingers in the way, wincing a little as sharp nails bit into skin. Her free hand fixing her cousins hair as she inhaled. Keeping her voice steady despite the sting.

"I have been stabbed, crushed, and a number of other things that I can't list but her nails just-" Her whole body shuddered as Zeriana let go, turning her attention back to Briana. "I'd rather be stabbed again."

The comment about the bucket list earning a smile before the offer from Briana was made. Her own blooming worry about leaving Zeriana somewhere not directly beside her visible on her face as her brow knit itself together. Having been knocked out with child only to wake and find her child born without her own effort had not sat well with her. A feeling she still hadn't quite figured out or dwelled on.

"I won't dump her on you guys just yet. I'm. Still getting the hang of it all, and, I don't know. I feel like. No. I know I wouldn't be able to enjoy time away from her just yet." Realizing too late it might have been taken the wrong way, she tacked on more. "I trust you. And. And him. Aiden. I trust both of you. Just. Hanging out would probably be a good start. To like. Her, staying with you. And Aiden. Away. From me. For a night. And I could bring Sid. To help. Help watch her."

Firmly lodging her foot into her mouth as her eyes squeezed tight together at every pause. She wanted Briana to spend time with Zeriana. Wanted to share in all the special moments. To give her cousin some brightness in her life with all that had happened of late. As a sign of things looking up instead of ever bleaker by the hour. Opting to listen again rather than drone on with more half-baked attempts to ease an assumed slight. The tension in her shoulders easing as Briana shared her woes about remaining still while work was being done elsehwere.

More alike than not the two of them were.

It brought a smile to her face that passed quickly with each continued word. The lingering wonder about Romi's remains causing her own chin to tilt down slightly at being in the exact same position as her cousin. Her own feelings about the matter cloudy and likely more a hinderance to those that were handling it as she slid a leg up onto the bed and sat beside Briana.

"Being bed bound sucks. And I don't have a positive way to spin it as a professional of the hospital circuits." A knowing frown crossing her face as she looked into the frustration of her cousins eyes. "But if you don't do the time now, recover, rest, listen to the advice and all that hooey, you will feel it later. It'll catch up to you when you can't afford to be hindered. Or when you don't expect it."

Stretching and flexing her new arm with a sigh.

"Like a taught muscle. You can't push as hard, do as much, or expect the same results if you keep pushing. And I'll do the same to you as I did to Lily Decoria , if you want to go down the stubborn road. I'll also be around to help you not be bored instead if that helps?" She offered both options as Sid squinted at her. The familiar sound of his movements filling the air as something seemed to finally process.

"You were more than content to allow Zeriana to remain solely in my care when you disappeared last night. Why do you hesitate with her?" The droid leaned in close as Lossa's eyes went wide. Hiding her face from the droid.

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Outfit: XoXo | Equipment: Lightsaber, Echo Stone | Tag: Lossa Aureus
​

"Oh, he'd have a field day, I am sure of that much."

Before Zeriana's tiny fingers could reach up and snag a strand of her hair, Lossa intervened, wincing as Zeri's nails grazed her mother's skin and lamenting over how sharp they were. Briana couldn't help the soft snort that followed. "Really? You'd rather face down all that, than deal with baby nails?" Almost on que, and as if she understood the conversation, Zeriana piped in with a few soft coos and babbles. Briana nodded. "I know, I think she's crazy, too."

When Lossa hesitated about leaving Zeriana with her and Aiden, tripping over her words as she tried to explain her reasoning, the smile Briana had been wearing since Lossa and co's arrival, faded slightly. "I get it," she said, quickly attempting to brush off the unfounded feeling of rejection that tried to worm its way inside, making sure to keep her tone measured and light. "You're new to this whole mom thing, and it's hard to let go—even for a little while. But sure, hanging out sounds like a good start. No pressure. Just know that whenever you're ready, we'll be there for you."

When Lossa tried to sit on the bed, Briana did the best she could to move over and give her enough room to do so, listening while she spoke of the importance of healing and giving herself the time she needed to do so properly. "Listen to you, sounding all wise." she teased, bumping her shoulder against Lossa's playfully. She wasn't used to being the one lectured and spewing out advice, it was normally quite the opposite. "I swear that's the same speech I gave Lily Decoria when she was recovering, after that incident with the Mandalorians... but, I hear you. I wasn't planning on doing anything dumb like trying to leave or something, though I'd be lying if I said it hadn't crossed my mind a few times." A sly smirk crossed her lips. "But yeah, having you come around would be nice while I'm stuck here, especially if you're bringing this one with you."

"You were more than content to allow Zeriana to remain solely in my care when you disappeared last night. Why do you hesitate with her?"

Briana's eyes narrowed slightly. "Disappeared last night? What do you mean disappeared last night?" she echoed, trying to keep the edge of hurt that cropped up in her tone, her attention fully turned towards Lossa who'd averted her gaze.

So, it was okay to leave Zeriana with Sid all night, but not her and Aiden? "Where did you go?"

 

[Lossa Aureus]

Naboo Hospital - Family Wing
Outfit - Bracelet - Heels
Briana Sal-Soren​

Briana remarked about facing down all the troubles and wounds she'd experienced prior. Drawing out a rye smile from Lossa as she examined her finger.

"I can get upset about the other stuff. But she doesn't know better. And won't for a while longer." The hand dropped to her side as the skin quickly turned a dark purple before beginning to fade back to pink around the edges of the deep gouges.

A snort leaving her at the remark of her sensibility.

"No more than normal for this family." The wide grin assuring everyone the statement was meant warmly.

Her words had done exactly as she had feared. Seeing the brightness dim around Briana when she hadn't meant to cast a shadow on the moment. Defeat dimming her own gaze as she perched herself on the bed. Comfortable enough that she could turn to examine both Briana and her daughter without slipping.

"I've heard your lectures enough to finally pick up on them. And maybe learn a few things from Val and someone else to finally be able to give decent health advice." She smirked, meeting the shoulder bump with her own playful push. Then Sid spoke up.

Embarrassment and shame at being found out painting her features a deep magenta as she pondered just how much she would miss the Droid if she crushed him into scrap right now.

"I-I didn't mean to! Stuff just... happened. She snapped at Sid, a pained sigh escaped her as she looked to Briana. Hands up and placating as she grimaced. She'd already tried telling her a lie in the past, and the guilt from that burned hot in her mind as she let her shoulders sag.

"I. Wanted to. Clear my head. Just. Have a night. Be back before dark." Letting her chin drop lower as she spoke before drawing in air sharply. "Did not mean to stay out all night. Or morning. At all. But I couldn't leave Zane without an explana-"

Eyes widening as her mouth snapped shut. Her whole body going stiff as the Droid studied her.

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Outfit: XoXo | Equipment: Lightsaber, Echo Stone | Tag: Lossa Aureus ​

The warmth Briana carried since Zeriana was placed in her arms began to ebb as Lossa stammered through her explanation, her cousin's face painted in mortified shades of magenta and the baby's soft coos almost fading into the background as her mind latched onto the unfamiliar person she'd accidentally name-dropped.

"Zane?" she echoed, her tone sharper than she intended, brows furrowing as she shifted Zeriana gently to her lap. The way Lossa's entire body stiffened set off quiet alarms, she could usually read her cousin's face better than most, both alike in more ways than one, and there was something about this character that was making her nervous, flustered.

"You stayed out all night, and left Zeriana with Sid... to meet someone named Zane?" What kind of a name was that, anyway? Sounds like something you'd name a speeder bike model. The ZN-100, street name: Zane. She adjusted Zeriana instinctively, the baby's presence keeping her grounded as her gaze bore into Lossa. "What's going on, Loss? And don't even think about trying to feed me some half-baked excuse."

The last thing Briana wanted was to be blindsided by another revelation, especially when it came to family. Especially not after everything they'd been through. "I'm not mad." Not yet, at least. "I just... I'm trying to understand. If something's going on, if this Zane guy is trouble—" She paused, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I'm here. We're all here. You don't have to shoulder everything on your own."

​

 

[Lossa Aureus]

Naboo Hospital - Family Wing
Outfit - Bracelet - Heels
Briana Sal-Soren​

She hadn't quite recovered enough of her senses with Sid'd betrayal to keep herself from making the whole situation worse. And she'd set herself up nicely to kick her cousin while she was down already.

"I'm. I'm not trying to lie, or. Or make excuses." Tone rising sharply in defense of herself. Keeping herself from glaring at Briana with cradling her head in her hands. A mix of scalding rebuttal and trying to understand it herself lacing her words as she just let everything roll off of her tongue.

"I went out to a club. Wanted to just, dance for a while. Be, emotional, quietly. Let myself, feel, before I came back. But. I met an Alliance pilot. Zane, Cameron. And no, we didn't get into any kind of trouble. Just..." Taking breaths in between short bursts to keep herself speaking. Shifting slightly away from Briana as she seemed to bristle.

"I was honest with him, cause he wanted me to stay. And. He wants to meet Zer. He keeps in touch. I was just. Was trying to figure out, all of. That. Before I dropped it in your lap." Rubbing her face now as she sighed and fought with her body on what it needed to do in that moment.

She had made her cousin feel like an outsider. Not once but twice now. And that fething Droid hadn't helped that. Even though he'd got the chance to hold Zeriana first. The urge to run was strong. To take Zeriana and leave. Just let the embarrassment be what it was. Let everything just hang in limbo. But that wouldn't have been fair to Briana.

Lossa had let her in to her life despite the protests and attempts to distance herself.

Family by choice rather than requirement. And aside from the honesty, Lossa couldn't argue that Briana had done anything worth burning such a bridge in her life.

"I wanted to tell you in a better way. When I'd figured out if it was just... topical or more. And yes, irresponsible, I know. But Sid has spoiled her since he met her anyway. Got to hold her first, learned like I did all the ins and outs. Probably knows more than anyone since he can just, download, things." Her hands had relinquished themselves to rest against her legs rather than try to hide her face. Looking to Briana before something prickly had made itself aware in her mind.

Directing irritation at the Droid that had spilled the beans early as she scowled to Sid.

"I've had to tell you to relax when Zeriana was at the Jakku Enclave so you didn't try to gank new people around her."