Continuing the Search

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Armaud Eden"]

"Thanks," hands quickly went to enclose around the warm ceramic. Digits pressed lightly against the lip, cradling and bringing it closer so she could blow gently across the steamy surface. Head turned with interest as Armaud spoke. She noticed the star-map of freckles across his face and how they blended into where the sun left a darker mark. The beard line along his chin and jaw were also very distinct. Starburst blues finally dragged back up to his slits of verdant green.

Like the plants he liked so much.

She matched his smirk with one of her own. "Oh, I dunno. You're pretty interesting. I've never seen anyone talk about rocks so much or make whole trees instantly grow from seeds. But you're right about one thing."

She took a teeny-testing sip of the tea.

Still a bit hot.

"I am definitely the greatest adventurer in the known galaxy." It was clear she wasn't taking herself that seriously. Though, she understood what he said about the greater powers. Things got messy and complicated. War was war. She didn't really see a positive difference even when standing up against sith. Innocents and those non-force users always got stuck in the middle and seemed to pay the highest price. Nothing ever got resolved. There would always be war. And she wanted no part of it. Mug lowered and legs crossed at her ankles. "Well. There was this one time. A jedi wanted me to travel to some rando coordinates. Next thing we know we're being pulled into a floating obelisk that was a giant spaceship but seemed like a planet on the inside."

She took a breath and shook her head once.

"Weird, I know. There was some malevolent force there with a poisonous dagger. The jedi almost died."

She shrugged. Maybe not the weirdest thing that ever happened to her but definitely in the top ten. There were a lot of crazy and unexplained things out in the 'verse and frankly, she was surprised she was still breathing.

"Seems like you've been wandering for awhile. Do you miss home?" Little did he know that she'd actually been to the homestead before. A long time ago when she'd been very sick.

 

[Armaud Eden]

He shook his head, blowing cool air over the mug. "A tome on the inner musings of an explorer on the peculiarities of rock formations and tree growth..." He smiled at the thought of it, nodding distinctly as he took a sip from the mug. "Sounds like it would make for a very interesting read." He was self aware about his own interests and when the world had succumbed to magic and space travel and being's of great ability, fighting for the fate of the universe, the simplicity of trees and rocks made for little interesting story telling.

As for her story, he had pulled his knee to his chest, bracing his elbow on his knee, and resting his chin against his free hand. Slowly contemplating the warmth of his tea.

"Huh..." He muttered before she could ask her question. "Well...I don't have a poison laced dagger. But I have a hatchet." He stated, amused with himself. "And I have provided you semi-random coordinates. Who knows? This could be Obelisk Giant Spaceship planet trip, take two."

Tucking his bottom lip in, he nodded, as he met her gaze. "I do miss my home. Every day." He paused. "Do you?"

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Armaud Eden"]

The girl hoped for both their sakes that it wasn't giant obelisk take two. But something deep down made her realize she didn't need to worry about it. Though it would've been nice to have been given a second chance to explore the high tower. And she left the part out about the planet changing weather patterns within a few minutes.

So he did miss home.

Bringing the mug closer, she took a tiny sip. She always drank it too soon. There was a slight, burning tingling along the top of her tongue. The mug went back to her thigh. "I dunno. Grew up on a ship colony and it's a lot like I live now, though less people. If you can believe it, this is actually a lot of space to me."

Blue orbs flitted around the cabin. Ship colonies used every single nook and cranny efficiently. They had to. Plus. Her parents had been hoarders. She remembered nights when her and her brother would sneak out and sleep in the hangar or share a space with three or four other kids meant for one adult for sleeping.

"I miss my brother the most. Not sure if it's the twin thing or not. But when I...," voice trailed off uncertainly. "Anyway. He just kinda disappeared. I've tried to find him but," shoulders shrugged as she looked at Maud. She of all people knew that when you wanted to disappear, it was easy to not be found.

 

[Armaud Eden]

He blinked, wondering at the chances. That two wayward twins would be exploring the universe, brothers left somewhere else.

"That's interesting..." He took a sip as he looked away from her gaze, wondering if her eyes were closer to an ocean or the sky hanging in a planets atmosphere. One deep, one forever free, and he figured it was something for meditation at a later time. But it didn't stop him from wondering on it. "Well, if you are looking for an extra twin brother, you can have mine."

He and Destin had never gotten along, ever since they were born. Maud the quiet and contemplative sort, set upon ways in the wild. Des, on the other hand, found his escape in the net and other habits that Maud didn't feel the need to dwell on. While he recognized that they were two sides to the same coin, he also realized that he didn't have to necessarily like it.

"I can't imagine growing up on a ship colony..." His eyes wondered up the metal of the hull. "A bigger version of this, trapped inside. Contained to a shared atmosphere. Nowhere to run to..." His voice trailed off, as if he were imagining it and deciding that it wasn't his cup of tea. "It's easy to understand becoming an explorer after such an upbringing." Every upbringing catered to such a life, if one wanted it, but this one in particular seemed ripe for production of the loner types and those more content by themselves. He knew nothing of it, but he empathized.

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Armaud Eden"]

She laughed and with a smirk on her face she said, "Makes me wonder what your brother's like for you to say that. He's not into all the naturey stuff like you are?"

Lifting the tea again, she blew across the surface. "Well," the girl let her gaze settle on the swirling blue of hyperspace beyond the rectangular window of the u-wing's side and only door. "Colonies aren't that bad. We spent a lot of time in suits in the void. Can't really run outta room out there. Constantly traveling too. Bartering for fuel and other supplies at different planets. Maybe that's why I can't sit still in one place too long. Blame it on my upbringing."

The hard-lines along her mouth softened for a moment.

"If you miss your home so much why stay away?"

 

[Armaud Eden]

He shook his head with a chuckle. "No. I imagine he'd be happier sitting in his dark room, day in and day out." His brother, as far as Maud was concerned, wasn't the sort to wander. Or explore. Unless that exploration involved diving into the deep darkness of the holonet.

He listened intently, realizing he knew absolutely nothing regarding the life of a space colonizer. And he also realized that his upbringing had been fairly easy, all things considered.

"If I was there..." He looked in the direction of the hyperspace view, thinking that if he squinted hard enough, he could see the freshly sewn fields of the homestead. He could have responded with a metaphor about the acorn tumbling down the hill, away from the base of the oak. Or how the seeds disperse as the winds blow hard, telling of trying times or trying personalities pushing away from each other.

But he decided that his answer would be a bit more grounded. And perhaps a bit more nostalgic, approaching a form of romanticism with the home and nature he adored. "I wouldn't miss it as much."

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Armaud Eden"]

The tea mellowed down. She felt much safer in taking a larger sip. The slight stinging sensation would be a reminder of her hastiness. At least for the next day or so. She laughed once and shook her head.

"Guess you've got a point."

She realized she was getting comfortable with how Armuad responded to things. There was a uniqueness to it. Something very Eden-like but only to him. It was a funny thing to realize her own comfort level around him was becoming more of a natural thing. Something along the lines of friendship. Very similar to what she shared with Brak.

She really missed that barabel.

A warning beep resounded from the cockpit.

"Looks like we're about to drop out of hyperspace. Better strap in." Finishing off her tea, she placed the empty mug in the small sink, making her way back tot he cockpit.

 

[Armaud Eden]

He frowned at her agreement, hoping for a more lively debate. He could think of countless counterpoints that would suggest he was wrong. But like a fish confined to a tank, his eyes forever wandered towards the horizon. Had he never known of the universe outside of Sulon, he might have been content to live out his days on that moon.

Ignorance was bliss.

He looked up towards the cockpit, sad to see her go back to work. That flight seemed a lot shorter than the last one.

Finishing off his tea, he set the cup back in the container and sealed the top - keeping things from bouncing about. Stepping into the passenger seat, he strapped in and looked towards the confines of hyperspace through the transparent view screen.

"You'll find your brother..." He nodded sagely, pointing his finger out to the blur of stars. Just as the smuggler had on Betha. "Over there somewhere..." He made lazy circles with his fingers, indicating nowhere in particular. "I'm sure of it." He offered her a smile though he knew her attention was no longer on the conversation, pulled towards the task at hand.

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Armaud Eden"]

Cerulean eyes gave the nav-computer a brief glance. More out of habit than necessity. "I don't think I can be as optimistic about that. But...," she eased them into reversion. Pop. Space became a bit more static. The planet of Hakara loomed in the viewport. Greens and Browns. Less mists than Jandoon.

Hopefully less brain suckers too.

"I'd like to know he's okay. Even if. Even if I never see him again." Maybe it was a twin thing but she felt like he was still alive. But alive and okay we're very different things. Above all. She hoped he didn't blame himself for what happened to her. She frowned as they got closer, approaching the upper atmosphere.

"YOU didn't tell me there was so much water on this planet."

 

[Armaud Eden]

He offered her a gentle smile, one that suggested he understood where she was coming from. He could be optimistic because, in the grand scheme of things, her brother and where he was had little effect on the traveler. He admitted, to himself, that he had grown fond of his particular adventurer and her small ship - but he wondered if that was enough to care about her twin and finding him.

Or if it was just a passing kindness that lifted his hand in the direction of the revision.

"He's probably ok. I think you'd know if he wasn't." Maud would know if Des fell upon hard times. At least, it was his firm belief. And as the reversion faded away, the planet coming into closer view, Maud leaned back in his chair.

The accusation was returned with a smile, biting the inside of his cheek with a playful grin. If he didn't know better, he might assume she had a problem with water. "Well, Ms. Starchaser...had I known you had a problem with beautiful things, I might have kept us down at Port Canverous." The ocean, the sky. Her eyes reflecting the blue swath into infinity. How could she take issue with that?

"Don't worry..." He continued. "Next planet will be a barren heap. Scouts Honor."

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Armaud Eden"]

"Oh gee, thanks," she spoke dryly. As dryly as Jakku. That would be a barren heap for him.

"I'm just saying it'll be hard to find a spot to land. Don't want my ship sinking." Fingers gave the control panel an affectionate pat. Easier to flat out lie when it was partly true. "And it's not like I have a boat in the back," she continued matter of factly.

Fingers tightened slightly on the controls as she brought them closer. Maybe she'd get lucky and the abandoned base would be on one of the spots of land without any of that water travel. Pibs booped. Oh yeah. Kinsey could blame Pibs too.

"And Pibs and water doesn't mix well for too long." Her pebbledrone didn't exactly play along, giving its owner a sharp, indignant whistle. Her gaze narrowed briefly in its direction. "Any idea of exactly where to set down or are we just rolling the dice?" They were closer now. She could see the individual pockets of trees between island type land masses. The water swirled of different colors between.

 

[Armaud Eden]

For every answer she had, numerous as they were, to his retorts about the water, he had a singular response.

Oh gee thanks.

"Mhm."

Don't want the ship sinking.

"Mhm."

No boat in the back.

"Mhm."

And Pibs and water don't mix well for too long.

"Sure." He decided to change it up a bit. He leaned forward and swirled his finger at the viewscreen, like he was looking for Kinsey's twin.

"Over there." He smiled, knowing that it wouldn't be enough for her to land. "A separatist base should be fairly visible. I don't have the coordinates. But it should come into sight, it was prominent back in its day."

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Armaud Eden"]

Eyes rolled at Armaud with a slight shake of her head. "Real wise guy. Alright." She nodded to herself. "Let's see what we can find. Pibs. See if the sensors pick up any trace signals."

Even abandoned bases had old energy emissions. Usually. Sometimes. It would help. Otherwise, they'd be flying around the planet forever. She didn't have THAT much fuel.

It took nearly an hour longer until Pibs whistled.

Kinsey trained her gaze starboard. "I see it. And looks like what's left of a landing pad is mostly clear." Face lightened. Good news because that was dry. As much as she could tell they wouldn't need to traverse across the water.

Thank the karking stars!

Without too much fuss, they landed among the vines, debris, and cracked duracreet.

 

[Armaud Eden]

Of the many ways he had been described, wise didn't seem like it was part of the words that were often thrown around. Aloof, silly, strange, peculiar, awkward. He scratched the stubble as he watched the master adventurer go to work on finding an appropriate landing spot, pondering it. He decided she was making fun of him.

Signals made sense. If it was anything like the force, residual energy could be left over. He assumed that was the case for this practice as the facility was long derelict, no longer pursued by either separatist or Jedi. Those days were long past though he quietly hoped that the foundation of the building was stronger then the movement that funded it's construction.

He played with a bit of his long dread as it hung over his face, picking at scruff, as he twirled it over his finger. Until the hour passed and Maud followed the direction of her indication, verdant gaze following cerulean over the side of the ship. Perking up, he nodded and smiled somewhat confidently.

"See. Told you it was over there."

Not that he really helped but in the grande scheme of things, he had been right. Unbuckling the straps, he took a deep breath. "So...is water not your thing?"

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Armaud Eden"]

"Oh yes. You certainly told ME." She was worried if she hung out with Armaud too much longer, her eyes would be permanently stuck in a rolled position. There was a smirk on her face, though. That smirk quickly disappeared as he asked about water. It wasn't that she had some traumatic experience or anything like that.

She just didn't know how to swim.

And that's why water terrified her. Not like she needed to know that skill growing up on a spacer colony. Even with all the exploration she did. She just avoided places like Dac. Wasn't too hard to do.

And admitting that she couldn't swim wasn't something a brave explorer did. Right? She hadn't even told [member="Xin Boa"] that. Her brother was the only one that knew. Last time she checked, he didn't know how to, either.

"Just don't like getting wet," hand scratched at the back of her neck and grabbed her trusty pack. The thing had almost too many patches to count. Pibs booped and Kinsey turned. "You're staying with the ship. Remember last time?"

Armaud would. Pibs to the rescue with the brain suckers. Pibs warbled with a sad note.

 

[Armaud Eden]

He was glad she agreed. After all, he had, in fact, told her.

Moving down through the belly of the ship, he was already gearing up for another adventure. Had his trusty staff, a satchel with various herbs and colorful fungus, a hand carved hatchet hanging from a cast iron ringlet on his hip. Everything a woodsman would need for any particular situation.

So when she uttered words about him staying on the ship, he snorted audibly.

"Fat chance." Shaking his head, he leaned on the staff, careful not to bump his head on the hanging components of the ship and hammock above. "That sounds like a recipe for a terrible adventure. Besides..." He fluttered the bottom of his cloak out, fanning the durasteel floor of the ship. "If it rains, I can protect you. Wouldn't want you to get wet..." It was a not so likely excuse but one he was content to let her have. Though, as he recalled last time, he also had the faintest recollection of being somewhat helpful in their interaction with the assailants.

Cocksure that he had made his point, his partially covered hand moved to open the door to the outside world.

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Armaud Eden"]

Oh whoops. She meant that Pibs was staying on the ship. Of course Armaud would come. Although, it would be much quieter if he stayed....

She smirked and followed him outside.

She went to smack his arm with the back of her hand. "Yeah. Just testing the material of this." Booted feet hit the cracked duracreet of the old landing pad outside. Felt good walking on solid ground and not on marshy nonsense. Hopefully that would last. Atleast he wasn't digging in more on the subject of water. Hopefully, he'd never know.

Towers of tan-colored material of a structure peaked through a row of trees not too far away. She pointed. "Looks like that's it. They must've had a shuttle system from here to there. Or maybe I just missed the main landing platform."

She shrugged.

Atleast it was close.

 

[Armaud Eden]

Much quieter. And far more boring.

He hardly flinched as she smacked his arm. Looking over, his lips twisted into a mild smirk as they moved across the duracrete. Green eyes shifted downward, eyeing the spalling and alligator cracking that came with tension and time. There was use once here, he was sure of it, but the fact that the wear and tear was so low over such a long period - it meant minimal presence.

It was the standard Republic and Empire treatment of things. Only that which had use was kept and prospered, otherwise things were left as is. Maud found a certain dichotomy in that because on one hand, it spoke poorly of those groups but on the other hand, it benefited the planets where those groups found no value. Orbs of paradise formed from misuse.

"Anything is a landing platform with the proper attitude..." He rebutted as he moved forward, clearing thick vines and foliage with a lazy hand. As he did his best to carve a minimal path towards the main portion of the facility, it became clear that they had landed in an outdoor observation area. Tables for sitting, aimed towards the wilderness, with scaffolding against the building that indicated a cafe or cantina entrance. A place for recreation. "This seems nice." He admitted as he moved slowly passed tables that had been bolted down. Grated and black, pitted by swirls and fungal growth of rust, the fixtures looked like the demonic versions of their former self - thousands of additional legs formed in red oxidized iron, pressing into the duracrete below.

He trailed off after a spell, moving towards the faded peppermint scaffolding of the cafe. The shutters were closed, stainless steel that gave the illusion of venting, and locked to the counter top. He jiggled it clumsily as he tried to find a way in.

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Armaud Eden"]

"Don't tell me you're hungry already?" She grinned and shook her head once. She could tell it used to be quite something. Now though, it was mostly remains. Bones of a carcass bring reclaimed by nature.

"Here. Lemme try." The spacer went to nudge his hand out of the way. Knee knelt on cracked duracreet. Hand plucked a small cutting tool from the belt that wrapped around the curve of her waist. A small, high powered energy beam sizzled to life as she flipped the switch. After a few seconds the latch that has been in place ker-plunked to the ground.

Standing, she refastened the tool to its proper place.

Hands fell to her hips and she nodded once, eyes inspecting her work.

"Try it now."

Funny. She couldn't shake the feeling like they were being watched. Blues gazed at the jungles that met the edge of the recreation area.

 

[Armaud Eden]

He smiled but didn't respond immediately. He didn't have an answer, not one that would make sense. In the terms of physical consumption, he would have simply said...no, not really. But in the greater scheme of things...yes, he was always hungry. His mind drifted perpetually to knowledge and discovering things. He couldn't help it, part of his nature.

Leaning forward, after she had completed the laser cutting, Maud flicked the metal lock forward. With an upward squeal, the vented metal rolled back into it's cylinder - suspended from the ceiling of the four foot window that started somewhere at his waist and ended up a foot or so above his head.

"Hmm." He uttered, verdant gaze flicking between the various edges of the contraption that now concealed that wall. Making sure Kinsey was clear of it, he planted his left hand on the counter and vaulted through the opening. He landed far more gracefully than he expected but as he patted himself down, following the landing, he looked around and waxed triumphantly.

"Yep. Just as I thought." He fanned a hand over foiled containers of chips and snacks. They rattled in his wake, showing very little in the way of age. "They kept food here." He nodded as he pulled a bag of chips from the prongs and tossed it towards the blue eyed adventurer. Just a quick check and the expiration date would have been noticeably passed. "Don't worry. No water in there. I think." He moved through the interior stands, checking over things, touching every object with a certain delicate nature.

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]