Private Dark Heart

[Alana Calloway]

Tags: Valaine Valentine

The neon haze of Nar Shaddaa never dimmed, never faltered. The smuggler’s moon thrived on excess and decadence, each sector alive with the pulse of credits changing hands.

Of course, such things were beyond her notice. Alana slipped through the endless crowds, though her focus laid not on the uproar that was the crowd. Rather it was something of a spiritual matter. It wasn't the usual brush of danger or the simmering veil of violence that marked every step on this force forsaken moon.

What called to her was something more, something…physical? Something familiar.

Her hand lingered at her side, close enough to the hilt of her weapon, but her gaze wandered instead, searching the shifting currents of the traffic, the dim alleys between durasteel buildings, the glow of sky swallowed by the unending lights of the world. In spite of the chaos that this world brought forth, she could not remove this gnawing at her being.

Darkness. Familiar, wandering, searching?

These words came to her at the glimpse of her mind, filling in the gaps and laying out the foundations of….something. Alana's jaw tightened, pondering wha the familiarity could be. Whether it was just the stain of her past being recalled or something far more dangerous hiding within its veins, she couldn't yet tell.

For now, she kept moving, eyes sharp, unsure where or what this presence could be.

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Alana Calloway

Valaine's exploration of the known galaxy was quickly racking up in the number of worlds she had visited, and it seemed Nar Shadda was closer to her memory of home than most as she prowled its streets and alleys, weaving through the crowds of faceless people like a pale ghost in the mist.

The purpose of her current outing was one of necessity however, for the hunger in her blood called for sustenance. It was a part of her nature that she disliked greatly, one that made her feel like a parasite. But wherever she liked it or not, it could not be ignored.

Tired grey eyes had spotted one figure in particular amidst the crowds, one that seemed to tick most of the Sangnir's boxes when it came to hunting prey, and so she had started to stalk Alana through the busy streets. Valaine moved within the crowds, now and then disappearing from view, but always appearing elsewhere soon later with her tired stare locked onto her target.

She had to wait for her chance, wait for this individual to pass even just briefly into a quiet alley or corner. Sometimes Valaine was a few steps behind, sometimes she was passing right behind Alana before disappearing into the crowd once more, but no matter how far or close she was one thing was certain; she was consistent.

 

[Alana Calloway]

Tags: Valaine Valentine

She slides her hands into the pocket of her jacket, as she continues onwards, her expression shifting into a frown. She didn’t look behind her, but kept on ahead. Dodging the people about her was, not exactly second nature, but she recalled enough of her homeworld to know how it was done.

Her mind still mulled over the possibilities laid ahead, as she turned sharply to enter an alleyway, musing on what may be reaching out to her in this moment. The crowds would thin now, trickling down to a scant few passersby. She moved on, musing on her reflections, her life, and questioning if it was wise to try and confront this feeling on her own.

The familiarity grew, and the scene of her mind began.

Walking with her parents, hand in hand, but she couldn’t recall what exactly they were going to.

The alley the Echani walked down, was boarded up, abandoned, and grew increasingly sketchy as she proceeded along. A handful of rough looking figures eyed the woman as she continued along, musing to herself, the memory slowly darkening as she came to a halt. Movement before her being the cause.

Two figures had taken note of the woman now, and moved to intersect her slow stroll.

Alana stood still, and looked the two over, and let out a sigh.

She had a fair idea on what was about to happen.

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Alana Calloway

As Valaine turned a corner to follow Alana into the alley she continued to remain a shadow within the dark as she trailed her. This was going well she had thought; entering a more quiet place as the crowds thinned and grew more scarce. With any luck this would be an easy night for her.

It was then that she noted the looks Alana was getting and her street-smarts knew well enough what was happening. Alana was no longer just her target, she was becoming marked by others. As two figures in particular seemed to take note of the Echani Valaine quickened her footsteps to start steadily catching up to her.

It was just her luck that her target was about to be the victim of some petty crime, ruining a perfectly good hunt, but if anything Valaine was something of a good samaritan despite her nature. With a resigned sigh of annoyance she caught up to Alana and moved to stand right besides her when she stopped. Her tired eyes weren't acknowledging her at all but rather staring straight ahead at the two figures as she put her hands into her pockets idly and slouched forward ever so slightly in a lazy and tired posture.

It might be clear to Alana what she was doing, it was something that happened often enough between strangers; she was playing the part of someone accompanying her to try to get her out of a sticky situation, to make it seem like she wasn't alone. It was a silent offer of assistance to the Echani, one she didn't need to acknowledge.

With any luck the two figures might find a pair of targets a little too daunting, at least if these were just regular thieves that was...

 

[Alana Calloway]

Tags: Valaine Valentine

She stared at the two figures, taking in their forms. One was a Kel Dor, the other seemed a near human or some sort. She kept her hands in her pockets, staring at them with her red eyes.

They flinched, and for a moment, Alana thought they might draw blasters on her.

The reason for this soon became clear, as another party stood beside her. She glanced over, raising a brow, then back to the two figures. She shrugged, hands still in her coat.

The silent exchange is underway, as she merely waits for the two to decide on a course of action.

After several tense moments, they seem to decide against it, and continue walking off, leaving the two where they were.

Alana watches them depart, staying quiet, until she knows they are alone. At which, she turns to her new companion.

“Appreciate the assist, didn’t want to take my hands out of my pocket.”

She mused, mind still focused on the distant familiarity that beckoned to her.

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Alana Calloway

As the standoff began Valaine kept her gaze fixated on the two figures, 'Come on, get lost already...' she thought as it continued. But it seemed her luck was shifting as the two figures thought better of whatever they had planned and departed.

She remained stood there as they left and didn't turn to look at Alana until she addressed her. "Hm? Oh... it's nothing really." she commented in a soft tone and for a moment her eyes shifted over the other woman. She had said she didn't want to take her hands from her pockets, so maybe Valaine herself had cause to reconsider trying to feed from her now.

"You uh... Walk into dark alleys alone often?" asked the young Sangnir who glanced around for a moment to confirm that they were still alone. "It's pretty bad for your health, you know?" she added, her own hands still likewise in her pockets as tired eyes regarded Alana.