In The Jungles

[Ue-‘Kuo-‘Koe’c’cu-Eou]

[member="Lemke"]

Felucia. It was wet, overgrown, and wild. No matter how many attempts were made at taming it, the planet always found a way to fight back.

Always.

But right now, that didn't matter. What mattered was that Ue- 'Kuo-'Koe'c'cu-Eou was here, and he had a reason for being here.

Alas, he did not know what that reason was. Day and night he had prayed to The One With Eyes, She Who Enchants All, and even The Second Great Leader for assistance in finding his goal. His mission.

His love.

Not too many days earlier, the Blind One had stowed away on a ship, hoping it would be somewhere he could find leads -- and praying it was not hot. The alien shuddered against under his cloak, remembering the unpleasant trip to that sandy world. His skin had been so cracked it oozed every time he'd moved. So much for a mucous covering. Not to mention the loud...things in the building had hurt his ears horribly -- the noise was too scratchy and whiny.

Now, though, he was on Felucia, though he didn't know that was its name. He simply knew that here, in this small settlement, there may yet be something to help him. And the climate... It reminded him of sweet, sweet home, of the jungles that he roamed and of the harmony of nature.

And of his beloved.

Turning his mind away from such disheartening thoughts, the Blind One instead focused on putting one step in front of the other, utilizing his abilities to avoid bumping into anyone.

 

[Lemke]

Felucia: a backwater planet with small settlements, and little police force. The exact kind of place a troop of Bendui would appear. Not to mention the vast jungles surrounding the little town they were in... But they were dangerous. Filled with animals, dangerous predators, and... something else. Lemke did not like this planet, much. But they would not be here long. They were rarely anywhere for very long.

The ape-like Bendui perched on top a large speedertruck where several other Bendui were trading various knick knacks and gadgets with a few of the local farmers. Nearby, another group of Bedui had a small stand set up where they were selling 'potions' and 'magic artifacts'. Both complete fakes, of course. But people were gullible, and credits were needed for fuel and food.

While his relatives peddled goods and scammed the locals, Lemke watched from on top of the speedertruck, taking large messy bites out of a softball sized blue fruit he'd found growing from a tall tree on the outskirts of the town. He wasn't sure if it would be good to eat or not, but something told him it wasn't poisonus... and it tasted good enough. He'd have to tell the others about it when they packed up their stalls and headed back to their ships for the night, which were parked in a nearby field they'd rented from a farmer.

The people all looked the same, farmers and townfolk, people from a simple settlemnt coming to buy fancy gadgets and wood carvings, others looking over what were claimed to be Jedi holocrons and love potions. He did, however, notice someonet hat looked out of place. Someone in a long, dark robe... he walked slowly, carefully, as if he wans't sure where he was going. Blind, perhaps? He was getting on fine without a cane. It looked human, or at least humanoid. Not like one of the natives of the planet. But even the locals gave him, or her, strange looks. They hadn't seen him before. So what was it? Lemke gazed intently from his perch, watching the man as he stumbled on.

[member="Ue-‘Kuo-‘Koe’c’cu-Eou"]

 

[Ue-‘Kuo-‘Koe’c’cu-Eou]

[member="Lemke"]

Shuffling, moving, keeping cautious, making sure no foot would trip over the other. So far, the gods have blessed me with minimal clumsiness! I thank them greatly!

Blind as he was, the alien didn't know the looks others were giving him. He simply knew they were sidestepping him -- no doubt they could sense this tall being lacked the grace they themselves were undoubtedly born with.

​Thwahp, thwahp went his feet on the soft dirt ground. Now that he was further in town, the noises he'd heard from afar grew in sound. Though he kept going, Ue-'Kuo-'Koe'c'cu-Eou attempted to discern what was going on.

Lots of people -- a popular place. And small buildings, with little objects on them. Ah! It was a gathering, then. Occasionally his tribe would meet with other tribes and do the exact same thing, though it they weren't held in the daytime. And they usually met in one of the smaller caves.

Wait. Something was...different. Unusual. Strange. Out of place. The Blind One paused and reached out, flitting across the minds of those gathered. Their inner feelings were laid bare to his probe, but his touch lasted no longer than a second. A hiccup. A sneeze. Skimming, skimming -- there. One mind, focused intently on....him? Surely he was not that different? Perhaps his bandages had fallen off? No, a quick check revealed all was well.

Slowly, Ue-'Kuo-'Koe'c'cu-Eou turned around until he was sure he was facing the -- his -- observer. Tugging his hood down ever so slightly, he issued forth several soft, rapid, high-pitched clicks, too high for an average human or humanoid to hear.

In no time at all, the sound waves bounced back, and the alien received a picture of the other. Though, the being was unlike anything he'd sensed before. Short, long arms, long fur, and a peculiar face. He had never come across this particular species before. Perhaps this is who I am supposed to meet! Yes, it all made sense now! For who else would know what he wanted but this diminutive creature?

A sense of excitement growing within him, Ue-'Kuo-'Koe'c'cu-Eou began to walk towards this new stranger, forcing himself to remain slow lest he trip.

 

[Lemke]

Lemke watched the strange humanoid carefully, taking another messy bite from his blue fruit. Below, in front of the speedertruck he was perched on, a Bedui squabbled with a pair of farmers about one of the wood carvings, but Lemke never took his eyes of the hooded being. He was getting the feeling that he, the hooded person, was not something you see often... And it, or he, or whatever, seemed... uncomfortable. Like he was somewhere he didn't want to be. He could certainly sympthisize.

The ape-like sentient gave a start, though, when the hooded person suddenly turned to him. Had he seen him watching? Hm. Lemke didn't bother to look away, though. No reason to. The person had seen him. Likely he'd just go off to wherever he had come from... No, he was coming towards Lemke. He slowly put his fruit down on the speedertruck's roof, next to him, watching as the hooded person got closer. What did he want? He somehow doubted he wanted to buy trinkets from his two relatives still haggling with the farmer below him. He wanted something to do with Lemke...

The Bedui watched as [member="Ue-‘Kuo-‘Koe’c’cu-Eou"] got closer, noticing that he wasn't looking directly at him. He was looking down, and walking extremely slowly... As if not used to walking. Perhaps not used to walking in crowds? Afraid of being touched? He still got the impression this person was blind...

As soon the person got within hearing distance over the annoyed squabbling of the merchant Bedui, Lemke leaned over the edge of the speedertruck, peering down at the hooded person. "Hello." He spoke in a simple tone, as if greeting someone he had been expecting.

 

[Ue-‘Kuo-‘Koe’c’cu-Eou]

[member="Lemke"]

He sent a prayer of gratitude when he managed to make it to the creature without tripping. No embarrassment to deal with, not yet.

Keeping his face down, the Blind One listened to the stranger's voice. It was...different. Not unpleasant, just...different. Unusual. Throaty, almost. Not at all like the moans, clicks, whistles and hisses his own people used. But his voice was friendly enough, and in Ue-'Kuo-'Koe'c'cu-Eou's opinion, a friendly voice could only belong to a friendly owner -- something a quick scan confirmed. And the tone! It was one of...familiarity. Expectancy. A greeting from a friend.

It took a moment for him to realise he had not responded, causing the male to start slightly. Then, bowing, spreading his hands out to the side, the Blind One forgot himself momentarily, proclaiming, "Uoeeuo'cuu-'ce-u'c'cee-'c'c'k-ouoo'c-oooe'c'k. 'Ce-'c'c'ce-ou-Ue-'Kuo-'Koe'c'cu-'c'c'k-O-'co'ce-o'c-ee'c'ce."

Belatedly, he remembered that not everyone could understand his language, and so, much less elegantly and musically as his first attempt, he tried again. "Hhhhhhhhhaaaaiiiiiiii." This noise was much breathier, and the male tried not to wince.

 

[Lemke]

Lemke watched the man as he stood there not responding for a moment. He was... interesting. There was something different about him. He was sure now that he was not something Lemke had ever seen before... Not a human, or Duros, or any of the common species you see. Not that there was anything wrong with that, but it was... intriguing.

For a moment, Lemke had began to think the man was mute, but then it gave a sort of bow and.., Was that it's language? Was it speaking? It was a musical kind of thing... It reminded him of a large bird, some type of crane, perhaps. But then, asi if realizing that Lemke had no idea what he was saying, the person spoke in basic... more or less.

Spoiler

Lemke raised his eyebrows and stared at him for a moment. Perhaps he wasn't fluent in basic? Perhaps his species was just not made to speak it? He was curious now, curious as to who, and what, this man was...

"Hello." He repeated "My name is Lemke." He spoke in a curious, but patient, voice. Like one would use when talking with a young child. Not condescending in the least, but freindly.

[member="Ue-‘Kuo-‘Koe’c’cu-Eou"]

 

[Ue-‘Kuo-‘Koe’c’cu-Eou]

[member="Lemke"]

Spoiler

I see what you did there..... xD

The Blind One tilted his head curiously at the greeting. At least, he assumed it was a greeting -- he sensed nothing sinister about this being, and as of yet it had not run away. His hopes continued to grow.

The creature's words were not altogether familiar to him, but... Pointing a bandaged finger at it, he asked, "Lem....ke?" The way he said it made the word sound like "Yem-key", but hey, he got close on his first try. "Yoo....Yem-key?" Straightening up, Ue-'Kuo-'Koe'c'cu-Eou thumped his chest, this time simply saying, "Ue-'Kuo-'Koe'c'cu-Eou."

Meanwhile, some of the farmers had stopped and stared at the two, obviously curious over the exchange and perplexed as to what, exactly, the alien was. After all, it wasn't every day that a tall hooded figure came to Felucia, made weird noises, and chatted with a Bedui.

 

[Lemke]

Lemke smiled, and nodded. It didn't seem he was very familiar with Basic, but he understood it enough. And that sound, like a large bird again, was that his name? The Bedui nodded, and tapped his own chest again to confirm what [member="Ue-‘Kuo-‘Koe’c’cu-Eou"] wondered. "Lemke." It was not every day you got to talk to someone like this one, This Ue'Kuo. His curiosity was peeked.

Lemke paid no attentiont o the farmers who stood by and stared. He was used to stares, stares usually occured when a troop of Bedui showed up. Why not let them stare? Besides, it was good for buisness. Staring attracted the people looking to buy the wood carvings and things they sold.

The Bedui, Lemke, watched Ue'Kuo for another moment, before speaking up again. "I am a Bedui." He gestured to himself with a hand, and then gestured to the other Bedui who had moved on from the haggling farmer and were selling knick knacks to a pair of farmer's children, eager to spend their allowances. "He is Bedui, too." He gestured to himself onc more, then to the Bedui selling 'artifacts', to make sure he got the point accross that his name was not Bedui, he was a Bedui.

After he let that sink in, he pointed to the tall hooded being with a questioning glance. "What are you?"

 

[Ue-‘Kuo-‘Koe’c’cu-Eou]

[member="Lemke"]

He dipped his head in understanding when the being -- Lemke -- confirmed what he assumed. A peculiar name, the Blind One thought. And so short; like a heartbeat disappearing as quickly as it appeared. At the thought of hearts, he saddened slightly, but Lemke once again began to speak, drawing him away from a sullen mood.

Lemke gestured to himself again, this time saying a different word. What? he thought, confused. Is his name not "Lemke"? His head tilted in bemusement, Ue-'Kuo-'Koe'c'cu-Eou continued to "watch" the creature, his vocal chords vibrating from the constant clicks he was making and his mind constantly updating the mental image. After Lemke gestured to himself and another individual again, repeating, the word, it finally clicked.

His herd is the Bedui herd! he realized. No wonder I did not recognize it. Ue-'Kuo-'Koe'c'cu-Eou bobbed his head in understanding, mimicking Lemke. "Biyeh-du-aye? Biyeh-du-aye!" He then returned his finger to the being. "Yem-key essssss Biyeh-du-aye!" This revelation in turn allowed the Blind One to comprehend what the following question was.

Patting his chest, the alien decided to try and use a combination of his tongue and Lemke's tongue. "Ue-'Kuo-'Koe'c'cu-Eou essss Eou'c'ke'k-O'ceu." He debated whether or not to include his herd name as well, rubbing his chin. No, he would not know of them. It just might confuse him.

 

[Lemke]

Lemke smiled as [member="Ue-‘Kuo-‘Koe’c’cu-Eou"] understood, giving a nod. "Yem-key essssss Biyeh-du-aye!" "Yes!" The Bedui beamed, happy that the other being was being able to follow what Lemke said, despite the fact that he obviously had very little understanding of Basic. He watched closely as Ue-'kuo spoke again, presumably answering Lemke's own question...

This time, it was Lemke's turn to try and mimic the others' language. "Oo keek oo coo?" An odd name for an odd species. Though, he supposed, Lemke and Bedui were both odd for this person. And, he noticed, he wasn't able to pronounce it anything like Ue-'Kou did- he lacked the interesting, almost bird-like, tone that Ue-'kou produced. However, it was dimly reconizable as the same word.

"What brings you here?" Lemke gestured with each word, pointing at Uk-'Kou when referring to him, and then spreading out his arms in an all encompassing gesture to signify the planet. He was fairly certain this wasn't some native to the p;lanet.. He had met the natives,and they were nothing like this. Plus, the stares from the farmers didn't suggest that they know what exactly he was.

 

[Ue-‘Kuo-‘Koe’c’cu-Eou]

[member="Lemke"]

Ue-'Kuo realised that the strange noises emitting from Lemke were an attempt to replicate his language, and deep down he felt pleased. Not that the other being couldn't communicate in his tongue (imagine how much simpler life would be if everyone spoke as he did here! Confusion would be nonexistant! Well, at least for him) but that he at least made an attempt. Most beings the Blind One had encountered usually repeated his tongue to simply poke fun at him. It was not as funny as they thought.

Shaking his head in faint amusement, the tall alien decided not to correct Lemke. It might have come off as rude to this individual, and besides, it wasn't of particular importance.

The other being then pointed at Ue-'Kuo, making another stream of words in his odd tongue before sweeping his arms out wide. What? Oh! What am I doing here? he had asked. Now it made sense!

The Blind One rubbed between the gills on his face thoughtfully, wondering how to explain it in a way that would surpass the language barriers. Obviously, gesturing would not work...

Or would it?

From under his cloak, Ue-'Kuo-'Koe'c'cu-Eou pulled out both his and his beloved's talismans, holding them up so that Lemke may see them. First, he touched the grey stone, saying, "Ue-'Kuo-'Koe'c'cu-Eou." His stone. Then, with a hint of sadness touching his voice, he touched the white one before making a fist over his heart. "Eeeuue'k-'Kouu-'C-Eou-Ue'cou." His late love.

Next, he then stretched his fingers out far, as if he were grasping for something just out of reach. As if it was something he needed, desired. Couldn't live without.

"I...yuhk....tyuu....haphhh....sssheeeee.....byaaaak..."