Lessons Learned From The Mist-Walkers

[Kay-Larr]

The Headmistress led bith Kay and [member="Ghorua the Shark"] to her office. That was always the first stop. It was never to see the children first. She walked around her desk and sat down. "Have a seat..." Oh but Ghorua was far too big for her chairs. "...Or whatever makes you comfortable, Mr. Ghorua, is it?" She opened up a drawer while Kay sat down in the chair and brought out a datapad. "Now then, are you two adopting as a couple?"

Kay interjected quickly. "Oh no, no, no. I'm here for moral support and to vouche for him, if need be."

The Headmistress merely nodded, her expression as stoic as ever. She handed Ghorua the datapad. "Well, here are some basic questions. It's all the standard stuff; employment, housing, criminal records, how many other children you have, whether or not you've adopted before, what type of child you are seeking, age, sex and so on."

Kay looked over to Ghorua, giving him a small smile in a bid to reassure him that everything would be fine.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua walked into the office, immediately feeling cramped. He didn't know why he expected anything less. Nonetheless, he felt comfortable simply plopping himself down on the floor, and listening to the woman as she asked him his name.

He gave a sly smile to Kay, and looked back to the headmistress coyly. "Please, call me Mr. Balin." Ghorua had never told the Lady his last name. Perhaps she had assumed he didn't have one, as was custom with some Herglics. He figured he might as well be as formal as possible, and if that meant sacrificing some of his mysterious charm, he would do it.

When the woman assumed the two were a couple, the Shark couldn't stop a sharp laugh. "Hah, no. I'm afraid not. Now, what would you like me to do?"

Ghorua was handed the datapad, and got to work immediately, filling out information. It was surprisingly easy.

Occupation: Private Investigator/Security. Sounded better than bounty hunter.

Housing: Residential District, Nar Shaddaa. Not the coziest place to live, but at least it wasn't the cesspits.

Criminal Records: N/A. This was mostly true. In Commenori space, he had none whatsoever. His ban from First Order territory was his only actual strike, and he figured they would let that slide, since he had been helping the future president at the time. His nose was surprisingly clean, and where it wasn't, he was good at hiding it.

Ghorua filled out the rest of the info, and handed it back to the Headmistress, all nervousness buried under a certain bravado. He looked confident, stable, and gentle; Like any good father should, minus about four feet. He looked to Kay briefly, sneaking to her a nervous smile.

He didn't know what to think. He didn't know how he was supposed to feel. He had just entered uncharted waters.

- [member="Lady Kay"] -

 

[Kay-Larr]

The Headmistress took the datapad back and went over it, no change in her expression. Such a thing would make one wonder if she was a droid under some organic skin. But no, she was a living human.

Kay looked to [member="Ghorua the Shark"] , giving him another of her reassuring smiles. She had never known his last name, until now. Balin, hmm? It was a good name. Not many knew of her last name either and she sort of kept it that way. For her Father's sake, more so than her own.

"Nar Shaddaa, hmm? Not exactly the best place in the Galaxy. But....we do have one shining star that could help to brighten the area up a bit. Normally I wouldn't send any of the children there, but if the Madam President vouches for you, then I will oblige. Wait here and I'll have her come down to meet you."

The Headmistress set down the datapad and got to her feet, exiting out of the office. Kay could feel the nerves underneath Ghorua's steel resolve. She reached over and placed her hand on his arm again, giving it a bit of a squeeze.

Moments later, the Headmistress returned with a little girl about the age of four standard years. She had dark hair, expressive eyes. She smiled to Kay, but then she saw Ghorua. She looked up at him, way, way, up at him until she nearly fell over. And then she smiled with a wave before whispering to the Headmistress, "You're right, he is big and strong."

"This is Minna. Minna, this is Mr. Balin and his friend, the Madame President."

"Pleased to meet you, little lady." Kay smiled and bowed her head to her. Then she looked up at Ghorua to see how he'd react.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua excepted Kay's encouraging smile, strengthening his resolve. He was doing the right thing, wasn't he? He may be endangering the life of a child by taking them under his wing, taking them to such a shady planet, but it had to be better than growing up alone, yes?

Ghorua didn't know.

By the time the Headmistress returned, Ghorua had stood and began pacing absentmindedly. His doubts and excitement had coagulated into a nervous energy that the Shark had to burn.

That was, until he saw her.

Small, barely out of the toddler years. Long dark hair, pulled back by various beads and braids. Eyes, milky chocolate, sparkling, beautiful. Casual child's clothes, not rags, not a noblewoman's dress. Hands...

Tiny.

Ghorua immediately dropped to one knee, too shocked and overwhelmed to smile. The rest of the world had receded into nothingness; all of existence disappeared except for the Shark and his Minnow.

"H... Hello, little one." Ghorua grinned, his smile larger than Kay had ever seen it. Despite his sharp teeth, he seemed completely blissful. Without thinking, he reached out his palm face-up. Why, he didn't know. The little girl reached out her own hand, and grasped his finger tightly. A laugh caught in his throat, and he looked up at Kay, a new child-like wonder in his eyes.

"Hi! I'm Minna." She giggled, looking at the Herglic, and then to the Headmistress. "I like him."

"And I know you!" Minna picked her way away from the Headmistress, and to the Lady. "Hi! I'm Minna."

Ghorua watched her walk away, his smile ever-present. Today was truly looking up.

- [member="Lady Kay"] -

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay was touched by [member="Ghorua the Shark"] and how he reacted to Minna. She was such a cutie. And brave too. Not every child would fail to be intimidated by a Herglic, let alone touch one that had such sharp teeth. It brought a tear to her eye as she was reminded of her own adopted children. Rae-Anna was close to Minna's age when they had first met. She was just as sweet and was going to be a great healer some day. Now however, Kay wasn't certain if she was even still alive. After her husband was killed, both of their adopted children were taken away for their safety, their identities hidden. Hopefully, they were safe and living good lives.

"Hello, little lady. My friend...Mr. Balin, is looking to adopt someone, someone that could help look after him, make sure that he stays out of trouble. What do you think about that?"

The Headmistress just watched, nodding her head to Minna to indicate that she could speak her mind and answer the President's question.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

"Look... after him?"

Minna's voice lilted as she looked up to Ghorua, then to the Headmistress, then back to Ghorua. "Yeah, I could do that." Her face went serious as she glanced at the Shark up and down inquisitively, taking him all in. She closed her eyes slightly, and giggled.

"You seem okay to me! Just a teeny bit confused!" Minna nodded adamantly, a bit of a sparkle in her dark eyes.

Ghorua raised an eyebrow, still smiling. "Oh, is that right, little lady?" Still, something in her assured tone made him pause. He dismissed it for now, content with letting his mind rest a moment. He hauumed happily, and Minna laughed again.

"That is a pretty silly sound." The little girl nodded, as if affirming something to herself. She turned back to the Headmistress, touching her hair. "I like him," she repeated, patting Ghorua's arm. "Can I keep him?"

Ghorua couldn't help but laugh quietly to himself. If Kay liked him, and this child liked him...

Then how bad could he be?

- [member="Lady Kay"] -

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay smiled as she watched the exchange. It was so touching and nearly brought a tear to her eyes. Minna was going to be good for [member="Ghorua the Shark"] . Perhaps she will be able to help him with his frenzy in a way that she couldn't. Regardless, she will help him become a better person.

She laughed a little as Minna remarked on the sound that Ghorua made. The little one would get used to that, she was sure.

Her eyes then went to the Headmistress as Minna asked to keep him. The Headmistress in turn looked to Kay. There was almost a silent conversation going on between them. Finally the silence was broken by the older woman's voice. "If Mr. Balin agrees, then yes, you may keep him. If that's the case, then go and pack up your things and say goodbye to the others. Mr. Balin will have some paperwork to fill out."

Kay grinned to Ghorua from ear to ear.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

"It is." Ghorua's voice was soft, yet steady. "It most certainly is."

"Okay! Let me go get my toys!" The little girl, with a quick skip, trounced out of the door, leaving Ghorua awestruck.

Ghorua couldn't think of a time he felt happier.

"I can take that paperwork now, ma'am." Ghorua stood slowly, his mind too numb from the experience for much of anything.

It was difficult to explain the emotions running through him. Earlier today, he had been battered, broken... completely and utterly destroyed emotionally. The Herglic still felt some of that, yet it was distant, pushed away. He felt a strange concoction of sensations, including joy, love, fear, nervousness, and strangely enough, hope.

Ghorua would take whatever paperwork handed his way, and fill it out to the best of his abilities, in a bit of a stunned stupor.

Today was truly looking up.

- [member="Lady Kay"] -

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay watched Minna run off in a hurry. No doubt she was bursting at the seams to tell the others about who was adopting her. How many would believe it? How many were glad that they weren't chosen?

The Headmistress nodded and gathered the paperwork from her desk, handing it to [member="Ghorua the Shark"] . "Don't forget, you'll need to be sure to put in an emergency contact or family, in case anything were to happen to you. If you have none, then place this adoption centre as your contact and she'll be brought back here."

Kay could feel the array of emotions coming from Ghorua. This was something that she wouldn't miss for all the world. It wasn't exactly how she had planned the day to go. But that wasn't a bad thing. "I suppose we'll add another bed to your guest room. Fortunately, there is enough space." She wondered how Bones would react to Minna. Hopefully there wasn't much in the way of jealousy.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

"Will do, miss." Ghorua nodded to the headmistress, quickly filling out the forms. He hesitated over the emergency contact, finally putting down the number for the orphanage. It seemed as if his writing utensil couldn't move fast enough for his excited writing. Finally, it was all completed, and Ghorua handed the papers back. He turned to Kay, joy brimming in his eyes. "Yeah, I suppose so."

---​

​

Ghorua had to stop at his ship, to get a change of clothes for himself, but had sent Minna along with Kay to the palace. Minna had taken to the place immediately. One might expect a child that had grown up in a humble orphanage to be intimidated by such a grand atmosphere, but not the little Human girl. She strode in like she owned the place, shrugging the strap to her small bag higher up on her shoulder.

It was obvious she didn't have much. A small toy capital ship. A dress, and a few pairs of shirts and pants. A package of multicolored beads.

Minna had changed her clothes. Instead of the mild skirt she had worn earlier, she had come dressed for her surroundings. She wore her best dress, a beautifully-embroidered flowing of red and white. In her hair was a peppering of all different colors of beads, weaving her dark locks into different patterns, tumbling down her shoulders.

"This place is so pretty!" Minna turned on her heel, patting Lady Kay on the waist. "I liked the paintings!"

Minna noticed a guard standing at attention, and walked confidently up to him. "Hi, sir! I am Minna Ba... Bal... Baleen!" She quipped the phrase, trying out her new last name, albeit slightly incorrectly. She smiled, and marched back over to Kay, reaching into her bag, and pulling out another bead. She quickly undid a braid, and expertly weaved the small black dot into her dark hair.

"What else is there here? Is there a throne?" The very thought brought wonder to her face.

- [member="Lady Kay"] -

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay laughed a little as Minna walked in. She had expected the little girl to be in awe, and in a way she was. But it felt different. It was almost as if the girl had lived another life before this one. But that was impossible.

She watched while Minna bravely approached and spoke to the guard. Not too many younglings would do that. But of course she was different.

Then the question of a throne came up. Kay laughed again and shook her head. "No dear. I'm not a Queen. I'm a President. I just have an office with a big desk. That's about it. But come and I'll show you where you and Gjorua will be sleeping." She held out her hand for her and then led her down the hallway to a room with double doors. Kay opened one and strode inside. Sure enough, an enormous bed had been fitted together for [member="Ghorua the Shark"] . And beside that was a smaller bed. The large guest room was also furnished with some chairs, wardrobe, fireplace and table.

"So....which bed are you going to jump on first?"

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

A mischievous glint caught the child's eye, and she smiled impishly. "We are going to jump on the big one!"

Without another word, Minna grasped Kay's hand, and led her to the oversized bed of Ghorua. The young girl, with a little difficulty, waddled up on top, and tested her weight against the springs. She began to bounce- slow at first, but with growing trust and intensity, until she was jumping high into the air, caught in a fit of light laughter. The former orphan fell on her back, enveloped into fine sheets rendered wrinkled, and pillows tossed about the expansive blankets. Her dress flowed around her, just as misshapen.

"This is my favorite day." Minna blew out through her mouth, pushing a few stray hairs out of her face, content with the simple statement.

Ghorua chose that time to walk in, toting a large bag of his stuff. He had changed into his most comfortable clothes; a black tank top and faded grey cargo shorts. His glowing white tattoo shone on his shoulder, the symbol of a gang he should have never joined. The Shark smiled happily, forgetting about his past. Minna was a symbol, for change.

For resolution.

"Hello, Minna! I've brought someone for you to meet!" Ghorua grinned, a surprisingly similar smile to the one Minna had donned only minutes earlier. "She's real excited to meet you."

The sound of bated whining erupted from behind Ghorua, and Kay could probably guess who it was.

Bones trotted into the room, snuffing and testing the air. Minna's eyes locked onto the hound, her smile only growing. She hopped off the bed, crawling on her hands and knees towards the beast, who returned the gesture, stalking up to Minna playfully. The girl rested her hand on the Massiff's snout, petting slowly. The rest of the world had faded into antiquity as the young Balin patted down Bones' spines, stopping on one that was marred and cracked.

"Hi, I'm Minna," she whispered, intent on the animal, as it lolled it's tongue. "That must've hurt, didn't it?" Minna looked between Kay and Ghorua weirdly, then continued her cooing to the animal.

Again, Ghorua got a strange feeling, yet couldn't quite place the reason.

He sat on his bed, beginning to unpack what he brought over. Some nutrient-rich food, to fuel the Herglic, another pair of clothes, his datapad, and a few choice knickknacks. Ghorua leaned back on his hands, watching Minna and Bones get used to each other.

"She's... something special, isn't she." Ghorua's problems seemed a thousand lightyears away.

- [member="Lady Kay"] -

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay smirked as Minna picked the big one, then laughed as she was dragged to join her. It had been a few decades since she had jumped on a bed last. At least this one could handle it. She jumped along with her, though more cautious, not wanting to bump into the girl and knock her off the bed.

When Minna stopped, she did too, slightly out of breath and with her hair as equally tousled as [member="Ghorua the Shark"] arrived. Kay smiled and slid off the bed, tidying up her hair a bit with her fingers.

For a moment she froze as Bones came in. Most of her memories with the beast were not good ones. Yet watching Minna take a liking to Bones rather quickly, she relaxed a little. That had to be a good sign.

Kay caught the look that Minna had given them, when she asked Bones about the broken spine. It was almost as though she was told what happened.

She nodded a little as she approached Ghorua, placing her hand on his shoulder as she leaned in a bit while she spoke quietly to him, "Yes...And I think that she can...somehow communicate with animals. Did you see the look she gave us? I think that Bones told her what happened...There is a Force skill that allows one to communicate with creatures. I think that your little Minna here has such a gift." But that wasn't a bad thing. If anything, it was a blessing for them and their new family.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua looked to Kay, hearing her hypothesis, his mouth opened slightly, as if he wanted to argue. He hadn't meant that he thought she had the Force, just that she was a character. Yet, as the President said it, he knew that's what he thought as well. How Minna pegged him for being confused when they first met, and this new development with Bones...

It was a little too coincidental.

Ghorua detected the ease in the way she spoke, and sighed. "You think so?" The Herglic sunk deeper into the bed, contemplating hard. Finally, he spoke, his deep voice low, so as to avoid Minna's detection, who was now trying to sit on the Massiff's back.

"It's just... I've met many Forcies. You, some Jedi, some Sith..." Ghorua let his eyes trail to his new daughter. "They all, you all, lead tough lives. You were pursued by a Sith Lord, who killed your husband. The Jedi and Sith wars rage on, leaving hundreds of millions dead." A tired weight fell on Ghorua's words, betraying his meaning.

"The life of those gifted in the Force is tough. She'll be wanted by everyone. The Sith will probably try to capture her, turn her into a psychopath. The Jedi'll take her away from me, and probably kill the ferocious, murderous father when he protests against it." Ghorua twiddled his thumbs, glancing back to Kay.

"You guys always seemed to be pulled from one side to the other. Even though I just met her," he said, letting his eyes rest on Minna, "... I know I don't want that kind of life for her. I want her to be her own woman some day, to not be influenced by the whims of a fickle galaxy." Ghorua fell back on the bed, letting his back rest against the soft linens. "Is that even possible?"

Ghorua sat there, contemplating. Minna noticed the change, glancing up from her attempt at riding Bones with some concern, before shrugging and continuing to straddle the beast in-between her tiny legs.

- [member="Lady Kay"] -

 

[Kay-Larr]

"We're not the only ones that lead tough lives. Look at your own. I doubt that it's been simple or trouble free. But our experiences build character. If it weren't for mine, I'd probably be flaunting my abilities everywhere I could. But I don't."

Kay looked from [member="Ghorua the Shark"] to Minna and Bones, though she spoke to her friend laying next to her. "You could keep her locked away in a bubble, but it won't matter. My late husband and I tried with our own adopted children. But we couldn't. You'll have to teach her how to cope, how to defend herself and how to enjoy life. It'll give you better peace of mind. Trust me."

Hopefully Ghorua would understand what she was trying to tell him. The past always had a way of catching up. Always.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua bobbed his head in agreement when the President brought up his own difficult life. It couldn't be denied that Ghorua had lived a difficult life. With Minna now in his charge, perhaps he would have to tone his life down.

Ghorua listened to Kay's words, taking solace in them. "I guess you're right." Ghorua decided to take the more experienced Kay's words to heart. He wasn't exactly a seasoned veteran of parenthood.

"I don't know how to do that. I've never been a dad, in case you haven't noticed..." Ghorua offered a soft smile. Minna had successfully planted herself behind Bone's spines, and was now riding her around the room. Bones' tongue was lolling happily as she gave the ride, the panting revealing her ease. "I'll try not to be... overprotective."

Bones trotted up to the two, Minna proudly perched on her back. "I like her! What is her name?"

Ghorua smiled, his mind racing behind his eyes. "She's Bones. What do you think of her?"

"She's fun! And strong. And she likes me!"

"Is that so?" Ghorua held out his hand for Bones to sniff, and looked back to Minna. "Do you... talk to her?"

Minna tilted her head, a question on her mind. "Kinda. She likes you too." The girl patted the Massiff, and the two began another lap around the room.

"Y'know," the Shark began, returning his attention back to Kay, "if she ever did want to 'follow the path of the Force', or whatever, would you be willing to... I don't know, tutor her? I don't think I could trust anyone else." Ghorua grinned, returning his attention back to the girl.

She was his daughter. His daughter.

- [member="Lady Kay"] -

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay had to laugh as [member="Ghorua the Shark"] mentioned never being a parent before. Although she wasn't laughing at him, so much as she was laughing at his situation. "We all have to start somewhere. No one is born with all of the knowledge required. It's a work in progress. There is no such thing as a perfect parent. Remember that."

She watched as Minna interacted with Bones, glad that the two got along so well. That was important. It would be horrible for Ghorua to have to choose between the two.

Kay was taken out of her thoughts as Ghorua asked her to tutor Minna. As quickly as that was said, his attention was already back to the little girl. So she followed suit, watching them play. "I suppose that I could. There shouldn't be any harm in that. So far she seems to be doing quite well on her own. I was mostly self taught, but I learned wherever I could. Whether or not she'll need a lot of help will depend on how she handles herself. But when she needs it, I'll be there for her."

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua grinned at Kay, quickly realizing that this was the most normal conversation the two had ever shared. It lacked the tension of former enemies that the Shark had felt between them on Bespin, replaced by a strong friendship. A friendship powerful enough to lower the bounty hunter's barriers, to make him feel truly safe.

Safety had always been something Ghorua has strived for. Financial safety, physical safety, romantic safety... yet he had never felt safe. Perhaps he had been looking in the wrong places for safety.

He had always been looking to himself for safety, when he should've been looking towards his friends.

The Shark fell back on the bed again, suppressing a yawn. Minna didn't seem to be tired, but he was. Today was taxing for him.

"Thank you, at least for promising to try." Ghorua exhaled deeply, a refreshing sound. "Now, I am exhausted, and I'd like to get some shut-eye. I haven't slept in a bed this soft since..." Ghorua propped himself up on his elbows, thinking. "I haven't slept in a bed this soft."

"Hey." Ghorua examined the Lady's face, looking for anything. It was something he did often, but for once he wasn't looking for an angle, for something to use. He was simply observing. "Thank you. For... everything. For giving me a second chance, for Bespin..."

"For believing in me. Not many people do."

"Now, see you bright and early tomorrow?"

- [member="Lady Kay"] -

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay smiled as [member="Ghorua the Shark"] allowed himself to relax. He truly seemed happy and she was happy for him. The training from earlier and the fear it caused was nearly forgotten. He'll need help with that still, but his priorities and motivation were different now.

His life was all going to be about Minna.

She looked to Ghorua as he studied her, not entirely sure of what he was going to say or ask until he finally spoke. Kay gave him a wink. "You're welcome. Everyone deserves a second chance. You gave me mine by putting your trust in me. So thank you."

After one final look at Minna and Bones playing, she headed to the door. "See you in the morning. Sleep well and take as much time in the morning that you need. There's no rush."

Kay slipped out the door, closing it quietly behind her and then headed to her own office and bedchambers. What a day. It just goes to show that anything could happen in a short span of time.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua sat cross-legged on his bed, feigning a pensive face. Minna sat opposite of him, rubbing her cheeks together in deep thought. Between them...

A portable Dejarik board.

Ghorua and Minna had both slept well, but woke early, excited to spend time with each other. Ghorua figured he could start their day right: with a board game. Ghorua had practically been raised on Dejarik, the simple strategies and conundrums teaching him critical thinking early on. He had enjoyed the game to no end, and still did. Apparently, so did Minna, as they had been playing together for hours.

"So," Ghorua started, pointing out the little hologram monsters, "I have this piece next to yours, but my power piece is a few spaces away. What do you do?"

Minna squished her face together, debating the easy choice. Minna was only four, but she was picking up on the game fast. Perhaps it was some Force power.

Or maybe his Minna was just gifted.

"I think..." Minna tapped a few buttons. Her Kintan Strider holo trampled forward, picking up and ripping apart Ghorua's power piece. "Yes!"

Ghorua laughed, content with the girl's smug expression. Minna stuck out her tongue, her tan skin creasing with laughter.

"Again!"

- [member="Lady Kay"] -