Lifting Volume II [Phylis]

[Lief]

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Saffia, Serenno
Mid-Day
Status: Hungry

The Countess of Dirt made her way through the shadows, her gaze roaming the high-raised buildings. Her little tummy rumbled beneath her thin tunic, dragging her attention away from the noble counts and countesses in their lofty homes. She could feel their pseudo-misery even from here. Oh no, we're out of blue milk, whatever will we do?, or Pass me the Corellian Whiskey, they're upping the tax bracket! ugh. While she did not loathe them, their lives or the way they lived... Well, she couldn't help but feel as though their priorities were a little... Out of whack.

Rhiari tried to recall the number of days which had passed since she was last successful in acquiring food. The constant tummy rumbling indicated it had been a while, the physical aching even longer. Part of her wished they would come down from their towers, climb from their high horses, and realise that there was more to the Galaxy than credits and wine. But at the same time she refused to act as selfish as they were. She was but a tiny blot on the planet of Serenno, the urchin of Saffia's streets. Compared to those most noble beings she was nothing.

The true Countess of Dirt.

And she was ever so hungry.

@[member='Phylis Alince']

 

[Phylis Alince]

@[member="Rhiari Saffia"]

"Thank you, Countess Griana, this has been ever so helpful." The Jedi Master took the small box that the noblewoman offered. In return she offered a small purse of credits. The Countess took them and eagerly checked the amount, finding it suiting the deal's requirements.
"And thank you, Master Jedi. We always welcome business with the Republic."
And last year it was with the Sith, or whoever was in control then.
"Yes, hmm, thank you again. I will make sure your name is credited when this is displayed."
The Jedi Master put the box into the bag she carried and headed from the front door.

The streets of Saffia were busy with the midday crowd as Phylis began her journey back towards the docking bay where her ship lay. The day had gone well. She had acquired the object she had come here for, and there'd been no Sith, Mandalorians, pirates or enraged lobsters. Not yet anyway.

 

[Lief]

She felt her skin prickle and had an odd sensation within her chest. The little girl turned slightly, her eyes narrowing into the street. It was not hunger she felt, but an urge to... Follow. What? Her feet? With a frown she began to stumble forwards, and soon her movements were wholly natural, something was leading her on, guiding her through the crowd, it was an insatiable need to be... Somewhere. But where? By now her hunger was all but forgotten.

Finally she spotted it, ahead of her. The destination. But it seemed to be on the very same spot a woman was standing upon. With a heavy sigh she tried to halt, but the urged sensation within her wouldn't cease. After a few seconds she found the need to move overwhelming again. With a soft frown she hurried on, just in time to hear the word "Jedi" uttered by one of the women. Then the other one began to wander off, and she realised that it was.

That woman. For whatever unknown reason she was being dragged toward her. Thinking on her feet she decided to use this moment to its advantage, maybe the woman had some food, or credits, or something of worth. As much as she hated to steal, she was excruciatingly hungry. Moving closer to the woman she expertly slipped a hand into the pocket that allowed the easiest access.

Inside there was but one item, and it felt somewhat heavy. She took it anyway, against her better judgement, and to her relief the awful feeling in her chest began to dwindle. Whatever it had been, clearly she had sated it by taking this... Book? Ugh, that wouldn't fetch her enough even for bread!

@[member="Phylis Alince"]

 

[Phylis Alince]

@[member="Rhiari Saffia"]

Phylis had been doing what she normally did, going onto autopilot so she could think about something.
Now...the Carian Dynasty lasted for, hmm, 318 years, but a branch of theirs came into power later....
What it was she was thinking about no one quite knew. It was bound to be fascinating though. Right?

And then...flash...she felt her bag was lighter. Footsteps hurrying away, the Force pulsed a warning, too late!
"Oh...fiddlesticks..." she said unhappily. She had paid a lot for that book, and now someone had stolen it.
Calling on the Force, she headed in pursuit, following the trail of the thief slowly, but inexorably to where they had gone to ground.

 

[Lief]

The child could not help herself, book or no she had to flee! Hurrying on down the street the little girl clutched the heavy book to her chest, trembling in fear. This one had been noticed, and that was most definitely not a good thing. Damn the book for having been so heavy. With a small puff of breath she turned the corner and pressed herself back against the wall, trembling as fear and adrenalin set within her. She dropped to the floor unintentionally and brought her knees up against her chest, keeping the book close.

Part of her wanted to turn around and give it back, but the louder voice in her mind begged her to keep hold of it. Her stomach ache so badly that it brought tears to her eyes, with Rhiari being ever so close to crying. She clutched at her stomach in pain and just remained there, with her back to the wall. It was becoming too much, and she was getting worse at lifting good items. Such a vicious cycle, it made her want to just curl up and sleep, to forget about it all. But she couldn't, the property she openly carried was still 'hot'.

@[member="Phylis Alince"]

 

[Phylis Alince]

@[member="Rhiari Saffia"]

Phylis came to a halt at the turning of the corner. She sensed the figure was waiting there, but her hand strayed from her lightsabre handle where it had rested. She sensed one person, but she also sensed fear, despair, but no malice.

Moving around the corner she saw a young girl, not even ten years old. She was curled up against the wall, close to tears, clutching the stolen book.
Phylis’ indignant words died on her lips. The girl was thin, emaciated even, dirty and lost. An urchin living on the streets. And…something more. Most curiously, there was something else. A flicker of something behind the girl’s eyes.

The Jedi Master put that aside and knelt down in front of the girl. “Uhh…hi,” she said a shade awkwardly. What did people say at times like this?
“My name’s Phylis. What’s your name?” she asked softly, gently.

Reaching out with the Force she attempted to calm and sooth the child a little.

 

[Lief]

Rhiari felt the annoyance of the woman through her emotions, and then how she was suddenly... There. Flinching back a little she all but dropped the book. "I don't want it, I don't want it" she cried out, extending it out while closing her eyes tightly. The woman could have her book back, so long as she left Rhi alone. Within her mind sirens were going off; get out of there, Rhi, you don't know who she is, get out!

But she couldn't move, she was rooted to the spot at this point. Then she picked up on what the woman had said, all the while feeling overcome with a new sensation; a feeling of calm washed through her, far more effective than the lady might have hoped for as her natural abilities seemed to amplify it.

"R-Rhiari" she whispered, still holding out the book... Only no she opened her eyes to look at the woman, sensing her awkwardness with the situation.

@[member="Phylis Alince"]

 

[Phylis Alince]

@[member="Rhiari Saffia"]

She couldn't be angry with the girl. The girl was hungry, lost, alone. Gently, Phylis reached out and touched the girl's shoulder.
"Well, Rhiari, you're not in trouble," she said reassuringly. She had collected the book and stowed it back in her bag again. "You look hungry though. Did you want some food? Do you have parents or family?" she asked. It didn't look like it, but neglectful family couldn't be ruled out.

 

[Lief]

Exhaling very slowly she began to calm further, of her own accord, yet her hands shook as she drew them back to her side, slowly wrapping them around her knees. The touch was unexpected, and although she resisted the sensation as best she could Rhi still flinched a little. "B-But... I stole" she whispered, when she was informed that she wasn't in trouble; even Rhiari knew that it was wrong to do that, despite the circumstances.

The next part made the tiny girl frown in shame and look down to her feet. She chewed on her lip for just a moment, stomach rumbling and aching like nothing else. "I... I don't have anyone" she confessed, before shrugging it off. The people and company didn't matter, all that mattered was getting through the day.

@[member="Phylis Alince"]

 

[Phylis Alince]

@[member="Rhiari Saffia"]

"You stole because you needed to, because you're hungry. That's not bad. Well, not morally. Legally is a bit dicey. Hmm, not a big problem. Anyway, you don't have anyone? Well, did you want to come with me, Rhiari? I can get you some food, somewhere clean to sleep, somewhere undercover."
She smiled. She didn't know how to talk to children...it'd never really been something she did. However, she was unexpectedly good at it because she treated them like little adults, rather than a strange and mysterious alien race.

 

[Lief]

The child stared at her long and hard for just a moment, distrust flashing in her eyes. Was this some sort of sick joke? A trick of sorts? Or was the offer genuine? She leant back against the wall and breathed in slowly, trying to keep herself calm; someone was finally willing to help, should she really feel so dubious and sceptical?

“Do… Do you mean it?” she inquired, chewing on her lower lip again. Pain spread through her lower abdomen, my how she needed to eat. “I… Food… Food would be nice, m'lady…” she whispered, bowing her head. It felt wrong to be asking, although it was a great deal better than stealing it she supposed. Why was this woman helping the girl who just stole her book?

@[member="Phylis Alince"]

 

[Phylis Alince]

@[member="Rhiari Saffia"]

"Of course I mean it!" Phylis said, peering at the girl. She paused, understanding the scepticism. "Yes, Rhiari, I mean it," she said softer.
She stood and offered her hand to the girl. "Then let's go and get you something to eat!"
If Phylis was a bit more aware of social conventions she might have realised that leading young children back to one's room was probably not the most socially acceptable move. However, since she was pretty much unaware of social customs she didn't see anything wrong with it at all.

The Jedi Master had a small loft apartment in Saffia's more affluent area. Once inside she hastily moved a pile of datacards and pads off one of the beds so Rhiari could sit down. Then she went to the kitchen and rooted around to find something edible.
"Hmm, do you like bread? And cheese? No...wait, scratch that. Is this cheese supposed to have mould on it? Hmm, probably not. Well, I have bread, blue milk...mostly blue anyway...and some sort of fruit. Hmm, I was supposed to buy more. I'll get something else later."
This rambling discussion carried on until she appeared with a plate for Rhiari. It was stacked high with bread, some non furry cheese, some fruit and some odd looking but sweet tasting berries.
Phylis herself absently took a piece of bread and gnawed on it. It seemed a bit stale to her.

 

[Lief]

She said nothing in response, at least not yet, and instead found herself stumbling back to her feet. Her stomach somehow felt worse with anticipation at the thought of food, and deep down she was hoping this was not a joke. It was then that she spotted the outstretched hand. She stared at it for a moment, before nudging it with her own. When she realised what the woman's intentions were she simply settled her hand into hers and allowed herself to be led off, her mind wandering.

When they made it to the lofty apartment she halted, and stared inside, her hand removing itself from the womans. It had been a long time since she'd dared enter a building; even at her age cantinas an diners only liked to house patrons, not shivering children. It took a lot for her to overpower her fears and take the first, solitary step across the threshold into unknown territory. It was difficult, but the little girl managed it.

After seating herself down she allowed her gaze to roam, checking out the room with her eyes. It felt... wrong to be inside, as if the walls were closing in on her and the ceiling pressing down. Her breathing became a little unorthodox as she sat there waiting. "B-Bread... Bread is fine..." she murmured, barely audible as a result. And when the food came she took up the bread and ate as nicely as she could... But her hunger was consuming, and soon she was tucking in as if it was the sweetest food known to man.

And at that moment in time, it sure did taste like it.

@[member="Phylis Alince"]

 

[Phylis Alince]

@[member="Rhiari Saffia"]

Phylis absently chewed on her slice of bread, watching the girl devour the food. Clearly Rhiari hadn’t eaten in a while, and she felt moved to gently lay a hand on the girl’s shoulder.
“Don’t eat too fast, you’ll choke. No one’s taking it away from you, slowly….”

Since watching Rhiari eat wasn’t the most fascinating thing over, Phylis instead removed the contested book from her bag and put it into a protective case. It had cost quite a lot of money and she didn’t want it destroyed or lost.

She looked back at Rhiari. What did one do with such a child? Phylis was probably one of the least suitable parents out there; viewing children as a mild annoyance before people grew up. Still, she was a Jedi, and it was her duty to help.
And there was that other thing too. Something about the girl….

“Did you want to use the ‘fresher? Go ahead if you want, I’ve got soap and everything in there,” she offered. Being something of germophobe she automatically assumed that Rhiari would want to get clean.

 

[Lief]

It took all the restraint she had not to shrug off the hand, and with the comforting words of the woman she found herself slowly beginning to ease up on the rate at which she was devouring the bread. "S-Sorry ma'am" she whispered, not wanting to seem rude. Her eyes flashed over to watch the woman's actions, spotting the book she had stolen. The woman seemed to dote over it, which only made her feel worse for having tried to steal it.

Lowering her gaze down to the table she just kept to the food, happily drinking from the glass. She figured she had best make this day last, as the likelihood of receiving any more help this week, month or even year was unlikely. "Thank you" she whispered, not necessarily intending for the woman to hear it but as a genuine show of thanks.

"What do you mean, the 'fresher'?" The girl looked a little confused, it seemed such an odd word, definitely not one she had heard before. She sat there, nibbling at the end of the recent piece of bread. Her stomach ached painfully, as it had genuinely been so long since she ate, yet at the same time she didn't know when she'd next eat anything like it. She was acting as if she were about to go into hibernation mode, which in a way she was. At least in her eyes.

@[member="Phylis Alince"]

 

[Phylis Alince]

@[member="Rhiari Saffia"]

Phylis was back to aimlessly sifting amongst her datacards. "Hmm? Thank you? For what? Oh...yes. You're welcome, yes," she said distractedly.

When Rhiari asked her question she looked up. "Shower? Somewhere to clean up and refresh. Hence the name, hmm? Well, I don't have any replacement clothes, but we can try and get those cleaned for you! Hmm, even better!"

Phylis went to her commlink and keyed it in. "Ah yes, this is Jedi Master Alince in room 1883. Can you acquire and send up some children's clothes? Girl. Hmm...aged...6...7? Right, yes, yes, just add it to my bill."
She disconnected the call. "Reception, you know what they're like," she said vaguely. Rhiari obviously didn't, but Phylis wasn't really concentrating on that!

 

[Lief]

She looked confused even after the explanation, but simply nodded her head all the same. It was no use trying to hear what it was, she may as well stand and find out for herself.

Rising from the seat she made her way over to where the woman was stood, rubbing at the back of her neck. "Y-You... Don't have to get me clothes" she said, quietly, before looking down at the ground. She felt a little bad for putting this woman through all of this... She hadn't asked for a child to steal her book from her, after all.

"Where is it I'm supposed to be going?" she asked, glancing around the room. Frowning a little she pondered on what had happened; her stomach was slowly coming to terms with having food in it, her throat felt much better now she wasn't so parched, and as odd and suffocating as it was, the room was actually rather warm.

@[member="Phylis Alince"]

 

[Phylis Alince]

@[member="Rhiari Saffia"]
"Hmm? Of course I do! Can't let you keep going in those dirty things." Finally Phylis stopped messing around with whatever she was doing and came over. "It's a bathroom. You clean yourself, with soap and such. Surely you've used one before?"
Awkward moment approaching. Phylis had the parenting skills of a stunned duck, and she had no intention of giving the girl a bath personally. So instead she went in and ran the water herself, making it warm, but not too hot, gathered soap and a brush, and waved at them vaguely.
"Go ahead. Call me when you're done. Your new clothes will be here by then!"
With that she rapidly shut the bathroom door.

 

[Lief]

She stared at the woman but figured that if the waves of discomfort which radiated from her were anything to go by then she had best figure things out for herself. Apologetically she hurried into the bathroom after the woman and stared down at the bathtub. A clever child, she figured out roughly what was being intended. "Thank you, My Lady" she whispered, and when the door was closed she stripped down and bathed - as well as she could.

Emerging some time later, having found the sensation of bathing very pleasant, she was wrapped up tightly in a towel, looking flushed yet content. "That was very pleasant, ma'am" she said, inclining her head a little. She wiggled her toes a little and smiled, beginning to relax.

@[member="Phylis Alince"]

 

[Phylis Alince]

@[member="Rhiari Saffia"]
[SIZE=10pt]When little Rhiari emerged Phylis was waiting. Seemingly the people she had called has as much fashion sense as her because the outfits brought were not especially well chosen. Still, she handed them to Riari.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]“Hmm, as it should be!” [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Phylis declared stoutly. “Cleanliness is next to…uhh…forciness…I guess? Anyway, you get changed, I’ll be in the study, come and find me when you’re ready.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]With that the Jedi Master departed the room quickly. Rhiari could figure out what to do without her being there. Children were…hmm…odd.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]Inside the study Phylis had strewn papers, datapads and datacards over the desk. Presumably it all made sense to her. Or not.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]When Rhiari entered Phylis was talking to herself in a sort of gibberish, not noticing the girl.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]“Hmm, so a 12A over here, yes. We’ve got a Lan-Ten in sector 14. No, no, no, sector 15! Silly Phylis…”[/SIZE]