Lost Kids [Lara Straife + Gabriel Vestex]

[Annalise Citra]

| [member="Lara Straife"] | [member="Gabriel Vestex"] |

​

Thanks to Paul Chadeisson for the image​

There were many worlds within the galaxy that were known as ecumenopolis. Each had there own crimes and stories. The Underworld of Coruscant, for example, was infamous for it's own crime figures, dealings and so on. It told a tale of two stories, with the top half containing the good and subsequently represented the prosperity of the Galactic Republic, hiding beneath it it's dark self. Denon, Eriadu, Coruscant -- all worlds covered in an endless city that stretched and covered it's entire surface.

Yet all their tales paled in comparison to but a tiny moon.

~​

Dianna LaCroix stood idly by, watching. The street was full of kids of various origins and each looked little different than the rest, save for the odd tentacle or two. Hands tucked into her hoodie pockets, the scrawny teen chewed her bubblegum like her life depended on it. Teal eyes scanned each face as people came and went. Adults would come and go, when they were looking for cheap labor or something more nefarious and darker. The Lost Kids, all from the different hospices in every corner. Here, was but a small district in a much grander and larger city. It was the Smuggler's Moon, the mini Coruscant.

It was Nar Shaddaa.

Blowing air into her gum, she created a bubble and popped. Her hood was raised over her head, concealing her hair, but not big enough to cover her face. It was more of a fashion statement, than an attempt to conceal her identity. All the kids were much the same. The setting on her Raxor I was low. She was lucky to have it and didn't want one of the older kids to see or hear her have it. Dianna didn't feel like getting beaten up today. Her small hands were coiled around the phone, whilst she listened to her music quietly.

She wasn't there for work or anything. It was just better than being in the hospice; and you tended to see something interesting. Night would be coming in a few hours.

 

[Lara Zambrano]

Nar Shaddaa was the largest moon of Nal Hutta. More commonly known as the Vertical City, the Smuggler's Moon and Little Coruscant, Nar Shaddaa was similar to Coruscant in that its surface was entirely overgrown with city sprawl for millennia. But unlike Coruscant—which was only relatively rundown and dangerous on the lower and under levels of the world city—Nar Shaddaa was filthy, polluted, and infested with crime everywhere. Lara never truly understood why her parents would've been on this filthy rock in the first place. Out of everywhere we could've been going, it had to be this karkin' hell-hole.

Despite the beautiful stench and decay of desperate beings who also resided here, Lara had one thing that kept her from going insane. Gabriel. The eighteen year old Cathar had saved her life roughly two years ago, shortly after she had escaped the hospital in which sought to throw her away into an orphanage. He had told her bluntly upon waking up in the abandoned apartment, now their home, that no one else had lifted a finger to help her. No one but him. Since they met, Gabriel and Lara had formed a friendship like no other she had before, or at least from what she remembered. Working together to steal food on markets run by desperate aliens looking to make their next credit chip for a death stick, or simply by digging and rooting in the trash. It was true enough, they had good and bad days - but as long as Lara had Gabriel and they survived, she knew they would be okay.

Now is not the time to be reminiscing. Lara scolded herself, while she sat perched like a bird upon a nearby roof-top. She was above the market sector where different aliens strolled or rather pushed by to get to where they needed to be. She stuck her tongue out in concentration, trying to pick the easiest target for her mission as Gabriel had called it. It was clear the two had learnt about each other, their strengths and weaknesses that they could use and combine to survive. As if on opposite ends on a scale, Lara was small, agile, and quick - whereas Gabriel was strong, tactical and brutal. This made the perfect recipe for success. She tucked a long strand of blonde hair that had escaped from behind her ear aside, and let her emerald eyes focus upon her target. He was a nautolan, green and rather ugly looking - it was clear he had his fair share of drugs and drink. His actions and movements were slow and sloppy, and he was shouting loud enough at one of the tenders for Lara to understand he could still be under the influence of alcohol. An easy target.

Her small hands reached into her jacket pocket, it was a light green colour that Gabriel often mentioned matched her eyes. Gabriel had gifted the clothing to her on her 10th birthday, and had used all of his credit chips he had saved to buy it for her. That was one of the only moments Gabriel had seen her tear up slightly, though she had refused to cry infront of him. She guessed it was because she was stubborn. To much for my own good, Gabriel says. She mused briefly, before focusing back to the task at hand. They had to get this right, or neither of them would be eating tonight. She pulled out a comlink that she and Gabriel were lucky enough to steal, and spoke into it.
"Kushiban girl to Nexu Cat! Dodgy Nautolan to your top left, you'll see him by the gang of kids lurking down an alleyway. I'm ready when you are!" She awaited his response, to know he was ready to spring the trap. Once confimed, Lara tucked away the comlink back into her pocket and waited. She could taste the food already.

 

[Gabriel Vestex]

I hate this place, Gabriel thought. Nar Shaddaa. What a dirty, rotten place; An urban wasteland. It's infested with mindless zombies looking for the next cheap amusement. Gabriel's thoughts drifted one after another. I guess I belong here. Gabriel was shrewd and well aware of how patterns of thought can collide and mesh into a cohesive unit. When Gabriel became aware of their messages, he could unlock the secrets that lay hidden within. The pattern of thoughts Gabriel was experiencing now was not new to him. He often became agitated and worrisome when missions were put into action. He knew the costs. Gabriel wanted everything to run perfectly. It was his nature. He was also worried for Lara's sake. Her safety was his number one concern. Lara... he thought.

His ears perked up at the sound of a young, ecstatic voice brimming with excitement coming in over his stolen commlink. "Kushiban girl to Nexu Cat! Dodgy Nautolan to your top left, you'll see him by the gang of kids lurking down an alleyway. I'm ready when you are!" Lara grounded Gabriel back to reality, as she so often did. But Gabriel wasn't amused... Nexu cat? Kushiban girl? Are you serious? How childish and stupid. Despite their argument over the code names a few hours before, Gabriel knew the futility of it. Lara was adamant and this wouldn't be the first time he gave into her demands. Nor would it be the last. Gabriel's pale eyes rose as it scanned across the busy lower level street. He saw the target. He wasn't hard to miss, after all. Gabriel could hear he was mumbling to himself and his swaggering gait betrayed his obvious drunkenness. "Copy that, Kushiban girl," He muttered into the commlink. Although his face betrayed no hint of it, Gabriel felt a slight tinge of embarrassment.

Gabriel pushed off the wall and headed across the street. The skin beneath his palms was sweaty. He wasn't thinking about anything, not even Lara. Now wasn't a time for sheepish sentimentality. Now was a time for action. He sprung forward; the mass of hair on his body allowed him a swift transition onto the sidewalk. He stopped the Nautolan in his tracks, putting his large paws into the man's chest. "Hey! Where do you think you're going?" And without another word, Gabriel's fist came square across the man's disheveled, puffy eyed face. Gabriel wasn't much of a talker. The Nautolan staggered and stumbled. He tried to keep a grip on something to keep himself stable. He reached his hand out for Gabriel and grabbed onto a mass of his brown shaggy hair. Gabriel growled fiercely and pushed the man away. Gabriel caught a slight glimpse of sleek blonde hair. It was a golden rainfall if ever he saw one. Just as quick as he saw it, it was gone. Kriff... I always forget how quick she is.

Surprisingly, the Nautolan got to his feet in a matter of seconds. He wasn't as drunk as he first appeared, or maybe the punch sobered him up. At any rate, he took a slapdash swing at Gabriel. Gabriel wasn't expecting it. He thought the guy was too drunk for such swift movements. The punch landed directly on his snout. Gabriel stumbled backwards into a Rodian's kiosk, filled with all kinds of dirty and bruised fruit. The Nautolan leaped into the fruit stand that was now a mess and tried to pin Gabriel down. But Gabriel could be quick, too. His veins were pumping blood and his heart was beating fast. He was aware of only one thing: Survival. He grasped the Nautolan by the throat, his claws digging into the greasy skin, and he tossed him like a rag doll behind him.

Gabriel stood up slowly. He wiped the slow leaking river of blood coming out of his nose. He turned to where the Nautolan had been thrown and glanced around for his victim. The Rodian was not happy, however. Unbeknownst to Gabriel, the kiosk owner removed a small vibroknife from his pocket. The silver blade gleamed in a golden tone from the dirty and dusty streetlamp above. The Rodian approached Gabriel from behind...

 

[Annalise Citra]

| [member="Lara Straife"] | [member="Gabriel Vestex"] |

She had been watching the entire thing. It had made her forget about her anxiety about the Raxor I she had procured. It wasn't everyday you got a state of the art phone on Nar Shaddaa. Her hand brought the phone out quickly and she coiled the wires around the head set, before sliding it back into her pocket. Dianna knew both the Nautolan and Rodian that Gabriel had tangled with. The former was a local businessman, or the closest that Nar Shaddaa had to offer. In laments terms, he was a supplier of alcohol to the Hutts on Nal Hutta and he used kids, like Dianna, for cheap labor. It was easier to coax a kid than it was an adult, you see?

The latter was a food merchant, if you could call his dishes food. He called them exotic fruits, but when Dianna had selected one that she thought to be a Gizzer, almost choked on it and all for the price of six credits, which was a luxury to kids like herself. The Rodian was well known to have hurt a kid or two as they passed by, mostly because they had tried to steal from them. When she had gagged on the Gizzer, he had tried to slap her and shouted something Rodian about her. Thankfully, she had dodged and had avoided his kiosk since; and he had seemed to have forgotten her in the intervening months since. She wondered if he would remember her now as she stepped forward.

"Woah, hey, stop," said Dianna, lifting a hand up to the Rodian. "He didn't mean it man, it was an acciden-" Bam! Something hit the girl hard and she dropped to the floor beside Gabriel's head. She moaned softly and tasted blood in her mouth.

 

[Lara Zambrano]

[member="Dianna LaCroix"] | [member="Gabriel Vestex"] |

Lara Straife had always been known for being quick and agile for someone of her stature. Just like a Kowakian monkey-lizard enjoyed swinging through the green rain forests of Kowak, Lara enjoyed the chance to take to the skies above her by climbing. It was the best she could do, without being blessed with wings. Sometimes she liked to sit on buildings that reached to the stars above and watch people pass by below her. She wasn't important, and no one cared to look up at the small girl to see what she was exactly doing. But Lara didn't care, in that moment..she felt like someone of royalty, someone of importance for once in her life. How..bizarre it must be for people to do that on a daily people, ruling a sector or an entire planet. Knowing people's lives and well-being were in your hands, and only you held the power to change them in whatever way you liked. For better or worse.

She saw Gabriel had pushed off the wall he was reclining on to blend in with the crowd of aliens alike until he was set to play his part. Pocketing his comlink, Lara watched as he pushed others aside and followed the crowd towards the kiosk where their target, the ugly nautolan was being served by an equally as ugly Rodian. Now it's my time to shine. Lara pushed away from the edge of the wall where she perched like an animal ready to pounce. She jumped and landed in a rubbish skip by the side of the building which she had climbed. It had cushioned her fall, and with the sound of Gabriel shouting aloud, no one would be paying attention to the lost girl about to swoop in.

Lara poked her head around the corner of the wall on her hands and knees, giving her the chance to look through civillians legs who had come to a halt in the stampede of the market to witness the fight going underway. Some were jeering them on, others were more concerned on their kiosks' being destroyed in the process. Gabriel had wasted no time in punching the nautolan with his large paw to knock him off his feet. He was never one for words. It's time to go. She urged herself forwards, to scarper around the back of the crowds. Her long blonde mane billowed behind her as she made her way past each stall.

She didn't take time to look at exactly what she had picked up before stuffing them into her old worn backpack. She let her emerald green eyes briefly catch sight of different meats, and fruit that would last for several days shared between them. She just hoped these tasted better than the last ones. Plucking the goods, and storing them away was all Lara knew for the next few moments, sticking to her role and forcing herself to not lose focus when the jeering continued to grow. Lara had hoped Gabriel was winning.

Lara was satisfied with what she had found, her backpack was heavy and she knew they would survive because of this for the next few days to come. She was closer to the fighting now, she could hear Gabriel's growling and she finally dared to lift her head to witness what exactly had happened. One kiosk had been destroyed..his fruit having rolled across the disgusting floor of Nar Shaddaa, ruining his stock infront of all those who were witnessing the fight. There was no way the owener would be able to resell them. Word travels quick. Speaking of the owner, he looked angry. The Rodian had a terribly angry scowl upon his face, his multifaceted eyes were bulging out of their eye sockets at Gabriel, and his tapir-like snout was pulled back like a dog growling.

The Rodian's rough pebbly textured hand reached into his pocket, underneath his grubby apron to withdraw a vibroknife which gleamed of rust underneath the bright flashing neon lights above them. Lara felt her heart in her mouth, and time slowed down for her. A girl not much older than herself was struck down by the owner of the kiosk, it was clear the Rodian was not playing games and she hit the ground bleeding. Lara knew she wasn't the target of what this alien had in mind, but Gabriel was..And then she was on him. With a quick jump she balled her small fist up and hit him as hard as she could directly on the eye. The Rodian reeled, bellowing but Lara kept lashing at him until he fell over from the surprise attack, dropping the vibroknife near the girl who had been struck.

Lara felt her nails gather the skin on his neck when she raked her fingers across it, screeching like a beast. All rhyme and reason had escaped her, all surrounding shouting and jeers from the civilians and Gabriel left her. It didn't even hurt when she felt someone lift her by her hair, all she saw was red. Her vision burned with fury and her chest burst with heartache.

"No!" she screamed, squirming in her captors tight grip. The Nautolan turned her to him and full on spat in her face - his nose was bulbous and full of broken veins. His eyes were red with anger, and it was clear he wanted nothing more than to kill her there and then."Karkin' feral rats!" He said, and wrapped his thick hands so tightly around her throat, no air could exit or enter her. Her vision started swimming, he started to throttle her violently, shaking her head back and forth so hard she thought it was going to fly off. She tried to kick, punch, bite and claw her way free from the Nautolan's grasp but the sudden energy she had felt was gone. It was at this moment, she felt death drawing closer and closer..

 

[Gabriel Vestex]

[member="Dianna LaCroix"] | [member="Lara Straife"]

There was always a quick credit to be made on the backwater planet of Nar Shaddaa. A young balosar named Mitya, with a pale complexion and sunken eyes had just handed a five-credit chip to another man. He was your typical junky looking for a way to pay for his next fix, and death sticks were his ball and chain. The brawl he saw piqued his interest and, ever the opportunist, he knew someone would be counting bets. He had handed the five-credit chip to an older, smug gentleman, known on the dirty streets as Zhek. Zhek was nothing short of greedy; he always loved money and he had no problems with skimming a little off the top of his deals… as long as nobody noticed. He was a Duros and his uncanny sardonic smile betrayed his sense of self-satisfaction. He was having trouble taking all the bets from the other aliens around him as he held a cigar at the crease of his greasy, crusted mouth. “My bets on the fur ball. He’s gunna rip that nautolan’s throat out,” Mitya had said, barely audible over the jeering mutters coming from the crowd of bystanders. Zhek merely gave a nod of his head before turning to another, whose eager, pathetic face had been lit up by a neon flashing sign above. The sign read, “Caution: Children At Play.”

The incandescently lit sign caught and contrasted with Gabriel’s pallid blue eyes as he saw the scrawny creature (Dianna) on the floor beside him. Taken away by a sudden ambiance of sympathy, he reached his paw down to her. He grasped her clothing in his paw and lifted her up to her feet in one mighty jerk. He glanced gravely into her face. “Are you alright?” he said with a grim tone. However, before a response could be prepared, Gabriel heard the terrified shriek of his faithful companion, Lara. His eyes darted urgently in her direction. He saw her meek body dangling in the air with her head tilted backwards as her golden hair cascaded down her backside. Overcome with violent emotion at his companion’s agony, Gabriel rushed forward. The meeting of the two heroes Gabriel and Dianna would have to wait.

He placed his hefty paw on the nautolan’s shoulder. His grip was forceful as his claws dug in. “Pick on somebody your own size,” he said peremptorily. With one vehement movement, he threw the nautolan to the ground, saving Lara from her fateful demise. Lara had been at death's door before, but this was too close. Gabriel knew not what happened to Lara in the seconds after he threw the Nautolan off her. Our hero merely saw and tasted blood. Had it not be autonomic, he’d have forgotten how to breathe. He lunged immediately to his victim. The drunken piece of dwang didn’t have a chance. Gabriel’s strength and speed was superior.

Gabriel’s claws slashed across the nautolan’s face. Satisfied with the blood, Gabriel wrapped his hirsute hands around the throat of the pale green alien. Gabriel’s temper was overriding him. He couldn’t control himself. He knew not who he was, where he was, or why he was here. The only thing that mattered was that this green and bloody blob in front of him was to pay. The nautolan’s eyes rolled back in their sockets. Life was slowly losing its grip to death… and death was sure to descend; to help its fallen protégé through the next course of existence. However, a commotion behind Gabriel roused him. He heard a desperate gasp for help that rung into his hollow ears. He angrily released his vice grip on the nautolan, narrowly saving him from death, and turned...

 

[Annalise Citra]

| [member="Lara Straife"] | [member="Gabriel Vestex"] |

Rage, into the dark. So much rage. Gripping and haunting me, keeping me down in these dumps. These people, who look over at me with their eyes. I see pity, anger and disgust in them; and with each violent stare, I find them wanting. There's something in me. It raises it's snout and whispers dark things. Pain grips me and my hands raise to my ears to shut them out. But it never works. Just rage, gripping and haunting me, keeping me down in these dumps.

I've made children scream just by looking at them. The thing that inside me lashes out with my mind. It's a dark thing, like the rage around me manifests through my thoughts and feelings. My mind tells me to keep hold of this relative useless item, so as to keep the music in my ears. To keep the voices out, by drowning them out with the melodies and rifts of people that have an understanding. But it's all fake. They are useless. I've watched my surroundings levitate and shake when I feel the rage bubbling.

So much rage. Gripping and haunting me.

Keeping me down in these...

~​

"Dumps," murmured Diana. There was wet on her head. She lifted her hand too it, then retracted it back to see what it was. Red. Blood. But she knew from the pain that it was a minor cut. The grazes on her hands stung worse, from where she had broken her fall. The Rodian had slapped it and it had made her angry. The fallen kiosk began to shake. Fallen, dirtied fruit covered in the mucus of Nar Shaddaa rose off the ground, by a few inches. Dianna's eyes lifted and caught the glint of the golden hair child, that the Nautolan had been strangling to death.

There was a gleam of yellow.

Then it was gone and they were teal once more.

She brushed the hood off her head, struggling to her feet. Dianna ignored the commotion now for a moment, to check her pockets. The Raxor I was still there and relief over took her. The anger within her subsided. Dazed, she turned to see what happened next.

 

[Lara Zambrano]

[member=Gabriel Vestex] [member=Dianna LaCroix]

It was snowing. The flakes cascaded down fast, soft and as silent as a memory - it was heavy and it would accumulate and lay. Blanketing the grass, dusting the shrubs and statues with white and weighing down the branches of the trees. Towering colossal skyscrapers twisted and stretched to the skies above, looming almost darkly in the distance. Ahead through the dark twist on the winter wonderland, long winding trails lead Lara towards a network of subterranean caves within the large glaciers above. When she dared to patter across the snow to peak down the cavern entrance, her green eyes could only see so far until the darkness seemed to swallow her whole.

Despite the cold and falling snow she was clad in a sleeveless green dress, roses of matching color dotted her hair among melting snowflakes. Her hair itself contrasted greatly with the green, the colour of a burning sun beating above the frozen wasteland. Her feet tore ankle-deep holes into the snow but made no sound as she kept walking. The snow drifted down and down, all in ghostly silence, and lay thick and unbroken on the ground. All colours had fled the world. It was a place of whites and blacks and greys. White towers and white snow and white statues, black shadows and black trees, the dark grey sky above, all color muted save for the green and blonde maiden.

It felt to Lara that she had been walking forever, the cold bit and nipped at her skin but for some reason she persisted forwards on her adventure. The wind blew and made her dress and golden locks billow behind her as she approached the large open space deep within the caves. Thirteen burial chambers lay at the end of the tunnel system, each containing a mummified corpse with weapons, armor, and trophies. Each item was pristine, to the surprise of Lara. No dust, or cobwebs from spiders that lingered deep within the darkness surrounding her plagued the relics of old.

She paused.

Lara knew where she had seen this sight before, and a rush of nostalgia struck her like the freezing winds whispering and chilling her bones. The Ice Crypts upon Coruscant. She had spent many nights reading the old worn binded book titled ‘Twenty Wonders of the Galaxy.’ She had struck lucky on one of her stealing missions to strike 10 credit chips, credits like that were a miracle to children like her and Gabriel. Earlier that week, they had both done well with gathering food and supplies. Gabriel let Lara buy something of her choice from the market kiosks, she had plucked this book from an old elderly woman, whose rosy cheeks and bright wide blue eyes made Lara feel safe enough to approach over the other aliens that overwhelmed the market, looking to make a quick sale.

She had sold the book to Lara for 5 credit chips, leaving her another five to get a gift for Gabriel. She had decided to buy another item from her stall, and purchased a warm fluffy navy blue scarf to keep him warm. Just as he had purchased the coat because it reminded him of her eyes, so she had returned the favour in kind.

The Ice crypts were an awe-inspiring vision for those lucky enough to get to see it. In the book she had read how Archaeologists believed them to be the remains of the chiefs of the thirteen nations of Zhell, who presumably had fled there after their defeat at the hands of the Taungs in Pre-Republic times. While the crypts were open to the public in the time of the Galactic Republic, the Empire long ago restricted them in an effort to suppress information on Pre-Imperial civilizations. The temperature was maintained to keep the tunnels from melting, and tourists were prevented from entering the chambers themselves. Some curators claimed to have heard ghostly voices at night reciting the chant "korah mahtah." The very thought of civillians daring to get so far, but then run away out of fear to such chants made her giggle.

“Lara” a voice echoed, it rippled with pain and anguish, and it brought her back to reality. Lara paused suddenly, and turned. Her blonde locks bounced with life, and her green eyes were as wide and sharp as a wilk’s, from the forest moon of Endor in an attempt to see who called her. The darkness fell like a blanket around the area but a light strangely illuminated above to show a shape below the snow. She fled then, leaving the urge to follow. She drifts through the snow with her blonde hair and green garb billowing behind her, the snow caresses her face and lands on her lashes as light as lovers kisses - just as fast as the chase ensues, it stops. The lost princess falls to her knees, before a shape concealed by snow. She stares at the shape wistfully with her skirts pooling around her.

Gabriel...

Lara Straife stood again, and after what seems like an eternity of pause, she sweeps the snow from the shape and reveals it's a tomb. With writing of old carved deeply within the crypt before her.

Gabriel..

And suddenly they're everywhere. It's an infestation, tombs coated in snow. They start to move, the snow breaks and falls assunder.

Gabriel...

Chiefs of the thirteen nations of Zhell burst free from the tombs, the oldest were grey-faced and gaunt, dead. The newer ones retain color, red of blood pouring out their eyes and mouths like a horror holo-drama.

Gabriel! Help me!

And there ahead of her, a tall Cathar walked forwards from the shadows, stumbling and groaning with incoherent words. Matted fur befell his once beautiful mane, and his once bright blue eyes were dead and frozen. Just like the Chiefs surrounding him. Blood dripped from his throat, a dagger had been swift and able to bring him to a long and agonizing death. Tears fell down her cheeks, when realising exactly who was infront of her.

Gabriel!

Her surroundings began to seep away, like water colours upon a page. Everything from the frozen waste land, to the Zhell chiefs, and then finally Gabriel. She tried to shout out to him again, desperately for him not to leave her but no sound could be heard. A pain built up within her throat, and spread across her entire body like a burst of flames. She screamed from the excruciating pain. But still no sound could be heard. Everything went black.

"LARA!" She heard his voice again, and for a moment..Lara wondered if she had died. No..colour was beginning to return in her vision, it was blurry..but it was there. She could make out Gabriel infront of her, and warily she extended her hand to try and reach out to her comrade, wanting nothing more than to be held within his arms. Make the bad dreams go away, Gabriel. However the nightmare was not over, and Lara felt the freezing metal pressed against her throat, threatening to end her there.

"Don't move, pretty little thing." the Rodians lips pressed tightly against Lara's ear, he sounded satisfied..and confident. Too confident. "We wouldn't want there to be a terrible accident now..eh?" The rodian licked his lips disgustingly, and it sent shivers down her spine. She didn't try to move, her entire body ached and her head was burning with agony. All she could do was be held in his arms, a bargaining chip to be used against Gabriel Vestex infront of her.

"This is what is going to happen, fluff ball!" The rodian shouted, the jeering from the crowd fell to a halt, giving the criminal a chance to state his terms. Her green eyes desperately searched the civilian's faces, in hope that anyone would help..but she could see nothing but excitement. This was nothing but a game for them. "You're going to give me all of yer' kriffin' belongings to make up for the damage you've done!" He removed the knife only briefly from Lara's throat, to gesture to his ruined kiosk and merchandise. "And you're goin' to work for me from now on. A pathetic, useless, scrawny, slave. And if you don't..well.." The rodian giggled excitedly, and Lara clenched her eyes tightly together when noticing the alien lean his head closer to hers intimidatingly. "If you don't..then this pretty little thing will be sent to the Hutts. Yer' know like I do how much they like their gifts.." Lara tried to struggle, she tried to do anything to get away from the alien holding her tightly within his grasp but it was futile. She was an animal trapped, waiting to be slaughtered. Tears brimmed the corner of her eyes, and she set her gaze upon Gabriel infront of her. She tried to shout at him, to warn him to not let him do such a thing. But the damage from the nautolan to her throat hurt far to much for nothing but a croak to escape her lips.

 

[Gabriel Vestex]

| [member="Lara Straife"] | [member="Dianna LaCroix"] |

Thump, thump, thump. His heart was beating quickly. It was racing fast and strong, despite sputtering like the engine of an over-greased pod racer. Blood pumped restlessly to his head. He felt light-headed, dazed, and utterly confused. He was lost. He tried to speak, but no words came. He tried to step forward, to move, to do something, but it was no use. Gabriel felt like a lone wanderer lost in the sandstorms of time. He braced himself onward and trudged as if he were working through the harsh dune sea of Tatooine. The cruel twin suns felt unforgiving as they seemed to linger over Gabriel. They taunted him, jeered at him, but gave him a passion with which to survive...

Gabriel was stood underneath a crooked streetlamp. Glass cracked beneath his synthleather boots as it cluttered the street. The spotlight was on him and everyone was eager for what he would do next. At the moment, hard as it is to believe, Gabriel stood motionless with his gape centered on Lara. All he could see was her bright, emerald eyes and her golden hair, which tumbled down her perfectly plump shoulders. Despite her disheveled, dirty, and unkempt appearance he thought her the sweetish thing he had ever seen. He thought of her saccharine laughter. He thought of her sanguine smile. Memories flooded his mind of the two together, and there was never a dull moment. They shared many times together; some happy and some sad… but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that they shared them. Gabriel was perhaps the only person Lara shared moments with, at least ones she could remember. And for Gabriel, Lara was his center, bringing him back whenever he spun away. He was always spinning away…

Gabriel swore under his breath in Catharese. “Unhand her!” He finally roared out. His throat was gravelly, giving his words an added depth, and a harshness matching the punitive environment on Nar Shaddaa the two were forced to live in. Gabriel took one deliberate step forward. He had to save her. He had to protect her. His face was contorted in a twisted smile with his canine teeth pointed deviously. The Rodian chuckled maliciously, and he drew the vibroknife’s blade closer to Lara’s neck. Gabriel spotted a small but thick trail of blood come from Lara’s neck. “Any closer and she’s a dead little girl. Do you really want her death on your hands?”

Gabriel’s eyes widened. The small little blood vessels in his eyes throbbed and coalesced against the white of his pupils. His head began to pump more blood. His neurons were firing quickly, moving back and forth across the synapses. Had a hand pressed against his forehead, it would be overcome with the warmth, which burned in him like a fever. But this wasn’t a normal fever. The fire that burned within him was like the twin suns that hung over Tatooine. It was passion. It was all he had. She was all he had. Gabriel’s fur bristled and he growled out in Catharese, his words barely distinguishable. He felt a sudden focus like he had never felt before. Is this I? He thought to himself, but the thought disappeared just as soon as it came. His gut was pulling him, yanking him, and jerking him forward. He had no choice. He had to move and so he did.

 

[Annalise Citra]

Sometimes I have these visions. I don't know what brings them to me, but they come when I sleep sometimes; and I find myself daydreaming about them during the day. The other kids in hospice often notice when I drift away and enjoy plucking me away from staring into space. Silently I am thankful. I don't recognize where I am and I've only seen trees like the one's I am seeing in books or from conversation with other people who don't come from Nar Shaddaa. The trees here are withered and dead. But these are vibrant, joyous and full of life. Poverty and pollution hasn't infected them.

They stretch everywhere, in all directions. It's a forest. I am somewhere up high. The floor beneath me is grey, old and stone. I've never seen stone before either. It's not a surface I am familiar with, however. This stone is grey, old and withered, but not in the same way as the pavements are on Nar Shaddaa. It's different. Dirty, but only because of age and not because people don't care for litter. This building has stood for a long time. Something tells me that horrible things have happened here before. Long before I stood upon it, watching the forest. I don't know the name of the tower or the forest. I don't recognize the stars, the sky or the moon. This sky is clear. Nar Shaddaa is always a fog up above. The wind around me fresh, crisp and harsh. I enjoy it, unlike my home. The air here is always sticky, warm and sometimes not even air at all.

In the distance away from the tower is a city. I can see all of it's buildings, walls, gates and the outline of a palace. But it's dark and eerie. Silent and cold. There's no life there. I notice that there are no birds. Nobody is with me. All I can hear is the bristling of the top of the tree's around me and the wind. It's discomforting now. Why is it so silent?

Why does this dream always come to me?

~​

A crowd had formed around the Rodian, Lara, Gabriel and the Nautolan they had tried to mug and steal from. They were all jeering and cheering the Rodian and showing their satisfaction at the couples failed operation. Dianna could hear the various conversation, picking up words here and there. Declarations such as 'stupid kids' and 'what idiot tries that anyway' came about. She presumed that they wouldn't be saying such a thing if Lara and Gabriel had succeeded in their enterprise. Dianna knew that the Nautolan wasn't liked in these parts, having connections to the Black Sun Syndicate, of which everyone knew were the top dogs in this part of the city and beyond. The other kids in particular didn't like the Rodian either, for the way he treated them and the fact that his kiosk sucked.

Dianna had never seen the child at the mercy of the Rodian before, nor had she seen the Cathar. Mugging, theft and so on were common place on Nar Shaddaa and so couldn't fault them for trying. She turned her gaze and noticed some of the people that had gathered were talking about her. 'Why did she get involved?', 'She's just standing there, stupid kid' and 'Does she know them?' was what she picked up from their conversations. It dawned on Dianna that she was also inside the circle, rather than apart of it. She had gotten involved to stop the Rodian from slapping down another kid, but hadn't expected this.

Tucking a strand of hair behind her own, Dianna watched on silently. This wasn't her fight and they weren't her friends. She had tried to do a good thing for them by trying to stop the Nautolan and Rodian from kicking their podo; and for her thanks, she got whacked by one or the other in the head.

 

[Lara Zambrano]

[member=Gabriel Vestex][member=Dianna LaCroix]

“Unhand her!” Gabriel Vestex's voice roared out, silencing the crowd that had gathered around them. Lara could tell by his expression that he was near the end of his tether due to the scenario throw upon them. His canine teeth flashed dangerously underneath the crooked streetlamp above, illuminating the Cathar's fur in a brilliant array of colours from the neon dancing colours. She felt a wave of guilt smother and coat her heart - she rarely had seen Gabriel so vicious and feral, and it was all because of her mistake.

If she had chose a different target..if she had been smarter in how to approach the Rodian..she wouldn't be the weak and useless girl that the crowd saw her as now. To be used as a hostage. A mere bargaining chip. Useless to them alive or dead. All but Gabriel is fighting to protect me now..and now even his own life is in balance. The tears that had wet the corner of her eyes were blinked away stubbornly, if these were her last moments to live, she wouldn't go down without a fight. She wouldn't go down being seen as weak.

Lara knew that when Gabriel lost his temper, he would not be himself for those few precious seconds. He would destroy and obliterate anything within his path that had pushed him to the brink. Roughly a year ago, five boys not much older than her had attempted to jump her for her backpack full of goodies. She had tried to defend herself, but eventually she had been overwhelmed, that was when Gabriel arrived. Just like her shadow, he was never far away from her - and he had seen everything that day. He did not spare punishment on either of them, despite their age. The group had run off with a mixture of broken noses, even a hand or two had become unfortunate to cross paths with the angry Cathar. That day, Lara had seen another side to Gabriel. A side she didn't want to see again, if it could be helped.. but right now something was telling Lara she had no choice but to witness it again.

The Rodian had found the entire affair hilarious, as if the situation infront of them was a pantomime to watch and giggle away at. The Rodian's sneering and malicious laughter snapped Lara out of her thoughts. Her head was pounding away uncomfortably, and her throat burned as if she hadn't of had a drink in a long time. she felt like nothing more but shutting her eyes, and slipping away from here. But she couldn't. She needed to stay strong. The familiar feeling of metal returned against her neck, fearfully closer then before. It was then she cried out in pain as much as her damaged throat would allow her. The stinging sensation of the vibroknife piercing the layer of skin spread like a wildfire around her body, and she was sure she was going to faint from shock again. But she forced herself to stay away. Her eyes looked desperately into Gabriel's. Urging and pleading him to let whatever was restraining him, go.

There it was. She saw the look she had been waiting for. Gabriel's eyes had met hers for but a brief moment, before he unclenched his fists - his claws became noticeably sharper and his expression flashed into something dangerous. The crowd had seen the change too. Murmuring and whispering could be heard above the eerie silence that had fallen. Some had shuffled back, unsure on what to do in this situation, some near the back of the group started to walk away, smart enough not to stick around. The less bright criminals near the front jeered again, and it sent a ignition of spurring amongst the others. Urging the Rodian to kill her, to kill Gabriel. To kill anyone that stood against him. They wanted and needed blood. But Lara knew it would not be her's or Gabriel's they would get.

Something within her warned her of the exact moment that Gabriel had lunged forwards. She clamped her teeth down. Hard. Until blood was drawn. A shriek could be heard from the Rodian's throat as his hand whirled downwards, dropping the vibroknife. A wail of terror could be heard as the great shadow lunged over Lara where she had landed harshly on the ground, upon his prey. The rodian didn't stand a chance, and as quickly as he fell to the ground, he was begging Gabriel to stop. Blood splattered and painted the filthy pavements beneath them. And Lara's green eyes widened when realising just how much blood he was losing.

The crowds screamed, some in terror, some in delight. Lara felt a rush of agony as she struggled to stand to her feet. She wobbled, and fell. Her hand reached out to Gabriel's arm. Tears fell down her ivory coloured cheeks, and she croaked silently to her comrade. "Gabriel..please stop.." And then she collapsed into his arms.

 

[Gabriel Vestex]

| [member="Lara Straife"] | [member="Dianna LaCroix"] |

“Gabriel… please stop…”

He couldn’t hear. He couldn’t see. He couldn’t smell.
He couldn’t think. He couldn’t feel. He couldn’t talk.

“Gabriel… please stop…”

Gabriel only saw one thing: Lara’s face. Or was it Claudia’s? He couldn’t tell. It was eerie how similar they were. The image he saw of her face before he bolted was firm in his mind. The image was unwavering. It overshadowed everything. Despite his companion’s pleas and her tears, Gabriel didn’t move. Everything was mute, covered in a dusty greyscale.

“Gabriel… please stop…”

The sound continued to echo in Gabriel’s mind. The sound waves carried across his ear canal, stimulating his mind. His ears twitched slightly. He finally heeded her call; her voice was sweet and sugary although varnished with pain and agony. He looked down at his victim. The dissolute Rodian was flat beneath him. He was a bloody mess. Is he dead? Did I do this? No… this isn’t me… were his only thoughts.

“Gabriel… please stop…”

The sights and sounds of the crowd around him slowly began to fill his senses. He could hear the ships flying above him. He could hear the snickering and jeering from the crowd. He saw the pitiful, greasy and disgusting faces. Some were cheering Gabriel on, some were telling him to stop. Some looked strung out and thin. Others looked like they couldn’t care less.

“Gabriel… please stop…”

Gabriel’s head didn’t move, but his eyes shifted. He saw Lara. He saw her tears. He saw the pain hidden beneath her puffy-red eyes. He saw the blood on her neck as it coagulated and dried. He felt her gentle touch as her hand brushed against his fur. He didn’t even think. He just wrapped his large arms around her and pressed her close.

After a few moments, Gabriel held her at arm’s length. He glanced sorely into her almond-shaped eyes. He stared at her for what seemed an eternity, getting lost in the emerald seas of her eyes. And then he saw himself. He saw his fur was thick and matted with blood. He saw his disheveled appearance and the crazed look that was slowly starting to disappear from his eyes. He took her in his arms again. “Let’s get out of here,” he droned out dismally.

He lifted her in his arms, holding her like a child; her skinny, pale arms wrapped tightly around Gabriel’s neck, holding him close. He could feel her frantic little heart as it beat uneasily. A small section of the crowd dispersed to allow them to pass. Gabriel slipped quickly into a dark alley, then down another, and then another. He knew his way around this dirty, rotten place good enough. He felt like death as he marched along. Lara was safe, though. Lara was safe.

 

[Annalise Citra]

| [member="Lara Straife"] | [member="Gabriel Vestex"] |

There was someone who had stood out from the crowd, just ahead of the people who were dumb enough not to realize that they might have been pulled into the fight. Dianna's teal eyes caught Gabriel's for a moment. He had not noticed the brief exchange and had looked back down at the blonde haired girl that had been caught in the Rodian's clutches. From the last few minutes, she had deduced that the two of them cared for each other deeply; that they had worked together for a long time; and that they would do anything for each other, no matter what the cost.

But they had picked a fight, not only with the Rodian, but with a Nautolan gangster, who was now stirring from his clash with Gabriel beforehand.

Dianna wasn't a fighter. She was far too small and weak for it. She was agile, but not fast, like this Cathar or his girl. Physically, she was lacking, like the majority of teenaged girls who didn't spend time physically training. But she was smart. Ironic. The irony was that she had been pulled into a situation that had nothing to do with her, in an act of compassion for the girl and her furball; and she knew that the Nautolan wouldn't distinguish between faces now. As far as he was concerned, there was four people responsible for his mugging: Lara Straife, Gabriel Vestex, the Rodian and Dianna LaCroix.

It was time to move.

"You two need to come with me. We need to get out of here before more of these goons turn up." Dianna pushed Gabriel lightly to get his attention and her face pleaded alongside her words, for the three of them to get up and move. To help them, and to also get them moving, Dianna plucked the fallen bag that Lara had been carrying and put it over her shoulder.

She turned and began running the other way. As she passed the Rodian's kiosk, she plucked up a pouch that she knew he used to keep the credits he gained from his stall. Lara, Gabriel, what was left of the Rodian, the Nautolan and the crowd would see Dianna's actions in two lights now: she was trying to help the little girl and the Cathar to get away; or she was running away with their stuff and the Rodians.

Either way, Lara and Gabriel would have to follow her now. Dianna had their stuff.

 

[Gabriel Vestex]

| [member="Lara Straife"] | [member="Dianna LaCroix"] |

Gabriel stood awestruck at Dianna’s audacity. His expression was emotionless and grim. He took one longing glance at Lara. She was all but unconscious in his arms. He could hear her slow, steady, and shallow breathing. She just went through hell and back and she needed her rest. Besides… Gabriel just wanted to go back home. He wanted to find a safe place to bleed, to lick his wounds (literally), to lie in his bed and forget about all this mess.

But Gabriel knew if he did, Lara would not forgive him. In the backpack contained everything they had worked hard for and more. In their backpack was Lara’s most prized possession: The Twenty Wonders of the Galaxy. Gabriel often saw her thumbing through the booklet, her eyes lit up in pure amusement. At these times her pale, handsome face took on an altogether different expression than was the norm. There in her countenance he saw hope. But that hope was now quickly running away.

Gabriel wasn’t sure about his choice. Although the girl had tried to help them, she wasn’t one of them. He had a hard time trusting anyone and he feared that bringing anyone closer could put Lara in danger, especially in this state. He could tell Dianna’s scrawny stature didn’t make her much of a fighter and that if he wanted to deal with her swiftly, he probably could. Regardless of his thoughts, something was speaking to him. His instincts were urging him forward. Gabriel had no choice now but to trust this vivacity that loomed inside of him.

Later that night, Mitya (the young Balosar from earlier) paid for another fix with his winnings. He was high as a kite and walking around with his head full of stars. He was buzzed, bewildered, and altogether baffled. That is, until he overdosed. Then he was just dead.

 

[Annalise Citra]

| [member="Gabriel Vestex"] | [member="Lara Straife"] |

They were off. Neon lights around them were like a blur as they ran. The backpack she had taken from the little girl and Cathar was heavy, but she endured. Dianna was trying to save their life and she wasn't sure why, but it felt right; and besides, on another completely different motive, it wasn't like she could let the both of them get caught by the Nautolan and his Black Sun connections. That would be bad. The district that they found themselves in were the only parts of Nar Shaddaa she had ever known. She had never ventured to the other places. Familiarity was one of the few comforts that could be enjoyed on the polluted moon.

The street had several alleyways that led into the back of shops. Fire escapes adorned the sides, where peoples apartments were. Dianna knew to stay away from them, because they had the type of shady people who did drugs and other assorted debauchery that they didn't want people to see; and on a world that was infamous for it's debauchery, then that in itself was a tale of the type of things that happened down dark alleyways on Nar Shaddaa.

Yet she knew that she had to get high up, off the streets. The kids used roof tops for hang outs and places to meet up. Dianna had spent hours up on the roof tops, but had always climbed up and hopped over to other builds, by using the fire escape on the hospice. She knew that alleyway and the people in it. She was familiar with it, so she didn't have qualms about going down that certain place beside her home.

But this was different and yet Dianna knew she had no choice.

She turned into an alleyway suddenly, hopped onto a dumpster and dived up onto the ladder. Backpack on her shoulder by one it's strap, she struggled upwards to the fire escape and it's steps, that led up.

 

[Gabriel Vestex]

[member="Lara Straife"] & [member="Dianna LaCroix"]

Gabriel followed the gaunt, little thief through the crime-ridden streets of Nar Shaddaa. In every corner and alleyway lay a deal either happening or waiting to happen. Money and drugs crossed hands. Contraband went from schemer to schemer. There was no end to the filth that filled these streets. Gabriel, Lara, and Dianna had passed by several deals in the making, but they didn’t bat an eyelash. They were on a mission.

Gabriel followed Dianna up the rickety ladder. As he heaved Lara and himself up, he could feel the tension in his muscles. Although he was tired, his body was healing rapidly. It paid off to be a Cathar sometimes. Unfortunately, Lara didn’t share his regenerative abilities and as much as Gabriel wished he could, he couldn’t give them to her. She was weak and while her heartbeat was steady enough, all this running around wasn’t doing her any good. Once they reached the top of the building, Gabriel had had enough.

He reached out rapidly with his paw and grasped the strap of the backpack, stopping Dianna in her tracks. “Give it up,” he demanded of her, “I won’t ask, again.” Whether or not she gave it willingly was irrelevant as Gabriel practically tore it from her hands. He carefully laid Lara’s emaciated body on the floor of the roof. He unzipped the backpack and rummaged through it as quickly as he could. He kept an eye on Dianna as he pulled out two bacta bandages. The bacta bandages were something they had picked up along the way. They hadn’t stolen them, in fact Gabriel insisted against it. He knew they’d need them, for situations such as these, but he refused to take the medpacs from innocent civilians who might need it more. So he bought them from a black-market dealer situated outside The Slag Pit. He got ripped off and he knew it, but it had to be done. Some things just have to be done.

Gabriel applied one of the bandages to Lara’s neck wound. The skin underneath was raw. The blood had become crusty and had a murky red hue, but it was nothing a bacta bandage couldn’t fix. He then pulled out a bottle of bactade. He hastily unscrewed the cap, titled her head up, and forced the chalky-tasting liquid down her throat. He cringed slightly, then let her head fall back gently onto the floor. He affectionately tucked a strand of her golden blonde hair away from her face and behind her ear. Now it was only a matter of time until the medicine worked its magic.

He then turned to Dianna, with the last bacta bandage in his paw, and handed it to her. Gabriel wasn’t sure if what he was doing was right, but it was a gesture of friendship all the same.

 

[Lara Zambrano]

[member=Gabriel Vestex] [member=Dianna LaCroix]

Lara felt like she was floating.

Her green eyes were set upon the sky above, admiring the twinkling stars that could be called nothing more than beautiful. Some moved and looked like shooting stars, but Lara couldn't tell if they were merely ships. She inhaled desperately, and loudly. She had never in her life been so thankful for air, especially fresh air. Or well, the equivalence of what you could find here on Nar Shaddaa. She sucked in lungfuls of it greedily. Her vision was still slightly blurred and she could still hear her heartbeat, louder than ever.

Boom, boom, it went, still fast from the panic, boom, boom, Gabriel was talking to somebody, his back was turned to her, boom, boom, She heard the muffles of their voices as they spoke, boom, boom, he was offering something out to her, boom, boom, she could see the girl holding something over her shoulder, boom boom, boom boom, she recognized the the shape, boom boom, boom boom her vision was beginning to clear, boom, boom, boom, boom she made it out as her backpack. Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.

Her backpack.. She scowled terribly from where she lay upon the ground, and realised the familiar weight she had grown accustomed to over her shoulder was no longer there. Why did this scrawny little girl have her backpack?! Lara felt her irritation and annoyance grow as she scanned the girl with dirty blonde hair and teal eyes up and down while she spoke to Gabriel. Speaking of Gabriel, it was only then did Lara realise he was offering something out to the girl. It was long, white and had a slimy substance of sorts on one side of it. She swallowed the saliva that had built up in the back of her throat during the time she had laid down, and was met with an unfortunate chalky flavour that took her by surprise. She almost spluttered, but she held it back to not alert the two infront of her she was awake yet.

Despite how disgusting it tasted, Lara couldn't deny it was doing the trick to soothe her once burning throat. She identified it as bactade, and put two and two together that the item that Gabriel was offering to the runt infront of them was a bacta bandage. Why is he offering her our emergency supplies? She scanned the dirt ridden girl up and down again, trying to remember where she felt so familiar from. And that was when Lara Straife remembered. The girl had been stood in the center of the crowd, not far from her and Gabriel while they were threatened by the Nautolan and Rodian. She had done kriff all to help them, and watched like the stupid karkin' idiot that she was, gormlessly. Useless Just like everyone else on this karkin' planet. Not caring for anyone else's skins but their own.

Lara didn't like this girl. And she was sure as heck not going to allow Gabriel to share their supplies with her. Supplies that took a lot of credits to pay for. She got to her feet silently, the injuries to her neck were healing nicely. The bacta numbed the pain that had made her so disorientated before. She was tired, sure, but there was no way she was going to let this giant Bantha Poodoo steal her belongings. It was everyone for themselves in this big lonely galaxy, and she had no time for games.

Gabriel had snatched the backpack from the girl, and practically tore it from her small hands. She had no real build to her, and it was evident she was pretty weak in terms when it came to fighting or defending herself. Lara was nothing special herself in that department, but she had been taught more than the average civilian in how to defend herself if it came to it. Before the stranger could claim the bandage as her own, to use for her injuries, Lara was on her. Despite being as small as she was, a good run up built enough momentum to hopefully force the girl back onto the rooftop they were upon. She wasted no time in tucking her small bird like legs against the girls arms, in an attempt to make it more difficult if she tried to raise her hands to defend or block the onslaught of punches raining down from above. Lara felt no remorse. She had watched Gabriel and herself almost die for whatever sick reason that whirled within her tiny brain. She said only one thing to the poor unfortunate soul that she prepared to beat up.

"I don't know WHAT made you think stealing my backpack was a good idea, laserbrain, but i'll make you think twice next time, you schutta!"

 

[Gabriel Vestex]

[member="Lara Straife"] & [member="Dianna LaCroix"]

The cool jet black of night hung around Gabriel like a velvety noose. He felt closed in and suffocated. His body was trapped. He was trapped here. Trapped in this place, with these people, surrounded by all these things. He could feel the toxicity of the environment; it was palpable. Then he was aware of the flashing neon lights. They pulsated relentlessly. His eyes and throat were sore. His head was swimming. His senses felt blocked, yet they were teeming with life. It was all too much. Ah… Nar Shaddaa… what a wonderful place. Needless to say, his thoughts divulged all kinds of irony.

And that was when Gabriel saw Lara lunge. Sithspit… she was quick. Despite the age difference, Dianna would have been knocked off her feet surely by surprise more than anything. And then Lara was down on her. She was punching the scrawny fourteen-year old, spitting in her face, and yelling all kinds of nasty insults. For a splint second Gabriel actually thought it comedic. And for a split second he thought about the Twenty Wonders of the Galaxy.

Responsibility. Always getting in the way, although, of course, it acted more like a path than a barrier, at least for Gabriel. Without it, where would he be? Anyways… all this thinking was irrelevant. Leave the ideological war to the Jedi and Sith. I don’t need it. This wasn’t necessarily a stream of thoughts, but a conscious sentiment. Gabriel could perceive all these feelings he had in the split seconds before he intervened. It was only until after that he realized the rational truth behind it all.

Gabriel lunged forward with a single stride. He wrapped his paws tightly around Lara’s body and then pried her away from Dianna as gently as he could. “Are you nuts? Are you trying to injure yourself even more?” Gabriel’s tone held a note of anger in it. Truthfully, he wasn’t angry with Lara, but more with himself. This was the kind of behavior that he encouraged. He never wanted Lara to see the way he was when his temper flared, and he never gave himself a reprieve when he betrayed his self-promises. And now he couldn’t forgive himself when he saw her attack another like that. Even if Dianna deserved it, this was his fault.

Lara’s body was hoisted in Gabriel’s arms. Gabriel bent down slightly to pick the backpack up off the floor as he slung one strap over his shaggy shoulder. He still held the bacta bandage in his hand and he merely threw it down at the now bloody and bruised Dianna, who was still lying on the floor. Gabriel simply turned, went back down the ladder, and darted from alleyway to alleyway. He held Lara close to him, her face lost in his soft, shaggy chest. They didn’t exchange a word the entire time. After a long walk through the crisp night, they finally reached the abandoned apartment they called a home. A long needed rest was now in order.

Gabriel and Lara lay down to finally go to sleep. Lara’s face nestled close to Gabriel and it didn’t take long for her to pass into the unconscious reveries of slumber. While Lara plunged into nighttime dreams, Gabriel plunged into daytime ones. He thought about those feelings he experienced, the frenzied look he had seen in Lara’s eyes, and the thought of the danger she had been put in. He thought about his responsibility to her, to keep her safe, out of danger, and away from the petty crime that filled the Smuggler’s Moon. Lara deserved something better. After a moment it finally hit him… The Twenty Wonders of the Galaxy.

Gabriel slept better than night than he had in a while. It's amazing... the power of dreams.

 

[Lara Zambrano]

[member=Gabriel Vestex] [member=Dianna LaCroix]

Early morning sunlight streamed through the tall buildings of Nar Shaddaa as morning arrived, painting Lara Straife in a pink light as she idly turned a page of the book in her hands. She caressed a thumb tenderly over the pictures, this one was of the Ice Crypts upon Coruscant. It looked so much like her dream, where she had walked and felt the snow as if she was truly there yesterday. She was a known dreamer to Gabriel, and he had often commented on how she needed to get her head out of the clouds. But that dream was more vivid than usual, and it confused Lara greatly. She had been awake for a while now, but she didn't wake Gabriel just yet. After yesterday, they both needed their rest. The bacta had certainly worked, and her throat no longer hurt. She had removed the bandage briefly to see the accerlation of the healing process on the cut upon her neck. It still looked red, and she knew it would take longer to get better. Maybe it would scar. She had mused grimly when looking in a shop window as a make do mirror on the way home yesterday.

Gabriel hadn't said anything to her when they had finally arrived home. And Lara had not pushed to make conversation. They locked the broken door of the abandoned flat they called home as best as they could, and finally laid down to sleep. Over the two years of being homeless, they had managed to steal all types of make do covers and pillows to be somewhat comfortable when falling into a sleep. But there would be times Lara would curl up to Gabriel, and nuzzle into his fur. It was comforting to the young girl, and it reminded her she wasn't alone. They had survived another day together on this rock.

She finally closed the old book, and slotted it under the pillow near her on the ground. It was a 'hiding' place she had come up with since she first purchased the item. Lara turned her green eyes from the pillow, and heard Gabriel grunt slightly in his sleep, with a slight turn to his left he fell silent once more. She hoped he wasn't having a nightmare, but she wouldn't wake him to find out. Not yet at least. Lara balled her right hand into a fist, and rubbed the last of any sleep dust daring to remain in the corner of her eyes. She had a plan for this morning, and planned to treat Gabriel to his own breakfast in bed. Over the two years, it was of course usual for Gabriel to be making breakfast for Lara in bed, he had always treated her well. She looked to return the favour today.

Lara moved with the grace of a dancer while tip-toeing across the room. Gabriel hadn't of stirred in the slightest when she closed the door, and made her familiar way to the make shift bathroom. With some bottled water and a rag, she quickly washed herself to be presentable and changed into her day to day outfit. Running her small hands through her long blonde locks, she peered into the broken mirror with a large crack down the center of it. She assumed whoever had left this flat before, didn't bother to clean up and take their old objects with them. It was the reason Lara and Gabriel had a lot of their current possessions.

She picked up the backpack they had left near the front door when arriving home yesterday, and took it through to the make shift table that was supported by books for one of the broken legs. The furniture itself was horrible coloured with sickly greens, and whites that were now grey. It was worn with age and dust ridden. Gabriel had tried to clean it once until realising there was no use. It was living with them whether they liked it or not, Lara had joked on that day. Lara removed the fruit first from their sack of goods, they were Shuura's, an exotic fruit that was yellow and cream coloured. They had a juicy and sweet taste. It was a favourite of Lara's. When they struck lucky with picking these up, Gabriel would often let her have them. The next two pieces of food that she pulled out was a Pendunkee mufkin, and a sweet sickly pastry known on Nar Shaddaa as the 'Smuggler's delight'. Lara had once overheard when passing a diner from a group of smugglers how this particular pastry helped counteract the detrimental effects of the the spice known as 'Giggledust'. Lara had always thought that was a stupid name for a drug.

She put it all together on a plate that she had previously washed, and a cup full of Kuul Milk, which they were lucky to get bottled from a kiosk down on the market too. Gabriel's breakfast was complete, and for a moment she smiled admiring it. I'd best get this back to him, before he wakes up. She picked up the glass of milk in her right hand, and the plate of food in the other and walked back to the bedroom. The sunlight was peaking through the open window more now, and Gabriel had already begun to stir. Lara plopped down beside him, placing the cup and plate down next to him. She tapped his shoulder once, and with a wide smile said "Surprise!"

 

[Annalise Citra]

| [member="Lara Straife"] | [member="Gabriel Vestex"] |

Dianna had lifted a hand to accept the bandage, thankful. The grazes and cuts on her hands and knees from where she had fallen, after the Rodian had slapped her, stung like hell. At least they are thankful... As her hand lifted up, out of no where, there was a blonde flash and then Dianna dropped. Pain gripped the back of her head where she had smacked into the concrete. Then there was more as Lara continued her assault. Why are they attacking me...

~​

So alone. Cold. Desolate. That was how she felt on the tower. It was not because of the wind, that whirled and battered around her, but an intense feeling that was deep, down inside her soul. It gripped her physical vessel. Her eyes scanned the horizon and found it all wanting. So weak. Pathetic. Failure. She had failed them all. They had all died because of her. So many. Such loss. Her hands sunk into her wrists. The physical pain was a distraction. But ultimately useless.

She would never forget.

~​

Dianna was dazed. Her headache was more like a migraine. She didn't know it, but she was concussed. Her body hurt all over. Teal eyes awakened to an iron sky. Rain began to patter the roof. How long had she been lying there? She did not know. Dianna forced herself to sit up and saw something fall off her chest and onto her lap. It was the bandage that Gabriel had tried to give her, before Lara had attacked her. Confusion gripped her. "Why did she attack me? Why leave this after what you did to me?"

She applied the bandage onto her hands first. By the Force, they hurt. The hood she wore on her hoodie had fallen off. Her hair was matted and unkempt. Dirt was on her cheeks and chin, from where she had fallen. Cuts and bruises adorned them from where the little girl had lashed her. "Brat." After several minutes, Dianna finally rose to her feet. She discarded the bandage, which was ultimately useless in the rain. Standing on the ledge of the buildings roof, Dianna looked on. It was still evening, so she hadn't been laying there long. Her jaw ached. How would she explain this to the hospice?

It would not be the first and last time Dianna LaCroix, Lara Straife and Gabriel Vestex would meet one another.

FIN