Man at Arms

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

On board the Resolute, things had quieted down after the big meeting. Most people went their seperate ways. But for Lori, she lingered for a moment. The weight of everything that happened still sat heavily on her shoulders. Yet she pretended to be completely fine. And as far as she knew, everyone was falling for it.

When most had gone she looked to [member="Kaine Australis"] . He was one of her guardians and mentors, one of the best uncles that a fiesty girl could ask for. He was super patient with her and didn't get mad at her pranks on him at all. Even when she got him soaked and covered in grass and mud! He had such a great heart, so it was easy to tell that they got along well.

While her Dad, [member="Veiere Arenais"] was busy with others, she approached Kaine and gave him a small smile. "I need a little help with something. Could we go somewhere and chat, please? We could go to my quarters, or onto your ship. Either way works." Okay there was more than one thing on her mind. But she was just going to deal with them all one at a time.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori led [member="Kaine Australis"] over to her quarters. It was closer anywaysand this way there was less of a chance of others overhearing or maybe even see her cry if she happened to break down. Hopefully not.

She closed the door after he walked in to modest room. One would expect her to have luxury, but this was a warship. Her ownly luxury was privacy. Still her room had a bed, sitting area and table. And what teenager's room would be without a holoscreen? She didn't have it turned on though. Lori wouldn't even attempt to access the holonet.

Now she let her confidence and bright demeanor drop. Now she could be more like herself. Her real self.
"I...I almost didn't get off Commenor. My friend--or rather he's not my friend anymore-- hacked into my commlink. He works for the Sith Empire. He told me to surrender to their forces when they come to get me so that I wouldn't get hurt, and then he sent them straight to me. Why would he do that? It's not like he was trying to protect me..." Lori had never dealt with betrayal before. She didn't know how to handle it.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori didn't mind [member="Kaine Australis"] sitting down. In fact she sat down next to him, drawing her knees up and folding her hands on top while she leaned back against the wall. He was tired, they all were. But she knew that any rest wouldn't last for very long.

She listened to him as he spoke, knowing full well that he had years and years of experience to back him up. Lori gave him a half smile as he tried to encourage her. She always liked that about him and her Dad [member="Veiere Arenais"] . Their smiles took the weight off of whatever emotions burdened her.

"Well if I see him again, I'm going to give him a black eye and a broken nose. Or maybe two black eyes...He's not much of a fighter. He's more of a thinker." Whereas her mind was more mechanical, [member="Sebastian Thel"] could find a mathematical equation for just about anything.

Lori adjusted herself, sitting up and crossing her feet at the ankles after she straightened her legs out. "I think that I am ready for armour now. I was going to have my Dad help, but we can't get to our forge back home. My jetpack is there too, and my escape boots that you gave me. Even my little fighter...everything is back home.
Even my clothes. We've gotta start from scratch now. But at least we have the credits...Do you think that you could help?"

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori smiled as [member="Kaine Australis"] said that he'd help. She knew that he would and that he was fond of her. There was no doubt in her mind that he'd have her back, and she'd do the same for him.

A brow was raised as his AI appeared. Not only did he look a little funny, but the way that he spoke was much different than the other's that she had come across.

She smiled and nodded in appreciation as she was granted access to Kaine's forge. "Thank you.
And Momalor is funny. Would I be interacting with him at the forge? Or would I be on my own?...I could use some pointers as I haven't built armour yet. But I'm willing to do all the work." She was a hard worker. And like [member="Veiere Arenais"] , she could just work away on something for hours on end. There was something oddly soothing about building and creating. Working on her jetpack was a blast! Armour should be just as fun.

Hopefully.

Lori looked to him as he spoke of his disconnection in this matter from the Mandalorian Empire. Politics was complicated and this whole situation was wrought with it. It was difficult for even the grown ups to figure out what to do.

"This won't be a short war, will it? What if they hurt my Mom because of something we did?
What if they kill her? Or what if they glass another city? Should we...steer the fight away from my home?""

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Oh good! She won't be on her own. And with Momalor having such a funny sense of humour, she could use that. Maybe she'll use the work on her armour as her escape from bad things happening to her and around her. Lori pictured herself hammering out her frustration quite literally, with fire and metal. Maybe that was why her Dad spent so much time in his workshop back home.

She nodded a little as [member="Kaine Australis"] let her know the truth about her Mom's situation. Although they could hold onto the hope that she would be free and they'd all be together, there was a strong chance that that wasn't the reality. "It's not fair, you know?
My Mom doesn't hurt people, yet they came after us. Maybe we were just easy targets..." But thank the Force that she wasn't under her Mom's wing at the time, otherwise she'd be locked up away somewhere too.

A brow was raised as Kaine switched the subject to the Vong war. "I know a little. We touched on it in school, but I didn't quite pay attention to it all.
I find some of their tech to be really interesting and it was neat to see it up close! I just wish it was in a different circumstance that I got to see it..." Different being one where she wasn't being held hostage by them.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

"I think that we tried to fight back. It just...wasn't enough..."

Lori's brows furrowed as [member="Kaine Australis"] mentioned being in the Vong wars. That wasn't possible...Was it? "Wait a minute. How did you fight in the Vong war? And are alive now?" She reached over to his cheek and poked it with her finger to see if he had real skin. "You're not some advanced droid, are you?"

To his point on people needing to work together in order to survive, she nodded. "Mom and Dad used to tell stories of meetings that they went to with other leaders.
There was always fighting and arguing that happens. At least this time there wasn't. But it wasn't exactly a meeting with leaders, now was it?"

Lori then let out a sigh as she switched the topic, one that had been on her mind since Jake showed up. "I can't believe that Jaster is gone. The last time I saw him, I had left him angry. I didn't even know that he was here trying to help. I wish that I could have just...just let him know that I was glad for his training, and for him looking after me. But he probably died believing that I hated him...." She wiped away another tear that slid down her cheek, with an unmistakeable frown forming on her face. She'd never gone through grief before, so it was hard to figure out what to do for it and when.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori had just gone through the loss of one person. She couldn't imagine being in [member="Kaine Australis"] ' shoes and losing everyone. But she knew full well of what it was like to lose her home, having now gone through it herself. But they were working to get it back. It'll just take some time.

She nodded in respect to Jaster never being forgotten. And at first she wanted to take the flask and have a swig of it herself. But she changed her mind. It probably tasted really bad anyways. "Jaster was awesome. He was brave and funny and caring and a great uncle. I hope that when he went down, he took some of our enemies with him!" Lori smiled a little to herself as she imagined it. Maybe that'll be the narrative to how Jaster's story ends. At least that's how Lori would tell it.

"Whenever I get a new fighter, I think I'll name it after him. That'd be okay, wouldn't it?"

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori grinned at that idea. The thought of having some part of Jaster fighting with her and stopping their enemies was a nice idea. That helped to make her grief a little more bearable. "Yeah...Even death can't stop Jaster from hurting those that attacked my home!"

She then looked [member="Kaine Australis"] as he asked her about what type of ship she'd like. Her face just lit up with the limitless possibilities.
"Umm...something quick, and with great maneuverability. It can pack a punch, but not look so intimidating. I want to be able to sneak across enemy space with it, cause who knows if it'll expand to wherever I am, or if Sebastian will send ships after me this time....How's that for a start?"

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

A freighter. Lori's eyes went a little distant as she retreated into her thoughts. A freighter would be awesome. She'd have a place to roam around instead of just sitting in a cockpit. And she could deliver a payload of explosive revenge if she needed to. And the fuel capacity was greater, meaning that she wouldn't need to refuel as much.

That'd be wicked!

"Captain?" She refocused her attention back to [member="Kaine Australis"] . "Me?
Who would take orders from someone as small as me?" No doubt it was the last thing that a veteran would want for a job. But maybe some other younglings would do. The problem was that she didn't really know of any. Most of her time had been spent around adults.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori snorted out a laugh. "Yeah but first I'd have to find people that would WANT to be in my crew." More than likely [member="Caedyn Arenais"] would run far away from that. Which was fine. Even though she missed ol' Snotface, she found that she was getting used to being by herself. Even before the attack on Commenor, she had been spending most of her time alone with only her fighter and the holonet to keep her company. And because of the attack, even her training with her dad [member="Veiere Arenais"] ; which was both an opportunity and a desperate attempt to be with the most exciting of her parental figures; was suddenly halted.

She looked to the holo of the ship that [member="Kaine Australis"] displayed for her and smiled. It had a certain look to it that she hadn't seen before. It had a cutting edge to it that seemed as though it would push aside anything in it's path.

"Yeah that one sure stands out! Maybe a bit too intimidating for me. Though with the Sith potentially looking for me, I might need to scare them off!"

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori studied every word that [member="Kaine Australis"] had said in regards to hiring and maintaining a crew. She knew a lesson when she heard one. And this was certainly one of those times.

"How do I know who I can trust? I thought that I could trust Sebastian....And it nearly got me captured or arrested or whatever it is that those Sith would have done.
How can I know that they aren't working for...well them?" She wasn't fond of the idea of having to look over her shoulder all the time. Even though there was no official bounty on her head, she knew that some would be looking.

At the mention of him paying for her ship and expenses for a year, Lori's mouth hung open for a moment, her eyes growing wide before she reached over and hugged him as tightly as she could. "Oh thank you!!
Thank you!! And I will pay you back! I promise!"

Advice though, that was something that was priceless. And with Jaster gone, plus with what had happened to her home, she needed it. She needed people that she could count on. Her dad [member="Veiere Arenais"] was one as well, but this new war was going to keep him quite busy. So Lori needed to be able to do things on her own.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori slowly nodded as she took in every word that [member="Kaine Australis"] had said about trusting crew members. It seemed as though she'd have plenty of them coming and going. Yet it was hard to tell what would happen in the future for any of them.

And then he said it. She'd be the ruler, she'd be the boss and everyone would have to listen to her.

But she was so young! Who would want to take orders from someone half their age?

"Would they listen to a kid like me? How old were you when you first ran a crew?" He seemed like a born leader to her. Or maybe he was one of those reluctant ones. Sometimes it was hard to tell.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori was always full of questions. Except for when she wasn't.

[member="Kaine Australis"] stated that he was fourteen when he picked out his first crew. That was two standard years younger than she was! She shifted her weight where she sat so that she'd be more comfortable. And that was when he offered her the flask. Drink to the dead? Is that why grown-ups always drank so much?

She took the offered flask and had a deep whiff of it's contents. Boy did it smell!! The hairs within her nose felt as though they were burning off. Still, Lori took a chance anyways. After taking in a deep breath she took a swig from the flask. Right away her nose scrunched up and after swallowing, she coughed as her entire throat seemed to have dried up.

Lori wiped at her mouth with her sleeve. Maybe that was something she'd get used to when she was older. As her tummy settled a little, she felt a little tingly in the head. It was very strange...

She listened as Kaine went through his tale. At times she smiled when he did, her eyes only going distant as she imagined what he was describing actually looked like. Especially what Kaine himself looked like at her age.

Lori handed him the flask when he demanded it, but didn't take any offence. He was hurting, bringing up bad memories and he had to do what he could to help ease the pain.

There were certainly lessons to be learned in all of that and she made sure to remember them. Kaine was such a great role model, a fantastic teacher and guardian. She hoped to never lose him as she did Jaster.

Lori wrapped her arms around him tightly. "You're a great warrior and a great leader.
I'd be lucky if I turned out half as good as you. My cousin, Yasha is lucky to have you on her side. I hope that I find someone like that." Right now her only potential friend had turned into the enemy. So right now she wasn't that good at figuring people out.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori closed her eyes as [member="Kaine Australis"] hugged her tightly. Sure it hurt a little with his armour, but she didn't care, she was enjoying it. He was great company and a great mentor. One of these days they'd have to spar again. She was a little bit taller than the last time they took swings at eachother. Maybe she'd last a little longer!

She frowned ever so slightly at the thought of him leaving so soon. Plus the fact that he might get into trouble for being here; well that didn't sit so well with her either.

"I'm not sure. It all depends on what my Dad wants me to do. I won't be going back home yet, no matter how much I want my jetpack and fighter back. Maybe I'll go to your forge. Of course...I'll need to do a bit of research first on how to fashion my own armour. And I'll need to take a lot of measurements of myself. What do you wear underneath? Is there padding?"

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori nodded some as she listened, looking to his plates as [member="Kaine Australis"] tapped them. How old was he when he first got his own? Probably a lot younger than her, given that he was fighting in battles by 14.

She was a late bloomer in the Mandalorian culture. They considered her an adult, but her personality and the way that she felt was far from that of one.

"Well, I still have some growing to do. So it'd have to grow right along with me. Would it be a good idea to have my jetpack separate from it? Or could I attach it on?
Hmm." She shook her head as she was more or less thinking out loud. "Best to have it separate if I'm going to fly a fighter or something. It'd be tough to sit in a cockpit with a jetpack on my back."

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori laughed at his point on a jetpack going off in a cockpit. Not to mention it being more of a target.
"That's true. Maybe when I get used to flying more, I could start using boots like yours. I do like my jetpack though. Ol' Sparky is special, because I made it and it works! Maybe when I'm famous it can be put in a museum!"

That would be awesome! A museum dedicated to her craftsmanship. Of course she'd have to get crackingon it more. But that was whenever she had the time. Wandering around for parts wouldn't be so easy either. Especially with the risk of them being hunted.

Lori then grinned to [member="Kaine Australis"] as an idea popped into her head. "We'll have to go flying together some day! Maybe do a bit of a race or something. That'd be fun!"

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Yeah. Because she built it, she also knew how to fix it when something went wrong. And then was way better than having to hire a mechanic. Especially if she was far away from any!

She furrowed her brows as [member="Kaine Australis"] got a little serious. What he said about being remembered by family was probably the best. Lori never thought about it that way.

"But what if I don't have any children of my own? What if everyone dies before me....Then what?
I'd be forgotten wouldn't I?" It was hard enough being seperated from her family. She wondered if they'd ever be fully reunited again.

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori looked up to [member="Kaine Australis"] as he stood. At first she thought that she had said something wrong and was going to get a lecture, or that he'd walk out. But then he spoke and his words instead gave her something to think about. Her actions were what was important, and how she treated others. Maybe that was why her Mom tried to do right by everyone.

She got to her feet the moment that he said he was going to Commenor. "I want to go with you..." But she knew that she couldn't. Not after narrowingly escaping from there already. "Give her a hug for me.
Tell her that we're not mad for what happened...It's the Sith's fault.
Emperor Buttface! He's gonna pay!"

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori couldn't help herself. She stepped towards [member="Kaine Australis"] and wrapped her arms tightly around him again, shutting her eyes just as tightly. "I know you will...Thank you!"

After a few moments she released him and took a couple of steps back. "Good journeys. That's a Commenori saying. It's much better than goodbye because you aren't really leaving, but going on another part of life's journey. So there's no reason to be sad. Neat, huh?" At least that was the way that Lori understood it. It made her feel better too.

He was going to head off now, while she planned on staying with her Dad, [member="Veiere Arenais"] . More than likely he'll need her help.