F I R E F L Y
The small shuttle burned through hyperspace; they had been traveling for a bit now, with the only real way to tell time being through the ship's navigation computer. The timer slowly ticked down toward the end of the line to the mid-rim territories. The planet's distance from Eshan might have been the Shaper's miscalculation. Still, she'd gladly accept more time with the Sangnir.
A small alarm echoed through the cabin; the shared bed was small, but it was a good excuse to sleep tangled, as Kito preferred. It quietly reminded her of the tents they often shared when the Jedi would camp instead of tying themselves to an Order.
After her Master abandoned her — not by the woman's choice, but by the Grandmaster's selfishness — Kito thought more and more about returning to the Bokkan lifestyle. She'd been self-taught all these years… why would she change that just to belong somewhere?
Even then, she wouldn't have gotten caught up on Thyferra… alone.
Sitting up, Kito padded her hand about until she found the control that shut off the alarm. It was nothing more than a way to wake up so their circadian rhythm wouldn't falter. She yawned and looked down at the little snake that curled around her waist. Kito's crooked little grin spread across her face as her slender fingers brushed through the mess of dark hair that fought to stay asleep.
"We have to wake up," Kito gently reminded her paramour. "We should be arriving on Kijimi in a day or so."
She thought about peeling the girl off her and trying to do the duties they needed to perform every day to keep the shuttle from falling out of hyperspace. It wasn't anything impressive; Kito had bought it second-hand the moment she had earned enough allowance from doing chores and small missions for the Order. A masterless padawan didn't have much on her desk, so odd jobs often did the trick.
Part of her contemplated selling the wayfinder she had copied from Valaine. On the black market, it would go for millions; she'd be rich and able to afford a life for both of them. Maybe they could run away and disappear on a planet where the Jedi and Sith were just fairy tales? Kito pursed her lips; whenever those thoughts wormed their way into her mind, she felt the pulse of her penance. The sword reminded her, beating the same rhythm as her heart.
Already it disapproved of where her heart resided, but it didn't abandon her. Valaine was the exception, for now. Kito knew she would have to cross that bridge eventually.
But she already knew her answer; she already knew what lay at that crossroads.
Another small beep echoed through the shuttle's hallways. This time Kito knew they needed to wake up. Breakfast and morning chores were necessary— and they needed to make sure they were still on course. Being this close to the current territories, a ship registered in Republic space could draw unwanted attention.
Kito made a note to find something that could mask their registration… perhaps bug it enough that it wouldn't draw attention. Kijimi would be the best place to find that sort of protection.
Leaning down, Kito brushed back Valaine's dark hair from her face. Her bangs were askew from the evening's sleep… or whatever amount of hours they'd actually rested.
"Come on, we need to eat and at least check the nav computer." She kissed the girl's forehead and nuzzled her gently.
"If you get up now, I promise I'll make it up to you." Kito knew a few things could get the Sangnir up; it just depended on what she demanded to wake up at this hour.
She slowly began to untangle herself from Valaine's hold, having gone through the same routine the past week.