Private Small Spaces in Big Places

[Meri Vale]

Meri accepted the bowl when her order was called, both hands immediately occupied. Steam curled up toward her face, warm and grounding, and she adjusted her grip carefully as she and Maur moved away from the counter toward the stall with the spiced meat. For a few steps, she said nothing, clearly sorting through how to answer with her hands full.

Then she spoke instead, voice low so it stayed between them.

"I think," Meri said thoughtfully, "that spiced meat says you like things that are… bold, but intentional." She glanced sideways at Maur, a small, shy curve to her mouth. "Food that's meant to be noticed. Not just filling, but memorable."

She shifted the bowl slightly, keeping her balance as they walked.

"When I was little," she continued, choosing her words carefully, "we ate very well. Not just because we could, but because it mattered. Meals were structured. Shared. There were rules about posture, utensils, and timing, but there was also laughter. Stories."

A faint, almost wistful smile touched her mouth.

"My favorite was breakfast," Meri admitted. "Warm breads. Fruit preserves. Tea that was always too hot at first." She paused, then added more quietly, "It felt safe. Predictable."

Her steps slowed just a fraction as they neared the next vendor, the scent of spiced meat curling thickly through the air.

"That stopped," she said, not abruptly, but honestly. "When I was about eight."

She did not elaborate right away. She did not have to. The way her fingers tightened slightly around the bowl said enough.

"But I remember it," Meri finished, lifting her gaze briefly toward Maur. "That's why food still matters to me. Even now. Especially warm food."

She fell silent after that, letting the noise of the concourse fill the space again, walking beside Maur with her meal held close. It was no longer just something to eat, but a memory carried carefully in both hands.

Maur

 

[Maur]

Silence spoke volumes more than words alone. There were messages in what was not said. In how Meri's gaze turned inward and distant. In how her hands flexed around the bowl.

That stopped when I was about eight.

She traveled alone. Intended to study old things on Naboo. She'd never traveled with someone before. Human kits almost always traveled with their tribe when they had one.

Meri Vale had no tribe.

Maur let the relative silence stretch. There were some things words could not help. The hum of the concourse filled the space, a vibrant droning that spoke to life carrying on. For someone that looked and often fought like a predator, Maur was exceptionally careful when it came to eating. She hated having to clean her fur out every time she ate; it was just easier to not get it filthy in the first place. Even so, by the time they returned to the kiosks where Maur had first stumbled across Meri, Maur had finished eating the roasted meat off the skewer. A couple of travelers sitting on a bench seemed to suddenly find themselves in a hurry when Maur approached the empty half. Well that was fine too. Someone her size usually got that reaction.

[[How's the soup?]] Maur signed. [[Soul-warming?]]



Meri Vale

 

[Meri Vale]

Meri looked down at the bowl in her hands for a moment before answering, steam curling up and fogging her vision just slightly. She adjusted her grip, careful not to spill any as she shifted her weight onto the bench beside Maur.

"It's good," she said softly, then nodded once as if confirming it to herself. "Really good."

She took another small sip, slower this time, letting the warmth settle instead of rushing it. Her shoulders, which had been held tight for most of the walk, eased a fraction.

"Yes," Meri added after a moment, glancing up briefly toward Maur before her gaze drifted back to the surface of the soup. "Soul-warming is… the right word."

She paused, fingers curled around the bowl, then allowed herself a small, almost shy smile.

"It's strange how something simple can do that," she said quietly. "Make everything feel less sharp. Like the noise doesn't press in quite so much."

Another sip, then a breath.

"Thank you," Meri said, not just for the meal, but for the space, the silence, the way Maur hadn't pushed when the story had stopped short. She didn't elaborate on that, either. She didn't need to.

For now, the soup was enough.

Maur

 

[Maur]

Maur's throat rumbled with pleasure, the extent of sound her damaged vocal cords could make, as her hands spoke. [[You're welcome. Amazing how much a full stomach can make you feel whole sometimes.]]

She eased back onto the bench and crossed a leg over her knee. Her eyes stayed trained on the crowds around them, a mercenary's habit of keeping watch, even as her mind turned inward to the grit that was Meri. Or rather, Meri's circumstances. It didn't sit well with her, the idea of just... leaving the kit alone once she reached Naboo. And her desire to explore old places, study them? Dangerous. Not to mention the kind of treasure hunter those places often lured in. Maur stretched her neck from side to side. There'd be plenty of time to figure something out on the way to Naboo.

[[You gonna go to some school and learn to be a—]] Maur's hands paused while she searched for the word. It continued to elude her so she just finished the sentence. [[—researcher of buried stuff?]]



Meri Vale

 

[Meri Vale]

Meri shifted the bowl in her hands, letting the last of the warmth settle before answering, her fingers lifting as she began to sign, the motions careful and deliberate.

[[School first,]] she signed, nodding once as if to anchor the thought. [[I need to finish my basic schooling. Credentials matter if you want people to listen, or let you near restricted sites.]]

Her gaze drifted briefly to the flow of travelers before returning to Maur, her expression thoughtful rather than distant.

[[But after that… yes. That's the plan. Archaeology. History. Anything that lets me work with old places instead of only reading about them.]] A small, earnest smile flickered across her face. [[Field research. Preservation. Archival recovery. Mapping ruins before they collapse or get stripped for profit.]]

Her hands slowed, fingers curling slightly as she continued.

[[I like figuring out how people lived. What they valued enough to carve into stone, or hide, or protect.]] There was a pause, then her signs grew smaller, more inward. [[Sometimes it feels like if I understand the past well enough, the present makes more sense.]]

Meri finished by looking back up at Maur, a faint thread of humor woven into her expression.

[[So… yes. Researcher of buried stuff.]]

Maur

 

[Maur]

[[Archaeologist!]] Maur's hands signed suddenly. [[That was the word!]]

She grinned good-naturedly at Meri's joke. It hadn't escaped her notice, Meri's genuine smile nor the way her hands signed small—the equivalent of tone and volume becoming quiet. Archaeology was more than just a passion for her. Maur relaxed after her sudden outburst of realization before signing again.

[[It's good to have a career you're passionate about,]] she signed. [[People are people, no matter the century. Understanding the past is . . . foundational. Knowing how people used to work, and what changed, can tell a lot about people living now.]]

Maur cocked her head to the side, thinking. [[Probably a good thing you're studying on Naboo though. I don't think Togoria's culture has changed all that much. The menfolk still insist on pretending their hunts are on par with galactic governments.]]

A pause.

[[I'm only mostly kidding.]]



Meri Vale

 

[Meri Vale]

Meri's smile widened just a touch at Maur's sudden enthusiasm, a soft huff of a laugh leaving her as she lifted her hands to reply, her movements still careful but more assured than before.

[[They are,]] she signed, nodding as she followed Maur's thought. [[Even when cultures stay mostly the same, that constancy says something too. Stability can be just as meaningful as change.]]

She tilted her head slightly, considering her words as her hands continued, smaller and slower, thoughtful rather than uncertain.

[[I think cultures like yours are interesting because of that,]] Meri added. [[Traditions that endure tend to do so because they matter to the people living them. Even the parts that seem… dramatic.]] A faint, amused curve touched her mouth.

[[Studying places where things haven't shifted much helps you see what people choose to protect,]] she went on. [[What they refuse to let go of. That says a lot about who they are.]]

She lowered her hands briefly, then added one last, gentle sign.

[[Besides, hunters and governments both tell stories about power. They just use different languages.]]

Maur

 

[Maur]

Meri's body language said as much as her hands and Maur listened attentively. She talked about constancy and stability, enduring traditions that matter, the importance of what a people choose to keep around. Meri's hands slowed, thoughtful, as she compared hunters and governments. They just use different languages.

And here the more technologically advanced females were convinced the men were just stubborn.

[[You're very insightful, for someone your age,]] Maur said. [[You'll ace your schooling.]]

Maur looked over at the departure kiosks, checking the time. They'd managed to kill a good chunk of time. If they left now, they'd arrive at the transport boarding area with a little wiggle room. Enough that they wouldn't need to run but not so much that they'd be stuck standing around waiting.

[[Shall we?]]



Meri Vale

 

[Meri Vale]

Meri finished the last of the soup slowly, as if she were reluctant to rush something that felt grounding, then folded the empty container carefully in her hands. Her fingers paused for a moment before she signed back, smaller motions but steady.

[[Thank you,]] she signed. [[I hope you're right.]] There was no false modesty in it, just quiet determination.

She glanced once more at the crowd and the departure boards, then nodded, slipping to her feet and adjusting her bag against her shoulder.

[[Yes,]] Meri signed, a faint smile touching her expression. [[Let's go.]]

Maur

 

[Maur]

Maur stood from the bench in one fluid motion, a predator's grace, as she adjusted her duffel on her shoulder. She took point through the crowds but was careful not to leave Meri behind. Now that they were on the move, more questions about the kit pressed in on her mind. Did she have people meeting her there? Friends, perhaps? Were there dormitories at this Academy for her to stay in or did she have other accomadations planned? Did she plan for accomadations? Maur huffed thoughtfully. She wasn't sure how Naboo did things, but a good portion of the galaxy didn't exactly have non-exploitative jobs for kits. Would Meri need to get a job? That would take time away from her studies. Maur spared a glance back at Meri, making sure she was near and doing fine with the crowds.

This wasn't how she had seen her day going. But it wasn't an unpleasant surprise.

They arrived at the boarding area with a few minutes to spare, slightly closer to time than Maur had estimated. Maur tilted her head side to side and stretched the vertebrae there before rolling neck and shoulders. Tension had a way of creeping into the muscles there and keeping them tight. She turned to Meri, raising hands to sign again.

[[Would you tell me about Theed and the academy you're going to?]] she asked. [[What drew you there?]]



Meri Vale

 

[Meri Vale]

Meri kept pace beside Maur, nodding once before lifting her hands to answer, her movements small but sure.

[[Theed is quiet,]] she signed. [[Built into the hills, with gardens and waterways everywhere. The academy is part of the city instead of towering over it. It's meant to feel calm.]]

Her hands paused briefly, then continued.

[[It isn't a military school or a Force academy. They focus on history, ethics, sciences, and culture. Archaeology and preservation are encouraged, especially when paired with anthropology or archival work.]] A faint hint of warmth crept into her expression. [[They want students to think before they act, and to understand consequences, not just results.]]

She glanced ahead toward the boarding gate, then back to Maur.

[[What drew me there is that mistakes aren't punished. They're examined. Professors teach through discussion, not drills. Walking seminars in gardens. Reflection instead of pressure.]]

A small, honest addition followed.

[[It felt like a place where I could learn without being told who I have to become first.]]

Maur

 

[Maur]

The beautiful thing of sign language is that it wasn't just the hands that spoke. It was the expressions, the way the body moved, how fast or slow one signed. It provided tone and context far more than many speakers and hearing gave it credit for. Meri's thoughts and hopes lived in her hands and her nonverbal language. This Theed Academy was more than just a scholarly opportunity. It was a sanctuary.

Maur hoped it lived up to Meri's expectations.

[[I see,]] Maur signed. She walked forward into the boarding group as the droid nearby called for passengers to embark. [[Skill retention over performance. Sounds like a true place of learning.]]

The duffel thumped hard and heavy as Maur dropped it onto the repulsorlift cargo trolley. She turned to face Meri again as she signed [[And learning without feeling pressured to choose a path is rare. It's good that they leave it up to you. Especially with how young you are. Life hasn't even truly begun for you.]]

Meri hadn't once mentioned whether or not she had family or friends waiting for her. The seeming isolation of of the kit sat heavy and cold in Maur's chest. Among the Togorians, she knew a kit would have had People to help them make transitions, male or female. Every adult took on the responsibility of raising a child, blood-related or not. A kit was never alone. Never.

[[And your lodgings, do they let you see the gardens and waterways?]]

Was Meri going to have to navigate Theed by herself?



Meri Vale

 

[Meri Vale]

Meri waited until they were seated before answering. She slid her bag under the seat, then drew out her datapad and woke the screen with a careful tap.

She did not sign right away. Instead, she turned the datapad so Maur could see.

The display bloomed with a polished infomercial she had clearly watched before: terraced hills layered with pale stone buildings, gardens woven through walkways, water gliding in bright channels beneath arched bridges. Students sat along river balconies with books and datapads, and others walked slowly beneath trees heavy with shade. Everything looked open. Quiet. Intentional.

Only then did Meri lift her hands.

[[Yes, I think so. Most student lodgings overlook the gardens or waterways. They said it helps with focus. And balance.]]

Her signing slowed, smaller now, thoughtful rather than rehearsed.

[[They design it so you can always see something living while you study. I think that will help me learn.]]

She dimmed the datapad but kept it in her lap, fingers resting lightly against the casing.

[[It feels like a place that expects people to take their time.]]

Maur

 

[Maur]

Curiously, Meri didn't respond. Not immediately. Maur followed patiently, easing her bulk into the seat next to the kit as they boarded the transport. One had to be patient with kits, especially those in between childhood and adulthood. The transition was hardly ever easy or uncomplicated and feelings often entangled thoughts that could otherwise be laid out in simple lines. Meri didn't sign when they sat either, instead pulling out a datapad and a commercial for the academy. Maur's ears twitched as she caught the voiceover, even on low volume, as it praised the academy's accommodations as suitable for study without lacking the comforts of home, even for those born among nobility. The angles were pristine as the holocam cut from one beautiful vista to the next, showcasing students diligently poring over their studies.

Maur suppressed the huff and exhaled slowly instead. Naboo was indeed known for blending its architecture and structures with nature, rather than imposing on it—a technique the female half of her people were starting to use in their own architectural engineering. Whether or not the commercial was telling the truth about the dormitories was another matter. Commercials, even infomercials like this one, always showed the best of the best to make the sale.

[[It certainly does look peaceful,]] Maur signed. [[I can see why you'd be interested.]]

She leaned back, mindful of how much space she took up. [[Do they assign roommates or is it more of a private affair?]]



Meri Vale

 

[Meri Vale]

Meri let the infomercial loop for another few seconds before she reached out and powered the datapad down, sliding it carefully back into her bag as if it were something fragile rather than mundane. Only then did her hands lift, her movements a little slower now that they were seated, the space around them settled.

[[For the first years, they probably share rooms,]] she signed, her shoulders lifting in a small, uncertain shrug that softened the statement. [[I think that's pretty normal. It's meant to help students adjust, I think. Not be alone right away.]]

Her hands paused briefly before continuing, fingers shifting with a touch of hesitation.

[[As you get older, and your studies need more supplies or space, you're given your own room. Or something closer to it.]] A small tilt of her head followed. [[At least… that's how it's described.]]

She offered a faint, self-aware smile.

[[I'm not actually sure.]]

Maur

 

[Maur]

Okay, good. The kit would be surrounded by other students once at the Academy. It was no guarantee of safety but there was safety in numbers. Meri probably would find it overwhelming; it was Maur's experience that kits her age were generally loud. And given the nature of the Academy, there were sure to be plenty of diverse personalities.

And so far, Meri hadn't mentioned people meeting her or showing her around.

[[Well, you'll find out when you get there,]] Maur signed. She kept her face curious rather than concerned. [[It sounds like a big adjustment, being around so many people all the time. Do you know of quiet places to retreat to when you need it?]]

She thought a moment before adding [[I'm sorry if I'm overstepping. Togorians are a tight-knit bunch and everyone shares responsibility for kits.]]

It would be best, she figured, if she did not add "No kit would ever be alone."



Meri Vale

 

[Meri Vale]

Meri's shoulders lifted with a small, almost buoyant breath, the earlier hesitation giving way to something brighter as her hands came up to sign, movements a little quicker now.

[[I will find out when I get there!]] she signed, a flicker of excitement showing in her expression, eyes briefly lighting up at the thought instead of turning inward.

Her hands slowed as she considered the rest, thoughtful rather than uncertain.

[[I do not know of any places yet,]] she continued. [[I have never been there before. But I imagine there will be some. Naboo has such a long history and so many old spaces woven into it. Gardens, walkways, old buildings… probably ruins too, even if they are quiet ones.]]

There was a pause then, just long enough to feel deliberate. Meri's fingers came together, fidgeting for half a second before she signed again, a little smaller this time, her expression shy but hopeful.

[[Um…do you want to keep in touch?]]

She glanced away for a heartbeat after, then back again, as if bracing for the answer but clearly wanting it all the same.

Maur

 

[Maur]

Maur watched as Meri seemed to come alive, a light shining in her eyes as her hands moved a bit faster. The passion was still evident when her hands slowed and face turned pensive, talking about her ignorance of quiet places. She did seem certain she'd find one.

The excitement faded almost just as quickly, turning into something small and quiet. Something vulnerable.

Then Meri asked her question. Furtively looking away.

[[I thought you'd never ask,]] Maur said gently, smiling. [[Of course we can. If you need help, with anything, give me a call.]]

Maur flicked her ears with amusement. [[I'm no good with math but I'll help however I can.]]



Meri Vale

 

[Meri Vale]

Meri's shoulders eased, but this time the relief settled into something calmer and more grounded rather than hopeful longing. Her smile was still real, just quieter, more measured, as her hands moved again.

[[I'm glad too,]] she signed. [[I don't usually ask people things like that either.]]

At Maur's joke, she gave a small, genuine laugh, shaking her head once.

[[That sounds fair,]] Meri replied. [[I'm much better with notes and maps than anything physical. Loud situations aren't really my strength.]]

She pulled her datapad free and tapped the screen awake, then angled it toward Maur so she could see, careful not to crowd her.

[[Here,]] she signed. [[This is my contact. I'll be in school most of the time, but… knowing I can call if I need to means a lot.]]

Her hands slowed at the end, the last part more thoughtful than emotional.

[[I don't expect you to be there all the time,]] Meri added gently. [[Just… a voice on the other end is enough.]]

She smiled again after that, small but sincere, as she tucked the datapad back into her bag.

Maur

 

[Maur]

Watching Meri's body language shift into something more relaxed, something calmer, warmed Maur's chest. Her laugh, free and easy, rang clear like a bell. Beautiful. Maur felt her mind draw a line in the sand before she could think better of it and accepted it: whatever had threatened Meri before, whatever had left her alone and without her people, would not happen again. Not if Maur could help it.

Maur accepted the datapad and dutifully copied Meri's contact information into her handheld holoprojector, and then her datapad. It always paid to have back-ups in her experience.

She watched the careful signing, the way Meri looked and took her time making the signs. Maur handed the datapad back.

[[I can't promise I'll always answer,]] Maur signed carefully. [[The work I do can be intense. But if that's the case, I will call back as soon as I can. You won't have to face things alone if you don't want to.]]

The last of the passengers boarded the transport and found their seats. Vibrations ran through the floor as the transport's engines started up. Maur gave Meri a smile.

[[Ready to see Theed?]] she signed.



Meri Vale