Such Pleasures in the West [Americus][Vi'Dreya][Reese]

[Ria Misrani]

Meadowcove Ranch​

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South of Durango​

On the Caddo Peak Trail​

[member="Darth Metus"] | [member="Riley Reese"] | [member="Allya Vi'Dreya"] // The Family ​

[member="Vivienne Americus"] | [member="Daisy Americus"] | [member="Jimmy Americus"] // More Family​

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Betty extended a hand toward Rachel Bloomsfield, a recent transplant from Bothuwai. "We're so happy that you've come to settle here, and your ranch is just gorgeous." The forty-six year old Mandalorian Captain or Al'verde took the packages of cheese that were wrapped so neatly and tucked them into her basket. "I'll be sure to get these to the Grizzly Rose and Declan's."

"Aw thank you for such a warm welcome, your pies were amazing darlin' I'll have to get the recipe from you one day."

"One day, of course," Betty replied politely as she stepped back and then waited until Rachel went back in her house. She turned on her heels and headed for her horse Patsy, a Durango Trotter she was a beautiful deep brown almost black. A Kiffani made blanket rested between the horse and the saddle, Betty loaded the basket into one of the saddlebags. Thank the Manda it fit just right and Betty looked down to check the straps a moment before getting atop of the horse. "C'mon Patsy it's almost sundown we best get back to town before someone comes sniffin' out this way."

Patsy and Betty rode down the Caddo Peak Trail with the Caddo Pine Range just behind them where the sun began to tuck away. A hue of colors rolled through the sky as the good Doctor in her classic blue overalls and heavy coat travelled through. She spotted a few wild rabbits and a squirrel or two, lots of wild vegetation a few that could be used for food and some more for medincial purposes. Around the curve of the trail she could see the lights of Durango, the trail it self wasn't so bad now, Jo and the boys made sure of that. Traps for the wolves and cougars of the area had been set, of course they had to be careful, some of them creatures were the docile type belongin' to the local Kiffani tribes. Even so, Betty was pretty content the day had been well enough. She'd gone to make a few house calls and her medicene bag was still full, of course she was glad to be off her feet. Betty's hand went to her abdomen she was pregnant, and it wasn't any secret on who the daddy was, hell he was goin to be here pretty soon.

Jo wasn't too pleased but Jo had his own affairs and she had hers, so long as they kept the kids fed it wasn't that bad.

The closer they arrived to Durango the more the sounds of it became clearer. The Sierra Blanca was lively and the Grizzly Rose had a line out the door, typical for a weekend she thought. The Belt Buster was a new place that just opened up caterin' to the mix of folk who were into both drinkin' and eatin' but they weren't lookin' to get floored. For those kinda drinkin' needs they headed to the Sierra Blanca. Patsy whinnied as she approached the town, Betty patted the horse gently, "alright girl, let's get to the Rose's back door." The local pack of strays were already huddled back there, and when Betty got down from Patsy they were all too happy to see her. "Well, well, well, Mudd, Flower, Rocky and River the four of you need to settle on down if you want any of these treats."

Just as Betty turned to search her saddle bag, one of the Grizzly Rose's cooks came out and the two had their conversation. She handed him one of the cheese packages, and fed the dogs their treats before walkin' Patsy down to Declan's. It was another wonderful evening here in Durango, as the sun dipped just a little lower behind the Caddo Pine Range.

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZSiBj4vCiY[/media]

 

[Riley Reese]

Small clouds of dust rose from the ground with each step Riley took, as she walked down the dirt road that cut through Durango. The blasters hanging loosely on her hip swayed with each step. Her eyes, hidden behind the T-shaped visor of her helmet, took in every being with great detail. She was on the hunt for a Rodian who was rumored to be hiding out here in Durango. Now it was just a matter of finding him.

The dirt below her feet turned to wooden steps that led into a saloon. The Sierra Blanca, as it was called, seemed like the best place to start. Riley entered the saloon and barely paused for a moment before heading to the far corner of the bar where she sat down on a corner stool. One of the best sources of information was the bartender. Many a drunks and fools had poured out their inner thoughts, as the bartenders poured them drinks in turn.

[member="Betty Americus"]

 

[Ria Misrani]

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Betty hadn't a reason to truly wander into the Sierra Blanca, save of course to make sure her boys weren't makin' trouble. Most folks didn't pay Betty no mind when she wandered in and gave a nod to the bartender, as she asked'im. "What's the rumor in town, Stick?" Stick was the guy's name but no one quite remembered why, Manda knows the man wasn't skinny. He was big, bulky type that you thought would be too fat to lift a pencil. Turned out though Stick was the strong man type despite his apperance, he wiped down the counter with a busted up rag and stuck it in the bucket beneath the counter.

"Not much, just the usual - all 'cept that there wanderer, ain't see them type around 'ere." Stick gestured to the person who stuck out like a sore thumb, "probably gots to do with that Rodian that skipped outta 'ere not too long ago."

"Most likely, but far be it from us to interfere in a hunt, alright Stick... now, one last thing, you seen my boys?"

Stick nodded, "yeah not too long ago Betty think they went on down to the lakehouse for the night, talkin' 'bout an early start on fish."

She gave him a smile and replied, "thanks Stick, see ya 'round."

Betty kept an eye on the stranger for a bit longer before tappin' the counter and wavin' Stick off as she headed back out the Sierra Blanca.

[member="Riley Reese"]

 

[Riley Reese]

Riley turned attention slightly to the newcomer, who began talking to the bartender. Stick was his name, definitely a strange name in Riley's mind. Better yet, he even knew of the Rodian that had recently been here. That was a plus side for her. Hopefully this would lead to a quick hunt.

There was something else though, something about the woman who had come into the saloon. She seemed....familiar somehow. Riley couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she felt like she should know who the woman was.

Unfortunately she didn't have time to think on it before the woman in question at the saloon. Leaving Riley with lingering thoughts and a new lead. Which brought her back to Stick and his knowledge on the Rodian. "You said a Rodian passed through here not long ago?" Her voice sounding dusty beneath her helm. "You wouldn't happen to know where he went, would ya?"

[member="Betty Americus"]

 

[Don Cagliostro]

It was safe to say that Roy didn't take threats all that well. Not against him, and certainly not against the family that to kindly adopted him as one of their own. So when some schmuck thought that they could come into the picture and pull a fast one on Roy, he let his anger get the best of him. The early evening was still quite hot under the Haserian sun.

"Rolling" out into the barren landscape in a speeder. Once he got out far enough away from Durango, in the back seat was a low time hit man who was sent to kill Roy after learning who he was, and the damaged he caused for the organization that hired him. After learning Roy's identity they should've just reported it back to their employers. However, they thought they could gain some extra favor by taking him out now rather then later. Which was a big mistake.

Soon after he stopped Roy got out of the speeder, dragging the tied hit man behind him while they thrashed in their bindings. With a single arm Roy managed to bring his victim out by the edge of a minor cliff. Letting them lay there for a bit Roy, seemingly unprovoked, kicked them in the gut. "That's for ruining my day..." Roy was gonna need get some information out of them before deciding their fate.

 

[Ria Misrani]

Stick had just gotten to fillin' up one of the rancher's pints when the beskar'gam wonder waltzed up to his counter. "Feller muttered somethin' about headin' out told'im he had a few options. He could take the train, a shuttle or a horse. Don't got much speeders less ya brought one in from offworld, shouldn't be too hard to find a roasted lizard. Boy don't know the land, and if he ain't careful he run right into them Kiffani or just up and die to the elements."

"Best I can reckon if he was a smart one, woulda took the train headin' to the big city, if he was an idiot he'd a taken the other two options. You can check with the locals though... "

Rodian talk would be somethin' some of the folks would've been chattering about. Stick thought a moment, "might've spent time at the local hotel, I'd start there."

Betty on the other hand havin' wandered down the wooden steps away from the saloon spotted her boy Jimmy comin' up from the park. "I thought you went with your dad and the others." She said to him with a smile and waved him over. "Just got back from seein' folk around town. Looks like we got ourselves a hunt though, some Rodian fella. How's your day?" The blonde started off with a series of questions her eyes lingered over the park a moment. She remembered Vivienne and that young girl that had been there and shook her head. "Well c'mon then, let's have a bit of dinner and see about the others."

[member="Jimmy Americus"] | [member="Riley Reese"] | [member="Roy Americus"]

 

[Jimmy Americus]

Jimmy had spent a bit of the day earlier working on his speeder, and after a bit of a break just doing some basic target practice to kill some time. To say the man rarely planned his day out would be kind. Few could recall the last time Jimmy planned an entire day out, least of all was Jimmy himself. He saw no point in putting pressure on yourself like that, sure he gave himself goals, or at least a goal to work towards every day but that was about it. He had taken a long walk to the cantina for some food and a nice drink, after the main bit of the debacle with the low level hit man sent after his father was decided. All he knew was that a speeder was involved, which made the Mandalorian Verd chuckle. He hadn't stuck around just in case it got overly graphic, but moreso because he wanted a nice drink at the bar.

As he approached he saw his mother walking down the steps, waving at him. He loped over and leaned in, giving her a hug, laughing a bit as she asked her question. "Yea, I was there for the first bit of the confrontation, but then I saw pa leadin' 'im towards a nearby speeder. Well, ain't no way that was gonna end well, and I was starting to get a bit thirsty and had a hankerin' for good food. Figured might as well go get that settled first, then see what became of the poor stupid fella."

And there was also now something about a hunt of some sort? A Rodian? What in the hell did that mean? "So what? WE huntin' dow the yella bellied lizardman or what? If not I dunno why we should right care bout it , Ma. Anyhow day's been jus' fine. Mostly just the usual stuff with a bit of target practice and keeping my ol' project speeder runnin well. Nothin' much else. Dinner sounds good to me, lead on."

[member="Betty Americus"] [member="Riley Reese"] [member="Roy Americus"]

 

[Riley Reese]

Riley narrowe her eyes some when Stick told her what he knew. So, the Rodian had been here, but it sounded like he was long gone by now. This made things more difficult on her part, but that couldn't be helped. She gave the man a nod and stepped away from the counter. "Thank you. I'll ask around town."

She stepped outside the saloon and gave a small sigh. Talking to people wasn't one of her strong points, but she had gotten better at it. She removed her helmet in an attempt to make herself more approachable. Which lead to the futile attempt at keeping her bangs out of her face. As she pushed a loose strand of hair from her face, her gaze fell on the woman who had been in the Saloon talking to Stick. There was still something about her that was very familiar to Riley, as if she should have known her from somewhere.

Pushing these strange feelings down, she made her way over to the woman and the man she was talking to. "Excuse me. You wouldn't happen to have seen a Rodian around here recently, would you?"

[member="Betty Americus"]
[member="Jimmy Americus"]

 

[Ria Misrani]

"I see, well that might help that hunter some," Betty reckoned at least if Jo set the Rodian on the speeder and headed out to the lake as well? Might be tryin'a hold the Rodian there for the hunter to come to collect. "Not our place to hit on another's hunt, but I figure your pa musta sent that Rodian fella out to the lake, maybe just to hold'im." She chuckled a bit as Jimmy went on and finally concluded that dinner would be good. Never one to underestimate her son's appetite, the boy could've just had all the steaks in the galaxy and still be hungry enough to eat a whole rontho.

Just as they had gotten down from the wooden walkway and onto the sand dusted path, the hunter made herself known. The helmet had been removed she observed and so Betty stood there a moment and studied the woman. She narrowed her gaze a bit, and as the sun finally dipped behind Durango the lights of the night came out. Shinin' brightly along the town as lamps were turned on and the wind rustled by. "No, cain't says I have but my boy was just tellin' me that my husband might've set that fella out to the lake. Ain't far from here, it's a little to the north. If ya got a speeder won't be but oh, a half hour trip."

Betty relaxed a bit and asked the hunter plainly, "you look familiar and I just..." She crossed her arms and suddenly felt her heart drop, she went as pale as a sheet. It was like Betty had seen a ghost, and for all intents and purposes. She might as well've, this hunter looked an awful like the child she had, a mama just knows when it's her baby and it was startin' to get into her system now. A hand rested on her abdomen a bit, "my boy and I were just gonna go on to have dinner, you're welcome to join us and we can head out to the lake afterward." She offered hopin' to get a better look at the woman, all the while thinkin' on how to get a hold of [member="Darth Metus"].

"Come to think of it, maybe we oughta get a hold of cousin Roy." Betty held a hand up to keep Jimmy and the hunter there a moment.

She took a moment to fish her holodevice from the pocket of her overalls. "Roy, it's Betty, I hate to be a bother but we gotta hunter here lookin' for a Rodian fella. Sounds like Jo might've taken'im up to Lake Kennywood. Mind havin' a look see if the Rodian's been there? Thanks." Betty cut the comm there and gestured toward the housing area of Durango. "C'mon we can grab some dinner and head on out, or we can meet ya out by the lake if you'd rather." Once more she offered the hunter an invite to the Americus' dinner table.

[member="Jimmy Americus"] | [member="Riley Reese"] | [member="Roy Americus"]

 

[Riley Reese]

Riley studded the woman's facial features up close. She seemed so familiar for some reason and Riley just couldn't figure out why. At least the woman seemed to have a hunch on who might know where the Rodian was. Although that issue was becoming less important now.

Then the woman seemed to go pale, as if something about Riley surprised her. Riley's heart almost skipped a beat when the woman said she looked familiar somehow, but stopped short of finishing her sentence. Curiosity built up even more inside the young girl. Especially when asked if she wanted to stay for dinner. Normally Riley would decline, but now she needed answers. "Yes..I mean, thank you. I'd gladly join your family for dinner."

Betty, as Riley now learned the woman's name, called a man named Roy. While Betty left her message, Riley tried to put her thoughts in order. Her eyes turned back to the two once Betty finished shut off the conlink. "My name is Riley."

[member="Betty Americus"]

 

[Jimmy Americus]

Jimmy had no idea where the Rodian had been taken, all he knew is it wasn't a good thing. Hopefully nothin' too bad that would interrupt the hunter pursuing the annoying reptile.

"Now, now, Ma, I hadn't any designs on tryin' ta take another hunter's fortune and glory. Just ain't right. Don't rightly know where pa sent the Rodian, just saw 'em take the guy to a speeder. After that I started headin' out this way from the park. Not like they needed me there none after that. Figured it was settled and done."

Seeing his mother go so pale at the sight of the young hunter's face was rather odd indeed. beneath the wide brim of his hat, the man cocked an eyebrow in confusion with what he was hearing as he watched the exchange between his mother and Riley. He couldn't say the young woman looked familiar to him, but with how much his mother was off on trips and such...well it was possible they had ran into one another once or twice in their travels. But for that lil' lady to randomly end up here whe hunting down a random Rodian scumbag? Those were not odds a betting man would take.

The mention of contacting Roy simply brought a nod from Jimmy. He wondered why this Rodian was such a big deal, and what the scumsucker had done to get a bounty on his head. Finally, they got back to the topic of dinner and going to get food. His mother gestured out towards the housing area in Durango, though by that point he wasn't paying nearly as much attention as before to what was being said. He did manage to catch the young woman's name though when she introduced herself.

"Pleasure to meet ya Miss Riley. Name's Jimmy, or J.R. for short to most. Ain't many outside family that call me Jimmy, not that I care one lick."

[member="Betty Americus"] [member="Riley Reese"]

 

[Ria Misrani]

Betty led them out into the residental area just as the winds started to shift and the cold began to bite. Most of the houses out here were far and few between, crops could be seen in one shape or another with small signs directing you where to go. The road was just wide enough for horses to come and go, speeders were to wait until horses had passed or so the sign said. A hand to her abdomen to make sure the newest member of the Americus family was doin' alright as Betty walked with ease down the gravel path. Loose gravel was all that stood between a walkway and the road which was simply padded dirt and of the houses that could be seen they were either log cabins, stone or a mix of the two - some were able to put brick in place. They were headed up to a log cabin it wasn't anything fancy but it did just fine, a simple two story home with a variety of speeders and a stable next to it. Betty stopped a moment and realized that Patsy the horse was still in town, she fished out her holo device and contacted her daughter. "Kandi, you mind bringin' Patsy up when you get done?"

Kandi replied, "sure thing momma, see you at home soon."

"Well Riley, welcome to our home it ain't much but go on and get comfortable." She said while opening the door where a mad rush of canines met the group, "oh settle down, y'all - I said settle down." The pack of dogs were quite happy to see Jimmy and were unsure or aggressive toward Riley. "It's fine, I invited her here, y'all back down some let Jimmy and Riley come through. Good Manda." She chastised the dogs all the while flipping the lights on. The interior of the home was simple, upon entry the den was seen with a lovely fire place and comfortable chairs to sit in, the entry way held a set of hooks where coats and hats were hung. A welcome mat that had seen better days and could barely be read laid beneath their feet. Betty headed toward the kitchen which was around the wall to the right it was certainly older technology but technology that worked as the hum of a generator could be heard. "Jimmy you go on and wash up, make sure these dogs have food and water while you're at it."

The living room was on the other side of the fire place, and there laid sofas and couches, with a small box that could recieve holo signals if you smacked the attenae hard enough. A set of stairs separated the den and livng room from the kitchen and dining room. The dining room had a sliding back door that let you out to the rest of the property, in the stairs facing the living room was a small refresher, meanwhile on the second floor were the bedrooms.

Betty's footsteps could be heard shuffling about the kitchen as she started up dinner. The sounds of meat sizzling on a cast-iron skillet could also be heard as Betty set a pot of water on the back burner. "Shouldn't take too long here, Riley and then like I said we can get you on to the lake for your hunt." She said without lookin' back as she minded the skillet while choppin' up some golden protatoes that grew around these parts.

[member="Riley Reese"] | [member="Jimmy Americus"]

 

[Riley Reese]

Riley followed Betty and Jimmy down the gravel path. All around her was farmland and a few scattered homes, definitely a change from the cityscape she had grown used to on Nar Shaddaa. Something about all of this was calming in a way. Even still, she was trying not to let her nerves get the better of her.

Before long, they arrived at a two story log cabin. The home was of a simple build, but held it's own little charm. Something Riley kinda found appealing in a way. Her eyes went from the speeders, to the stables then back to the house. The place definitely had home like feeling to her.

Riley tensed as Betty opened the door and the trio was barraged by a small pack of dogs. She tried to show them she wasn't a threat as she followed Betty into the house. Her attention quickly turned from the dogs to the interior of the home. It was charming in a way, from the furniture to the old but practical technology. Everything about it felt like a home.

As Betty went to the kitchen to prepare dinner, Riley was taking in every detail of the place. She stepped into the living room, running her hand across the railing of the stairs as she passed, as if she had done it a hundred times before. The more she took in, the more she noticed things that she recognized, but couldn't quite understand why. Then she noticed several pictures sitting on a shelf. Some were photos of individuals, some of the whole family others of various things around the farm. She picked up one picture in particular that caught her attention, it was of a girl about three years of age, with reddish brown hair, like her own, and bright blue eyes. Her chest tightened at the sight and she quickly put the picture down. The girl looked just like a younger version of herself, but how? She almost jumped as one of the dogs came over to investigate her. Breathing out a small sigh, she petted the dog before stepping away from the pictures and headed to the kitchen.

She found Betty workig away making super. Riley paused for a moment, unsure of how to say what was on her mind. "Your home is..nice. It feels very.." She almost hesitated with the words, as if the would sound strange to Betty. "..familiar for some reason. Like I've been here before. I'm sorry if that sounds strange. This place...even you. It feels like I should know all of this, and I don't know why."

[member="Betty Americus"]
[member="Jimmy Americus"]

 

[Ria Misrani]

"Oh shush Jasper you and the others will get your supper 'ere soon," Betty called out to the dogs while dinner finished cooking on the stove. "Jimmy C'mon down and fix up the table."

The blonde just caught some of what Riley had said, "yeah? Reckon it's got that cozy-like feelin' to it, not at all." Of course, Riley would feel that way, it wasn't all that different from the home they had back when they were still livin' around most of the Mandalorian homeworlds. She also wanted to be outright and tell the girl that there was probably a really good reason for it but instead just changed the conversation over. "Don't mind Quincy o'er there, he's gettin' old. Why don't you go on and take a seat right here in the dining room."

It was then the screen door at the front could be heard, "that you Kandi?"

"Yes ma'am, got Patsy in the stable and- oh hello there," Kandi greeted the woman with reddish-brown hair, she hadn't seen her before. Politely she introduced herself, "names Kandace or Kandi for short."

Betty emerged from the kitchen/dining area and took the sight of Riley and Kandi standin' next to each other in for a moment. "Kandi this is Riley, Riley this is Kandi one of my older daughters. Kandi, Riley's just over for dinner then I thought about taking her up to meet with your ol' Uncle Roy. Riley 'ere's huntin' that Rodian fella that came through not too long ago."

"Ah, yes, hard to miss that one. Heard that Jo took him up to the lake, don't imagine it'd be a pretty sight," Kandi remarked and then looked over at Riley, "a pleasure to meet you, and I shall return just gonna run up stairs and wash up."

"If you see your brother tell'im come down and set the table, and have you seen your sister Cait?"

"I will definitely do that, and no, but she's probably still up at Valero, anyway I'll be right back." Kandi excused herself and trotted up the stairs with one of the dogs right behind her.

Betty gave Riley a tight smile and put a hand over the strap of the overalls. She was very nervous about this whole thing but felt it wasn't quite the time to bring it up or talk about, heck if she was wrong then she'd just be embarassing herself all over. Best to keep suspicions down until she knew for sure, and for that she'd want to talk to Cait and Metus. She half wondered though in the back of her mind what Metus was up to, and if he would be able to visit a little earlier than usual. The other part started to worry about Roy, although she was sure that he could handle himself. "Well c'mon don't just stand there, lets get you set up here in the dining room."

[member="Riley Reese"] | [member="Jimmy Americus"] | [member="Darth Metus"] | [member="Roy Americus"]

 

[Jimmy Americus]

Jimmy did what he could to keep the dogs at bay while the trio made their way into the house. He reached down and pet the dogs a moment, hoping that would at least help calm them down a slight bit. If it helped at all it certainly was not all that much. ONce they managed to get through the insanity of the over-eager canines, Jimmy made his way upstairs, leaving his mother and RIley to get better acquainted while he washed up. He made no hurry doing this and only reappeared when called to set the table by his mother.

Even had he heard anything that RIley had said chances are Jimmy would have paid it no real mind. The house certainly wasn't fancy but it was comfortable and served the purpose of shelter quite well. As he worked on setting the table he furrowed his eyebrows, listening to the exchange between his mother, Kandi, and RIley. Wasn't any of his concern what the women folk were talking about right now anyways though he did catch snippets of Jo taking the Rodian fellow over to the lake again. Poor little lizard man likely wasn't in good shape any longer. Oh well, ain't anything to worry over now. All he could do was hope that RIley at least got what she needed in the end.

Finishing up the place settings after a few minutes, Jimmy made his way over to the fridge and grabbed himself a bottle of netra gal before turning to RIley and flashing a quick smile.

"Ya want a drink miss? We got plenty of netra gal and course we got other things too. Just holler if ya find yourself wantin' one after all."

[member="Betty Americus"] [member="Riley Reese"] [member="Darth Metus"] [member="Roy Americus"]

 

[Riley Reese]

A cozy-like feelin'. That was one way to describe it, but it felt like more than that. Betty turned the subject, first to the dog Riley had petted, then to trying to usher her into the dining room. She paused for just a moment before giving a nod and headed into the room.

Riley had barely made it into the dining room, when the screen door opened. She turned to see a woman a few years older than herself enter the house. The woman politely introduced herself as Kandace, or Kandi for short. Riley gave her a shy smile and introduced herself. "Riley."

Betty entered the room and made further introductions. Informing Riley that Kandi was one of her older daughters. As Betty and Kandi talked, Riley watched the older woman's facial expressions, especially after Kandi went upstairs. Was Betty nervous? Riley couldn't really tell, she wasn't exactly the best at reading people.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" She asked almost hesitantly. Riley didn't really like sitting around while others did the work. Especially since these people were kind enough to invite her in for dinner.

Her gaze turned to Jimmy when he asked if she if she wanted anything to drink. She gave it a moment's thought before responding. "Yeah. I'll have..whatever you're having, thanks."

[member="Betty Americus"]
[member="Jimmy Americus"]

 

[Ria Misrani]

"That's awfuly sweet sugar, but you ain't gotta worry about nothin'," Betty remarked with a smile as she got the serving dishes down from the cabinet. The house was startin' to come to life as the dogs rushed through the house and Kandi called out after them. The sun had just about disappeared and the moon hung over the horizon as the table now set was prepared for dinner. Kandi came back into the kitchen and started with the pitcher of tea and the glasses. "Go on, have a seat right there Riley, Kandi, you and Jimmy sit down on o'er 'ere, let me call Daisy to see if she'll be home for dinner."

"I think she said she was gonna be at the saloon to watch out for Roy and pa?" Kandi replied but was a little unsure, "I can call her."

"Would you? That would be wonderful," Betty was grateful for Kandi taking lead on callin' the other kids, "one thing you'll notice Riley we got ourselves a large family, Daisy's my other daughter, and so is Caitlin and Andi but you won't really see Andi 'round these parts she's probably half way to the Core by now. She don't like bein' around low tech places like this, and then my youngest well, so far." She gestured to her swollen abdomen that was covered up by her pair of overalls. "Allya, or as I like to call'er Summer, spends time with her daddy Isley she comes around when she can but good Manda knows she worships the ground that man walks on."

"Yeah Manda only knows why," Kandi quipped with an eye roll.

Betty raised a brow, "you be nice, she's your kin direct the two of you come from the same."

"Oh sure, just one of us knows what sanity is and the-"

She gave Kandi a look that just sent shivers down the older girl's spine. "Right, so Riley where are you from?" The subject was changed rather quickly, as Betty waited for Kandi and Jimmy to take their seats and then she remembered to ask.

"What did Daisy say?"

"Oh, she's gonna be at the saloon but if we had any pie she'd like a piece."

"Well we can definitely do that, alright lets go on and get the plates fixed for Daisy and Cait, then we can go on ahead and say grace." Betty gave the instructions and Kandi went to work to make sure her sisters had a plate of dinner and dessert saved. Once it was all done she came back and joined the family at the dinner table. "Alright let us thank the good Manda for our food and lives." Which led to Betty speaking in Mando'a before the family began to dig into dinner, skillet fried meat with some potatoes, bread and bit of green each serving dish was passed around the table as Jimmy was then instructed to make sure people had their drinks. "So where was it that you said you were from again, Riley?" Betty asked doing her best to ignore what she felt was the obvious, that Riley was infact her baby girl Melissa Leigh Americus taken so long ago.

Kandi looked over at her mother, then back at Riley and then at Jimmy. She sort of wished [member="Daisy Americus"] was here, or even the spawn [member="Allya Vi'Dreya"]. Riley certainly looked the part of an Americus... but she kept her reservations to herself.

[member="Jimmy Americus"] | [member="Riley Reese"]

 

[Riley Reese]

Riley returned Betty's smile and took a seat where she was told. She felt a little bad for not helping, but Betty insisted she didn't need to. There were other things to keep her attention. One was the dogs as they came running through the house, with Kandi in tow calling after them. Drinks were being filled and the table set.

She listened to Betty as she explained that they had a big family. Then listed the rest of the kids in the family, even the unborn child she was carrying. Riley's eyes turned from Betty to Kandi when she brought up Allya. There was tension between the two siblings and Riley felt it wasn't her place to ask why. Then Betty asked where Riley was from.

This simple question caused Riley to almost freeze up. Her past wasn't a fun story to tell and she avoided it as best she could. What was she to do, lie to Betty? Only tell her the planet she had lived on? Then she felt a feeling in her gut, urging her to tell Betty everything. Maybe it would help solve this strange feeling of familiarity with this woman. Luckily, she gained a few minutes to think about answer.

"I...was raised in the lower levels of Nar Shaddaa. That's not where I was born, I actually don't remember what planet I was born on." She paused for a second, trying to figure how best to say the next part without revealing to much. "When I was five, I was taken by a Hutt named Arko. So that's why I don't remember my home or my family. For all I know, Riley might not even be my real name."

[member="Betty Americus"]

 

[Allya Vi'Dreya]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ytod23dBeI​

The universe was often dark. Especially for Allya. So much pressure, so much responsibility, trying desperately to catch up to a Father who was so much more powerful than her, and such a different type of person than her. Training on Roon, inside the dark side nexus until is soaked into her bones, into her soul, training with the Knights Obsidian until she was on par with their soldiers, training heavily with the Mandalorian Protectors. She was always two sides trying to reconcile with one another. So far, she hadn't managed to do it. But she was still trying.

The Dauntless was that attempt. Fight side by side, don't lord, don't force, protect and guide, be the shield so her soldiers could go home to their families, and she was managing well. The death's in her units were down tremendously. It was wearing down her young heart. However, there was a secret place, a place to come to, when the galaxy had her down, when her back was to the wall, a place where she felt safe. Maybe not always wanted, or fully understood, but always loved. She hadn't been around in months due to the campaigns, but, she was going home. Not home like she said Roon was, but the type of home that warmed you, uplifted you, and was always in your heart.

The speeder she drove was old, beat up, barely functioning, but it did the trick. Allya had sent a comm message to her mother when she had arrived on the planet, and that she was heading over. Dust flew around her, as she drove towards the old house. Durango, it was as amazing and quiet as always. It wasn't the house she was born in, but, frankly, home wasn't a place. It was your clan. As she parked infront of the house, the girl dusted off her Beskar'garm. The child always wore it, the constant reminder of who she was when she wasn't here. Sure, she may have taken the name Vi'Dreya, but that had been decided between her mom and dad. She was a child of two clans, and loved them both. However, she knew her mother, and knew she would hate her helmeted and in the armor. Slowly, she took it off, placing the pieces of it into her trunk. Allya could move it later. Smoothing out her shirt and pants, the teenager walked into the house.

“Momma, I'm home!” She missed her family, Momma, Daisy, Roy, that brat Kandi, and everyone else! Dark skinned girl moved into the house, to the dining room, with the biggest smile on her face. “Hey Momma! Oh....who is this?” Head tilted, hair fell in her face, as she looked at Riley.

[member="Riley Reese"]
[member="Betty Americus"]
[member="Jimmy Americus"]
[member="Roy Americus"]
[member="Darth Metus"]

 

[Ria Misrani]

Betty had just gotten around to sittin' when her youngest [member="Allya Vi'Dreya"] stumbled in, "well goodness Manda me, Summer that you?" Allya had been on the baby that Metus managed to get to like'in him and it wasn't often she was home. Bout as soon as she could fend for herself she went off with Isley. Betty wasn't all too keen on it but childhoods were a rare thing back home, so she figured if Summer wanted to be a big ol' Sith-fearin-Manda-cuttin' type like Metus at least she'd be safe with'im. Kandi about twice Allya's age rose from her seat and set up a plate and a chair for the child. She reassured her mother that getting up wouldn't be needed but the matriarch rose anyway. "C'mon, Kandi's got a chair for ya."

"Riley, this is my youngest Allya Summer. Summer this is a guest, Riley she's out 'ere huntin' for some Rodian fella. Figured she get a bite to eat before we head on out to the lake, think you're uncle Roy is over there holdin' him down, but we'll see." It could be Jo, but chances were Jo if he had strung the fella out would've left him hangin' over the lake with the scattergun facin' the lizard man.

Kandi set the chair proper for Allya before going back to take her own seat, and then Betty gave another child another direction, "Jimmy help your sister out make sure she's got her drink and such."

"Now, Riley you were sayin' you were raised on Nar Shaddaa, huh?" She recollected, but noted that Riley mentioned that it wasn't where she was born because truth be told Betty wanted say it right then and there. She was born on Concord Dawn, one of the many children between herself and [member="Darth Metus"]. Without thinking her hand went to her abdomen where an unborn Americus-Vi'dreya grew and she listened to Riley speak of Arko the Hutt, Ardok Nokko Taga, or Arko was a mean son of a sith back when the Black Sun were around he was a right terror. As time went on he became more powerful and more paranoid. At some point he sent his slavers and hunters out, Concord Dawn was once again in between hands and the clans were not united. It was easy enough for them to slip through and snatch the children, Melissa hadn't been the only one taken that night. "I see, well as much as I hate to say it - it sounds awful familiar so many tragedies like that happenin' out in the galaxy these days. Poor babies bein' taken right from their mama's bedside. I sure do hope you're able to find your family one day Riley." Even if, Betty was sure she already had.

[member="Riley Reese"] | [member="Jimmy Americus"] | [member="Roy Americus"]