Private [TDF] We Swear It’s Not an Execution

[Kaito Starfall]

Okuma Milogen

"You are not an animal being led. If you return, it will be because you chose to. I would think that distinction matters more than you want it to....A carrot on a stick only works if you keep chasing it blindly," Kaito observed.

"Ask yourself what you actually want… not what they want you to become. If anything... I'd say it's more like.... a mirror... you know... something to reflect on? They have given you space because they want to know what you will do when no one is forcing your hand."

Kaito's expression softened, just barely, "You've survived the jungle," he murmured, "the roads, and the hunger… and still you're worried about what I might think."

A quiet pause followed, his sapphire gaze lingering beneath the brim of that rough hat, as if he could see past the dust and scruff to whatever stubborn thing still refused to break.

"I don't mind a man who becomes personally invested," Kaito continued, voice low, almost indulgently soft. "It means something mattered enough to wound you."

The faintest curve of a smirk reached the corner of his mouth. "Though I admit… jealousy would have been more entertaining."

He let the silence stretch deliberately before adding, softer still, "I see no reason for you and I to remain as strangers.... and I see no reason for you to keep sleeping in the cold, Okuma… especially when you already know where warmth can be found."

 

[Okuma Milogen]

Location: Rural Veridia
Tag: Kaito Starfall
Equipment: Vibroblade (dulled slightly), Tampered Lightsaber, Flask of Water (half full), A Single Bullet

“So it’s all some kind of test for me huh, like some lab rat they want to observe from afar after dumping me out here in the sticks of Veridia?” Okuma questioned as he continued to march along the dirt road while Kaito’s wagon wheeled along beside him. “I’ve had plenty of time to myself out here, to brood and ruminate on how I’ve gotten into this situation and think of what I could’ve done better to come out ahead.” The Kage said, knowing that what he was spouting on about wasn’t really in the spirit of what the Jedi that left him here had in mind.

“What I want now is hot food, a hot shower, and an actual bed to sleep in.” Okuma added dismissively before letting out a deep sigh. What did he actually want other than what was at the bottom of his hierarchy of needs. He reached into the linen sack he had with him and pulled the hilt of his rough and crude lightsaber. “Maybe I just want to feel like it was all worth it. Like, it meant something at least.“ He confessed as his amber eye looked over the lightsaber, having gotten even more dirty with lint, dirt and dust with it out here on the road. Its balance and ergonomics were all quite well, but the unfinished exterior and all the exposed wiring and circuitry left much to be desired still.

Flipping the weapon over in his hand he held it up to Kaito pommel first. “Kaito, can I trust you to look after this until I get back to their temple? It has earned me some strange looks with the people here, even when trying to keep it out of sight. It can’t do me much good here in the condition it's in.”

He let out another heavy sigh. “You don’t need to worry about me, this land is plentiful, and Sleeping in the cold isn’t too bad, Lord Starfall…” He said sarcastically with a sly smirk. Teasing the blue blooded echani. “Right now I’m hoping to reach a nearby monastery before sundown. Hopefully they’re the charitable types. If you want you can tag along.”​

 

[Kaito Starfall]

Okuma Milogen
"Perhaps you were not listening to me…" Kaito murmured, tone mildly laced with amusement. "Look after it, you say?; I suppose I could manage such a task." His hand brushed the bench, then settled with intent, patting the space beside him, an invitation disguised as convenience. "At least let me give you a lift to where you're headed… stay a while, rest. You'll need your strength before you spend it all proving you don't."

The mockery that followed those words touched lightly on the title of Lord before slipping aside. What remained was a genuine invitation to commiserate with the kage... Kaito considered it, then smiled to himself.

"Perhaps I shall tag along after all," he added, rising at last. "Someone ought to keep an eye on my favorite gecko."

 

[Okuma Milogen]

Location: Rural Veridia
Tag: Kaito Starfall
Equipment: Vibroblade (dulled slightly), Tampered Lightsaber, Flask of Water (quarter full), A Single Bullet

“Just promise me that you’ll give it back without issue.” Okuma made sure to add before seeing Kaito pat down the space beside him. Before narrowing his amber eye over their mocking tone. “Well I would say my legs deserve a break after trekking through this much of Verida.” Okuma replied before climbing up onto the cart next to Kaito. “You’re favorite gecko huh? Cute…”

“You still haven’t told me what you’re doing all the way out here. I don’t imagine they dumped you out here to experience a solitary spirit quest too.” Okuma questioned before pulling out his flask of water to gulp down a bit more of its contents.

 

[Kaito Starfall]

"You won't have any complaints from me..." He offered softly. " I'm peddling my wares... I'd offer to sell you some but I doubt you could afford them." He said with a wry grin

Okuma Milogen

 

[Okuma Milogen]

Location: Rural Veridia
Tag: Kaito Starfall
Equipment: Vibroblade (dulled slightly), Tampered Lightsaber, Flask of Water (quarter full), A Single Bullet

Okuma’s brow over his eyepatch rose some over what Kaito said. “Oh really, is this because you only sell to neimordian financiers or is the pricing just more targeted with me?” The Kage asked as the cart began to roll along the dirt road. The mercenary still had many riches stored away beyond his ship. He didn’t keep all his eggs in one basket. Even if he did lose everything it wouldn’t be hard for a man with his background to amass another fortune. He may have even traded it all for his lightsaber to be returned to him in one piece.

“It’s nice to rest my legs for once. I’ve lost quite a few pounds being around here. Lots of exercise, not a lot of food to fuel it.” Okuma explained. Even with a shirt beard grown out it couldn’t conceal that his face was a tad tight. With some coins now he may have an easier time getting back to the temple and finally finishing what he started. That’s if the locals accepted galactic credits.

Relaxing his body some Okuma let out a tired sigh and closed his amber eye softly.​

 

[Kaito Starfall]

Okuma Milogen
"Oh, it isn't a question of wealth."

Kaito did not even look at him at first. His fingers adjusted the reins idlely, gaze drifting instead to the line of Okuma's jaw, the hollow beneath his cheekbone, the way his shoulders sat just a fraction lower than they once had.

"My wares are simply… unsuitable for you, in your current condition." His eyes slid across the man's form.

"You've lost weight yes... you're dehydrated... Muscle fatigue in the hands." His gaze dipped briefly toward the flask, then the crude hilt he'd been entrusted with. "Your body is surviving, yes. But only just."

The faintest hint of a smile etched itself on to his visage.

"My potions are not indulgences... In this state, they would likely put you flat on your back rendering you... near helpless, and leave you at the mercy of impulses you currently lack the strength to manage... your mind and body would be flooded and far more responsive than you would find dignified... with your pulse racing and your judgment significantly compromised.... You might even mistake it for dying."

Only then did he glance back to the road.

"You could not afford their cost because your body would not survive the investment.... you're simply far too weak."

 

[Okuma Milogen]

Location: Rural Veridia
Tag: Kaito Starfall
Equipment: Vibroblade (dulled slightly), Tampered Lightsaber, Flask of Water (quarter full), A Single Bullet

Slowly Okuma opened his eye and a bit of an agitated frown formed over his face. “You underestimate my power… Even if unassuming, geckos are still capable ambush predators.” His expression eased up some into a smirk. “But I’ll take your word for it. I really am in no condition to be using stimulants. They’ll only make me anxious without any outlet.”

“To be honest I’d sooner listen to my untrustworthy Anzellan cyberneticist trying to peddle scrapped implants than whatever herbal concoction you’ve been brewing up.” Okuma commented, it was a bit of an exaggeration.

“By the way do you even know where you’re going. Like, which direction the monastery is?” Okuma questioned, he himself was no local but he didn’t know how familiar Kaito was.​