Private The Ballad of the Masks

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

It took going several levels lower, but the duo eventually found a decent diner. The entire time, silence screamed Gwyn's name. She was feeling it again, that agonizing sense of emptiness, desire for affection, and the shyness that often hounded her when she tried. She was so confused. A spice dealer. It just... made her shiver. Memories of her neglectful mother poisoned her mind. When they got to the diner, Gwyneira felt a strange feeling whenever she looked to Eliz. She... she felt like she could talk to him. Figure some things out. Perhaps, he could help her sort through some of her thoughts, so her mind was clear for the next part of this mission.

As they waited for their meals, she sighed and spoke up, "Don't you ever..."

She had no idea how to word it at first. But she eventually figured it out, "I mean, have you ever felt like there was no one on your side? Like, like you had to fight tooth and nail to scrap at something. And you needed to do everything in your power to get a taste of what you needed?"

As speeders flew by past her their window, she frowned, "And no matter how hard you tried, it was never enough. You just weren't good enough. So you keep giving more than you ever had. And it exhausts you."

Eliz Krayt

 

[Eliz Krayt]

Tags: Gwyneira Vizsla

Silence was actually fine with Eliz. He'd never been the best with holding a conversation, especially when he wasn't sure what to talk about. Expect.. Being around Gwyn only made the silence feel.. Awkward. He wanted to say something, especially about what she was planning to do later. But how could he? Especially when he pulled a gun on her. Sure, they weren't fighting and they were working together.

But did that really make it okay?

He sat down in that same silence, pulling off his helmet to stare out the window. Just, letting himself have a moment to think. He was feeling.. Something around Gwyn. Was it jealousy? Or a desire to protect? Or, both? He blinked as she started to speak to him. Conflicted emotions filled his eyes as he looked at her. Was that what was going on with her? ".. Yeah."

Just yeah? He wasn't sure how to talk about his own experiences. It wasn't.. The same. Not like she described it. But that feeling of helplessness was something he knew all too well. And.. He wanted to listen to her. Not make it about him. He shifted in his seat to face her more directly, nodding his head.

"Tell me what's going on. I'll listen."

 

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

Gwyneira sighed, looking down to her empty place at the table. Empty. Like a black hole, devouring all and still feeling nothing. She closed her eyes and tried to figure out how to word everything.

"My parents were not... there, growing up. I had to figure out how to do pretty much everything growing up. I tried to impress them. I was smart, brilliant even. I told you before, I graduated when I was eleven. I joined an engineering academy when I was twelve. But no matter what I did, I just couldn't reach anybody."

She opened her dull, worn eyes. The next words were heavily laid out like a nail in a coffin, "No one ever cared for me."

She slouched, pulling her arms close and placing her chin in them. "The only thing I could do was get some kind of attention. Anything to be noticed for a second. Act like a fool, sleep around, make a scene. That's all I could do, so someone would notice I existed, or even want me if only for one night. That's why I flirted with you and got you to sleep with me when we first met."

She sighed, staring ahead with a face wrinkled with exhaustion, "And now, I feel like I have to do everything I can to prove myself worthy of the Wardens. But more than that, you know old habits die hard. I'm sick and tired of this, but I don't know what else there is..."

Eliz Krayt

 

[Eliz Krayt]

Tags: Gwyneira Vizsla

This was.. Not at all what he expected. Usually such information would be too much. Too personal. He'd pretend to listen, look away. Try his best not to be too personally involved. And yet, with Gwyn, he didn't shy away. Eliz sat where he was, watching the girl pour out her heart on the troubles she had and he listened. Accepted them. And yet.. What could he say? She wanted a different path forward. She wanted to live a better life.

How could he of all people help?

He let out a sigh after a moment, closing his eyes. There wasn't much he could do, no. That much he at least accepted. "Well.. You've certainly left an impression on me. I don't think I'd ever forget you, Gwyn." He just smiled. He couldn't erase those burdens, but he didn't need to become another one. If it was all he could do, he'd be someone who did care about her. Why no longer mattered.

He just wanted to.

 

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

Gwyn blinked up, tears etching the corners of her pupiless eyes. What kind of impression had she even laid upon Eliz - aside laying with him? Yet, she wanted to believe. She wanted to believe that she meant something to someone, even if he pulled a gun on her. Before she could find a way to respond, a serving droid rolled over with two plates of food.

"A Mustafar Melting Hot Burrito with a side of chips and hot sauce, and a Scorching Sands Deep Dish with a side of fries glazed with spicy sauce. Anything else I can get for you?"

Gwyneira looked up and shook her head, same with Eliz. With both satisfied, they started digging into their very hot dishes. Though... Gwyn could not help but ask, "Hmm, I wonder which of these is the spiciest? Want to swap bites?"

Maybe she just wanted to backtrack from her emotional outburst. Maybe she was trying to distract herself. She really had no clue. Still, this was one fantastic hot burrito. This planet was not that bad after all.

Eliz Krayt

 

[Eliz Krayt]

Tags: Gwyneira Vizsla

Eliz blinked. Only one thought went through his mind as he saw the starting of tears form in Gwyn's eyes. He wanted to make her smile. Not the fake, flirty one she's put on to try and feel better. A real, genuine smile. He was tempted to reach across the table, maybe brush away the tears. Give her something, anything, to make her smile. Then the food came. He blinked again, turning his gaze away to hide the emotions that had formed in his gaze.

Not here. Not now.

He started to eat, happily chewing. Spice was wonderful. It probably had to do with how cold his homeworld was. Heat, even if it kinda hurt, was always a good thing. He raised a brow curiously at her proposal. Without thinking he lifted up a slice, holding it out for her to take a bite off of. "Sure, though it might be hotter than you're used to."

 

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

Gwyneira also raised her burrito for Eliz to take a bite. Both bit into their food at once and tried it. Gwyneira smiled. She had always eaten heavily processed, cheap food growing up. She had expanded her tastes upon joining the academy, and spicy food had been a go to. It hurt, but it was so good. It made her feel awake. She happily chewed on the slice and swallowed, smacking her lips as she took in the spice. After a moment, she smirked.

"I've had spicier. How's the burrito?"

She chuckled and bit into her burrito again, though her eyes were still dulled with her depressive nature. At least, casually swapping like this had lead to a moment of some kind of... pleasantry. She was enjoying this, just doing something casual with a - what was Eliz? One word immediately came to her mind, but it was a foreign word she had never used before. Friend.

A beep resounded from her wristcom. Gwyn looked down and checked on the time. Her smiled faded as her thoughts returned to the mission at hand. "We need to eat quick, we should be heading out soon."

Eliz Krayt

 

[Eliz Krayt]

Tags: Gwyneira Vizsla

"Pretty good. Just the right kind of heat, though not a lot of flavor." Heavily process food wasn't something he enjoyed as much as making things fresh himself, but he couldn't deny he was enjoying the meal. Maybe it was just because she was here with him? Man, there was a lot for them to figure out at some point. Actually.. Why not talk about it now? Eliz opened his mouth to start the subject, only for the wristcom to interrupt him.

He looked off immediately, frowning. Later.

With a new sense of urgency he finished off his meal and stood up, pulling his helmet back on. "Lets go catch him."

 

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

~ ~ ~​

Eventually, everyone was in waiting. The half Arkanian and half Chiss were positioned in hiding at the edge of the walled in yard. The guards were stationed in their usual manner, and the twi'lik was awaiting his favorite customer with the spice. As the terrelian jango jumper leaped in from over a wall, she approached his dealer with the upmost confidence, "Got the stuff?"

The twi'lik nodded, "I got it, here."

As the twi'lik approached, the guards steadily formed a circle around Cane Caller. As he handed his money over, he blinked his flame colored eyes, "Hmm, your guards are being a bit... peculiar today, friend."

The twi'lik's eyes narrowed, "Friend? You think I am a friend?"

Caller stood painfully still, obviously onto what was going on. From her hiding place, Gwyneira readied her sniper rifle. The terrelian scoffed, "No, I have no friends. Only a love for spice."

The twi'lik smirked, his grin eager and his eyes coated in the lowest thoughts, "Ah, well, I have a love for spicy women."

Gwyn felt goosebumps form over the back of the neck. A part of her was wishing this would fail. So she wouldn't...

Caller then rolled his eyes, "Thought you would, scum." With that, he leapt off, landing on the other side of the clearing as blaster shots rang out. The underground's darkness was illuminated with the glow of red rifle shots as the expert acrobat easily scaled the wall and leapt over. Gwyn burst into action, dashing from her hiding place and running across the yard.

"Let's go! Eliz!"

She neared the wall. Oh, she had been training in using the force to augment acrobatics. Could she? She slung her sniper rifle over her back and took in a shaky breath. Being forced to try, the jumped and threw her arms against the ground. It felt like wind was kicking her up, but just a controlled wind, as she landed atop the wall. She pulled her rifle down, eyes locked on the terrelian bouncing from rooftop to rooftop. She fired a shot, but the terrelian had been at just the right angle that he saw, anticipated, and dodged. Gwyn bit her lip and peered into the scope, only to hear the twi'lik from below.

"You owe me, sweets! I just lost good business because of you! I still want my payment when you're through!"

Oh no. Gwyneira roughly shook her head and leapt off the wall. She would worry about that later. For now, she was chasing her target. Hopefully, Eliz was not too far behind as she used the Force to once again bound across the city streets. She landed on the first shuttered rooftop of a building. She would not lose him this time!

Eliz Krayt

 

[Eliz Krayt]

Tags: Gwyneira Vizsla

Everything went according to Gwyn's plan. Thankfully. Or perhaps not. Eliz stayed in his cover, stayed watching through his sniper scope. Stayed ready to move. But this spice dealer.. He wasn't liking this. The deal obviously made his friend uncomfortable. His lips thinned. What was he going to do about it? Should he do anything? Eliz pulled his gaze away from the Twi'lek as Gwyn called for him. Right. They needed to get the jumper.

His jetpack kicked in as he rocketed forward. It was at a dangerous speed in a city like this, but for him, well. His mind calculated things far faster than the normal human. Within moments he'd be atop the Jumper. "Wha-" He was on the ground before he knew it. The Chissalorian brought a blaster forward, resting it right under the man's chin. "Stay still, or I blast your head off. Be lucky I'm not killing you."

There was a coldness to his voice. This man was harassing his people who had already lost everything. Part of him wanted to just pull the trigger, but Gwyn said he was needed alive. That's the only thing that stopped him.

 

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

Gwyn was quite impressed at Eliz's incredible skill, once again. He had the terrelian down while Gwyn was still leaping towards where the scuffle had landed. The girl put her rifle away and finally caught up. Cane Caller scowled up to both, but especially at Gwyn, "Witch! I'm tired of you!"

Gwyn scoffed, pulling out binds and handcuffing him quickly. She pulled her blaster out and soon, the duo had escorted him to the safety of the hotel, locked in a boarded up, sealed room. Bound with holographic technology, hovering over a table, Cane Caller sneered as Gwyn finished applying the settings to the imprisonment system. As Eliz stood by the sealed tight door, Gwyn started sorting through Caller's equipment. Weapons, holodisks, and-...

Well, this was intriguing.

Gwyneira pulled out a small device, rounded and short, though flat on the top and bottom. She peered at the device with an engineer's eye, taking in the intricacies of the connecters, buttons, and even the writing on the side of the smooth curves. She blinked for a moment, then looked up to Caller, "Where did you get this?"

Caller scoffed, looking away, "None of your concern."

Gwyn bit her lip. Of course he was not cooperating. She blew some strands of dyed hair out of her face and looked down to the object once more.

"Hmm... Well, I think I may have another way of finding out."

Eliz Krayt

 

[Eliz Krayt]

Tags: Gwyneira Vizsla

"Don't test me." Eliz tightened his grip on Cane Caller, not so subtly pushing the barrel of his blaster into his chin. Eh? Why..? The Mandalorian tensed for a moment before calming his mind. Right. This was still a job. No reason to make it personal. This Cane Caller wasn't the one he wanted to beat the hell out of anyway. Soon enough the pair was back at the hotel. Man, he really didn't like this place. Nothing about here was comfortable. Arms crossed he just watched Gwyn go about her work, all while keeping an eye behind him. Cane should be alone, but who knows what sort of people he might of been involved with.

A brow raised under his helmet as his companion seemed to have found something.

"Alright. What do we do with him? Turn him over to the authorities and such?"

 

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

Gwyn looked over to Eliz, "Yeah, we'll turn him over after more interrogation." She handed Eliz the device and looked to her captive, "Why are you after Maw tech?"

"What? You think I'll talk?"

Gwyn frowned, closing her eyes for a moment. She had a card capable of scaring him. She took several steps back and pulled her lightsaber out. With the click of a button, she activated a snow white blade that hummed delightfully. Gwyneira opened her eyes, "Know where I got this? The blade used to be red. Back on my home planet, during the Jedi and Sith wars, I was just a citizen."

She deactivated the blade and held it to her chest, mimicking a damsel like demeanor, "Oh poor me, and helpless lass running around trying to evade getting shot or sliced. But in a shipyard, a Sith indeed chased me down."

She looked up to Caller, frowning bitterly, "I had no choice but to defend myself. So know what I did? I lured him into an electrical conduit and pulled the switch." She walked closer to the imprisoning pad, reaching out and placing a hand on a lever, "A switch like this one. And it went on for minute after minute until he died." She closed her eyes, bringing all her bitterness, pain, and shame to the forefront of her mind as she channeled the Force, "I did that as an unarmed civilian. Want to see what I can do as a Warden of the Shroud?" She opened her eyes, but they were radically different. Suddenly, the blank white slates were replaced with full irises and pupils, and they were glowing amber from the Dark Side, "Cause honestly, I'm curious myself."

The terrelian swallowed, obviously intimidated by this girl. He thought for a moment, then sighed. "My boss was able to get his hands on some Maw tech, but we have no Maw scientists to tell us how to fix up the broken device. I came here to find some Chiss refugees who might know. So far, no luck. Even the spice dealer I found was awful." He spat onto the ground, "That tech there belongs to a pal of mine, who was trying to figure out if it could be compatible enough with the Maw tech. Thing is, his love for death sticks finally got him down for the count. So I've been having to finish his half of the job too."

Gwyn frowned, "What is this Maw technology? What do you plan on doing with it?"

He scoffed, "Chaos, like I know! We know it is massive, but we're not even sure on that! Hence trying to find the Chiss. We were so sure that that thing you're holding would help be the next best thing!"

Gwyn looked down to the device in her hands, "Of course it is. It's Arkanian." She sighed, then glared back up at Caller, "So, where are the people you're looking for?"

Cane Caller shuddered for a moment, "Er-… Tatooine. It's Tatooine."

Without another word, Gwyn turned heal and walked towards the door, speaking to Eliz, "We'll turn him in, then go to an Arkanian engineer I know lives in the lower levels. If we can figure out what this does, we are still a step closer to cracking this case." She sighed, her orange lit eyes fading as dim, blank white took over again. "Let's go."

Eliz Krayt [/b][/b]

 

[Eliz Krayt]

Tags: Gwyneira Vizsla

Eliz listened in silence, though at mention of the Sith his eyes widened. There was even more information on just what Gwyn had gone through. There was more to it, obviously. How she spoke of her parents made it obvious that they were either dead or sent her away when the Sith attacked. Neither was good. Still, how she killed the Sith was impressive. Ironic, even, given the Sith’s appreciation for lightning usually. He couldn’t help but chuckle, though he kept his helmet muted to avoid killing the atmosphere that got the damned Jumper to start spilling all the information he had. Tatooine?

He hated sand. And warm places. Certainly not a place he wanted to end up heading towards, though if he stuck around Gwyn it seemed likely. He let out a heavy sigh as he pushed off the doorframe and walked towards the pair.

“Alright. Shall we go turn him in n-” Eliz paused as he neared Gwyn. He’d been behind her this whole time. And being dead to the Force made the usual unsettling cold of the dark just something he didn’t feel. And yet, as he caught her eyes, he couldn’t help but stare in silence for a moment.

They were dark, ominous. And yet.. Beautiful. He cleared his throat after a moment. “Let’s go turn him in now so we can go figure out this tech. I’ve got a bad feeling about what it can do."

 

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

Soon enough, Cane Caller had been turned in. Being a Warden, Gwyn had been able to secure the transition rapidly. After that, she and her friend were heading down to a lower level in her ship.

Oh yeah, the last time they had been on her ship together, they…

A light blush crossed her cheeks as she worked at the cockpit. Eliz was elsewhere on the ship right now. As the ship descended through the layers of the Civilia, Mini rolled up next to her. Gwyn was… confused. About Eliz. He was so… nice to her. Why? Did he want something out of it? Or was he truly just a kind person? Even more, how on earth did Gwyn feel about him? His words echoed in her mind, about how she left an impact on her. What kind? Did he just think of her as attractive? Was she just a cute chick to him? Or did he feel something more? He had told her to get shut eye when she was sleep deprived. He had made breakfast, worked with her on this mission. They got along well. Was she so unused to companionship that this was too foreign?

She rubbed her temples for a moment. Mini inquisitively beeped at her.

"Yes, I slept with a lot of boys, Mini. Your point?"

He beeped back at her.

"Wha-" She looked down to the droid and paused for a moment before scoffing, "What do you mean? Putting way more thought into him? That it's obvious? That's a load of-"

Mini cut her off, and she retorted, "So what if I do think of him more? I trust him, okay? I know it's stupid, you can't trust people cause they will only hurt you, but I trust him. He hasn't let me down, and he's… helped me, okay? I feel safe around him."

Mini beeped pointedly.

"Y-yes, even though he pulled a blaster… on…" She lifted her hands and buried her face in her palms, "I-I don't think… Look, I was wrong. I always am. I was so tired that I barged into a citizen's door without thinking and pointed a blaster. I deserved it. I always do."

Mini beeped again, his droid codes stressed in making a point.

"Look, I'm sorry I've been told my whole life I'm a mistake, that I never should have been born. I believe it, okay! I'm no good for nothing…"

She wiped a tear from her eye and sighed. As the ship landed (Mini had taken over since Gwyn was busy stressing and keeping her eyes off the front window), Gwyn sighed and stood up. She turned to go find Edgy McHandsome and continue this mission. Mini beeped one more time.

Gwyn scoffed, "No. I'm not worried about meeting an Arkanian." She then picked up her Aegis of the Shroud helmet and pulled it over her head. She was a terrible liar.

Eliz Krayt

 

[Eliz Krayt]

Tags: Gwyneira Vizsla

Back on the ship. Her ship. It felt kinda odd just how familiar this place was to him. Being in the living area where they’d already had a couple rather intimate moments wasn’t something he could handle, though. Especially not as he thought about the brief change in her eyes. Why was it that that stood out so much? No, the slight change just made him realize how beautiful she was. Either way her eyes were, she was beautiful. It was almost stressful to think about, but he kept his thoughts to himself and wandered down below to clear his head. They weren’t going anywhere dangerous, but should he really burden her with his feelings?

But staying downstairs wasn’t something he did for long. He was on his way back up when he caught the tail end of her conversation with Mini. She.. Deserved it? Him threatening her life? He was frozen as he listened to her cry. Anger welled in his chest. At himself, mostly. Her tears weren’t his fault, but knowing he opened those wounds..

By the time Gwyn started looking for him, he was already back downstairs. Rechecking his gear. His helmet was on. No, he wouldn’t burnden her anymore than she already was. He lifted his mask as she entered the room, nodding. “.. We there? Shall we get going?”

 

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

Gwyneira nodded, feeling concerned. His voice sounded… strained. Was he alright? With so much on her own mind, however, she just turned to leave. Meanwhile, Mini was rolling in from behind. He started beeping at her when she turned and showed him her flat palm, "Stay with the ship, Mini."

"Ohh-"

"I said! Stay here!" She turned and stomped out of the ship, too upset at the way her droid had jostled her thoughts. She knew Mini actually cared about her, for some reason, but he just pried way too much!

This level of the city was far nicer than any previous ones. Lavish buidings, neon lights that actually worked properly, citizens casually walking the streets in casual or even fancy garb. It reminded her of the lavish Arkanian clubs on her homeworld. It made sense, then, that they entered an engineering establishment where one worked. Soon enough, they were standing at the office of their Arkanian scientist, Doctor Alzen Joth. As they entered the room, the white robed scientist eagerly accepted the Warden and Mandalorien. They entered the room. With her voice modulator on, Gwyn walked over to a white open table in the rather lavish looking office.

"I was wondering, doctor, if you could identify this."

Joth looked to the device, then he smiled, "Ahh, that is a surge key, You plug it into a much larger device and use that to set it off. It is perfectly capable of hacking into most technological machines and droids, and forcefully turning it on."

As an engineer, Gwyn could not help but be astonished. She gaped at the little device even while tugging at her helm. It was all the way down, but she was too self conscious here to irrationally risk it. A light ding could be heard in the other room, and Joth turned around. "Oh, the coffee is ready. I shall be back in just a moment to answer your further questions."

As Joth left, Gwyn took the risk. She needed to see this device with her own eyes! She pulled her helmet off and bent down, looking at the little device, "Fascinating! I heard of these briefly in the academy, but the invasion happened before we got to studying this stuff. But hey, this little plug here makes perfect sense now."

"I am back."

Gwyn gasped, reaching for her helmet. Alas, it was too late. Pupiless white eyes met pupiless white eyes. And she could clearly see the slowly growing look of disdain as he looked her over, recognizing her as a half breed. Heart pounding, the only thing she could do was pull the helmet back on. Though it did little good to hide her shame now. She was exposed and her ugliness was set out on full display to this pure blood. As the doctor walked in with three cups of caf and set them down, he spoke, "Of course, this is a piece of technology unique to Arkanians. Only the most purely gifted of us can properly create these."

Gwyn's shoulders dropped. The subtle jab pained her like a physical knife stab. Then again, these sorts of comments were not new.

Joth took his coffee and sipped at it, "Any other questions?"

Gwyn just wanted to leave. She just wanted to flee, get out of here. She wanted to go back to her ship and cry in her private chambers. But she was a Warden of the Shroud. She was bound by duty to see this mission through, regardless of the costs. She nodded, keeping her voice even and cool, "This question may seem a bit random, but is it compatible with Maw technology?"

Joth nodded, "Why, indeed. The Arkanians are too gifted to have a weak spot in our experiments. Most of the time, that is. Sometimes mistakes happen."

The silence lingered for a moment, causing Gwyn's head to lower and her body to slump. She had enough of this, but what could she do? He was right. Her lip quivered beneath her helmet as he finished, "But not often."

Tears slipped down her cheeks, making her so thankful she had put the helmet back on. She scooped the device off the table and turned to leave, "Thank you. Your help greatly benefits your Eternal Empire."

The reply was short, professional, and brief as she faced the door.

Eliz Krayt

 

[Eliz Krayt]

Tags: Gwyneira Vizsla

Eliz stayed utterly quiet as they descended from the ship. He didn’t have anything to say. He’d already caused Gwyn enough pain. Honestly, he was starting to think it might be a better idea for him to leave her once this job was done. No, that thought was quickly crushed. If he left her, what would happen with that Twi’lek? Anger flashed through him, but because of his armor and his dead nature in the Force, it wasn’t something that could be seen. There was so much wrong, but he wouldn’t leave her. Not after his promise.

Meeting the scientist was like being home. The similar high and mighty stature. Superiority. He thought nothing of it as he stood behind Gwyn, more acting like muscle than anything else as he listened. And yet.. Why did she wear her helmet? She hadn’t this entire time. It wasn’t until he noticed her fiddling with it that he thought it was odd.

Then she took it off? She couldn’t see well, so why did she even bother with it? It was when he noticed the look the Arkanian gave her and her quick reaction to hide her face that it all clicked. Anger. Pure, simple anger filled his gaze. Hidden still by his mask, but every other worry he had faded.

Eliz didn’t take the drink. He just stood there, arms crossed. Glaring at this man. Gwyn was a half breed. The more he stared at this.. Pure blood and listened to his patronizing words, the more obvious it was. Gwyn had enough and turned to leave. But he couldn’t hold himself back anymore. In a simple, quick step he moved around the table and just slugged him. As a Mandalorian he couldn’t take such insults to his friends. It was only one punch before he’d turn to leave the unconscious figure there.

It felt nice, at least. Stress relieving. As if it didn’t happen he moved after Gwyn, nodding. “So, they want to activate something. Where do we go now?”

 

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

Gwyn honestly enjoyed watching that guy get slugged. She also felt her face grow red. Had someone just… defended her? Protected her? She stared at the Mandalorian casually move onto the next thing as they walked, but she felt something stirring inside. Eliz had just defended her non-existent honor, and honestly… she found herself burning and tingling with something she had never felt before.

Without warning, she leapt onto him and hugged him, clinging to him with the two armored figures unable to feel each other, but it was enough. Tears streamed down her face, but she pulled away. The silent thank you was done with haste, and they needed to move. The half-Arkanian cleared her throat, trying desperately to sound like she was not crying right now. "Back to the police. I have one more question to ask Caller."

She struggled intensely. This day had been nothing but agony after agony, degrading experience after degrading experience. Her patience was running out, but there was one thing today that she wanted to stay. Eliz. She just wanted him by her side. He was an lifeline, giving her a sense of belonging. She realized just how much she desired him, desired his presence and his assistance and his voice and even… well, not she was blushing too. Her entire face was a disaster right now. Good thing she was wearing that helmet.

What was this? This feeling was so alien, it scared her. It burned as hot as anger yet was far more pleasant. But she had had enough of any kind of intensity. She just wanted to get interrogating Caller done and over with and go back to the hotel. Then, remembering that deal from earlier, she found herself sinking further into despair.

She wondered why she even tried.

As they returned to the ship, she wordlessly started blaring deathcore on its loudest volume setting. The screaming and deep guitars vibrated with her heart and coursed through her body as she took off. Mini shut himself off, obviously not interested in weathering more of her bantha poodoo. As they returned to their previous level, she did everything in her power not to think. When she did think, she tried to think about something that made her feel something other than this pit of lowliness. She thought of Eliz, and she was struggling as her earlier conversation with Mini echoed in her mind.

What on earth did she feel towards that boy?

Eliz Krayt

 

[Eliz Krayt]

Tags: Gwyneira Vizsla

That.. Shocked him. Feeling her jumped against him, hugging him. And yet.. Eliz immediately hugged her back. He wanted nothing more than to wipe the tears he could hear her crying away, but she’d already pulled away. .. No, they were still on a job. And honestly, they shouldn’t stick around where he just knocked someone out.

“Alright.”

It was all he could think to say before he again fell silent. There was no longer any doubt in his mind. He cared about her. How much he wasn’t sure. No, not how much. On what level? He wanted her to be happy. Wanted her to view herself in a better light. But what did that make him to her? And her to him? Not that he had a chance to ask. She started blaring music. The kind he loved. Though, given his condition, the volume made it so he couldn’t take off his helmet. Where it was loud for her, it was deafening for him. And yet.. On this trip towards where they’d had Cane locked up, he couldn’t get her out of his mind.

With the music blaring he wandered where she was, taking a seat beside her. Silently putting his presence with her. What he felt could be figured out later. He just.. Wanted to be around her.