A G U I
Kito listened still, wincing slightly as Ayra's legs tightened around her midsection. Even if the girl looked weak, there was some strength somewhere in her. Potentially only when she was upset, it seemed. Kito kept moving, climbing the slight incline as Ayra continued to ramble — seemingly unimpressed by what Kito had explained about her people. She continued, happy that Ayra seemed to loosen her grip around her waist.
Her mind began to wander again, wondering how much longer she was going to be stuck here. The Shaper's thoughts didn't go very far, as it was sudden and unexpected that the Echani decided to compliment her. The girl's arms wrapped casually around Ronin's neck, draping as her weight leaned into her. Kito was suddenly quite aware of where Ayra's face was, as she had shouted earlier, and now spoke at a more comfortable tone.
Ayra's arms tightened, embracing Kito as she once again spoke about her eyes. It caught her off guard, and she could feel the curve of her ears burning. She blushed, having only one other person who liked the color of her eyes. Kito wasn't used to this kind of attention, nor was she used to anyone calling her beautiful. Valaine was the only one to have ever called her that, but even then, it would elicit the brightest blush along her cheeks and ears.
"Thank you…" Kito's voice was small as she accepted the compliment, unsure of what to do or say next. Figuring Ayra would throw a fit if she didn't compliment something back, Kito quickly responded.
"You have pretty eyes, too." Her voice was still quiet, but seemingly loud enough for Ayra to hopefully hear. Kito hoped it would quell whatever fit might have happened if she hadn't returned the compliment. Kito adjusted her grip as she made it to the top of the short incline. Over the ridge was another checkpoint for the pair, but this would be the most dangerous of their journey.
Kito stood and slipped her hands gently from Ayra's legs. "Gonna pause here for a moment. I need to check something." She let Ayra from her back as she crouched near a small tree. Upon closer inspection, a device was linked to several cameras along the pathway.
"I set up a small network to relay footage, so when I got to this point again, I could figure out the patrols," Kito explained a bit, hoping that Ayra was listening.
"Goal is to avoid the patrols, they're pretty armed, and while I can handle them… I did so, coming up to this point, I—" Kito paused and let her gaze flicker back up to Ayra's face for a moment, and then trailed down her form towards her leg, she claimed to be injured.
"With your injury, I don't want you to get hurt." She looked away again, focused on the cameras. The patrols were the same — luckily for them — and they had arrived at a small window. Kito tucked the box away, burying it under a mound of dirt and rubble.
"Put your lightsabers away," she instructed. She did the same, but left the blade at her side. It was a standard weapon, not one that would mark her as a Jedi.
"We need to look like refugees if anything, if we run into anyone or someone sees us — they need to just think we're traveling and we're not siding with the freedom fighters."
Kito rummaged through her backpack and pulled out a cotton shawl. She wrapped it carefully around Ayra's head, hiding her white hair from view. Kito didn't know if Ayra had been a known fighter or if she had been able to hide. The last thing she wanted was the girl to be the reason they attacked. Carefully, she brushed back Ayra's hair, making sure it was all tucked away.
"Okay, get back on." Kito turned and knelt down slightly, letting the girl climb back up. "We're close to the next and final camp — from there we'll reach the fighter I have hidden."
She began to walk again, thinking of home.
"Any questions?" She asked, then finally…
"Are you looking forward to being home?" Kito was curious, but she figured it didn't matter in the end — after this mission, they'd probably never see each other again.
