Those Things In Your Head

[Munin]

Outer Rim
Unknown World
[member="Spark Finn"]

Munin half turned around, looking back up into the shuttle. "Are you coming?"

The snow was slowly piling up on top of the shuttle already, a thin layer forming on top of the silvery hue of the Lambda's Hull. Munin wore a thick coat with some kind of fake fur around the hood, a pair of HUD-G glasses on his face. The sky was cloudy and overcast, the sun already setting in the distance. The town, oddly pulled up on a cliff-side standing a mile or two in front of them. It would be a walk, but there was a nearby path that would take them into the entrance of the city, from there they would have to climb to get to the cabin that he had rented within the middle of the city.

"It's not that cold." Munin said loud enough for Spark to hear.

The air wasn't that bad, it was the wind that was really annoying, but with enough layers that too could be solved. Plus the village was already blooming with light, torches and the like glowing brightly in the distance. The keep at the very edge of the cliff remained dark though, having been abandoned nearly twenty years ago.

It was the reason that they were here.

He and Spark had spent the last few weeks investigating exactly what was in his head, the implants that...he shook his head slightly as he thought about them. They had found that the implants had a specific marking on them, or rather Spark had found it. From that marking they managed to track down a Corporation, and that had lead them here. The company had held several locations, but apparently had pursued being a cliche and thus had owned the keep within this village at one point.

Much like everything else owned by the company though this place seemed almost entirely abandoned.

That of course meant only one thing.

They needed to investigate.

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

A light, blue winter jacket hugged her thin form and made her almost look...normal. #nojudgy A darky, gray beanie snugly clung down on her free-flowing, tangled strands of blonde-hair. Dark-rimmed glasses were tucked onto her face with a lot less adjusting needed due to the beanie keeping the ends well tucked behind her covered ears.

Freckled-nose crinkled at Munin. It was all he would see. Everything below her nose, including her pursed, thin lips, were concealed behind the top of the jacked zipped up super, super tight. #DUH Gloved fingers were stuffed in pockets. Shin-high water and snow-proof boots clung up to just below her knees.

#noconverse

"Why couldn't it have been in a city on a normal planet with a reasonable temperature?" Voice was muffled as booted feet left the threshold of the nice, warm shuttle and into the crunchy snow. The cold, cold snow. And the cold, cold wind.

 

[Munin]

[member="Spark Finn"]

"I didn't pick it." He reminded her quietly.

Had it been his choice they wouldn't have come here at all in fact. He was more than happy to leave this all alone, but Huginn had told him that neither of them could move on without knowing, and Spark...well Spark had been encouraging enough that he'd been at least willing to check it out.

His sister hadn't come with them, mostly because someone had to remain behind and run operations. Though she too was eagerly awaiting the outcome of this investigation.

"Come on." He told her with a smile. "The sooner we get going the sooner we get to the cabin."

It was a small place within the village, but big enough. "It has a fireplace."

Munin told her, as if that would entice her.

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

"Good," she breathed and walked next to him. "We should pick up some snacks and hot cocoa on the way." #alwaysaboutthesnacks The lights of the village were getting closer. Head ducked as a gust of wind hit her from the outside, causing her form to stumble into Munin's side.

"Oomph," she grunted and tried to right herself.

Maybe not the best time to say this but she was never known for being socially adept.

"I'm here for you. I've got you. You know that, right?"

It wasn't that she could read his emotions on how he was feeling now or what he had just said. She just knew, logically, if she were discovering the same thing about herself, she'd maybe be a little nervous. Apprehensive. She didn't want him to think she regretted coming here, no matter what the weather was like. Just like on Jakku, she made her own decisions to follow him. #support

No matter what happened.

No matter how cold she got.

 

[Munin]

[member="Spark Finn"]

"I know." Munin said quietly. This wasn't something that he took lightly. In fact it was probably the hardest thing he'd ever done in his life. His past was not something that he wanted to explore, but he realized if he didn't then there would always be a mystery, a blank spot inside of his head that drove him to near insanity. He frowned slightly, but didn't let himself slide into those darker thoughts. Knowing that he was better off just moving forward.

"You're here with me." He smiled. "That's all I could ask for."

It made him happy that she was here.

He would have liked it if Huginn came too, but his sister wasn't ready for such things just yet. Munin smiled and then held out his hand for Spark to take. She was wearing gloves of course, but it was the thought that counted really.

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

"Okay," she smiled beneath the jacket.

Blonde hair mixed with snow whipped around her pale face as she met Munin's visor. Gloved-fingers curled around his. And she held on tight. It helped keep her steady, though her bony-hip, padded by winter layers but still bony, jarred into his side a few more times as the wind continued to whoosh against them.

For once, she wished she was a weather force-mage something like that, instead of technology minded.

#cantwaitforcocoa

They were almost to the gates and within the village walls they might be a little more protected from that biting wind.

 

[Munin]

[member="Spark Finn"]

As they reached a gates a pair of guards held up their hands. Both of them carried blaster rifles, though their clothing made them look almost medieval. Munin frowned for a few seconds and then slowly approached the guard, taking Spark with him, but releasing her hand.

"Hello!" The greeting was almost a bit too warm.

"What's your business here?"

"My girlfriend and I are on vacation." It wasn't a complete lie. "We've rented a cabin in town, going to take a nice cozy rest here."

He glanced back at Spark for a few moments and then pulled out a small piece of flimsy. On it was printed information about a rented cabin, but no the cabin that he and Spark were actually going to stay in. Paranoia prevented him from actually divulging where he was staying to anyone at all.

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

Blue-eyes beneath glass lenses darted to those rifles. She stayed close to Munin, maybe a step behind. If needed, she could disable those weapons in less than a breath. Just like she'd done with Munin's blaster that one day.

But it didn't seem like she'd have to. The guards were nodding at the papers. Almost bored. But guards always made her nervous. Were they there to keep people out or to keep people in?

Force was stretched ahead though. Ready to react if she needed to. #justincase

And he said girlfriend.

Made her lips twitch into a small smile.

 

[Munin]

[member="Spark Finn"]

"Alright, head on in. Enjoy your stay, don't cause too much trouble."

The other guard said as the first handed Munin back the little piece of paper. The Infochant smiled, folded the piece of paper and then once again took Spark's hand. The Guards stepped aside and within a few moments Spark and Munin found themselves standing just beyond the central courtyard of the village.

"We have to go up there." He pointed towards the cliffs where a large portion of the village sat.

There were dozens of buildings stretching up the side of the mountain.

"Our Cabin is a little bit away from the keep." He explained. "I think there's a store on the way."

She did want snacks after all.

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

A gloved-hand waved at the guards, trying to look friendly as they passed. But it really just looked awkward. #teehee

Fingers squeezed Munin's hand as they entered the warm-lit streets. Several people milled about, running errands. They got a few stares. Seemed like this place wasn't used to strangers. Speckled-gaze zeroed in on the market. She walked a bit faster #abitmorepepinherstep and tugged impatiently on Munin's hand.

And like a puppy about to get a treat, she released his hand entirely and lightly jogged ahead, stopping just short of the door.

#exercise #nojoke! #priorities

Gloved hands quickly scooped up some loose snow, hiding what she was doing with her body. Munin probably needed a distraction, maybe a laugh, to what they would soon find out. So, she quickly made a sloppy snowball, turned, and lobbed it at his chest as he approached and followed her seconds ago mad dash.

 

[Munin]

[member="Spark Finn"]

The snow struck him in the chest and for a moment Munin looked simply bewildered.

He wasn't entirely sure for a moment or two what exactly had hit him, he was even more unsure about who had thrown it, when he looked up though he saw Spark. She was standing just ahead of him, having rushed up the path, there was a large smile on her face and her eyes with alight with something.

The infochant smiled.

He knew very well what she was trying to do, knew that she was trying to take his mind off of everything that was happening around the both of him. A part of him couldn't help but melt a little bit at the gesture, though another part felt somewhat stupid that it had to be done at all.

He felt as though he should have been happier, not stuck on his past.

For half a second Munin frowned, and then he broke into a sprint to chase after Spark.

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

A snort left her nose as she caught the transition of facial expressions across the information broker's face. Blue-eyes widened in surprise as he broke into a sprint. Feth. She forgot his lengthier strides.

#eeeeeep

A squeal mixed with a giggle left her lips as she scooped up another handful of snow and ran up a snow-covered path of cobblestones that wound into a small park. It was right next to the market and looked like an area that folks used to take their strolls. There was even a small, frozen pond in the center with pine trees jotting around the path. She went to weave behind one of those trees, lobbing another snow-packed ball at his quickly approaching form.

 

[Munin]

[member="Spark Finn"]

Munin managed to dodge the second snowball, the projectile instead hitting one of the trees that he ran past.

A smirk fell on his lips.

He remembered the last time he and Spark had run anywhere was back on Jakku from those damned creatures who'd guarded the Red Codex. This experience in comparison was much more pleasant. Some of the people in the village watched them, but most smiled and shook their head. Perhaps this sleepy little village was used to such things.

Munin dashed forward between the trees.

A hand came up as he tried to snatch Spark up and off the ground.

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

Another snort left her nose. He was closing in too fast. But she was Kay e lighter on her feet. Boot got stuck in some deep snow off a tree bank. She felt an arm loop around her waist and suddenly she was airborne.

She yelped in good fun. Not a fearful yelp. Though, there were dark memories of such a gesture just beneath the surface.

"No cheating!" She wiggled and twisted at her waist, trying to press her snow-covered glove into his face. They both knew there were no rules. But she wasn't about to admit it!

#allisfairinsnowballfights

 

[Munin]

[member="Spark Finn"]

He sputtered a bit as snow was squished into his cheek. "It's not cheating!"

Munin said as he pulled her up and off the ground, snow crunching slightly beneath him, hood being tossed back over his head as she rubbed her glove all over his face. He sputtered for a second more, and then eventually got her into a place where bending back to reach his face was a bit too hard.

"Got you!" He shouted.

A wide smirk set on his face.

For now at least, the worries of what would come later were forgotten.

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

"Okay!" She breathed, trying to get the giggle fit under control. She'd never been like this around Munin yet. Where she felt free. Not so cautious.

She couldn't quite reach his face.

#forgothowstronghewas

Glasses wobbled slightly down the bridge of her nose. Snow clung to blonde strands of hair, making her almost look like some frozen, ice queen. A little, nerdy frozen ice queen girl.

"I give up! You can put me down now." A glove smacked at his arms that wound tightly over her waist. Her bony backside was pressed firmly against his waist.

 

[Munin]

[member="Spark Finn"]

He smiled slightly, and after a moment or two finally put her down. "Okay okay."

Munin could barely feel his face, his skin blanched red from the cold.

"Let's find that store." His hand still rested on her hip as he put her back down onto the ground. Munin couldn't help but keep the smile on his face. This...this was what he wanted, just to spend time with her, be with her. All the secrets could fall by the wayside, his past, what she did for work, all of it. "I need some warmth."

A shiver ran through him.

The snow had gotten his jacket a bit wet, and that cold was quickly seeping into him.

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

"Me too," she offered a quick, timid smile and dusted any extra snow off from the kerfuffle from her jacket. Now that they weren't running around and keeping warm, she too felt the sudden cold mixed with the little bit of wet from sweating as well. #exercise #omgee

Tugging her hat further down her head, she trudged back the way they'd come. Not too far. Soon they were back at those doors to the market. Any indent from where she'd grabbed the snow from was already becoming buried in new powder. She turned back to Munin with a goofy grin on her face. "No matter what, just remember that I won."

With a final snort, she entered the warmth the store provided and grabbed a small basket, heading toward the snack aisle.

#junkfood

 

[Munin]

[member="Spark Finn"]

He chuckled, deciding that this time around he wouldn't argue with her. Instead he followed her into the tiny market. The store was, surprisingly modern. The inside was awash with bright white lights, the aisles were lined up neatly with freezers in the back, and everything seemed to be rather organized.

That was a rare thing on outer-rim worlds like this. "Get what you like, I'd rather not have to come back tomorrow."

That was a dangerous thing of course, Spark with too many snacks around usually turned into Spark eating too many snacks, but he didn't want to be seen around town too much. In the end this was still supposed to be a secret mission.

That meant not venturing out too much.

"I want to see if they have those plain chips." He told her as they wandered. "I like those."

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

Plain chips. PLAIN CHIPS! They were different in a lot of ways and this was certainly one of them. She didn't understand why anyone would eat plain chips when BBQ chips existed. #comeone

Didn't matter, though. That meant more for her. And she didn't have to share. #duh

"I'll meet you back by check-out." She disappeared down the next aisle over. By the time she came back, her basket was piled high which included: hot-cocoa, tons of BBQ chips, ice-cream #LOL, and lots of other various salty snacks and a few sweet ones. Girl liked her snacks. How she stayed so thin was a wonder. Maybe a miracle of the force.

Arms dragged as she heaved the cart closer and closer to the check-out line. Feth, it was heavy. Head swiveled as she looked for Mun.