Private What's a Gambit among Friends?

[Alora Vizsla]

[Scene]
Alora Vizsla stands outside the Gambit, her ship, with her hands rustling about the innards of an exposed panel. Crates sit along the edges of the landing pad. An occupancy beacon silently pulses nearby with a slowly strobbing light to warn others from trying to set down. It's early morning, and the temperature is fair for a Tor Valum day on Kestri.

What are you going to say to her?

Alora jerked a component lose and gave it a quick visual inspection. First, I thought I'd say 'Hello!' The pulled component was casually tossed over Alora's shoulder. Then I was going to lead with 'How are you doing?' and 'Can I interest you in something to drink?' You know, host things.

You know very well that is not what I'm talking about.

The colorfully maned woman leaned over to pick up a new replacement for the item she'd chucked. I know what you're talking about, Gam, I just don't see why we need to talk about it. Alora set to work shoving the new equipment inside and hooking up all the bits and bobs.

It concerns me as well. I think I have a right to be concerned. And there's your own welfare I have to consider.

The young Mandalorian woman stepped back to regard her handiwork for a moment. I know, Gam. I just... maybe nothing will get said. Again. Alora sighed aloud before she pulled a scanner from atop a nearby crate. Especially now.

Since she...

Yeah. Just, like, before there'd been circumstances, and now there weren't, and... Alora blinked and looked down at the scanner having not even been paying attention to what it was telling her. 'Course everything was installed correctly. She only hoped Shai would show up soon. Meeting in a fight hadn't been quite how Alora had wanted it to happen either.

You couldn't haunt her steps forever.

Alora turned her head to stare up at Gambit's exterior. Yeah, well maybe that's all-- She shut down the link between them for a moment as she forced herself to calm down. She'll be here soon. Make sure we have everything. Not like Gambit hadn't already completed that task. Meanwhile, Alora busied herself with cleaning up all the parts to occupy her time. Not that it really helped. Stupid ability to multitask.

POYO! Shai Maji​

 

[Shai Maji]

Shai was a little nervous about visiting Alora after everything that happened. The last time they talked was heavy to say the least, with Alora trying everything to reassure Shai that having a body full of cybernetics was fine. It never stuck, though there was a topic Alora brought up that Shai could never ask about. It felt like a lifetime ago, but she still remembered it. Although that was the last thing they would probably talk about.

Especially with the Shistavanen's companion.

"Ma, who is she again?" The little Shistavanen, barely five years old, asked as he looked up at his mother. It was Shai's week to have little Yuri, then they would be together with Xyoz Maji for a week after that. Week for him, week for her, then a week together... or rather, more than a week given the travel time and them not really wanting to separate again. They were a family now. A proper family. They could only try to do their best around what their lives demanded of them.

"Auntie Alora is a good friend of mine. We... haven't talked in a long while." Shai answered with a gentle voice as she looked down at Yuri, giving his small hand a gentle squeeze. "Why?" He asked. Shai already knew where this was going. "Because... we have both been busy. And stuff happened." She explained to him, waiting for the next round.

"Why?"

"I'll explain when you're older."

"Did you sleep together?"

Shai's eyes went wide at the question. "What? No, we didn't... where'd you learn that?" She asked with disbelief at the question. "Dad was fighting with someone the other day and I heard him say-"

"You should punch dad when he talks like that around you again." She interrupted with a firm voice. She was going to kill that mutt...

"Is it because he's full of shit?" It didn't end. Shai had to fight hard against the laugh in her throat as she shook her head. "Ye-no! He ain't... don't say that word. You can say it when you're ten." She scolded lightly as she faced Yuri with a raised finger. She couldn't wait for a situation where Valery Noble had to babysit the little terror. They needed to meet sometime...

"It's fun to say!" The kid tried to argue with a whine. "I know! But don't. You're too young! Give it a few years and you can." The stupid grin on her face wasn't lightening up at all. They finally arrived at Alora's landing pad and Shai patted down her clothes before pushing on with Yuri already hiding behind her. Her heart was pounding in her throat as the distance between her and the Vizsla steadily closed.

"Hey, Al... what's up..." She greeted with a warm, albeit shaky, voice.

"What's wrong with her hair?!" The young voice spoke up, earning a snicker from Shai. "There's nothing wrong with her hair, don't be rude! Now say hi to Auntie Alora." She nudged him forward. His eyes were wide as he stared up at the ironclad woman. "Um... hi... my name is Yuri, this is my Ma... are you okay? Your hair looks funny."

An audible slap echoed from the Shistavanen as her palm found her forehead.

Alora Vizsla

 

[Alora Vizsla]

Gambit had seen them coming and hadn't said anything.

Gambit had seen them coming, and hadn't said anything was the thought that played itself out silent in the back of Alora's head as she turned around with a smile. She tossed the cloth she'd dried her hands after she turned when Shai announced their arrival. It wasn't the sudden arrival of the Shistavanen that caught the Mandalorian woman off guard. Gambit often didn't announce people; it liked to say it wasn't her butler. There were other things that were far more remarkable than the fact Shai had arrived.

The most demanding of which was a small Shistavanen that hung around Shai. One that was expected to refer to Alora as 'Auntie Alora.' Named Yuri. How old was he? Five? Six? That many years... when had Shai found someone to have a family again?

"Ah, I'm not like most people, Yuri. Sometimes a little color helps escape the Boredom Demons." Alora smiled down at the child. "Say," the armored woman bent over a bit, "does War Ma allow you to eat candy?"

A whirring sound came from inside the Mechanics Bay of the ship. A few seconds later a small blocky droid rolled out with three hard candies atop a platter. It drew up short between Alora and Yuri.

"They're colorful too, but between you and me," Alora whispered, "the candies taste a lot better."

Alora straightened up to look over at Shai with the smile still gracing her lips. "What's this? No heavy weaponry today?" Shai in casual wear and strolling through the city with her son... Kind of idyllic and not at all what Alora expected. Guess only one of them had was stuck in the past, huh? If Alora wasn't such a great actor... "How are you doing, Shai?"

POYO! Shai Maji​

 

[Shai Maji]

Yuri stared at the strange woman with wide, perplexed eyes for a long moment as she spoke to him. It was only at the mention of candy that he turned to look up at his mother with a hopeful look. "You promise not to chew live wires and jump off the walls again?" She asked him with a raised eyebrow. "Yes!" Shai couldn't keep her straight face any longer. "Alright, have at it. Go play with the droid, Ma's got some stuff to talk about with Auntie Alora." Yuri wasted no time in popping the candy into his maw and chasing after the little droid into the ship, leaving Alora and Shai with a moment of peace.

The Wardog didn't even bother to answer. She closed the distance and wrapped her arms around the armoured woman in a tight embrace, planting a kiss on her cheek and a bump against her forehead. "Didn't wanna make ya feel small, figured I'd leave the armour at home." She joked as she let go of the woman and wrapped an arm around her neck. "Also I hope that droid's quick. Yuri with candy is a karkin' terror." She joked with a cackling laugh.

"Oh man, where to start! How's things been?! Tell me the whole spread. Business going good? You seein' anyone yet?" She asked with a smirk as she gave the woman a light nudge. Already the candy was taking effect with Yuri as he sprinted through the ship's interior after anything that moved.

Alora Vizsla

 

[Alora Vizsla]

Alora blinked and stood there as Shai spoke to the young Sheesh. Chew live wires? Gambit wouldn't like that, but then Yuri would like it less when all that power went through the-- What was Shai letting this kid do? As for jumping off the walls that was fine. The really important things weren't let out and about to be jumped on. Oh, plenty of expensive stuff laying around, but nothing Alora couldn't fix or replace.

Once the little one was handled, Shai moved in on Alora in short order. The bright and furless one of the pair blinked and wrapped her arms about the woman that run off years ago and only recently returned. "I'm sturdier than I look," Alora boasted with a smile. "Oh, that droid? Not especially fast. Enough for a workout, maybe. That's okay though, I can fix it." The only electronic intelligence on the ship was the Gambit itself. Though encountering Yuri might give the small one experience enough to begin evolving if Shai was right.

A short bark of laughter followed Shai's inquisition. "Business is business, and that style never fades. You really want to know if I found someone. Well, matter of fact... I haven't. I'm very particular, you know. High maintenance. The type that doesn't settle down."

Honey-brown eyes turned to Shai with that said. "So, when did you find The One? Looks like you're doing well for yourself." Alora waved her unbound hand off to the side. "No need to talk about 'That' either. You know me, not much of a Gossip Gal." Alora grinned then being someone that'd sell information for credits -- long as it didn't hurt Clan, friends, or Enclave, of course. What had happened and had people all a buzz didn't really upset Alora. Sure, it was pretty bad stuff, but Shai didn't look crazed like she had with the cybernetics so... looked like some kind of miracle had happened.

Shai Maji

 

[Shai Maji]

Shai snickered with a shake of her head. "Oh please, you ain't high maintenance. You want high maintenance, go talk to Gwyn." She teased as she hugged her friend tightly. "Glad to hear that stuff's been goin' smooth for ya at least." She continued with a warm smile.

The question was quickly turned on the Shistavanen, however. Finding a seat inside the Gambit, Shai watched Yuri running after the little droid for a moment. "Ain't really any gossip. You deserve to know." She admitted as she looked at Alora. "My man, he... nearly killed me on Tython. I blew of Kranak's arm, I killed seven Siks, hurt twelve more... he went all out on me to get me to stop. Eventually he resorted to ripping pretty much every bit of chrome outta my body and... he turned me into one of him." Her glowing eyes lingered on Alora's gaze for a moment.

An unnatural glow.

"He turned me into a Sangnir. So yeah... I got my body back thanks to him... but now I'm a bloodsucking parasite too." She snickered as she leaned back. "Brain was still scrambled but him and Runi managed to fix what the Maw broke. After that, me and Xyoz decided on makin' it official. I mean, we've been dating for ten years pretty much, it's the right call to make. Though, the other day, we were shot at while we were out on a date. Tracked down the gangsters who shot at us and tore their base to shreds. In the mess we found a bunch of slaves, including Yuri." She nodded to the kid running past with the droid cradled in his arms. It didn't exactly seem all too happy with its current circumstances.

"I've always wanted a kid of my own. A family of my own. And now... with Xyoz and Yuri? That's a dream come true." She muttered as she looked back at Alora. Her smile faded for a moment as she thought on finally voicing her question. "Al... I got a question. Something you mentioned long ago but I never got the chance to ask. You asked me to take a guess on how old you are. Why?" She asked her softly. It was as good a start as any.

Alora Vizsla

 

[Alora Vizsla]

Yeah. Things were going smoothly. Not half as pleasant as she made everyone think, but smooth. The darkest problems were often kept from everyone, right? Seemed the rest in her squad believed that; even if some of them were forced to violently confront them.

The pair made their way up the ramp and over to some rolling seats in the Bay. As someone that tinkered on things small and moderate in size inside Gambit, she needed ways to stay mobile. A scoot there. A scoot here. Always busy. Most of them even had backs that could be pushed out of the way, or lifted for some support.

Honestly, Alora already knew a good deal of what Shai led with. The injury and death delivered on the battlefield weren't the more heavily guarded secrets in the Enclave. That was pretty bad too. No denying how awkward that would get socially. Then again, it wasn't really her place to get offended. If the Big Man or any Clan member wanted to have a 'word' with Shai about what happened that was kind of their business. Long as Shai wasn't still insane and trying to mess with Alora, no need to make it personal.

Though it had been... difficult in the aftermath. The Big Man went through a lot back then. Not just losing an arm.

Honey-brown eyes met Shai's reds without blinking. In fact, she merely tipped her head a bit to the side and continued to smile.

Ten years? Huh, well, Alora hadn't made it her business to get into Shai's personal life back then -- before she went nuts and a girl had to keep tabs on Shai. Well that was okay. Good Shai had someone there through it all, right? Actually, what was surprising was hearing that Yuri had been a slave that the two adopted. That caused Alora to blink. Adopted? So... not born several years ago, which Alora never knew about, and was forced to confront today? That was... half of the ice-bath worthy news turned to on its head -- just warm death instead of absolute zero.

"That's... really great, Shai." Alora grinned and clapped her friend on the shoulder. 'Cause it was.

Shai wasn't done though. Give a little, get a little, right? Seemed the Wardog had a good memory. Alora's grin softened to a small smile before she turned to look out into the center of the Bay. "Remember what I told you? About Mandalore. How I had my own ship." She chuckled. "This one, actually. You wouldn't know it. Old VT-88 Specter. Made runs in that thing, but nothing like the kind Gam and I do now. I was a good Mandalorian teen back then with a good family on Mandalore..." Her gaze softened at the thought of the planet's fall before the Sith Invasion. "Been about... twenty years since then. Doesn't look it, does it?" Alora turned to look over at Shai with a big grin on her face. She still looked twenty-something or someone nearly forty.

"Few of those years I spent on Taris. Ever been there? Middling industial world, if that's your thing. I was in the Wilds though. Found this eccentric Old Man out there and didn't have much else to do at the time. One thing led to another and he started teaching me about cybernetics. Its where I learned so much about the subject." Slowly, she leaned back in her seat and stared a bit up at the ceiling. A moment later she glanced over at Shai. "I guess there isn't much to tell. I mean, I was hoping it would kind of help if I bored you to tears with all the details back when... well, when you were struggling with all the chrome. But that's gone now. We could always focus on some more recent escapades instead."

That was the second half of consternation that'd dropped on Alora earlier. Here she'd been ready to try confiding again, maybe help a sister out, but... it really wasn't necessary any more. The opportunity had come and gone. Now it'd just be a personal indulgence; at least that's what she thought. Whether that was true or really how she felt she didn't know. Alora wasn't sure what to do. Probably just easier to dismiss the entire thing and find something new and exciting.

"After all, I did miss you. It wasn't the same with you gone."

Shai Maji

 

[Shai Maji]

Shai listened carefully as Alora explained her story, where she came from and what happened. She had a feeling that Alora was a lot older than she looked. To think that she and Alora were the same age was rather jarring, given the woman's youthful features despite the years flying by them. But something stood out to her. Inconsistency, as well as the smell. She never realized it before, but as Sangnir her nose was a lot sharper. The cybernetics, the hesitation, the dismissal... it all became clear for the Wardog as she watched her friend.

"Why are you holdin' back on me, Al?" She asked simply as she shifted to face her friend fully. "You told me you got your chrome in an accident. And I can smell it on you. You don't want to tell me. Why?" Her eyes narrowed as she stared at Alora. "I thought you trusted me... you know you can ask anything and everything about me, right?"

The brief moment of tension for Shai was broken as Yuri came running past with the droid in his arms, crashing into the space between her and Alora. A laugh escaped Shai as she wrapped an arm around her boy and pulled him into her lap. "Now whaddya got there, huh?" She quipped as she studied the droid. Yuri was busy chewing on the droid's shell to no avail as he held onto it. Eventually she managed to pry the droid free from the little Shistavanen's grip and set it down on the ground, letting Yuri chase after it once more.

With the distraction dealt with, Shai returned her gaze to Alora. "What's goin' on, Al? Talk to me." She beckoned with concern in her eyes.

Alora Vizsla

 

[Alora Vizsla]

"It's not--" Alora stopped when the small one barged in with the droid in grasp. Her brow rose slightly, bowed, and then settled at the intrusion. Shai seemed to have remembered and was picking up on more than Alora might have expected. Wanted? Hoped? She didn't know any more. Things had changed. Left her behind.

Nary a word was given about the kid chewing on the droid. It'd be alright. Cosmetic damage.

Cosmetic damage? The brightly maned woman looked down at her hands as Shai wrestled to free the droid.

With her friend's attention no longer distracted, Alora lifted her chin and turned to look over at Shai as she continued to ask for answers.

"You... you should know better than most, Shai. Time doesn't heal wounds, it merely dulls the pain. Everything else you remember. The anguish. The loss. The horror. And sometimes you lose more than just what's on the surface. What you gain in return doesn't always make up for it either, right? Cybernetic eyes can see more than organic ones. Cybernetic noses can smell more and further. Cybernetic ears can hear a hushed conversation on the other side of a room. All better. Upgraded!" Alora chuckled as her gaze fell to the side.

A drawn out sigh followed. "I really--" Alora stopped for a second not sure how to put into words what she felt. Not in a way that wouldn't be... cruel. She had really wanted to say all this before. Before Shai got her body back. A person got a cybernetic hand or arm and they usually got over it quickly. Someone gets most of their body replaced and...

Alora lifted her head, drew in and released a breath, and then turned her eyes back to Shai. "I crashed on Taris shortly after the fall of Mandalore. The eccentric Old Man was a cyberneticist genius and he repaired me. All of me. 'cept this," Alora tapped the side of her head. "Then I repaired him when his body failed. Only, we didn't have parts to make another, so..."

"Hello, Missus Maji. I prefer if you still refer to me as Gambit. It should help avoid any unpleasantness in the future," a disembodied voice overhead announced.

Shai Maji

 

[Shai Maji]

Shai looked away at Alora's words. She knew what Alora meant. She knew better than most. Alora put her on the spot with her words and Shai couldn't help but frown a little. It was why the two of them kicked it off so well originally, they were kindred spirits to a degree. Her crimson eyes looked back at Alora as she continued to speak, only to be interrupted by Gambit. It took Shai a second or two to realize what the two of them implied, but she did catch on eventually. Her eyes went wide as she rose to her feet.

It all made sense now. Alora's odd behaviour, her connection with Gambit... they were family for all intents and purposes. She turned to face Alora as her hands rested on her hips. "Al... why'd you never tell me?" She asked gently. "I mean... sure, it ain't my business... but still, it feels like you don't trust me. Like... you know you can ask me anything, right?" A faint smile etched onto her lips as she waved a hand at her. "So that's why you're... this connected to Gambit? He's something like a dad to you for all intents and purposes?" She asked her as she sat down next to her friend, reaching out to take her hand.

Her eyes lingered for a long moment as she thought about what to say. Several things flooded her mind, but most of those thoughts revolved around one question.

Her hand squeezed Alora's for a moment as she shifted closer. "Al... are you okay?" She asked her. The look she gave her friend implied that the question was far more than just what she was feeling at that moment... and the Wardog wasn't going to take a half-baked answer.

Alora Vizsla

 

[Alora Vizsla]

"Why--?" Alora nearly interrupted, but Shai had more to say than asking why the secret had been told earlier. More to say, which said more and less than what the brightly colored woman that sat there before her 'monstrous' friend expected. Shai then settled back down and took Alora's hand before calmly asking whether she was well.

"Shai," Alora started slowly, "I just told you why. It isn't about trust. Because I do trust you. But just because I trust you doesn't mean I have it in me to confess something." It seemed confessing it more plainly was precisely what her Shistavanen needed, however. "I helped replace parts of you, Shai. Gambit," the honey-brown eyes squeezed shut a hair, "replaced almost all of me. I..."

"Alora had sustained fatal injuries in the crash when we first met. Many bones were broken, and most major organs severely damaged or ruptured," Gambit explained so Alora didn't have to describe what was undoubtedly a traumatic moment in her life.

The smile wavered for a moment before it managed to return to Alora's lips. "Anyway, I wanted to tell you that before, so you knew I really did understand what you were feeling back then. But then, you know... I'm happy you got your body back. Though, I'm not sure if my blood would taste so good." A toothy grin followed suit. "I mean, I have some, but it probably isn't the same. And the important thing is it really doesn't even matter, you know? You're still my friend, Shai. I'll be fine, long as we still got each other."

There was definitely a good deal of envy about Shai getting her body back. Not that it was Shai's fault, or Alora expected the same. Probably wasn't enough left for something like that short of some gross misuse of magic or something. Not that she was much of a fan of magic. Science suited her fine. Gambit and her had managed for two decades already like this. It was good Shai could find some peace again, especially after what happened. Be an ultra dick move to call Shai out for her stroke of luck. And the kid... Alora could tell she loved him. It was enough being Shai's friend.

"And more than enough trouble to stay busy, of course." Well, neither one of them were good at sitting still for long.

Shai Maji

 

[Shai Maji]

Shai's crimson eyes were locked onto Alora's gaze as she spoke, not even moving when Yuri zoomed past on all fours after the droid. She only looked away when Gambit spoke up again with her eyes shifting upwards. Even if she wasn't exactly looking at anything, she figured that Gambit would pick up on it.

"I mean, I have some, but it probably isn't the same. And the important thing is it really doesn't even matter, you know? You're still my friend, Shai. I'll be fine, long as we still got each other."

A sad chuckle escaped her maw as she looked back at Alora. "Yeah, cybernetic fluid don't really taste that good." She joked along, but her humour sank away as she shifted closer to Alora and wrapped her arms around the woman. "We're alive and we're together. That's all that matters. I ain't ghosting you ever again." She muttered as she pulled away and gave a light bump with her forehead against Alora's. "As for trouble... yeah, we can manage fine without even lookin' for it. Hell, I didn't even tell you!" She laughed as she shifted back with a parsec-long grin. "I'm now a fully anointed Sith Lord." She quipped casually.

She made sure to pause for effect before a snort escaped her. "Karkin' Sith I ran into on Argovia. Kicked her ass and dropped two seismic charges on her. Kinda levelled the whole Argovas City but that ain't an issue, I think those corpos on Christophsis are helping to rebuild and they've been helping the locals. Lots of survivors at least. But yeah, kriffer straight up survived somehow and dubbed me as 'Darth Hetzen' after I blew her worm into the next dimension." She looked around for a moment as her smile faltered.

She couldn't refuse to pitch the offer to Alora.

"Al... I know it's weird... and I wouldn't really recommend it... but if you want your body back, I can help." She offered with a hushed voice as she looked at Alora. "It's up to you if you want it or not. It ain't all perfume and roses... but the offer is there for you. Same with Gam... if something's left of him." She continued gently. Her serious demeanour only disappeared when Yuri came to a halt in front of the two women with the droid in his arms.

"Auntie Alora... is 'kark' something I'm allowed to say?" He asked with innocent, grey eyes as he looked up at the woman.

Alora Vizsla

 

[Alora Vizsla]

Alora smiled and wrapped her arms about the furry she-monster. The embrace grew firmer when Shai promised not to ghost Alora again. "Better not. All you have to do is tell me where you are, Shai, and nothing can keep Gambit and I away." They'd coast into the heart of the Empire or Maw if they had to. Shai was definitely Alora's bestie, so how could she do anything but wage a personal war against the vilest people in the 'verse to help her?

A honeyed gaze stared back at Shai as the mischevious, traumatized woman announced she was a Sith Lord. Of course one of those sugary eyes squinted slightly not quite getting the joke. Like, it was a joke. Mandalorian from the Enclave rabidly anti-Sith being a Sith. The irony could slay a thousand men and women -- literally, potentially. Or just one for those lacking a sense of humor.

The story of how it came to pass was listened to attentively. Who couldn't be curious how it happened? Ignoring the knee-jerk "kill 'em all" types.

"You know, Shai, you're totally badass enough to be a Lord, but you did a number on that Sith's head! Skipped two whole ranks." Talk about handing 'Darth' titles out like candy! Did the Sith truly have no shame whatsoever? Alora would have quipped about Shai skipping the years of neglect and abuse -- physical and mental -- but given what her friend had gone through... yeah, wasn't that good of a joke.

Then Shai got a look. Alora leaned in a bit wondering what had unsettled Shai all of a sudden. The sudden offer caused the colorful woman to blink in surprise.

Before a response could be given, however, the young pup came to a dead stop before them. Droid in hand. Obviously needed to add a few more bells and whistles. Kid was growing too fast! "Ooh," Alora nodded, "but only out of War Ma's earshot." A big grin split her face in two. What? Auntie Alora was allowed to say and do all the things Tough Love Ma wouldn't or couldn't. Yuri could always flee to Gambit from shelter from her wraith if he needed it... but given the kid's legs that probably wouldn't remain a problem for many more years.

"You're pretty fast on your feet, Yuri. Bet you'd have a future in athletics, if you wanted." 'Course being a child of a Mandalorian they could always choose to be a warrior. Eh, even warriors could have side jobs or hobbies. Didn't mean that would be an easy life, but no point assuming he'd been stomping around with a blaster in his hands just because of the planet he was on. After all, Alora wasn't exactly a Traditional Mandalorian role-model; though you could do far worse.

Shai Maji

 

[Shai Maji]

"What can I say?! I'm just that good, Al. Definitely stacked enough bodies for 'em to justify a Lord title. Next thing you know I'll be a Moff in the Empire too." She cackled as she leaned into her friend. The good mood was challenged, however, at Yuri's question as he approached them. Shai was ready to to do her motherly duty and tell him not to, but Alora spoke up first. Shai smiled warmly as she sat back and let Yuri get his questions out of his system.

"Ma said I'm only allowed to use bad words if I'm ten." He commented as he approached and hopped up on the couch, nestling himself between Alora and Shai. She could only look on with a warm smile. Yuri needed friends. "I like running. It's fun if I can chase something. That droid is super cool, he's fast." He commented as he leaned against Alora. "Auntie Alora, can I have something to drink?" He asked her with giant, glimmering eyes. His pleading look faltered for a moment as he glanced at Shai. "Please?" He quickly added.

"What do you do? Do you make people sleep like Ma? Your ship is super cool as well, it can talk!" A smile formed as he followed after Alora with the droid still embraced against him. "Why do you wear armour? It looks really uncomfortable." He continued. A flood of questions circled in his mind, though that one earned some input from his mother. "Yeah, Auntie Alora! Get out of that skin, it looks super uncomfortable! How's Yuri supposed to hug you with that on?!" Her voice hollered from the lounge, earning a laugh from Yuri. "Hugs are nice. You want a hug?" He asked her as he set the droid down. Immediately the little thing took off with a whine to get away from the Shistavanen.

Alora Vizsla

 

[Alora Vizsla]

"Aren't Lords higher in rank than Moffs?" Alora was pretty sure, but not ultra sure. Imperial hierarchies didn't interest her. Someone with authority with credits interested her -- where they were in the pecking order didn't matter long as the credits were there. "Oh," Alora laughed, "I guess the Sith and Fanatics did part ways these last few years." The Maw and Imperials weren't seeing eye to eye these days. Not that they should. Their naval personnel were probably treated like slaves -- useful cannon fodder, but in the end worthless if the Maw ever accomplished what they sought to. Whatever that was.

"Ten?" Alora blinked. That young? Well wasn't Shai being generous? Or was that emotionally neglectful? Pshaw. Ten was fine. There were urchins that knew how to swear better than they did read at five in some places. Tough galaxy.

A hum followed Yuri's comment about enjoying a good run. The colorful one peered down at the youth as he leaned in. "Of course. I always have enough to drink on board." Mostly adult in nature, but there was a selection of child-friendly beverages as well. Some teas, hot chocolates, kafs... She looked up at Shai as she got up to find something for the thirsty Yuri.

Guess that left Alora on Question Duty. That was cool. Gambit and her could answer questions all day.

Wait, sleep? What was it Shai told Yuri she did, exactly? Pretty sure people missing limbs didn't sleep that comfortably.

"I do all kinds of things. Gambit -- that's the ship -- and I go all kinds of places, retrieving things and people, taking them from super secret locations into the arms of people eager to get their hands on them. Like, for example, if there were a really cool droid you wanted, but you couldn't find to purchase, I'd find where they're hiding the stash and get it for you." Alora grinned. She was an acquirer of rare modern possessions. Also known as a thief -- but that was putting something so skillful and nuanced far too simply. It was like saying brain surgery was cutting heads open -- there was a little more skill involved.

"I also make people sleep. But only because they're extremely grouchy." And her sleeping partners were extra rested -- because they had all their limbs. In the next life. You know, because she vaporized them in this one.

Alora laughed. The question about the armor deserved a cheerful response. She was good at giving those, especially when it wasn't what she truly felt. "There's lot of grouchy people out there, and they don't always appreciate my hard work." Alora would have been more specific with Shai, perhaps, but Yuri was young... Keep a secret? Yeah, probably not the kid's strong suit. Explaining how an ion grenade could seriously screw up Alora's day might be difficult seeing how even medical sensors registered her as fully Human.

Still, they were inside Gambit... And Alora trusted Shai. Yuri wouldn't be some ultra deep spy, right? That was totally something a Sith would do though -- not "Lord" Shai, but actual Sith.

"Who doesn't like hugs?" Alora smiled as she got up. "Give me a minute and I'll take this off, 'kay?"

She crossed over to the sealed room opposite of the cybernetics lab. The door would lock behind her, but Alora would only be gone a minute before she returned wearing just a black bodysuit.

POYO! Shai Maji​