Private Where The Wild Things Are

[Xyoz Maji]

He was fully expecting to be met with violence. A hug though? Xyoz blinked in confusion, watching Shai Maji for a moment. Even as dumb as he currently was, with all the memories hazy and blank, this was something he just.. Remembered. Fake skin, fake warmth from the cybernetics and all, this was what he remembered. And only now did he realize how much he missed it. He held her close, gently running his claws through her hair. Trying to be that source of comfort.

She didn't want him to leave. That alone brought an odd sense of joy. And fear. After all the pain he'd gone through just in their first meeting together, he held no doubt that she would end him. He didn't have the words yet to express how much he didn't want that, so he just gave a very nervous smile and shook his head. He was here to stay.

"My name. Xyoz. Gnox. Sith name." Not a Darth name, more a pet name given to some immortal weapon. But he couldn't say that. Just.. Feel it. He frowned for a moment, obviously wanting to say more. But, it must be that much more frustrating for her. He lowered his head again, eyes downcast. ".. Sorry."

 

[Shai Maji]

Shai blinked at the mention of his name. His real name. Why he never mentioned it when they were together, she would never know... or perhaps he did. She was, quite frankly, too afraid to actually ask that of him. Just her luck, he actually did and she would embarrass herself all over again. A faint smile formed as he apologized again, earning a shake of her head. "I'll kick your ass again later." She muttered as she scooted closer and pulled him into a hug. "I'm just happy to see you again."

She let go of him and for a moment she frowned. "Just don't kark off again." She scolded with a slap to his snout. With her spirits lifted, she got up from her seat and made her way to the kitchen area. "Okay, so... lunch first. Then we gotta figure out what the hell to do with you. 'Cause you ain't coming back with me, they'll shoot you on sight most likely." She pulled a pack of steaks out of her freezer and slapped it down on the table as she thought through the options. "You're also not Mandalorian, so that's a headache as well... at least you're not Sith anymore, but if I see dark side stuff, I'll pop you myself..." She was thinking aloud for the most part, not exactly talking to him as she went over the options.

The steaks got dumped onto a grill with fries pressed through a cutter in rapid succession. "The kriff can we do..." She muttered as she paced around the room, not exactly paying attention to him or the raw meat on display for him...

Xyoz Maji

 

[Xyoz Maji]

Quite the pout formed as he was smacked again. Did Shai Maji have to keep hitting him? .. Maybe. Depending on how long he'd actually been gone. That was the next thing he really needed to figure out. Xyoz followed her to the kitchen, half listening half looking around. Then just.. Not listening as food came out. He stared at the raw steaks for way, way too long. Was he hungry?

No, he was always hungry.

Shai would end up seeing him crouched before the counter, happily munching away at the steak. Off in his own world of animalistic hunger and instinct.

 

[Shai Maji]

Still deep in thought, Shai didn't immediately pay attention to the munching of raw meat right next to her. Though she reacted almost immediately when the sound drew her attention back to reality. She grabbed the spatula off the counter and swatted at him to chase him off. "Leave it alone, it'll taste better afterwards!" She scolded as she pointed to the couch. "Park your tail there and wait for it." Her order was sternly delivered as she pointed the spatula at him with a harsh frown.

Luckily his piece (like she was going to eat a half-chewed, slobbered mess of a steak) was still salvageable. With a huff she returned to work on their meal and made sure to keep an eye on him every now and then. The spatula was ready as ever if he poked his snout back over the counter. "I got an idea..." She started, turning to face him. "Okay, a few, actually. But... before we can get around to any of those, I gotta get a karking civilized mutt out of you before I put any of these plans into action." She looked him over for a few moments as she tried to figure out how to do that. She wasn't a teacher or a psychologist... and she wasn't taking him to the Doc, not by a longshot.

"How... do we get you back to normal?" She asked softly, almost bothered by the blunt question. Almost. There were plenty of ways to make her thoughts much clearer on his current state...

Xyoz Maji

 

[Xyoz Maji]

Xyoz was easy enough to chase off, but there was a moment as his eyes met her just before the swat that danger was obvious. His eyes had changed again, more towards the feral, almost soulless expression. For a moment, he was defending his food from a rival. But the spatula swatted his nose and brought him back. The man frowned, handing over the steak before rushing to the couch to sit and rub his snout.

It stung.

"Can't." His answer was immediate. Firm. How could he explain it though? The frustration was clear as he obviously wanted to say more again. Except this was more. Rather than just frustration, he was angry. Anger that grew rapidly. A clawed hand gripped the side of his head, his claws easily biting into his own flesh as he tried. Xyoz focused on his thoughts, trying to make them form in a way he could speak, unaware of the room around him.

Things were breaking. His lack of control had his power in the Force shaking the things around him. "Can't. Can't. People. Can't eat. People." He growled. The more he tried to make himself get past the haze, the more it grew. The cloudier his mind got, the angrier he got. It was a vicious cycle.

 

[Shai Maji]

The sulking she fully expected, and naturally there was no sympathy as he crawled back to the couch after her onslaught. The fact that his eyes changed was a clear indication as well that there needed to be something done about his current condition. What she wasn't expecting was the very sudden and very serious response to her question.

Shai turned to face him fully as she watched him struggle with... something. It took her a moment to realize what was going on as he repeated the words and everything around them started to shake. Quickly she set the spatula aside and rushed to him to wrap her arms around him. In a gentle hug she shushed him with a gentle caress over his back. "Hey, hey. Relax. Relax, Gn-Xyoz." Using the new name was going to take a while to get used to. She continued to hold him for a while in hopes that he would calm down before he tore the ship apart.

It made a bit more sense now. Some memories bounced back from when they were together. There was something about drinking blood at the very least... but something about sentients as well. It was long ago, actually recalling the specifics now were borderline impossible. But one thing that she did remember was her issues with him eating actual people... her opinions might have changed over the years on that one. "Xyoz... if you need actual people to bounce back... then we need to make a plan. I don't want to see you like... this." She muttered gently as she turned slightly to look directly at him.

Xyoz Maji

 

[Xyoz Maji]

It took a moment for everything to die down. The cycle that he was spiraling down was overwhelming. And yet, having Shai Maji there eventually brought him back. That was the difference of this cycle. He wasn't alone. The wounds he inflicted on himself already healed by the time the last object in the room fell. And.. She understood him. He blinked slowly, turning his gaze towards her. Watching her in silence.

"I don't want.. Monster."

His gaze fell as he stared at the floor. Then to the room. Books were scattered, among other things. He took a breath.

"Can watch.. Movie?"

 

[Shai Maji]

After a long silence he finally said something she completely understood. It seemed that, despite everything, her wish to have him stop eating people really struck home. Even being half feral, he still didn't want to go down that path. Though it was going to make her job of getting him back properly that much harder. She merely nodded softly as she watched him study the mess of a room around them.

And then the request.

Shai tensed up at the suggestion beside him with her arm still around him. The amount of times she asked him that and now here she was, hearing those sweet words again after years of anger and grief. Memories came flooding back from a happier time with him. Evenings under the stars, lazy days in bed., even an actual date. She finally moved, pulling him into a hug as she buried her face in the crook of his neck. "Yeah. We can watch a movie." She muttered with a soft chuckle as she let go to smile at him. She was supposed to hate his guts, but after such a simple question she was finding that feeling to dwindle somewhat.

Taking his hand, she led him to her room where she quickly set up a movie for them to enjoy. It was a simple one that was visually easy to follow. Not much need for dialogue, hopefully making it easier for him to follow in his state. Shedding her shoes, she made herself comfortable on the bed and beckoned him to join her. "Just like old times." She joked, her eyes glued to the movie displayed against her room's wall with a holoprojector. "It's good to have you back." She admitted gently as she rested against him.

At least not everything in recent months was a stream of disaster...

/End Thread

Xyoz Maji