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Thread: A Journey To Remember

  1. #21
    TheHolo.Net Poster Lorenza Dalenak's Avatar
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    Lorenza nodded when Ka'ra said she wasn't injured, relieved that the girl was alright. She knew that hunting had a learning curve that generally involved a level of pain and light wounds; but going up against a Graul could be a real mess.

    She appreciated the offer to help and moved her bow out of the way. "Thank you."

    The brunette would need to retrieve the two vibro blades she had used to blind the beast before they took it down but she understood the priority order of things especially as her shoulder was really painful. Tending to such matters first made her likely to use her arm again sooner than later.

    She watched the father storm into the clearing at once, soon followed by the brother. She couldn't understand what they said but guessed he was checking on her. She was surprised when he said he was now in her debt. She hadn't thought twice about helping.

    "I saw the footprints and I know how dangerous grauls can be. Glad I could help. Ka'ra is a great shot."

    Of course, she had also let her intuition, her gift, help her deal with the situation; but she knew how not everyone in the galaxy was kind to people like her, so she was careful not to bring it up to easily.

    "My name is Lorenza," she added with a slight bow of her head.

  2. #22
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    “It ate my kill,” complained Ka’ra, as if she hadn’t just had a brush with death. Perhaps, Akaan mused, he should impress upon his children the notion that just because everything on Dantooine wasn’t trying to kill them it did not mean that nothing on the planet was dangerous.

    ”We can come out again another day.” Akaan looked around before focusing on Lorenza. “Our village is not far. We have a doctor who can treat your wound. And there may be another graul near, it is my understanding they hunt in pairs.”



    oh what a tangled web I weave


  3. #23
    TheHolo.Net Poster Lorenza Dalenak's Avatar
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    Ah, to be young and still somewhat carefree.... Lorenza couldn't help raising a brow at Ka'ra's annoyance that the beast had eaten her kill. She kept her mouth shut though and nodded to what Akaan offered. She was far from her ship and other towns, so she wasn't going to turn down such an offer.

    "Thank you and I am taking you up on that. I'd rather keep use of this shoulder."

    She adjusted her position, and adjusted her bow on her back. "Let me get my blades."

    She walked to the dead beast, wishing she could already clean the weapons but it wasn't going to be for a bit.

    "We killed the male. If the female wasn't in sight, she likely has little ones, meaning she'll be even more ferocious than if we had just killed her mate."

    Without further ado, she walked up to her unexpected new acquaintances, ready for them to lead the way.

  4. #24
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    Akaan nodded, mentally reappraising the woman as she correctly accessed the situation. “We will swing by to collect the meat we left behind. Carefully,” he warned Kal, who was about to run back to where they’d butchered the iriaz.

    ”Follow,” Akaan told the twins, and they nodded, falling in behind him as he parted the lavender grasses and made his way to the wrapped meat. Lorenza brought up the rear, sensibly keeping an eye on their surroundings, just as he was. Ka’ra and Kal quickly packed up what was left of the iriaz, and then Akaan led the way again, north, toward the Mandalorian village.

  5. #25
    TheHolo.Net Poster Lorenza Dalenak's Avatar
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    Lorenza could tell how the kids were still eager to get things done and still needed strong reminders to be careful. She didn't have kids of her own but she had been a youth and had witnessed enough of them to know how the learning curve could be, sometimes improved with a not-so-fun and sometimes painful lesson here and there.

    She naturally took the rear of their little group. Even with a wounded shoulder, she would still help should they run into trouble. She memorized the path they were following so she would be able to make her way back to where she had come from in the first place. She doubted that she would carry on to fetch iriaz for the Great Lady this time around; but she might try to pick an extra delicacy or two in town before returning to Kiffu.

    She chose not to make small talk for she saw little point to do that. She was used to be on the quiet side due to her life at the Temple; and Akaan had been a man of few words so far.

  6. #26
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    Akaan was intent on arriving home as quickly as possible, so there were no lessons along the way for the twins. Ka'ra didn't seem shaken by her experience, but Kal was quiet and watchful. They would talk when they were alone again. Kal occasionally still had nightmares about the day their mother had died, even though he'd only been four at the time.

    "We are almost there," Akaan said, after a time. "Stay with me and do not wander off. We do not get many... visitors."

    Ka'ra slipped her hand into Lorenza's and grinned up at her as a small fenced community appeared on the horizon. The wall was patchwork durasteel but not nearly as fortified as it had had to be on Onderon, with no visible gate. However, as they drew nearer, it was obvious that the wall was a work in progress and only a section had been completed.

    Beyond were clustered prefab dwellings, cook fires, and in the distance a few parked freighters. Akaan stopped, and looked at Lorenza. "You will see my people in armor, but do not be afraid, as long as you are my guest you are safe."

  7. #27
    TheHolo.Net Poster Lorenza Dalenak's Avatar
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    While she was far from Kiffu, Lorenza understood what Akaan meant without any issue. It seemed to have become a pattern in her life to tread on unfamiliar ground that might not be that open to others in the first place. She would ponder on that at a later time, keeping her wits about herself for the time being.

    She smiled to Ka'ra and gave a gentle squeeze to her fingers. She was happy that the girl had come out of the encounter with the graul without any injury. It was a relief she had been able to help for these beasts could wreck an adult humanoid if they weren't well skilled and careful.

    She noticed how the surrounding wall was still being built as they neared closer, and she was mindful of the surrounding and what she could sense from the people. It was mostly impressions given her lack of real training but she had become attuned to how a place and its people felt over the years.

    She raised a brow at the mention of armors a few moments before she caught sight of a couple of them in the distance. It was when the realization hit her and put a few pieces together: Mandalorians. That wasn't something she had expected but somehow it made sense in her ever-learning brain. She had never met any of them before but she did read about them and had seen some illustration when younger.

    "I appreciate your hospitality and your warning. I am used to being an outsider and I will seek no trouble."

  8. #28
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    Akaan nodded and turned to face the village, holding up his hand in greeting as an older woman approached them. "Granoi, su'cuy!"*

    The woman smiled thinly, her skin sun-browned and deeply creased, and looked pointedly toward Lorenza. "Su'cuy, Akaan. Gar ganar evaar'la adat olar."**

    "I have," Akaan said, continuing the conversation in Basic for the benefit of his guest. "We ran into this one while hunting. Ka'ra crossed a graul, and Lorenza killed it. I have brought her here to see Draylshy'a." He paused, putting his hands on the twins' heads. "Can you take these for a moment, old one? Gedet'ye?"***

    Granoi grunted, holding out well-muscled bare arms toward the children. "Come. We will take care of that meat you are packing." As she herded Kal and Ka'ra away, she favored Lorenza with a small nod. Respect, for the kill.

    Akaan led the way deeper into the village, past groups of people who stopped what they were doing to watch the pair pass by. Most of the Mando'ade were wearing cloth: some in tunics and pants, others in jumpsuits. One very small child ran by completely naked, their mother chasing after them. But there were also the Acolytes who patrolled constantly, their armor glinting in the sun. There were not usually so many present, and Akaan realized that there was an additional ship parked in the distance.

    Mand'alor was home again.

    An Acolyte stopped them outside of the medical facility, her armor striped with a single thick red line, the chestplate bearing deep scratches from a boma encounter. "Who is this, Akaan? Have you been hunting for a wife?"

    "Nuhunla^, Tiktik." Akaan shook his head. "She has been injured while protecting my ad. Draylshy'a is available?"

    "She is checking over the foundlings. It will be a few minutes." Tiktik cocked her head, looking at Lorenza. "She does not look like she will drop dead if you wait."

    Before Akaan could reply a trio of armored Mando'ade approached: Obed, Hel, and Man'dalor herself. Akaan put a protective hand on Lorenza's uninjured arm, but aside from Obed giving them an obvious once over they did not stop until Man'dalor entered the building with Hel. Obed stood outside, and Tiktik took her leave to go talk to him.

    "How is your arm?" Akaan asked Lorenza. "It may be a longer wait than I hoped."



    * you live [a greeting]
    **you have brought a stranger here
    ***please
    ^funny
    Last edited by Lilaena De'Ville; Mar 4th, 2021 at 09:51:53 AM.

  9. #29
    TheHolo.Net Poster Lorenza Dalenak's Avatar
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    As a Force sensitive Lorrdian, Lorenza had always been extremely sensitive to her surroundings and it had helped her navigating both her imperial youth and all the places she had visited since leaving this life behind her. The village had a different flair to the Temple on Kiffu, even though she understood that she was standing out like a sore finger, the small enclave likely indicating a tight-knit community. Her intuition was confirmed as she watched one interaction after the other as she walked by Akaan's side.

    She bowed her head to the older woman who eventually took the twins away. She had weirdly got fond of Ka'ra in the short time she had known the girl, maybe recognizing some of her carefree bravado she had once possessed herself. She waved at the girl as she and her brother were herded away.

    While she always made sure not to stare and remain well-mannered and as little intrusive as possible, she couldn't help thinking that what she had read and glimpsed of Mandalorian armor in the past had nothing on the real thing. She was quite impressed with the design.

    She chuckled as she watched a mother chase her naked offspring shortly before they reached the medical facility. She was grateful for Akaan keeping most of the interaction in Basic, as well as others offering the same courtesy even though they didn't have to for she was the outsider.

    The brunette quirked a brow and smirked at the mention of Akaan hunting for a wife, although her expression grew focused again as she watched the interaction and soon saw the trio march towards the building, and a woman whose vibrant presence left a lasting impression on the pilot. She watched her and someone else step inside before she turned to Akaan as he talked to her again.

    "It can wait a bit. Ka'ra's first help to sling it in place has been helpful. I've had worse and I don't want to interrupt whatever is going on with your leader."


    She realized Akaan hadn't formally said that about the woman who had recently walked by them but there was something about her that had Lorenza quite certain in her assessment.

  10. #30
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    Akaan tilted his head at Lorenza's words, but her correct assumption not entirely surprising. Mand'alor's black and red armor was more ornately painted than the others, and one of the few full sets that did not have any cobbled together pieces. She was escorted by guards, and had an aura of authority that followed her.

    "Man'dalor has interest in the foundlings," he said plainly, as if that explained everything. He looked at the makeshift sling Ka'ra had made out of an arm wrap, and nodded with some approval. "Ka'ra is impulsive and gifted, but you are still bleeding. We should apply pressure."

    He lifted his hands, waiting for permission before he touched her.

  11. #31
    TheHolo.Net Poster Lorenza Dalenak's Avatar
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    Lorenza noted that Akaan didn't contradict her assumption about the woman she had only got a quick but significant look at. She didn't ask further question regarding her interest in the foundlings, as he had put it. She walked the fine line between curiosity and respecting what wasn't her place to poke around as a visitor.

    She appreciated his seeking permission before he touched her. Not everyone had that courtesy.

    "I agree, thank you," she replied with a nod, standing still so he would be able to apply pressure in a way that would be difficult for her given the placement of the wound.

    "Ka'ra has a lot of potential indeed. She reminds me a little bit of myself when her age."

  12. #32
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    Akaan chuckled. "Then your family knows my struggle."

    He kept a steady pressure up on the makeshift bandage on her shoulder, one hand on either side so he didn't just push her over.

    ---

    "And how is everyone today?" Lilaena turned from her conversation with the children, a motley assortment that included a young Wookiee and Rodian, to Draylshy'a.

    The young woman smiled, her shoulders lifting in a bit of a shrug. "They are all healthy, as near as I and Duck can tell." At the sound of its name, the ancient medical droid at the side of the room turned its head toward the doctor. "And they are doing well as can be expected in their families. The nightmares are less. But trauma can manifest unexpectedly, so their caretakers are still learning how best to navigate those pitfalls as they come."

    "Good." Lilaena looked back at the children, and smiled at Draylshy'a. "I am not checking up on your work. You have done well. I just wanted to see them." There was a slightly wistful look in her eye, which quickly disappeared. "I will be here for a week or two, if you need anything let Hel know."

    Draylshy'a nodded to Hel. "I will. Thank you, Manda'lor." She put her fist over her heart and Lilaena returned the gesture.

    Putting her helmet back on, Lilaena made her way out of the building with her honor guard at her heels. Tiktik poked her head in as she exited.

    "Draylshy'a, Akaan is here with a stray. She got injured fighting a graul."

    "He can bring her in," said the doctor. "Take the foundlings back to their families, please?"

    Lilaena paused outside, Obed and Hel stopping as well, and regarded Akaan and this 'stray' he had found. The woman was dark and attractive, even as she grimaced slightly at the pressure Akaan was putting on her wound. The pair realized she was staring at them, and Akaan nodded respectfully, blood seeping into the bandage under his hand.

    The woman... was Force sensitive. Sometimes Lilaena could just know when a being could touch the Force, and this was one such time. It made her instantly wary.

    "Keep an eye on her," she said quietly to Hel. "Find out where she came from."

    "You got it." Hel thumped her chest.

    Lilaena strode away, Obed following.

    --

    "Our turn," said Akaan, taking Lorenza's other hand and pressing it to the bandage to indicate she should hold it. He led her into the building as the foundlings filed out following Tiktik, who gave him an enthusiastic thumbs up as they passed. He sighed.

    "A graul encounter?" said Draylshy'a, looking up as they entered the main chamber. "Well, you are walking so that's a good sign."

    "Draylshy'a this is Lorenza," said Akaan. "We ran into her while hunting iriaz, and she saved Ka'ra from the graul."

    The young woman's eyes softened at the mention of Ka'ra. "Let me take a look at the injury."

  13. #33
    TheHolo.Net Poster Lorenza Dalenak's Avatar
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    Lorenza chuckled as an old memory came back to life though. "I had a cousin... He had four sisters: quadruplets that would probably have young me and Ka'ra look like well-mannered teacup-holding ladies." Her expression sobered a little bit as her mind going back to the life she had left behind several years ago. She was impressed to see the foundlings well taken care of for the little she had seen so far. It was heart-warming, for life could be quite unkind at times.

    When Akaan prompted her to place her other hand to the bandage, she did as instructed and followed him inside the building. Her eyes followed the foundlings following Tiktik - if she had heard the other woman's name correctly. She caught the thumbs up and she smirked.

    "Thank you for seeing me," she said with a polite nod to the healer. "I'd met another graul in the past."

    She was glad that her underneath tank top allowed for easier inspection after the beast had torn through her outer tunic. There was a tear through the muscle and she bet she was going to end with another scar. She worried about the state of her tendons.

    "I have been mindful not to move it too much; but still had to shoot an arrow shortly after getting wounded."

    She didn't think she had broken anything and hoped she was right.

  14. #34
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    Draylshy’a tsked as the bandage came away, taking it from Lorenza with a couple fingers and delicately dropping the soiled wrapping into a trash container without looking away from the wound. “I will need to wash it to get a better look, but it doesn't seem so deep as to interfere with the movement of your shoulder long term."

    The doctor pressed a clean towel to Lorenza's body under the wound and instructed Akaan to hold it in place, which was a little awkward as he realized what part of the woman's body he was holding it against. Draylshy'a retrieved purified water and paused, looking at Lorenza. "This may hurt."

    She poured the water gently into the bloody gash, the towel underneath soaking up the run off as the wound was rinsed. "Yes, this will need quite a few stitches, but it will heal nicely I think." She took the wet towel from Akaan, who was grateful to be able to stand back from the pair of women, and it went into a bin to be washed. "We do not have all of the latest medical tech here, but if you'll allow me to treat this I think you'll be pleased with the result."

    In the corner of the room Duck, the old medical droid, regarded all of them impassively.

  15. #35
    TheHolo.Net Poster Lorenza Dalenak's Avatar
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    Lorenza sat quietly as the doctor inspected the wound and she didn't flinch or show embarrassment when Akaan had to help keep a towel in place, regardless of its potential awkwardness. She could thank her time with the military and having had to make do in weirder situations in the past. Also, she had had nothing to complain about from his behavior or Draylshy'a's. She was being offered medical care and she was grateful for that. It was what mattered to her.

    She was glad that the wound shouldn't impact her shoulder use long term. She hadn't thought so based on previous trouble she had run into; but she also knew she was no medical professional and could have been wrong.

    She winced as Draylshy'a cleaned the wound. It wasn't as horrible as the pain of the laceration when it happened; but it nevertheless ached.

    "I trust your medical ability and equipment. The latest tech can be helpful but it is not an option I've had that many times in my life, so I'm grateful for however you can help."


    She smiled and nodded towards the door.

    "And if you can wrestle with all the kids, I'm sure I'm in good hands."

  16. #36
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    Draylshy'a laughed as she got out her suture kit, unrolling it and deftly setting the supplies out. "If you think they were hard you should see how difficult a grown man can be when he's sick."

    The wound was numbed, treated, and sewn up in about twenty minutes, the young doctor clearly skilled at what she was doing. A strip of synflesh was cut just so to fit the area (not wasting any of the precious resource), and pressed down into place.

    Akaan ushered Lorenza out of the building. "I can provide a meal for you for the journey back, if you want it." He stopped walking as Hel peeled away from the side of the building and stood in front of them. The tall warrior was holding her helmet in her hand, her hair ear-length with a sharp undercut on one side.

    "It will be dark soon," Hel said. "Your friend is welcome to stay the night in the camp."

  17. #37
    TheHolo.Net Poster Lorenza Dalenak's Avatar
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    The doctor's laugh was contagious and Lorenza couldn't help joining in at the quip about grown men. "Fair point," she replied between softer chuckles.

    She was grateful for Draylshy'a's efficient and attentive care. The way the other woman was intentional about everything, including how she made sure not to waste synthflesh, didn't go unnoticed. While she hadn't grown up in a poor household, her time with the military and then as a wandered who only had so much money had made her careful with not wasting resources.

    She thanked her for her assistance before leaving the building with Akaan. She was about to accept his offer, knowing that they had already offered more hospitality and help than she would have asked for; but the moment she opened mouth to say anything another woman, one of the warriors she had seen with their leader, stood before them.

    Lorenza wasn't sure what to make of the invitation. There was something about it that intrigued her and she wasn't certain if it was in a good or bad way. She kept her expression neutral and nodded to the tall woman, pondering on it for a moment.

    "I didn't realize it was getting so late and I don't wish to overstay my welcome...."

    She knew though that another graul would still be around on her path back to where she had hiked from, and with her recouping shoulder, it would be a bit idiotic to just wander off as such.

    "But I believe one graul encounter for the day might be enough."

    She briefly looked at Akaan, unsure of what he made of this surprising turn of events, for he had rightfully expected her to be on her way.

    "So thank you for your invitation. I will stay the night," she finished with a slight bow of her head.

  18. #38
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    Akaan couldn't help but stare a little at Hel, who was smiling pleasantly at Lorenza. He couldn't remember seeing that expression on her face before.

    "We have empty living quarters at the moment," Hel continued. "I would be happy to escort you there, and take care of the meal."

    Akaan opened his mouth to speak, and Hel added, "Granoi wished to speak with you, Akaan. Something about Ka'ra giving someone a black eye?" The tall woman shrugged.

    "I should take care of that," he apologized to Lorenza. "Hel will see you are taken care of. I will check back with you after dinner then?"

  19. #39
    TheHolo.Net Poster Lorenza Dalenak's Avatar
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    Lorenza was surprised by Hel's hospitality and what seemed like a genuine smile. It made her cautious but even more curious. She wondered if there was some hidden agenda behind all of this, especially with how Akaan had mentioned that the settlement had few visitors. She would find out sooner than later anyway.

    She observed the exchange between the two Mandalorians, and could barely hide a smirk at the mention of Ka'ra giving someone a black eye. The kid was a feisty one for sure.

    "This sounds like a plan," she replied with a nod to Akaan.

    She then turned her attention to Hel and smiled to her. "Lead the way."

    She was easy going when it came to sleeping about anywhere after some of her past; and the prospect of food sounded quite good after the eventful day.

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