The Nautolan looked out of the window. They were landing soon. Her eyes glanced down to her hands that rested on her lap. Her hands were holding something together. Then she relaxed and opened her hands. It was a necklace of some sort.
‘Find Zuji’
Naluti stared at the necklace a bit longer. She had been doing better since the death of Master but it was still hard to adjust. Especially since Naluti had a hand in it. Then the announcement came in different languages with Galatic Base being one of them. They had landed.
Getting up from her seat, she grabbed her bag and placed it on her seat for a moment while people disembarked. Tenderly, she placed the necklace into a small pocket of her bag to keep it safe and secured. Slung it around her shoulder, she exited the ship.
She had already called ahead and asked for help with finding Zuji per her late Master’s request and Cob had come through. She was told to meet Zuji at the unloading area. Having to meet Zuji made her nervous but she went back to her training and put her emotions aside. Emotions were dangerous after all.
One problem.
She didn’t know what Zuji even looked like.
The smell of fresh grass wafted in the air, white hair blanketing the verdant blades as laughter quelled to a sigh. One pale hand raised to the blue sky, thumb extended and forefinger curled, waiting.
“…What’s that for?” she’d asked, twisting her head to meet silver eyes.
Her sister shrugged and looked towards their feet for a moment – she nevers adverts her gaze unless nervous or anxious. Another shrugged and that metallic gaze glanced back to the clouds above, lowering her hand a bit. “Nothing it is silly.”
The half-ryn shifted onto her side, sandy tail flicking at her knees. A light smile offered, “I…don’t think it silly, not if from you.”
Xira glanced back, pausing for a moment before…a smile back. Those were rare from either of them. Her being stoic, and Zujenia reserved. Together they cracked the other’s shell.
One tan hand raised, then a pale one to mirror beside.
“It is a heart, I saw some other girls do it–”
“I love it,” she had replied.
“Zujenia?…Luv, hey, I believe it'sa time ta get the lass, yes?”
Amber eyes blinked as a grey-furred hand gently cupped her head, pulling into a kiss to her hair. That same hand offered to take the babe she rocked in her arms, who matched her husband’s fur and was larger than his two brothers. “Here, give me Nathe. Time he went ta bed down. Bars ‘n’ Kipp finally did.”
Kordath paused at the nursery’s doorway and looked back, his long tail brushing her hand and his brow softened. A small smile. “Do ya…ya want me to go, luv? Ya donnae have ta alone…”
“I – no, no, I got this. Shay will be back later from Mum’s,” the half-Ryn stepped closer. One vine-inked hand gently brushed her son before she hugged into the man, leaning down for a kiss, foreheads pressed together after. “I love you.”
“Luv ya too, Zujenia. G'luck, luv,” he rumbled quietly in return, stealing another kiss and giving her arm a squeeze. “We’ll be here.”
Ashla and Bogan, bless this man.
… . .
Taupe fingers fiddled with a purple ribbon tied around wrist absentmindedly. A symbol of freedom, trueness to self. A momento gifted so long ago. Zujenia sighed, amber eyes scanning the shipyard and the crowds coming and going. She had checked the ship manifests thrice, there was no chance she had missed the shuttle.
The woman adjusted her thin beige cardigan, her aegean speckles still showing a long her collar bone. She wore a green tank top under and a pair of her dark brown slacks, cutout windows exposing her hips and farther spots. She brushed a stray lock of ashen hair back behind her ear, the rest gathered into a bun, a braid lightly wrapped around it with a small metal clasp.
One young adult female Selonian.
Some time passed, relatively short in her honesty, and eventually the woman spotted one that fit that description. Taking a deep breath, Zujenia approached with a raised hand and smiled lightly.
“Naluti? Hello!”
Naluti? Hello!
Naluti turned around and gave her a small shy smile. When they approached, Naluti bowed politely to Zujenia. “Greetings, Master Zujenia.” Her hands were close to her chest and she seemed slightly closed off in a manner of shyness. She was somewhat comfortable where she was, if not a bit homesick. Being in a new place was exciting, if not a bit scary.
She understands the way Jedi meant traveling. Order was needed and therefore, she can’t always run home. “Master Zujenia, may I ask for a more private place for us to talk?” She softly asked. Naluti didn’t feel giving such an heirloom to someone in a public place was appropriate.
“Oh, uh, please, just Zujenia is fine, or Zuji,” the half-Ryn informed with a small wave of her sandy colored tail. She paused at the request but nodded. “Hmm, there is a small park a few blocks from the port. Perhaps we can chat along the way?”
Zujenia turned and started to lead, walking towards the lifts that take them into the City proper. “How was the trip? From Ludo to here?” She added after a quick second thought, not wishing to prompt memories of…Zujenia offered a small smile.
“I will try, Ma- Zuji. Old habits die hard.” Naluti promised she would do her best. Being raised to respect and to never lie, may prove difficult to change. Though if it was Master Zuji’s wish, she will do what she can. “That would be lovely.” Naluti followed Zuji, taking in the new planet’s sights. Though it wasn’t dark and water like her home or the few other plants she had traveled with Xira, this one had its own charm in a way.
“The trip was quiet and smooth. I did think a lot on the way here. Part of me wanted to go home. It dawned on me that I do not fully understand the Force and I may be more dangerous to my Den than I thought. So, I did not wish to go home.” Naluti realized that the half-Ryn was trying to make small talk. She should attempt to do one in return. “Have you always lived here?”
‘Dangerous’? Was that something Xira had reasoned to her? Her own people? The few centimeter lead she had on the Selonian was the only thing that hid her frown from the other woman. Her sandy tail twitched, compelled strongly to say something.
“I understand the want to train, get control and understanding, Naluti…” She took a deep breath and paused at an intersection, a large cargo landspeeder turning through, “Do understand you are not a danger or a threat to your people. And with training you may become a guardian for them.”
That was all she could say on the matter, knowing little of Selonian culture herself – she would have to learn of it. With the cargo hauler clear, she gave Naluti a smile and continued their walk.
“Hmm, Selen has been home for the last,seven years? Oh, well, I suppose Dajorra itself has, lived on Port Ol'val for some time first,” She shifted back to the offered small talk as they weaved through small crowds. “Spent most of my time before that on a moon called Trader E8, and was born on Lujo. After my mother and I moved, I’d occasionally visited Cob during the summers…Is this your first adventure from your home planet? What is it like?”
“I misphrased. Without the training I would need, I could become dangerous to my den. I am aware if I get training and better understanding, the chances are less.” The corner of Naluti’s lips turned slightly downward. Had she misspoken? Maybe there were some wires crossed.
Naluti listened while looking around at her new environment. Not many bodies of water around here. She should check out a map sometime. Naluti was paying attention to her surroundings and her ears were twitching to different noises. “It is not, I had traveled a lot with Master Xira. My home is underwater. It’s dark and full of tunnels.”
The silence went by. Naluti hated small talk for these reasons. So she had to think for a moment, what would people usually talk about? “How long have you trained with the Force?”
‘Without the training…I could become dangerous…’
That…was fair enough. Zujenia still did not like the view point but she could understand it. She sighed and continued leading the way while she listened–
‘Underwater…Dark.’
Her tail went rigid as her shoulders stiffened. The mental image that created in her head upticked her pulse and caught her breath. A massively big ‘no, thank you.’ Over the break in conversation, the half-Ryn willed herself calm with a lick of the Force and unfurled her tail from around her thigh. Relax
“You may enjoy…the ocean then,” was her only comment on water planets.
“I…” Zujenia paused to recall how much time has passed since she first stepped on Selen with Kord. So much had happened since it seemed like forever ago “Almost right years ago. I am uncertain when I first developed my abilities. It seems the ability to conceal my connection with the Force was my first skill in it, unbeknownst to myself. Likely why Cob did not notice when I was younger. Xira on the other hand was clearly skilled with it, showing affinity when we were young girls.”
She paused, her face softening with the memory only to be replaced by a brief saddened glint. Turning to Naluti, Zujenia offered her a small smile, “But I assure you I have learned a lot in those years and have taught many.”
.
Naluti nodded. So they do have an ocean. Now she wondered how far it was from here. It was something she’ll have to do later. Naluti listened then smiled, her teeth slightly showing, “I’m not worried about your ability to teach me. It was a question I asked out of curiosity. I’m trying to be a bit more social. The social norms are strange to me. At my den, we just work and we had our duties. We do interact with each other. We don’t usually get outsiders. All the trades are done on the above water then we return home.”
Wait. That was the most she had talked. There was nothing more needed to be added.