It had been a couple years since the myriad of flickering lights and tents skirted the outside of Estle City. With the recent troubles that had occured, from a giant crystal striking the planet and tales of shadowy monstrous creatures – both sounding unbelievable – the superstition tendencies of the Ryn had caused many to give the planet a wide birth. There had been a few here and there who sought refuge or rest that had been caught up in the region and chose to risk the rumors. Yet those few then were a far cry from the grandness and revelry of The Gathering.
That all changed about a week ago and just as the very first here on Selen had, signs of life camping out beneath the city started cropping up. Merchants and artisans established their booths within a day, and had criers in the city the next. Not that they needed it. Word of past gatherings had built upon the curiosity of the Selenians, who wandered in during the day to browse wares, seek divinations, and hear tales from the galaxy wide. The evening, however, was for the Ryns. While outsiders were allowed, the life blood of a Gathering was its culture. A time of reunion, of arrangements and proposals, of remembrance. Music and spices wafted through the passing village as children laughed and played, and dancers spun and stepped.
During a lull between songs, Kordath and Zujenia Bleu had escaped the weaving crowds, her with a yellow flower tucked behind one ear and he with a sash about his waist. Stealing a bench at the edge of the clearing, they sat together with sand and grey tails twined together behind them. The pair had came the day prior, hopeful to find relatives among the nomads – and were happily surprised they did. .
Kordath’s parents and his sister had visited this year. Kora introduced her partner, a lovely coral-skinned Twi'lek named Chavi. The pair apparently met at a diner his younger sister had worked at one summer. Hard to say which took more adjusting to, Chavi being a girl or not a Ryn. Either way, she was considered family. Krynn and Faun were astonished to hear of their three one-year old boys, Natholae, Barsali, and Kipp, who carried on the Bleu tradition of ‘K’ names. They along with Vai had taken the triplets to dote upon and give their tired parents time to enjoy themselves.
And that they were.
Amber eyes tracked their eldest child as she played with other rynlettes, darting between tents in a game of hide and seek tag. How they could hear over the music and clapping was beyond her, but Zujenia was just happy the girl was seeking her peers over listening to the adults’ conversations. She glanced to Kora and Chavi chatting near the playing kids, the pair having promised to watch Shay'lra, and waved back when they did.
A sigh escaped her, content. The half-ryn crossed her legs, aubergine skirt shifting to expose a taupe knee, and leaned against Kord.
“I’m so glad we came today.” She snaked her hand into his and tilted her head towards him with a smile. “It makes me think of the first time we came here, together. Well…maybe a little less nerves, a smidge.”
Selen had long been known for it’s gathering. For being a sanctuary. Kerissa had been planning to visit some years ago, but whispers from many corners made it unappealing. Being on the run so long, it made little sense to take a pause in somewhere liable to get her killed.
With the Gathering returning in force however it was hard to resist the temptation of being among so many of her kin. Even if they hopefully weren’t her actual kin, being able to have her tail out without someone potentially yanking or questioning it was enough to push her over the edge of considering whether or not to show up.
The Ryn-mix was glad she did. It smelled amazing, the sounds were sometimes overwhelming but in the best way it could be. The fact that Selen allowed this was… encouraging. Maybe if this Gathering was happening in the first place, it’d be a good spot now to hold up every so often. Certainly so if these Gatherings continued to happen.
The summer heat meant there was little need for jackets or too much heavy clothing, and Kerissa took advantage of that. She wore a knee-length skirt that on a gradient turned from blue to white, and a matching white crop top. The only unnecessary addition barring jewellery was a golden bow tied below the main tuft of fur on the end of her tail.
She took a moment, near some dancers that drew in a child who laughed in a high pitch almost-squeal. There was so much to absorb that was going on, but at such a big gathering.. Kerissa took a slow breath, and closed her eyes, reaching out with the Force.
It was intense. Certainly too much for the seeker to gain any real readings on anyone there. But the feelings? Hot damn. There was so many. All layered, everyone experiencing them in different ways and across such a range. She took her time to try and get past the overwhelm of it all, though was far from unhappy with the discovery of what using that ability in a place like this garnered.
Kordath squeezed her hand in his, turning his head to see her’s so near. He leaned over to close the space, chitin nose tapping lightly against her own with his eyes nearly shut with a happy whistle sound.
“Aye, a good Gatherin’. Shay is havin’ a grand time, nice ta see her get on wit’ some normal kids.”
He leaned back into the bench and smiled, chuckling as he processed her comment about nervousness.
“Yeah, meetin’ tha parents was a bit rough for both of us. Glad we did it though,” he said with a barely audible whisper. His eyes scanned the crowd, watching Shay run here and there, flashes of red amongst the tents. He could feel her, through the Force, just as much as he felt the three boys back at the firepit his own folks were gathered around. It was something he could hardly shut off. It was reassuring, the flicker of excitement and joy that was Shay'lra, the confused wonder of the triplets, and the warmth of his wife at his side.
He smiled, content, nearly drifting into a half-sleep before both Bleu parents seemed to stiffen, coming more upright.
His eyes locked on Shay as she ran, laughing, before glancing to Zujenia’s.
“Ya feel that?” he said through nearly unmoving lips, trying to appear casual. “I do nae recognize ‘em.”
The half-ryn glanced up, gaze already searching the vicinity when her husband’s eyes caught hers. She attempted to couch her reaction as minute it was, and nodded. Kord could certainly feel the anxious tick of her tail against his, she did not care about the fact this presence was somewhere in the direction their daughter was playing – who had disappeared once again from sight. The tell tale counting of a child near by signalling another bout of hiding.
She exhaled and gave Kordath a light smile, “Should we say hi?”
And check in on Shay, was the unspoken desire. That old unease that rose when faced with unknown Force capable individuals was hard to beat down. Zujenia shifted to stand, pausing to see if he agreed.
… . .
“Eight, nine, ten…”
Shay'lra suppressed a giggle as she pressed herself between canvas and a wooden crate. It was difficult with the faces a boy hiding across the way was making, like he wanted her to get caught first.
So stupid.
The girl instead shook her head, two short white pigtails bouncing, and focused on the counting. It was somewhat odd, hearing it in her family’s tongue instead of basic. Mentally joining in, her breathing slowed when she slipped into some of the skills her parents taught her with such games, whether she knew it herself yet or not.
Time passed. The squeals of children being found and light footsteps running nearby picked up as the seeker hunted. Her yellow eyes scanned the corridor of tents around her for some time when they fell upon a golden bow bobbing inches above the ground. A golden bow that belonged to an interesting and very pretty lady. A ryn tail but purple skin. The woman reminded the girl of herself and mum. It perked her interest and a strong surge of curiosity.
With a quick glance left and right, Shay hopped to her feet, stuck her tongue out back at the boy nearby and hurried to fall in step with the stranger.
Stranger danger. Well, if she’s like us, then she ain’t much a stranger right?
“Hiya!” the ryntron finally mustered, when the woman halted just as she caught up with her. She smiled. “Ya…come here before? I haven’t seen a *purple*Ryn before. Yer ribbon’s pretty, my mum has one too. Its purple like you.”
Kerissa had barely been paying attention to the children running around, lost in the waves and currents and chaos of emotions surrounding her. However a voice snapped her out of the daze. Grey eyes opened, blinking into focus as she looked around. It was only as the little girl continued talking that Kerissa looked down and realised the situation afoot.
A smile quickly formed and after making sure there was plenty of space between them she crouched down to the little ones level, tail curling round over her feet to avoid touching the floor. The Ryn mix rested her arms on her knees as best she could.
“Thank you! This is my first time here, though truly I don’t think there is many purple Ryn like me around. My mother isn’t a Ryn, she has red skin like yours.” The kid was probably old enough to understand mixing colours together. Kerissa wasn’t the best at judging ages, and really it was hard to tell what they’d know even when she was sure. “I can’t say I’ve seen many red Ryn, only two. You and my brother.”
Shay'lra blinked, seemingly surprised and taken back by the lady’s family. She felt a bit of dissonance at the mention of a non-Ryn red mom, pausing to glance at her own rose and grey blue mottled skin. She used to not think about such things, her family is her family. Not until one kid pointed it out at school and said she couldn’t be her mum’s kid. Well, she disagreed and teacher had to have a meeting with Papa and her about not biting other students. Shouldn’t’ve poked a finger at her, stupid. A small pout, swiftly replaced and kicked in the butt by a determined smile – twas hard to dwell on thoughts when the air vibrated with the sweet scent of happy energy.
“Your mom was red? Is she a Zeltron? My Auntie Kwue is one and she’s cool,” the small half-ryn beamed, folding her hands behind her back and rocking on her feet slightly. “I’m gonna grow up and fly a ship like hers one day.”
How sweet. Kerissa smiled, “Not a Zeltron. She’s a Kessurian. It’s why I have these.”
She put her hand to the nubs protruding from her hair line, before tapping one of her earrings and making it swing.
“And why my ears and face look a little funny.”
Kerissa paused, “Well, there won’t be anything to stop you. I’m sure you’ll be just as cool as your auntie.” She had considered trying to recreate the name, but decided against it. Her eyes glanced over the crowd again, making sure there weren’t any worried parents running around who this kid might belong to.
Shay stared, her big, golden eyes getting somehow wider as she took in the bumps and ears and earrings.
“Coooool,” she whispered, eyes shining. “You don’t look funny, just pretty! Like my mom! But redder.”
She spun in place and giggled, before stopping, looking like she remembered something.
“I wanna fly, but Papa calls the flying ships, ummm,” she screwed her face up and deepened her voice as much as she could, “‘flying death traps that will fall out o’ tha’ sky at tha’ drop o’ a hat,‘” she proclaimed before falling into a fit of giggles.
Kerissa couldn’t help but laugh along with her. With such an odd statement followed by infectious giggles, well, it was hard not to join in.
“Well, I think ships are pretty awesome. What does your mom say?”
She was a sweet girl.
“That they are useful and interestin’. See new places, the sta– They are pretty cool, yes,” spoke a richly tan woman who approached and halted beside the young girl. Her sandy tail curled lightly as she nudged Shay lightly with a smile, tattooed hand brushing blue spots. The girl giggled a bit more before giving her mom a big old grin, yellow eyes darting to her newest friend.
The woman turned and regarded the stranger, purple skin and horns and a tail. Mild surprise slipped across her features. Another half-Run was the not what she expected. The three of them were probably half the number of hybrids total at the gathering with the other three being the boys a few tent rows over to the east.
“Hi, I’m Zujenia, Shay here’s mom,” she greeted with a light smile, hugging her daughter close with one arm briefly before offering a hand to shake.
“Papa!” Shay'lra slipped from under her mother’s arm and ran over to Kordath who joined them. She hopped on her toes giddily filling him in. “–and a pretty bow. Her brother is red like me…”
Kerissa straightened up at the voice of the girls mom. Shay. Zujenia. She smiled, glad that the woman didn’t seem worried or anything.
“I’m Kerissa.” She took the hand, shaking it, “Apparently I’m the same colour as your.. ribbon?” She spoke with some amusement, glancing over to the little one and nodding in greeting to the man Shay had yelled papa at and was continuing to ramble to. Her attention quickly returned to Zujenia. “She was curious, I think I distracted her from playing with her friends.”
“Red like you eh?” replied Kord, scooping his daughter up with both hands with a little grunt, his mind racing. “Well she’s pretty, uh, purple, yeah? So, probably….fine,” he said quietly.
“Da? What’s wrong?” asked Shay, peering up at him as he held her close to his chest. “Yous’ feel all tight inside.”
Kordath grimaced, she was becoming more and more Sensitive and perceptive by the day. He forced it to a smile, looking down at his daughter.
“Nothings wrong, lass, just old memories, do nae worry yerself over yer old man. She’s nice, is she?”
Shay gave a toothy grin, a few gaps from missing baby teeth adding to the charm, and nodded vigorously.
“Uh huh! She said her mama is a Kessururu! That’s why she’s purpley!”
“A…Kessururu, huh? Well, that’s a new one, aye,” he said with a chuckle, setting her back down to the ground and taking her hand in his own. “Let’s go see what yer mam is talkin’ up, eh?”
“Ah, ribbon, yes,” Zujenia gave a small laugh and raised her left wrist up, showing a purple ribbon tied and dangling from beneath a vine inked hand. “Purple’s one of her favorite colors. What the other one is changes on the day asked.”
“She is a curious one, that’s for certain,” Zujenia replied, pivoting lightly to glance at her daughter and husband as well. Her voice gave way the hint of tiredness, as if the woman wished perhaps their child was maybe not so curious as to go and talk with complete strangers. For a brief moment her smile waned as she watched the short exchanges between the two, feeling via their connection the shift in the man’s emotions. A light smile returned however, warmer for the pair before turning to the newcomer again. “Kordath, this is Kerissa.”
Kerissa smiled at the ribbon, feeling a touch awkward as Zujenia brought her husband over. It.. was mostly normal. Espeically for such a social function but something was off. Her tail twitched, tucking closer to her ankles.
“It’s good to meet you. Both of you.”
Kordath gave a slight nod, “Aye, uh, ‘ello there,” he said in a neutral tone. The child holding his hand tugged at it, giving him a glower.
He sighed inwardly, giving Shay a smile, “Fine, fine, I’ll be nice lass.”
“Ahem, so, uhh…yer new, yeah? Not seen ya abouts tha Gatherin’ before. Methinks yer only tha second, um, mixed Ryn I’ve ever seen,” he said more politely, his tail reaching out to brush Zujenia’s back. “Obviously I gots no problem wit’ such a thing, hah. Just curious is all. Ya here with a family or clan?”
Kerissa shook her head. “No, I’m travelling independently. I heard about this-” she gestured around them, “-a couple years ago. That it was cancelled anyway. I had been keeping an eye out since and with the Gathering happening this year, and being an open invitation…”
The woman smiled, though her nerves were visible.
“Unfortunate it was that it had to be canceled those years, probably for the best,” Zujenia gave a solemn smile. She paused briefly and shifted aside to providing a couple passing through a bit more room, giving them a light nod.
Glancing back, the half-ryn’s tail curled slowly at her knee. She didn’t need the Force to read the nervousness coming off the other woman. Relaxing her shoulders and shifting her weight, Zujenia attempted to ease herself at least physically, a gentle reminder to herself that despite stranger, even a Force sensitive one, they deserve an opportunity to show their character first. And so far it has been friendly and gentle, in regards to Shay'lra at least.
“It’s good to see it return, glad got a chance to meet you. As Kord said, we don’t see many mixed heritage Ryns about. Try to make sure Shay knows her own heritage and self empowerment, but I think…it’s nice for her to meet others like us too,” Zuji brushed back a stray hair and tucked it behind the girl’s ear.
“So what interested you in Selen in particular? It’s a gorgeous place for certain, though a bit out of the way from some of the other gathering locations,” she asked with a light smile.
Kerissa nodded to the notion of meetings others like oneself. Having siblings made it easier to know that at least you weren’t a total weirdo. Though she thoroughly hoped that topic of her family didn’t come up here. While easily dismissed, it tended to leave folk uncomfortable that she’d disowned herself.
Then, shifting her own weight in a unconcious echo of Zuij’s movement, she shrugged, “Well, if people are complaining about it being cancelled, and about the awful luck being had over here, it usually means its good when there isn’t… events happening. And either way, I don’t mind far out. Travelling is a large part of what I do, so if anything it’s a fun excuse to explore out here.”
She paused, glancing between Kordath and Zujiena. Why hadn’t one of them wandered away. Clearly Kordath was less talkative, usually in a scenario like this the other parent would have distracted the kid so they adults could talk, if a conversation even happened.
“Though, is there something particularly interesting about me? I’m not against a conversation, but this feels rather… strange. To say all I did was chat with Shay.” Kerissa smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes.
Kord looked the woman up and down, tail twitching, trying to keep any…impure thoughts or impulses from coming through. He was happily married but eyes were eyes and they were made for looking. His concern was to not come across as…leering, more-so to keep this Kerissa lass at ease and less about angering his wife. She knew him, and she knew he’d not wander.
Instead, his eyes narrowed, and his Senses reached out to lightly check up on the young woman before him.
Yup. That’d be tha one we felt earlier, he thought glancing over at Zuji.
“Well…ya seem ta have, might call ‘em, hidden talents.”
“Yup! I can tell too, da!”
Kord raised a bushy eyebrow and looked at his daughter. She really was getting more perceptive all the time. She gave him a toothy grin that was both cheerful and somehow knowing.
Kerissa glanced down to Shay as well, surprised by it for the briefest moment before her gaze returned to the girl’s parents. Her shoulders tensed, jaw clenching for a moment. They’d only know if they were too but she knew that didn’t mean security in any fashion. Kark.
It shouldn’t be that much of a surprise, she’d openly reached out after all but she’d hoped that the crowd would have covered it up. The buzz of people made it hard to pick out details but apparently that hadn’t worked this time. The only question was whether this was going to be a crazy group trying to break chains or some stupid ideal like that or if they were curious.
So with a steadying breath, arms crossing across her chest even as Kerissa tried to look more relaxed, she responded with the same slight smile as before, “And if I did… Where would this conversation go from there?”
Shifting away from the shared look with her husband and a glance towards Shay'lra, proud despite wishing she hadn’t announced her own budding skills with a stranger, Zujenia returned her attention to Kerissa and her question. Although the other woman held a light smile, her eyes were clearly flicking for avenues of escape, as if preparing to run. Oh, she definitely came off strong this time, hadn’t she? Zujenia wondered to herself. In a way, the lass’ behavior was giving her a flash of sympathy. Relatable. It reminded her of a time years ago first running into Kordath and learning of Arcona.
“No where unpleasantly. Sorry, for the light interrogation,” the half-Ryn sighed and offered an apologetic smile. “We were just curious, and perhaps a bit protective, as parents and well for our community here.”
She paused and with a glance about their surroundings, went on a slight leap. “This is a safe space, for those with such skills, Kerissa. If…you needed a place to rest, for a time.”
Protective. She could work with that. Her eyes glanced over Shay again, still not relaxing just yet. But it was intriguing. A safe space specifically for Ryn and Force Users? Was it the same place or just convientently close?
“That’s quite an offer.” Kerissa started with, pausing and glancing between the pair, “One that… I might need a bit more information on before I consider it. Space space as in, while the gathering runs, or a different place? Expectations of the safe space? I- I appreciate you’re being nice, offering that, but these places don’t tend to come without strings.”
She’d escaped one net, the last thing she wanted was to fall into another kriffin’ one.
A slow tail flick and a nod from the white haired half-Ryn in understanding. She herself would be suspicious of a promise like that. Too good to be true, right?
Sometimes it was.
But it also has provided haven, for her, her husband, their children.
“Both,” Zujenia replied, “There is a group here that has helped govern the system, protect it from harm…or well, try at least. Because of them, this,” she gestured lightly to more than the tents surrounding them, “is a good enough haven for us.”
“I’m fairly certain the only expectation is to not–” Zuji paused her attempt at a bit of easing humor, and glanced down at her daughter for a second, censoring herself, “Do any unkind acts to another, same as any who live on Selen. Don’t need to join them to do the same.”
The half-ryn shifted closer to her family, her hand lightly resting on Shay’s shoulder as her tail nudged Kord’s. She took a moment to consider her next words, but they were sincere sounding when delivered.
“If interested, I know some lodgings that you could use for a time.”
Kerissa got the unspoken meaning. Don’t kriff about.
It was a offer of safety without even a requirement to join. It had to be too good to be true yet…
Shay.
She didn’t bear any marks, mental or physical. None of the quiet she’d pressed herself into being when she was that little. Children didn’t do well in environments that weren’t safe. Certainly not children that were Force sensitive themselves, nor wore their feelings so openly.
She realised her gaze may have lingered too long on the child, brow furrowed slightly as she glanced back up to Zujenia. The gaze flickered to Kordath as well. The more suspicious one, if she had to guess. Or at least openly so.
“I.. would be. Didn’t have any where planned to stay tonight anyway. How much? Surely it ain’t free too?”
A slight touch of laughter coloured her voice, trying to find some catch.