Here she was! Asani shouldn’t take too long. Buir had always taught them that if they were on time, they were late, so she was early. Set her bag down, she glanced up at the cliff. This should be fun. It would be good for them to catch up on some things especially with how busy she had been. She really wanted to know what Asani has been up to as well. Unzipped the bag, she went ahead and started to get ready as she gets out the harness, rope, and carabiners.
Asani was sure to keep herself on time and early as per Buirs instructions. “If you’re on time you’re late.” she could almost hear and minic his tone as she approached, ready for what appeared to be a climbing adventure. “I hope she appreciates how small and lightweight I am when it comes to this stuff…” the lagomorphic woman commented to herself. Her gear and armor in tow. “At least its just us and no one else.” she seemed delighted at the fact it was just the sisters together for the time being.
Spotting her sibling preparing she started to get her own gear out of her bag as she approached. “Ready to take this thing on?” she asked beaming while approaching her much taller and greener sister.
Sofila grinned at seeing Asani. “You betcha I am!”
She started to put on her harness, “How have you been?”
The kushiban began to settle into her gear “Its been hectic but you know me I roll with it” she chuckled.
“How have you been?” she asked, it was a kinder sounding question, her usual undertones of scolding left behind for a more understanding even voice.
“That’s the way. Buir taught us well.” Sofila winked to Asani as she started to get the carabiners set up.
“Great! A lot has happened. I got promoted. Cole helped- Oh.” She stopped, remembering something. Asani may not know she was dating. Suns. Buri may not even know either. They weren’t a thing yet. Were they? Kark. Why was she like this?
“I’m dating someone. He’s great. Makes me laugh and smile. Helps me through my… nightmares.” She frowned as she sighed. Asani would know about her nightmares and especially her fear of storms. “Also helps me when we have storms.” She shuddered at the thought and cleared her throat. “Can keep up with my sparring.”
“You? Dating? Who’s brave enough for that?” she asked incredulous, chuckling at the idea. “If he helps you with your nightmares and can keep up maybe he might be worth something” the elder sibling commented laughing at the thought of her sister dating.
After taking a moment to realize her sister wasn’t just pulling her leg and getting her back for all the years of pranks, Asani looked to Sagitta, her face stern, almost like their buir. “Does he treat you with respect? Can he protect you should there ever come a moment where you may need to be protected?” she asked almost as if sizing up the unknown man. The lagomorph really did act like their father in more ways than one, especially when it came to protecting her siblings. She may be a prankster, but she also would do anything for her sisters.
“Does he make you happy?” she seemed to put extra weight on the question as if it determined more than she was letting on.
Sofila flinched at her words when she first thought she was joking. Was she really that difficult? Or ugly? Relationships was something Sofila would never had joked about. Asani’s words stung a bit but she remained firm. Sofila then sighed, Asani was way worse than Buir. Buir found out she was seeing someone, he trusted her enough. Didn’t pelt her with questions. Or gave the vibe that Sofila didn’t know what she was doing.
Asani? Nope.
“Yes. He gave me space when I needed it. And he has… protected me several times.” Her voice sounded bitter, “As much as I hated it. It should be the other way around.” Asani would know. Sofila was always front lines girl so the fact that she had her ass protected bothered her. Her eyes glanced to her forearm as she remembered Cole finding her and pulled her out from under the desk she was hiding in to drag her to the infirmary when her forearm was bleeding and he wasn’t taking no for an answer. He’s even helping her get therapy.
Then a smile at the last question. She started to work on the rope.
Happy. She was flooded with the memories of him laughing by the doorway. Them cuddling and watching Studio Ghibli films. The race to the hotel room and her getting beaten because she ran past their room for not paying attention. Just… small and little things. He helped her feel comfortable about her scars to the point where she finally got her Mirialan markings on her burnt side of her cheek. He really made her feel beautiful. Her shoulders relaxed. She really does feel at ease around him.
“If he didn’t, I wouldn’t be with him, Asani.”
“I know, but I want to make sure because anyone who gets close to you needs to know how important and special you are.” she commented, deciding it was best not to ask why her sister had stared down at her forearm. A story she knew she might be able to dig out one day but not today.
“You’re my baby sister I want nothing more than to protect you and make sure you’re always happy.” Asani was being generous with her emotions for once. Had she grown in personality in the time the duo had been apart? Perhaps.
“and just because I know you charge into battle like a maniac doesn’t mean I don’t worry…if he can keep you from getting yourself hurt maybe just maybe ill approve” her toned betrayed her then, she was being cheeky, she had that grin she always had when she was being mischievous.
“I get that. But one thing I’ve learned, sometimes you have to let someone find out things the hard way. Thankfully, he’s been helping me a lot and I don’t have to worry about that with him.”
Then she scoffed at the last part.
“Oh, come on! … I mean yes he scolds me for not being careful in battle but it’s what I do! I’m good at it! Buir does the same and he’s fine! Ish.” Sofila tacked on the last part, both Asani and herself knowing that Buir just handles things in his own way and that was one of them.
“Just cus its what you do doesn’t mean it should be that way” the elder sibling stated sticking her tongue out at the younger sibling. “Buir survives because thats what he does!” she protested, it seemed the elder sibling was being open about her worries over the family again. Even if she wasn’t sure how to express those words in the best way.
“And I do the same! So I’m totally surviving and I am totally kicking ass.” She stuck her tongue back at Asani as she started to climb.
“With that said, I am bringing him over to dinner sometime. Don’t go too far and don’t be too mean and I won’t do the same to your future partner. See, I think…” She paused at the climb and looked over at Asani.
“Sometimes we both can be too much,” chuckled Sofila before reassuming. She glanced to check where her next step was, “What about you? Anything new in your life?” The Mirialan desperately hope that her sister had made new friends or maybe even found someone she likes.
“You’re surviving and getting shot in the process” the sibling clarified.
“Sure and ill be sure to have a future partner by then” she replied chuckling as if the idea itself was hilarious. She wasn’t the committed kind that was for sure.
“We can be a bit…much yeah.” she pondered for a moment about how she had been managing her life. “Well Im training under Marick. I want to improve my skills and I think maybe using the Force might be the best way to utilize some of that. I cant say I’ve some anything else that’s interesting or unique after that, sorry Gita.” she seemed to sound a bit sad at being unable to share anything she and her baby sister might’ve found particularly interesting.
Sofila shrugged as she pulled herself up. Her muscles were burning from the climbing but this felt nice.
“You’ll be surprised. I didn’t think I would kriffin settle but here we are.” She looked over to Asani in surprise.
“Ooh! With Marick? That is very exciting! And don’t say that! Training under him is very exciting! What have you learned so far? Or improved on?” Sofila hated talking about the Force when it comes to her but with anyone else? She doesn’t mind.
The lagomorph followed the mirialans example, climbing swiftly, the rocks were a breeze to climb. When it came to leg and climbing power, her stature was the greatest advantage for once, likely her stature is also what made it look so easy.
“I don’t think anyone thought any one of us would settle” she looked at Sagitta then chuckling. “I’ve learned that I’m lacking in skill in more ways than one that’s for sure. I need more training, to be more focused, more centered less….me” she seemed a bit dissatisfied with herself and with how she was able to handle her abilities. “I’m terrible at using the Force in a way that could benefit rather than hinder me. I’m trying to improve on that…” she seemed lost as if wanting to reach some sort of goal that would only escape her.
“So…you really think this ones permanent then? The one partner you might stick it out with?” she asked curious of her sisters unusual dedication to the singular partner.
“You always been a fast learner, Asani,” Sofila grinned to her before looking back up.
“You were able to aim quicker than me. Reload quicker than me. Even kick ass quicker than me. I have faith in you! You’ll kick it in the ass especially with Marick’s help.” She hung with one arm and used the other to wipe the sweat from her brow before the next shift up.
“Seems pretty permanent. We were- well. We were friends with benefits? Sort of? And we realised there’s more than we both thought, so we’re official now. Yea. Pretty permanent. Kind of weird. Never thought I would settle after how many people I’ve-” She stopped right there. Ew. Not something to talk about with famiy. With a clear of her throat, she continued.
“We’re taking one day at a time. Kinda like this. One climb at a time to see the top.” She glanced up at the cliff top. They were getting close.
“Yeah but what I have in speed i lack in actual strength, you’re the juggernaut, you keep fighting.” the elder sibling stated while keeping pace.
“You always get right back up, I’m not so good at that. I’m hoping Marick can help me be less…of all of that and a little more like him. Stealthy, fierce, moving without thinking. I want to get things done you know?” she was panting gently as she climbed a bit higher in order to take a small break and let her sister climb up.
“Okay…ew…” the elder commented as she was mentiong how many people she had encounters with. “And somehow its so like you to end up falling in love like that” she laughed heartily, it was a good laugh, incredulous even. “Well I hope they can keep up with you or they’ll be left in the dust” she continued to laugh.
“Strength isn’t everything. You have the smarts Asani, and a good aim.” Sofila muttered, as she remembered being out sniped, out aimed, out blaster by Asani every time.
“Really?” Sofila glanced over and sighed. “Honestly I didn’t think I would fall in love. Or be committed.” Sofila then nodded.
“He’s catch up with me pretty good also teaching me to slow down a bit.”
“Strength comes in a lot of forms thought.” she remembered moments where Sagitta was able to talk to others without issues, without worries. How she laughed with others enjoying their company without anyone seeming to be able to bother her.
“That makes two of us, i never thought id fine anyone attractive and that they’d think the same” she commented a smile gracing her lips.
“You? Slow down?” the kushiban asked bewildered. Would he sister actually slow down and not continue to try to get herself shot by the nearest blaster? That she had to see.