Ask Home Coming

[Alana Calloway]

Alana was stired from her sleep by the voice over the intercom, some droid was announcing they would be arriving at the spaceport in the next ten minutes. This would have been great news for anyone that was wanting to get off the shuttle, but for Alana it only filled her with a sense of dread. She loosed a sigh and tugged the brim of her hat down to cover her face. She didn't want to face the music, it was old, classical, and sounded like Kraud. Definitely not the sort of thing she wanted to listen to. She was coming home to visit of course, but her 'old man' wasn't too pleased with how she had decided to lead her life. She glanced down at the tattoo's adorning her left wrist and chuckled. He was going to lose his cool for sure once he saw those. Work hadn't exactly been lively, and the truth was she was getting a bit low on her credits. Sure there was bound to be another job around the corner, but good lord almighty there was going to be hell to pay until that next paycheck rolled in. As the shuttle breached the atmosphere and began it's final descent, Alana took in a deep breath and put on her duster; least it would buy her time before Kraud found the tattoos. The public service transport flew over the barren stretches of land, the small ranches, the very home Alana had spent so long trying to run away from; only to end up right back where she had started.

The shuttle rocked as the passengers began to get up and grab their belongings, ignoring the farewell programs that the attendant droids were now churning out. "Home sweet home." She muttered to herself, grabbing her bag from the compartment above and throwing it over her shoulder. This was going to be a very eventful homecoming.

@Powerfullhorus @Sunfrog

 

[Kraud]

Kraud took another deep breath, the fields outside of the estate were filled with life, filled with the energy of the Living Force. And it was this place where the old Jedi had made his home so long ago. Well, home.. His nomadic nature frequently caused the Whiphid to leave and stay away for months. In fact, this was his first visit since... summer two years ago?

His harsh expression softened as the Whiphid's mind wandered off to two years ago. He saw Astra quite regularly, but Alana? That had been quite a while. That girl always managed to piss him off somehow. But no matter how angry he got, or how much distance Alana decided
to take, he would be watching her. She clearly didn't want him to intervene with her life, forcing him to ignore how every bone in his body screamed that she needed help. But he had decided long ago that he would trust her. For that was what a good parent was supposed to do. Trust his children.

Kraud sat in the middle of the field, cross-legged, waiting for Alana to arrive. It reminded him of the time he took them in. Just like now, he had been waiting outside. This time, however, he felt no guilt nor shame.

After some time passed, the old Jedi saw a small dot on the horizon grow, until it took the familiar shape of a shuttle. And with that shuttle came Alana, her presence
notable in the Force, despite her attempts to diminish her connection. A slight smile formed on the Whiphid's face, as his gaze fell upon the lady with the hat. It was one thing they had in common; they were rarely seen without wearing their hats. Kraud adjusted his own cone-shaped hat, as he rose from his spot and approached the figure.

"You're late." The Whiphid exclaimed with a harsh tone and stern expression. Of course, he was kidding. His stern expression quickly faded, replaced by a warm smile. "Welcome home Alana." Kraud stated as he locked eyes with the woman.

 

[Alana Calloway]

Trudging down the stairs of the shuttle, Alana put a hand over her hat and pressed down on it to keep it from being blown away; there'd be hell to pay if that hat went airborne. She could hear the familiar echo at the back of her mind, the sign that Kraud was near. Her lip twitched, partly out of nervous habit, partly out of annoyance. She wouldn't be able to use her 'remedy' here, least not around him. She'd just have to suck it up for the time being and try to enjoy seeing her family again. With her duffle bag in hand, Alana would begin to depart the spaceport, and thankfully Dantooine wasn't the most popular tourist attraction so working her way through the crowds was a breeze.

She hadn't gotten to far outside before she spotted him up ahead. The unmistakable shape of her father, patient as ever, sat in meditation upon the planes, and without much hesitation Alana would move towards him. There was a building anexity budding in her chest, as she tightened her grip on her bag, terrified of what he might say; or perhaps, if he would say anything at all. She had greatly hurt him when she departed, part of her wondered if he still resented her for that. Worst still, is she had no way of telling until she could speak with him. The Whiphid's voice reached her half way, calling her late, which brought a smile to Alana's face. Maybe it wasn't going to be so bad after all. She pushed up on the brim of her hat, showing the rest of her face to the knight. "Well you know how it is daddy, all them boys just keep getting in the way." She countered, slinging her back over her shoulder as she drew nearer. Her red eyes locked onto his, as they iniated their little battle of the wills. But Alana wasn't in the mood for that, as she set her bag down when she was within an arms reach of Kraud and attempted to hug her father. In spite of everything, she had missed him. It was nice to know things between them weren't totally shot.

@Powerfullhorus

 

[Kraud]

"Do I want to know?" the Knight responded, still keeping his warm smile as he approached Alana and accepted her hug. When they seperated again, Kraud continued. "The last time I came to this planet was a long, long time ago. I don't know if the estate is still intact." he said, not certain if Alana would care at all.

"So what have you been up to lately?" the Whiphid asked, as he caught a glimpse of the tattoo on her arm. His attitude, however, didn't change at all. Of course, he wanted to make a rather rude remark and her choice didn't exactly make him happy, but she was old enough to make her own decisions. He would just have to deal with it.

Kraud, turned to the small spaceport again, searching for a taxi, or someone who could transport them. He had only arrived a few hours earlier, and had no vehicles ready on Dantooine itself. Atleast, none that were nearby. "Well then, shall we go?" He asked Alana, as he finally spotted a transport.

@Algarus

 

[Alana Calloway]

Alana chuckled at her father's question, a sly smile stretching across her lips as she had the most inappropriate response to deliver; but this was her father, and she knew better than that. "Probably best if you don't." She was half joking, half serious, hoping Kraud could detect the humor through that massively thick skull of his. "You didn't have Astra come in and clean house? What have you two been doing all this time? Aside from solving intergalactic hunger and such." Alana grabbed up her bag and fell in line with the alien, tugging down on the sleeve of her coat as to hide her tattoos. "Oh, me? I was trying to get in with the Bounty Hunter's guild, you know? But that didn't work out. They wanted alot done before they would take me in, and it was a pretty rotten deal truth be told." Alana shook her head, knowing Kraud wouldn't approve of what it was she was doing, but she wouldn't be just some blaster for hire, she was going to make the galaxy a better place in her own way. "How have you two managing? You even look like you've lost some weight!" She observed, though it could have been that she hadn't seen Kraud in a good bit. Deep down she hoped he wouldn't bring up the jedi training again, maybe insist she stay and finish learning, she hoped with every fiber of her soul that they could have one visit without that being brought up. Kraud looked to be searching for a transport to head back home, which suited Alana just fine, as she didn't think walking would be the best way of getting home on time. "Sure, let's head on home." She smiled, stepping up behind her old man as a taxi droid spotted them and made a bline towards them. So far so good.

@Powerfullhorus