Ask Sitting on the Dock

[Renfry]

Bravo, she said unenthusiastically as he blurted out that she was a Nightsister. Five years later and he'd finally figure it out. Maybe his eyesight wasn't the only thing going...

And then it deteriorated.

What?! she said, a bit more loudly than intended before catching herself.

That is not why I'm here! she said. While his explanation why she had considered him to have an heir with was accurate, that was an idea she had already pretty much given up on and it certainly wasn't why she was here now!

You could have just said "no, there's nothing you can do," she grumbled in annoyance.

Besides, if I were here to get a baby inside of me, I'd already be in your lap, she grouched. This was also true.

Anyway, I was waylaid by one of your future betrothed outside your hut, she said, suddenly suppressing the urge to start moaning loudly so that the women outside would get all kinds of wrong ideas.

Good luck with that, she said, rolling her eyes.

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc winced at Renfry’s exclamation directly next to his sensitive ears. Did she forget he was half Sephi? There was a slight grimace on his face as he reeled from her shrieking voice. She finished speaking and he shrugged vaguely.

“That would be false since there is something you can do,” He said quite flatly, “You can be on my lap, as you just suggested, for example,” He pointed out helpfully. It was her idea, after all, not like he brought it up first. Emryc had no real reaction to the remark about his betrothed. Truthfully he had actually managed to avoid drama and hadn’t really engaged with any of the ladies beyond sitting there listening to their angst. It had certainly taught him a lot more about women than he ever wanted to know.

“I suppose it’s good you’re not trying to have a child to look after,” He mused, “Blind leading the blind over there..” He mumbled, having very few qualms with hitting both himself and her with the same biting quip.

 

[Renfry]

Wait, what? That was not what she'd expected at all. She was misunderstanding, right?

Wait, you... but she didn't finish the question.

I said that wasn't what I'm here for, she said suspiciously. Was this some kind of test or did he really just want her right now? She couldn't decide if she wanted to. Normally she would have jumped at the opportunity or initiated herself, but recently she found herself... even more conflicted. She already did a poor job of separating her emotions from him.

His comment about having a child stung a bit, but that was probably just because she knew it was true. Someday perhaps she'd have one, but no, she didn't think she was ready now. Before she'd become Queen she hadn't even given any thought to children. Now it felt almost like an obligation.

Aren't you worried I'm going to cause you more drama than I already have? she asked. At least she had a smidgeon of self-awareness. No ability to pick up social cues, but some self-awarenesss.

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc stared vacantly in a way that was remarkably convincing that he could still see. There was very little difference between blind blank stare and regular stare, both giving the appearance of someone that was thoroughly unamused with what they were seeing.

“Right, you did some ritual, probably sacrificed a poor tribe goat that no one was allowed to sensibly eat afterwards, tracked me clear across the galaxy, wrestled past some village ladies, took a kick to the shin and some insults just to come here and play hard to get,” He took a long drag from the cigarra he had briefly forgotten about, blowing out a cloud of smoke.

“You will always cause me drama,” He muttered, “I’ve just learned to co-exist with it,” He thoughtfully smoked from his cigarra as silence lingered for a few moments.

“Why do you want me to go back?” He exhaled a cloud of smoke again, “Need daddy to tell you what to do?” He calmly drew in the cigarra again, blowing out the smoke with his trademark teasing grin on his face.

 

[Renfry]

Okay, first of all there was no goat... she said, holding up a finger that he couldn't see before raising the next and continuing ...and second I never try "hard to get" so this is new, she finished. Or was she finished? No, but she did stop holding up fingers.

And thirdly, if I jump you now then you'll just take that as evidence that that's the only reason I'm here, she continued. So I'm cutting you off. Or... me off, she frowned. Or both of us. Whatever, she said, waving a hand dismissively.

His grumbling about her always causing him drama was probably true. She couldn't really deny it. She seemed to be an endless source of it even if she was starting to become aware of it.

She was about to make a response to why she wanted him to come back when he brought up her daddy. She frowned in confusion, utterly missing what he was talking about. I never knew my father, so no, she said. There was no doubt he was going to take that as a confirmation of her daddy issues.

Besides, does it matter why I want you to come back? she asked.

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc sat there quietly smoking as she spoke, the grin never leaving his face. It was clear that he found the entire exchange entertaining. He took in a drag while she explained that she never knew her father, “Of course you didn’t,” He said as he exhaled, “He was probably a goat that was then sacrificed for some other nonsense ritual,” He actually quietly chuckled softly at that, probably the first time Renfry had heard him do anything remotely close to a laugh.

He finally finished up the cigarra and put it away. He rose to stand and stretched, flexing his muscles and cracking his neck, “No, it doesn’t matter and I don't give a kriff. I’m only making conversation because your voice sounds pleasant when you’re not screeching like a banshee at me.”

Emryc said nothing else, making his way out of the hut with a blind walking stick he used to make his way around. It was all for show as he figured he would rouse suspicion without one. This time he paused to make it clear he didn’t mind if she came with. He would step back out and make his way towards the farms. While he didn’t mind casually striding through the village, Renfry was getting a series of very severe looks from the villagers. The two women that had begun arguing were still going at it, now listing off who had picked up more of Emryc’s drawings.

“It’s not so different than the tribes on Dathomir,” He said as he walked towards a tree. He slammed a fist into the trunk, an apple falling from a branch. Emryc effortlessly snatched it out of the air before taking a bite, “Peaceful and without external nonsense. I haven’t had a comlink on me in months.”

 

[Renfry]

Her father probably hadn't been sacrificed. It was... possible, though that wasn't a custom the Forgotten Valley Clan had ever particularly embraced. Some others clans, on the other hand, that was a different story. Mating could be quite dangerous in certain clans.

He seemed to be enjoying this immensely, and she... was actually glad about that. Despite her "screeching like a banshee" she was here to be helpful, she just had a funny way of showing it sometimes.

She was glad he couldn't see her cheeks turn a bit red after his second comment, though. She watched him get up and head out, pausing to wait for her as she stood and followed after him. She finally paused enough to actually take a look over the village. It would have been peaceful and serene were it not for the two wailing women.

And you think I'm a banshee, she said quietly to Emryc as they walked along.

Drawings? You draw? she asked, glancing over at him as they walked and she overheard the women shouting about his art pieces.

They walked to a tree and he brought down an apple, catching it adeptly. She smiled slightly. He seemed to be getting by quite well despite his lack of vision. She wasn't surprised by it, but she was glad to see it.

It is. I have a feeling I'd be quite at home here, she said. It was just her kind of world, and seemed more hospitable than Dathomir as well.

Maybe I'll turn you into a nature lover yet, she said with a light chuckle.

What did you tell the village? About where you came from? she asked after a moment more, wondering what life he had dreamed up for Hobo Rick.

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc took another bite of the apple, marveling at the taste. He had eaten many apples in his life, but the fruits from this planet and this village were in a league of their own. His path took him through a winding dirt road that led towards endless fields and hills. The wind blew gently through the tall crops and grains, and there was not a single sound of modern speeders or traffic anywhere.

He didn’t answer the question about drawing - it was still a bit of a sore topic for him due to the same drawing he appeared to make repeatedly. The ladies had gotten the odd sketch he made here and there of trees or fields that he couldn’t see.

Emryc shrugged at her question, “The village ladies thought my ears were cute and I beat a village elder at arm wrestling. No one nagged me with questions,” Part of the reason he liked it here was because of the stress free nature of living. While they were suspicious, the villagers were largely welcoming. They tended to get annoyed only when one of their own was bothered, which explained the treatment Renfry was getting.

He felt the wind brush against his face as he stood at the top of a hill. Emryc was silent for a moment as he absentmindedly rubbed a hand over a bracelet on his other wrist, “How… is Malicia doing?” He asked quietly, actively working to keep his tone as monotone as possible. While he didn’t linger on the topic too much during his time here, there was no denying that growing bubble of affection that unexpectedly cropped up towards the small councilor before he vanished. He could only hope Renfry could answer the question without being too nosy or starting drama. He was fully aware of how odd it was for him to actually ask about the state of another person.

 

[Renfry]

The more she saw of this world, the more she liked it. It was withdrawn from everything and peaceful. The dirt roads and fields of grain. It reminded her of Felucia, which reminded her of Dathomir. It was why she had annexed it, but this world... it could be left alone. By itself and away from everything it was the kind of world that entire empires could easily sweep over without giving second thought to.

It seemed odd to her that they had simply allowed him to enter without any questions, but she had made quite a fuss in the brief time she was here. Well, plus there was the real issue: she was taking the attention of the man that everyone wanted. She smirked a bit at the thought.

She couldn't help but bristle a bit at his question. Even without being able to see her he would probably know her well enough to know it had happened, but to her credit she neither said anything about it nor made a fuss.

She's... well, she started.

I think that her pregnancy has been a bit draining on her, but she's handling it well. She has a lot on her shoulders, she said. Renfry had done her best to protect the children from Malicia's hunger, but she didn't feel overly worried about the outcome.

But I think Malicia and the children will be fine, she said. She knew the topic of children was unnerving to him, but it was intimately linked to the topic of how the councilor was doing.

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc visibly bristled at the mention of ‘children’. That once again confirmed that there would be twins. He was silent for a long moment, a million thoughts flooding his mind. He had the slightest inclination to return to the galaxy nagging at the back of his head, but he abruptly squashed it. Emryc hadn’t found his center quite yet, and he had certainly not mastered Force Sight enough.

“I’ve been searching for a Miraluka,” He said after a while, pushing the thoughts of Malicia aside. He had a habit of brushing aside anything that took up too much real estate in his head, “I want to learn their ways of mastering Force Sight.”

He had spent months in denial that he was blind, but he had recently come to accept it. It took a long time to work through the initial rage and anger he felt. He had destroyed several villages in his fury before he found this one, but no one else knew about that. He had left no survivors. Raze had come out with vengeance and he had satiated his hunger.

With destruction out of his system, Emryc had settled into this calm village and slow lifestyle. The others were left completely burned and charred, the bodies mangled and turned to ash. He was much calmer now, and no one would guess at the atrocities he committed.

 

[Renfry]

Renfry walked on in silence for a moment, watching the animals in the fields. Small, scampering things that she didn't recognize hopped around and fled from the pair as they walked the dirt path. She could hear birds singing in the trees above and all around them. There was a cool breeze blowing over the fields, triggering her to take a deep, fresh breath.

When he mentioned that he wanted to find a Miraluka, she nodded, not accustomed to the fact that he couldn't see her yet.

That makes sense, she said, thinking to her own recent trip to the Miraluka homeworld. They were a fascinating species. Maybe she would begin pushing the Sith expansion further into Republic space to take that world. But that was a side issue.

It also sounds like something I could help you with, she said.

She frowned for a moment. I don't think you're going to find one on-world, she said, but she wasn't sure he wanted to leave. She also doubted that he wanted her to kidnap someone either.

Did you want to go somewhere to find one? she asked.

They're an interesting bunch, though they don't really like outsiders much either. Seems to be a pattern, she said.

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc turned towards her with visible surprise on his face. He hadn’t expected her to even know what miraluka were. The fact that she knew about them and their culture sounded promising.

“I will go anywhere to find one,” He stated flatly, obviously more than prepared to leave for the endeavor already. Emryc really didn’t have many things with him, simply his bag of figurines, holocrons and the whip. Most of his prized possessions had been confiscated with his ship.

“What do you want in return?” Emryc asked quietly. He often didn’t repay Renfry for the times she had offered to assist him with something. Perhaps being a hermit and relying on others so much had softened his edges a bit.

 

[Renfry]

Renfry looked back at him with surprise. Surprised at his surprise. But then she really shouldn't have been surprised that he was surprised. There was a lot about the galaxy that she didn't know. It was somewhat of a coincidence that this was actually something she knew about. In fact, not only did she know about it, she knew a lot about it. Her Nightsisters had done a significant amount of reconnaissance on world before she'd made her own trip there.

Okay, well the best place to find one is their homeworld: Alpheridies. It's in the FWA, she said. It was kind of obvious more so than helpful, but their homeworld was a long trip away.

He wouldn't need to be able to see her to tell that she was completely caught off guard and shocked by his next question. Her eyes were wide and her mouth hung open just a tiny bit. For a moment she was silent after the question. She hadn't given that question any thought. If she'd expected something in return she probably wouldn't have been here helping him. He knew she would have loved access to the Kravos holocron that they had hunted down. He had correctly guessed that she had considered asking him for a child at one point, but that was probably not something any time soon if ever. But ultimately, there was only a singular answer to the question.

I didn't come to take anything from you, Emryc. If, when this is all over, you want to give me something or do something for me, then that's your choice. I don't ask for anything, she said. She was probably an idiot for saying it given that he had things she wanted. She hated herself just a bit for it, but it was her way and it was her wont. At least with him.

She was silent for another moment as they walked before speaking again.

When would you like to leave? she asked, then she smiled. Imagine the scandal among those women. You flying off with the marked woman, she said, smiling more broadly to herself at the thought.

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc blinked quietly as she gave a spiel about not owing her anything and flip flopping rather dramatically with a lot of deep thought attached, no doubt. After a moment of silence, he simply shrugged, “All right, I don’t owe you anything then,” He began to lead the way back towards the village. He had to grab his bags - one that was his own, the other a bag that Morgan had given him in a hospital room a while back.

“The women will get over it,” He stated after a while as he kept walking. In truth, there had been nothing but tension there. This was perhaps the longest he had gone without being intimate with anyone. It was oddly out of character, but he certainly didn’t mind the lack of drama as a result.

Emryc paused after a moment, “Just to be clear… we’re only going to Alpheridies,” He stated flatly, “I want to be back in this village after we go there.”

 

[Renfry]

Renfry couldn't say she was surprised by his reply, and that was fine. She had known him long enough to not say something that she couldn't live with for the sake of being dramatic.

She did snicker as he said that the women would get over it. Still, somehow she found satisfaction in that anyway. She was totally unaware of what was going on inside his head as they made their way back. Instead, she let her own mind travel to the world they were on and the variety of the wildlife here. She spotted several more creatures she was unfamiliar with as they made their way back. The village was just in view when she heard him mention that he wanted to come back promptly.

I figured, she said, But I was thinking I would just permanently kidnap you and keep you on Dathomir as breeding stock, she said deadpan.

She couldn't help but smirk.

Yes, you'll be right back to the arguing ladies as soon as we're done, she added. As they made it back to the village, Renfry couldn't see that the women - although they were no longer arguing - were still just sitting there waiting to stare daggers at the pair as they came back. She could see that they were whispering about something and it didn't take a genius to figure out that they didn't like the hussy going off with "their man."

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc paused again for a moment when she made the comment about Dathomir. His eyebrows rose as he looked in her general direction, “Is that an option? I’ll take that gig,” It was incredibly difficult to tell whether he was serious or not, “Wouldn’t mind providing my services to that Alina girl,” He said thoughtfully, stroking his beard. It was the clan leader of a tribe that historically rivaled Renfry’s. Spending his days as ‘breeding stock’ for a tribe of women didn’t sound like the worst thing in the galaxy. He was actually deep in thought about it the entire way back to his hut, weighing pros and cons.

He grabbed all his possessions to pack up his bags. There was a brightly colored lunchbox he pulled from a shelf that looked far too cheerful for anything Emryc would ever own in a million years. Nonetheless, he stashed it casually into his bag and tossed it over his shoulder.

“All right, let’s go,” He stated. He completely forgot he wasn’t wearing a shirt - he wasn’t in the habit of wearing them here in the village. It was always hot and muggy, and he liked the attention.

He barely set foot out of his hut when a group of teary eyed children ran over to hug his legs. They all wept about him leaving and the girl from earlier came up to give Renfry another angry kick to the shin. Emryc kept walking, trying to shake the children off.

The girl that kicked Renfry stomped viciously on his foot, crossing her arms and glaring up at him, "You promised."

Emryc did nothing for a long moment, stopping in his tracks. He vacantly stared off into the distance. After another second, he abruptly grabbed the feisty girl, flipped her over to the sound of happy giggles and casually sat her on his shoulders. All the other children began to clap and cheer, skipping and following along as Renfry and Emryc walked to the ship.

"YAAAAAY! I love being up here!" The girl cheered and smiled, the only time she wasn't scowling or lashing out at someone. Emryc's face was as devoid of emotions as always, but he walked like that all the way to the ship.

 

[Renfry]

Renfry's face scrunched up as he mentioned Alina. She also knew he was saying it because although Alina was beautiful, bringing her up was just to get under Renfry's skin. She almost told him about what their clan historically did with their men, but decided she didn't want to risk the village idiots overhearing her.

She waited as he packed up his things, taking a seat in the far corner of his hut and frowning as she saw the lunchbox. She was about to ask about it, but then she wasn't even sure if he knew it was that colorful. Instead, she just squinted at it and continued to look puzzled to herself. She also wasn't going to complain if he decided not to put his shirt on because... well, that didn't need explaining.

All right, she said, pushing back to her feet and heading out. Then they were promptly assaulted by children. Renfry stood back, wary of her shins and the bruise that was forming over her right leg already. She tried not to scowl too much, but when she saw Emryc pick the little girl up and place her on his shoulders her jaw almost dropped. For someone so afraid of children, he certainly didn't seem to have much issue dealing with them.

And just like that they were off walking with a gaggle of children following them. Part of her wondered if they'd even seen a spaceship before. She wouldn't have been shocked to learn that they hadn't.

I'll... get the ship ready, she said. Perhaps it was best that she not have children any time soon. She had no idea if he had some other goodbye ritual with the children, but she gave a final glance back before heading inside.

The ship was nicer than it had been before. The formerly spartan interior was a bit more made up now. There were some decorations on the walls even if only a few and he may even get the impression that Ship had been one of the inspirations for how she had altered the interior of the Destiny.

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc felt Renfry slip away as soon as the children arrived. He carried the girl till the ship’s ramp lowered and he set her down gently. He followed Renfry into the ship and couldn’t exactly tell the interior was modeled after his own ship on account of being blind. Nevertheless, he followed Renfry till the ramp closed.

“Definitely not ready for heirs anytime soon,” He stated flatly with hints of amusement in his tone. Somehow Renfry managed to handle children worse than he did.

Going from being in the hot sun day after day to the cool interior of a ship was a sudden shift. Emryc had largely forgotten what it felt like living on a ship at all times. Goosebumps began to line his skin and he was visibly cold.

Naturally, Emryc was too stubborn to say anything, and he simply applied Force sight to enough of a degree to spot structural differences. He felt around till he could follow her into the cockpit and took a seat there in preparation for take off.

 

[Renfry]

Thank you so much for pointing that out, she grumbled as she headed for the cockpit. She considered for a moment offering to help him to the cockpit, but knew he would have probably rather accidentally walk out the airlock than accept help.

She moved up to the front, taking a seat to prepare for take off. She fired up the engines, but let the droid do most of the actual flying. Instead, she punched in coordinates, scrolling through the hyperspace charts she had used for her previous trip.

The ship lifted into the air, quickly closing through the atmosphere and up into space. She finished with the calculations for the jump and pulled back on the lever. The ship shuddered slightly in a way that preluded the jump to hyperspace and then tore through the sky. The blue and white swirls swallowed the ship and she sat back in her seat, spinning it to look at him.

I think I might have one of your old jackets, she said. On that first trip into the Unknown Region together she had warn... few clothes, and his jacket had become a favorite throughout the trip.

Also, I can show you where to find your room, she said. While she didn't take him by the hand, she did intentionally continue talking as she walked slowly so that he would be able to follow her voice. It was a small thing, but seemed like her best option.

I found this ship on Dathomir, but I've overhauled it over the last several years. The bed is comfortable, though I suppose it's not all the absolute pinnacle of luxury, she said, leading him to the starboard side quarters, which he could make his own. The jacket, however, was in her room.

The jacket's in my room, I'll go get it, she said, intending to head that way while he unpacked his things or... whatever he might want to do to settle in.

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc allowed her to lead him into his quarters, largely ignoring most of what she was saying. He was far more focused on the feeling of being on a ship again. His hand traced along the walls as he walked, a sharp pang in his chest shooting through as he recalled his own. There would normally be shelves with books lining them as he traced his hand. He exhaled softly when he stepped into his room.

Even blind, Emryc managed to give her a blank lstare when she bemoaned the lack of luxury, “I’ve been sleeping on the floor in a hut that can be knocked over if someone sneezes at it,” He stated quite dryly before he walked over to set his bags down. Emryc wasn’t entirely too surprised that Renfry had one of his hoodies - at this point he suspected Tiamat likely had one or two as well. They were exceptionally comfortable and suspiciously went missing all the time.

He normally had his comics to read for long journeys, but now he had nothing to do. Emryc plopped down on the bed and sat quietly, closing his eyes and seeing through the Force as he tapped into that plane of existence. Day by day the picture became clearer over time.

Emryc pulled out of it when Renfry arrived, and he took the offered clothing and put it on. He paused for a moment, smelling very faint traces of his cologne. A part of who he used to be. Emryc lingered there for a second before turning towards Renfry, “Do you have music I can listen to?"