Ask Stones over Sand

[Milo Corr]

The vagrant did his best to bite back the sudden rising bitterness, Elidan especially didn't deserve any of it given the kindness he had shown since the very moment they had met. Reality was just a cruel thing and they all did what they could, what they had to, within it. To enjoy what life has to offer, though as of late that ideal had been more and more difficult to follow, as with the rest he believed in.

"I don't," Milo simply replied, doing his best to keep his tone as neutral as he could. His gait appeared unaffected, hands still stuffed in the pockets of his jacket in that casual way despite the fact that his temperament was anything but. Shutting his eyes for a moment he released a calming breath and rebuilt those walls he had let crack with his negligent temper. He at least appreciated the half-Anfynn's attempt at care, another example that he was actually a different breed. One of the good ones, potentially even a hero, though Milo held a lot more reservations about the use of that word.

"Why Celanon?" It was obvious that he was purposefully changing the subject. "I've never been or... Well, heard much about that world. Got business or friends there?" He winced, it wasn't his place to ask these sorts of questions, but carried on as though nothing had happened, feigning some sort of carefree nature. At least he was telling the truth concerning his ignorance of the Outer Rim planet. "Do you know where I've always wanted to go? Yavin Four, lots of history there both ancient and more modern. Old temples which dot the surface, some of which were used by the Alliance of old, at least by some accounts. They're actually the reason as to why I'm out this direction at all."

Milo caught the smell of the place long before he saw it, another growl echoing from his stomach which he tried to suppress with a hand half-laughing behind a cough. “I think you’re right, I am hungry, but is that smell? It’s wondrous.” Milo’s mood lightened with the distraction and the hint of promised food only meant good things were to come. Good think it was self-serve, as Milo would have more than his fill and then some. "I haven't had local food, but if it is as good as it smells..."

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

”I see.” Elidan said, not daring to add anything else. Milo could not be showing, but the half-Annfyn could feel how the feelings of the human changed. He suspected that this friend was far more important for the other man than he wanted to admit. Unfortunately, without any additional information, there wasn’t anything that the Jedi could do to help them.

“Why not Celannon?” Elidan replied, looking at Milo with a curious smile. “There are people suffering on every planet. I thought that I could visit it to see if I can help someone, before traveling to another world.” the Knight would need to travel toward Takodana. He had been away from a Jedi Temple for a long time.

The half-Annfyn stopped walking when Milo mentioned Yavin IV. It had been so long since he had been on this planet. “I used to live in the Jedi Temple of Yavin, after the Sith attacked Ajan Kloss. I made many friends there.” he explained, still standing in the middle of the sidewalk. Memories of that period of his life coming to his mind. “Then the Sith also attacked it and we scattered. I lost touch with most of them during the evacuation, I don’t even know if they are still alive.”

Then, he looked at Milo with a serious expression. “Be careful when going there, you never know if the Sith left something behind.” they could have corrupted the Force nexus here, leaving the entire planet covered by darkness. They would never allow the Jedi to go back there so easily.

After this warning, Elidan walked inside the restaurant. Like Milo, he also appreciated the smell of the food. “You will love it. The food is very good.” the half-Annfyn said, while pointing at the stands with different types of local food. “You only need to pick a plate and serve with it.” the Knight did exactly that and went to pick what he wanted.

@Cartoonkarl

 

[Milo Corr]

“Oh. I just assumed you had an additional reason,” he said with a shrug. Milo nearly walked into the Jedi as he came to a stop, half tripping on his own feet as he stepped around Elidan before letting out a slight sigh as he kept his balance. As the half-Anfynn explained his history with Yavin IV the vagrant tried to hide his scowl, not at Elidan or the situation but rather his stupidity for bringing the planet up to begin with, sobering as he met Elidan’s very intentional look.

He gave attentive nods, making it very clear that he heard and fully understood Elidan, especially after their most recent escapade, as the two of them entered the restaurant. The starving transient didn’t need to be told twice to get food and before long he had loaded his plate up with all sorts of food. It appeared as though he was big on the proteins as meat or things with meat made the majority of items on his plate, as well as a slathering of the thick bean stew over rice.

Yet as they found a seat the man was just about to dig in when he paused, peered at the half-Anfynn for a silent moment, and awkwardly cleared his throat. “Thank you, Elidan. Really. I appreciate it.” Then, without another word, Milo shoveled forkfuls into his mouth. It almost looked like he was inhaling it but he at least took the time to chew.

Only after a half of the plate had been conquered did he begin to slow down and, bouncing the handle of his fork against his thumb as his hand rested upon their table, did he speak again. “So… What kind of ship do you have? Not that I really know much about ships.” The sandy-haired man pointed his knife at Elidan in a casual manner. “And how good of a pilot are you, ever gotten into a starfight? Jedi get trained in that sort of thing, don’t they?”

Despite his unwillingness to speak on many aspects of his history, it was clear that he was once more entertaining Elidan’s proposed solution. A bit more eagerly, as well, even if he danced around the subject specifically. “Does the Force help with that sort of thing?”

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

Different from Milo, Elidan plate had a smaller volume of food. While he was hungry, the half-Annfyn ate normally everyday. Due to that, he didn’t have the same urge that the human had. Besides that, the Jedi’s plate also had less meat than that of the other man. He had been eating less of that these days, an attempt to honor the Annfyn side of his heritage.

“It’s nothing. After all that happened today, I thought that it would be only fair if I also offered to buy you dinner.” the fact that he could clearly see the bones in Milo’s cheeks and that he was pretty sure that his ribs would be clearly visible if the human removed his shirt also influenced the half-Annfyn decision. He couldn’t stand there staring at a starving person without doing anything.

The two were seated at the same table, but the way that they were eating the food was completely different. While Milo seemed to be swallowing it without even properly chewing it. Elidan cut small pieces and chewed it calmly before swallowing. While working with the poor, the half-Annfyn had seen people eating this way. It was their desperation of thinking that the food would be taken from them.

Elidan said nothing about it to Milo, leaving the human to eat in peace and in the way that he wanted.

“My ship is a Dynamic-class Freighter.” he said, while cutting a piece of grilled chicken breast. “It has no name because I’m terrible at that stuff.” Elidan grimaced when the human asked if he was a good pilot. “I’m better now, but I wasn’t so good in the past. I crashed a ship in the past with my friends. Everyone came out well, but we got lost for some days on a planet. Since that day, I have learned how to pilot properly.”

“The Force can help in enhancing your talents with piloting, especially fighters that need quick reflexes. And no, I never piloted one.” he put the piece of chicken on his mouth and chewed. “Do you want to learn how to pilot?”

@Cartoonkarl

 

[Milo Corr]

Milo continued wolfing down his food as Elidan spoke, flashing him quick looks and small grins whenever his mouth was empty, nodding every so often. “Hah, I’d hope so. Think surviving a ship crash is one of those life changing events you always hear about. Either way it's still funny, if you don’t mind me laughing. Don’t they teach you Jedi how to fly, and what planet did you get stuck on? Did you crash because of a fight or merely because you were bad at flying?”

Another quarter of the food was put away within his gut, yet he seemed just as hungry as he was at the start. It was unhealthy to pack so much food in such a short amount of time but as his initial hunger was satisfied he began to slow down. “You don’t take me as the fighter pilot type, I don’t know what a Dynamic-Class is but I bet it’s just slim enough to not be a brick.”

Then he paused, glancing upwards at the half-Anfynn’s question. “Well, I don’t know. I don’t own a ship, and get by pretty easily with public shuttles. Don’t know how much learning to pilot would benefit me, y’know? Ship maintenance is expensive, let alone the ship itself. I don’t have a lifestyle that could cover either. Not running from anything,” physically at least. “Or have anywhere I need to be fast. The skill would just sit there and gather dust.”

“Why, gonna put that on the docket as well?” Milo snorted, setting down his utensils as he sat back and crossed his arms.

Before the jedi could answer however he switched subjects by clearing his throat. “Which, speaking of… This is probably the time to discuss all that. If I were to join you what would I have to do- beyond what you’re teaching I mean. I can’t just… Exist on your ship, and while I am a thief, I’m not the sort to ride freely. Even if you seem the sort to let me.”

“Will I be joining you on your little charity excursions?”

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

Elidan paused for a moment, deep in thought. What was the name of the planet exactly? “I can’t remember it, but I know that there were some reptilians there with acid blood.” he said after a moment thinking about it. “It was very small and in the Wild Space, I think. We got there by accident after we had a problem with the hyperdrive.”

“I wasn’t the best pilot at the time either.” he confessed, remembering how he used to panic when the responsibility of driving something was given to him. Nowadays, Elidan was far more confident with his abilities. However, he would never try to pilot a starfighter. It was too much for him.

While chewing another spoonful of his food, the Annfyn wondered how he would explain a Dynamic-class to Milo. “Well, it’s a frigate. Do you know the Millenium Falcon? It has a similar size.” this was the closest way that Elidan found to properly describe his ship.

“Good point.” Elidan said, before returning to eat. If Milo wanted to have a ship, he would need to have the money to buy it and for the maintenance. Perhaps some day the human would decide to stop being a wanderer. However, the half-Annfyn couldn’t help with it. This choice must be made by the other man alone.

After he finished his food, it was Elidan’s time to put the utensils on his plate. “Yes, I thought that you would help me with my charity excursions.” he smiled at the human. The Knight could always use some help. “Perhaps you can help me with the cleaning too. It’s a large ship and I’m the only able to clean it. What do you think?”

@Cartoonkarl

 

[Milo Corr]

“Reptiles with acid for blood? Got any burn scars?” The vagrant snorted, not disbelieving but rather amused. Elidan had clearly lived a far more interesting life, and whether it was because of the idea of the grass being greener, Milo wondered what sort of life that was to live. A story to ask about in the future, at least, as he filed that thought away.

“Everyone knows of that ship, it has a name bigger than some people. I understand what you mean, a light freighter.” Milo’s head bobbed, finishing up the last of his food quickly while speaking with his mouth partially fully. “Can live in one of those… Is it just you in there?” Despite the half-Anfynn’s charity towards Milo, he didn’t seem like the type to bring along another. Maybe a droid, but then Elidan’s translator hung by him already.

With his mountain of food now completely missing, and the place just short of being licked clean, Milo leaned back in his seat and let out a satisfied sigh. The transient was as full as it gets, stomach full to bursting, yet still he felt as though he could eat more but was wise enough to recall his experiences of what came after overeating.

“Alright,” he said simply, as if settling the matter of work. Despite charity being one of his ideals he did not seem all too impressed with the idea of participating in that charity. But beggars couldn’t be choosers, and try as he might to not entertain it, Elidan had presented him with a golden opportunity. Even if it only lasted a short amount of time it was far better than whatever he was doing now and… Well, the Jedi was kind, friendly, and storied. What a life he had lived, what terrible things he had been through, yet he still seemed to smile, laugh, and be generous. It almost sickened him, not in disgust, but a measure of shame.

Quietly tapping the prongs of his fork against the plate, the man’s brow furrowed, he let out a sigh and shrugged. “I think... I can do that. Cleaning and helping, I mean. Though I've done more of the former than the latter.” Then, shooting Elidan a genuine look and a half-smile he set his utensil down and pushed his empty plate forward. “So… Am I your copilot?” An indirect way of saying that he would take the Jedi up on his offer. To journey and train, to help those in need, even if only for a few months.

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

”I didn’t get any, but a friend of mine lost some fingers.” Elidan wondered if he should call Thelian as a friend. The other Padawan was always grumpy and with an annoyed face, which ended up making the half-Annfyn stay away from him most of the time. “He punched one of the creatures and the blood spilled over their hand.” that wasn’t the most clever course of action.

“He is dead now. A Sith killed him.” Elidan said, before Milo could ask more details about who that person was. The half-Annfyn didn’t want to talk about the adventures that he lived with his now lost friends while they were in the middle of a restaurant.

“Until four months ago, it was only me. Now, I have Cyrus.” he smiled foundly, thinking about his new partner. “He is a loth-wolf pup. His parents were killed by poachers and I’m taking care of him after he was rescued. I plan to release him back in Lothal when he gets old enough.” he explained, while rising from his chair. It was time for them to go.

Elidan smiled when Milo accepted his offer, but chuckled a bit when he identified himself as the half-Annfyn co-pilot. “I think that 's the case.” he walked toward the cashier, prepared to pay for the food that the two consumed. Even if the human had money with him, the Knight would have done it. After all, he had invited the other man.

“Since you are going to be my co-pilot, I think that is time for me to return to my ship.” the half-Annfyn said, after having paid for their food. “I’ll pick my stuff in my room and take Cyrus from the pet space from the pension and we are going there.”

@Cartoonkarl

 

[Milo Corr]

Milo was just about to open his mouth to ask another question when Elidan spoke up about his death. Unsurprisingly, Milo deflated. “Oh, I’m sorry,” he said simply, a frown growing on his face as he rubbed his hands together nervously. Luckily the half-Anfynn carried on as though nothing had happened, speaking of whatever a ‘loth-wolf’ was, joining the Jedi as he stood.

“Good with animals too, eh?” He snorted before tugging on his jacket and nodded his head. It was easy to assume that Milo had never had a pet, or interacted with animals beyond rats much at all though the prospect didn’t seem to unnerve him in any way.

He dipped his head as Elidan paid, having already said his thanks but doing it again with the silent gesture before the two of them stepped out. “Do you need any help carrying anything, or should I just wait out here? Your hands might be full with a loth-wolf and your things.” Then he tilted his head. “Why didn’t you just sleep on your ship anyways?”

Only now as he spoke of plans did he start getting that building sense of excitement and trepidation. Nothing had changed but he had just agreed to get on a ship with a- Well, a friend of some sort, something he had never done except once before, but it was brief then. Elidan had proven himself to be a friendly and honest sort, but that did not make the prospect any less harrowing. Milo had been on his own, for the most part, for as long as he could remember, and he didn’t fully understand what he was agreeing to.

There was, at least, the guarantee of some sort of sleeping arrangement and food, which was far better than his current plans. That did not stop him from feeling incredibly foolish by suddenly agreeing to join the half-Anfynn, but neither was he going to back out of it. As was his habit, Milo was overthinking everything, at least the decision had been made without too much thought or he might have thought himself out of it.

He wondered just what exactly Elidan was thinking taking in a bum, charitable as he may be, Milo would only be a net negative on whatever the Jedi did. He didn't possess many positive attributed beyond a pair of hands.

@LouJoVi

 

[Elidan]

”Yep. It’s something related to part of my heritage. The Annfyn have a deep connection with nature.” he explained, wondering if Milo had even seen a pureblood Annfyn before. It was possible, since the human was traveling constantly. “But it’s possible for Force users from other species to establish bonds with animals. It’s easier for some than for others.”

If Milo felt interested in it, Elidan could teach him how to create a Force bond. However, it would take some time until he could start these lessons. There were still the basics to be taught, and the students usually took a long time learning that part before going to more complex topics.

After paying, Elidan prepared to walk toward his room with Milo following him. “You can wait here if you want, I only brought a small bag.” he explained, before climbing the stairs. “I decided to stay here because it was closer to the slums. The spaceport is a bit far away.” the half-Annfyn would continue climbing, leaving the human to decide what he wanted.

His room was simple and small, without fancy things. Since the half-Annfyn had left his bag prepared, he only had to enter and retrieve it. Then, his next stop was outside in the space for pets. There were several types of domestic animals staying here, but Elidan went immediately toward the space for the younger ones.

Cyrus was sleeping there over a blue cushion. Being the only puppy around, he had the entire place for himself. The caretaker nodded and Elidan, while he crouched to pick the loth-wolf, who opened an eye to stare at the half-Annfyn and immediately closed again.

“This is Cyrus.” he said to Milo, while showing the loth-wolf in his arms. Reacting to his name being called, the puppy opened his eyes and stared at the human. Cyrus’ species was considered by some as semi-sentient. When he looked at the man with the closest thing to an analytic stare. Then, he returned to sleep.

@Cartoonkarl

 

[Milo Corr]

Milo couldn’t recall ever seeing an Anfynn or half-Anfynn for that matter, slowly nodding his head. The galaxy was a vast place and, despite knowing quite a bit of its history it was only the broad strokes. He barely scratched the surface when it came to its inhabitants. “Bond?” He assumed the Jedi had meant the mundane connection sentients had with their pets, but then why would he specifically mention the Anfynn concerning it?

With a shrug, Milo waited. If there was nothing for him to help with there was no reason for him to follow, instead he just city watched for a time. He was a tad nervous, about to set off on a new life, at least for a few months, yet where before he was full of fear now there was a bit of excitement. It was really going to happen. Yet, before it could grow too much, the vagrant’s mind reminded him of what happened the last time he felt such a way and where he found himself now.

Life was ephemeral, and just as easy as an opportunity can be presented, so too can it be stolen away. Milo did not deserve Elidan’s charity, his education, or his help. The vagabond had done nothing to earn it, and there was always a hidden bill at the end of the day. Would it be worth waiting to see the receipt?

Before coming to the determination, whether to stay or slip away, Elidan returned with one of the cutest things he’d ever seen. A puppy. “Oh wow,” Milo started, bending his knees slightly to stare back at the loth-wolf as it eyed him. He reached a hand out, as if to pet it, before retracting it for a variety of reasons, the most of which appeared to be the creature’s sleepiness. “Looks like he has had about as much excitement as the two of us,” Milo chuckled, completely distracted from his train of thought. It may not have been Elidan’s intention but his timing couldn’t have been better.

“How did you come up with the name?” The man had never had a pet, he could barely take care of himself after all, but that didn't mean he couldn't appreciate them. Not that Cyrus was exactly a pet, given that he would eventually be released back into the wilds. Yet, despite one with little experience with animals, he appeared respectful by not forcing any sort of interaction. "I've never seen a loth-wolf before, or really any kind of wolf, but he is very beautiful. You keep him on the ship? How does he handle that?"

@LouJoVi