Ask Coruscant The Mental Prison

[Kenii Starblazer]

Spoiler: LO-FI

Ken knew what was waiting for him when he got back to his father's shop, the anger and scolding, the fear in his mother's eyes at him being gone for so long. He didn't want to hurt their feelings, but he couldn't let go of this gripping feeling that came across him. He had spent the whole day in the cheap motel, catching up, embracing passion and feeling alive for the first time in a long time. This world felt like a prison, and he needed to break free--even if it was the riskiest thing he ever did, he thought about hopping off and leaving now, but he felt his parents at least owed a goodbye and so he drove in his rust bucket down the familiar streets he drove so often, his hands clenching the wheel as he took a deep breath.

"It's been a long time since they've seen you," he'd say with a nervous laugh, "And..well they're not going to be happy about me not calling them, so I won't blame you if you don't want to come in and see them.." He'd bite against the side of his inner cheek as he thought about how it'd go. "I just have to tell them I'm heading offworld and I'll grab a few things and be on my way." Yeah right...you know they're going to try and lock the doors...

tag: @Killa Ree

 

[Myrna Vel]

Seeing the kid nervous was enough to get her pulse jumpin', she hadta admit. It wasn't exactly a conventional meeting of the parents, either; hiya Mr. and Mrs. Star, remember me? It's Myrna Vel, from the Velses on Nal Yeshu! Anyways, I'm here ta steal yer kid off this stupid rock an' send 'im into a life of racin' an' travellin', no takesies backsies! She sighed, slouching into her seat and her hand running through her hair. Yeh… we're royally screwed already, an' he hasn't even left tha door.

It reminded her of when she ran away herself; her mum an' da' didn' even come lookin' fer her. At least his parents messaged him... though based off a' the few things she could understan', he was in a pot o' hot water already. "Nah, 'sokay," she grinned at him, giving him a slight nudge. "They loved me when we were kids; I'm no' that forgettable, babe." She offered him a flirty wink.

"Relax, Ken. We'll take five minutes tops, talk to the folks, then bounce like the road meter's runnin' hot. Kay?" She managed her most confident smile, but inside... she had a bad feelin' 'bout all o' this. What if they didn't even recognize her..?

@TWD26

 

[Kenii Starblazer]

Spoiler: LO-FI

Ken would huff as he pulled up to the noodle shop, "I am fine Myr, I'm sure they'll love you," he'd say with a soft chuckle that would fade as fast as is it came, "It's me that they won't be happy about, but we'll deal with it..." He'd lean over planting a firm kiss against her lips, and then another for comfort, and with it a deep breath as he prepared himself for the meeting.

He would slip out of the speeder, his hand quickly wrapping around Myr's as they approached the doors to the family shop. He'd push through it and feel the heat of their eyes already laying on them. His father was behind the kitchen his eyes sharp and full of venom as he saw his son.

His mother, a fellow Zeltron was sitting alone at one of the side booths, her eyes clearly drained from tears. Damn I feel like a total arse. He would tug on Myr's hand as he quickly lead her towards his mom who turned to the two of them, gasping a bit with a bit of relief, happiness and sadness. "Oh..Kenii, Myrna..is that you?" She'd stand up, pulling the two of them into a hug, "You look so grown now." Ken knew his mother never wanted to leave Yeshu, and she was always fond of the girl.

"Where the hell have you been," his father would come into the room, his apron swaying slightly as he clenched a towel. "I've been running everything all kriffin' day and you're out here sleepin' around with another girl?"

Ken turned towards his father, but his mother would chide in, "It's Myrna...you remember, his best friend from Yeshu," she'd say with a raised brow. She could never stay mad at Ken, which always made his guilt feel worse about the situation. Why can't you just be mad at me for one Ma'..

"I ran into Myrna..and well.." He didn't even know why he was defending himself, "You're always complaining that I'm not doin' anything wit' my life and well, Myrna makes me feel alive.." His hand would squeeze against the girls as he looked down his father whose pale flesh turned bright red with anger.

"Do you know how kriffin' dumb that sounds, yer really a stupid son o' kriff...Listen to yer'self...."

tag: @Killa Ree

 

[Myrna Vel]

"Jus' so long as you ain't ashamed of me," she commented lightly before they came in, blinking at seeing his mom again. Suddenly, she felt just like she did at ten, the woman just as purty and just as tired as before. It weren't no fair, Zeltrons were always naturally so lovely; she felt as plain as a smidge o' vanilla, and suppressed the urge to run her fingers through her hair or put her hands in her jacket; nervous habits she couldn' outgrow, no matter how old she'd get.

"Heya, Mizus Star..." she grinned nervously when the woman pulled them both into a hug, squeezing back and closing her eyes. Wish my ma'd been jus' as nice... she always thought ruefully, then pushed it aside. "Thanks. Been too long, yanno." She stiffened at Kenii's father, though, and his venomous spiel directed at Kenii. And just watched him... take it? Her spine stiffened, and her eyes flashed. Unconsciously, her hand tightened on his, and snapped her gaze at his father, gaze equally stormy.

"'Ey."

She now openly glared, feeling her spine stiffen, her jaw clench. Her da'd always said her anger'd get the best o' her, but fer the first time in her life she was grateful to feel it keep herself tall. She stepped in front of him, keeping their linked hands behind her back. "Long time no see, but it looks like long enough. An' he's not been with jus' any girl, but with me." She jerked her thumb at her chest, glowering. "Kal Vel'ses daughter, mister. Best speeder thi' side o' the Outer Rim, soon to be best in galaxy me. It ain't dumb, 'e's hella smarter than most o' yer thinkin', so cut the rough stuff."

She didn't know why she was getting all riled up, but she could feel her own cheeks turning bright red, and her heart pounding hard in her chest. Her hands began to tremble, not 'cuz she was fearin'...

But because she could feel 'er anger an' old instincts comin' to tha fore, and she weren't gonna back down from no tongue-lashin'. In her mind, there was nothin' to be ashamed of.

@TWD26

 

[Kenii Starblazer]

​

His mother would plant several kisses against her cheek and forehead, squeezing her tightly with a light squeal. "You an' my Ken are together...Oh my," she'd peer towards her son with wide eyes and a bright smile that only a Zeltron could have, "Ken why didn't you tell me?" She moved straight to the kitchen, "Did ye' eat..Ken did you get her food?"

He'd roll his eyes, but didn't have time to deal with that now. Instead, his father would lay down wrath against the two of them. He felt her standing up to him and he felt really weak. Yeah...now she sees how uncool I am.. His purple eyes would peer towards his father, the man he dreaded more than anything. Nothing is ever good fer' ye.

"So he's with some girl he hasn't seen in a decade.." He'd grunt as he peered towards his wife Lyra, "What the kriff are you doing, you enable him too much..and you wonder why he's a no good nothing," he'd shake his head as he started to laugh. "Ken is anything but smart..he's a lazy son of a kriff that does nothing."

Ken would step forward as he took a deep breath, "I hate it here..and you make it worse.." His hand would clench into a ball. "I hate this planet, I hate the walls and I hate the idea that no matter what I do, you'll never see it as good enough. all you've ever done is kriff over my dreams..I just want to feel normal, and Myr makes me feel that way." Yeah, totally perfect to say after a night of catching up.

His father's face bled red, "So what, you're gonna run away, the two of you, some sort of rockstar lifestyle...haha!" The man was close to grabbing his son, "Yer gonna knock this chick up and then come crying back to me askin' fer credits...you stupid.."

tag: @Killa Ree

 

[Myrna Vel]

"Actually, Mizus Star, we haven' eaten yet," she called out, giving a cheeky grin. "Tho' we canna stay too long..." her eyes cut towards his father, and again that anger flared bright and hot in her chest. She squeezed Ken's hand, and could feel her lungs squeezing in her chest, so many angry words threatened to lash out. "First o' all."

She got right up in his face, her eyes blazing. "If'n we have kids, tha's our business, not yers. Second, we don' want a chip o' creds from ya, nor even if I was knocked up or anythin'. We'd solve our own problems, an' I ken handle myself. Third," she snarled, one hand propped on her hip. "I usedta have some respect fer ya, bein' strong and supportive, but ye've changed and gone sour. No wonder yer own kid canna stand ya; I'm diss'pointed sure as sunrise at yer nasty mouth ta the one guy tha' needed a strong man in 'is life the most."

She tugged on Ken's wrist, then glanced apologetically to Lyra. She didn't deserve ta hear all this... an' she felt truly bad fer bein' so eager to fight. "C'mon Star, les' get wha' we need an' skip outta this joint. I'm sure glad ta see ya again, tho, mizus Star," she called over her shoulder, "yer just as purty as I remember."

She processed what his father was saying, though, and noticing Ken didn't contradict him.

What if it were true...? Then would tha' mean I wear the pants o' this relationship?

@TWD26

 

[Kenii Starblazer]

​

Ken would watch as Myr jumped into the middle of the debate that had been waged between him and his father for years. Ken loved him for all the traits he wasn't. He was strong, determined and often controlled his own destiny. His stoicism was in contrast to the stoicism that Ken put on as a charade. The Zeltron felt little to no purpose in his life, outside of the ones that his parents had expected for him.

He had never seen the galaxy, never received a real education, and taught himself almost everything he learned. There was little prospects for the boy who grew up in a low income family, he wasn't going to change the galaxy, and even if he wanted to he didn't even have the knowledge to know where to start. All he ever wanted to be was the one man he felt never really felt was good enough.

"Both of you stop," he'd say in a low tone, his eyes directly turned to his father. "All you've ever said to me was that you wanted me to do this..to do that, you never cared about what I thought, or if I did say something you would just give me that look you always gave--the one that you thought was just never good enough.."

He'd take a deep breath, "I know you don't think I work hard enough, that you're kriffed I failed out of flight school, that everything I've ever done has been mediocre...but, do you think I don't realize that I've done nothing with my life, I've seen nothing.." He could feel some confidence in his voice rising, "I want to be a racer, I want to race in the Cup and I want to follow my dreams, even if I fail...you can tell me so..I don't care if you think it's stupid, I still love you.."

His father peered towards his son, his eyes narrowing as he let out a soft heavy sigh, it seemed for once his father had lacked the words for a response, so quietness filled the small noodle shop. "So you're leaving with her.." He'd peer towards Myr, "And you're going to chase something you most likely will fail at?"

"I might fail, Myr and I may not work out, but what's the point if I don't try at all?" He'd squeeze against the woman's hand. "I'm going to go with her, and we're going to make it..you'll see."

tag: @Killa Ree

 

[Myrna Vel]

She listened to Ken with her head tilted. Truth be told, she'd have never considered the guy she once had a deep crush on as a kid would have felt like a failure by any stretch. Perhaps it was just a tinge of nostalgia. Perhaps it was more than that... but she was proud to him standing up, at least, and his da seemed to at least accept that he could do his own thing.

He hadta mention failure though. "I've been livin' alone fer almost five years now, an' times can be lean, sure. But we'll be okay. An' one day, we'll win." Just like that, her anger was gone, and she felt him squeeze back into her hand, and turned to give him a smile and a subtle wink.

"C'mon Ken, let's get wha' we need," she said gently. Truth be told, she had no idea what ta do in situations like this... she always found it difficult fer personal stuff. She liked to keep things easy, and this weren't something easy. She jus' hoped his da wouldn't shift gears again and make this harder for both o' them.

@TWD26

 

[Kenii Starblazer]

​

His Dad watched the two of them for some time, as he sat back against a table in the middle of the store, it was clear that he was starting to process the gravity of the situation and the seriousness of it all. "Ken.." He'd say with some hurt in his eyes, "I'm sorry you felt this way, I was tough on you because I cared about you. I wanted you to be something with your life and to live the values that I taught you about working hard.."

The Zeltron would look towards his human father with a soft sigh, "If you care about me, then support me on the things I want to do. You know Ma' and I hate it here, let me try and be happy, give me the wings to just break out in to tha' galaxy and fail on my own terms. I'm feeling somethin' right now with Myrna and a general idea on what I want to with my life. I am working hard, and I'll show you that Myr and I are gonna make it."

He would pull her hand towards the stairs that lead to their apartment. "Tell Ma' we'll just be a second, we're gonna grab our things and then we can eat a meal, and we'll be on our way." He'd say as he stepped up the stairs, not bothering to hear anymore of what he had to say.

He would push through the door of their home, leading Myrna to his room, he'd pull the door open, revealing a room full of various model landspeeders lining the room, holo-manuals on various speeders and ships filled the shelves, and it was evident that he kept his room in a crisp clear shape, even if he suffered from anxiety or depression--it had always been the pride.

He would close the door to his room, locking it as he turned towards Myr with a wide smile, "I'm not gonna lie, that was pretty hot--you know steppin' in for me like that." He'd press up to her, kissing her tenderly.

tag: @Killa Ree

 

[Myrna Vel]

When they were in his room and he locked the door, she grinned, arching a brow at him. "Yeh?" she asked brightly, humming out happily as he leaned in to kiss her, winding her arms around his neck to deepen the kiss, nibbling on her lower lip when they pulled apart. "I shoulda minded my words, though..." Her brows dented slightly, and she glanced up apologetically.

"I jus' heard him beatin' ya down and couldn' take no more of it. The Ken I know is better than that... an' even if you don' believe it, I sure do." She leaned up on her tiptoes to plant another kiss on his lips, then settled back on her heels, grinning. "I know we're new stuff an' all... but we're gonna win, an' make it big. I ken see it."

Her eyes panned around the room... and she grinned openly, eyes sparkling. It weren't anythin' like when they were kids... and it was nothin' like she'd expected it to look like, but somehow it suited. She bumped her hip against him, and her eyes took on a mischievous sparkle.

Time to get a move on, she felt like lingering here too long would make him suddenly change his mind, and realize he wouldn' want to share his bed and days with a nut like her. However, she felt full to burstin' with pride with how he talked about them to his ol' man... and how Mizus Star really dug the two of 'em together.

Fer once, the galaxy was lookin' up.

@TWD26

 

[Kenii Starblazer]

​

The Zeltron's pink hand would slide up against her freckled cheeks with a soft smile, her words gave him so much confidence, but deep down he knew that he was still struggling, and that not all days would be great. He knew that she cared about him now, but the nagging feeling that his aloofness or anxiety would possibly split them apart. "I'm just going through things Myr, and I hope it'll go away..Maybe I should start taking my meds again."

He'd push those thoughts away for now, not wanting to face it tonight. Instead, he'd plant a kiss against her forehead before pulling his bags, which he quickly began to stuff with various clothes and mechanical books. He'd be quiet as he did so, taking it all in. For years he wanted to leave, but now that it was real it felt difficult.

He'd pick up a few of his speeder models and would neatly place them in his bag with a heavy breath, the rest of his room would be left in tack, and he wondered if he would be back to see it and secretly he hoped that he would. Turning back with his bags in hand, it was clear he had a bittersweet feeling on his face. "You ready babe?"

tag: @Killa Ree

 

[Myrna Vel]

Ken? Meds?

She blinked at him a couple of times, head tilted. "Ya think so?" she asked, not sure what to really say in response. Her arms slowly crossed beneath her bust as she watched him essentially pack his life away.. an' mentally calculated if she even had the space in her ship fer this amount of stuff. She kinda figured she could clear a drawer, but... dimly she was aware how crazy this was.

She didn' do the whole... relationship thing. At least, not before. She didn't even know what they were gonna do once he realized how hard it really was out there; it was kinda hot, though, she weren't gonna lie, and seein' him with his life in a coupla bags, she walked forward.

Wrapped her arms around his waist.

An' gave him a big hug, then leaned up an' pecked his cheek. "Always am, babe," she replied, grinning. She were nervous too; this was all new territory, an' she weren't sure if it was good or not. But it felt solid... it felt nice. She winked, then grabbed one of his bags carefully, slinging it over one shoulder and turning around.

"Let's go, I'm dyin' ta see how much yer ma's cooking style has changed... an' I'm starvin'."

She wasn't gonna dwell too much on the fact she was a lil' nervous herself. Nor let him worry about it... she was jus' gonna live with it like she always did. Just by goin' forward, but this time with someone by her side that made her feel like... she could take on tha whole wide galaxy.

Red an' Star, on ta take over tha speeder lanes.

@TWD26

 

[Kenii Starblazer]

​

She's totally judging me about the Meds thing isn't she? Well sorry Myr, but I'm not the complete package..you'll just have to deal with it. His anxiety was getting the best of him at that moment, and he felt a bit insecure, trust me..you're making a mistake Red.... His mind always seemed to race during these things and it was his anxiety and insecurities that often destroyed a lot of his enjoyment about relationships, and he had a bad feeling it would do the same this time, but he wanted it to work out now more than ever.

He felt her hug and the peck against his cheek, his hands wrapping around her own as he returned a kiss against her own lips, before taking one last look at his room with a sigh. The two of them would make their way down the stairs, finding that his parents had set up four bowls, and were already sitting at a table.

His mother had tears in her eyes, but a smile. "You're going to keep me updated and call all the time?" She asked with some yearning.

Ken took a deep breath as he slid into the booth across from his parents, "Yes ma'..Myrna and I will visit often too..." He'd plant his hand on his girl's thigh as they sat at the table. "Eventually we'll have enough credits for the two of you to retire."

Ken's father groaned, "Don't say that."

"It's true, I know we can do it." Hey if you say it enough, it has to happen right?

tag: @Killa Ree

 

[Myrna Vel]

Seems like Ken had struggles of his own... it made her wonder just how much the guy had changed since their childhood. He'd always seemed a little sad before, but she chalked it down ta not bein' challenged enough. Now, however, things were changin'. She was glad she changed, though. Change was good, wasn't it?

"We'd love ta visit, Mizus Star," she replied, nodding along with Ken. When she slid in next to him and he put his hand on her thigh, she felt a hint of pride. His girl, who'd a' thought it. She pressed her leg alongside his, hand on his own thigh as she smiled at both of his parents, cheeks turning a light red. "We'd love ta do just that," she agreed, gaze sliding over to meet his. "My pa'd be happy ta know what's goin' on, too; I know you an' he were verra fond o' each other's company when Ken an' I were growin'."

Just thinking of her da brought up thoughts of her ma; as always, there was a subtle pang of pain in her chest, knowing that her own ma woulda been ashamed of her daughter 'slummin' it up', as she woulda put it, steerin' the starlanes with a guy that she hooked up wit' once. She could hear it already, too... but she weren't gonna dwell on that.

"We'll be fine, though," she winked slightly at Ken, then grinned at his parents. "But hopefully, we can leave with yer blessin'."

@TWD26

 

[Kenii Starblazer]

​

Ken felt at peace with Myr's hand placed against his own thigh, a breath escaping his lips as he felt the urge to melt into her side and kiss here. Totally not cool dude..in front of the parents..nah c'mon.. He'd push the urges away as he picked up his spoon, nodding along to Myr's words. "This is good.." He'd say idly as his parents ate and listened to Myr.

"Oh, I'm glad..you know, I'd love to see the place you guys get, I'm sure it's going to be really nice..oh we could take vacations," his mother slowly began to return to her old self and it was clear that she was on board with the pairing.

"Ma'..." Ken would huff as he slurped up some of his noodles.

"I'm sorry Ken, y'now..just excited my boy has such a sweet..sweet..girl, and it's old Myrna..." She'd pause, "Oh your pa'...tell him I said hi, I miss him and your mother's cooking so much..Yeshu was the best days of my life you know." She'd glare towards her husband who huffed, not saying a word.

Welcome to a typical Starblazer family dinner, he thought to himself, she probably thinks I'm crazy er' something like that fer' sure. He'd peer towards Myr who asked for his parent's blessing. His father contemplating it for a moment before speaking. "Do you have a job Myrna?" Really pa...

tag: @Killa Ree

 

[Myrna Vel]

She grinned at his Ma, leaning back into her seat and listening, taking some sips of her soup before responding. "Yeh… when we get a solid, nice place an' fix it up purty you'll be the first ta know." Her smile melted into a slight, bittersweet one at the mention of Nal Yeshu. It was a shithole... but it were their shithole, and that made a difference. "Yeah... Da'd be right delighted ta hear that, I'm sure, he an' my Ma were doin' fine last I seen or heard from 'em."

She had just taken her first bite of noodles when his Pa's question registered, and she tilted her head, waiting to swallow before responding. "Sure do. I work contracting, fixing droids, ships an' things." Still keeping her hand on Ken's thigh, she reached across her hip to pull out a small, simple business card. The small holo on there displayed her name and occupation, simple enough an' passable enough fer decent cred.

"I travel fer work, but it's steady, an' honest livin'." She weren't certain if Ken ever mentioned racing to them or not, for now that was her side gig, but she hoped, with Ken now, it would be so much more. She definitely wasn't going to mention it was only recently she could actually afford her own ship and not stowaway on others... or be stealin' or pickin' some loose pockets. She took another sip of her soup, waiting to see if his dad had any more questions.

@TWD26

 

[Kenii Starblazer]

​

Ken would slurp down his bowl as he placed it down, peering towards his parents with a bit of sadness in his eyes, his mother and himself had thrown away their whole lives for their father to pursue his own dreams, and it had taken so much of them to do the same. I won't do that to you Myrna..no matter what. He'd lock eyes with the girl for a short moment, considering if he could really be like his father.

"Well.." His father's words hung to the air, "Ken, are you going to do something or just live off her credits?" He'd say in a pointed response, still so business and sharp like.

"Pa' I'm gonna help her with droids, and probably pick up a mechanic job..Myr and I," he'd pause, "We're gonna start racing on the weekends, repairing the speeders or buying new ones up and hopefully gain a sponsorship and start to get in bigger races with real teams and just you know achieve that dream." Who knew if they would happen, or if it would all come crashing to an end tomorrow, but they had to try it out.

He would stand up, leaning over to his mother to plant a kiss on her cheek ,"I'm gonna be alright, you knew this had to come sooner..and I just want you guys to be happy fer' me..I'm gonna do this on my own terms and learn with one of the brightest people that has ever touched my life," he'd peer back towards Myr with a wide grin. "So, I think this is goodbye for now, but we'll be back."

His mother would pull him into a hug as his dad sat there, contemplating it all. His dad was tough, but he could see in his eyes that he was sad that he was leaving, he wanted the best for his son and Ken knew that. Ken would plant another kiss on his mom's cheek before pulling away. "I'll call you guys soon.." His eyes would shift towards Myr, bittersweet, but excited for a new journey.

tag: @Killa Ree

 

[Myrna Vel]

Ken was staring at her, and she tilted her head slightly, a question in her eyes as she finished off her own bowl as well, then listened as his da' and he talked it out. Curious thing, that, considering he didn' yet give them his blessin', but she weren't gonna dwell on that. She gazed when he mentioned she was one of the brightest people... she couldn't help the silly grin that touched her lips, nor the bright red blush that burned in her cheeks.

"We're gonna work together," she affirmed, givin' his ma a hug and then grinning at both his parents. Time to go, it seemed, and not a moment left to lose. "Mister Star, Miz Star... thanks." She stepped out of the booth, then reached over to grasp his hand, giving him a tug.

The moment they were out, she reached up on her toes and gave him a peck on the cheek, grinning wide an' eyes sparklin'. She had good food and the guy she always considered tops by her side, what ta' kriff could possibly go wrong?

"Ken..." she finally said, her smile softening as she slightly squeezed his hand. "I think we're gonna make it. No raceway's gonna forget us by the time we're through." She felt just like she did at the end of every race; light, elated, like she could take on tha galaxy and then some. Right now, every hyperlane was open, an' she felt rich as a queen.

@TWD26

 

[Kenii Starblazer]

​

Ken took in the fresh humid air as he stepped out of his father's noodle shop, the galaxy was an unpredictable place, but he had a feeling that they could make it, if they tried the hardest and weren't afraid to get their hands a bit dirty. Ken hadn't felt this alive in years and deep down it was exciting to feel like everything was unknown or a given--is this what it feels to be alive?

He felt Myr's soft lips plant against the side of his face, she always brought a rush to his body and an empty feeling of air when she planted her body onto him. He'd melt, as he pressed up close to her, his purple eyes peering down towards her soft brown eyes--his hands wrapping around her waist as he planted her against the side of the noodle shop. "Myr.." He'd lean in planting a firm kiss against her lips, taking a deep breath as he closed his eyes. "The galaxy is gonna' know our name."

He would pepper her with kisses against her neck as he pulled her towards his airspeeder. "But, first there's a few things I want to take care of this evening.." He'd chuckle as he slammed it into gear and took off, the great unknown was waiting--it was time for these two young dumb kids to see what they could carve for themselves.

/END Thread

tag: @Killa Ree