Ask Welcome to the Jungle

[Renfry]

Renfry was satisfied that Lyra would keep herself occupied and noted how the redhead's face lit up at the idea of exploring. Renfry chuckled slightly and set off to find the Chief.

Her business would be a bit more difficult, though she had high hopes. She walked in to meet the Chief several moments later, greeting him with a smile. She hoped to set up a small "academy" and research area nearby. Something akin to a coven of her own.

The Chief seemed skeptical of allowing others to come to the planet, but he'd been skeptical of both Renfry and Ender at first. Although that had resulted in the deaths of one of the tribe, it had also resulted in them clearing out a plague on the village.

She assured him that she would keep her people in line and that although they'd be in the area, they wouldn't be in the village. In fact, finding a suitable location was part of the reason she'd come here.

In the village, Lyra would find that the clothes being made were necklaces made of teeth of some wild animals. There seemed to be chanting and singing over it as each was put on, though the precise animal and reason for the ceremony wasn't clear. @GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Lyra watched quietly as the pieces to the necklaces were stringed together, some of it was bone, others were luminescent scales and stones. However, with each piece added, there was a creative signature as they were chanting and singing. One of the Felucians were burning a potent plant and waived it over each warrior once they tied on the necklaces, further chanting, but now in a calmer and controlled manner. Lyra closed her eyes as she breathed in the smoke from the plant, finding it reinvigorating, almost as though it woke up all her senses at once.

Her blue eyes widened and it felt like the jungle grew brighter and herself felt more fearless. She stood up, deciding it may have not been a good idea to keep inhaling the smoke, especially if she did not know what purpose it served or how it affected humans. She moved on to different areas of the village, passing by huts and quickly stealing a peak inside before moving on to the next one. Some of the villagers gave her suspicious looks, while others did not seem bothered with her presence; even though she was uncertain of what was being said specifically, Lyra felt the connection with the Force and with the villagers. There was an ebb and flow of activity such as moving with the breath of the jungle.

It was very different from a city world and eventually Lyra found herself outside the hut that Renfry had entered to speak with the village chief. She slowly sat down a low set stone, trying to readjust her senses after ingesting and inhaling many compounds through the village.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

I know you don't like outsiders, and I can't blame you, but you know me. I'll keep my people in check, she reassured the Chief. He still looked skeptical - or at least she thought it was skepticism, she still had difficulty reading Felucian facial expressions - but eventually he spoke again.

On a temporary basis, he said, indicating that he would allow it for a trial at least. Renfry felt a wave of relief wash over her at the revelation, and she would take it. It was the first step, and she knew she could get the rest of the village on board with helping her as well.

She smiled and thanked the chief before standing to leave. What she found when she got outside... surprised her. Lyra was sitting there, staring off into the distance at nothing in particular. She stood there watching the redhead for several moments before speaking up.

Am I interrupting something? she asked with a quirked eyebrow. @GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Lyra inhaled and exhaled slowly, feeling the jungle breath with her, or was she breathing with the jungle?

She wasn't entirely sure, nor did she really want to figure it out, she was feeling pretty good, she wasn't too sure why she was so skeptical prior to coming. Now she was understanding why Renfry wanted to stick around here and wondered if Dathomir lacked whatever it was she was feeling.

Lyra was uncertain how long she had been sitting and looking out into the jungle; the colors of the flowers and fungi seemed to illuminate and pulse. There was a part of her that wanted to go back into the trees and plants, to be closer, but she had some self-control to remain put. Perhaps Renfry would want to go with her, she would have to ask her if she felt this way in the jungle.

It took her a long while to realize that Renfry had been standing beside her and she heard her speak; the redhead looked up, her eyes clearly glassed over as she studied her Sith partner before turning her attention back to the jungle. "No...you fit in well...I do too..." Lyra inhaled again and breathed out, "I can really feel the jungle now...this place is nice, are you going to stay for a while? I want to stay a while." she asked glancing slowly to Renfry.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry looked down at the redhead with an increasingly puzzled expression at her answer. Renfry had thought she was simply deep in thought or perhaps meditation, but now she was beginning to wonder what had happened in her absence.

She started looking around and was about to start checking Lyra over for some sort of poisonous bite when it clicked what was going on.

Were you smoking? she asked, trying not to smile as she realized what had happened to the other woman. Renfry had given a try to those particular "goods" when she'd been here before as well and she now understood what was going on.

She also now understood they probably weren't going to be getting much done for the next few hours, though, by then the sun would likely be down. Looked like they'd be spending the night in the village... and Renfry suddenly felt like she was going to be babysitting. @GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Smoking?

Lyra hummed and closed her eyes, breathing in the warm air of the jungle, "Yeah..." she grinned and giggled, "And they gave me something good to drink too."

Lyra felt herself leaning backwards, "You should go get some, it takes like candy. Then we can make necklaces too." the redhead explained and kept leaning back, perhaps thinking the hut was closer to her from behind than she thought and ended up falling backwards. She felt completely detached and the world had a slight spin as she worked to push herself back up to sitting. It was hard to focus on anything, her attention being drawn across the wildlife; she was starting to wonder if she was having a trip from the smoke and drink she was given, clearly her awareness was not as self-aware as she thought it was.

The girl closed her eyes, feeling the jungle pulse and letting time pass silently; her senses seemed more sensitive as she explored what she was able to feel. "I feel different here." she patted the stone's surface, and then slowly drew her gaze to Renfry, "You're too tense, relax." she gave a small tug on her clothing to sit next to her, "How long does this last? Do the rancors glow too?" she asked.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry closed and rubbed her eyes before letting out a small groan. Yes, she was definitely going to be babysitting a very "relaxed" Lyra. Could she just... leave her alone? How much trouble could she really get into in the village? Maybe...

Too long, she said as Lyra asked how long it lasted.

And you're too relaxed, tense up, she quipped, knowing that arguing with someone in Lyra's state was no good, but it made Renfry feel a bit better.

You're not going to get to see the rancors until you sober up, she said firmly at the mention of the rancors glowing. That was definitely not what either of them needed right now.

Come on, she said, waving to the redhead as she plopped back onto the ground. Renfry headed back toward the fire, figuring that Lyra would be safer making a necklace than anywhere else. What could go wrong with that? @GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Too long?

Lyra sighed, suddenly thinking that was meaning for eternity, "I'm always tense...this feels good though." she rolled her head back to look up at Renfry, her red hair falling behind her head. "I just can't be this relaxed when I go back to Eriadu." she said and dropped her chin. It was a bit of a struggle to get up, more because she was not entirely sure how stable the ground was as the grasses grew taller and shorter depending on how she moved her head.

"My Master would be so displeased..." she sighed and then started to follow Renfry back to the fire where she had been earlier. The animals they were cooking smelled even better now that it had been over the fire for a bit longer. She couldn't tell if the ground was softer when she stood next to Renfry or if it were the side effects of whatever it was flowing through her system; eventually she needed to hold onto her arm to keep steady. At least the mushrooms stopped pulsing.

One of the Felucians went to hand Lyra another cup of the fruity drink from earlier and without thinking, she took it, but paused, as though she were slowly processing what she was holding. Lyra then gave it Renfry, "I think I'm having a reaction to this."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry was quite sure that her master wouldn't approve.

Yes, he'd be quite unhappy with you, she said, wondering if she should be coming down on the other woman as well. She squinted in judgment and decided to let it go. The poor girl already had her hands quite full with Emryc, she was sure.

As the Felucian came to hand her another drink, Renfry was quick to snatch it away even if it was going to be offered to her in a few moments anyway.

Yes, a "reaction," she said with an eyeroll.

Maybe you should go sleep it off. We still have some work to do here, she said, motioning toward the hut where Lyra could get some sleep without being interrupted.

I'm sending you to bed without dinner, she said, although her face was straight, she had a difficult time keeping it that way. @GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Lyra frowned when Renfry seemed to agree she was having a reaction to the drink that she now held. She suggested she should sleep it off and Lyra shook her head. "I'm not even tiiiiireeedddd." she drew out a long sigh and let her head drop backwards, her gaze falling to where Renfry had pointed to the hut from earlier. The redhead's stomach growled in protest, the food that was cooking did smell delightful and when Renfry informed she was being sent to bed without supper, Lyra felt ultimately betrayed.

She looked at Renfry with wide, puppy dog eyes as though she had just told her that Life Day was cancelled and all the presents were going back to the store. "This is not cool...so mean..." she pouted, "You shouldn't get dinner either." Lyra added in an attempt of defiance, but was still obedient to Renfry's suggestion to go sleep it off. She stumbled away, the ground seemingly stretched and warped with each step she took to the hut. However, her ability to gauge the distance was entirely off and had arrived nearly with her nose into the wall of the hut. She slid into the doorway and was overcome with confusion as she ran her hand along the inside wall to find a switch for a light, but was unable to find it.

Renfry would see Lyra shuffling around for an extended amount of time feeling the wall until she eventually gave up and laid down on a straw mat inside. Her body stiffened as she felt the shadows in the hut twist and warp until her stomach felt like it was going to come up through her mouth. It would be only then did Lyra feel some conscious level of control over her mind and perhaps sleep would be best for now.

 

[Renfry]

Renfry turned and watched Lyra stumble around the hut. She closed her eyes and shook her head with a sigh before the girl finally seemed to find her way inside.

I need to keep her away from that stuff, she muttered with a shake of her head when she was satisfied that Lyra wasn't going to have some sort of incident. Perhaps she would simply manage to sleep it off.

For her own part, Renfry turned in early as well. After taking a portion of the day's catch and a bit of catching up with those she'd not seen in some time, she made her way to the hut and set up a small sleeping area just outside. The sky was clear with no sign of rain, and she could see the stars swirling above. Not such a bad thing to fall asleep to.

---​

The next morning came quickly, and Renfry awoke as the sun began to sneak over the horizon. She took a deep breath of morning air as she stretched out and sat up, looking around. The first of the hunters were already beginning to ready their gear, and she knew it wouldn't be long before the entire village was bustling with activity.

Standing, she poked her head inside the hut to either wake Lyra or see if she'd already risen, and she came bearing a glass of juice that she hoped might clear any residual hangover the redhead might have. @GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

The sun started to peak through the entry way and Lyra quickly discovered where she was positioned was not going to save her from the unbearable brightness. She squeezed her eyes tightly and then rolled over, groaning over the sun that came too soon. Generally the redhead would have no problem waking, in fact, sleep was troublesome most of the time, but she blamed the horrid feeling of the hangover that twisted her stomach and made her head throb behind her eyes. She couldn't quite remember what she done the previous evening, she had felt so detached as though she were placed in a bubble away from her physical surroundings.

The light of the sun was relentless and she could feel its heat against her back. Relief came when Renfry stepped in the door, Lyra could feel her shadow cool her backside and the girl turned over, peeking an eye open. "Please just turn off the sun." she said, slowly opening the other eye to focus on the woman. Slowly Lyra sat up, her red hair disarray on the side she clearly slept on and the imprint of the mat's folds teared along her face and neck. "I'm so thirsty..." she said as she shuffled her way to Renfry and out of the hut, squinting in the sunlight as she felt cool air that still settled among the camp from the night.

It would quickly become apparent that Lyra had more than her natural freckles that kissed her face and neck, the sunlight would reveal the red spotted rash that came with her hangover. The young sith had yet to take notice as she dug through her pack to find some rations to fill her stomach that couldn't decide if she were extremely hungry or unwell. "I don't know what happened, but I don't want it again." the girl decided and took a drink of water from her canteen.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

That's probably a good thing, she said as Lyra said that she never wanted to do that again.

Then this time will be our little secret, she added, watching the girl down her water and start digging through her food.

Here, drink this, she said, extending the juice to the other woman. It was sweet and refreshing, and would help her begin to feel better.

And I saved you breakfast, she said, leading Lyra back over toward the fire as well where the locals had made a combination of eggs, meat, and local fruit of some sort.

Are you going to be in a condition to go out scouting today? she asked with a skeptical frown. The woman looked like she might pass out or vomit at any moment, neither of which seemed like fun prospects. @GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Renfry spoke, and Lyra had to close her eyes and breathe slowly to stop her head from thumping, normal sounds seemed to be grossly amplified. Never had experienced any hangover, she was quickly finding how irritating they could be and wished against them for the rest of her life. Though Renfry telling her this would be kept a secret brought a smirk from the redhead, she could only imagine how she was like the previous evening; she paused her search for the rations and took the drink from Renfry, eyeing it carefully for a moment and then took a sip. "What is it?" she asked, though did not wait for her to explain as she took another drink and followed back to the fire.

On the short walk, she would notice the rash on her arms and hands, "What the..." she muttered as she quickly examined her arms and hands, still unaware of it on her face and neck. The girl cursed under her breath and took a longer drink of the juice, admiring how good the food smelled. She collected a portion handed by the Felucians, listening to Renfry ask her if she was well enough to go scouting. Finishing the juice, she nodded, "Where are we going?" she asked, "Are we going with the warriors, or will we be going on our own?" added the girl as she glanced at some the hunters who were getting ready leave the village.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry still didn't mention the rash even as Lyra saw them on her arms. She had wondered if the girl had gone out in an intoxicated stupor and stumbled into some sort of toxic plant, but she hadn't noticed Lyra leave the hut during the night. Perhaps she'd simply missed it?

Evidently, Renfry didn't need to answer what the drink was either, since Lyra promptly started drinking it before getting an answer.

Local beverage, helps with the remnants of your fun last night, she said. Or at least it should have helped. Renfry hoped it did, at least. She'd prefer a partner and not having to do this trip by herself.

No. I want to find a location we can set up a... she frowned, trying to think of the word. She knew what she hoped it would be, but it would also probably be a base for the Sith, more or less. ...an outpost, she decided was the best word for it.

The base of the mountains have caves and caverns already, I think we can convert some of them, but we need to check them out first. Are you ready? she asked, glancing over to check the status of the woman's breakfast and whether it could be eaten on the go. @GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Lyra popped some of the pieces of fruit in her mouth as she listened to Renfry explained what they would be doing on their scouting expedition. She quickly fixed her hair, pulling the loose locks back into a bun and she thought about where they would be going at the base of the mountains; her eyes turned to the direction of the mountain range and nodded in understanding. She scooped up the egg with a piece of the meat, trying to figure out why she was so hungry this morning. Her gaze went from Renfry to the red spots finding them to be a bother as she looked at the rash on her left hand. At least they did not itch.

The redhead prepared herself for the stinging pain in her head as she stood up, but when it did not come, the girl felt a wash of relief. She was grateful for Renfry sharing the juice with her, "I'm ready when you are." she said finishing the meat portion and then folded the last pieces of the fruit in the large lobbed leaf that was used as her plate. Tucking it away in her pack, she was feeling more alert and energized, but was a bit more cautious about where she stepped, trying to avoid anything that was burning incense around the camp.

"Did things go well with the chief?" she asked, curious to know what happened the previous night.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry had forgotten that she'd never actually had the chance to tell Lyra about the meeting the night before. She'd been a bit too "altered" at the time.

She stood and started heading for the edge of the town, grabbing her pack and throwing it onto her back as she went.

It went well. He's agreed to let us set up here on a trial basis, she said.

Assuming we keep our people in line, everything should be smooth out here, she said. And Renfry fully intended to make sure that the Sith kept in line. There was no reason that the two groups couldn't get along, though.

They made their way past the edge of the village and up toward the mountains, once again keeping to the trails the locals had made in the area for as long as they could.

So what do you like to do with your spare time, Lyra? Or what little of it you have? she asked somewhat out of the blue. It was better than walking in silence for the moment, and there was still a great deal she didn't know about the redhead despite their time working together. @GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

She guessed if things did not go well, they would have left shortly after Renfry was finished with her meeting. Her thoughts tried to retrieve anything from the night before and she frowned, not in knowing things went well for Renfry, but in her inability to have some recollection of what she did or say last evening. However, she decided she would trust things did not go too horribly as they were now back in the jungle on their way to the mountains for this new possible outpost.

The jungle seemed to grow thicker the further they went; though they kept to the trails, it was clear nature would not be contained to one side of the path to the other. Lyra would keep quiet, not used to the idea of talking with anyone as it had been for years, and now with Emryc, there was even very little conversation that occurred. However, Renfry was just the opposite, taking an interest in conversation as she asked Lyra about what she did in the time she did have to herself. She felt a bit of surprise from the attempt of conversation, but welcomed it.

She grinned to her thoughts, "Dancing, luckily I can incorporate many of my drills and routines into training." This was response was her typical go-to. Many had seen her dance at the Sullust celebration, so it would not come as a surprise in her opinion. There was of course more to her than that, "I also spend a lot of my time studying space travel," internally she frowned to how dorky that sounded, "Like the position of the stars and systems, gravitational pulls, anomalies, hyperspace, time itself, and then I code it all depending on the purpose that data." Lyra explained.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry continued to walk as she listened to Lyra explain what she liked to do. Dancing was certainly fun and something Renfry enjoyed as well, which earned a nod of agreement from Renfry as Lyra mentioned it.

The next one, however, was not what she expected. Studying space travel could have meant many things - travel to places she wanted to go, shipping lanes, etc. - but the explanation that Lyra gave made Renfry have the faintest of smiles.

Do you pilot? What led you to studying all of that? she asked. Those were the types of things she'd expect spacers or professional pilots to do. If Renfry recalled, the woman had no ship when they'd first met, and she may not have even had one now for all Renfry knew. Perhaps that was why she did it. Perhaps she simply was captivated with everything she'd need to escape from being captured. @GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Renfry sounded genuinely interested in what she had just said and the redhead smirked, trying to decide now how to explain it in the simplest terms possible without diving into the technical jargon. She ran her palm over the ferns as they walked, watching as she disturbed a few small flies from their resting place.

"I mean, I can pilot if I need to..." she glanced up at the canopy trying to think how to best describe without getting roped into something she could not do, "Not like gun fire, dogfighting piloting, but if you need me to guide you through a solar storm, I can do that. Or find a shorter path from here to like Nar Shaddaa, that too." she said, "I don't always need the navi-computer which is nice, dangerous of course, but well-worth it in the end."

Lyra shrugged as though it were not a big deal and everyone probably did something similar in the Sith. She thought back to when her interest piqued in such navigation and astro-anomalies and it was shortly after starting her training.

"I visited a hypergate." she simply stated, looking to gauge Renfry's response before continuing.

@Phoenix