Who can one trust?

[Korraly]

The young Twi'lek was shoved outside of yet another cantina with curses and threats shouted in Kurtzen and Basic following after her small form. She stumbled a couple of paces before turning back towards the entrance of the cantina and returned their threats with derogatory remarks first in a rough Kurtzen and than Basic. Afterwards, she scampered off into the streets and managed to avoid more threats or attempts to knock her to the ground. She was sick and tired of being treated as such for being a Twi'lek and a smuggler. However, like her namesake, Risk, she knew that she wouldn't be able to find more work unless she took some needed ones.

Most of the time she didn't mind taking risks and actually enjoyed such actives from the adrenaline rush that filled her veins and helped her forget about her troubles. Lately, Risk didn't have the energy to do so. She had spent too long in one city and too long on Bakura that all led to sleepless nights or night terrors. Risk wanted nothing but to lay down and be able to sleep, but every time she attempted to do so she could feel the small tendrils of the force pull at her. She couldn't let herself reconnect with her curse and she'd sooner die than ever chance reconnecting with the force. She was weak, near sickly, exhausted and anxious. All together, it was surprising Risk hadn't broke down yet.

She stumbled down a side street with a worn force user's robe wrapped around her. She had stolen it a while back from a young padawan when she had been on Coruscant and had since kept it. It helped hide the fact that she was a Twi'lek from some of the locals on Bakura and the fact that she needed rest. Risk took a deep breath through her mouth as she felt her heart skip a few beats and slowly made her way towards the end of the street. She felt heat rush up into her head followed by a wave of dizziness. Risk stumbled to the left and braced herself against the wall of a nearby building. She recovered after a moment of heavy breathing than continued down the street. However, a greater rush of heat and dizziness rushed through her as the sun hit her face. The next moment she blacked out in the middle of the street.

 

[Undine]

It wasn't often Emerald found herself out in these parts of the galaxy, normally spending her time in and around Hutt space. After tracking a group of pirates who had smuggled innocent Jawa off of Tatooine and sold them into slavery as droid repairs on Nal Hutta, Emerald found herself on Bakura in need of supplies. Most of the pirates were dead, as they didn't react kindly to Emerald storming their hideout on Endor, but she'd turned a few of them over to the Bakuran authorities since she didn't have the ship to fairie them all the way back to Jedi space where they could face their time in the big house. It was as she was paying for these supplies to be delivered to her ship that Emerald sensed it, someone in distress, reaching out through the Force for help. Or so she thought, as she would soon learn a very different story.

Completing the transaction as quickly as possible, the large feline humanoid ran in the direction where she'd sensed the disturbance coming from. Finding an alleyway, the Horansi quickly located the unconscious Twi'lek. Emerald knew she had to help the young woman, she was a Jedi after all, it was her duty, but something felt off about the blue skinned humanoid. Almost like a hatred, nothing like what Emerald knew from the sith, but a darkness and internal struggle all the same.

Picking up the small woman in her arms, Emerald carried her to where her ship was located, in a small starport on the other side of the market. Of course, this earned Emerald a fair few stairs as she walked, but most of the people has also seen the same Jedi about an hour earlier leading nearly a dozen men and woman off to the local security. No one was going to stop her, regardless of how it looked. Emerald did have to laugh though, as one child had stopped to ask his mother if the big cat was going to eat the Twi'lek.​

 

[Korraly]

Risk mind quickly painted a picture of a beach and the waves. The scent of the tropics invaded her mind as it used a dream to disguise the fact that she was being moved by someone. It reminded of her time on Scarif when she was still with her family and the force wasn't a monster that crawled underneath her skin and invaded her soul. The usual claws of anxiety didn't dig into her skin and instead allowed the young woman to enjoy her childhood memory.

The first thing that flashed across her mind was when she had been left alone on the beach without anyone watching her. She had found a collection of flat shells that could easily be stacked into little towers and easily knocked over. Risk took a quick glance around at her surroundings and nodded once in affirmation that there was nobody around. With a wide smile fixed on her face she put all her focus into trying to left one of the shells and move it a couple paces using the force that connected her to the universe itself. Risk managed to lift the tiny shells into several small towers. A tiny giggle escaped her lips as she attempted to knock them down with the wave of her hand. However, the next instance she heard Peytaal shout at her to run and get back to the ship. Their plan to con a rich Imperial citizen had backfired and a hasty escape was needed. That had been the last time that Risk happily experimented with the force.

Why am I remembering this now? Out, I need out! Her consciousness invaded upon her dreamworld tearing apart the peaceful memory she had sent herself back to. Risk started hyperventilating and clawing at her sides for the blaster that she kept on her.

 

[Undine]

As soon as the young woman began to stir, Emerald knelt down and lowered her to the ground. They were only a dozen or so meters from the clinic inside the starport. Emerald continued to prop the Twi'lek up into a sitting position, even as the young one reached for her blaster. It was a natural reaction, she'd woken up not knowing where she was or what was holding her. "How do you feel? Emerald found you in an alley, unconscious." Of course, the Horansi was keeping a very close eye on the small blaster the woman carried, lest it turn in Emerald's direction. If the youngling did attempt to attack her, Emerald would be ready, able to reach out and snatch the weapon at a moment's notice.

Once the girl was fully awake, Emerald removed her paw from the Twi'lek's back, allowing her to sit up or stand of her own free will. "This one was going to take you to that clinic, mind if Emerald learns your name?" Emerald spoke softly, her gruff voice was deeper than most females of other species, but that also allowed her to seem more motherly and nurturing. It was even one of the factors that had caused her adoptive son to originally imprint onto her so quickly as he had. Emerald was more curious to see if the young woman was still ill or not, but she also had a nagging feeling this child of the Force had no understanding of her potential. It was always one of Emerald's favorite duties as a Jedi to bring others into their Order.​

 

[Korraly]

Risk's body tensed slightly when she first felt the touch of Emerald's paw, however, she slowly moved her hand away from her blaster when she heard the woman ask her how she was feeling. The young twi'lek took a deep breath and glanced around at her surroundings trying to get a sense of where she was. She noted the crowds of people and that she and the cat woman were inside the local starport. "I'm fine," she replied plastering a devil may care expression on her face.

A few moments later, Risk glanced back up at the woman and felt her entire body relax at the sound of her voice. Or it was simply that fact I haven't slept in forever, she argued with herself and willed her body to tense back up. "My name is Risk and you're taking one by trying to help me," she introduced herself before attempting to quickly stand up and make a run for it. She stumbled to the right and than left before finally gripping onto Emerald's arm to steady herself. "What kind of sorry existence have you lived to want to help other people out?" she questioned though her words were slightly slurred.

 

[Undine]

Emerald held out an arm to help steady the young Twi'lek, a deep seated chuckle rumbling from within her chest. "Apparently Emerald has lived a sorry enough existence to learn it is far better to be kind and keep worthy friends than to intimidate and fearmonger. The later will only shorten one's existence in this galaxy. Besides, it is possible to be kind as well as keep your wits about you. Do you disagree young one?" There were many, young and old, in this galaxy that never seemed to grasp that life could be a whole lot more enjoyable if you simply let it be so and stopped with all the unnecessarily extra drama of it all. "Perhaps we should find somewhere for you to sit down awhile, you do not seem well." Emerald spoke with a cautious tone, so far, the young blue skinned humanoid had attempted to draw her blaster on the Horansi, threatened her, and even chastised Emerald for her acts of charity.

Risk, the girl had an interesting name, a nice one too. Emerald knew what it was to name oneself after something that defined her, her own name being derived from the hue of her first lightsaber's blade. Emerald had started out as nothing more than a weapon to her superiors, a tool to be used and then discarded, only Emerald had proved to stubborn to be tossed aside. Having since trained an Initiate to the rank of Jedi Knight, aided in the liberation of Ithor, taken a second Initiate, not to mention her life's work of combating the slave trade in Hutt Space, particularly on and around Ryloth. While it was doubtful many of her feat would have traveled this far from Hutt Space, even the common thug could tell Emerald was the type to brush off most risks with a purr and a shot of Huttese ale. She would not be so easily deterred by a mere child.

Staying close enough to catch Risk if the Twi'lek fell again, Emerald led the young woman to a rusty metal table nearby. It was apart of an outside cafe of sorts. A few seconds after they sat down a shirtless Zeltron waiter walked over with a smile and wink towards Risk. equally young and alien to this world as the Twi'lek he'd started flirting with, Emerald smiled to the young man and ordered them both a glass of water and a bit of Corellian whisky, they could start off slow for now. "Looks like he might be interested in taking a risk himself." The Horansi let out a loud laugh at her own joke. "Well then, what sort of sorry existence has Emerald interrupted you from living?" Emerald leaned back, waiting for either a response or for the attractive young gentleman to return with their drinks.​

 

[Korraly]

Risk choose to remain silent as the Horansi held her steady and slowly guided them over to the front of what appeared to be a outdoor cafe. She understood what the woman was trying to say; however, it seemed she neglected to note of the third option of remaining alone and relying solely on oneself. On a case to case basis one could rely on another in order to make it from one outer rim planet to the next and where one would find their next supply of credits. Risk craved out that small existence for herself in the universe and had been satisfied until she ended up on Bakura for one too many days and had failed time and time again to secure one smuggling job.

When the Zeltron waiter had paused to flirt briefly with her, Risk had flushed softly and turned her head away. She didn't like it when people engaged her. It was easier to engage them than leave them hanging. It was safer that way without all of the messy complications that came with relationships. "He wouldn't like the risks that involve someone so cursed," she informed with a wistful tone though her words came out severely slow and tired. "My existence...is plenty fine as it was until I couldn't get off this sithspit of a planet..." Risk mumbled under her breath.

 

[Undine]

The Horansi scoffed at the way the young girl spoke of herself. How did she expect to get anywhere in this life if she, above all others, had no faith in herself?Even the darkest, cruelest monstrosities the sith had to bare against the galaxy at least believed in their own convictions and abilities. "Plenty fine? This from the same tongue which called you cursed?" Emerald's words were spoken without judgement, but they spoke volumes of what the Horansi thought about the Twi'lek's words. Asking as if almost a real question, Emerald spoke again, "Ah, you truly are a tenderfoot aren't you?" The Horansi broke a smile, she'd once been exactly where this Risk was, questioning herself, her abilities, and doubting she'd ever be able to overcome her own inner darkness.

Emerald had used her complicated past to help many young Jedi view their own troubles in new light, aiding them in their searches for new perspectives that would guide them along their path towards a better future. Emerald had the chance to do the same for this young woman, to offer her a new life, a new family and a new chance at claiming who she was meant to be to the galaxy."Tell you what, Emerald will take you anywhere you want to go, for a price of course, since you seem so foul tempered towards kindness. In return you'll tell Emerald of this curse that has beset your existence. If Emerald can unburden you, than you have to help this one perform an act of generosity. If not Emerald will give you ten thousand credits and her ship, leaving this one stranded on this sithspit of a world." She was smarter than to simply come out and offer the young Twi'lek a place amongst the Jedi, from everything she'd see from the girl so far it didn't seem like little Miss Risk would take to kindly to such an offer, might even attempt to collect the bounty on Jedi heads, which would be a very foolish thing to do.

The waiter returned with a cheeky grin on his adorable face, placing the two whiskies down alongside their glasses of water. Emerald held her tongue while the young Zeltron have Risk the classic twice over, noting his slight pause after placing the drinks before leaving. While she wasn't one for that particular type of gratification, at some point Risk had to learn to enjoy the simple pleasures in life when she could. An innocent indulgence in flirting now and then was said to be enjoyable by most, a few less innocent indulgences after flirting were said to be even more enjoyable by those that had such desires.
Risk was young and Emerald had no inclination towards such acts of pleasure, flirting tended to be where the Horansi left things.

The thought of the shirtless Zeltron petting her fur caused Emerald to choke on her water. "That's a bit strong." She spoke before reaching for the whisky as if to clear out the taste of the water with alcohol before continuing on with their conversation. "There is another catch though, if you continue on with your curse than you must never commit any acts of kindness, ever, lest you betray yourself. If you do, than Emerald must be given her money and ship back." Emerald offered Risk a challenging glare, hoping the young Twi'lek would bite. "Deal?" The Hornsi downed the glass of whisky like it was a shot before ordering three shots of Gamorrean Rum.​

 

[Korraly]

Risk's eyes narrowed when Emerald called her a tenderfoot, yet there was nothing she could say to completely refute the statement. It was partially true, compared to the older woman, Risk had hardly experienced life still she had experienced more than most. She adjusted the threadbare robe she donned and focused her gaze on the rust patches on the table they sat at. This matters because you know it's true. Always too afraid of the world to actually live. You let others call you Risk because you take so many, yet you won't take the ones that matter, a voice chuckled through her head. She shoved the voice aside, her gaze turned into a glare.

Risk looked up with wide eyes at Emerald's offer though a deep rooted suspicion welled in her eyes. There was nothing anyone could do to remove her connection to the force unless they killed her and she didn't wish to stop existing, at least not yet. She slowly pulled back the hood of the robe and revealed more of her worn out features and the tattered bandages wrapped around her lekku. Risk would finish talking with the woman than move on with her life. Nothing more, nothing less.

Nevertheless, the temptation of anyway off the planet danced through her soul, invaded her mind and set fire to the tip of her tongue. "I purpose a change to the deal. I don't want to have any of your credits or your ship. If by some miracle you can unburden me I'll still help you, like you originally purposed. On the other hand, I instead want to simply be given a ride to another outer-rim planet and that promise you'll leave me alone."

 

[Undine]

Risk's offer was basically what Emerald had already agreed to do regardless of the outcome of their deal. With a smirk, Emerald held out her paw to the young Twi'lek. "Deal." It'd never even crossed her mind to ask the young woman just what her burden was. The Jedi KNight was well aware of Risk's Force sensitivity, she could feel the young woman's presence in the Force quite clearly, she just assumed that Risk herself wasn't aware of her potential. It was so often that when one learned of the possibilities their life had that they would let go of the shackles of false perception that had once bound them to their former lives. "Well then, what is this curse you speak of Risk?" It was possible Emerald had gotten in over her head, but she was wiser than she often appeared. Even if she couldn't get rid of of the curse itself, she could always shift Risk's perception of it from a burden to something much more productive.

With the conversation shifting, Emerald stood and stretched before walking towards the hangar where her ship was located. By now it had been refueled and restocked with all the necessities. The two of them would be headed to Ryloth, Emerald had an idea of how to show Risk the many blessings of life. It was ironic actually, Risk was a Twi'lek and Ryloth was her species homeworld. Emerald knew nothing of the young woman's history, didn't even know if she'd ever called Ryloth home, but she had no doubt Risk would be surprised to learn that Ryloth was the planet where Emerald herself had been born "Come, we can talk more on the way but I'd like to get going as soon as possible." Emerald would wait to tell Risk of their destination until her ship had already taken off and reached space, didn't want the young Twi'lek or skip out on their deal.​

 

[Korraly]

Risk climbed into Emerald's ship and silently took in the interior of a vessel that would take her away from a planet that had began to torment her. She took a deep breath and for the briefest moment she seemed calm; however, one skilled in recognizing a person's facial expressions would notice that her eyes pinched with a constant anxiety and fear while the mouth never naturally slipped into a smile. "I can understand the sentiment," she replied stiffly after seating herself. Risk leaned back into the seat and wrapped the worn robe around herself tightly as if to ward off a deep chill.

Risk was confident that the woman wouldn't be able to magically lift the curse that had plagued her since she was born. She was force sensitive, which as Risk could remember, made her mother and sisters proud. Yet that didn't stop corrupt officers from capturing her and locking her away only to be taken out again like a fragile ornament that is only shown to impress. Risk never wanted to relive those moment back in the Ryloth system. She hated it, but not as much as she hated her connection to the force. She could push away memories. Risk couldn't push her connection away; she could block it, but that didn't stop something that seeped into her blood and bones seeking out her soul. Yes, Risk hated nothing more than herself.

 

[Undine]

The young woman still hadn't told Emerald what her curse was. If she'd wanted a free ride, it had already been offered free of charge, so why hold back the burden they were talking about? Emerald wouldn't press the issue though, allowing the young woman to get to know her in the meantime would only allow her the chance to get more comfortable moving forward. "So, do you have a particular world in mind? Want to see another dump or would you prefer something a bit fancier? Bespin is a tourism world, we could also go to a pirate world and see about getting you some work for the long run. Eridu would be a nice world to settle down on, clean and good weather, not much more crime than is normal either." For now Emerald simply set down in the lounge area of her ship, until Risk told her where they were headed there wouldn't be much purpose to running the engines.

OOC: Apologies for the short post, I just couldn't think of much more to do than wait for Risk to mention her curse.​

 

[Korraly]

Risk tilted her head to the side and offered a small shrug. "My one request is that it's outer rim and away from Imperial control, kay?" she informed with a curt tone. She crossed her arms and waited for them to take off after waiting a few minuets and noting that Emerald made no move to start the ship and depart. She wondered what was taking so long when it dawned on her that the woman was waiting for Risk to explain her mysterious 'curse.'

She heaved a large sigh before wrapping her arms around her body and tucking the robe closer to herself. "My curse is what you'd all a gift and a sith would call power. Something that the universe decided to place upon me and as a result it has ended with my kidnapping away from my parents as a child and than the death of my adoptive family. What good is something that isn't natural and is used to destroy the world around you?" She questioned with raised eyebrows. "I'm not some twiddling idiot, by the way, I know I'm force sensitive. My curse is the fact that I have some damn blasted connection that won't go away no matter what I do."
@Undine