laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Miriam awoke to the soft rush of air as the recycler kicked on, cooling the stale air in the room. All of the past days events had accumulated to an emotional, confusing mix and she was trying desperately to catch up and make sense of it all. Sighing, she sat up, keeping the thick blanket close to herself, closed her eyes and calmed her spirit as she controlled her breathing. Meditating, she took herself back to the private sanctuary atop the grey mountain, near the small pool full of rain water that her noda used to drink from. As she allowed herself to take in the moment, she could almost feel the cool breeze gently carress her face and smell the abarris blooming nearby. With the moments, she felt all her fears drift away on that wind.

Opening her eyes, she relaxed as her eyes wandered about the small, dark room. Tia's soft breathing in the bunk above also made her realize that her long time friend would hopefully always be there for her and she smiled to herself.
Getting up, she pulled on her boots and thin, tan jacket, flicking her hair from underneath, then walked to the door. Pushing the red button, the door slid to the right and allowed the well lit hallway to greet her as she headed out and around to the refresher. Looking to the frame, she noted the thin, green light denoting occupancy. She would have to wait. As she stood to the side, the quiet vessel's interior made her realize how late it was. Everyone else was probably still asleep, she thought as she pulled out a pocket chronometer that her cousin, Enriya had given her and gazed to the face. 03:47. It was still early back home.

With a quiet rush, the refresher door slid open to reveal an older, human female emerge, drying her long, grey streaked, brown hair as hazel-green eyes smiled. "Good morning," she greeted in Aurebesh.

"Hello," Miriam returned, replacing the chronometer into her pocket.

"Did you get any rest?"

Miriam nodded. "Some. How long will this trip take?"

"Only four days. Yelsain lies in the Minos Cluster in Wild Space. Luckily, we know a shorter route than the main trade route," she smiled.

Politely smiling, Miriam headed into the confined, closet-sized room and reached for the button to close and lock the door.

"I'll be in the galley if you'd like to join me for breakfast."

"Okay," Miriam stated noncomitally, then closed the door. It wasn't traditional to fraternize with aliens but, she realized that to survive in their world, she may have to get used to doing so.

Once her shower was completed, she dried off and got dressed. After combing her hair, she headed out into the galley and heard male voices speaking in the foreign tongue. Rounding the corner, she recognized their captain and Gilan who stood immediately as she entered.

"Good morning, milady," the acolyte greeted.

"Morning," Miriam nodded, then eyed the food laden table and sat on the corner opposite Calldir.

"How'd you sleep," the elder pilot asked, setting his coffee cup back onto the cozy, round table.

"Fine," she lay her napkin into her lap and began eating as Gilan reclaimed his spot beside her. She was glad that her family coudn't see this, her uncle in particular would've had a stroke knowing that one of his family were sitting and dining with a member of - what he referred to as - members of an inferior race. Sarrelonian's had never been good diplomats to the outside galaxy. But, she had to admit that her lighter skinned family were much more tolerant than their darker skinned cousins whose solid red eyes complimented their outlook on everyone else. Including her side of the family.

Once completed, she left her plate and headed back towards the room as Gilan followed. "My lady," he called quietly as she turned. "I want to ask your forgiveness," he knelt before her. "It was my fault that they were left behind," he stated as his eyes fell. The words reopened the wound that Miriam was trying to allow time to heal.

"This was my fault," she stated as her chin began to quiver.

"You and your brothers were my responsibility. But, I vow, that yourself will be in my care no matter the cost. I will see you to Yelsain and back home again. I swear it."

Miriam nodded, averting her eyes as they glossed. She turned and headed back into the room as Tia turned, completing her chores within. Her sympathetic eyes smiled with a glimmer of hope and Miriam grinned back, swallowing her tears. "Hello, Tia. We only have another day before we arrive."

Tia nodded, her long straight hair falling neatly to either side over her grey, thick jacket and light grey pants. Servants all wore the same type of clothing for easier recognition in a crowd back home, a tradition that her family had proudly followed in their service to Miriam's own family. "Very well, milady. Should I get your meal?"

"I'm fine, thanks, but you can go ahead and eat."

Tia bowed and exited, leaving Miriam alone to finally see what her grandmother had given her in the box she had kept securely hidden within her own backpack. Moving her clothing aside, she found the box neatly tucked to the side and pulled it out. Rising, she sat on her bed and searched for the opening mechanism. Finally, she noticed a small lever embedded within the seam which she pushed and then lifted the top with her fingernails. Light soon shimmered along the length of chrome metal and she immediately recognized her grandmother's lightsaber. Blue eyes went wide as she realized that Sianna would be trying to help defend their home without it. Quickly closing the box, she held it to herself in disbelief.