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Ghost/Simon - SoapGhost
Their line of work was anything but glitz and glamour. Ghost had both seen and heard plenty of things in his time that would haunt any normal folk that came across it. The way medias could replicate it and have the viewer flinch away while blissfully brushing it off as never happening. The wailing of a family who had watched a loved one die, or the pleading for their lives with promises to do better, ways to meet the demands before a gunshot sounded out. He'd heard others cry out for whatever god they believed in for forgiveness, to take them with open arms after death. He'd also heard vicious last words with promises of revenge before gargles and silence. As he made his way through Las Almas he had to bite back that urge to take down every last one of those fucking Shadows. To spare innocents but for one man? Would take all night and as he was being hunted? Sometimes being selfish was all one could do, self preservation.Ghost had learnt to keep that shell strong around him, it was safer to be cold hearted than to be vulnerable. No stranger to death and everything in between, it rarely phased him anymore, having seen enough of it that he should be conditioned to see taking a life as normal. For a better good in some cases. It didn't mean it didn't stick with him at times.Anticipating this to be rough for all of them, something that should've been done by a medic with something to either knock him out or relieve the pain. His brows furrowed under the mask as his expression shifted. Knowing he needed to be quick about this, for both of them. Trying to be careful and quick as he could. Trying to not let himself linger on the sounds coming from the soldier, inflicting pain wasn't his expertise. He knew how and when to cause pain, but Ghost was more of the type to be quick with it. Hell maybe this at some point would prompt a conversation between all of them, comparing stories behind scars in order to make the other feel less shitty for taking a bullet to the shoulder when it could've been worse. He knew Price would have a fair share himself, they all did. Coming out unscathed was not in the job description.Letting out a huff of air as Johnny jerked. It was human nature to flinch away from pain in order to make it stop. The body was designed to protect itself subconsciously with involuntary movements. How it would force the person to drop something if it was too hot, the body could endure so much and come back from it. The body didn't remember being hit as a child, or the panic that small spaces were associated with. But the brain does, traumatic memories settling in a certain area of the brain and painting a permanent canvas as a reminder. The mind was sensitive and when one loses it, it's hard to come back from. He'd nearly lost his. Consumed with anger that did him not good. He couldn't blame the other for trying to get out of his grasp, not about to give him shit either. Choosing to tighten his grasp and be just a bit rougher for his benefit. "You're makin' this harder." Ghost muttered, shifting his gaze to the Sergeant for just a moment. If he kept it there too long, he would've stopped.Pain was a funny thing. That no matter how used to it someone might be, there would always be a new sense of it to be felt. Ghost could take a beating, he could keep his mouth shut while receiving it too. Physically torturing him only pissed him off, it didn't make him talk. Awfully good at taking it too, it wasn't his first and assuming he'd never experience it again was ignorant. Pain while it had terrible associations, grounded him. Keeping him present instead of delirious. A poorly time block during sparring could bring him back quickly, acting on instinct when he felt it. Swinging his own fist with little indication that he'd move. The butt end of a gun being slammed between his shoulders causing him to see red. Ghost was patient for a reason, even during those who took entertainment in inflicting pain.Listening to how they'd drop their guard a little too much but enough for him to piece the puzzle together, gain enough information that would help him. He was a quiet man but he wasn't stupid. Far from it, more than just a brute with a grip that could snap necks without a second thought. He used fluid movements that lacked hesitation. From reaching for a knife and embedding it into anothers neck to bring them down quietly. It was all second nature to him, trained both professionally and through personal experiences to protect. It was almost sad if he thought too much into it but he'd accepted long ago that until he was pardoned, he'd be doing this for the rest of his life."Screamin' helps." He added, attention no longer looking into the misty blue eyes. What a shitty time to have emotions Riley. Instead he glanced at the hand that touched his exposed arm, usually one to flinch away from that sort of thing. Swallowing hard, the grip was painful with the way he dug his nails into his skin. Causing an ache to erupt along it paired with the coldness. Clenching his jaw for half a second before letting it go. A time and place, now wasn't it. "Wouldn't blame ya if you did."Johnnys head bowed in front of him as Ghost attempted to keep his voice calm, monotoned even. Trying to be as unphased as he could be despite every part of him being phased by the muffled cries and pleading. Despite those horrendous wails he could recount from his past, this perhaps was up there with one of the worst things he'd heard. Inflicting the pain on someone he'd come to actually enjoy being around was a terrible feeling. It left him talking to him almost as if he was an injured animal who was trying to act on it's flight instinct. It nearly sent a chill down his scarred spine.Tensing again as he prepared himself for this, managing to find the damn thing. If he stopped now and returned later he doubted he'd be able to get close, the trauma enough to cause an argument and knowing how stubborn Johnny could get he just wanted to have this done with now. His own fingers curved around the others bicep, "Think I got it." Ghost muttered and without a second thought afterwards he moved his arm back. Holding his own breath as he extracted the single piece of ammunition that had made its home in the other. Expecting to lose it on the way out, Ghost did the opposite of what a medic did, instead he put the bullets in, he didn't extract them.Holding onto Johnnys arm with his one hand in order to keep him up right. "Got somethin' to show for it at least." Teasing softly, watching him before his grip loosened once he determined he wasn't going to pass out and collapse off the chair. Those sounds would haunt him, Ghost knew that much. Dropping the bullet and tweezers beside the chair to free his hand up and reaching over to take the fabric from his mouth, "Breathe Sergeant, almost done." Observing him carefully once more before he moved. The grip on his arm not as painful as it once was but he expected that to return the minute he haphazardly stitched him up.Ghost's head turned, looking over to the man at the table, "Rodolfo, pass me those." Motioning to the items just slightly out of reach and having them handed to him. Arguably this was the easier part, not at all enjoyable but far better than digging in an open wound for shrapnel." 'm not a medic my stitching is bloody shit, you'll have to see one after this to fix it" He admitted with little care, "If anything, gives ya something to take home and show off." Another teasing comment, anything really to take his attention off of the fact he was once again doing this with nothing to numb the pain. Knowing exactly how it felt and how he would've appreciated the mild distraction at the time.“Have to change the classified information but still might get ya a pint in the pub.” Only half joking this time around. Picking up the cloth and offering it to him once more before he looked back to the wound, stitching it up the best he possibly could before tying off the end. Ghost leaned back slightly before he stood, reaching out to place a hand on Johnnys uninjured shoulder carefully.“Take a minute, no need to stand yet. Get yer bearings.”
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Pro Hero!Touya - DabiHawks
Soles of boots connected to the edge of the roof with a heavy thump, the figure lowered himself into a crouched position as he looked below, taking a moment to enjoy the silence of the night. Touya brought half exposed fingers up and brushed through dark locks of hair that would stand in various directions once he dropped his hand once more. Things were easier this way. Having left home as soon as he could in order to remain sane, had he stayed there any longer he wasn't sure what would happen. Would he burn the house that wasn't a home more than it was already? He'd be miserable, that was a fact. Caged. Pushed towards something he no longer found interest in. Touya wasn't the puppet he used to be, that fire that was lit beneath him by his own father had burnt out. Nothing more than a light trail of smoke that he refused to ignite again. He had a say in his own life now, he didn't have to work to achieve what his father wanted. What he couldn't achieve for himself, what was pushed over and over and over.He'd cut contact with Enji, tired of being seen as nothing more than "Endeavors son," this failure of a child that couldn't use his quirk unless he wore a costume that cooled his body. Touya couldn't handle the flames that he'd produced, more than enough times he'd found that out, scars littered various parts of his body and hadn't disappeared as he'd gotten older. Serving as a reminder of this fact, only furthering that lingering jealousy of his youngest sibling that their father took a liking more to. Even after Touya had proved himself after a costume had been put together for him. A younger version of him, a bi-coloured haired boy smiling wide as he didn't get burnt when igniting flames again. How he called for his father to look, and for a split second he saw some sort of approval from the man. But at what cost? He'd burnt a forest, he'd nearly died all because he didn't know how to control it because he'd been denied help.Funny how he held so much potential until suddenly he didn't. Well it didn't matter now, not entirely, considering he dropped the idea of making it to the charts. That stupid idea that his father wanted one of his kids to achieve, how Shoto was the best for the goal of surpassing All Might. Pfft, the old man couldn't even do it himself he had to put his kids through the ringer in order to get them even remotely close. Old scars reminded him of various things, yet at the end of the day. He had left. Touya had moved out and move on with his life.Tell me, do you really want to become a hero? There are many different paths in life and you have countless opportunitiesDespite all of it, here he was. Still using his quirk only for himself not for his father, not to help with his ridiculous rivalry that Touya never understood. He was no longer the little kid that could be swayed with those great ideas that had been engraved into his head. Closing his eyes, he took in a deep breath before standing. He'd learnt from his training, but he'd also learnt from just watching. In the end did he even need his fathers help anymore?Head snapping at the sound of commotion, he leaned back from where he stood upright, falling back onto the roof of the building he had made his perch before making a move for it. Quick and fluid, Touya moved towards the sound. He wasn't much of a sleeper anyways, not during the night when things almost stood still. Finding solace in the silence of a once bustling city when the sun rose in the sky. That was if there wasn't an alarm that now soon blared, alerting whom ever was in the area of the chaos that was ensuing by those who had broken the glass that sparkled under the dim street lights. Getting down from the height he had placed himself at was no stress, enjoying it far too much for someone who could fall to his own demise at any moment.The crunching of glass underneath his weight was what alerted the perpetrators, their heads whipping in Touya's direction to which he only gave a tilt of his head and a smile in response. "Looks like you all shouldn't be here." He called out as the alarm pierced his eardrum, "Let's make this easy and get you on your way. I was enjoying the view before this alarm interrupted it."Lifting his arm, a familiar tingling shot along his wrists and immitted from the tips of his fingers where small flickering of red to blue flames finally showed themselves. Whilst fingers remained exposed in the fingerless gloves, considering how often he maneuvered the flames to his hands his fingers in order to control the flames a little bit more, they had calloused long ago. No longer drawing as much pain as they once had.
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Fae!Aki Hayakawa - AkiAngel - Royalty AU
Fae folk had once confused humans with their trickster personalities and often malice intentions after land that once had been theirs, had been taken from them. A mixture of pure and dark beings that led to a complicated history. How often many humans would find themselves falling for the faes wagers and tricks. Faeries had once tried to replace humans with their own, implanting themselves among a species that they didn't exist in. Some could argue it was to see if they could cohabitate together peacefully. Learn to work with one another but it did the opposite. Instead instilling fear and leading humans to snuff out those that were fae. Forcing them to reveal themselves only to be executing for their supposed crimes, although not all. Humans had learnt their weakness that was their wings. Connected to their heart, how they found removing one and keeping it for themselves the fairy had no choice but to obey.With a rich history between the faes and humans that were clouded by a dark haze, the fae never forgot. Instead instilling a form of distrust in other beings despite offerings that were held out. Used as lures to draw them in, in order to capture them. They'd grown bitter, withholding resources from the humans and leaving many to fend for themselves for years. Cleaver beings they became, something the faeries had to consider when they saw such things. Now they were seen as a commodity, another pet like the mutts that loyally walked beside their masters. The tables had turned and now they were the ones being targeted. The humans had grown smarter than the faeries had thought they could, they'd learnt their weaknesses and used it against them. Creating a hunt for those that still existed far away from any settlement of humans. They had never stopped existing alongside humans but they had learnt to stay out of sight to preserve their species. Stories of tricks and mischief now apart of history that was fondly reminisced on.Now it was fighting for survival, only coming out during the hours of twilight, as humans decided to bunker down for the day the fae were awakening. Their civilizations moved to barren lands hidden in plain sight. Some chose the dense capacities of forests, tall trees providing shelter for the inhabitants below. Some hid within old burrows of ancient hills that their ancestors once used. A secretive species that had no choice unless they were wishing to be taken into a life of servitude.One was considered lucky if they kept both wings on their back.
Their kinds varied in size, some resembled humans although obvious characteristics of wings and pointed ears provided a giveaway as to what they were, their eyes came in a variety of mesmerizing colours paired with pupils that had the ability to dilate much like serpentes. Others were smaller beings, easier to evade capture if they were clever enoughThe Hayakawa's were the same size as average humans, shades of blue iris' and contrasting dark hair ran through the family, their offspring receiving their parents genetics, a living reminder of what once had existed. Decedents of trooping faeries, the Hayakawa's knew the price that they would pay had humans approached their homeland, this fact was not hidden from the boys that had grown along side each other. Only the eldest had come to take the protective role, a watchful eye kept on the younger boy who enjoyed himself. Being a youngling, Aki refused to allow a fear ruin his childhood.While many chose to come out during twilight, the boys enjoyed the sun. The warmth from the rays that would cast down upon them. Aki had perched himself higher up than Taiyo, letting the much younger boy play about as he relaxed. Far out from the nearest human civilization they had yet to encounter any, both of the Hayakawa's kept their wings. Beautiful translucent wings with mirroring intricate designs that decorating them as they hung along his frame. The sun dancing off of them, he'd let out a soft chuckle as he heard the faint sound of his name called out to look down.Although his attention quickly shifted to the sound of a foreign beast. A whinny of a horse that was neither of theirs. A tension grew in his shoulders as he turned his head to look over his shoulder, suddenly aware of his surroundings but not without time to react as he felt the heaviness wrap around him followed by a burn on any exposed skin that touched the material. Causing the older sibling to hiss out and react to pull away. Instincts to release himself from the entanglement only for the pieces to click in his head. Attention turning to the boy who remained a distance away.No.His luck had run out, he'd been running on borrowed time until they were eventually smoked out from the place they called home. Humans were selfish creatures, they wanted what they couldn't have and did anything they could to retrieve it. Destroying anything in their wake for their own benefits. He'd lost friends to humans since a young age, they'd lost their parents. Now it was his turn. "Taiyo!" Calling out as he collapsed, a small growl escaping him as he struggled against both the chains and the body that had connected with him. Fighting against the pain that seeped within him. "Go! Run!" They'd once gone over a plan if something were to happen like this, although had this been his younger brother like hell Aki would leave him behind.Faeries were hunted down, smoked out like pests and lured into traps so they could become a pawn for humans. Attempting to conjure up a weapon of sort but the binding of his hands didn't help, any magic he could use failed against the chains that wrapped around him. A moment of peace turned into a moment of hells within seconds. Aki's attention shifted to the mess of red hair that he caught from the corner of his eye. Didn't they travel in packs? The more numbers that could overwhelm few faeries leading to very getting away. Only he didn't hear anymore footsteps, there was just one?That was odd in itself although in a way, grateful. His brother would get away, or at least he'd hope so. Hoping he'd remember the things they'd once spoke about. Sky blue eyes connected to the human as he tried to push past that aggressive pain.Aki had once accepted the fate that would bestow him, going years without being captured, in the end it was inevitable for many of them to wind up in humans hands. Enslaved to be companions, labourers, guards. Many of them eventually broke and accepted their fate, what more could they do when their lives were threatened? A wing that would eventually be removed and used to threaten them into a life that suited humans.A hand connected to the chain only for it to burn against the palm of his hand. Capable of holding onto it for just a few seconds before he had to release it. His once pulled back hair struggled to maintain it's form as the two nearly rolled about in the grass. Staining clothing that would prove to be stubborn to get out later on."You will regret this." He threatened between clenched teeth the ground against each other. "Unhand me and I'll let you go back the way you came." Aki nearly bargained. He just needed to free himself enough to attack.
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Dark Side!Anakin - Obikin
He had just confirmed that it was a Padawan, the smirk that had crossed the others face clearly fed into his own at the realization that there was a weakness. He'd just found it. The way he deflected the question with his prior statement while giving him enough of an answer that both satisfied and annoyed him. Or how he watched the shift in his expression, one of which had Vader eager to figure out why. She had said she'd come find him hadn't she? Vader hadn't just made that up in his head, that's why he was buying time, or trying to get out of here before she could make it here. Shifting, he reached into the Force, picking out the surrounding life forms. The few wild creatures scavenging and going about their day and then—There was one.It seemed they both came to the information at the same time. His lips curled while Kenobi tried to brush it off, tried to catch his words that he'd just spoken, to defend himself. Almost as if he wished to quickly go collect her to disappear without it looking suspicious. But Vader had already reached that conclusion, he'd already realized what he was doing and he could do nothing but smirk. An infuriating cocky one as he stared at Kenobi. There was a quick shift in the Force, one that oozed panic, a ripple that quickly met him. How one was using their entire selves to move faster, to get themselves closerThere she was. Her physical appearance hadn't taken him by surprise as he'd been following her through the Force. Still positioned beneath Kenobi, having yet to make it to his level and if anything the low ground was easy enough to deflect an incoming attack, it'd take less from him to push him back compared to what it would take for him to jump at him. That is if he made a move. For now his head turned to the togruta, peering at her. Taking in what type of threat she'd become. Young, unsure of her age but her lekku told him that much, as well as her height. She stood shorter than him, he was agile but she'd be more so just due to that fact and she was small. She probably moved quickly too. Processing this information, he also noticed the two green lightsabers drawn, ready for a duel. Two of them. Jar'Kai most likely. He couldn't help but chuckle, one that came from deep in his chest.Vader wasn't underestimating her, just by the look on her face she looked ready to attack, ready to defend her master as much as he'd once done. She could most likely stun him enough to get a good hit on him, but she was just a Padawan. She was young, full of emotion that was too big for her body, she was more of a threat than the stoic Jedi to his left."Well this got entertaining." Vader hummed, reaching into the Force again so he could detect an incoming attack from either of them. How one had the high ground and the other was just out of reach of his still ignited blade, the same blade that didn't move from where he'd been resting it, tipped towards his boots. "What were you just saying Kenobi?" Vader questioned almost challengingly.For the briefest of moments he seemed to stare at the older Jedi before his attention went back to the younger one. She was who he had to be careful of with Kenobi already proving to have some pity for him, to not want to harm him unless he provoked him enough for him to do so, but this one, this one would without a doubt. He could feel it radiating off her, sending ripples into the force that if Vader moved the wrong way she would snap. She was bold, he admired that, especially as she placed herself closer than Kenobi had, balanced exceptionally on the edge on the edge. He was intrigued, almost wanting to make a move just to see what she had in her.”Please!” Anakin nearly cried as his arm was grabbed, it was easy to lose footing in the sand if one wasn’t careful, it was also easy to fall victim to the quicksand that didn’t have much of a different tone to it, it was only slightly darker that any off-worlder wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. It felt like he’d fallen into a patch of it as the other drug him, stumbling more often than not as he wasn’t able to keep up with the long strides. “Please.”Anakin had wished to see her again, questioned more than enough times as he humoured the idea that it would happen. It hadn’t been until he was allowed to go off on his own, the trust that he wouldn’t run even despite being warned that the chip was still active. He’d returned back to Tatooine, a dread in his chest, the sun beating down on his back that was now clad in black fabric, a terrible choice for the planet. It had been there that things had spiraled for him, that had sent him further into the Dark Side, further into feeding it with the pain and fear he felt.”You had to do what you must, the way they treated her.” The comfort from his master being the only voice of reason as he sat there with tears in his eyes. “What you’re feeling, channel it, use it, that is what’s going to make you powerful.”It was a moment of lapsed judgment for Vader, something in him sparked that fire and how easily he fed into the darkness, that bitter cold feeling that he’d gotten used to making the hair on the back of his neck stand. Giving it what it wanted before he was quick, closing the gap between and swinging his own blade, so much for never making the first move. But wasn’t that always the case with him? The red and blue blades crackled as they connected, unsurprising.“I’ve merely come as a reminder that the Sith aren’t dead and that taking one down means another takes its place.” Vader growled above the sound, his eyes an immediate giveaway that whatever energy he had before had now been channeled into the Force, bending it to his whim. “But you already knew that, taking down the apprentice does nothing for the master”Listening to the two of them, he didn’t move, finding it more entertaining being between the two of them. Watching Kenobi from the corner of his eye while he kept a closer one on the girl. He had no response to that question, a nice chat. So maybe he had very much been trying to convince Vader to reconsider his path. As if he had much of a choice.“Oh little one you don’t want to do that.” He warned, looking down at her lightsabers that were positioned in her form. Just because he didn't strike down children didn't mean he wouldn't actively duel with one. Even if it seemed like she wanted to end his very existence right there for distracting her Master. He could respect that. Vader took in a quiet breath, one that had him refocusing. Reminding himself of the few morals he did have.“I will do what I must!” Ahsoka huffed as she looked towards the Sith, a glare in her eyes, one that didn’t have Vader faltering. It only made him chuckle which irritated her.He had yet to raise his lightsaber into its proper position. Vader knew he could stop her either with his own blade or with the Force. Both would provoke a response from Kenobi he assumed. “Care to share this plan you have forming? What should be done to me?” Vader questioned, his tone even, not as pointed as it’d been with Kenobi but it held an undertone of venom hidden beneath it. Like he was just waiting patiently. “Kill me? Lock me up?”Ahsoka readjusted her grip on the hilts of her lightsaber, swallowing hard, “My master knows how to deal with your kind.” She stated confidently, scowling when it only prompted a chuckle.“Ah, killing is not the Jedi way kid. Neither is that anger radiating off of you.” Vader pointed out, he shifted his weight ever so slightly onto his other foot, like he was readying himself to pounce.“He wouldn’t kil—” Ahsoka tried to defend,“Not many use Jar'Kai, especially paired with reverse grip, that slows you down, leaving you vulnerable to a skilled opponent who can find your openings. If you channel that anger, you’ll be rewarded for it. Might even give me a challenge is that what you want?” His tone was low, calculated words as he stared at her, directly at her.“Try it.” His gaze was piercing, watching for the falter in her expression with a smirk that twisted his features. The only thing he was missing was the yellow irises to complete the look. “You want to attack me don’t you little one?”
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Satine - Obitine
Satine didn’t focus on the quiet chatter as she studied the gold filled embossed cover of the green book. It was beautiful and she partially felt bad for the potential beating that it may receive from being carried around place to place, enduring whatever might come. She finally opened the cover, flipping through the first few pages as her eyes scanned the few words printed on them. Did she know what to expect exactly from a book that even Qui-Gon hadn’t known what it was about? Should that be more concerning to her? It did worry her slightly, would it be something she would even like? Given she didn’t have much of a choice now did she? It would become a distraction regardless of the topic, being something to read instead of nothing to read. Allowing her mind to be occupied by something else for once.Studying the cover had taken a bit of time, taking in the emerald green and the designs of various vines and flowers. The Far Isle written in calligraphy that she only wished her handwriting could look like. The texture of the cover was also pleasing, finding herself brushing her fingertips across it a handful of times. Satines eyes scanned the words on the pages, allowing herself to be taken from her current place on the ship, to a land that didn’t exist. Her free hand holding the corner of the page delicately before flipping, careful not to add any unneeded trauma to it. Hoping she could possibly one day at least try and return it to Qui’d.Perhaps she’d be able to discuss it with him, to question if he was also interested in such fantastical topics that aided in a wonder she couldn’t quite describe. The worlds that were built out on a page that once only existed in the mind of the author, developing a story around the characters and the world, creating their own history between the covers of the book. Turning something completely nonexistent into almost anything the writer had wished for.The blonde hadn’t quite realized how her eyes grew heavy, fighting herself to stay awake because it was mildly embarrassing to doze off with her hand planted firmly on the left side of the book, not allowing it to tumble from her lap to receive its first injury. She’d only come when she heard her name being called, blinking awake almost immediately and glancing around. Had she been tired? She certainly hadn’t felt like it but maybe the events of the last week and a bit were finally catching up to her.Taking note of the small number in the corner of the page before she shut the book, pulling herself up in the now empty ship. She padded across to the door, climbing out and allowing her eyes to adjust to the difference in lighting. They were high up, on a mountain, not surprised it would be harder for them to be caught by surprise. Satine momentarily wanted to call out and ask if she could help, wanting to be of some use but she feared getting in the way, the determination on both of their faces. Opting to move around the outside of the ship to look out beyond the mountain.Keldabe had witnessed devastation over the years, to destroy, rebuild and destroy again. It was a vicious cycle only the war had stopped from rebuilding. Cutting the cycle off and allowing the destruction to be viewed. The grassy plains that once mesmerized her as a child surrounded the city, trees and native plants greeting anyone to travel far enough. Even then they crept into the city. The death of the plains left a sandy surface in its wake, allowing some plants to adapt over the years but many struggled. Slowly dying off, Satine had watched the biodiversity change so drastically in her short lifetime. Wildlife moving further away in search of food and water, Strill thrived somehow, often domesticated and used to hunt.Traveling further out was required to find any type of creature, nothing wanted to live within the sand. She’d stopped traveling outside of Keldabe after some time, the need to travel was mainly just her father who had to go due to work. There wasn’t dust here, the wind wasn’t picking it up and scratching at the back of her throat when she was outside for too long. It was quite literally a breath of fresh air and in a way, it felt like a different planet with the veshok trees of various shades and grass that surrounded it.Resembling what Keldabe had once looked like, what the village had most likely looked like. While patches of grass and various trees still remained, the sandy ground under their boots had been a give away that the devastation extended further than just the main city.
Clutching the book close, the small bit of wind from the high altitude felt wonderful as it brushed across her face, playing with the loose trestles of blonde hair and the fabric she wore around her shoulders. Her blue eyes scanned the area as she listened to the rustling of branches filling the silence. A soothing sound, one that she would gladly listen to for an extended period of time.Satines shoulders seemed to fall, though not in a defeated way, but more in relaxation as she stared out at the view. There was still something left to the planet to take joy in, a reminder that Mandalore was truly beautiful when there wasn’t war raging on. If only some could just see what she was wanting. At times she felt foolish for having the beliefs she did. Obi-Wan had called her a dreamer, explained it wonderfully but is that what she was? Was she allowing people to die because she couldn’t budge from her beliefs? Was this truly the right thing to do? Or should she have tried something else? Would it even be worth it? Raising her head, she tipped it back ever so slightly, just taking in the wind.A shriek cut through the sound of the wind playing in the branches, making Satine look down from where she stood, eyes meeting the creature covered in dense brown fur quite aways away, nothing she should be fearful of. It hadn’t seemed to notice her. A shatual calling out to its mate, or perhaps warning them of something it’d seen. Seeing the large creature verified that they were within one of the veshok forests that still stood, magnificent antlers cascaded nearly the width of its body and towards the sky, a form of defense against the straggling strills that would one day hunt it. They were peaceful creatures, she’d often see carvings of them from the very wood of the forests they inhabited, sold in the markets and meant to display with pride on the shelves.She wasn’t sure if she’d ever seen one, they spooked easily, especially the does and fawns, depending on the seasons bucks would get aggressive but maintaining distance would deter them. They were marvelous from afar, quite the catch too. They weren’t the most agile creatures, large bodies that made them rather heavy and slow. Large enough to feed an entire clan for quite some time, various meals to make from the meats and she was sure the antlers and hide would be of some use. In some sick way she felt like she was failing the wildlife too, unable to stop a war that was taking away their source of life.
Looking down at her boots, she toed at a rock, nudging it forward and just enough for it to fall over the edge. The faint clanking of it bouncing off other rocks caught the shatuals attention, standing tall and looking towards her for just a moment with it's large dark eyes before it trotted off, away from a potential predator.
