[She really does, is absolutely the type to hang back and observe rather than get involved in something like this, but even still when that prompting comes still she responds to it with something like shock, staring for a moment at the hat like she isn't sure what's happening here.
People don't just give things away, let alone something that could be valuable, used for trade. People don't just not take things when they're offered, either. On Jakku everyone is out for themselves, so selfless acts this this are bound to confuse someone that's never been given anything without a price.]
[ luna looks, of course, entirely befuddled. is it possible that this girl thinks she's a vendor of some sort? shaking her head, the's quick to dispel the idea! ]
[Similarly, Rey looks entirely perplexed by this turn of events. She wants to insist, to point out the quality and the fact that Lunafreya could easily get at least a free meal out of trading the thing, but after a brief moment of trying to figure out how to get that across it seems to not matter so much.
She's never seen anyone so eager to get rid of something, but this isn't the body language of someone trying to pass a problem on to someone else. This isn't a faulty power converter or a fuel cable that leaks, it's a hat.
It's possible Rey may be looking at this with too serious an eye, and as she realizes that she laughs, barely more than a quiet huff of air out, and shakes her head at herself.]
[ luna is very patient, and more than happy to keep holding the hat out until rey finally decides that she is ready to accept it. she's very much the kill you with kindness sort, and was more than ready to stand here smiling and holding this hat all night if she needed to. ]
I am very sure!
[ with a gleeful smile, she pops the thing right onto rey's head for her, tugging at the yarn tentacles until it's perfectly straight. ]
There is a vendor 'round the corner selling heaps of them. They're silly, but there is also something very charming about them..
I got lucky. It caught me while I was close to home, so after I made it back I was able to get up out of its reach. After a few minutes, I realized why it was so angry and why it didn't leave.
[They're still walking while they're talking and there's a moment when her perception of Molly shifts minutely, almost not enough to notice, and rather than keeping her attention on him entirely she's focused on the people around them.
He's gained just enough of her trust that she feels secure in his presence to watch for other people on the attack and not just him, it would seem.]
It was hungry. When I threw it a piece of extra salvage I'd been saving it snatched it right out of the air and then just drifted back under the sand to go back to its den.
[Her shoulders rise and fall, a little shrug to go with her small, almost fond smile.]
The next morning it saved me from some raiders trying to steal something from me.
sorry this took so long it was buried in that inbox!
Incredible. How funny, how far a bit of kindness can take you sometimes.
[ Speaking of. ]
You're telling me a true story, too? All that for a tube of lipstick...wow.
[ He's still grinning; it's peculiar that he can really, picture this happening to her, and she seems so cavalier about it. Either she's seen a lot, or so very little, and both of those possibilities are so tragic and still. Not unlike his own circumstances. ]
I feel bad for the poor thing now, it doesn't have you anymore.
[Well, Star Wars physics would never lie to me, so seems settled.
"I've got your back," she says, and there's a blink-and-you'll-miss it little quick of his brows in response, a curious cant of his head back her way. Like that's more of an actual promise than he'd expected to hear from her. (No offense intended—for all she reminds him of Beau she doesn't know him from anyone, and he isn't used to being offered trust or kindness by rote.) But he's not arguing, all circumstances considered. A little bemused, though not unappreciative—]
...Thank you.
[Huh. The little off-beats passes, though, as quickly as it happens. Bigger things to deal with, y'know. So—cool. Lets do this. He steps as close to the Force-bubble she's maintaining as he dares to be sure he's in range. Plants his feet and hefts his blade in his hand but raises a hand in the direction of the offending vines, instead. His tone regains its brusque edge.]
Alright, lets light 'er up.
[The spell manifests in a sharp crackle of electricity at his temples, ozone buzzing around him before gathering at his fingers in a shock of blue energy, arcing its way over the shield and into the vine in a flash, like a thunderbolt. But rather than flickering out, the arc sustains there like a jacob's ladder—one end in his fist and one striking at the vine—like he's holding it steady. And he can't keep it up indefinitely, but he doesn't have to. Doesn't take much, after the initial strike causes the vines to smoke and steam, for the plants to start to smolder.]
[They don't know each other but they're fighting the same fight, on the same side, and if the war between the First Order and the Resistance has taught her anything it's that that matters. Any Resistance member is her ally, so shouldn't that mean that anyone fighting these vines and plants for the good of the whole city is also her ally?
For now, it does. When the fight is over, if he shows signs that he can't be trusted, then that can be reevaluated. It wouldn't even be the first time she put her trust in someone who didn't deserve it, but there's a feeling to this man that tells her that won't be the case. She can hope, anyway, and as he moves forward she focuses her will on the Force, imagines it creating a glass ball around them and keeping them safe.
The severed vine lashes, more acid splatters against the bubble, useless. A sense of pride in her accomplishment wells inside her, but right along with it comes the dull ache in knowing Luke will never see this, her budding mastery.
But they have a job to do here, and that lightning is absolutely more than enough to keep her attention when he calls it down. She whistles, impressed, and when she sees the first hint of a red glow, of fire, she can't help a satisfied grin.]
[The fleshy bits of the vine smoke and smolder...and soon enough they split, and steam, and char. Catch aflame. The movement of the vine itself gets weaker and sluggish as it burns, lashing out less violently, throwing less goopy sap their way as the moisture in it turns to steam and the white of it turns black. He lowers his hand as the spell runs out, and the electric crackle of energy fizzles around him.
He rocks back on his heels as it becomes clear the vines are burning, slowing, out of range. The buildings around here aren't made of wood—mostly metal, and stone, and something he can't identify but he'll assume won't catch enough to set the block aflame. So, he looks back toward Rey, and gives her a pleased cock of his head and his brows that edges on rakish, matches her satisfied grin with one of his own.
Not too bad a job, actually. That went a lot better than anticipated. So, easily enough, when she asks—]
Kind of a, uh. Fairly recent development.
[Relatively, anyway. It's been a number of months, but magic is still kind of a new thing for him, in his life. Not unlike that bubble trick of hers, apparently. Assuming it's still up, he'll reach experimentally toward a cleaner part of the Force-shield to try and tap at it with a knuckle. As he does—]
Quite the impressive new trick of your own.
[Reminds him of Caleb's Shield spell, if a little more versatile. Or the Tiny Hut he makes for them to sleep under, if a lot faster to throw up around them. But she doesn't much strike him as a wizard.]
Edited (I sure did not finish that sentence) 2019-04-06 05:03 (UTC)
[It's certainly something that's made her a little more willing to give people the benefit of the doubt, and from what she's seen most of the people pulled here from different worlds aren't totally terrible people. Some of them have been kind, even, and she has to remind herself that first impressions aren't always something that can be so easily shaken off.
Not everyone is Finn, willing to look past getting smacked in the face with a staff and then snapped at about no touching every turn. If she wants to survive this place it will be easier to do it without isolating herself and anyway, she doesn't want that. Not here, where so little makes sense.
So, that means at least attempting to be kind when she can be. It's easier said than done, though, and after she's followed him in silence for a few feet she finally realizes maybe an introduction is in order.]
[ Hey, at least she's putting in an effort. Noctis doesn't think he even deserves that much, for knocking her into those plants to start with. That's not why he didn't introduce himself, though. He's just a thoughtless idiot. Which he realizes as she introduces herself. ]
Noctis.
[ He answers, and really... that's a great introduction back, right there. But what else is he supposed to say. Nice to meet you? He pushed her into a poisonous plant. Not exactly a nice meeting. Where are you from? Another star, probably, and someplace he's never heard of. Nice weather? Yeah, right. ]
...Damn, these things are everywhere.
[ Whining about the vines. That's good conversation, right? At least they're coming up on the shops fast. ]
[In an instant Rey lets go, dropping Kerra's wrist and pulling her hand back like she's been burned once that connection has been pointed out in a way that feels like an accusation even though it's far from it. She's on the defensive, that's all, and that connection feels like a weakness.
It's that question, though, that makes Rey frown even more, her hand moving to hold onto the length of the staff hanging from her back in a way that's subtle, fluid and familiar, but not impossible to miss. It's the body language of someone getting ready to fend off an attack, but not quite to the point of going on the offensive to fight off a threat.
And there's- something. Something familiar and not, something that makes her think of Luke for a reason she isn't sure of, something that squeezes at her heart and makes her think, absently, that she has not had nearly enough time to learn about what she is and what she can do.
Rather than answer the question, she asks one of her own.]
[Kerra keeps her posture relaxed, her hands held up in a passive gesture. She's not as worried about the staff, given that she can reach for her lightsaber in the Force in a heartbeat, but she is worried about the girl's attitude. She does not move back, she doesn't display any fear, or any other emotion for that matter.
She plants her feet, closes her eyes, bows her head, and continues in a placid tone:]
I want to know if I'm the only person on this Force-forsaken rock besides a renegade Chiss that knows what a lightsaber is.
[Okay. She can't keep a bit of a flippant edge out of her voice. That's not possible, even if there is the very real threat of violence from this girl. She resolves to not even defend herself unless it's absolutely necessary, if it'll get this one to calm down some.]
I can feel your presence in the Force, and I was hoping to find another Jedi.
[Her hand lets go of the staff then, but only so it can drift to the satchel that's hanging from her hip where she has Luke's bisected lightsaber hidden away, broken and useless but still something she knows she can't just get rid of. Her pool of people who know about the Force that she's actually willing to speak to had dwindled to one with Luke's death, so this moment? It's one she never expected to come.
She'd been sure she had the Jedi texts and nothing else to go on, but this woman has walked out of a crowd with more knowledge than Rey has and it's hard not to want to ask her questions, find her answers, and yet-
Well. It's not always that easy.]
I know what a lightsaber is, and I know what the Force is. [She won't claim to be a Jedi when she feels she hasn't earned it in any way, but that much? That much is true.] Who are you?
[Kerra doesn't move. She continues that placid way of holding herself, arms up, eyes down, the picture of someone unthreatened and unassuming at the same time. The answer she gets isn't a shock, but there's a deep current of paranoia and fear running through this girl. Had she been separated in Sith Space as well? Or was she like Zohvin, trapped in a different time stream? Too many questions, not enough easy answers. So...she gives the simple one.]
Kerra Holt, Jedi Knight, Protector of the Grumani Sector.
[And, hoping to quell any doubts about her identity, she reached into her pocket with the Force and drew out a golden brooch with the Jedi's insignia on it. It floated up, stopping just outside of arm's reach of Rey, and tilted to show the wing and star sigil.]
[ With a bit of a sight, he takes her hand and pushes himself up onto his feet. At least she seems pretty nice — he wouldn't be taking this so well if she was teasing him right now, even if he might deserve it. ]
You don't...trust them? [ Prompto glances over in the same direction as Rey, his brow creasing. ] I mean...it does seem like they're keeping something from us, doesn't it?
[ It doesn't sit well with him, but...maybe they have their reasons. He doesn't want to jump to conclusions, but he does want to know what's going on. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
March Intro - Lunafreya
[She really does, is absolutely the type to hang back and observe rather than get involved in something like this, but even still when that prompting comes still she responds to it with something like shock, staring for a moment at the hat like she isn't sure what's happening here.
People don't just give things away, let alone something that could be valuable, used for trade. People don't just not take things when they're offered, either. On Jakku everyone is out for themselves, so selfless acts this this are bound to confuse someone that's never been given anything without a price.]
I don't have anything to trade for it.
no subject
[ luna looks, of course, entirely befuddled. is it possible that this girl thinks she's a vendor of some sort? shaking her head, the's quick to dispel the idea! ]
No, no, I am not selling it. It's a spare!
no subject
She's never seen anyone so eager to get rid of something, but this isn't the body language of someone trying to pass a problem on to someone else. This isn't a faulty power converter or a fuel cable that leaks, it's a hat.
It's possible Rey may be looking at this with too serious an eye, and as she realizes that she laughs, barely more than a quiet huff of air out, and shakes her head at herself.]
If you're sure. Where did you get it, though?
no subject
I am very sure!
[ with a gleeful smile, she pops the thing right onto rey's head for her, tugging at the yarn tentacles until it's perfectly straight. ]
There is a vendor 'round the corner selling heaps of them. They're silly, but there is also something very charming about them..
March Intro - Mollymauk
I got lucky. It caught me while I was close to home, so after I made it back I was able to get up out of its reach. After a few minutes, I realized why it was so angry and why it didn't leave.
[They're still walking while they're talking and there's a moment when her perception of Molly shifts minutely, almost not enough to notice, and rather than keeping her attention on him entirely she's focused on the people around them.
He's gained just enough of her trust that she feels secure in his presence to watch for other people on the attack and not just him, it would seem.]
It was hungry. When I threw it a piece of extra salvage I'd been saving it snatched it right out of the air and then just drifted back under the sand to go back to its den.
[Her shoulders rise and fall, a little shrug to go with her small, almost fond smile.]
The next morning it saved me from some raiders trying to steal something from me.
sorry this took so long it was buried in that inbox!
[ Speaking of. ]
You're telling me a true story, too? All that for a tube of lipstick...wow.
[ He's still grinning; it's peculiar that he can really, picture this happening to her, and she seems so cavalier about it. Either she's seen a lot, or so very little, and both of those possibilities are so tragic and still. Not unlike his own circumstances. ]
I feel bad for the poor thing now, it doesn't have you anymore.
March Intro - Fjord
[According to the Last Jedi that's exactly how lightning + plants work.
If the way her eyes light up with the promise of that is any indication, yes, she finds that a suitable (and kind of cooler) alternative.]
I think keeping our distance is the better bet at this point. It's been- very grabby.
[Which is gross when it's flinging around oozy vine ends, so. You know.]
Give it a shot, I've got your back.
no subject
"I've got your back," she says, and there's a blink-and-you'll-miss it little quick of his brows in response, a curious cant of his head back her way. Like that's more of an actual promise than he'd expected to hear from her. (No offense intended—for all she reminds him of Beau she doesn't know him from anyone, and he isn't used to being offered trust or kindness by rote.) But he's not arguing, all circumstances considered. A little bemused, though not unappreciative—]
...Thank you.
[Huh. The little off-beats passes, though, as quickly as it happens. Bigger things to deal with, y'know. So—cool. Lets do this. He steps as close to the Force-bubble she's maintaining as he dares to be sure he's in range. Plants his feet and hefts his blade in his hand but raises a hand in the direction of the offending vines, instead. His tone regains its brusque edge.]
Alright, lets light 'er up.
[The spell manifests in a sharp crackle of electricity at his temples, ozone buzzing around him before gathering at his fingers in a shock of blue energy, arcing its way over the shield and into the vine in a flash, like a thunderbolt. But rather than flickering out, the arc sustains there like a jacob's ladder—one end in his fist and one striking at the vine—like he's holding it steady. And he can't keep it up indefinitely, but he doesn't have to. Doesn't take much, after the initial strike causes the vines to smoke and steam, for the plants to start to smolder.]
no subject
For now, it does. When the fight is over, if he shows signs that he can't be trusted, then that can be reevaluated. It wouldn't even be the first time she put her trust in someone who didn't deserve it, but there's a feeling to this man that tells her that won't be the case. She can hope, anyway, and as he moves forward she focuses her will on the Force, imagines it creating a glass ball around them and keeping them safe.
The severed vine lashes, more acid splatters against the bubble, useless. A sense of pride in her accomplishment wells inside her, but right along with it comes the dull ache in knowing Luke will never see this, her budding mastery.
But they have a job to do here, and that lightning is absolutely more than enough to keep her attention when he calls it down. She whistles, impressed, and when she sees the first hint of a red glow, of fire, she can't help a satisfied grin.]
Have you always been able to do that?
no subject
He rocks back on his heels as it becomes clear the vines are burning, slowing, out of range. The buildings around here aren't made of wood—mostly metal, and stone, and something he can't identify but he'll assume won't catch enough to set the block aflame. So, he looks back toward Rey, and gives her a pleased cock of his head and his brows that edges on rakish, matches her satisfied grin with one of his own.
Not too bad a job, actually. That went a lot better than anticipated. So, easily enough, when she asks—]
Kind of a, uh. Fairly recent development.
[Relatively, anyway. It's been a number of months, but magic is still kind of a new thing for him, in his life. Not unlike that bubble trick of hers, apparently. Assuming it's still up, he'll reach experimentally toward a cleaner part of the Force-shield to try and tap at it with a knuckle. As he does—]
Quite the impressive new trick of your own.
[Reminds him of Caleb's Shield spell, if a little more versatile. Or the Tiny Hut he makes for them to sleep under, if a lot faster to throw up around them. But she doesn't much strike him as a wizard.]
March Intro - Noctis
[It's certainly something that's made her a little more willing to give people the benefit of the doubt, and from what she's seen most of the people pulled here from different worlds aren't totally terrible people. Some of them have been kind, even, and she has to remind herself that first impressions aren't always something that can be so easily shaken off.
Not everyone is Finn, willing to look past getting smacked in the face with a staff and then snapped at about no touching every turn. If she wants to survive this place it will be easier to do it without isolating herself and anyway, she doesn't want that. Not here, where so little makes sense.
So, that means at least attempting to be kind when she can be. It's easier said than done, though, and after she's followed him in silence for a few feet she finally realizes maybe an introduction is in order.]
I'm Rey.
[Nailed it.]
no subject
Noctis.
[ He answers, and really... that's a great introduction back, right there. But what else is he supposed to say. Nice to meet you? He pushed her into a poisonous plant. Not exactly a nice meeting. Where are you from? Another star, probably, and someplace he's never heard of. Nice weather? Yeah, right. ]
...Damn, these things are everywhere.
[ Whining about the vines. That's good conversation, right? At least they're coming up on the shops fast. ]
March Intro - Kerra
[In an instant Rey lets go, dropping Kerra's wrist and pulling her hand back like she's been burned once that connection has been pointed out in a way that feels like an accusation even though it's far from it. She's on the defensive, that's all, and that connection feels like a weakness.
It's that question, though, that makes Rey frown even more, her hand moving to hold onto the length of the staff hanging from her back in a way that's subtle, fluid and familiar, but not impossible to miss. It's the body language of someone getting ready to fend off an attack, but not quite to the point of going on the offensive to fight off a threat.
And there's- something. Something familiar and not, something that makes her think of Luke for a reason she isn't sure of, something that squeezes at her heart and makes her think, absently, that she has not had nearly enough time to learn about what she is and what she can do.
Rather than answer the question, she asks one of her own.]
What do you want?
no subject
She plants her feet, closes her eyes, bows her head, and continues in a placid tone:]
I want to know if I'm the only person on this Force-forsaken rock besides a renegade Chiss that knows what a lightsaber is.
[Okay. She can't keep a bit of a flippant edge out of her voice. That's not possible, even if there is the very real threat of violence from this girl. She resolves to not even defend herself unless it's absolutely necessary, if it'll get this one to calm down some.]
I can feel your presence in the Force, and I was hoping to find another Jedi.
no subject
She'd been sure she had the Jedi texts and nothing else to go on, but this woman has walked out of a crowd with more knowledge than Rey has and it's hard not to want to ask her questions, find her answers, and yet-
Well. It's not always that easy.]
I know what a lightsaber is, and I know what the Force is. [She won't claim to be a Jedi when she feels she hasn't earned it in any way, but that much? That much is true.] Who are you?
no subject
Kerra Holt, Jedi Knight, Protector of the Grumani Sector.
[And, hoping to quell any doubts about her identity, she reached into her pocket with the Force and drew out a golden brooch with the Jedi's insignia on it. It floated up, stopping just outside of arm's reach of Rey, and tilted to show the wing and star sigil.]
What's your name?
March Intro - Prompto
[Taking a few steps closer, she holds her hand out to to him to help him to his feet the usual way, no magic, no Force, just- normal.]
That was the idea, but I didn't expect them to be so reluctant to accept help from outsiders.
[That's a nice way to put it, and as she glances away at the men guarding the area she frowns.]
I don't trust them. There must be something more to this than they're letting on.
no subject
You don't...trust them? [ Prompto glances over in the same direction as Rey, his brow creasing. ] I mean...it does seem like they're keeping something from us, doesn't it?
[ It doesn't sit well with him, but...maybe they have their reasons. He doesn't want to jump to conclusions, but he does want to know what's going on. ]