@majus @lady-lux Seri nods slowly, perching at the edge of the bed as she pulls on her borrowed boots. “So two ships. Twenty-odd slaves?” She puffs out her cheeks, “that’s a lot of clothes. A lot of everything, and I’m.” She pauses, dipping her head, side locks swinging, taking a breath as she remembers just how much money she had, and lost. “I’m fresh out of credits.” She tries for a convincing, unaffected grin, “but we’ll figure it out. I mean, if you’ll have me.”
@Elfie @lady-lux As Seri looks around, her eyes stopped on the clock. She doesn't know why, but for some reason, she could not phantom, something did not fit. Spoiler: ? 10 vs DC 10 - success She looked at it for a few moments before she realised what was wrong. The date. It was off by five months.
@majus @Elfie Nami nods vigorously, extending a hand to Seri. “If you want to stay,” she says, “I’d – we’d love to have you. We…” She trails off, noticing that something appears to have drawn Seri’s attention. “Is – is something wrong?” she asks softly.
@majus @lady-lux Seri stares at the readout in horror, insides coiling unpleasantly. She hadn’t even thought to ask how long it had been. Five months of missing time, of degradation and abuse. The fact she can remember almost none of it is both terrifying and a relief. She swallows, and shakes her head slowly. “Th-thhh-“ she begins, stuttering over the word as her mind stutters too, “thank you. Thhat means. A lot. I just. I hadn’t realised. How long I was. Was out for.” The words come sluggish and with an effort, and the smile she turns Nani’s way is glassy and fixed. She’s trying so very, very hard to be helpful, not to hold things up. But she feels as though her mind is shutting down at the revelation, at blow after blow hitting her.
"Just Olena, bratan! Between the four of us, I think we've got a solid team. If you've got all your stuff, let's head out." With that, Olena would collect the engineer and the heavy weapons guy. Slyly, she would ask them to introduce themselves to Jackie, handily getting her their names as well. "Suck it, awkward social conundrums!" With her team sorted out, Olena would lead the group to the closest settlement that they had been briefed on before arriving to the planet... Or at least try to. They would need to continue moving in stealth if they didn't want to end up dead or in bonds. "Mm... Bonds."
@majus @Elfie “Oh, stars— Seri…” Nami gasps as a shudder goes through her. “I’m so sorry. We had no way to know how long, I – I didn’t want to ask you…” She moves closer, reaching out to Seri, wanting to hug her and never let go. “You’re here now,” she whispers. “You’re with friends. You’re free…”
@majus @lady-lux Seri grips Nami’s arm instinctively, her small fist balling in the material of her shirt. She meets those dark, but so expressive eyes, her own threatening to fill with tears again. “I-I-I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” She blurts out, fighting so very hard to control the panic attack that overtakes her. “I just - I just - it’s so much, it’s so much time!”
@majus @Elfie Nami fights for words, but no words can make this all right. Gently she pulls Seri into her arms, able to do nothing for now but simply be there for her. Letting her express her pain as she needs to.
@majus @lady-lux Seri curls in on herself, nestling almost unconsciously in against Nami, clinging as her breath escapes in ragged gasps. “I’m sorry - I’m so sorry - every - everything I think I’m okay I… something else - I’m sorry!” She shakes, holding on tight as she tries to fight her way back to her senses. Slowly, slowly, the closeness of Nami’s skin, her warmth, her comforting arms, begins to slow her panic.
@majus @Elfie Eyes closed, Nami holds Seri to her, trying to keep her own breathing steady and even. “There’s nothing you have to be sorry for,” she whispers. “Take your time. We’re with you.”
@majus @lady-lux She nods, slowly, carefully climbing down for what feels like the millionth time since awaking. The wounds are so, so deep. Gradually, her grip on Nami relaxes, though she stays entwined, not quite wanting to let go. Through a sniffle, she mumbles softly. “Thank you. I’ll be - be okay. Thank you.”
@majus @Elfie Nami gives her a little extra squeeze, feeling a bit more relaxed herself. “Do you feel hungry?” she asks. “I – I must have some food around here, that’s something else on our list of – but don’t worry about that.” She smiles. “As a doctor, I’m qualified to say that everyone’s got to eat.”
@majus @lady-lux Seri snuffles, knowing at some point she has to stop clinging to Nami. At some point she’ll have to stop collapsing on her too, but it’s hard when the Nautolan makes her feel so safe, so looked after. “Doctor’s orders.” She nods, repeating the feeble little joke from before. “But that sounds good, could do with that. And then, and then I want you to tell me what’s next, and what I can do to help. I mean it.”
@Elfie @lady-lux As the two embraced, Nami noticed Kaelaen, who sneaked to the door and was looking at her questioningly.
It took some time, but she was finally ready. Olena, the team leader. Triset, Engineer Daw, Heavy Weapons Jackie, scout Adot was informed and the group had prepared supplies and was ready to move out - she just needed to set a target.
@majus @Elfie Nami nods to Kaelaen, and gestures to the clothes they sorted through. “Let’s bring these things over to the other ship,” she says. “Anything that looks useful. And we’ll find Seri something to eat.” She tries not to show her hesitation. In a way, she feels it’s easier to let others decide what to take. She doesn’t want to agonise over each thing she’s giving up.
Naturally, the closest settlement would be the best place to begin to collect information about the local garrison, nearby areas of interest, and the population's sentiments regarding the Rebellion and the Imperial remnants. Olena would specifically seek out a location that Triset could splice into that could be utilized to monitor Imperial and/or civilian transmissions in the area. Targets of opportunity that could be engaged or sabotaged would likely be left alone and noted for later exploitation... For now. Perhaps there would be something juicy but time-limited enough to be worth taking the risk.
@majus @lady-lux Seri feels a pang of shame, feeling - though she knows Nami wouldn’t think such a thing - like so much dead weight to these women. A spoilt girl needy for attention. I give and I give to you. Set you up in luxury. And you won’t do these little favours for me? You’re a brat, Serillia. Now make yourself pretty for our guest, before I lose my temper. It’s Adara she hears in that moment, and she flinches, before detaching herself from Nami and the comfort of the bed. Hurrying to fuss over the bundles of clothing, clutching them protectively, in an effort to seem useful. “I can help with these! Just lead the way!”
@majus @Elfie “I—!” Nami reaches after Seri, concerned. But she holds back from trying to stop her. It seems important to Seri to contribute somehow, and maybe this will help her be at ease. She moves over to help as well, meeting Seri’s eyes with a smile. “All right. Let’s get going.”
@majus @lady-lux Seri returns the smile with one of her own, trying her best to muster up a little more determination. “Lead the way, I’m ready.” Perhaps if she says it enough, it’ll become true. She turns her focus to Kaelaen, tilting her head in question. “Was there anything else we needed to bring? Not that I’m doubting you, of course!” She adds to Nami, quick to avoid any insult, eyes seeking approval once again.
