Seri eventually settles down, swaying a little to give Nami another fond shoulder-bump as they laugh together, then meeting her eyes from under her fading bangs. “How many of us are there, if you know? Something else that might be useful is making sure there’s enough room to keep everyone comfortable. Bunks, cabins, things like that.” The more she relaxes, the more than months of abuse catch up with her, and while she’s willing to push on, her body aches for a soft bed and a little rest.
“That’s a good question.” Nami pauses thoughtfully. “We’re about twenty, or twenty-one, in all. Kaelaen told me that…there aren’t a lot of places to sleep on this ship. Not made for comfort, I guess.” She hesitates again, not wanting to mention the cells. “But there’s – there’s some room on my ship as well. I can bring a few people aboard there – to make things less crowded. If you’d – if anyone would like…” Her blue skin darkens with a flush of embarrassment as she trails off. Looking into Seri’s eyes, she’s concerned about pushing too hard – concerned about how much Seri is already pushing herself.
Seri nods slowly, taking in the number. For a moment, that sounds encouraging. Then she realises - that’s twenty-something women used and abused, intended for the worst manner of treatment. “No I… I imagine that’s right.” She glances around. She’d gotten so comfortable, sitting and laughing with Nami, that she forgot what this place is. What it means. She clasps her hands together, arms between her thighs as she hunches up for a moment, meeting Nami’s gaze. The blush she catches sends a warm tingle through her, and she’s fairly sure her own cheeks are colouring in return. “I - um. I know in a sense I just got here but. If. If you’re gonna be on your ship - I’d. If it’s okay. Maybe I could stay there too? I just. I could use a friend close by?”
“Of course! Yes, I mean – absolutely.” Nami’s words trip her up as she feels a flood of emotions welling up in her yet again. Sudden anxiety and, yes, guilt again, mixed with relief and excitement; but it’s a friend close by that brings a steadying warm glow deep inside. “We’ll have to get some things ready, when we have the time, but I’d love it if – it’d be wonderful to have – um. Yes!”
Seri beams, her stomach barrel-rolling in an enthusiastic jolt. She loops an arm back through Nami’s, returned to a relative state of ease at the prospect of not having to bunk down on the Sarlacc. But much more than that, is Nami’s encouraging reply; Seri devours the validation in her response, the confirmation that yes, they are friends. “Perfect! That’s wonderful. I - I can’t wait.” She squeaks the last part with a shy little glance, cheeks still a darker shade.
Smiling from ear to ear, Nami has to make herself pause, exhale – trying to settle some of her sheer giddiness. She’s overflowing with questions for Seri, but this doesn’t feel like the time – knowing what kind of deep wounds might be reopened by them. She tries to remind herself about the need for some kind of detachment, the duty she owes not only to Seri but to everyone on board. “Stars, what kind of doctor am I?” She shakes her head. “Are you sure about this – looking around the ship, right now? Any time you feel like taking a rest…”
Seri takes a breath, trying to balance the background feelings of dread against the runaway sensation of joy and companionship. She worries she really shouldn’t throw herself so fully into this burgeoning friendship, but she can’t help it, feeling safe, feeling known for the first time in… ever? “I…” she begins, slowly, trying to pace herself. “I won’t lie it’s… been a lot and, I know at some point I’m going to crash. But I’ll do whatever you need - from me. I can help. But what about you?” She peers at Nami sidelong, and though there’s shyness in what she says, there’s concern and affection too. “Nami.” She lingers on her name, “I know you’re the doctor here, but when was the last time someone took care of you? Or when you stopped to catch your breath?”
Nami is frozen for a moment, her smile faltering as the question hits home. The events of the last couple of days – has it really only been that long? – swirl suddenly in her mind. All the trouble she’s blundered into, stupid, clumsy, getting what she deserved… But there are other things to think about too. Jura, Kaelaen, Cha’ye, and now Seri herself; their comfort, their support, their acceptance, even if they don’t know everything that happened… Still the thought brings her back to solid ground. Her smile returns – perhaps more tired than before, but no less genuine. “You’re so kind,” she says, “It – it really hasn’t been easy. But I’ve been looked after. By the others, and you – you’ve done more already than you probably think.” She bows her head a little. “Thank you. So, so much. There’s just a lot that…needs to be dealt with right now…”
“I’m glad,” Seri nods earnestly, “you deserve all that, and more. I hope - I really do hope I’ve helped.” She takes a little breath, then takes a chance, placing her hand on Nami’s cheek, just by her jaw, tilting her up and out of the bow, gently and without force. Her insides squirm at the boldness of the gesture, and she just hopes it’s not a step too far. “Then let’s see what there is to see, at least for now. Get a handle on things. Then I think we could both do with some rest, and we’ll be in a better place to tackle everything, right? I know there’s a lot - you probably know better than me - but we can’t help anyone if we’re about to drop.”
A brief tremble goes through Nami. The warmth of Seri’s touch, in more ways than one, the tangible sense of that emotional connection that means so much. There’s a little resistance before she lets her chin be lifted up, her eyes meeting Seri’s. She takes a steadying breath in, and out. “Yes,” she says softly, “you’re right. We do what we can and we don’t…try to do more. Than we can.” She smiles. “Something like that.”
“It’s all we can do, right?” Seri murmurs in reply. Her eyes dart over every feature of Nami’s face, her thumb subconsciously smoothing over her cheek. She swallows, then smiles, reluctantly leaning back, her hand dropping. “So.” She clears her through, clambering to her feet, hands planted either side of that slash of pink at her midriff. “So… maybe we start with, well, a walk-around? Check things over, make a list?”
“Yes!” Nami clears her throat as she gets to her feet, trying to collect herself, focus. “Yes,” she says again, a grateful smile, “let’s do that.” She crams what’s left of her ration bar into her mouth and looks around – to check whether Jura or Kaelaen is still nearby, and if not, to see where the two of them can begin exploring…
Seri can’t help smiling, even with the prospect of the difficult task ahead. It feels so good to be doing something, something meaningful for their freedom and future. She bustles around for a moment, commenting idly on what they’ll need, how to begin, before she realises she’s mostly just babbling excitedly. She selects one of the scrounged datapads, preparing to track their progress and findings as they go.
Olena quietly made her way around the scout troopers, crawling on the ground. Once on the other side, she paused to look around - Spoiler: ? 10 She stopped just in time, because she saw third scout trooper making his way to the speeders. No she had a choice - let them leave or to engage them...
As the duo winds up their discussion, there is a soft knock to the door. "Can you join us at the cockpit?" Kaelaen asked. "We have a couple of things to discuss." She said, waiting outside.
@majus @Elfie Nami hurriedly swallows, wiping at her mouth. “We’ll be right there.” She nods to Seri, and prepares to go along. “I’m sure there’s a lot we still need to talk about.”
@majus @lady-lux Seri manages an energetic nod to Kaelaen, gathering up what she expects they’ll need, and following Nami’s cue. She isn’t sure why she feels a sense of self-consciousness at the other woman’s presence, but pushes it aside, ready to head to the cockpit.
@Elfie @lady-lux The Echani waited outside, and when the two finally left the room, she led them through the ship. The corridor of Zygerian transporter was mall, oppressive. They walked along raws of opened doors, some rooms occupied by various females, in various state of undress. As she walked, Nami saw a familiar Twi'lek in on of the rooms. She looked better. When she looked up and saw Nami, she smiled and gave a small wave. Finally, the group reached the cockpit, where Jura was waiting for them. "Allright~" The pilot smiled. "So, now that we are here, we can talk. A few topics to settle. First, and most important, credits and supplies." Her face changed from playful to serious. "We are almost out of both."
@majus @Elfie Mixed feelings swirl in Nami as they walk to the cockpit. The brutal reality of this ship’s function, the bad memories she’s come to associate with it after just a few hours spent on board. But it is good to see the other women – alive, free, safe for now. She smiles as they meet with Jura. But the talk of credits digs up strong anxieties. She glances apologetically at Seri – it seems their chance to rest will have to wait. “You’re right,” she replies to Jura, “but I – I don’t know what to suggest. All I know is how to be a doctor.” A treacherous little voice tells her knows how to do one other thing. “We could try and open a little temporary clinic here, but would that be enough? I’m not sure.”
@majus @lady-lux Seri can’t help but glance about as they head for the cockpit, furtively making and then breaking eye contact with several of the other women. Even having been told - roughly - how many are here, it’s staggering to see such numbers. And this ship still makes her skin crawl. When Jura shares her solemn warning, she feels her heart sink and her gut twist. Instinctively, she shuffles closer to Nami, her jaw tensing, throat flexing. “The clinic is a good idea.” She nods, “but… I don’t know much about this place but - I’m assuming we’re still in the Outer Rim? - we might need a little security, too. And weapons will cost us…” She tries, and fails, to draw her borrowed jacket around her buxom frame, instead folding her arms protectively over her chest. “If it’s to help everyone else, I could see if any clubs are hiring… I can dance well, and sing better. Or failing that, check out the markets and see if anyone’s hiring for… I don’t know… a shop girl?”
