Half-Sick of Shadows (lmr)

[Poludnica]

She was happy. For the first time in years Golda felt tranquility. The evening was beautiful; neon lights making the street come to life in a form of moving shadows. Her step was brisk and even a small smile adorned the woman's soft features as she walked the Factory District, heading toward a set of gray apartments. Zelada was away this evening , looking for work which made Golda a bit anxious but the sheer awareness that there was a man somewhere in the Galaxy who cared for her was enough to brighten her day. It was a strange feeling to be in a stable relationship but it gave a sense of safety. It was something new for her, a new territory. So far the young woman's relations were more than flings than anything else. She couldn't even recall's Eli's father name, not to mention any other details. Zelada was new and exciting, making her somewhat scared such good thing had to finish someday. But not now yet. He was an alien, true, but it is not as if Golda was keeping herself from them and felt rather comfortable with his calm and protective presence. She even though of introducing him to Eli soon, which something her aunt wouldn't like but the boy needed a father – it was better to have a kind one even if not a Zabrak.

Even her appearance changed. Instead of rugged clothes Golda bought herself a nice pair of tight fit leather trousers and fancy tank top that hugged her body in the way she didn't think was possible. In short, the blonde woman felt attractive. Desired even. Zel was a type of man that made his woman into the most beautiful girl in the world. This way of thinking would immediately slip into wondering why such being would be with someone like her. Not now though. Her mind was focused on Eli now and a possible future for him. The boy seemed alien to Golda in many way, she even had him eyebrows tattooed to make him look more human but would always stay alien. His physiology was different as were reactions she couldn't really understand. Maybe a non human step father would make it easier for them. Just maybe.

She turned right and was about to enter the last alley when a noise of steps made her to freeze in place. It was a rhythmic step, heavy boots. Her head turned to see the incoming human male Golda knew too well. The woman whipped her head – a human man in distinguished clothing and vivid blue eyes that bored into her like two cold fires. Darek...He was suppose to be dead, incapacitated. Almost instantly she broke into sprint. Warm, summer air forced its way to her lungs with every meter. Golda was never a person worry about the risk, maybe sometimes, but now fear shot up like a nasty beast. She wanted to live for Zel and Eli.

”Where are you going, Missy? We are not finished.” A menacing voice broke the silence. Darek's words where no more than hoarse whisper but somehow she could hear them well. May be just her imagination but the danger was real. Something pulled her shoulder which made the woman to stumble. With few quick moves, as is if led by instinct Golda typed few words on her commlink: “Danger. Factory District. Coordinates Sent.” Just as she hit the last button something grabbed her from behind and forced to turn. Going with her instincts, Golda raised her hands in a defensive gesture. Years of training kicked in as adrenaline pumped through her veins. She just hoped to last long enough for Zel to find her. The thought occurred to the woman, why he just didn't shoot her, but the vicious anger and fury in the man's eyes told the human girl, he wanted to prolong her suffering how much it was possible. Maybe even go after Eli. The sheer thought of it made her to fight harder but Darek was a good hunter and even better warrior. A young human woman stood barely a chance...

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Zelada Ven was in sitting in a corner booth of the hundredth sleazy cantina this week, wearing his body armor, with a knife strapped to his calf, a blaster to his thigh, and a Hutt disruptor in a case slung over his shoulder. He was advertising his status as a mercenary for anyone who wanted to see, waiting for a bite to go his way.

He'd been doing this all week on Coruscant, looking for a job. He'd gotten two offers so far, neither of which had panned out. The first had been a personal beef, and he'd been offered so far under the going rate that it was an insult to him. No dice there. And then the other had looked good, a security gig for some wealth family, but he'd asked for a down payment up front that wasn't made, and the whole thing had degenerated from there. No luck on that part either.

Still, he had a feeling today was probably a bit better. Or so he hoped.

And even if it turned out to be like every other one, at least he still had Golda. He'd met the human woman his first day on Coruscant when he'd intervened to save her from a man who'd been beating on her. She'd taken him in for the night, then one thing had lead to another, and they'd wound up intimate. And then that had blossomed into a relationship overnight, his first real one in a long time.

He was living with her now, which was quite advantageous for them both. It helped two otherwise lonely people stay close with each other. He doubted he could ever get bored of playing with her golden hair or kissing her rosy lips. Of course he'd never thought of getting with a human before now.

His comm unit beeped and he pulled it from his pocket, examining the screen. Immediately his hazel eyes widened.

Danger. Factory District. Coordinates Sent.

He committed the coordinates to memory, tossed a credit chit down onto the table and raced off like a bat out of hell.

His feet carried him out of the establishment and into the lower city street as his mind tried to place their relative distances. They weren't close, but they weren't far either. Just enough that he couldn't run to her. And public transportation was too slow. He felt in his pocket for credits. Not enough for an air taxi so...

He peered in both directions on the street, mercifully seeing no one, he was on a rather dark and dreary alley after all, and he promptly hopped onto a speeder bike and started to hotwire the ignition, going over old skills he hadn't really remembered until now. Luckily it was like riding a bike, you didn't forget how.

The repulsors whined to life and he kicked off from the ground, racing to the side of his woman as fast as he could...

[Poludnica]

((I put Zel on the scene but I can change it if you had something else in mind ^^ I just figured Darek would hear the speeder :] You are more than welcomed to kill that evil bastard :< ))

She blocked first blow. The pain in her arm made her to lose focus for a bit . Led only by instincts Golda dodged another punch and bent her knee and kicked straight out hitting Darek square in the chest with her heel. This gave him enough momentum to fall back down on the ground d her a few extra minutes to get away. The woman turned to break into a sprint but something grabbed her by the ankle, forcing her to the ground. Golda hit her head on a dirty pavement, opening a cut which immediately filled with blood.
She screamed feeling an arm wrapping around her neck from behind. Without even thinking she thrust her head back breaking Darek's nose hopefully. The man was screaming something but Golda didn't understand it. Her attention was now narrowed to a simple kill or be killed. But the bounty hunter was stronger and older, he spent last three decades doing such things. From the beginning Golda knew she was going to lose, but the more frightening thought was he would find Eli. That killing her was not enough.

Darek didn't want her go off that easily and just before she was about to pass out he released the tight grip. Golda opened her eyes, now covered with thick blood. She felt something cold moving across her back, cutting through the new . A sudden realisation struck her and the panicked woman began to struggle again. A loud scream escaped her lips but was shortly silenced with a blow to the back of her head. Stars appeared in front of Golda's eyes. She heard in the distance a working engine of a speeder but that as well might be ringing from the head injury. Her thoughts raced to Zel as hope of him coming was slowly dying. He may not get the message or be busy, far away, unable to come... but deep in the woman's mind there was hear he just didn't care enough.

Darek wiped his nose and was about to cut the rest of the woman's clothes, before doing other things to show the little rat her place when a sound of incoming vessel. His hear turned slowly as hand moved toward the old but powerful blaster. ”You?” The bounty hunter said with a wide grin on his face. It made him look like a mad hatter. The girl could wait, there was a blue pest to deal with. Darek didn't like aliens, especially those that had bettered him.

Without another word the bounty hunter raised the blaster and pulled the trigger, reassembling a blast of energy toward the Twi'lek.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

The speeder bike braked to a halt at the coordinates he'd been sent, and immediately Zelada dismounted and looked around, his hazel eyes looking for his significant other and her danger, and seeing little. He'd seen numerous alleys coming in, and he was almost certain what was happening would be there. He pulled his highly illegal disruptor out of the case and held it in ready hands as he headed down the nearest alley.

He heard the sounds of a struggle before he saw what was there to be seen. The man he'd beaten down while rescuing Golda so recently was back, and cutting off her clothes with a knife. Obviously his intentions were less than pure, and Zel wasn't pleased by that. Immediately he regretted putting the man into the hospital rather than a morgue. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice. Not this time.

The human man raised his blaster, and the rutian Twi'lek mercenary took that as his cue to dive for cover behind a dumpster in the alley, landing behind it in a roll as the blaster shot streaked by him harmlessly, impacting on the side of a warehouse.

Zelada peeked from cover for a second, examining the situation before ducking back from another blaster shot sent his way. Golda was on the ground, his opponent was standing. He had enough clearance to take shots aimed at his enemy's center of mass to avoid hitting his lover, something he'd never forgive himself for doing. Particularly with something as final as a disruptor.

There was little cover in the alley besides his disruptor, which meant one aimed shot was all he needed...

It was now or never, and time to act.

The blue-skinned alien leapt from cover, throwing himself up into the air and bringing his weapon to bear for the split second when he had a sight picture, a good lock on the man. Then he squeezed the trigger and an orb of golden energy shot out with a report, streaking straight into the human man's chest.

He hit the ground at the same time as Zel, but the mercenary rolled and straightened up again, rising to his feet and advancing on his assailant.

As if he needed another sign, the man had a massive pile of ash in place of his chest now. The disruptor blast had disintegrated his chest. Completely.

He ignored the corpse and rushed over to Golda, turning her over and checking her pulse. She was alive, thank the Force. He tried wiping the blood off her face as he peered down at her with a look of concern on his rugged features.

"Golda? Joo OK?"

[Poludnica]

Sounds were a gathering of incoherent noises; the last blow nearly put the lights out too. For a moment Golda felt her mind is lulling on the oceans waves. There was even a steady swoosh of the moving water in her ears before anything got suddenly brighter and someone’s hand moved across her face. The woman opened her eyes, wincing as if this act was painful. Her pale eyes fixed on the familiar blue features. Small sigh escaped her lips; she was safe. Slowly the senses were coming back, first the proper hearing, next sharper vision, finally ability to feel pain as the shock and adrenaline rush was wearing off. Her mind was still numbed though, as if someone put it into some kind of stand by mode.

With a hiss of pain, Golda pulled herself up to the seating position, trying to use Zel as help. ”I am alright…I think. Thank you.” In truth she was far from that. Her backs bore long, deep cut from the knife and head had taken at least three strong blows. The wave of sudden nausea also told her it might be some serious concussion there. But in terms of being alive, she was more than alright unlike Darek whose entire chest had vanished in a pile of ash, leaving dismembered limbs and head. ”Oh…” Golda gasped, clinging closer to her lover. Violence was not new to her, but grim deaths were. It was actually the first time she had seen a dead body. For the moment the woman was sure she would throw up, but closing her eyes helped a bit.

Injuries were not something that would leave her incapacitated or in a shock for long as good few years of fighting and brawls had taught Golda few things about ignoring physical pain but the emotional significance of the attack was not going to vanish easily. The thought of what could have happened if not for Zel made her sicker than all the bumps, cuts and bruises.

Finally the emotional numbness began to let go opening a dam from behind which fear, anger, and especially guilt appeared. Uncontrollable sob escaped her lips; tears streamed down the pale cheeks. ”I am sorry, I didn’t know….He..he…I didn’t see him.” For couple of seconds the woman simply couldn’t put a coherent sentence together. She felt useless and helpless, guilty over putting Zelada in danger or thinking he wouldn’t care. Her head was pounding and body trembled from raising fever; a response to a strong concussion. Golda pressed her body stronger to the Twi’lek, unconsciously as if to seek warmth and safety.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Zelada held Golda close in muscular blue arms, warm blood trickling onto his skin. His fingers felt cuts in her back, and he winced. Undoubtedly she was in pain right now. She was also trembling, and looked worse for the wear. The pupils in her eyes didn't seem to match, and he was suspicious there was a concussion there.

She needed medical attention.

"Jus' 'ang on Golda, I'ze gonna get joo 'elp."

The burly Twi'lek lowered his human lover gently to the ground, resting her on her side. Then he reached down and pulled out his comm link, calling up the emergency channel.

It was no small feat explaining the situation in passable Basic and providing his coordinates, but by the end of five minutes they'd managed to ascertain the facts and promised to dispatch an ambulance, which left him with a short amount of time to cover up what had happened.

He started by hiding his disruptor in its case again, slinging it over his back after putting the manual safety on to prevent any accidental discharges. Then he eyed what reminded of Golda's assailant. The edges of his chest, his head, and his limbs. A shocked expression still on the face. Zel dragged the body over towards the dumpster inch by inch, drawing closer to it. Then he flipped up the lid, and in a quick move, tossed the body up and into the container, letting the lid slam down to cover him up, making sure no arms were sticking out.

It wouldn't do to have him get caught using a disruptor.

He was back, perched by Golda's side when the white airspeeder with flashing lights arrived, and when the paramedics rushed over to examine her. They did much the same as Zel had done, checking her eyes and examining her cuts. They muttered "concussion" to each other, a word Zel didn't know, and they applied bandages to stop the bleeding before lifting her onto a stretcher and carrying her into the back of the speeder.

Zelada slid in right by her and took her hand in his own, stroking it gently with his fingers, a concerned look on his face.

[Poludnica]

((I am sorry if it is crappy, really busy work say , wasn't really focused ): Anyway, if you think Zel would be next to Golda all the time I can edit the post but I figured he would at least go to pee or for a coffee or something xD ))

She panicked when Zelada let go of her, resting on the ground but Golda had no strength to stop him. For a moment the world swirled around her; the sky marked with artificial light of neons was spinning in circles. The woman closed her eyes, letting tears to pool under the eyelids. Echo of various voices brought her sharply to reality but the woman couldn't even open her eyes. The last thing Golda's battered mind remembered was the bright light being forced on her pupil.

Golda saw herself standing on the balcony of a very expensive place, maybe even a palace. Then she looked up above and could see balls of fire slowly coming down from the sky falling down on the planet. She dreamed that the world was coming to an end but felt no fear as if life itself was far more scary than death. Ground shook beneath her feet as the loud, whizzing sound pierced her eardrums.

The woman woke up with a gasp and name on her lips. ”Zelada.” Golda whispered, still unsure if the meteorites were but a dream. ”He was not here when I came in.” Strict, yet warm, melodic voice reached her ears and Golda's eyes fluttered open. It was Eliana. The older woman had tired gaze; face marred with wrinkles. Her features were pulled together in an expression of constant worry. ”Aunt...” The young human muttered with slightly swimming gaze.

”What did you get yourself into now?” Eliana snapped, hiding well any relief she might have felt. Golda knew her aunt was cold but not cruel; it just took a lot for her to show emotions

”Where is Eli?”

”With a neighbor, Lucia. Not for free mind you.”

”Of course not. I need to a send message.”

”To that Twi'lek? Was this his fault?”

”His name is Zelada, he saved me.”

”I am sure he did.”

”Stop harping. I nearly died.”

”Fine. But I am not raising any more of your children.”

”Just go home.”

If anyone was listening to this, they would have an impression it was a theater in which everyone had their role and knew exactly what to say with nearly robotic precision. Golda and her aunt had this routine every time when Eliana was worried. It seemed impossible for women in this family to convey such emotions properly. It was the simplest way to show she cared.

Eliana stood up, leaving few sandwiches and some water for her niece. Deep in her heart she felt almost physical pain seeing Golda like this but also knew not much could be done. The young woman's choice of partners was as terrible as her mother's before. Eliana only prayed that if this one would vanish he wasn't going to leave anything behind.

Slowly, with a small kiss planted on Golda's cool forehead, Eliana left the room. Her niece looked angry but as always she would come around. The Twi'lek was not here, but the older woman had a lingering feeling he was still around somewhere. She could only hope the male was genuinely concerned and not only worried he would lose his plaything.

Warm light of the clinic filled the hallway, giving life to small particles of dust that swirled in the air like moths. Not the cleanest place but the worst either. Hopefully they had money to pay for it; Golda didn't share every credit, just enough to give Eli decent living and healthcare. Most of it was from illegal sources, which didn't make Eliana happy but it was either that or giving her little nephew up to an orphanage.

The woman touched the elevator panel and waited for the doors to open...

((http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=middle%20aged%20woman&order=9&offset=168#/d25f94f ← Eliana((

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Zelada tapped his foot impatiently in the elevator, a cup of coffee in one hand and a sweet pastry in the other. He'd been barred from the room while the doctors carried out their treatments, which had bothered him to no end. He'd made the call, rode in with her, and he'd been fully expecting to sit there at her side the whole time.

Instead he'd killed time by climbing up and down the staircases to exercise, before finally coming to a stop in the lobby again, where he made use of a refresher before spending a little more quality time with the vending machines.

He'd nibbled a chocolate bar tentatively before making his final selections. A hot cup of coffee and a simple pastry in a plastic wrapper. Then he'd headed straight into the elevator and back up towards Golda's room, where supposedly he'd be let into.

He stifled a yawn in the lift as he eyed the Aqualish next to him with a relaxed curiosity. But further curiosity was stopped by the friendly ding announcing he'd arrived at his destination. He hurriedly stepped out of the elevator, narrowly avoiding a collision with a woman. He apologized to her in broken Basic and promptly sped down the hall.

Promptly he made it back into Golda's room, and to his delight she was awake.

He set down the coffee and the wrapped pastry on the table and sank into the chair by her side, reaching out to take her small hand in his own large one, blue fingers wrapping around her pale ones.

He didn't say a word though, instead simply smiling at her in silence, with a worried look still, like a mother bird.

[Poludnica]

Dark eyes narrowed when a tall Twi'lek left the elevator. Eliana didn't know this mercenary, Golda was still refusing to introduce them. Made her wonder if it was because her niece didn't treat him seriously or on the contrary. And was afraid Eliana would chase him away. Additional wrinkle formed on her aged forehead as she watched the blue male going into Golda's room. He looked worried and tensed. The older woman had seen her niece and him in the bar, from afar and he did made the poor girl smile like no one ever before. Instead of warm feeling she felt fear. Fear her only family would leave, discarding an old aunt.

After few more seconds Eliana shrugged. Golda couldn't keep a man, not her. She would be back soon with her tail between her legs, like always. With retrieved sense of confidence the older woman entered the elevator.

”Zel.” Sigh of relief escaped the woman. She moved her head and winced; painkillers were wearing off. ”I am sorry for all this. “ Golda's face was very pale with shadows forming below her eyes. The woman had gaze fixed on the food Zelada brought. It looked terrible. With a weak gesture she pointed at the bundle of sandwiches. ”Take some, my aunt can be a harpy sometimes but her cooking is worth it. Is she gone?” What if Eliana heard that? Expression of slight uneasiness and anxiety marred her features as her hand tightly squeezed strong digits.

Hazy cloud of confusion wouldn't want to go away. Golda pressed back of her hand to the forehead, pain sobered her up a bit. One of the strategies she had learned long ago during fights. Better to stay in pain and conscious than otherwise on the ring or you lost. Shame most of streets brawls weren't this fair, tended to end in death. ”I need to get out of here, before any cop will show up.” It took a while to mutter these few coherent words. It was now automatic reaction though, to avoid attention of authorities.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Zel looked at the sandwiches sitting there that Golda had directed him to, and he reached out and took one, tentatively biting it. Nearly instantly he'd determined it was good and continued eating it, listening to her intently.

He wasn't expecting her to mention the Police.

He blinked a few times, not quite comprehending the problem. She'd done absolutely nothing wrong after all, and she was the victim. He'd stashed his disruptor with the receptionist, who was holding onto what she knew only as a case. There was nothing he could be tied to, and a plan started to evolve in his head.

Getting that plan into Basic words was considerably harder.

Golda wasn't in a real condition to move, not yet anyway, and he didn't savor the idea of her running away. Especially if their minds strayed to him as a suspect.

"I'ze gotta plan. Joo stay an' wait, an' den when da Police come, joo tell em 'bout de man 'oo 'tack you. Tellem 'e came in on dat swoop, say I comman scare 'em off. But joo don' ave to tell dem yo name if joo don wanna."

The muscular Twi'lek set down the sandwich and ran a hand through Golda's blonde tresses, playing with them as he was so fond of doing. His finger strayed to her cheek and stroked it.

"Iffin joo leev now, dey gonna 'vestigate, dig 'roun an' a big 'ol messa trooble coul' 'appen. Dey migh figger ou' I was da one who shotem, an com aftah me. Joo see wut I mean?"

[Poludnica]

With a blank expression Golda watched the blue Twi'lek eating a sandwich. Hopefully their species ate similar things, or otherwise or poor Zel might end up with a bad case of allergy. Two of them in hospital would not be the best case scenario. Though something had told her, that someone as sturdy as Zelada could eat a Hutt and survive. Somehow the thought of it sounded funny and Golda let herself for a small detached smile only then realising that the burly Twi'lek was speaking.

There was something awkwardly adorable in the way Zel tried to put together simple Basic. It occurred to her, she would miss once he would get better at it. ”You think it will work?” She still wasn't sure about it as her natural instincts were to avoid police at all cost but Golda felt already guilty over the fact Zelada had to risk his life for her...Twice. The blonde woman nodded gingerly, agreeing without any other word.

A small sigh escaped her when the male touched her hair. He seemed to like it a lot; it was something new and exotic and Golda loved every minute of this slow caressing. Tensed muscles relaxed under soothing strokes of strong fingers.

”Of course, I was so thoughtless. I am sorry.” She was afraid that the police will link her to some illegal activities but Zel was right, she didn't have to tell them anything. Even the clinic had only her name. As long as they were paid in cash, the identity didn't matter. Not so close to the Undercity.

Another thing bothered her though; how easily she had forgotten about another person. So many years alone had made her selfish. Or Golda's mother was along and that girl just couldn't live with anyone. Sadness painted on the woman's features when she realised all that and lingering feeling that Zel deserved better crept under her skin. ”You know, I often get myself in troubles. It can be dangerous.” Glacial blue orbs moved to look into two hazel eyes. Full of warmth and care. ”I don't deserve you.” Golda said with a smile, but it lacked any mirth. It was suppose to be a compliment on her part but probably didn't make anyone here happier.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Zelada blushed when Golda said she didn't deserve him, and he weighed over that statement. She was damaged in a way, and didn't recognize all she had to offer. Her companionship was just as valuable as his own, doubly so since she actually contributed something to the relationship, unlike him. He was the one living in with her, the one without a job. She was the proverbial breadwinner, not him.

He had admiration for her, but it was hard to express.

Instead he simply smiled back at her, a tender look on her face. But part of him seethed that he couldn’t express himself, that the Basic words eluded him. But he had to try something, had to say something.

”Golda, joo iz a responsibible woman, who do far mor dan I can. Joo know tings I don’, do tings I cant do. I migh be yuseful, but joo know more dan I do. Don’ joo ever tink dat joo isn’t speshul. You is."

That was the best he could manage, and he sincerely hoped it would be enough to reassure Golda. Sometimes she seemed so fragile and delicate in more ways than one. It wasn't her slender figure, it was that lack of confidence, that worry she had. He couldn't really do anything about it, merely be a supportive presence and hope she could work through it.

That didn't mean it was easy though.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Detective Jansen Ferrel stood directly outside the airspeeder the department had issued him, stretching his back as he rotated himself. He was no longer a young man, and he relied on his junior partner to do all those young people things. Loud music. Parties. Loose women.

All the things he'd done back in the day.

He grinned as he took off his aviator sunglasses and looked at his partner, another human, with blonde hair unlike his own brown tresses. "All right son, here we are. Watch how it's done, and follow my lead. You got it kid?"

The junior detective nodded and dutifully pulled out a large datapad for recording information with. He tapped at the screen before nodding again. He was ready.

Together the duo marched through the doors of the hospital and progressed up to the room of a certain woman. Jansen swaggered his way in with the look of a veteran, sliding into a chair across from the patient, eying the burly Twi'lek next to her with only a brief glimpse.

"All right lady, I'm Detective Ferrel. So, I understand you were attacked? Want to tell me about it?"

[Poludnica]

She smiled at his broken Basic. He was such a good man, it made her uncomfortable to be with someone like him. Zelada could die today and only because of her reckless choice of business partners. Golda's hand raised to touch the Twi'lek's blue cheek which was now a tone darker than before. Was this how his species blushed? ”You are adorable.” Small chuckle escaped her lips as they closed on his azure ones but the kiss was quickly broken when the two humans entered the room.

Golda's frame tensed immediately as she suspected who they were. For her entire life she had many runs in with cops and none of them pleasant but as Zel had said, she didn't do anything wrong. Biting her lips, she forced herself to look at the duo. ”I was attacked from behind on my way to visit family. That's all. I manages to send a message to my boyfriend, he scared this guy away.” Lies were easy, especially those told to the law enforcement as Golda had little guilt over it. Living in one of the poorest labor districts had taught her that the police didn't care about what was going on there. Rapes, abuse, organised crime...Probably they would only take her statement and go back to their duties.

Her record was clean, aside from couple of arrests for possession of illegal substances. Little amounts so it was only a fee and a warning. After that Golda became much more careful. As her business was most often done on Nar Shaddaa, she felt rather safe, at least in theory. The anxiety was there but it would be odd for a woman after an assault to be calm.

Unsure what to say more, the woman looked at her lover for any guidance. Like a lost lamb looking for a safe place.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

When Golda prompted Zelada, the blue Twi'lek nodded and proceeded to back her story up as best as he could. Which wasn't all that well given his rather feeble command of the Basic language, but he tried anyway. He was good at trying, and also pretty good at doing. Both good assets to have.

"Yah, dassit. I cam runnin' down da stree', an I see 'em over 'er wit a knife, so I yellz attim, an 'e see me. 'E runs off, an' I don' chase 'em. I'ze stay wit Golda an call da meds."

Zelada gave absolutely no signs he was lying. He maintained eye contact the whole time, and his voice never wavered. He had no idea how he was doing it, since he'd never been an especially good liar before. Maybe it was because Golda was on the line, and he valued her safety so much.

It was truly mind-blowing the relationship that had developed between them. It was a natural chemistry that felt so very right, especially when they kissed. He couldn't explain it. But then again, he felt like he didn't really need to.

"So das pretteh much da story. 'Ow soon til we can go?"

Ferrel looked over to the junior detective's datapad to make sure he'd recorded the broken words properly. They were making sense to the grizzled human, but only because he had a lot of years dealing with thick accents under his belt.

"Right," He said, looking back and forth between the human and the Twi'lek, weighing their stories. If he'd been smart he'd have interviewed them separately to make sure their stories matched. Well, everyone made mistakes now and then.

"So, if you give me a good description of him we can print up a likeness of his face to put out there. After that, it's up to the public. We'll have to see if we can find him, but I can't make any promises. In cases like yours we don't always find the suspect again. It's a big planet, so don't get your hopes up."

The junior detective keyed up a new screen on the datapad and took a step closer.

"So, if you could give me the description that would be very nice. I'd be quite grateful."

Off to the side Ferrel cringed at the polite tone. This rookie was a real piece of work.

[Poludnica]

Her hands were still tightly closed on Zelada's blue fingers, there was a high chance they would be hurting by now but the Twi'lek didn't show any of that. Before she didn't believe it was possible to have such man, to have someone stay with her. Her clinginess to Zelada slowly began to grow to the point she was not so willing to go to Nar Shaddaa. The thought of him having troubles over killing that scum was hard to bear, which only made Golda more nervous. She truly looked like a disturbed victim.

The Twi'leks voice did not falter at the lie, which was a bit surprising from someone who seemed so honest but then again a lot was at stake. Who was Golda to judge? A smuggler and a criminal. ”Uhmm a description? “ Her head was still feeling a bit fuzzy and it was clear, as her eyes often seemed to lose focus. ”He..he was tall. Echani I think, white hair...and...I didn't see much more. I am sorry.” Actually, the woman could give them his address but that would only add to troubles. Probably soon Dereks body will would be recovered, it was best not to give too much details so they could put those two together. Lying was surprising easy, after all Golda was traumatized, it was obvious she could mix things up.

”Please, I am so tired.” The woman pleaded, wiping tears away. A part of it was a game, but only a part. Maybe her features were not those of a classical beauty but they had a certain innocence to them. With big, blue eyes, pale, porcelain skin and long blonde hair gave her ethereal and girly look that many would hardly find dangerous of suspicious. Especially men.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

"Echani eh? Well all right, with that vague a description I don't think we'll be able to do anything. But we'll contact you if we find him. We'll let you rest now honey."

The detective motioned to the other one and they turned and walked out together, leaving behind Zelada and Golda in silence once more. After their footsteps had faded away, the blue Twi'lek grinned and gave Golda's hand a squeeze before bending down to plant a kiss on her luscious lips.

"Well, dat wen' well. Joo wanna get outa 'ere an' go someplace safe?"

Large hands stroked Golda's hair again, which had become one of Zel's favorite pastimes. He never got tired of playing with those golden tresses, and though he didn't admit for being polite, he preferred her hair loose, cascading over her shoulders like a gilded waterfall. But she was fond of that braid, or so he gathered, and he didn't want to make her feel deprived.

Especially when there was a chance his opinions or requests would be treated as commands. Golda could be quite accommodating at times, possibly wanting to please him. As if the curves of her body, her exquisite pale skin, and her full lips couldn't?

He grinned and moved his hand to caress her cheek.

"We can' go to dat place yo aunt 'az, an' get someting to eat."

[Poludnica]

Better not to find him... Fortunately, Golda didn't voice this thought and just nodded at the two men. They weren't that bad or just too bored to ask more questions. In Factory District such crimes happened daily. Once the cops vanished, she sighed deeply, letting tension in her body to drop. Finally calm enough to enjoy Zel's closeness fully. No one before had kissed her like that, with so much passion but also delicate, shy feeling behind it. Still, the woman was still unsure to admit there could be something more than a simple romance.

”They said I should stay in for at least two days but I don't want to, lets go.” Her head was still pounding but the doctors did all they could. The only thing to do was resting and taking handful of painkillers. It was minor hindrance though, comparing to some things that happened, a headache was close to nothing. She let a smile to appear on her features when Zel stroked her hair. Golda knew he liked them loose, which was how the woman would almost always wear them when with him. Today's evening, however, their meeting was unplanned. Remembering this, she let the braid to untangle, leaving golden locks to spread over her back like a curtain.

A frown marred her features when Zel mentioned the bar. Eliana wouldn't be happy her niece left the safety of a clinic but that would also save money. She brought the hand up to touch a simple adhesive dressing covering the cut. Other than that there were only few bumps and long , shallow cut on her back. Not that bad if you take into account what might have happen.

Slowly, Golda pulled herself from the bed, watching for any signs of dizziness but the medication kept it at bay. ”I am not hungry but something warm to drink would be nice. But you could use a good meal. The least I can do.” She lost a shapeless clinic gown, without any shame as her body was nothing new to Zelada, and put on her own clothes. It still baffled her why he would like this pale frame; She never considered herself attractive, her mother was true beauty next to which Golda looked like an ugly duckling. A fact her parent never failed to point out.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

"Allrigh'" Zel nodded, giving assent to the plan. Drinks, and maybe food for him.

He still felt like such a parasite. Living with her, living off of her money as he looked for a job. His own funds were all but exhausted unless he touched his deep savings, the money he'd earned from all his big jobs and the money he kept at home, on Chandrila, with his family.

If he pulled out that cash he'd have to tell them. He could just imagine the conversation.

Hello Mom, Cotan. I fell in love with a human girl, now I need to take more money so I can go live with her.

Shocked looks would ensue. Certainly.

No, they'd remain blissfully unaware to his comings and goings for a while longer, he'd get a job, and then things would be fine. Maybe after all that things would become more serious, and he'd be forced to tell his parents.

He hated to characterize them as racists, it was just that they were very... traditional. And a human girl was very... not. Force help her if she didn't like munch fungus soup, his mother would probably kill her for that.

It'd be a mess. A big, bloody mess.

He managed to smile anyway as Golda unbraided her hair, and immediately he began stroking it again. It was almost a fetish, but it made sense. It was something totally foreign to him, and very interesting and compelling. Enchanting even.

Golda didn't realize that her lithe figure, exquisitely pale skin, grey eyes, and golden hair all were quite enchanting, capturing the senses. She was a gorgeous woman, with a beauty that was almost haunting.

He watched as she removed the gown, treasuring every inch of her body. He felt an urge to have her then and now, but he knew he couldn't. Those cuts needed time to heal, and too much activity could pull them open again.

He waited patiently for her to dress in silence.

[Poludnica]

The way he looked at her, it made Golda blush but it wasn't unpleasant feeling. It just brought memories of their times together. No man before would treat her with such devotion and careful delicacy as if she was a porcelain doll. Before that the woman didn't think of intimate relationships as being so pleasurable. It made her think it was possible to have future with him, a normal family one day and Eli could have a father. Golda's mind was afraid to reach that far, god forbid to brush against the notion of them to get so serious, partly because she didn't want false hopes. There was a time she really had believed a man, didn't end up well which only strengthened her belief there was not much in her to stay for.

The grim thoughts put a small marring wrinkle across of her forehead, but it vanished once her gaze locked with warm, hazel orbs. Very human like. Fully dressed now, she stepped toward the Twi'lek , planting soft kiss on his lips. ”I want you to stay...” She whispered as the man began to caress her hair even more intently. No other of her partners would give her locks so much attention but then again the woman also found Zel's lekku very exotic and enticing. Warm in touch, almost as it had a life of its own moving under her lightest touch.

Pale fingers moved from lekku to Zelada's biceps, enjoying its raw strength. Only for briefest moment Golda hesitate when her gaze fell on the green female...how had he called her? Gida? His first love, then there was that pretty yellow one. Something told Golda there was no much room for the third, at least in there. She wasn't a jealous type, never would hold against Zel his past but it was more of a feeling of inadequacy in comparison to those two. A sad smile appeared on pink lips as the thought occurred in her mind that it was good while it lasted, even if it would end quickly. ”Lets go, take those sandwiches with you. You can have them for tomorrow while you look for work.” She said softly. It never was a bother to help Zel, he didn't really ask for anything. Actually seemed a bit uneasy about this whole ordeal but he had saved her life, twice. Few meals and a lodging were nothing in comparison.