Bushwhaked (open)

[Meira]

Trin hadn't stayed still very much after the team returned from Coruscant. She didn't much like the feeling of it. She already felt like she did very little on the mission. So something inside her said move. She spent hours in the weapons room, cleaning, taking apart, and putting back together various weapons. She logged even more hours at the shooting range and in the training rooms. She ate her meals slowly, anything to avoid going back to her bunk and lying down. If she sat still long enough, it reminded her that sitting still was what she was doing while Bane, Mal, Italia, and Ark nearly died fighting of scores of Republic police and soldiers. They shed their blood, coming so close to death, and she sat on her butt nursing one wound. She was ashamed.

She went to the medical ward only once. The sight of Mal in the bacta tank only made her heart sink even more. It forced the image of the Goliath standing in the cargo bay of the Ghost Star, hands held out to his sides and that far away look in his eyes... and then when he fell, first to his knees, then all the way to the floor. She was sure that he was dead. She had turned her head away then, back to Ark's brain case, and fumbled over her work as Italia gave her instructions. She didn't want to turn back around. And she still couldn't face the man, even as he unconsciously recovered. By being absent during the fight on Coruscant, she couldn't help but feel that she had betrayed him and all the rest.

The one thing that could take her mind off of it all was running. And soon after that realization, Trin stopped logging training hours, stopped cleaning weapons, and just ran. She started with the track at the base, but it was too close to everything. So she started running out through the fields and the small patches of trees that sprawled across Concord Dawn. She didn't much care if there was a path to follow. More often than not, she enjoyed the challenge of working her way through areas. She didn't want to make things easy on herself. She'd be gone for hours, not always running. Sometimes she'd walk, or jog. She started bringing field rations with her, so that she wouldn't have to return for lunch. She kept a communicator with her, in case she was needed. But it never crackled to life.

Today, she had been running a little harder than normal. When the sun reached it's peak in the sky, she stopped under a tree to rest and eat. The protein and carb rich rations weren't exactly the tastiest things in the galaxy, but they gave her energy. Trin leaned her head back against the tree, wiping the sweat from her brow with her forearm. She examined the place on her shoulder where Itani had stitched her up. A nurse in the med ward took the stitches out a few days ago, and all that was left was a thin, barely visible scar, just a touch pink on her skin. Itani had done a good job.

Trin wondered momentarily where he had gone off to. He and his sister weren't enlisted, but Trin had seen Italia at the med ward once. Were they going to stick around? There was no denying that they had been vital in the last mission. Trin smiled to herself. She wouldn't mind seeing more of them, maybe one more than the other... but surely Italia wouldn't blame her for that.

[Latus]

He had forgotten all that he had truly hated about what had once been his home. The sun was no small part of it. It beat down relentlessly, no clouds to block its merciless rays as the drought persisted on and on. The ground had dried up to a point where planting was nearly impossible, the ground hard as rock. Itani had wanted to leave it behind, to break atmo and travel again. Wander. Take his ship and return to his profession, the killing of influential pawns for money in and around the core. However, some lingering dedication to his family held sway. His grandfather Ark had finally picked himself up and was back in one piece. Mal, having spent days in kolto, was finally strong enough to get around. Lia was on the mend and off doing something important-like, as was the remainder of the Special Ops division. Ambria, Bane; at least they were still alive. They wanted him to help till the fields, work the land, live like his father before him.

Itani, however, couldn't care less about farm work. The ruling body on Concord nearly ran the agricultural business. He was never one for politics. As far as he was concerned, all governments ever did for their people was exploit them, use them for cheap labor, then plow them under; lather, rinse, repeat. That, however returned him to his predicament. Even if he didn't care, family came first. He would stay as long as he was needed then hit the space-lanes again, continue to make his own way. This is what he thought as he lounged in one of the largest trees on the family farm. The sturdy tree was at the edge of their property and, thanks to his naturally colored clothing, he blended perfectly into the branches. Perhaps it was his career choice that made him tend to stick to himself but it didn't matter. The drifter only knew that he enjoyed the feeling.

The light shuffling was enough to bring Itani around. Angling himself to see out of his perch his eyes widened at who was seated at the base, his heart skipped a beat. Trin... what in the world is she doing all the way out here? Sitting straighter Itani gazed down at her for a moment. The assassin was still unable to quantify what he felt what when he looked at her. He shook his head violently, such thoughts were weakness and a moment's hesitation could cost him his life.

Slowly he felt his thoughts returning to normal, highlighting the possible hilarity that could be had from the situation he had been handed. Itani the prankster was never far away. Waiting until Trin had turned away the lithe man slipped out of his position on the tree. Using years of conditioning he slid to a seat mere inches from her, making a little sound as possible. Itani had to keep himself from chuckling, hoping that the young woman hadn't detected him. He didn't speak, there was no need to. She would see him there momentarily.

[Meira]

She had closed her eyes, lost in the wanderings of her thoughts as the air cooled her skin, even if only slightly. Her senses were a bit dulled, from the exertion of running, as well as a general feeling of calmness that being on Concord Dawn brought. In her comparatively brief time in the Mandalorian military, and culture for that matter, Concord Dawn had come to be the closest thing she could call home. For her, it meant a time of rest, however brief, between missions. Sometimes, she still felt like an outsider. Her Mando'a wasn't great, and she sometimes got teased for her sloppy use of it. But she hadn't grown up Mando'ade, so she was given some slack. It was times like these, when she felt like the outsider, that she often found a way to be alone. Maybe that's why she was out here. She felt like she had fallen short of the Mandalorian standards. She'd never admit it, but the theory might have some merit.

In any case, Trin wasn't paying attention. More specifically, she wasn't on the lookout for sneaky, inhumanly quiet assassins. The last thing she expected to see when she opened her eyes was a figure right at the edge of her vision. For someone to be so close without her having detected their approach, well, Trin was surprised. Had Itani known that Trin had been logging training hours, he might have selected a seat just beyond Trin's arm's length. But then again, maybe not. As it stands... or sits, Trin's arm, moving of it's own accord, aimed to punch the mysterious figure squarely in the nose, while the rest of her body moved into a low crouch, turning slightly to get a better view of her assailant.

Her surprise was doubled when she registered that the figure was not only someone she knew, but someone she had just been thinking about. But the momentum of her arm was too great to stop. Her eyes widened in realization of what she had done, but her mouth refused to do anything but hang agape in shock. Not much force had been put into the swing, but it was embarrassing nonetheless.

OH! I'm sorry!

Trin sprang to her feet, her hand flying to cover her mouth as her eyes continued to retain the size of small plates, her cheeks flushed a sudden red and she had to take a moment to breathe out the sudden burst of adrenalin the surprise had flushed into her system. As her heart rate slowed, her brain returned from its panicked flight. She looked all around, seeing no path Itani could have walked to get so close without her hearing him.

Where... where did you come from?

Her voice broke slightly with a chuckle, both at her embarrassment and her confusion. Her cheeks flushed again as she looked back at Itani, absurdly afraid that he knew she had been thinking about him. A ridiculous notion. Silly. Juvenile even.

[Latus]

Honestly he should have seen it coming. Every time he chose to sneak up on one person or another it always seemed to add to the cacophony of bruises and welts that populated his face. This particular one caught him low on the nose, and laid him flat on his back. Every single star that seemed to swim through his vision shone with something along the lines of "you really should know better." As he sat up from his place on the ground he realized why he kept on pulling pranks. Its not that he is a glut for punishment but that Trin's face was absolutely priceless. Unable to help himself he laughed, body and soul; long, loud, and hard. He was not used to laughing, his choice of profession never left time for levity. However, this was the time for it if any; his voice bouncing off the tree limbs and echoing over the dry fields.

Neir burc'ya, ((my friend)) I have been hit for much less. You aren't the first and I am sure you won't be the last.

Taking several deep breaths he rubbed his nose and sat back against the tree again, his laughter tapering off into stifled chuckling. Casually he looked up, watching Trin look about the vicinity; she's jumpy, this one. He was unsurprised about her question. He had dropped silently out of what seemed like a random tree in the middle of nowhere. She deserved an answer.

You got unlucky, Trin. This tree is on the very edge of my family's farm. Since this drought has been so harsh I have had no soil to work. My time is largely spent lounging in these trees. What about you, Trin? Your arm seems to be mending well, I see. What are you doing out this far?

Gesturing for the obviously twitchy woman to sit he looked her over again. Her face was flushed and breathing erratic and her arms were rigid. He must have really gotten her good. Somewhere deep in his mind though, he noticed something else. It was subtle but it was certainly there. Like on the Star weeks ago he was unable to quantify it. Finally tearing his eyes from her he ran his hands through his thick auburn hair. Something about his girl...

[Meira]

Trin's face was full of worry... that is until Itani started laughing. On reflex, she chuckled as well, but it wasn't doing anything to help her face from flushing. She had half a mind to punch the man again for scaring her like that and then just laughing at her. But as the seconds ticked by, her nerves settled and she honestly could recognize the humor in the situation. She smiled and her shoulders relaxed. Ok, he got me. Get over it. She thought to herself.

The short woman nodded her head as Itani expressed that she was not likely to be the last person to punch him. That sounded pretty dead on. He then answered her question. Trin's eyes glanced upward, studying the tree. Well of course he'd come from up above. Sitting around in trees was a perfectly logical passtime. But did he say it was on his families land? Again Trin looked about her. Had she really run so far?

Trin absentmindedly accepted the invitation to sit back down next to Itani. Her mind was only partially present. She was trying to remember how she'd gotten there. Her run this morning had been particularly affective. Her mind was nearly clear. It was a few moments after he asked his question that Trin realized it. She turned her brown eyes back on the man, a somewhat bashful smile crossing her lips.

Oh... yeah, much better. Trin twisted her arm to look at the thin scar, then back up at Itani. A nurse took out the stitches a few days ago. I was running. I guess I just... went a little farther than usual. I didn't know your family owned this land.

Her eyes drifted away from Itani to look down at the ground. She didn't understand it, and her face flushed the lightest pink when she tried to. She couldn't look him in the eye for very long. Usually Trin had no problem with eye contact, but something about this mysterious man... it was almost unnerving. But not enough to make her want to stop. After a breath, she looked back up at him again.

Suddenly, Trin had an urge to know more about this man. She knew vague things, and very few of them. If she hadn't had better control of her mouth, she might have spouted off a whole list of questions. But she managed to hold back the flood, only allowing one to get through.

So, have you always lived here?

Oh, so pathetic Trin. She told herself in her mind, her eyes falling away from his again to become suddenly interested in a twig in her hands. Why didn't you just say something about the weather, you dummy.

[Latus]

((Posties, is that like some new sugary breakfast cereal from Post? Mmm, posties. Have you eaten your posties today. Okay, I'm done, onto the posties... *snicker*))

The young assassin grinned as his visitor explained about her arm, the running, the usual this and that accompanied by one of his tricks. He slowly lifted his head to look at hers, only for his gray eyes to meet momentarily with hers, a grin seeming to linger on the edges of her lips. Smiling he ran his left hand down his right arm, pretending to scratch a non-existent itch. Itani chuckled slightly as Trin mentioned his families land. Few people strayed so far out from the military outpost that it had never come up before.

We own everything from this tree all the way south to the house itself.

Looking back over to her he was surprised to see that the young woman's cheeks had a touch of pink in the tan tones. With a sigh Itani wondered if he had the same exact tone in his cheeks as well. He noticed that Trin was having a hard time looking at him properly but he was finding it difficult to take his eyes of her. He managed one of his throaty chuckles at her next question; she seemed to be trying, at least. Sadly, he thought with a minute scowl, thats more than I can say about myself.

Only until I turned twelve, the verd'goten, ya' know. Was onyl home for about a year and then I left, found myself a master and became what I am today.

Itani smiled over at her, intentionally leaving out the word Assassin. His own curiosity piqued, he turned the question back upon her.

What about you? Were you born here on Concord or just join up with the military for the "see the galaxy" routine?

((Sorry its so short))

[Meira]

((lolz, yeah... it gives you a sugar rush so you can post!))


Trin's eyes looked south as Itani explained the extent of his family's land. She couldn't see very far of course, what with sitting on the ground and all, but to look was an automatic thing more than it was functional. He answered her second question throwing in the Mando'a word for the coming of age right of passage. Trin still struggled with Mando'a sometimes, and was far from being able to use it casually, so it took her a moment before she nodded. Though, the mention of finding a master stopped her thoughts.

She turned and looked at him then, forgetting her shyness for a moment and raised a questioning eyebrow, a humorous light in her brown eyes. What would one need a master for? Isn't that what people called the Jedi? Maybe that could explain why this guy was able to be so sneaky... he had that weird force stuff on his side. She wouldn't push for an explanation though. If he had wanted to tell her about it, then he would have. When he looked back at her, she lost the bravery that had momentarily held her, and she looked away again.

Itani then turned the tables on her with his question. She should have expected that he would, but she couldn't fight the renewed flush to her cheeks at his interest. She shook her head, partly in response, and partly to shut her own mind up. There were competing voices inside of her head, one reveling in this strange man's interest, the other reasoning that he was simply being polite. Of course, polite people don't often drop from the sky to scare the willies out of others... But this was such a strange man, heck, he could even be a Jedi for all she knew.

I grew up on Commenor. I didn't even know I was Mando'ade until... I left. I found out my real parents names, but they were dead, so I worked my way to Mando space. Ended up on Kedalbe where a recruiter told me I was Clan Ordo and that I should join the military. I didn't have anywhere to go, no family or nothing like that, so I did. Just wanted something to belong to I guess.

Trin shrugged her shoulders and pulled her knees up in front of her, resting her chin on them and wrapping her arms around her legs. No one had really asked her about her past before. She knew it wasn't really anything important, anyone could become Mando'ade if they really wanted to. But for some reason she felt like it had been a secret she had been carrying around. Like everyone assumed she had grown up just like them. She was both relieved and worried about having disclosed it now.

[Latus]

As Trin spoke Itani looked away from her, out over the sprawling openness and parched fields that seemed to beg for attention. Her words were filled with emotion, an emotion that came from hardly knowing someone who was so important to you. Images of his father flashed through his head as she spoke about her family. He had hardly known his father either, leaving home at a very young age. His eyes widened as she told him of her descent. Clan Ordo, Itani couldn't keep himself from smiling. One thing he did remember about his father was that he claimed to be from Ordo himself. The family didn't believe him but it afforded a young Itani many days of fanciful daydreaming. As she quieted Itani looked at her proper. Her face was red and she was hugging her knees, poor girl. Putting a hand on her shoulder he chuckled, giving it a light squeeze.

Something to belong to. You definitely found something then. We Mandalorians look out for one another, take care of each other. You don't need some military to tell you that you belong. Just look around, this whole planet and everyone on it; this is somewhere that you can belong.

Deciding to throw caution to the wind he extended his arm from her nearest shoulder and wrapped it around the other. Itani hesitated for a moment but steeling his resolve he pulled her against his chest. The assassin had never felt this sensation before. It was a warm and fuzzy feeling in his chest, his heart felt like it was fluttering about like a dry leaf on the plain. The moment of embrace felt like it lingered for hours but he finally caught up with himself and withdrew his arm. Trying to change subjects he quickly spoke up, ready to guard his face against a punch.

My father told us, my siblings and I, that he was part of clan Ordo. We never believed him though. He was just using it to get attention and play with us...

The warmth had spread to Itani's face, his cheeks felt like they were feverish. He looked down into the dust by his trousers trying to get a handle on his rampant emotions. Am I going soft? Whats going on here?

[Meira]

Itani's chuckle, and the placement of his hand on her shoulder were comforting, but for an instant, she wondered if they were patronizing. As if, perhaps, he was laughing at her naivety. Maybe he was, but his subsequent words were nice enough. Trin decided to think the better of things and not assume he was looking down on her. It didn't entirely quell the suspicion, but she liked the idea of him not thinking ill of her.

His next movement, however, caught her completely off guard. She didn't even have time to react as his arm wrapped around her shoulder and gently pulled her closer to him. Indeed, so caught off guard was she that without even thinking, she rested her head lightly against his chest. Moments later, her eyes widened at the realization of what had happened, and for a short moment, she froze, unsure of what to do.

Soon enough, Itani released her, and Trin sat back straight again, a new flush of pink invading her cheeks and spread to her neck and ears. What was that? Was it merely a friendly gesture? Was it something more? Why had it come so easily... to rest her head against him? It had felt so natural, peaceful. Trin swallowed hard against the sudden panic inside of her, searching for something to lighten the tension she so suddenly felt again. How was he doing that? Getting her all nervous. It was a thrill she couldn't say she entirely enjoyed, but she found herself wanting to feel it again. But of course, she couldn't just.... well.... she just couldn't....

She turned her brown eyes back towards Itani and allowed them to drink in the sight of him for a moment. And in that moment, she had a sudden surreal sensation. He was an attractive man, kind... at least from what she knew about him, Intelligent and brave. He obviously cared for his sister and his family, and was not without a sense of humor, skewed as it might be. She couldn't identify it, but the tension she felt when she looked at him, as if her heart were straining to keep beating. Well, it must have meant something. She wanted to lay her head back against him and listen to him breathe.

The surreal moment didn't last very long, and yet again she tore her eyes away feeling embarrassed. She barely knew this man and here she was, considering leaning back up against him. His gesture might have meant anything. So why did she so quickly jump to the amorous possibility? Because it is the one I want. The realization was blunt and unforgiving. It was now almost painfully obvious. She wanted him to like her, to want to draw her near. Just as she, for some odd reason, wanted to draw him closer, to feel his arm around her shoulder again.

But she didn't dare try it. She had already embarrassed herself enough in this short meeting with him. And besides, she didn't know if she would ever even see him again. She knew another mission was coming up, something big, and she would be gone for who knows how long. Not to mention Itani and his sister weren't even part of the military. They had signed on for the Coruscant mission, but she had yet to hear about any sort of commitment of continued service from either of them. What was the point in trying to connect with this man if they would never see each other again?

Her shoulders relaxed slightly, but the tension remained. Her excuse not to reach out to Itani might have been enough to stop her, but it wasn't satisfyingly convincing. She didn't believe herself. But the reason remained.

So... She said, with what she hoped sounded like a casual voice, rather than at an odd pitch or raspy like it felt. I don't suppose you are signing on with the military? She prayed that the question seemed a casual one. The last thing she needed now was another reason to blush.

[Latus]

((Almost 2 weeks. 2 WEEKS! Meira, don't let me slack off that long ever again. ))

The wind tussled his auburn hair as the young man sat straighter against the tree. In his mind he didn't feel so awkward about his actions. Yes he had done it, gotten close to a member of the opposite sex. He had never considered such an act before. Sure he had seen the other children draped over each-other, making their biological move, but he had never seen it as something that one should aspire for. He was a killer, what merit did such soft feelings have in regard to him? Well, now, maybe for once in his life, he had found something that didn't need to make sense to matter.

Looking over at the young lady near whom he was seated he saw the color flood into her cheeks. She was the same as he in many ways, not just in upbringing but in ideology. She, a soldier, had little need for emotions on the battlefield. He, a killer, had to live without emotions to get his job done. They were certainly two of a kind. As he looked at the soldier he felt something that certainly could be an offshoot of the once unneeded emotions. There was something to that feeling though; a thought that certainly conflicted within him. What if his feelings for her weren't mutual. For that matter, what if they were? Itani just wasn't the type to stay in one place for long.

The young assassin's thoughts were almost answered by Trin's question and his heart sank. Looking as confident as he dared he looked over at the young woman, his eyes nearly meeting hers. A drifter such as he didn't have use for organizations like the army; all it did was serve to tie you down, make you more of a target. Putting his hand on her shoulder and striking as normal a tone as he dared he cleared his throat.

The miltary? Fight for the Mandalorians in their little war with the Republic. I... well, I just might do that

Itani's eyes widened at his own remarks. Quickly he averted his gaze and stared off into the distance, squinting at the brightness. What was he talking about he didn't belong in the army. Maybe he did want to stick around, keep an eye on this young lady. Shaking his head he attempted to clear his thoughts. Trying to save for face he quickly turned back to her.

That is, assuming the pay is good.

In his mind, all Itani could think was slick, you butter-brained moron. Just slick. He could hear his sister's voice in his head, full of cynicism. At the moment, Itani found it hard to know what to think.

[Meira]

Trin watched the wind grab and pull at his hair as he considered his question. She liked the way the light caught the color of it, almost like a fire. Her own brown hair was tightly tied back, but a few strands had escaped. The light did little to change the color, not like it did with his. When he turned and looked at her to give his answer, she saw his light gray eyes clearly for the first time, her embarrassment no longer keeping her from watching him intently. His hand rested again on her shoulder as he spoke.

At first, she was just confused. Moments ago, he had said "we Mandalorians", now he said "the Mandalorians"... "their little war". Trin had never met a Mando'ade who referred to Mandalorians without including themselves. Then again, she'd never met a Mandalorian who wasn't in the military either. That might have had something to do with it. So why hadn't Itani already joined the military? Further more, why had his eyes widened when he suddenly said he might.

Trin had almost laughed. She had come very close. She had felt her abdomen clench in the anticipation of releasing the laughter, and had to clench her lips together to prevent the escape of air. When he turned away, she breathed it out silently, but she couldn't keep the smile from her face.

When he turned back around and qualified the answer however, well... she couldn't help herself. Unlike his loud, echoing laughter, Trin's was quieter, at a higher pitch... more of a giggle really. She shook her head at the strange man sitting next to her. She'd never seen any money in her work. Of course there was pay, but for Trin, it wasn't about that. She'd opted a long time ago to just have the money she might be making saved and put away somewhere. She'd only ever draw on it if she needed equipment or repairs beyond the normal allowance. No, she was fairly sure the pay wasn't great.

I wouldn't count on it. She said, her laughter subsiding into a contented sigh. It had felt good to laugh. She too looked away for a moment across the fields and silence settled again. Food's pretty good though. She said, turning back towards him with a smile. And sometimes the company.

[Latus]

The moments ticked on, tense and unsure. The young assassin's mind was drawing blanks, trying to decide what to say and to do. Which part was she laughing at? The awkwardness of what he said or how he reacted to himself. Returning his eyes to the young woman he felt the lingering tenseness slowly fade. Whichever it was, he saw it really didn't matter. Putting his hand against the tree he shifted to turn and look at her properly. It was strange. All his life had been spent as a wanderer, drifting from one system to another doing what had to be done. So why was he so eager to drop everything just to make sure this one person stayed safe? Didn't that count as a hypocrisy? Quickly thoughts came full circle and he put his hand on her shoulder again. The humor and sincerity in her words was nearly palpable.

Personally, I would take the company over the filet mignon. The pay...

Itani paused mid-sentence. Was that it? Did Trin really not know what he was? Glancing away from her for a moment he ran through all of his interactions with her up until that point. Not once had he really made it apparent to her the profession he had chosen, or any one for that matter. Only his family really knew; Lia, mom...

I considered the army a long time ago but decided that it wasn't my cup of jawa juice. It really wouldn't make sense for someone like me, tied to a government with all my data on file. It would put everyone I was ever close to in danger.

That clenched it. It was true, even if he wanted to Itani couldn't risk joining the army. What if he had killed someone who was important to the Mandalorian war effort? Some confident investigator might dig up the paper trail and trace it back to him, something that was unacceptable for an assassin. Looking back at he he spoke, to the point and sincere.

I didn't mean to give you false impressions, Trin. I could work for the Mandalorian army but not as a soldier. I have made many enemies doing what I do. I'm an assassin, understand that I cannot be tied to any one place for long without arousing suspicion. Even the army is a dangerous place for someone like me. I do want to work with the army to keep you safe. I... like you...

He had said it. The thoughts from earlier bounced through his head. What if this, what if that. Be that as it may, there was no going back this time. He didn't look away but continued to look at his companion. Yes he may be a killer, someone who was supposed to live without emotions but he couldn't help himself. He felt something for this girl and force be damned if he had to hide it any longer. Sitting back against the tree he didn't take his eyes from her. Awkward...

[Meira]

He was silent for a moment, and Trin wondered if she had hurt his feelings. But it didn't seem so. Itani spoke soon enough, continuing to joke about the food. She smiled at the words, nodding her head in agreement. Indeed, she was enjoying the company. When he trailed off, she watched him. He seemed to be ruminating over something in his mind. She kept quiet and allowed him his thoughts, but when he spoke again, she couldn't stop the confusion from spreading across her face.

She chuckled at first. Was he making a joke? But from the look in his eyes, she knew he wasn't. Trin shook her head to convey that she didn't understand. Why was it dangerous for him? For those around him? What was he? A bounty hunter? Big deal. There were loads of those in the military.

I don't understand. She said, her voice not much more than a whisper. Yet again this man had changed his stance faster than she could keep up with. We mandalorians, the mandalorian, I'll join up with the military, I can't, it's not safe.

And then he had said it. He was an assassin. Her eyes had widened slightly and she mouthed the word as he continued to speak. At first, she still didn't see the big deal. So he killed people, she did the same thing. But he killed important people. He made his living on appearing to not exist. Her mind was so a whirl with these thoughts that she had almost missed his last words.

"I do want to work with the army to keep you safe. I... like you..."

Her eyes had snapped back to connect with his at that moment. Eyebrows furrowed, she watched him lean back against the tree. He didn't speak. She couldn't speak. Her mouth hung open slightly, but there was nothing there. Had she heard him right? The self righteous part inside of her called to tell this man she didn't need protecting. But she pushed that aside even as the thought came to her. It wasn't about needing protection, it was about what it meant for him to say that. And then.... He likes me? Trin looked down at her legs, her arm, trying to figure out why. Her heart fluttered with the thought. Had this not been what she had been hoping for not minutes ago?

Trin suddenly turned her eyes back to Itani, realizing that she had let the silence last too long. He had opened up to her, had been honest and told her how he felt. He deserved to hear the same from her. So why was her throat so suddenly dry? Only a quick moment passed before Trin found her courage. Scooting back and closer to him, she leaned herself so that her head rested on his shoulder, similar to how they had sat so awkwardly not long ago.

I like you too, Itani. She said, and then relaxed next to him. It was strange to say those words out loud. In truth, she hardly knew him, had only just then found out a major detail about him. But it didn't matter. It didn't take away from the mystery that surrounded him. It cast a light on it, but that light only served to reveal the many layers of the mystery. It only showed that there was far more to be discovered.

Assassin. She said, carrying out the "ss" parts a little longer than normal. I guess that explains your freakishly silent ambush.

[Latus]

That clenched it; well, nearly so. To Itani, it still felt awkward to say something of such substance to anyone even family. He rarely showed his emotions of levels outside anger and mistrust, but to confess that he truly felt for someone even this young lady, Trin, was a rarity, a conundrum. Trin herself was something of a conundrum. Itani felt this in his bones, the pressure from her head settling over his chest like a thick, warm blanket. His thoughts deviated again, returning to his thoughts of how a soldier should act in the military. This defied all his current logic pertaining that self same topic in question. A soldier has to follow orders, to the letter is necessary. It reduces freedom and individuality and destroys who you are inside; at least that's what he thought a few moments ago. Looking down at Trin, his eyes on her chocolate brown hair he realized; what a shallow look on such an accepted view of life he held. It wouldn't change whatsoever for him but, if only for a handful of people, he finally understood why they did it. The next few moments, few syllables out of Trin's mouth only served to reinforce his feelings.

I like you too, Itani.

It was if he had been hit in the stomach with a starship, the effect was so profound. A man of death and destruction all his life, Itani found himself within the grasp of someone who could literally change this, make him into something not so malevolent. The question was; did he really want something so profound to actually happen to him? The two sides of his mind clashed violently; the desire to be a drifter, a man who killed for a living with no real social needs or wants against the emotions he had for the woman he was sharing a powerful bond with. Itani wanted to say something, to let her know how he felt but, inwardly, the mind of a drifter fought against him. Was there a way to keep them both in tact? He felt so helpless, unable to answer the urgent, burning questions within himself.

Assassin. He looked down at her, the young soldier carried the "ss" parts a little longer than normal. I guess that explains your freakishly silent ambush. The comment, that was what he needed to regain some of his composure. Itani had options. He didn't need to choose between his wandering and his happiness; it seemed like he could have both to a certain degree. Slowly a smile returned to his face as he looked down, giving her hair a deft stroke.

It was the training, Trin. Its just how I operate. Now, the sadistic sense of humor, well, that's all me. I honestly couldn't help myself.

It was the logical option, to join the Mandalorian army even just for a little while. He could negotiate pay with Bane or Solus'ad and contribute his skills for the time being. When he was done it would be possible for him to pick up and leave. He was sure, at least in the confines of his mind, that he could vest his trust in his brothers in arms. There was a word for it; compromise. He had discovered something today, something that couldn't be broken. Not by distance, by other people, even by death; he had feelings for Trin. As the sun continued its ponderous path through the sky, Itani shifted himself in the well deserved shade and rested his chin on the crown of Trin's head.

I've made up my mind, Trin. I'll join up with Bane and co. even if just for the foreseeable future. They could use a fellow like me and, I think, you could too. Sorry if I seem a bit confused... its been hard to know what to think lately.

Grinning like a fool he wrapped his arms around the young lady in earnest, giving her a good solid squeeze. Maybe it wasn't all bad...

[Meira]

What a feeling this was. With her head rested against his shoulder, the light breeze in the air. She felt like a little girl, giddy. Part of her felt very silly, the soldier in her turned up her nose at the mushy scene. But enough of her was enjoying it all far to much to pull away from him. She laughed at his words and settled closer to him.

I think I can put up with the sense of humor.... as long as the joke's not always on me.

She drew in a deep breath, and for a moment, they were simply there... together. She smiled. This was very much what she had wanted. That sense of belonging. She felt it with the military, sure, but this was different. What she felt with the Mandalorians was a long lost sense of family. It was what she had sought. And she had been happy with it. But this... she didn't know she wanted this. But now that she felt it, she was quite sure she'd fight to her last breath to keep it. It was almost a scary thought, how strong the sensation was. But she wasn't afraid of it.

When Itani spoke again, a small part of her was struck by a sudden pang of sadness. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe she was afraid of it. What other explanation could she have for the sudden sadness at his words. She bit her lip. She should be elated. He was confirming that he would stay. But the way he had said it. That little qualification.

"...even if just for the foreseeable future."

She shouldn't have let those words get to her, didn't anticipate that something like that would. But it did. She tried to push it aside, told herself that it was nothing. He was staying because he wanted to be with her. She couldn't control what the future might bring, so why worry about the ifs? Really, there were too many ifs in her own life as it was. She never knew when death might decide that her luck had run out. Why not enjoy what she had now.

The sad thought had not disappeared, but she had it under control now. And as if she needed more comforting than that, she felt Itani wrap his arms well around her and felt the gentle squeeze of those arms. She closed her eyes and just enjoyed the feeling, smiling to herself.

That's ok. She said in a soft, satisfied voice. I think you're on the right track.