You've Got A Friend In Ni

[Jaden_Starchaser]

"No..but I did pilot the speeder when we were trying to enter my family compound and he was killed because of it. I struggled to save Anong from falling to her death and didn't see that her family was in danger until the building started to collapse. I didn't stop her from leaving the temple in Baku to join the Olivan refugees on Fray. If I did then Haze wouldn't have easily gotten to her. I asked Tod to accompany me on a mission that put her in position to be mind tricked. Something in her broke after that...and when she needed a friend most I followed orders from my superior to restrain her instead of stand with her," Jaden said as he recounted all of his self perceived sins to the Zeltron.

[Gar]

A sympathetic expression washed over the Zeltron at these words. "Martyr boy," she said with a twinge of pity, wrapping one arm around his back to offer physical comfort, "I understand how much mistakes can hurt. Believe me, I do..." she rested her forehead on his shoulder, "And I understand all too well those strong feelings of regret, coupled with the even stronger desire to atone somehow..." Ni turned her face up so that they were eye to eye as she assured him emphatically, "However, punishing yourself for those mistakes isn't going to rectify the past and it sure as hell isn't going to solve anything..." she ran her fingers softly, steadily through his hair at the back of his head, advising him in a mollifying tone, "The best we can hope for is to learn from our past mistakes so that we can make better choices in the present."

[Jaden_Starchaser]

The feeling of Ni's finger running through the hair on the back of his head was strangely calming to Jaden. He heard her words and offered her a small smile. "Thank you Ni," Jaden said to her, "I understand what you're saying and it really helps hearing it from a friend, but there's just something in me that doesn't let me get over it."

[Gar]

Ni's bittersweet smile answered his words. "I know a way that helps me get over it for a while, but its kinda off limits for us. Maybe your girlfriend can help you," she teased, nudging into him playfully. The Zeltron turned away and sighed, replying seriously this time, "I think what you are feeling is grief...I don't think we ever get over that..." Ni stared down at her feet pensively, "Even when you think things can finally be normal again, somehow that feeling finds its way back..."

[Jaden_Starchaser]

Jaden decided to pull something out of Ni's playbook and leaned in close to her ear and whispered into it, "It's a shame that it is off limits for us. I would have rocked your world." He moved closer with his mouth slightly parted and teeth ready to nip at the Zeltron's ear only to lean back with a teasing smile on his face. He hoped that this would lighten the mood.

[Gar]

Ni was pretty shook up by this, feeling a pleasant tingle climb up her spine. She realized what Jaden was doing and turned to lightly hit his shoulder. "No fair!" Ni laughed, sticking her tongue out, "You're playing with fire, Martyr Boy, and if you're not careful you'll get both of us burned!" The Zeltron rose to her feet and dusted herself off, then offered a hand to the Starchaser. "For what its worth, thank you for listening. I feel much better now."

[Jaden_Starchaser]

The teasing smile that was on his face turned into a genuine smile as he gave his hand to Ni. "You're welcome Ni and thank you for listening. It..it does help," he said truthfully to her.

[Gar]

Ni helped pull him up and then she walked with him back to the ship. Very soon after they entered, Gadeon passed by and told them to meet him in the common area. She would follow Gadeon there.