We May Have All Come on Different Ships, But We're in the Same Boat Now (ZAY)

[Gar]

Ni frowned, leaning forward and studying Zay inquisitively. "Please, Zay, we are equals. Your thoughts are no less important than my own. I encourage you to speak your mind..." She hesitated, wondering if she had said too much. "I promise you that this is a safe space where we can be honest with each other."

(Take ten, Diplomacy 38)

[Akirapryde]

Zay looked up with fear in her eyes. "There is no where, where one can be safe from him. He is so very powerful and I am just a clone."

She frowned heavily as she continued, "my last night with him, he beat me as he laughed saying that I had become less then I was. No more special than any other free droid." Tears dripped from her eyes as she spoke, "he made me watch as I ripped my pretty dress. My birthday gift. He said that now that I was free he owed me nothing."

She didn't look up as she recited the event. Her voice trembled, "I did't even know what I had done wrong at the time. He just came home in a fit of rage. I greeted him at the door and he slapped me so hard that I almost blacked out."

"I remember thinking as the night drew on, if this was what freedom was I didn't want it." She whipped her tears and drew in a deep breath. "Those feelings have past. I don't want to go back." Ni knew that this one statement was filled with uncertainty and fear.

[Gar]

Ni couldn't help but reach out and take Zay's hand, as if this could also take the pain and fear away. There was a strange, determined look in her eyes as she listened to the clone. She found her anger growing.

"Zay, I swear to you," promised Ni emphatically, "I will do everything in my power to protect you, as well as anyone else that is threatened by him. The plans are already in motion. His power will be cut from him, he won't be on his throne much longer. And if he dares to retaliate against you before then, believe me, he will only be shortening his own life."

She sat in pensive silence for a moment, a tortured expression on her face. "I just want to hold you and stroke your hair and tell you that everything will be ok, but physical touch does not seem to comfort you in the way that it comforts me," she sighed against the struggle, "Please tell me how I can help you. How can I comfort you, Zay? How can I give you peace?"

[Akirapryde]

Zay softly moved closer to Ni and cuddled her body next to the Zeltron. It wasn't hard for Ni to remember that unlike what she knew of Clones, Zay was only five years old. Softly Zay started to hum a simple melody as she rested her head on Ni's chest. Ni couldn't see but suspected that Zay's eyes were closed.

Through Ni's empathy, she was able to sense a great sense of comfort from that simple little melody. "I don't know what I will do." she said after a few lines of humming. "I don't even know how I will survive," she said with a trembling voice. "I don't even know why I chose Javin" was the last thing she said before resuming humming. After a moment Ni felt moisture soaking her shirt.

[Gar]

The Zeltron laid her cheek on Zay's head and wrapped her arms around her body, not even noticing or caring about the grease that smudged into her own skin and clothing. She closed her eyes and listened closely to the melody that Zay was humming.

After a moment Ni said quietly, "You know, you don't have to go to Javin..." one of her hands idly stroked Zay's back, "You can stay with us. We can help you through all of this."

[Akirapryde]

Zay continued to hum this simple song. It was then that Ni realized that the melody was a child's lullaby. It was clear that she heard the statement, she just chose not to answer. Lost in the moment Zay just laid their listening to Ni's heartbeat. As she continued to hum this simple lullaby, Ni sensed something. Comfort.....

It was in the form of a memory. Something very special to Zay. Something protected by layers of walls. What ever that memory was, it was very important to Zay and it brought her a great deal of comfort.

[Gar]

For a moment Ni lost track of time as she listened to the melody and allowed her thoughts to wander. She steadily traced her hand over Zay's back as she focused in on the clone's mental state. Then she inquired gently, "Would you share your thoughts with me, Zay?" She paused, then added, "Only if you want to, of course...Whatever you need, I'm here for you..."

[Akirapryde]

Zay not very sure of the intention of the question nodded, "As you wish," she answered then without thinking added, "Mistress"

The simple answer seemed to bring her a better sense of ease.

[Gar]

Ni winced at the word. "Please, my friends call me Ni," she insisted softly, "And I do consider you a friend. You are my equal, not my subordinate." The Zeltron understood that this may cause Zay some discomfort, but the clone would need to become accustomed to regarding people as equals.

[Akirapryde]

Zay let out a long sigh, "please....." she uttered softly.

Her whole body relaxed as Ni sensed her guards slowly slipping, "let me, be me. If only, for this moment....."

She thought for a moment before going back to humming that same tone.