Saying Goodbye 9/21/21

[Anatketani]

Saying Goodbye
Township of Winlat
Outer Rim World of Dubrillion
11.18.0969

The sounds of the ocean far below the cliffs filled the air as the soft rain slipped from the sky. It was a good thing that it was raining. The rain drops hid the tears slowly slipping down Mishka’s face. Not that anyone would blame her for crying. It was after all the funeral of both her parents. Five years ago, they had moved from Bothawui so that her father could oversee the completion of new facility here on Dubrillion. They were only supposed to be here a couple of years. That was five years ago…five long years ago.

The Construction site was over three hundred kilometers from the nearest city or major population center. Though the site was remote, it was lovely. The construction site was located at the edge of the continent near the ocean. And each morning, Mishka woke up to some of the loveliest sunrises she had ever seen. The water was always wonderful in temperature, and calm. It was one of her favorite places to hide.

The area was so remote that Winlat Industries, the company Mishka’s father built from the ground up, built up a small town for the families of the construction workers. Most were single, who only came here for the work. Some had families that moved in with them, and none of them wanted to make friends with the Boss’ daughter. Which didn’t bother Mishka, as she had her books. Not that anyone asked Mishka about the move. They just pulled her from school, ripped her away from what she knew and dropped her here because of reasons.

Though she did have one true friend, her older half-sister, Aneta. She had taken a couple years off from training at the Jedi Academy to be here for Mishka. But no one foresaw the problems with the construction. First came the strikes, then issues with the local government and taxes. It was like everything from the Force to the world itself had plotted to extend construction as long as possible. After two years, Aneta had to return to her Academy to complete her training. That was when the fight broke out.

Mishka wasn’t there for the fight, but she could hear it from upstairs. Originally, Aneta wasn’t going to return to the Academy, as she wanted to remain by Mishka’s side. Their father, Aneta’s biological father, insisted that she return. Aneta accused him of carry more about the investment into her training rather than what was best for Mishka. The two argued well into the night and in the end, to Mishka’s disappointment, Aneta finally broke down and accepted the demands of her father.

That was three years ago, and Aneta returned whenever she could. She did everything in her power to be there for Mishka during the long, lonely years. They would play games over the holonet. Aneta would tell long wonderful stories about the worlds she would visit or the people she had met. Mishka loved her time with her half-sister, and those moments were the lifeboat that Mishka needed to survive living out here at the edge of civilization. And then it started to crash down around them.

First came the wave that nearly destroyed the town and much of the nearly completed facility. Then the hurricane finished off the facility. Mishka’s father was ruined, there simply wasn’t enough resources to repair what had been lost. To make matters worse, the local workers saw this as bad sign and abandoned the construction site. No local suppliers would sell to Winlat Industries, so they couldn’t even rebuild if they had the labor to. That was when the law suites started to file in. All of them claiming that somehow the town was poorly designed which made the deaths Winlat Industries fault. And like that, nature and superstition ruined her father and his company.
__

The night of the crash was like this, cold, rainy, and heavy with a sense of dread. Mishka was in the back seat while her mother and father rode in the front. He was talking about how this wasn’t the end of Winlat Industries. That they would rebuild, but it would just take a bit longer. Her mother, supportive as always agreed with him. She turned back to face Mishka and said, “Honey, I promise, everything will be okay. We will….” And that was the end of it. Somehow, the speeder went off the road and plummeted down the icy waters below. The local law enforcement, incompetent as always, labeled the crash as murder-suicide. Mishka didn’t see why the speeder went off the road. She hadn’t really been paying attention in that moment, as her own mind had groaned about more time on this isolated little world.

“It was a wonderful service,” Gobber said. The elderly magistrate had walked up to Mishka as she stood alone in the rain. “I expunged the Police Report from all public records,” he added softly. “Your father shouldn’t be remembered that way.”
Mishka Winlat — 09/21/2021
Mishka could not stop the frown that kept itself plastered to her pale face, brown locks of hair clinging to her soaked skin from the falling rain. She would not lie that she disliked how they had tried to blame her father for this, but she had not exactly been paying attention. The only thing she could think have happened was him losing control due to someone or something else.

Not that she had seen anything, though.

Giving a short not to Gobber, she adjusted her coat absently, her sharp nails almost catching on the soft fabric of her wardrobe beneath. "Thank you, sir," She answered in a voice so soft it would be a miracle if he heard her. "I...uh...I really need to contact my sister to give her the news."

If only she could contact Aneta. For some reason, even before the crash, she had not heard any word from her sister. This concerned the petite hybrid greatly. Her ocean blue eyes looked to the man for, silently asking for answers.
TheTraveler — 09/21/2021
He nodded, "we will do our best to reach out to the Jedi and try to get the news to her." He turned to face her, "Mishka, you are almost an adult and already saddled with your father's debt. Let me and my wife take you in." The man's offer was truthful and honest. He had been a long time family friend. He and his wife had been childless for as long as Mishka knew them. "The law looks favorable on adoptions. I could petition the courts to cancel the debts you have inherited." He frowned, "once you come of age, and if you choose, I can help you follow in my footsteps."
Mishka Winlat — 09/21/2021
His kindness, as always, surprised Mishka. This was the one man that had tried his best to help her father when everything went downhill, but she was uncertain about staying in another's home. Being on this planet would be just too painful now with her parents gone. Of course, she wanted to agree to it and take the safe path, but she felt the need for a second opinion. "I appreciate the offer and want to agree, but I think it would be best if I spoke to Aneta about this first." She explained and reached up to wipe away tears. There was no point with all the rain, though. "She may want to come home and help if she can."
TheTraveler — 09/22/2021
He nodded, "till you can arrange off world transport, you are welcome to use our guest room."

He turned his eyes to the twin fresh graves, "I will, of course, continue to clear your families name of the debt inference." He shook his head, "I have always opposed that law."

He turned back to her, "Mishka, if you need anything. We are here for you."
TheTraveler — 09/22/2021
@Mishka Winlat
Mishka Winlat — 09/22/2021
Mishka nodded in understanding as her reddish-brown ears twitched. "Thank you," was all she could muster to say at this point, emotions eating away at her. A loss like this was painful beyond relief, but she knew she had to stay strong.

She would have to find a way to contact Aneta once the funeral was over. Turning her gaze back to the fresh twin Graves, her frown deepend.

After the funeral. She felt that was a very morbid thought, but kept it to herself.

"Perhaps it's best we head indoors." Mishka finally suggests after a long moment.
TheTraveler — 09/22/2021
He nods and slowly escorts the new orphan to an awaiting speeder. Like the man she expected him to be, he was there for her when she needed a shoulder to cry on. Or that voice of reason to speak with in the middle of the night.

Like, Gobber, his wife was just as supportive and caring. Never once was a request unreasonable or at a bad time. Even when Mishka needed someone to speak with, the couple was there without hesitation.

The days spent trying to make the Jedi understand what had happened seemed like an uphill battle. With the only word from the mysterious Order, 'we will relay the information.'

Being literally at the very edge of the known Galaxy, meant information was that much harder for them to come by. No one could understand why the Jedi were not allowing Mishka to reach her sister.

It left only one option, a trip to Lanus where her sister was stationed. Getting the passage booked was hard enough. It required stops on three worlds before she could reach her destination. Leaving was harder, as her makeshift family had been so supportive. But it was something she had to do.

Gobber held her tightly, "please be safe," he said holding back the tears.
@Mishka Winlat
Mishka Winlat — 09/22/2021
It was difficult to say goodbye to Gobber and the family, but Mishka had to do this. She needed to find Aneta and make sure she was safe.

Hugging him back tightly, she nodded and held back her own tears. "I will do my best." She informed him with one of her rare smiles. "You stay safe, as well. I'll try to keep in contact, but I can't make any promises." She would not make a promise she was unsure she could keep. With how difficult it had been to even attempt reaching out to her sister, she was sure her communications would be troubled too.

As she began to leave, all she could think about was how shocking this turns of events had become. She never expected herself to actually travel on her own, let alone in search of her sister.

She just prayed she could handle it as she made her way to the transportation.