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Saying Goodbye #2 10/17/2021
TheTraveler — 10/17/2021
Saying Goodbye (Part One)
Jupiter One’s Main Deck
Deep Space
Outer Rim System of Lanus
12/04/0969
Mishka was sitting near the holo table, hands pressed down to the sofa she sat upon with her claws digging in. The images of her sister lingered within her mind, haunting her like a never-ending nightmare as she tried to work through all that had happened recently. She was unsure of what to do now that her last family member was dead. That was when the noise came from the medical bay, and she jumped to her feet. 'Could she...maybe be alive?' Mishka thought as she made a beeline for the medical bay.
As she got closer, she heard Ryan’s voice, “I know it hurts,” Ryan said softly and with a hint of compassion in his voice. “I understand why you did it,” he said softly.
It was in that moment he noticed he wasn’t alone. He turned to see Mishka standing in the doorway. Letting out a scream of both terror and surprise, Ryan jumped nearly out of his skin. Holding on to the edge of the bed, he pointed at the young half-Bothan. “What are you doing sneaking up on people like that,” he exclaimed half out of breath, and half terrified. Placing a hand over his heart and trying to breath, “you damn near gave me a heart attack.”
@Mishka Winlat
Mishka Winlat — 10/17/2021
With a perplexed expression on her fair face, Mishka gazed at Ryan in confusion and looked about the room as if searching for whatever it may be that he was speaking to. A hand slid into the robes she was borrowing from Tesara and grabbed the papers and pencil she had grown accustomed to using at the moment.
With quick strokes of her hand, she wrote, "I'm sorry for scaring you, but I heard noise and thought maybe Aneta was still alive." Her heart was still aching, mind still on those last few seconds before her sister let out that one last breath. It made her want to shed more tears just to be back in this medical bay, but she kept such thoughts to herself and wrote some more.
"Who were you speaking to, Ryan?" It read.
TheTraveler — 10/17/2021
Ryan reached out and read the two notes and nodded, "Shiloh is piloting the ship." Ryan clarified as he moved around to the other side of the able. "I was talking to Aneta," he said with so much care in his face. Next to the table was a bucket with soapy water and a clothe. "They didn't take very good care of her. I am cleaning her up for her funeral." There were already small areas of Aneta's body that was already cleaned up. The fur was still wet back lacked the dirt and grim. Ryan didn't look at Mishka as he focused on his task. His hands move with all the care and gentleness as a soft breeze while he continued, "you don't want to be seen like this, do you?" He didn't look up when he finally addressed Mishka directly, "she doesn't mind if you help." He motioned to the bucket, "there is a sponge in there. You clean, I will rinse." On that he finally looked up to her and gave a painful smile hoping she will join him.
Mishka Winlat — 10/17/2021
Mishka was very silent, even in her footsteps as she stepped closer and watched Ryan work with her sister’s body as if it were a precious gem that could break with one touch. Her ears began to flick and twitch, the color fading slightly with her confusion. How is he speaking to my sister? She thought, wanting to ask him this aloud, but her voice would not come. With a silent sigh of frustration, she stepped forward and began to help.
Slipping the paper and pencil into her robes again, she stepped over and grabbed the sponge from the bucket. Squeezing it to get a bit of the water out so it would not drip all over the floor, she stepped up to her sister’s body. It felt odd to be touching Aneta now, especially after all that had happened. There were so many questions swimming through her mind, but none of them could be asked without the paper and pencil.
Looking to Ryan as she worked, she hoped he would start talking like he always did.
TheTraveler — 10/18/2021
Ryan smiles as he sees Mishka pick up the sponge. He continues to clean the body with great care. "Where I come from, bathing and applying oils and scents to our recently deceased is the last and final respect that we can offer those who have died."
He glanced at Mishka, "its a way we can say goodbye."
He shifted a bit, "when we first got here to this universe, I checked for my family, my people. Nothing," he said with grief. "My homeworld is a dead rock in the inner rim."
Mishka Winlat — 10/18/2021
Mishka continues to work, making sure Aneta’s fur is clean and pristine, just the way her sister used to always keep it. Her sister had always been proud of how well she kept herself all clean. It was something that added to her elegance, but seeing her the way she had been was so wrong. Tears stung her eyes as she bit down on her bottom lip and began to wash through her sister’s hair.
Listening to Ryan, she tilted her head and made a gesture to the room around them. It was almost as if she was calling this his home. Her ears twitched and the color faded to a color that could only be translated as concern. If only she could speak. With wet hands she could not write, after all.
TheTraveler — 10/18/2021
He looked around, "yes and no...." he said softly. He pulled out a pair of scissors and started to cut the nasty bandages from around Aneta's head. The smell of rot was nearly over powering.
"I left home with big ideas and even bigger dreams," he said calmly. "There was a girl named Razima. She was the daughter of a wealthy merchant family. I wanted her attention so much."
He looked up and smiled, "I tried everything but she always looked down on me."
He dropped the bandages in a nearby waste bin as he started the pain staking task of cleaning the eye sockets of rotten flesh and magets.
"Can you see how pretty she is," he said pulling a hand full of magets from an eye socket. "When we are done she will be the Queen of the Ball. Everyone will want to see her and dance with her."
@Mishka Winlat
Mishka Winlat — 10/18/2021
The sight of Ryan so calmly taking the maggots from her sister’s eyes almost made Mishka want to run and hide. Her hands stilled and she took a step back as she tried to keep her breathing under control - tried to take all this in. The words being spoken to her were only wisps of floating information at this point as she pressed a hand to her mouth.
An odd noise of pain escaped her - the first sound she had made since meeting these kind people. Tears finally spilled down her face again as she thought of the monster doing this to her sister. How could someone be so cruel? Why would they do this to her sister, to sweet and gentle Aneta who had never hurt anyone purposefully?
Giving Ryan a skeptical look, she sniffled and wiped the tears away quickly. Realizing she had dropped the sponge to the floor, she picked it up and got back to work helping him. That same odd noise came from her again, but was more discernible - a growl. She was growling out her pain as she helped him make her sister look more beautiful than she ever had before.
((Apologies for the slow reply. I've been busy today.))
TheTraveler — 10/18/2021
He walks over to the door, and closes it. Once more, the motion and mannerism was more to give Mishka the privacy she needs to let her emotions out. But there was something else in his eyes as well. A hint of understanding. The door remained unlocked should she decided to leave at any minute and he made sure to not be in a position between her and the door. Again, that hint of understanding was there in his eyes.
Ryan looked up at her and frowned softly. It wasn't an angry frown or even an annoyed frown. Just one of sadness. Drawing in a deep breath, he cleaned his hands with a cloth. He then reached out halfway between them. Almost as if pausing to wait for her to jerk away or hold her hand there. He softly rested his hand over hers. Not in a manner that it was trapped, just touched.
"It's okay to be mad, to be angry, to be hurt." Not wanting to force the moment, he pulled his hand away. "I kind of know what happened to you," he said looking down. There was a stutter in his voice as he spoke, "I never told anyone this. But when we first got here, things were different. I" he paused not looking up from his task. "I was different. The guys," he said motioning to the ship but implying on those who were around, "didn't even notice the change or what happened. It happened on Baklid. While they were off adventuring, I, well, I was left to my own devices. And well their were some guys." He finally looked up, "yeah, guys," he said softly making sure he had her attention. "Well, everyone just assumed the jump in the spice use was just Ryan being Ryan."
His eyes shifted back to Aneta, "No one really cared to ask. Well that was until Amy." He laughed a bit, "We say we met at a party. But in truth, I was arrested on smuggling and drug charges. She needed help finding out something about someone. She made me a deal that," he smiled and laughed again, "I really didn't want to refuse."
He looked back up at Mishka, "no amount of showers can truly get their odor off you. I guess its all up here," he said tapping the side of his head. "I don't care who tells you otherwise. Its okay to be angry, mad and to just want to scream."
He looked down at Aneta, "or if you want, I can tell you about dear Uncle Mahomed." He tried to smile a bit hoping she would see that his guard was down and exposed. He hoped he wouldn't fuck this up.
@Mishka Winlat
Mishka Winlat — 10/18/2021
Mishka could not stop the fresh tears that welled up in her eyes at hearing what Ryan had just explained. She understood the pain and the want to do something dumb in order to numb the pain. A part of her wished the monster that hurt her had just killed her where she was, but they had kept her alive. They wanted her to live with that horrible memory stuck in her head. It was too bad she could not place a face or name with whoever assaulted her…
The memory was blurry and faded. They must have done more than she remembered.
Without thinking, she pulled Ryan into a hug and prayed it would let him know she understood.
TheTraveler — 10/18/2021
Ryan stood there for a moment and allowed her to hug him. He didn't want to rush her or make her feel like he didn't welcome the hug. He felt a compromise as his hands move to her sides and only there. He pulled back again with a smile on his face, "I promise you, one day after another, it will get better."
He shrugged, "and if you don't think so." He playful smiled, "I have more then enough spice to deaden the very worse memories."
He motioned back to Aneta, "come, we need to finish her up." He motioned her to get back to work, "in my culture, there is only twenty four hours when someone is dead that they can be be cleaned and submitted to the sky. Beyond that time, the body can become stuck here and even raise from lifelessness to torment living family members." He smiled, "Okay I know that part of our tradition isn't real. But at one point in time, people really believed it. They even had laws that if your family member was caught walking after death, you could be fined or imprisoned." The pain was still there, but he was making an effort to try to calm the emotions down. That is, if she wanted to.
@Mishka Winlat
Mishka Winlat — 10/18/2021
After the hug, Mishka shook her head at the mention of spice, but gestured to him, letting him know if he wished to use it she did not mind. With that silently said, she helped Ryan with cleaning her sister, nodding as her voice cracked to life for the first time since meeting them. “A…An…Aneta…” It was all she could get out in a whisper of sound, but it was better than nothing.
It was better than staying mute.
TheTraveler — 10/19/2021
Cleaning the eyes had become much harder than he had expected. But the Funeral Rite of his people demanded a level of attention to cleanliness that required every bit of rotten flesh to be careful removed and as much care put to ensuring Aneta's proper reception in the afterlife.
Ryan paused to look at Mishka, "is that her name," he asked softly.
Mishka Winlat — 10/19/2021
Mishka nodded slowly to Ryan and gently stroked her sister's hair. She would have to brush it before they sent her home. "Aneta..." She said the name again, trying to get a feel for own voice. Going a few days without speaking somehow made the sound seem odd to her.
It made her feel comfortable that Ryan was not making a big deal out of her speaking, though. She could only imagine how the others would react.
TheTraveler — 10/19/2021
Ryan gave a half smile and a slight nod. Just enough for her to know it was noted but wasn't going to make a big issue of it.
"Aneta," he said softly trying to hold his mind together as he worked. "She was clearly loved by her family and her especially her sister," Ryan said trying help give Mishka some cover.
Mishka Winlat — 10/19/2021
Another nod from Mishka as she helped him finish with Aneta's eyes. Her hands moved in a precise manner, as if she knew exactly how her sister would want things done. She made sure the fur was cleaned and shinning to perfection, taking care to make sure her sister would be comfortable if she were alive.
Once done, she turned her gaze back to Ryan. "Aneta...was...strong." She stated. "Always strong." Ears falling down, she worried she was not getting her point across. Forcing the right words out was difficult, her voice wanting to lock up again.
Grabbing Aneta's hand gently, she squeezed as if giving her sister a silent goodbye. There were so many questions she had with no answers, but for now she had to work through her own trauma and become stronger.
TheTraveler — 10/19/2021
With the long task completed, Ryan looked up to her and smiled, "strong and ready to be greeted in the after life by those who came before."
He smile was genuine as he stepped back, "for now, speak to her." He rested a hand on Mishka's hand that held Aneta's. "Now is a time for loved ones." He paused for a moment before adding, "for siaters."
He stepped back gathered up the two buckets. Walking them to the large medical sink, he cleaned them out. "I will leave you two alone to say goodbye."
Once more he gave her a nod of reassurance. Then walked to the door. He paused again before opening it. "It is custom to say with your loved ones the pains of our heart." He looked down, "secrets we can't share with the living."
He turned to face Aneta's cleaned and prepared body. "Shiloh is the manufacturer of the autopilot. And still no one noticed," Ryan said with a tear in his eye.
He turned to Mishka and hope she understood the gravity of his secret. And more importantly the door he tried to open for her and her sister.
He turned and opened the door and stepped through closing it behind him.
Mishka Winlat — 10/19/2021
Mishka nodded to Ryan and silently promised not to speak a word about his secret as she turned her gaze to Aneta. Once the door was closed, she let out a soft sigh and finally broke down into sobs for a long moment. It took a few minutes before she could compose herself and speak again.
“Aneta,” She whisper-spoke. “...our parents…gone. Dead. I…I tried finding you…” Each word was painful to spill out, her heart breaking to think she would never see her sister again after this. “I got hurt…hurt bad. I’m angry…and scared…I have no family left.” Leaning toward her sister, she rested her head on the medical table and closed her eyes. “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”
Her grip on Aneta’s hand tightened for a brief moment. “Goodbye…”
Mishka stayed with Aneta for a good while before leaving and going to find Ryan. She did not want to be alone with her thoughts and her worries. That thing her sister had given them just before dying still taunted Mishka and she wanted to know exactly what it was, but until Tesara was done meditating, there was no getting answers. Besides, they needed to reach their next destination before anything else.
So, gripping the paper she now had in her hands, she went to find Ryan.
TheTraveler — 10/19/2021
((OOC: if @Tesara Anerin wants to step in, she can. If not, Ryan is up on the Flight))
Mishka Winlat — 10/19/2021
((Okie dokie. We'll wait and see then.))
Tesara Anerin — 10/19/2021
(((OOC sorry it has been a very rough 2days)))
Tesara feels herself rising up out of meditation. It’s like coming to the surface after being underwater. The air is cool but recycled and she remembers where she is. Then the pain of what happened washes over her, and she gulps past the sorrow. After a moment of stretching, she stands and goes in search of Mishka. She would have to find out where Mishka wished to go with her sister’s body.
She saw Ryan about to enter the flight deck and called out to him. “Ryan, where is Mishka?” She asked.
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 10/19/2021
Ryan half frowned, "she is saying goodbye to her sister." He turns and motions to the door to the medical room. "Give her a few minutes," he suggested.
He then moved past her as he reached in to his pocket and pulled out a auto injector. Just as he reached the ladder, a soft mechanical sound of the injector filling Ryan's vines with the highly addictive narcotic Spice.
He then climbed up the ladder and vanished in to the Flight Deck.
@Tesara Anerin @Mishka Winlat
Mishka Winlat — 10/19/2021
Some time after Ryan has entered the Flight Deck, Mishka steps out of the medical room to see Tesara waiting for her. Her fingers slide along the paper and gently bends one of the corners as she gazes to the other woman. “Hi…” She says bashfully.
Tesara Anerin — 10/19/2021
Tesara blinks at Ryan, then at the injector and a scissor of confusion and apprehension slithers up her spine. Ryan is not acting like Ryan. Frowning, she turns to see Mishka standing in the door way. Tesara just barely manages to stop a gasp at hearing Mishka's voice. "Hello! Uhm...it's...I'm sorry it's a surprise to hear you speak, but I am glad." She smiles a little sadly. "May I hug you or...?" She trails off, feeling for once what everyone else has always said about her. This was awkward. "I feel like I failed you." She says, that damned lump forming in her throat again.
@Mishka Winlat
Mishka Winlat — 10/19/2021
Mishka blinks, surprised to hear Tesara wanting a hug, but nods with a weak smile. “Sure,” She says softly and feels slightly confused again. “You…didn’t fail…” It was the truth in her mind. To her, the fact that they had at least saved her sister and given them that brief moment together was enough. Her sister’s pain was gone now and, thanks to Ryan and his words earlier, she felt more at peace about letting her sister move on.
Stepping over to Tesara, she instead initiated the hug. “Don’t…don’t say you failed.” She told her.
@Tesara Anerin
Tesara Anerin — 10/19/2021
Tesara once again managed to hold on and not cry again. It wasn't just Aneta she had failed. She had failed Jack as well. She held on to Mishka for a moment, glad of the contact of another person. She felt so cold inside right now.
She pulled away finally and looked at her. "Thank you. I needed that." She said. She glanced at the door. "I don't know what to do from here." She admitted. "Is there somewhere you would like to take her?" She asked.
@Mishka Winlat
Mishka Winlat — 10/19/2021
Mishka shifts in place and pushes back a lock of her hair so it is no longer in her face. The annoying curl, sadly, bounces right back as if it does not care one bit. “Home…I want to…send her home. To Dubrillion…put her to rest with mom and dad.” She explains in a shaky, yet soft tone.
That is when she recalls the man Tesara seemed to be so close to. Ears falling back in concern, she asked, “Is he…gone too?”
@Tesara Anerin
Tesara Anerin — 10/19/2021
Tesara swallows hard. "I don't know. But I believe in my heart there is a chance he lived." She inhales slowly and shifts the conversation away, back to the future plan. "Dubrillion." She says. "All right. I am going to go talk to Ryan and see about setting course for it."
Mishka Winlat — 10/19/2021
Mishka nods in understanding. "Okay, thank you...and...give this to Ryan." She hands over two drawings of Aneta when she was still alive and smiling over a something. "One is...yours." She says before heading to Tesara's room to rest.
Tesara Anerin — 10/19/2021
Tesara looks down at the drawings, amazed at Mishka's talent. "Thank you." She says. She'll hang it on the wall in her room. For a brief moment she remembered her room at the Southern Palace and for the thousandth time wondered if Ava and Nova were all right. She felt another wash of cold, but it wasn't the dark side. There were no whispers now. She had known enough to understand what they really were. But it had been hard...the voice had seemed to know her darkest fears. Sighing, she made her way to the flight deck, knocking on the door. "Ryan?" She called.
@TheTraveler
TheTraveler — 10/19/2021
(OOC: as I am in bed already lol let's do this lol @Tesara Anerin your comlink is going off. It's Durro on a voice call.)
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