Ask Just Like Old Times

[Darth Tiamat]

Dathomir

It had been some time since Tiamat had seen Renfry, it was some days after she was obtained the mask of the Eternal when she last saw the woman. The sisters who guarded their Queen Mother and the Empress were just as weary as her last visit, following closely behind as she was directed to where Renfry was residing. Tiamat remembered the dark presence that followed her then, however, this time, it was just herself, the loss was more or less unorthodox in a way as the eternal mask no longer existed in the Empire. She dressed more casually, blue eyes brighter, and she was entirely more eager to catch up with her friend...especially after the prank message about her being pregnant.

To which, didn't she just have a kid? Did that mean she can even socialize anymore or did she have to do boring Mom things like go to spaceball games and carpool with other kids to the local school. Tia had no idea about things like that and hoped this visit didn't devolve into conversations about how tired she is and how much of an inconsiderate jerk her kids are being. She hoped the book she sent for the baby was ok, the quantum physics concepts were really dumbed down, so it should be easy for anyone really to understand.

The guards directed her where to enter and Tiamat headed inside, ignoring the side eye from one of the girls.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Although they had kept in touch, it had been quite some time since Renfry had actually seen Tia. Things had become weird after the whole "Eternal" incident, but Renfry had heard the rumors and reports after Tia's captivity.

She had been glad to hear that Tia wanted to meet. As the redhead came into the room, she would find that Renfry was trying to convince this growing baby to eat the bite of food off the spoon she held in her hand.

Come on, just one bite! she exclaimed before realizing she was no longer alone. She cleared her throat and sat up a little straighter.

That'll be all, she said, waving the guards away as she set the spoon down and stood. She made her way over to the redhead as the others left, straight faced, and without warning threw her arms around her old friend.

It's good to see you! she said, smiling widely now. She had no idea what kind of interaction this would be, but if it were going to be awkward, it wasn't going to be because of her. She'd missed Tiamat.

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tia did her best to muffle a giggle when she saw Renfry hunched in front of her child trying to convince them they should eat some more of their food. The child clearly deciding when they would eat and what they wanted to eat as they seemed to be uninterested in the food her mother had for her. When Renfry noticed Tiamat had arrived, she gave the feeding a break, sending the guards on their way and leaving the three of them alone together.

Though, Renfry approached, her face unmoving, no emotion or excitement that made Tiamat feel a bit more tense as she suddenly tried to figure out if the prank text or her long absence annoyed the woman. She stood still, face also unmoving despite her thoughts running a million lightyears a second, her blue eyes quickly glancing down to the woman's attire noting the splashes of unwanted food that would quickly squish against her as Renfry embraced Tiamat.

The woman tensed up, but relaxed when Renfry greeted her, and Tiamat shared her smile with Renfry. "I'm glad to see you too!" she said smiling, though was quick to check for baby food on her front. Tia quickly frowned, trying to scratch the orange goop stain on her tunic. "You look like you are busy...probably busy all the time." she glanced over to the baby who seemed to be enjoying themselves.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry took a step back and looked at Tia as she picked at the gunk on her clothes. Oh come on, we both know that you've eaten worse, she mocked and snickered. She'd watched Tia eat Emryc's multi-day old leftovers...

Yes, little Arla here has started taking up time I didn't know I had, she said with a chuckle. She went back to trying to get the baby to eat a bite as she sat there stone still and looked at the spoon. Tia would be able to see familiar pointy ears and silvery eyes that were still gold specked.

Well, you don't feel pregnant, she said, though she also knew that if she were early enough that didn't mean anything. Despite 3 calls and 11 texts, Tia had never responded, which seemed... weird.

So spill it, she said, motioning with her hand in a "hurry up" motion.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tiamat frowned as Renfry commented about her eating habits and the woman let out a sigh, "But this has baby drool..." her face contorted in disgust as she wiped her hands along her sides. She glanced back over to the baby, Arla, seemingly unmoved by her mother's attempts to get her to eat her food. Tiamat followed, cautiously, as though the baby were some untamed animal ready to pounce. "You should take up her time." she offered sensible parenting advice according to Tiamat. Though the silver eyes, pointy ears nearly made the woman do a double take, her brow narrowed as the thoughts begun to churn in her mind.

Renfry caught her back to the present, announcing she didn't feel pregnant and a coy grin slowly spread across her face. Tia never did reply back after her phone blew up with messages. She waved hand, motioning her to give her the details.

"Ohhhh, I'm not pregnant." she clarified, "It was a dare." she smirked, "I joined some acolytes in a truth-or-dare-game." Tiamat explained, "So, no baby for me." she shook her head, though now she was wondering who else she would need to clarify, "Did...did you tell Emryc?" She asked in a low whisper with a grimace, though she doubted there would be much of a reaction from him.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

You were playing truth or dare? With who? she asked. It seemed odd that she'd been playing truth or dare. Renfry loved Tia, but she wasn't the most social person that Renfry had ever met. She wondered what kind of party she was at that had resulted in this particular thing.

Did I tell Emryc?! What do you think I'm doing out here? I wouldn't spread that kind of thing around on your behalf, she said... probably, right? Yeah, probably. At least she hadn't told Emryc, but she hadn't seen a lot of people in recent days. In truth, she missed Emryc and Tia. Most of the Sith from the "old days" were gone now, and the thought caused a pang in her chest.

Anyway, no I didn't tell Emryc, she said.

So how do you feel about camping? she blurted out, moving to the next topic. She was almost disappointed that Tia wasn't pregnant. Then she would have had someone else to commiserate with.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Her face started to glow red when Renfry seemed surprised and curious as to who she was with to play such games. Tiamat guessed there was some surprise to her socializing, Renfry knew her well enough she tended to keep to herself. The woman gave a shrug, "You know just with some acolytes. They were having a lot of fun." she mumbled quickly but the conversation quickly moved onward to breathe a sigh of relief that Emryc wasn't notified; not that he wouldn't do anything, except his signature glare which seems to have a power within itself that made Tiamat, at least half of the time, spilling her thoughts to him. However, would he even care? Maybe suddenly declare it was not his.

She glanced at the child and then back at Renfry when she asked about camping. It was almost as though the woman hasn't been able to speak in a proper conversation in ages as she seemed just a little to eager to suggest to go camp. "How do I feel about it?" she questioned out loud; did she want to know her honest feelings or what would be the polite response. She quickly remembered having to recently camp over night in the jungle with Altair, which did not go over too well with spooky creatures and mysterious shamans. "As long as there is nothing like...haunted. Is this a haunted camping trip?" she inquired, eyeing Renfry closely, "As long as there is nothing spooky, I'm game."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry smiled at her in a way that said that it was almost certainly haunted. She didn't give a chance to object, though, as she moved over, grabbing Tia's hand.

Come on, it'll be fuuuun, she said. It was quite clear that she wasn't going to drop this nor was she going to give Tia any time to object before moving on to the next topic.

Speaking of haunted, no issues since you've lost the mask? she asked. She could imagine that for a time there would have been an incredible craving and draw to find the mask. In many ways, her friend seemed like she used to be now, but Renfry knew that appearances weren't always the truth, and sometimes invisible wounds lingered.

I imagine it's left some marks, she said. She doubted Tia had really talked to anyone about it, and it was one of the nice things about the two of them spending time together: there was far less pomp and posturing than with others.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

The smile on her face told Tiamat that this place was something that probably had a story to it and she could feel the jitters of nervousness already scurrying through her body. Though Renfry, knowing Tia well, was already taking her hand before she could back. Insisting it will be fun, Tia shook her head, "Ok, but like if any ghost ships or houses show up, we're leaving." she frowned wondering if Farmer Gus and Captain Tihsllub would ever be on the same realm to team up. Though her thoughts suddenly changed direction when she diverted to the Eternal Mask and the woman fell quiet, and her body slowed into stillness.

She wouldn't say there was no issues since losing the mask, things were manageable, nothing she couldn't handle. The craving and urges to find it were there for weeks afterward, but it soon had become less and less, and then suddenly they stopped all together. Tia glanced at Renfry, "Just..." she paused thinking how to explain it, since she guessed correctly, it has certainly left its mark on her, "Sometimes, it feels like I can hear the shadows a bit clearer." Tia explained quietly as if they could hear her speak.

"And the ghosts, or spirits, or whatever they want to be called, I have been seeing them more and more." she explained, letting out a long sigh as though she were physically holding in her breath all this time. "Places where I don't intend, and they are there..." her blue eyes flickered to Renfry as they walked, "I know I am a bit more...jumpy than most, but this seems just more than coincidence."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Tia came to a stop, and Renfry could sense the emotions within her. It was still a heavy topic, and one that Renfry didn't intend to pry into too much. She would listen if needed, but some wounds simply needed time to heal.

If it's just since you got to Dathomir, that's... well, that's the nature of this planet. Bridge between the living and dead, she said. It was also why so many things were haunted. The Nightsister shaman learned to interact with and deal with the spirits early on.

She started gathering up a few things and heading in the direction of their "camping" trip. Being jumpy might not be such a bad thing. In our line of work, it keeps you alive, right?

Something, something not paranoia if they're out to get you, she said, referring to the well-known quote. As Sith there certainly were a lot of people out to get them.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tiamat gave a noticeable frown when Renfry reminded her of the special relationship Dathomir had to the living and dead. Did that mean they were going to stay on Dathomir to camp?

Tiamat internally screamed.

Renfry offered a reminder to the benefits of being a bit on edge, and Tiamat shook her head, "No, no, this is...different." she sighed, "Its not here, its other places too." The redhead remained silent for a moment, trying to find the words to describe the feeling but there wasn't anything she could connect to her words. Instead, she thought about how Dathomir did bridge them and curiosity seemed to spark in her blue eyes.

"So, how do you not get overwhelmed on Dathomir with spirits? What do you do? Do you tell them to just leave you alone? Ward them away? Throw things at them?" she asked in seriousness, her eyes narrowed for a moment, "Are we staying on Dathomir to camp...because if we are, I don't want to be near hut of the foot fungus hermit."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry listened as she... didn't really explain things that well. She was having problems was the vibe that Renfry was getting and also that she didn't really know what she was suffering from. Just that she was suffering.

It seemed to occur to Tia all at once that this was something that Renfry had to deal with all the time.

We learn from a young age how to block it out. Or at least dampen it. There's a constant song here, but more often than not I don't even notice it anymore, she said. She'd had years of practice at learning to tune it out, but the occasional shaman was literally driven mad by the song of the dead.

It's not unlike keeping up a low power barrier around your mind all the time, she said.

They headed out, starting along a path into the jungle as she shoved a pre-packed backpack into Tia's arms and slung one of her own.

Don't worry, we don't have to go near the foot hermit, she said with a shake of her head. Besides, you needed to go there anyway, she said.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tiamat listened carefully, it didn't seem like it gave her much reassurance that Renfry was just used to it by now, but she understood the song here that she described. It was certainly familiar with Felucia, "It is like a song," she agreed, "Though its like someone turning the dial on full blast on the stereo in some places." Tiamat explained, "I don't ever remember experiencing it as much as I do now."

As Renfry handed Tia the pack, there was the curiosity urge to open it and make sure it was not just packed full of beans or something obscure like that. Pushing past the temptation to empty the content, she slung it over her shoulder and followed beside her friend, who reassured they would not be seeing the foot fungal hermit. The redhead let out a long happy sigh, "I'm choosing to figure it out for myself next time. You should make a decree for mandatory foot treatments." she added, seeming serious about some new rules on Dathomir.

"So where are we going? And is it going to have a ton of ghosts?" she asked, "My idea of camping is to look at the stars all night rather than uncovering ghoul shenanigans."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry also wasn't going to tell Tia that the place they were going was called the 'paths of the dead' because that would be counter productive.

Hey, we can lay out and look at the stars, too, she said. Assuming the fog doesn't hit... she said. Dathomir was well known for its thick red fog, but the night was allegedly supposed to be clear.

She led the way onward before coming to an incline upward. It was steep, but not so much that she needed to use all four to climb. Eventually, the incline stopped and they reached a narrow passage perhaps six feet across with tall mountains stretching up on either side.

Sooooo, what have you been up to lately? she asked. The two of them had kept in touch, but not nearly as much as either would have probably liked. You're not pregnant, but dating anyone? she asked.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

They approached a rather steep path of their trail to the camping grounds and Tiamat watched as Renfry led the way upward, a small scowl forming as to the amount of work they had to do to get to this place. Couldn't she like...teleport? "We should just teleport next time..." she sighed, following behind, falling into silence as she focused on not losing her footing as they scaled upward until it seemed to level off. Her blue gaze drifted upward, her own senses seemed to ring like static as she looked up along the peaks and the around Renfry to the rest of their path.

Renfry resumed conversation, "Dating?" Tia seemed surprised she asked her, and she had to really think about it. It wasn't a topic she was used to talking about, mostly sith things with anyone of an acquaintances, or stuff about her hypergates and path engines. "I think I was dating someone...ish... we'd meet for coffee, but the whole Eternal thing was a complete clam block." Tiamat explained thinking about the Jedi Knight, Crix. "Though, I think he has some Mommy issues, like unhealthy mommy issues." she further added, "He wanted to meet up, only to pout and it was...embarrassing and awkward." the red haired woman frowned and bent down to scoop up a large stick to fiddle with as they walked.

"Then there was this other guy, and he was like weirdly obsessed, I'm sure it would have ended as a true crime story." she thought about the weird last encounter with Byron, his death seeming a relief as the guy was hard to read on what he wanted from her, to saver her? To love her? Who knows...he probably didn't know either. Her eyebrows rose as she suddenly remembered, "OH, Draugr took me to the spa. I told him, it was not a date. I thought it was fun, but he didn't even say hi to me when I was at that party with the acolytes. So I assume, he was done ogling at me." she frowned in annoyance.

"I don't understand guys." she let out a long sigh.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

That defeats the purpose of hiking and camping, she retorted. Not to mention it was still tiring for Renfry at least to some extent.

Renfry listened as she talked about the guy she had met up with and... wow, from that description, Renfry was kind of cringing. She looked back at Tia, face a bit scrunched up and eyebrows up in a "eww" look.

Sounds like you were lucky to get out of that when you did, she said. Apparently the Eternal was good for something!

Then they moved on to some other weirdo. In fact, this one Renfry had technically met, though she didn't know that was who they were talking about. Telos had been... a real low point for everyone. Literally everyone involved.

And then they got to Draugr who was apparently ogling but not dating her?

At least you're out there, she said, looking for something positive and encouraging to say. Renfry had executed the last person interested in her so she really couldn't judge Tia's slightly dysfunctional relationships.

I'm surprised Draugr was also at this acolyte party? she realized a moment later.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tiamat wasn't so sure "being out there" was ideal given the type of guys that seemed to be on the prowl. Though, she knew she was probably more active in the relationship search than Renfry could be given her duties as literal Empress and now mom. To Tia, it seemed like at times the only way she would find someone worth her time if she were in Renfry's spot and that just sounded...abysmal.

Her thoughts turned back to the party she attended. "Same, I didn't think he was the party type guy." she frowned, picking the small twigs off her stick and dropping them as she walked. "Especially with acolytes...who knows, maybe he is looking for a new student after the mishap with his last one." she spoke, thinking out loud as she tried to figure out the zabrak lord's reasoning for being there. "I'm sure if you showed up, they would have all lost their minds." Tiamat smirked, "It was Altair Din's birthday and they were also celebrating a win from the Huttball game." the redhead woman paused, finger tapping her chin, "Maybe Draugr was hoping for an autograph."

Her blue gaze followed the canyon walls, wondering if she should have asked for a map for herself so she'd know where they were heading exactly. It was at least, not in the direction of the old woman with foot rot.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry thought about what Tia said and it brought multiple things to her mind. She continued through the narrow passage and looked back at Tia.

What do you think of Draugr? she asked. Perhaps it was just a bit of good old fashioned gossip, but sometimes she needed that. She also wasn't going to elaborate on what she thought or meant. She didn't know if Tia knew him well enough to have an opinion but it was worth asking.

I've met Altair. Nice guy, she said with a smile. I didn't know you knew him, but it sounds like he's popular. I guess that's the nature of winning a big Huttball game, she said.

She continued to press on before the passage began to open a bit more. There were passages branching off to either side, but she would continue on unless Tia picked a side route.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tiamat raised her eyebrows when Renfry asked her thoughts on Draugr. She pursed her lips in thought, trying to decipher which Draugr and what opinions of each. There were certainly differences, much as the different sides of the sith lord who seemed to have a different persona of their own. However, she let her continue as she shared she had also met Altair.

"He seems to be personable, charismatic, I see the potential. I haven't seen his master around, Veles..." the named dripped from her tongue like venom, "Which is good, because I will murder him." she squeezed her fingers into a fist, feeling her nails cut into her palm before she relaxed and thought about what Renfry was asking regarding Draugr. Tiamat let out a long sigh as she followed Renfry, looking back over her shoulder at the other passages they had left behind.

"What do I think of Draugr? Like..." she thought for a moment, "As like the Sith Lord, because he does well, but like socialite, awkward...like the most of us. What....do you think of Draugr?" she asked with a coy grin on her face.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry let out a long breath, Veles... she muttered with it. The former-Lord had had a great deal of potential, and a part of her still had hopes. But after the Wildfire incident, he'd barely been seen. She assumed he was detoxing or fulfilling the mandate she had given him... she hoped.

I see the potential, too, she said. She could see it, but how exactly it would pan out was still a mystery to her. Time would tell.

She went on to speak about what she'd seen of Draugr, and Renfry's mouth twisted up in thought as she continued on.

She looked back to see the coy grin on Tia's face and realized how the redhead had taken it.

No, that's not why I'm asking, she said. Before she had time to elaborate, she heard a crumbling sound down one of the side paths like stones rolling down a rocky mountain. Of course it was probably just an animal... probably. That was the most likely, right?

@GABA