[Pre TL] Sistlerly Love

[Algarus]

Location: Dantooine, Jace Estate

Music

Alana sat at her workbench, music blaring as she tinkered with her rifle. The energy cells had been shorting out something fierce, so clearly something was wrong with the ammo system, yet she couldn't figure out why. She paused in her labor, looking at the mess of parts before her, moving to take a drag of her death stick. She inhaled the foul chemical concoction, letting it into her lungs before exhaling. She had no clue what was wrong with this damn thing, and she couldn't afford to buy a replacement. She let the lightheadiness take hold, as her frustrations melted away into a sense of peace. It would all work out, she just needed to be patient, worse comes to worse she'd sell off some of her chem stash and buy the replacements. Hopefully Kraud wouldn't catch her again, he almost deafened her the last time he caught her on a high. Thankfully he was back in town, and he was far too large to go skulking through the ventilator shafts to get to her cache. She grinned at her own little clever idea, which gave her enough confidence to go back to work.

Music

The song on her music player came to an end, as a new track began to play. Alana took that as her cue, as she put herself back at the work bench and began to dismantle her favorite weapon. She wasn't about to give up yet damn it.

@Sunfrog

 

[Sunfrog]

The music was audible from down the corridor, unsurprisingly, this was a regular occurrence and while usually she didn't mind it, Astra was trying to have a nap, at least up until the point the music had become unbearably loud. She groaned and removed the pillow from over her head before drawing back the blanket and swinging her legs over the side of the bed to confront her sister since there was no chance she'd be able to hear her from here.

Following the sound of the music, though she could already guess where Alana would be, she found Alana sitting at her workbench and immediately noticed the faint smell of a death stick, a smell familiar to Astra because of her sister's repeated use of them. Her immediate reaction was to get angry, she stormed over to Alana and reached out to snatch the deathsticks from her with one hand while turning the music off with the other.

"What are you doing?!" Astra asked incredulously. "I've told you time and time again to stop taking these, you're hurting yourself and everyone around you." She tried to appeal to her sister, though from experience she knew that these altercations could get aggressive. Although she knew all too well the reason behind the drugs, she would not condone her sister's actions.



@Algarus

 

[Algarus]

Alana had found the issue, the pulse charger she had upgraded to had been sucking up more power per shot it seemed, which frankly annoyed her since she had paid good drug money for that. She was in the middle of removing the part, her death stick having been set on the workbench as her hands were full, she had no defense for when her sister arrived on the scene.

She only realized Astra was there when the music turned down, one of the downsides to the death sticks. Her relaxed expression soon melted into annoyance, as she stopped her work and immediately aimed her gaze towards Astra. Why was she always the spoil sport. Her tools hit the table, as she rose to meet her twin. "Hey, I was listening to that!" She reached for her deathstick, and soon realized that Astra had the desired drug in her hand. "What the feth Astra, why do you always do this?" She started, trying to snatch her precious from the woman's hand, but her reflexes were slow from the drug use, as she managed something akin to a half baked slap. "I'm not hurting anyone you half baked schutta, now give that back! I need it!" They never understood why she needed her death sticks so badly, and frankly Alana was way past trying to explain her need for the drug. Yea, she was starting to get to the higher levels of the drug, and it was getting expensive to keep up, but it kept the voices out of her head and she was willing to pay any price for that. The white haired huntress settled to just crossing her arms, angrily glaring at her sister. Her pupils were enlarged, as it was clear she was high on something; and it certainly wasn't life.

@Sunfrog

 

[Sunfrog]

Situations like these usually began with both sisters being angry with the other and while Astra tried to understand her sister's plight, she didn't truly understand how to help Alana which only made the situation all the more frustrating and as Astra frequently reacted based on her emotions anyway most confrontations tended to be dramatic. Although she was usually able to find the brighter side of things, Astra was deeply upset by her sister's drug use and it was one of the few things that angered her. The pair very rarely had any serious fights but when they did it would always be about the deathsticks.

"You know why." She replied with a sternness that could only be matched by Kraud. The pathetic attempt at taking back the deathsticks only made Astra look at Alana pitifully; how had it come to this? The effect the drug had on her was evident, from her sluggish reactions and appearance. She caught Alana by the wrist and put the hand with the deathstick behind her own back, out of Alana's reach, not that she would have the speed she needed to even consider attempting to take it back.

"You know who it's hurting, ignorance isn't one of the side effects of deathsticks." She scowled. "You're not having it back! You need to wait for Kraud to get back is what you need to do. Sit down." She told Alana, not wavering despite them being almost in each others' faces. All of the actions Astra took were only because she loved Alana and she was fearful for her life and wellbeing, it could often come across aggressive but inside she was afraid and wanted to help her sister, she just didn't know how. ​

@Algarus @Powerfullhorus

 

[Powerfullhorus]

Kraud watched how the knee-high grass waved as a soft breeze picked up. Dantooine looked so tranquil. So different from what the large Whiphid was used to. Even now, with nothing on the horizon but the Jace Estate, the trained eyes of the Whiphid scanned the tall grass for possible danger. The life he used to live as a hunter had taught him that nothing, not even the most peaceful setting was, in fact, safe. Some would call it paranoia, but one could never take too many precautions. While he doubted that anyone on this planet could actually stand against him in physical combat, he had to acknowledge that he was getting old.

Glancing over his shoulder, the Whiphid looked at how the droid was doing. It had taken him some time, but he had finally managed to modify an old landspeeder, re-purposing it as a simple wagon to carry the goods he had traded with the other locals. Simple stuff; some old devices, tools but also a few crates with food and supplies. The landspeeder needed a driver of course, which was a cheap astromech droid he had bought not too long ago. He hoped that the droid could be of some use to the girls once he left again.

Kraud took a deep breath as he got closer to the Estate. Like always, he wasn't going to stay here for long despite his obligations. Astra and Alana could take care of themselves by now and while he still felt the need to stay here as their caretaker, he was rarely around to actually act the part. Ever since they had turned 15, the Whiphid had started to leave them alone for longer periods of time. Both to earn money as a merchant and sometimes as a bounty hunter, but also because of his devotion to the Church of the Force.

With his expression as stoic as ever, Kraud finally reached the Jace Estate. He didn't bother to go looking for the two young women. Knowing them, Astra was probably still in bed and Alana was doing something that would probably provoke him; it was best not to bother them for now.

With a simple gesture of his large hand, Kraud ordered the droid to stop. With a chirpy beep, the astromech droid complied. Trudging toward the back door that led straight to the kitchen, Kraud couldn't help but notice how the roof was slowly sagging. He would have to fix that soon; probably replace some of the support beams inside.

Bending down to come through the doorway, the Whiphid immediately heard the sisters bickering. Could they, for once, just talk things out without having to raise their voices? He glanced in the direction of where he presumed the heated discussion was coming from, before he snuffed and shook his head. Women..

Kraud raised his voice in case they hadn't heard him come in yet. "I'm home..." he exclaimed, making no attempt to hide the hint of irritation present in his voice.

@Algarus @Sunfrog

 

[Algarus]

"This is so like you. Fine." Alana snatched her hand back from her sister, having given up on reasoning with the girl. Kraud was probably going to kick her out of the house again, or try to host another 'intervention'. "You want to play this game, then I'll be out on the plains." She looked back to the work bench, as she hastily put her rifle back together, planning on kicking herself out before Astra could rat her out.

"I don't need Kraud going off on me again." She grumbled, moving to the other side of the room as she grabbed up a beaten duffle bag and slid some of her survival gear into the bag. "If he wants to know where I am just tell him he can come look for me himself." She grumbled throwing the bag onto the workbench now, as she put several energy cells into the bag, as it was starting to get full. "It's always the two of you against me. Everytime. I don't even know why I bother." She muttered, shaking her head, hardly able to feel the sensation of the death stick wearing off. She nearly had a heart attack however, as she could hear Kraud's voice boom from the front of the house. She was screwed. "Sith spit, ugh!" She groaned, throwing her hands up and stepping away from the bench. She was screwed now. Alana could only take a seat on her workbench, as she would have to prepare for exchanging words with her 'dad'. She looked over to Astra, sighing as her shoulders sank under the weight of her decisions. "Well you better clear out. Kraud might actually kill me this time." She grumbled, rubbing at her eyes as an itchy sensation that was taking over. She was screwed, there was no way around it. Looks like the plains would be her bed for the night once more.

@Sunfrog @Powerfullhorus

 

[Sunfrog]

"We have your best interests at heart, why can't you understand that?" She asked, though she didn't expect it to have much effect, partly because Alana's actions were motivated by the fear of what was happening to her that neither of them understood and no words Astra knew could provide any comfort but mostly because of the state Alana had gotten herself into, she would likely be beyond reasoning until the effects of the drug had worn off. "We're not against you Alana, we care about you, that's why we react the way we do... We get scared." She let out an exasperated sigh, this was one of the many conversations they'd had on this topic and it certainly wouldn't be the last.

At the sound of Kraud's voice, Astra swiftly put the deathstick in the waistband of her trousers, behind her back and hidden by her shirt, if Alana was lucky she might be able to escape a lecture from Kraud this time, perhaps allowing time for Astra to talk to him so the pair could formulate a more gentle approach and talk to Alana when she would be in a clearer state of mind. "Just don't act out." She whispered harshly to Alana before turning to Kraud with a wide smile, playing ignorant to the irritation present in his tone.

"Hi Kraud!" She greeted cheerily before walking over to the Whipid to greet him with a hug. "How are you?" She asked partly because she genuinely cared as they hadn't seen him in a while but also because she was trying to take attention away from Alana who could do something stupid at any given moment and reveal that she was high. Occasions like these were becoming more scarce since Kraud would take the opportunity to work more now that the twins were self-sufficient so if Astra could prevent Alana from ruining such an occasion then she would try.



@Powerfullhorus @Algarus

 

[Powerfullhorus]

The moment he had announced his present, the two other residents of the estate fell silent. It was likely one of those cases he wasn't supposed to know about. Contrary to their belief, Kraud wasn't trying to keep an iron grip on their lives. He just cared about their well-being and as long as they were doing okay, he would allow them to go about their daily business.

Maneuvering through the small corridor that connected the kitchen to the other rooms, Kraud arrived at the scene. Astra's cheerful greeting confirmed the large Whiphid's suspicions. That, and the foul scent of chemicals told him all he needed to know. Accepting Astra's hug, Kraud's gaze shifted to Alana. "The roof is sagging. We'll have to replace the support beams soon." he exclaimed as he studied the young woman. His gaze was harsh and judgmental, with good reason. The Whiphid was livid, and while he wanted to shout at Alana and scold her for taking death sticks again, he decided against it, since it wouldn't benefit their already strained relationship.

Acting as if nothing was going on, Kraud continued. "I got some hydrospanners, energy cells, an Astromech droid and some other stuff with me to help the two of you out. As for power converters, Khoonda station didn't have any." He stated, calming down a little as he spoke. "So it could be better, but I'm doing fine. And what have you been up to as of late?" He asked Astra, finally breaking eye-contact with the drug-addict near the work bench.

@Sunfrog @Algarus

 

[Algarus]

Alana merely stared at the two as Kraud made himself known. It had been like this for a while. The two of them against her, time and time again it ended up like this. She could see the disappointment in his eyes, feel it being cast upon her like a high intensity mining laser. The current high offset some of the pain that lashed into her, as she merely dropped her gaze to the ground, her hand resting over the dufflebag to her side. She needed to leave. This wasn't her home anymore. She gave one look over the garage, knowing there was the door she could go out of; not like Kraud would let her out past him.

There was no point in staying here, she was only going to keep letting them down. She'd have to leave her stash behind though, she wouldn't be able to get past Kraud and take it with him home. Moving off the bench, Alana set the bag back down on the floor, knowing later on she would make a run for it at night. Hopefully they'd understand. She didn't say anything to Kraud, they'd long past had anything other than insults and sneers to exchange with one another. Her senses and perception still weren't as they should be, as Alana paused and tried to find the ladder they had stowed away in here. Kraud needed help with the supports, it was the last thing she could do before cutting herself out of their life. She still loved them after all, even if they didn't understand her. "Kruad, do we have what's needed to fix the support? I'd like to actually try and be productive today." She slurred, her back to the pair, as she couldn't take that look he was shooting her; it killed her inside. Just once, she'd want him to not look at her and be filled with disgust. Just once.

@Sunfrog @Powerfullhorus

 

[Sunfrog]

From the evidence of past experiences, it seemed likely that Kraud was aware of the situation he had just walked into but all involved were acting oblivious as it was a difficult situation to confront without everyone getting upset in one way or another. It deeply upset Astra and as a result she would get frustrated with her sister very quickly despite having her best interests at heart.

Although no words had been said on the matter, tensions in the room were running high. Astra glanced between Kraud and Alana's expressions nervously, expecting one of them to slip up at any moment. She hated feeling like a mediator between the two of them when arguments eventually arose, she was mostly angry at Alana for her irresponsibility, selfishness and ignorance to how she affected those around her but at times she could sympathise with her sister and though she would never understand her pain, Astra would try and take care of her the best she could.

Astra noticed that Kraud's attention was on Alana as he spoke so when he finally turned his attention to her to address her she tried to keep attention off Alana, hoping that her sister wouldn't act up so they would have the opportunity for some quiet words on the matter later. "Oh nice, a droid!" She said enthusiastically, wondering what kind of condition the hunk of metal would be in. "Mostly trying to fix things and failing miserably." She chuckled.

She couldn't quite put her finger on it but she felt as though there was a shift in mood, for whatever reason she couldn't explain. "Alana, we can do that later." She attempted to deter her drugged sister from climbing a ladder as it was painfully obvious to all that she was under the influence of something and it wasn't sunshine and rainbows.


@Powerfullhorus @Algarus