Ask [Tibrin] After the Fall Comes the Rise

[Celeste Stythani]

It was not like she had expected the mission to be a vacation or anything even close, but at such an interesting, beautiful place, she had somehow assumed they'd managed to make the most of it better. So far there had been nothing but frustration for her, which had then led to path of destruction through the jungle and a dead bird which had obviously been at the wrong place at the wrong time. Here in the thicket, the air was much more humid than at the beach and it started to annoy her as well, which was why starting their journey back was probably for the best.

She walked carefully in order not to slip on the muddy ground, however her boots were so caked with dirt that it seemed like she had spent days in the jungle, not just a short while. Focusing on the bird and Altair, she didn't pay attention to the uninvited guest on her shoulder and didn't even noticed how the slug joyfully wandered lower. "Excellent. So a great catch after all" she said to him after grabbing the bird's meaty ankles with her right hand, using the left to stay balanced while walking and carefully dragging the bird after her on its back.

She only took a few steps into the direction of the path she had carved into the landscape before she realized that Altair was not coming yet and so she halted as well, letting go of the feet before she tilted her head to the side. So he was curious after all and not solely focused on the task they had? "You coming?" she asked him, calling over. She had no issues with heading back on her own. As slow as she was, he'd catch up with her anyway and he knew how to help himself. Well, they had a few days left and if he'd want to go explore, he'd definitely had time for that and she herself planned on doing that anyway. Sooner or later though. She moved to turn around again, but that was when something caught her attention back at the ruins.

"Don't move" she immediately warned him, instantly switching to telepathy as diagonally from him something huge, black moved. She saw it through the trees, still quite a distance away and it slowly sneaked through the thicket. It watched them, well aware of the fact that they saw it too, but the cat like animal just curiosly observed before it, too, turned around and moved sprint away. "That's...fascinating" she quietly said, her mood slowly lightening. That was what she was still passionate about and it soothed her a little after all. She was confident that much more lured deep inside, still not realizing that another creature was very close by, now crawling towards her side again.

@Sreeya

 

[Altair Din]

Altair remained where he stood, lost in his thoughts. When she asked to go, he looked back at her in silence for a moment, “I might hang out here. Seems peaceful,” He said, looking around. He didn’t realize how much he had missed simply being around nature. As he threw himself into his work, he was almost always in industrial spaces and cities. He seldom felt the grass under his feet, the moisture from a rainforest or the sounds of woodland creatures. It all took him back to fonder memories that seemed far away now. Altair wouldn’t stop Celeste from joining him, but he also made no moves to go with her.

The tiefling paused when Celeste told him not to move. He could hear movement behind him, and he slowly tilted his head to look back. He saw a tail disappear deeper into the woods. Altair looked different enough to be able to scare off most creatures with his appearance alone. However, he was suddenly even more curious to spend his time in the woods instead of working at the camp.

Altair spun around and began to walk further into the woods. He doubted Celeste wanted to join given her destructive path through the forest. Her theatrics certainly drew some attention from native animals. Altair saw a path that led to higher ground, and he began to follow it to see where it would end.

@LadyRen

 

[Celeste Stythani]

Celeste raised an eyebrow when he mentioned he wanted to stay, a few thoughts actually crossing her mind immediately: Shouldn't the one in charge be there to supervise the operations and give orders whenever necessary? Also, where had this relatively familiar version of Altair suddenly come from and how long would he stay? Was it a good idea to stay, perhaps even to go explore unannounced in the camp? And would this jungle even have something interesting to explore? She simply wasn't sure about this all.

After the cat disappeared, Altair turned and walked away, apparently wanting to follow his idea right away. She paused where she was, watching him leave, glancing down go the bird, and looking over her shoulder to the path she had created. She was tempted. After how this day had went so far, she wouldn't say they were on excellent terms, but if they'd both wanted to some exploring, why didn't she use this chance right away? It was safer for them to stay together and perhaps he would talk a little more. But what about the bird? The cat thing probably wanted to have a little snack...but she had an idea.

She reached out with the Force and lifted the dead animal with it, carefully moving it up to the ruined watchtower before checking whether something could climb up, but it actually didn't look this way. Even if, they didn't need this catch, it was simply a nice bonus she'd coincidentally hit. After securing the bird she moved after him, not in a particular rush to catch up, but still curious to explore whatever laid within the jungle. She kept her hand on the hilt of her lightsabers, just in case, and started up the path. Not much further and she passed over a little hill with less trees on it than allowed her to see a little further and not far off, she could make out some smoke in the air, as though it stemmed from a bonfire. This was the reason for her to hurry up and do catch up with him after all, assuming he had seen it as well. "I wonder whether they've seen our ship descend...maybe we should deal with them quickly". Whether those were Natives or not, it was something sentient and if they'd seen them come, they could potentially pose a threat...

@Sreeya

 

[Altair Din]

Altair wasn’t too concerned about not being at the campsite. His men were loyal and reliable, and he had Captain Aval on the scene. He trusted Aval for several years and knew the man could work just fine in his absence. He wasn’t entirely surprised that she chose to join him, though he was surprised at how much he didn’t mind. Altair threw himself into solitude since the fallout from Clove, and this was a rare opportunity where he wasn’t only focusing on work.

His eyes narrowed when he spotted the smoke, picking up the pace. He shared Celeste’s concern, but he didn’t say anything aloud. Arriving at the site would confirm her suspicions - it was a fire that was recently built and abandoned. It appeared that whoever was here left in a hurry.

“Damn it,” Altair growled as he looked around, “Even if they didn’t see us, they likely smelled something,” He said, having done some research on Ishi Tib. He could make out a trail leading away from the fire, but it was clear they tried covering their tracks. Altair followed it to the edge of the water.

“They went in there,” He said, pointing to the waves. Ishi Tib could navigate perfectly underwater. Altair grimaced as he brought up his comlink and contacted his men, reporting the potential risk to their mission. Whoever this was, the Imperials would have to quickly stop them before they swam to another island. He sighed as he kicked around the logs.

"Not much we can do unless you feel like going for a swim," Altair said, the first hints of a grin almost tugging at his lips. However, it stopped before it fully manifested.

@LadyRen

 

[Celeste Stythani]

The atmosphere between them seemed changed, slightly lightened even, regardless of their still existing lack of actual conversation. She felt indeed more relaxed after that little relief her trip offered and it seemed like there was at least something meaningful they could do instead of just laying low and waiting around.

It was right after they had spotted the smoke that Celeste's attention was caught by something that moved at her chest area. She glanced down gasping, fearing this was something bad like some blood sucking parasite, but it turned out it was just a regular, although giant, slimey slug.

The reaction though was still the same. She managed not to let out a sounds, but she flicked that thing away like a ship jumping into hyperspace, the slug accelerating within a split second and being hurled into the bushes while her facial expressions where aghast for a moment. "Damn it...eww it's slime is everywhere" she cursed indignantly, her voice lowered to a whisper though as they were close to the fire. Only now did she realize that it had apparently joyfully made its way across her body for quite a while, which left her with another question. "Oh no.. since when had it been there? Haven't you seen it earier?!" her tone was slightly accusing and anger subtly faded in even if she wanted to take it humorously. It just didn't fully work, but the slug hysteria was absolutely negligible.

Her attention flicked back to the camp as she shook her head, annoyed at how she'd have to wash that out later, but as they started tracking she soon learnt that later was apparently now. While he contacted his men, she kept looking around, trying to pick up any more helpful details, but it seemed like they had to give it a try. "I don't mind a little refreshing swim. We might as well end this ourselves" she shrugged, crossing her arms in front of her chest as she walked closer to the water. The waves weren't too bad and it didn't seem like the current would be too hard to work against. "If we hurry we might still catch them" she finally adding, throwing him a last glance before she dived in gracefully, uniform still on as there was no sense in leaving it behind.

@Sreeya

 

[Altair Din]

Altair looked over when she suddenly began to freak out about the slug from earlier. He forgot about it, and it dawned on him that the creature was having the time of its life the entire time. He blinked a few times as she asked about it, “Well,” He said quietly, “It looked very comfortable where it was,” Altair said with a shrug. Amusement lingered in his tone as he spoke, thoroughly entertained that she managed to let that thing hang out for so long.

When she prepared to jump into the water, Altair opened his mouth to suggest otherwise. His men were already en route. However, she splashed right in without a second thought. He watched her disappear and he stood there dumbfounded. Altair heard some birds, the waves, and he stood there entirely confused.

“Ugh,” He grumbled before he took off the outer layers of his uniform and his shoes and socks. He loved his uniform too much to ruin it. Altair wore armorweave underneath. He jumped into the water, feeling the cool water against his skin. He could make Celeste out in the clear water, but just ahead he spotted an Ishi Tib. From the looks of it, it was an old man.

Celeste was closer to him. The Ishi Tib spotted Celeste approaching and he tried stabbing towards her with his spear. Altair came up for air before he circled around to swim behind him. While he tried going for Celeste, Altair coiled his tail around his foot and yanked him towards himself.

“Wait wait!” The Ishi Tib said as he flailed around, “I wanna join you! Don’t kill me!”

@LadyRen

 

[Celeste Stythani]

She appreciated his honesty, although this didn't make it any better in terms of the duration of the slug's little adventure at the expense of her formerly unsoiled uniform. He seemed amused now, which was at least better than the state he had been in before, but she was obviously still pissed about that...Lucky for him they had other things to pursue.

Celeste's quick reaction was probably a little surpring for the Tiefling who had known her for quite a while now actually, but she didn't catch his reaction as she was underwater for a moment first. As she surfaced, she checked whether he was coming, but that was before she suddenly picked up something dangerously close by.

A turn of her head was enough to see the greenish man who attempted to stab her with his spear, making her realize - once again - that this was no vacational or fun trip. It was a mission and the sheer proximity of the Ishi Tib or previously the bird and the feline creature proved well that they had to be on their guard all the time.

Using a lightsaber in water was...well, obviously a stupid idea and so she wasn't counting on her weapons for that. Instead, her Force enhanced senses combined with the viscosity of the water allowed her to move her center out of the way with a gasp and grab the spear right behind the tip. As Altair almost simultaneously yanked the old, obviously rude Native back, the wodden spear with the metal tip ended in her hand while the man was pulled away, his eyes wide open.

"Join us?!" she snarled, followed by a scoff, before she turned that spear around. "Maybe don't try stabbing us the next time". She instinctively thrusted the spear forwards, wanting to impale the old man without hesitation while he was still flailing, but in the very last second she realized that they had to play their cards well.

She stopped the movement, abruptly, simply letting go of the spear and letting it drift away. "Actually, you could do us the favor of telling us where your friends have gone to". She stated flatly, moving her legs to stay above the surface while she reached out with her left hand, attempting to do something she had done far too often in the last few months: Violently withdraw the information needed by rummaging through the Ishi Tib's mind, not actually caring whether she'd shatter some important memories or whatsoever. He was simply in the way of their endeavor, but with the information they might manage to hunt the others down quicker.

@Sreeya

 

[Altair Din]

“Wait-wait!” The Ishi Tib cried out right as Celeste began to dive into his mind. The man was old and frail, and she would learn that he was there alone. He just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, and he really did have no real ties or loyalties to the main island. He was simply looking out for his own skin. He could have been recruited as a spy. However, all of that mental digging took a toll on his weak mind. The Ishi Tib began to foam at the mouth, his eyes rolling to the back of his head. He released the spear and his body went limp. Altair released him and if Celeste did the same, he slowly floated away.

Altair watched for a moment, his expression difficult to read. There was nothing else to chase down for this, so he began to swim back to shore. He called off his Imperials, their island once again secure. Altair was completely drenched as he walked into the hot sand, running his fingers through his hair.

He glanced back towards the ocean, taking his armorweave off to reveal his muscular chest. The sun was hot, and he knew he would warm up soon this way. Altair stared at the waves for a moment before he finally looked over at Celeste.

“You’re more trigger happy than I remember,” He observed quietly.

@LadyRen

 

[Celeste Stythani]

The man desperate cried out, apparently hoping that there was a way to change her mind but Celeste was obviously not down to negotiate or whatsoever. They had to hurry if they wanted to keep following the faint trail they had left behind, and they also couldn't afford any liabilities of some sort. Thus, she was not trying to be careful and rather dived right in to retrieve everything his frail mind offered, learning that he was indeed mostly useless and unfortunately not involved in any interesting doings. She let go of his body and it slowly drifted away with the current, leaving her and Altair alone again.

She left everything she had just done uncommented, having learnt everything they needed, and swam back to shore. She began wringing out her hair, being forced to remove the braid and let them dry first before she rubbed off the remains of the slug's slimey trace. She was absolutely drenched and would have to change back at camp, but she wasn't overly bothered by the wetness for now, even if it wasn't exactly pleasant.

She looked back up to him as he adressed her, not ashamed to let her gaze linger on his chest for a moment before she glanced back into his chill expressions that were rather difficult to read right now. "Might be true" it was absolutely true, "but I've learnt not to waste time anymore. Your dear friend and my master has indeed taught me well and helped me grow". While her tone was rather neutral, she held actual admiration for Vahliri in many regards. She had obviously never made it easy for her, yet she had learnt a lot and appreciated how she had made her stronger.

While she hadn't seen Vahliri and him interact that often, she recalled the picture she had seen on her ship. It had obviously been a representation of rather carefree, acolyte times, but she knew the two had been close back then. She was uninformed about the recent developments as Vahliri didn't usually share such information. Another question lingered in her mind and that was whether or not Altair was worried or rather accepting of those developments, but well, she wasn't the only one that had changed. "If I may say so, you, too, have changed though".

@Sreeya

 

[Altair Din]

It took Altair a moment to realize who she was referring to. Vahliri. His jaw tightened and the very point of his tail flicked back and forth to signal the distaste he felt. The last time he had run into Vahliri, the two physically fought and he told her to get out. He had little intention of seeing her again, and their friendship was shredded. Altair mentioned none of this aloud, keeping his gaze on the waves.

Altair sat down on the sand, letting the warm rays of the sun wash over his body. He thought over her words, considering the implications. Vahliri and Wodan both had strong opinions of how he changed, but it wasn’t as drastic from his perspective. Nevertheless, this was the first time someone brought it up calmly without screaming at him.

“Is that a bad thing?” He asked after a moment of silence, his gaze finally flicking towards her.

@LadyRen

 

[Celeste Stythani]

Celeste was busy shaking some damp sand from her legs, knowing damn well that the current of the soft waves had brought sand into places where sand clearly shouldn't be, but she'd have to rub that all off later on. Her gaze was focused on him, yet his reaction was everything but predictable all of a sudden. She raised an eyebrow, briefly opening her mouth and closing it immediately again, slowly shifting the weight from one foot to the other. What had happened?! She couldn't help but to wonder, the anger that radiated off him completely surprising for her. Yet she wasn't sure whether she dared to ask and thus didn't for now.

She too, directed her gaze at the ocean for a moment, pondering on his silence while she could sense he was calming down a little. Something must have happened between them and it had been recently, maybe Altair's change in demeanor had even been a reason for that as well as he had also managed to piss her off with it, too, but wouldn't he and Vahliri been able yo just talk about this like they were now? "No...not necessarily. Change can be a good thing, how else can be grow after all? Although I've got to admit that your sudden cold attitude was...unfamiliar and not a very pleasant experience". She stepped closer, letting out a sigh before she dropped down next to him. "You remember how you once told be it was okay and even necessary to just open up and let it all out?". Her turned her head, reciprocating the eye contact." You know you can always talk to me, right?", she then added, softer.

@Sreeya

 

[Altair Din]

Cold? Was he cold? The thought was curious and almost amusing. Weren’t most Sith like that? Altair said nothing for a moment as he scoffed a bit, “Talk to you about what? We’re on a mission here, are we not?” He asked, raising a brow, “Or did you expect me to throw you against the nearest surface and have my way?” Altair asked bluntly, glancing back at the ocean. It didn’t matter if she called it friendship or whatever nonsense label, that’s what it had been between them.

He plopped down on the sand to lie under the sun, staring up at a cloud while the heat bathed his charcoal skin. He was already getting dry, though now he would hand sand all over him. The diving operation would take a few more hours to become effective and they had time to kill.

“I’m trying to cut down on the bullshit in my life,” Altair said after a moment of silence.

@LadyRen

 

[Celeste Stythani]

While they sat on the golden, sandy beach a soft breeze lingered in the air, surrounding them with warm, humid air that just smelled like the ocean. While the scenery was breathtaking and the climate warm, it seemed like a new shiver was sent her way as he snapped back to his cold, now even mocking tone. Now she was the one scoffing. "Yes, we're on a mission" she confirmed flatly, gaze still on him, "I have no issues with just keeping it this way and cutting the actual conversations". Well, she had something against it as she found it rather annoying that he treated her like this all of a sudden, but she could accept it.

If he saw no need in opening up about what had caught this drastic changes, she'd just take it as given. But where was this new interpretation now coming from? "No, but I expected you to...I don't even know, be a bit more like the you you had been when we've last met. But it's okay. Like I said, change is what drives us forward". She watched him plop down and stare at the blue sky. It was obvious there had been plenty of things that had bothered him and now he had cut himself off from all that.

During the silence that followed she returned her gaze go ocean again, watching the waves for a while until he decided to break the silence once again, now actually confirming what had happened. "Fair" was her first reply...oh she knew all about that, but itvseemed like this conversation wasn't fully over. She had offered that she would listen and it was upon him to decide whether he'd use it, but some explanation was at least helpful. "I get it. No unnecessary talks, relationships and pleasantries" she looked back down at him, now a slight smirk tugging at her lips. "I might take that a little personal though" she playfully added, sarcasm dripping from her voice. He'd dive into a very dull life, but he surely knew about the consequences. She enjoyed the warmth of the sunrays on her skin for now, not saying another word. She would wait for him before heading back herself, also planning to grab the bird on their way back though. "Is everything going well with the Priamsta?". That was still something she was curious about.

@Sreeya

 

[Altair Din]

This wasn’t the first time someone had a reaction to his change in persona. He felt different, but he wasn’t sure how it manifested externally. The biggest change was that he was far more guarded with his emotions and feelings. He made no move to leave the beach just yet, and he wouldn’t stop her if she went.

“Will you?” He scoffed at her sarcastic tone, “Will you take it personally? Or are you saying that just to fill the air with words?” Altair asked as he finally sat up. He stared into her eyes. Was she so different from anyone else that told him what he wanted to hear to use him for their own purposes? Was she ever genuine a single day in her life? Unlikely - all Sith women were the same. It was a reality taught to them early on and he ignored it this entire time. Trelain was right. His mind had been filled with doubts.

Altair rose to stand, dusting the sand off himself, “Say what you really want to say directly instead of joking or bullshitting me, Celeste. It’s getting real old and I have no patience for it,” If she didn’t answer, he would turn and walk back towards the camp, slinging his uniform over his shoulder. He had lost patience for her since Eiattu, even before the fallout with Clove. There were entirely too many people in his life that failed to say things directly.

@LadyRen

 

[Celeste Stythani]

She began to wonder for how long they had been gone and how far the divers had already gotten. As Altair was in constant contact with the Imperials at the camp, it didn't seem like there had been any issues yet and well, if everything had gone smoothly they wouldn't have much work tonight. She wondered whether the atmosphere inside the camp would change or whether they'd just stayed clear of each other's way.

She closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the sun on her cheeks until he bursted into unnecessary sarcasm again. She exhaled sharply, slowly turning her head to face him once again, the anger now written in her face again and again she wondered what, or perhaps even who, had gotten into his head. The problem was that Celeste too, had changed so obviously that she was running out of patience much more easily and he had pushed her way too often. She respected him strongly, yet he kept making her so unbelievably angry.

"Altair what the actual fuck?!" she hissed loudly, having been aware of their surroundings so that she was sure there was no one nearby. She got up, her eyes dangerously glistening and her face already of more color than before. She took a few more steps in his direction, internally fuming. "What is your damn problem?! What have I ever done to you?!" her voice was getting louder and the atmosphere was thick with tension. "I can't even tease, I can't even joke, you can't even smile or just show any real emotions! I know you've been through so much pain, I don't even want to think about what you've been through during the last weeks, but how is this helpful now?! I'm not saying do this or do that, but why is everything you're saying to be an accusation, an unnecessarily sarcastic remarks or just generally something fired into my direction?!". She de facto wanted to throw something into his direction right now. "If you don't want to socialize, fine! Let's do our job and get it over with. I'm running out of patience, too. I've never done anything to give you reasons to act this way and I don't need your bullshit. If you just want to be left alone, say so!". After that little rage tirade, her breaths had grown heavier and she immediately felt the urge to destroy something again or simply let it out in general. While she had surely been open for a calm talk, it was absolutely over now. How was she the one to blame in this? She simply couldn't grasp it. "I started walking on eggshells because you suddenly seemed unpredictable, but trust me, there's no need for that anymore". She was still not insulting him or whatsoever, but she wondered whether they'd now just fuel each other's fires. She remembered how he had been on Raxus and so she knew he could abuse his power over her, potentially not liking how she was now actually honest and feisty as usual without holding back anymore. She wasn't afraid of his reaction, yet she stayed wary.

@Sreeya

 

[Altair Din]

Altair paused when she began her tirade. He was surprised, but it didn’t manifest entirely. He was still facing away from her as she shouted and expressed herself. However, even then she didn’t directly get to the point. Nevertheless, he slowly turned around to look at her.

“I haven’t treated you with disrespect this entire time,” Altair said calmly. If she rewinded the entire mission and the ride to the planet so far, the tiefling was serious and to the point, but he was never rude or disrespectful towards her. He technically treated her like any other Imperial would that was simply working with her on a mission, “Which means you are upset strictly because I’m not laughing or smiling or treating you differently.”

He started walking towards her, towering over her. His horns loomed high above his head and his eyes narrowed as he closed in on her, “So why are you really so worked up over something so simple?” Altair knew it would be another long winded answer that was all over the place and avoided the question, but he stood there anyway just to see what new nonsense she would spout.

@LadyRen

 

[Celeste Stythani]

As his reply came, he was back at icyly looking into her eyes again and this again just even made her angrier. She was surprised by his comparatively calm response, but if truth be told, this was just another thing that pissed her off. This almost stoically calm demeanor was absolutely frustrating because it didn't even seem like,e him or anything he'd ever been before.

She opened her mouth, but immediately shut it again, forcing herself to breathe and ponder on his words for a moment. Had he disrespected her? Well no, actually not. But he was treating her differently. Coldly. As if there had never been something else between them. She understood why he didn't show any of it in the camp, but once they were alone, she had at least yearned for the warmth, their usual fun and this lightheartedness.

"No, that's not it" she replied, still rather fiery but she took another breath. "It's rather that you're not who you used to be" she added, managing to stay a little calmer. "Your words were laced with scorn every now and then and without ever saying it out aloud, you were just treating me like a stranger. Yes, this is a mission, but you haven't said a word about just keeping it all professional". This was not referring to their passionate encounters from back then as she was not looking for this bodily contact, but there was much more to it.

She had no idea why he was getting closer now, but while he still seemed rather calm, so took one step back, glancing up with mixed feelings. He was at least not freaking out at her getting loud. There was still the anger and the frustration in her eyes, yet her gaze had slightly softened as she was still interested in well...fixing this somehow or at least bringing it into an acceptable state. "If that's who you are now, okay. There's still a part in me that wonders whether you're happy with focusing on work only. When was the last time you ever took some time off? Not long, but just a few days. Have you given yourself time to process all that has happened? Or like try to take your mind off things when it's possible?". Was it genuine worry? They had been rather close and now there was nothing and it was driving her crazy. Yes, she was also missing him, or the man he had been not long ago, but there were many thoughts crossing her mind. It was confusing, just as him now towering over her so provocatively. "How is this simple? I'd say it's pretty complicated given all the changes we've both went through".

@Sreeya

 

[Altair Din]

“And why are you so concerned whether I’m happy or not?” He asked her, quirking a brow and crossing his arms over his chest, “I am relaxing on this beach and I was relaxing in the woods,” Did she even realize that he was doing the very opposite of working this whole time? He let his Imperials handle everything, “You were the one that suggested going after natives. So are you frustrated about me or yourself?”

His face didn’t betray anything and she wouldn’t know if he was thinking of the past. He was normally far more expressive, but this time he had a poker face. Altair didn’t glare at her, but he didn’t smile either. His posture was relaxed, his tail lazily waving back and forth. He pondered on her comment about who he was now. Who was he now? He considered himself to be the same man, just not as easily cracked open. Being overly affectionate and tender had ultimately gotten him nowhere. It wasn’t a luxury he would bring out easily anymore.

@LadyRen

 

[Celeste Stythani]

She wasn't sure whether he was toying with her or her patience or simply oblivious to what she was saying, or even whether there was a point in continuing this conversation. "Why wouldn't I care, Altair? You're my friend and I obviously care about you. You've always been there for me, obviously I wanted to be there for you". Even if they hadn't been in contact as often as they used to, this hadn't change, or so she thought.

She thought back to what he said about cutting off the bullshit and therefore basically all the stuff that didn't serve you or bring you forward, and she remembered well how she had done the same. She too, had cut countless of people off because she had realized that they had done nothing but damage. Altair, in contrast to countless others had never requested her to change or even caused any drama or whatsoever and he had also been the first that had been there for her when she hadn't even known herself...obviously she was yearning for whatever had been between them as it has always been so easy.

Was it stupid to hold onto that though? After all, he had a point when he said that this was actually mission. There didn't need to be more to that. Also, it was obvious that he had just argued against what she pointed out by claiming he had been relaxing out here. She didn't buy it at all. While he had laid there and sunbathed for a while, it hadn't seem like he had actually taken his mind off everything. "Oh come on. Just because you're laying there doesn't mean you're internally relaxing. It still doesn't mean you're allowing yourself to take a little break" she sighed, shaking her head a little. "Maybe my intuition is wrong, but it seems like you're still busy processing everything. This deadpan, frosty version of you seems like a coping mechanism to me and like you're still trying to understand what had happened and how it might have affected you". He still didn't seem angry or whatsoever and she had regained composure, but somehow this tension still wasn't fading. "I just hope you won't lose yourself in all this" the last thing she said to him was much softer, her gaze still lingering on those purple eyes that had changed as well. She had given him nothing but her honest opinion, but if he was seeing all this differently, she wasn't going to change that. They'd walk back and probably do their work, apparently leaving this talk behind and focusing on the mission.

@Sreeya

 

[Altair Din]

Altair remained calm as she continued to get frustrated. He had been impacted by frustrations before, but this time he was largely silent and observing. There was a surprising amount of clarity when emotions did not cloud judgment, and he began to wonder if this was why Raze and others like him were always able to operate so efficiently.

“I’m more at peace than I have been in years,” He said very quietly as he looked at her. The past few years had been nothing but turmoil. He always wondered how things would go, always worried what others thought, always felt misled or tugged along by his feelings. Altair always let others govern how he felt, and this was perhaps the first time when that wasn’t happening. The Clove chapter was closed for good, and he wasn't battling frustrations within himself.

“You don’t have to worry about me,” Altair said calmly, his tone genuine, “Not all of me is gone. I’m just…selective about how or when it comes out.”

He didn’t elaborate beyond that as he started walking back. By now, the divers had returned and the toxins were being distributed. They would cut back through the forest because Altair was determined to bring that bird back. If they made it back to camp, Altair worked on setting up a fire. An Imperial walked over to give a report, eyeing the bird curiously.

“This is courtesy of Champion Stythani,” Altair said with a grin as he looked over at Celeste, “Thanks to her, we’re having a nice big roast for dinner,” He said as he prepared to cook. Mission or not, Altair would never let the opportunity to cook a grand meal slide. The tiefling walked over and opened his personal bag, retrieving a wide variety of spices and herbs. All the Imperials stood around curiously, not used to a commanding officer cooking for them.

@LadyRen