Past, Present, Future

[Iradtoki]

Rai worked quietly as she packed up the stuff for herself, Lenny and Skabby, it would be a few days till she returned and even then she was nervous. Lenny needed her, Markus needed her, Carmine needed her support as well. Though Lenny needed her more in some senses. She sighed as she looked to the sleeping boy who had in mere days, completely changed her world. He had woken Ira from the depths, drew a mothers instinct from her and made her question herself. Smiling she wandered over to the sleeping boy tucking him back in a bit more kissing his forehead. He was still a bit unsure of Carmine, but he was warming up to him.

Dawn came early as they boarded the shuttle to Ord Mantell, it was a fast trip, an hour at best as she smiled to Lenny as he curled into her fearful of all the new faces, her arm wrapping tight around him with the reassurance that if anyone tried to mess with him, she would rip them apart. Skabby, much to Lennys disappointment had to be stowed in a different cabin in a travel crate. She worked to distract Lenny as they took their seats with a new video game she had gotten him specifically for this trip to keep him amused and preoccupied as they took off. Expectedly, this worked well, though he stayed very close through the trip. Watching keenly as Ord Mantell came into view.

Slowly they landed and she smiled to Carmine as they collected Skabby, slipping on the special collar and leash as required by Ord Mantells laws for domesticated Kath Hounds. Letting Carmine guide them to his apartment. Eager to see what sights they would see and what the hospitals here might look like in comparison to Viscara.

[Tally]

Immediately Rai had recieved a text from Markus informing her he would meet them a bit later, he was docking elsewhere to try not to draw attention.

For his part Carmine seemed, nervous in offering his hospitality, sometimes explaining that his apartment was small and sparce but he’d try and make it more comfortable.

Meanwhile the streets of Worlpol was busy as always, people going to and fro some towards workhousing, some towards bars, casinos, and all manner of diversion, though there were just as many on the way to the apartment complex as well.
“Luckily the apartment is near Morro Spaceport, I worked there so its an easy commute. It’s one of the busiest ports here on Ord Mantell, Hell the city was mostly built around it!”

Carmine said with no small degree of pride, which seemed to at least some minor interest from Lenny as he glanced back to the spaceport they just came from, though he wouldn’t have been able to see it from this distance.
Meanwhile, the group passed by some recreational areas, a public pool and a scoop-ball court that was currently in use by various families of all different species and walks of life.

Once they’d arrived inside his apartment, numbered 2034, they were greeted with a mostly clean and uncluttered, but relatively small apartment building.

There was a chair, modest in its make and material, some exercise equipment, a couch and a holovid screen in the living room. Nearby was a kitchenette and dining table and off to the side of that was a hallway that presumably led into some rooms.

“You guys need any help getting settled in?”

Carmine asked, moving to start taking and putting away luggage.

[Iradtoki]

Rai smiled as she looked around, it was modest yet cozy, not a horrible design as she led Lenny in. Allowing Carmine to show her where they would stay she set Lennys bag on the bed and let Skabby in. I think at the moment its fairly simple. Its a nice place really! Smiles down to Lenny gently encouraging him to explore the place and take Skabby with him as she stretches looking around. It seemed nice enough in her opinion

I should note my…uh…roommate will likely show up here at some point Avoiding Markus’s name for the moment He will be cautious not a problem, he is just concerned for us. I really look forward to seeing what this planet has to offer!

[Tally]

Carmine seemed a bit put-off by the idea, presumably knowing who Rai’s friend is, but he didn’t seem to raise any objections instead simply nodding along before going to look through his cabinets.

Meanwhile, Lenny seemed eager enough to explore, comfortable enough, albeit more so with Skabby at his side, the two of them popping in and out of rooms likely to quickly to even take a real look at the interior.

“Don’t go in the room at the end of the hall, please, Lenny.”

He called out to the boy, before looking at Rai, with a bit of a flushed face.
“Haven’t had time to, child-proof, the bedroom.”
He admittedly softly, all the while continuing to look through his kitchen for something and mostly only finding small, wrapped, ration bars.

"…Uh, would you mind going out for dinner tonight? or going with me for grocery shopping? You could invite your friend along and he can meet up with us there if he’d prefer. "
He asked, somewhat bashfully as he was tried desperately to put away the ration bars that were now spilling out of cabinets.
"And while we’re out and about we can take a look at that whole “what this planet has to offer deal”
He added quickly, with a nervous smile.

[Iradtoki]

Rai offers an understanding smile and chuckle Dinner first, then shopping for sure. Since rations wont fill Lenny and he will need better nutrition then those give. You probably do too. she pats his shoulder reassuringly and moves to get Lenny changed into some nicer clothes before changing herself into a nice gown, sending a message to Markus with her co-ordinates and tracking setup so he can find them

coming out she actually looks rather beautiful when she actually makes the effort to look nice. She smiles calling Lenny and leaving Skabby a prepacked bowl of food down and when Carmine is ready, she allows him to guide them out, eager to see what he has to show them

[Tally]

“Yeah well, luckily with the stipend we’ll be able to get some good food for this house. I think we’ve been a bit spoiled by your cooking.”

He says with a light teasing smirk.

Ria’s message to Markus gets a polite reply of “Sounds good” from the smuggler after a few short seconds. Meanwhile, Lenny watched as Carmine threw a small rawhide treat for Skabby, though there was admittedly very little space to play fetch in the apartment.
Once Rai came out from the dressing room in her gown however, Carmine could focus on precious little else, blushing up a storm as he watched the twilek walkout, all trussed up in a lovely gown.
The dockworker swallowed hard before giving a nervous smile and a shy “you look good” before leading Rai and Lenny out of the apartment.
The three packed into Carmine’s speeder, an older economy model, but still serviceable, and headed downtown, pulling past the various office buildings, shops, and malls before pulling into what looked like a little restaurant out behind one of the malls.
Upon entering the group was greeted by a curt wave from both the aqualish that seemed to be behind the kitchen and the young human that seemed to be handing out plates.

“Well hey there Carmine, haven’t stuck your beak in here for a while.”

[Iradtoki]

Looks around as they enter, her left arm kept close to her body as she smiles to the aqualish as she finds a seat for herself and Lenny so Carmine could talk, her eyes gaze over the small restaurant and she focuses a moment on getting Lenny seated

This should be alright? yes? calling over her shoulder to Carmine as she slips into the booth, her features calm and passive as she looks around, mentally minding everyone in the building as she waits, both for Markus to arrive, and for Carmine to come sit

[Iradtoki]

Months had passed since she had come here with Lenny, the boy very happy with his Uncle and he was attending school, he was settled in and doing well. She couldn’t be happier for them and his bond with Carmine had grown well. Though again tonight her eyes drifted to the stars, it had been over a week without word from Markus, not even a message. She was starting to worry and knew she would have to return soon, looking back to her son she offered him a smile as she tucked him into bed

Sweetheart, I need to go check on uncle Markus. Though I need you to stay here with your uncle Carmine and continue your schooling for me and take care of Skabby for me okay? I need you to remember I am so very proud of you and the young man you are becoming. leans down kissing his forehead as she tucks him in, the long day having tired him out though he was clearly very happy. It had taken months to get Carmine an upgraded apartment and she had secured more then enough funds to ensure he would be comfortable if anything happened to her, now she had to go tell him as she left Skabby on the bed with her son and slipped downstairs

Hey Carmine…it seems that now that things are finally settled here, I need to go check on Markus. He hasn’t contacted me in a while, not even a message. I need to go check on him…her tone soft with the note of concern he had heard many times before while talking with her on things that bothered her Lenny will of course stay here, its not safe for him out there.

[Tally]

“Not too dangerous for you, though?”

Carmine asked, a coffee in his hand as he looked looked at the woman with his own measure of concern, often reserved for when subjects she’d found uncomfortable came up that clearly hurt her.

“I understand that there’s a lot you left behind back there, and I won’t make you stay here if you feel you need to go but.”

He swirled the coffee in his cup as he carefully considered his words, finally taking a long sip
“Just…remember Lenny and me are back here waiting for you to come home, savvy? We’re doing alright for ourselves but…money can’t replace family, not for Lenny and not for me either.”

[Iradtoki]

Ira nods softly with a sigh, knowing the look well by this point

I know, but Markus is family too, and I cannot and will not abandon him…he’s been there for me when no one else was…I cannot leave him like that.

I know money don’t replace family Carmine…its why we cannot abandon him, Lenny knows him as Uncle Markus…and that’s something of value. I will head out in the morning…after Lenny goes to school, though I will explain it to him as well…

she takes a slow breath, clear hesitation to go back to Viscara, yet a part of her knows she needs to, she needs to check Markus, and see some others

[Iradtoki]

When morning came, Rai was true to her word, explaining to Lenny that she had to go check on Uncle Markus and some medical stuff back on Viscara, though she hoped to return really soon, and needed him to be a very good boy while she was gone and take care of Skabby. That she loved him very, very much and was truly proud of him before dropping him off at school with a decent bit of pocket change for the day to buy treats in class. Taking a breath she dropped Carmine his lunch with a smile patting his shoulder and nods as she heads off to the docks and boards the nearest ship, heading back to Viscara, hoping and praying Markus is okay.

[Iradtoki]

Days had passed since her arrival on Viscara, a great weight on her shoulders as she looked up at the night sky. She missed her son, Carmine, and the life she had, though she couldn’t risk leading Morel back to them, he would no doubt use it against her. Another breath escaped her, a prayer that something, anything would come and give her inspiration, to remove the fear, the self doubt and the hopelessness from her.

She held no doubt that her friends would fight to protect her. That they would face Morel time and again. Though how long would it be before there was a much steeper price tag for that battle? Before someone died for her? Before it killed her too? It was a price she wasn’t willing to pay. This was her own fault, and many parts of her simply wanted to just go find Morel and get it over…

Only one thing truly stopped this notion, Lenny and her family. She couldn’t just abandon him and Carmine. She promised she would do everything to get back to them, and now she was stuck in a seemingly hopeless situation.

Again she prayed, not for herself, but for her family, for those that she cared for…that something, anything would give her a glimmer of hope in this eternal darkness. She was officially desperate and could only hope that something…anything other then the Sith actually answered her.