airell_windlas

airell_windlas @ 2005-10-05T14:59:00

2005-10-05T19:51:21Z

Things have gotten very interesting lately, to say the least.

A couple weeks ago I broke down and confessed my feelings to Ka'va. Overall, she's been quite receptive. There was a sort of uncertainty in the beginning... she's never really been in this sort of relationship before. Now that the initial akwardness is behind us, though, things are great. It's like we've been doing this for years... which we have, essentially, we just never really talked about it. Really, things are a lot like they have been, but now we can be a lot more open with each other. Well, there are other benefits, as I discovered the other evening when we went swimming on Naboo. Suffice to say, Ka'va has gotten very comfortable with us being together, and that makes it all better for both of us.

Meanwhile, things are going well for the house. Several new members have joined, and everyone seems to be spending more time in the city. I flew a mission near Endor with Asiche a couple days ago, and it reminded me how much I miss flying. There's something very liberating about being up there with nothing but the sky in all directions. I'm really rusty, but that's something I intend to remedy.

Unfortunately, things have been getting a little rough around town. The war is drifting uncomfortably close to Da'Vinci, much to my annoyance. I personally have no great interest in this conflict. The rebs are good for business right now, since they tend to be more supportive of the underworld element if only to undermine the empire, and they rely on smugglers to stay supplied. That said, if they did shift the balance and bring back their little republic, I've no reason to think they'd have any more patience for folks like me than the imperials do. Ultimately it's just more of the same with a different name. Excuse my cynicism, but I've spent too much time around politicians to think otherwise. Anyway, they can take their little war elsewhere. I don't know what either side wants with the outer rim anyway. The Hutts keep things in order here, and probably do a better job of it than either side could from some palace on Coruscant. Anywaym it's been an eye-opener. On Coruscant, the rebs didn't dare operate in the open. You had the occasional bombing, that sort of thing, but this shooting in the streets... I didn't come out here to live in a war zone, especially in a war that I've got no stake in.

Me and Ka'va

2005-06-29T17:12:09Z

I woke up this morning to a hand on my shoulder, the sweet sound of Ka'va's voice, and the smell of home cooking. As I came to my senses, the first thing that became apparrent was that I was in Ka'va's bedroom, and, more specifically, Ka'va's bed. It took me a few moments to recall what had happened.

Last night, after all the adventures with Pampi, I walked Ka'va back to her house. We stayed up and talked for a little while, but she was tired, so she slipped off and changed into her nightgown. I went back to her room to say goodnight, figuring I'd sit by her until she fell asleep, as I often do. It caught me off guard when she asked me to hold her.

My mind was kind of racing at this point. I wasn't sure exactly what she had in mind. I had to make sure I had even understood what she was asking. She explained that she was cold. My little Ka'va. Always the pragmatist.

Laying there with her, holding her with her head against my chest... it just felt right somehow. I kissed her forehead and told her that I loved her. I don't think she heard me, which is just as well. I'm not sure how she'd react to it. The words just kind of came out. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what I meant. I mean, I've always loved Ka'va in some sense. When we were younger she was like a little sister to me, and I loved her like family... well, more than my family, actually. But it was always that sort of affection. When I came back to Coruscant a few years back, though, things felt a little different. She was clearly not a little girl anymore. I dunno, I guess she hadn't been for a while, but being away makes you notice things. She grew up. For the first time, I found myself attracted to her. In the last few years travelling together she's been my best friend. I don't know what I'd do without her, and I'd do anything for her. But no, it's more than that. When I said I loved her, I don't think I meant it as a sister or as a best friend.

I had intended to slip off back to my place once she fell asleep, but with so much on my mind and the comfort of her beside me, I guess I drifted off.

So that brings me to this morning. She woke me up, and I was initially apologetic about accidentally spending the night over there, but she didn't seem upset at all. I mean, we've slept beside one another before, but it was always more the kind of thing where we stayed up talking and staring at the stars or the ceiling until we both fell asleep. I can remember one such occasion when we were younger after a long night of chatting when I awoke in the middle of the night and found that she had curled up with me and put her head against my chest, but I thought nothing of it and still don't. She was still the little sister back then. This time was different.

She didn't say much, but she smiled... maybe it was just me, but she almost seemed to glow. She seemed happier than I'd seen her in a while. Or maybe I'm just projecting.

Kidnapped

2005-06-29T05:51:07Z

My evening with Ka'va was interrupted by a bit of a commotion outside of the Bocatt. We rushed out and found the area empty, save for a datapad with something about Pampi and Wayfar. Ka'va was concerned and, admittedly, I was too, so we took a little ride to the Wayfar cantina.

I saw a Bothan named Gri'moss, who had been loitering around Da'Vinci, drinking in the Cantina. I knew he was up to soemthing, and with a little convincing, he started talking. Seems he's been sent by Pampi's old owner to kidnap her, but had lost her when they were ambushed by Tuskens. Damned common thug. I thought about doing the galaxy a favor and blasting him right there, but thought better of it since he still could be useful for helping find Pampi. When Ka'va mentioned Asiche, his whole demeanor changed. Seems he used to work for Asiche's father and had a great deal of respect for him. He expressed his regrets and offered to help us save her, telling us that we could kill him if we were too late to save her. As if I needed his permission.

Anyway, Alebe set us up with a SoroSuub V-35 and I made for Fort Tusken with Ka'va, Moss, and Daofi for an impromptu search party. We had a pretty easy time getting in, thanks in large part to some nice shooting on the part of Daofi. Unfortunately, the only sign we found of Pampi was a discarded lekku wrap and a hastily written note saying she'd left with no further details.

We split to search for her. I followed Moss on a trail into the mountains, where he picked up her tracks. We found her bracelet, and, after a while, Pampi herself near some old shrine that I suppose Asiche brought her to at some point. Luckily, she was more or less okay, and Daofi was able to make some quick calls and get her into a medical facility.

She seems to be recovering well. She was more merciful to Moss than he probably deserved, accepting his repentance and welcoming him into Da'Vinci. His fate ultimately lies in Asiche's hands now. In all fairness, he was very helpful in finding Pampi and he has yet to try anything. I'll be keeping a close eye on him nonetheless.

Back among the living...

2005-06-29T05:36:05Z

Well, I've returned from my little excursion.

It seems that someone from whom I liberated a painting a few years back took it kind of personally. He's been watching the black market ever since waiting for it to turn up so he can trace the seller. Of course, I didn't take it to sell it. See, this is exactly why I took it in the first place. The man has no appreciation for art. He kept the thing displayed in his living room just so he could brag about how much it cost when he had his business associates over for parties. The entire matter was purely financial to him. A painting like that should be in the hands of someone who can appreciate it. That's how it found its way into my personal collection. But I digress.

Long story short, it seems he was making progress on finding me. I didn't particularly feel like leading him to Da'Vinci, Fion, and Ka'va, so I went to Coruscant to see how many friends I still had back home. With a little maneuvering I was able to create a little diversion that should get him off my tail for good.

I got back to Tatooine just in time for a little get-together with some friends in the Bocatt. I've really missed everyone, especially Ka'va. It's weird not having her around. Good thing the restaraunts are good on Coruscant, or I would have starved. I went back to her place afterwards, and we were having a nice time until some Zab barged in looking for her. Ka'va's a great girl, but she's a magnet for those sort of undesirables. I'm not sure why she humors them. Anyway, I think I scared him off. At least he didn't ask to show her the black holes of Kessel...

Business Trip

2005-06-10T05:30:06Z

Looks like I'll be vanishing again for a little while.

I got a tip that a hunter is on my trail, and I'll be damned if I'm going to lead him to Da'Vinci. I'm going to call on a few old associations on Coruscant and get this resolved so I can get back to my life.

Hopefully Ka'va will be okay on her own for a little while. She's been hanging out with a few clients and I'm a little suspicious of their motives. She can be a little oblivious about people trying to get in her pants. I should know. For someone so grounded, she can be a little naive. I'll miss having her with me, but I've got to keep her out of this. I almost feel bad... she deserves a better life than I can give her. Yet she seems really happy. She gets this sparkle in her eyes when she talks about her house. Imagine being that excited about a sandy little hut in the middle of the desert.

I sat with her tonight until she fell asleep, like I used to sometimes on the ship. I think the nightgown she was wearing was new. As usual, she filled it out in all the right places. I really hope this little excursion doesn't take too long...