Hoth: Blood and Ice

It was hard to sleep while his mind was racing over the day's events. It still was playing in his head. The angle of the impact. Maybe he could have stalled it another few seconds to give the ship impact. Maybe the way he landed her could have been better. Less damage to the frame. At least it was salvagable, unlike the last time. Hacha could fix her up in a day or two, once we managed to bring her in. When that day would be was anyone's guess. So all he could do was stand here in the cold hangar bay, looking at ships.

The thought of "borrowing" one to help retrieve the Turtle did cross his mind, but it was risky right now with the weather. Just getting out of it and into this cold place was tough as is. Not worth the potential hazards of a already tense situation between the two factions, even if he wasn't part of either technically. Couldn't even drink caf to stay warm at this point, really, or anything else he'd want to do to stay warm. Just had to stick in his armor for now and keep his mind off things.

At least it made him think of home.

"Hey," came the voice of a woman who was, in their past, somewhat familiar. Seems the two managed to find one another through some connection in the force in the times of greatest strife. One of Riss' hands was busy digging inside of her heavy, and expensive looking, winter wear. Maybe it was that all Chiss looked like they always needed a break always, or maybe there was actually a difference among them that you could tell if you weren't speciest and took the time to actually look. Without bothering for a smile she just glances off toward a less traveled portion of the base's hanger, a dangerous prospect considering the lack of potential safety measures they have available but...

"I really need a break from everything. You wanna come with?" she asks, a brow raised.

He looked over at her and gave a slight smile. "I thought I saw your ship on the Valorian." He stood there and looked at Riss with a nod and followed her, not really answering but tagging along in affirmation to her question. Riss was, after all, one of the few humans who understood him, despite her...overly emotional states. Didn't even need the Force to do it, either, like Layne. Lana was another one, but they were of like-minded on many thing.

"I was wondering if you'd survive the day's events. I noticed your ship was not here and I assumed the worst of you; glad that assumption has been proven wrong."

Riss wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 14, 2022 1:46 am

-snip-

Her communicator would ping at her, a message from Omandri

Hey just checking in that you're alright, didn't look too happy when you left.

Nudimsu wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 14, 2022 1:55 am

"I was wondering if you'd survive the day's events. I noticed your ship was not here and I assumed the worst of you; glad that assumption has been proven wrong."

"I'm not that easy to get rid of," she said with a cool smile, and a glance elsewhere. This was all way above her head in a way that she wasn't quite actually prepared for. Can't talk your way out of a blizzard, anyway. Still, cool heads and all. Riss' distraction lasted a minute, a long enough minute that she heard her communicator at her side give off the tell-tale message incoming noise.

With a look to Nudimsu she nodded her head onward and started walking, expecting him to follow. As they walked she'd type out the quickest reply possible,

I'm fine.

, and continue on her way. They'd arrive to a little passage just off the hanger that appeared to be mostly caved in or at least iced over. Ducking under a bit of rubble she squeezed into the tight space and disappeared on the other side. Popping her head back through she finds Nudimsu and offers a quick smile, "Mind the sides, but it's a neat spot in here," she says, and disappears into her little hideaway.

Riss wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 14, 2022 5:33 pm

"I'm not that easy to get rid of," she said with a cool smile, and a glance elsewhere.

"Stubborness has its benefit." He followed her along the icy path. Reminded him of his childhood, sneaking away in the caves; it was quite the 10 years of his life. With the armor, it took him a bit longer to get thru the gap than it would with his other one, but he still could manage the tight space. "Rather cozy, this spot. Hopefully no wampas have made their home in here. Lana had mentioned those creatures before; brutual hunters, they are."

Riss wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 14, 2022 5:33 pm

With a look to Nudimsu she nodded her head onward and started walking, expecting him to follow. As they walked she'd type out the quickest reply possible,

I'm fine.

Here if you need anything.

"From what I hear Wampa's are big as Nerf and as ungraceful as a Thranta is, so-.. they probably ain't gonna be in here," she chuckles, directing him over to a few solid blocks of dust covered rocks or ice that seemed to make a comfortable enough private space for the two of them. Setting up on once of them Riss opens her jacket to pull out a bottle of some unlabeled reserve as well as a small sealed canister coupled with a leather pouch of some type.

"I lost most of it when the Rimma went down but I grabbed one knowing I'd need the stress-be-gone more than almost anything after today. So.. what d'ya say, got some time to sit and drink with me?"

"Yes, suppose the size would be a good preventer of such a creature." He nodded and placed his helmet down on a nearby rock, followed by his own person nearby. "Not as nice as the bar in Alderaan, but at least it is quiet." Nudimsu looked at her and the bottle as he sat down. It was not much, and likely it was not one he was going to enjoy the flavor of. However, he kept that opinion to himself. "I would feel guilty for using your only supply, but a good friend does not let the other drink alone."

He stared at the pouch for a few moments and back to her. "I assume it is not your ship in the snow that is your only concern this evening."

"I am the Countess of an Alderaanian Noble Family, it's never the only thing on my mind," she deflects with a casual smile. Holding up the small sealed canister and leather pouch as if it were to ask a question.

"Do you partake?"

"A fair point, Countess Lanar. The burdens of leadership would weigh down any shoulder. It should, then, be a bright spot of a poor situation how we've come to secure a temporary break in your life, thanks in no small part of the White Maw. A small period of time, where, instead of Countess Lanar, you can be just Riss once more. Because, in a sense, what good does your title will do the situation we've found ourselves in? The concerns that your title brings are left on Alderaan for safe keeping, while we are given a fresh, brand new set of concerns, such as "How to survive the after effects of the trap we've sprung". No doubt they will block communications for rescue for as long as they can, so Alderaan might as well have ceased to exist for the time being."

Nudimsu spoke to her, keeping his eyes on her as he spoke before reaching into his bag and pulling out some fire paste he had brought. "Air flow seems well enough in this place. Would you like for me to start a fire while we are in here? We...probably won't suffocate."

He shakes his head. "No, but do not let me stop you. Alcohol is one thing, but the drugs were another. Would you believe me if I told you that I only just recently tried caf for the first time. Before, I looked down upon its consumption, viewed it as a sign of weakness of humans to consume it to face against exhaustion. Now it goes with my meal every morning. I dare not think what else could happen to me if I try another one."

Through the whole of his lengthy speech on the exact definitions of their struggle, Riss mostly just kept to minding her own things. Preparing that leather case against the surface nearest her hip, laying out this time a small travel pipe. Sealed container set beside it she gave a nod toward Nudimsu about the fire, a biref smile, "Yea, that would help," and continued while he spoke further.

Prepared for herself as she was, all but left to do being unsealing and packing she looks to Nudimsu with that question hanging on her lip but waiting just a moment instead, "You might find out you like it?" she chuckles, shaking her head. "No sweat though. You mind if I partake?"

Riss wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 15, 2022 12:51 am

"You might find out you like it?" she chuckles, shaking her head. "No sweat though. You mind if I partake?"

"Precisely!" He lit the small fire starter and the inside of this nook slowly began to warm up. "It stands the risk to add something more to my routine. You humans already snuck your way into my head with those deviously delicious roasted beans. Who knows what else could happen if I add more things? Wake up every morning wishing for a caf and a smoke; that would ruin my schedule while I'm working. Plus, I am...unsure how...Lana...would feel about me doing that."

He shrugs and looks her over and clears his throat. "But by all means, you enjoy it yourself."

Riss' eyes widened a little, smile grew, and she leaned in with that teasy nature to her that suggested she was about to poke at something. Then she leaned back. Resting up she packs herself a little pipe and whips out a small lighter of sorts. Pipe to mouth, lighter under the bowl of the pipe, Riss takes a hit and leans her head back a moment after. Eyes closed as she looks up to the ceiling and tries her best to just sorta chase that feeling of changing as it hits her lungs working through her.

A quiet and comfortable minute of silence before she leans back with a smile, looking over to Nudimsu with that same teasy smile, "So, someone warmed that icy cold heart of yours mmm? Ya know, I wouldn't have thought it possible by my read but-" she chuckles gleefully, shrugging. "Guess I can be wrong."

"Well.. she just made me realize that I can allow myself a life out here, despite my exile. That I can still be serious as I have always been, but I don't have to be on guard around others all the time." He said while grabbing the flask of hers, staring her for a long moment as she exhales. "I have since endeavored to learn more about using sarcasm. For many humans, it is like a secondary language within Basic. I have gotten better at it; Garth even complimented me about it."

He takes a swig and coughs a little. It was, indeed, not a flavor he would have picked. "But, I will say that she did not warm my heart alone. You had your small part to play in it too. Though, I must ask that you keep this information to yourself. Sith relationships are...complicated. In that I could be seen as a potential weakness to exploit if it got out."

"Awww," she brings a hand up to her heart, "I'm touched that you would say that. Always love hearing how much of an effect I have on people," she smiles brightly, leaning in a little with a little back and forth shake of her head. Raising hands no longer needed to stabilize herself on her seat she stretches them out to either side and then raises them high into a big stretch. Groaning a little with the release of the tension in her back with a satisfying *pop* to her voice.

Settling into space again she lifts each leg, crossing one over the other to sit in a pretzel like style as she regards Nudimsu in their conversation, "I'm not going to go gossiping about you if it's the real deal like that Nudimsu," she assures him with a brief smile. Much as that was a promise she's not kept for others before, she'd probably keep this one. "You know, I like that look on you. Makes you seem all.." she gives a vague wave of her hand at him, "well, not like some droid, eh?" Riss chuckles warmly.

There was a deep sigh and a long stare as she adjusted herself to her positing. She was attractive as she moved, but fleeting bouts of hormones did little to move him. "Sorry to say that I feel very differently about you than I do Lana. So if you had your heart set on me, I am sorry, but I must let you down gently." Nudimsu said it with a straight face for a few moments and nodded. "See, I am getting better with sarcasm."

She could be trusted, at least. Assuming drugs or alcohol would not make her lips looser. He continued to stare at her face for a few moments, looking at it with great interest. "The drugs...they caused your signatures to change. Your heat fluctuates in an entirely different pattern. How interesting."

"It's called relaxing, you should try it sometime," she teased, a little shake of her nose added onto it for good measure. "I'll be sure to teach you all about it when you and I get married and I take Lana as my bridesmaid hmm? We're a match in a million don't you think?" she asks, but can't keep herself from chuckling.

"I'm kidding, kidding, I do enjoy you though Nudimsu, you're much different than most and I find that interesting," she says atop a platter of softer giggles.

"I will relax properly when we are off this ice rock safely. Until then, this will likely be the only drink I take while I am here." He takes another hit of it. "And this is shit, I'm sorry. This tastes more like it came from a kolto tank." He took another swig.

"OH, Yes. Us married. I can imagine how that would go. End up in a blaster fight by the end of the first month." He smiles a little. "But, instead of my bride, I am content to call you friend. I...do not have many of those I would consider that. I should hope that will motivate you to survive this ordeal." He nods at her. "Think of me and how inconvenient it will be for me to find another Riss as your primary motivation to live."

"Believe it or not, I don't need any more motivation other than the fact that this iceball is not gonna be what kills me," she says, chuckling warmly. Nodding a little, "Unless.. maybe if I wound up in the galaxies largest whiskey. Now, if that were the end of me I'd be willing to accept it-- unfortunately," she sighs with a huff. "I have responsibilities back home."

Taking the break, another hit she watches Nudimsu while she does so, "Anyway, I'm glad to call you friend too by the way you could bastard," she says with a smirk.

He smiles a little. A little too much actually. Being a little too honest too. It wasn't the liquor, that was for sure. It was a little strong, but it was something else. The only other thing it could be would be the drugs, but she was inhaling them inside of her. That means she consumed inside of her and blew out the smoke, so nothing was in the smoke, right?. So must be the liquor. Makes perfect sense. She was really glowing with her heat, though. It radiated all around her. It was rather neat. Lana didn't radiate like that. Well, she did in a sense, but this was bright. Riss was a glowing friend. That made no sense.

"What a death that would be. Giant bottle of booze. Oh Yeah. What, I'm a could bastard? I know my father, thank you! Granted, I'm rejected from them my family and my home...w-would...oh no...I could be a could bastard...cold. You meant cold." He slumps down a little and then looks back at her. "We should find more people to that giant bottle. What is in this bottle? Not...the giant one, The one you gave me to drink. I just feel really...calm right now. Ugh, your responsibilities...opposite of calm. Has Alderaan stopped being on fire, yet? I...just need to shut up." Nudimsu then slumps down and relaxes in this cave. "Feels so nice in here."

Riss watches him for a little while longer than he actually speaks, amused by it all very much. With a smirk, worn from knowing better, "You seem rather drunk Nudi- didn't know you've become such a lightweight," she chuckles, looking him over like there might be an answer to a question there.

"That- or maybe it's just that this place isn't well ventilated, mm?" she says a moment before taking another hit from the pipe. "Anyway, enough of that, tell me more about Lana- what's she like, what do you like about her, spill."

Nudimsu nodded. "She's..." He swayed a little. "I'm not drunk. Something. Ya, ventilated. Must be it. " He smiles a little. "Well, for one, she's very nice to look at. The heat on her face. She's like me in that regard. Her emotions are there. Wonderful to just watch it go as she tries to hide it. She...she can see me too." He stared at amazement as he placed his fingers on face. "She speaks Cheunh now. No better than any other human, really. She gets more of the words wrong in her tone. It's not bad for 5 years, but now, I don't ever...want to correct her. It means a lot that she tries, y'know? I correct everybody when they speak it! Cause...you would not even believe the things people tell me in Cheunh! Cause you humans hear this noise from us, and you try to copy it, but it's not the same noise and it means something else. Horrible. Awful."

He nods. "She's the same way...but I get it. So strange, like...the Force just lets me understand the intention behind her Cheunh. Except not. I don't think the Force works that way." He motions with his hands widely. "I don't have any Force powers, though. Maybe she does it with hers? Who knows. And, her outward emotions, oh yes. Wonderful. Never have to talk about our feelings cause we both can just know it. None of that ever needs to be said. None of your human misunderstandings and drama...no, just us." He nods his head firmly and gave a long pause.

"Oh...and the sex is good. Yes."