A Kindred Spirit (D2 ME - Expecting)

[Ru'ni Wayne]

The whole area surrounding the Enclave was the obvious depiction of a warzone. Ru'ni had spent the last few hours trying to help wherever he could, aiding the survivors and injured. What he was undertaking now, was to help on a more personal level.

He was putting together a few things, when one of the Aznuri children knocked on the door frame. "Brother Ru'ni, there is someone here to see you."

Ru'ni called over his shoulder. "I don't have time for...."

"But, we saw her helping in the fight." The little boy replied.

"Well in that case, I have time to spare her in abundance. Send her in."

[Mianerra Tavvos]

"We meet again," Mia said, lowering her coat collar and scarf to reveal more of her face. She was certainly distinguishable regardless but she hoped it at least made her harder to recognize on a passive level. "Mia, in case you don't remember."

She offered her hand as they had not done so properly before.

"Oh, well, I don't know if that's an Aznuri thing." She shook her head. "Nevermind, not important. You're a guide, aren't you?"

[Ru'ni Wayne]

Mia was right, Ru'ni didn't recognize her at first, but when she lowered her collar and shared her face, he put two and two together. "Ah yes, from the desert getaway, now I remember."

He accepts her hand and clasps it within both of his, pressing his forehead to their joined hands. "On behalf of my people I would thank you for your efforts earlier today. Those who survived have many outsiders to thank for their mercy."

"Nevermind, not important. You're a guide, aren't you?"

"Yes, I know my way around several of the continents of Bankor, why do you ask? Planning a trip?" The irony is apparent as it is obvious that he is packing supplies for such a trip himself.

[Mianerra Tavvos]

"Aw shucks, no need to thank me. T'was the right thing to do, is all," Mia replied with a warm smile. She wondered if she was supposed to put her forehead to the hands too but then it'd be two people doing that and that would be kind of weird.

"Nothing specific, but it might be necessary." Mia peered over at the supplies and then looked back to Ru'ni with her eyebrow raised. "That being said, will I see you soon or are you packing up for good, so to speak?"

[Ru'ni Wayne]

"Knowing the right thing to do, and doing it are two different things. Those willing to act on their beliefs today have proven themselves as true friends of the Aznuri and will be held as such by this one until the end of my days." There is a solemnity to his words that came through unmistakeably.

"There are many left alive from this assault, thankfully. But not so thankfully, the Enclave does not appear that it will be capable of supporting them all. I will be trying to relocate as many of my people as I can, but I am not leaving for any great length of time." His jaw clenches and his next words are spoken through his teeth.

"I owe someone a great debt for what happened today, a debt I intend to repay with much interest."

[Mianerra Tavvos]

"If that is the case, then soon I will have to thank you," Mia replied, "This won't end here, and though your people are wounded, they will be needed for what's to come.

"That being said, that time is not now. Your people should retreat for now. I doubt the Empire would be able to follow you so well, which is why I came for your help." Mia took a breath. "I don't know much about this planet but my guess is that we can call upon much to strike back. Concealing what we have over in the forests or wherever may be our best bet."

[Ru'ni Wayne]

"Any ecosystem can only support so much life before it collapses inwardly upon itself Mia. The community here was not large as such things go, but I know that convincing the elders to take back the exiles, and convincing them to return home will be difficult enough...."

He pinches the bridge of his nose, too much had happened too quickly for him to be able to process it all.

"If I can help, I will. Just be warned that I am far from a true leader here. The traditionalists see me as flaky for spending so much time away from the Sky Tree Sea and the exiles don't see me as one of them completely either. Perhaps I would be able to help more if I knew what you were hoping to hide in our homeland?"

[Mianerra Tavvos]

"Right, crop yields," Mia murmured, crossing her arms in thought. She rubbed her chin and then shrugged. "I'm not much of a trader but maybe the merchants could be convinced to help you guys out. See, I can't imagine business is exactly good when the Empire takes what they want and burns the rest, right? Do you think more food would help you?

"As for my plan, I think it'd be hard to hide 'acquired' vehicles and whatnot here. I mean, we could do some, but enough to support a bigger cause would need a place to amass them."

[Ru'ni Wayne]

"Gear and equipment?" Ru'ni clarified with a relieved sigh. At least it wasn't people she wanted to house there.

"That could probably be arranged, although any scans of the area will light them up like swamp gas refraction. Any reasonable quantity of tech will stand out like a sore thumb in our homeland."

[Mianerra Tavvos]

"Ah yes, scanners," Mia replied. She then closed her eyes and sighed. "Well, I at least would hope for the Aznuri's favor. They burned the Enclave, they may burn the forests next. And I intend on stopping them from destroying any more."

[Ru'ni Wayne]

"The Aznuri are comprised of many tribes. Tribes who come together when necessary. Now it is necessary for the tribes of Bankor: Aznuri, Zabrak, Resistance - to come together. It is necessary."

"I will speak to our council of elders, the shamans and tribe leaders. We will play our part, to defend these lands and those who share them with us. We will take the risk to hide your machines, for it is as you say. They have already targeted us after all, how more angry can they get?"

[Mianerra Tavvos]

"Well then, thank you." Mia took a breath. "Now I need to figure out 'how' to get them. I just figure that we can't take them on with just blaster pistols and heavy clothing."

[Ru'ni Wayne]

"No, they have more troops than us, and better trained. Their vehicle support both ground and air is something we cannot combat, my people are not an army, we are not experienced in this sort of endeavour. We need a miracle, and I know too little of war to know what form it need manifest itself in."

He scratches the back of his neck sheepishly. "Sorry if we are not the answer you were looking for."

[Mianerra Tavvos]

"Don't worry, I wasn't relying on all of you alone. That being said, I wouldn't underestimate a bit of training."

Mia then smiled.

"Today there was something horrible but a miracle also happened. If strangers didn't come to help, then the situation would have been much worse."

[Ru'ni Wayne]

"Yes, the darkness cannot exist without the light, nor the light without the dark. I am grateful for the help that came today, and we know the struggle is eternal. The candle that we saw today will not illuminate the darkness of the Empire alone however. Do you remember Yusandr? From the transport?"

"She seemed to know a few things."

[Mianerra Tavvos]

"Oh yeah, that lady. I don't really know her deal," Mia answered, "But maybe I got the wrong impression of her."

[Ru'ni Wayne]

"You probably understsnd people better than I do. She just reminded me of our Warleaders. She just has that air of command to her."

Ru'ni doesn't press the point and shrugs it off. "There's a singer too, Troin...Trion...something like that. Word is she used to date that Hrugon guy. Some leader in the Imperials, she might know something useful?"

[Mianerra Tavvos]

"She didn't touch my heart very well. Just sorta told me what to do." Mia shrugged. "A leader cannot simply give orders. They must inspire.

"As for the singer, I guess that's another lead. Goodness, I might need help at this point in reaching everybody."

[Ru'ni Wayne]

"Suppose you can't exactly post it on the community noticeboards to find interested parties." Ru'ni laughs.

"But you've got one here. If you need help, just let me know."

[Mianerra Tavvos]

"You have plenty on your plate already, speaking with the rest of the Aznuri. Don't worry, I know how to delegate," Mia said, leaving out the sometimes. Her experience had mainly come from telling fellow sports team members on what the play was. Much lower stakes, but also much lower rewards and importance.

"I do have a favor to ask, though. Remember the other girl, Sinnya? Please make sure she's okay."

[Ru'ni Wayne]

Ru'ni nodded and offered Mia a bow, a bow that came with a pained expression. "You have my word. I will check in on her and do my best to keep her safe."

[Mianerra Tavvos]

"Thank you. Now then, do you need any help with packing your things? I have some time before my next 'appointment,' so to speak." Mia gave a small chuckle. "Assembling a rebellion is hard work."

[Ru'ni Wayne]

"Not really, but your company is definitely welcome. I have not much in the way of refreshments to offer. There is some water on the chair and some dried snacks if you need it."

What he failed to mention is that the dried snacks were some of the spiders from the cramberry farm, nutritious and delicious.

[Mianerra Tavvos]

Mia walked over to the refreshments, noticing then that she hadn't eaten since the attack. She looked in and giggled nervously. "I've had enough spider in my mouth, I'm afraid. Water will be fine."

[Ru'ni Wayne]

Ru'ni smiled at the response and shrugged.

"I know why I am here, on Bankor. I always wonder what brings laowai here though. You do not look the type to work the foundry?" He asked rather bluntly.