A Hunt Like Many Before [EM4]

[Daunt]

"You can probably figure out why it is so, Sacha. And where I am really from." He stopped. "Any why this realisation may complicate things between you and me if you feel about what happened in a certain way."

[Sacha Ordo]

"It seemed rude to ask about that just because you kind of reminded me of them," she admitted, shaking her head. She paused, as well.

"I have strong feelings about it, but I can't say the adults around me at the time weren't partially responsible for what happened. I warned them, even, but no one's going to listen to some kid just because she has a bad feeling." She shrugged. "I can't follow an outsider as Mandalore. Unless you insist I do, I don't see a reason to resent you."

[Daunt]

"I didn't have much agency either when it occurred." That was an understatement but he didn't elaborate. "But I am a Nightbrother and I have always supported my own. Now that we're decimated, it's even more important." He turned toward her. "But as long as it's possible I'd rather keep politics outside of our acquaintance."

[Sacha Ordo]

"So basically, we're in the same ship," she suggested. "Didn't have much say, but loyal to our people. I can respect it."

"Yes... Unless the issue is forced, obviously. Not much we can do about that."

[Daunt]

"Except perhaps for showing in small things on day-to-day basis that it needn't have happened this way." He shrugged. "If I am ever put in a situation of choice on it, then I'll make a choice. But I haven't heard from him in quite a while." He turned around again. "Bo-Katan knows you're here?"

[Sacha Ordo]

"Indeed." She nodded at his question.

[Daunt]

"I haven't been asked to spy on your people. If you choose to talk about me with your superiors, however, I will have to adjust to the circumstances." A more level tone.

[Sacha Ordo]

"I don't have any reason to do that at this point," she replied with a small shrug.

[Daunt]

"Good. I am not a schemer so if things change, you'll know." He chuckled. "At this point I don't even know if this grudge has any priority."

[Sacha Ordo]

"I hope not. It sounds like a pain," she replied, waving her unoccupied hand.

[Daunt]

"It is." He agreed. "But I don't think he'll ever give up his drive to be a galactic stakeholder. I haven't known anyone else with such determination. He has made it a habit to rebound from major setbacks, and he'll not cease seeking to exploit this or that vacuum. For all the Imperial sweep-all approach, I doubt the shadow at the fringes will ever truly disappear."

[Sacha Ordo]

"It's not like I don't understand. You don't persist longer than the Republic, bouncing back from near destruction, without some of that drive," she replied.

[Daunt]

"Though even if I had his power and resolve, I don't know if I would choose such a path. Is there a deeper sense in creating an alternative in the dark?" The way he asked the question might have indicated he had some own ideas but wanted her own opinion.

[Sacha Ordo]

"I don't know. I can only speak to my own experience and motivations. I don't know his mind to say," she said. "If there's a deeper meaning, I don't understand it."

[Daunt]

"I guess I'll have to understand that at some point. The Empire makes our lives political by default." The speeder came into sight. "Feels like we've covered a lot today, Sacha." He said as he turned toward her. "We can't pretend to be strangers to each other any more, can we?" A grin, sharp dark teeth showing. "After all you've seen me without armour."

[Sacha Ordo]

"That's true."

She laughed. "I have at that. Do are we friends now, then?"

[Daunt]

"We're certainly something." He chuckled. "You can call it friends."

[Sacha Ordo]

"Something, huh?" She shook her head, still sounding amused. "Well, say hi to Juri for me when you see her."

[Daunt]

"So you know each other. This planet is small." He released a sharp laugh as he was fastening the deer to the speeder. "I will then."

[Sacha Ordo]

"Isn't it just?" She asked before waving. "See you tomorrow."

[Daunt]

He waved, then ensured the deer is all buckled up, started the engine and rode away toward the rising sun.

/exit

[Sacha Ordo]

/scene