Chapter Text
Vi could hear a conversation pierce her dream state: a man and a woman, they were talking… about… her? The woman asked who she was; Vi didn’t have the strength to answer her.
How would I know who she is? this is how I found her.
“Nau’ul?” Vi groaned softly almost imperceivably, trying to move her hands to reach out for him. She felt a thick calloused hand take hold of her own, settling her a bit.
Mm hm. She’s lost a lot of blood. Help me take her to Aeda.
No, we can’t do that!
She can feel the vibrations of his speaking through his grasp.
What? Why? Look at her, she’s dying.
She had this.
Vi felt the movement then heard a light gasp.
Have you lost your mind? Were you bitten by a Hothian parasite or something? Why would you bring her here?
First off, that was not Hoth. second, like I said, her squad just turned on her, she will be alone, like how we were. That means she's going to need allies, that means we would have whole Jedi... basically indentured to us.
Indentured?
Okay bad word choice. Indebted…
Vi could hear the woman sigh.
I can’t do this by myself, I need to take her to Aeda.
It was the man’s turn to let out a sigh.
Okay. Let’s do this: start in on cleaning her up, I will be back with Aeda.
Vi didn’t hear a response. It was probably a nod she thought to herself feeling the need to keep analyzing where she was even though everything was incredibly hazy. She felt his hand slip from hers and footsteps recede, she heard the door close softly as felt herself slipping back into full unconsciousness.
***
Vi sat around the campfire with her boys enjoying a spot of peace after helping secure the supply chain for the inhabitants. The night was cool and they had just enjoyed a current world food provided by the grateful inhabitants. Everyone sat satisfied and relaxed as she stared out into the sky, soaking in the small serenity they were currently allowed.
“We need some entertainment” Capitan Nau’ul announced as he rummaged through his pack and pulled out a hand sized box. He unlatched the sides and pulled it open, it made a lazy braying noise like an exhausted tantan. As he pulled it further apart then squeezed it together, it began making a charming melody.
“Any requests?” he asked as he began to play. No one responded, they all shifted just a bit to make themselves comfortable as he played a sweet soft tune. “Mirrorbright, shines the moon, its glow as soft as an ember - just kidding,” his smile broadened as he jumped up playing a lively song.
The lovers of Tehbral’dala, are all eating out their hearts
Some of his vod thew out short hoots with knowing grins.
Her eyes, shiny and bright, are tearing her lovers apart
She has a well-formed body that is killing the hurt
It gets a rousing laugh.
My want drives me crazy, to think on making her … mine
That line gets a hollers and shoulder shoves all around.
Oh Tehbral’dala, Ow Tehbral’dala, Oh Tehbral’dala, Ow Tehbral’dala
Every time she passes by, I hold my chest because she has my soul
What could I do, in all her glory, to really know
What would I do, in all her glory, to really know
Some of the lines are repeated and the song concludes with cheers and applause. Nau’ul takes an exaggerated bow and passes the instrument to another vod to take over.
He was grinning ear to ear when he took his seat next to Vi. He noticed she had her own grin and a slight blush when she turned to face him, “Where in the Maker's great galaxy did you learn how to play like that?”
Nau’ul could feel a blush come on to his face as well. “It was after you left for your Meditour, we had to get those refugees to Alderaan for asylum. Well, we had to stay to oversee the resettlement, just in case we unwittingly brought insurgents along, anyway, I picked this up from an Alderaanian guy and it came pretty easy for me. Plus I had the year you were gone to practice.” He noticed he was leaning a bit too close, so he leaned slightly back trying not to be so obviously enamored. “The lullaby was also from Alderaan.”
Vi smiled wide, “well aren’t you just full of surprises now. So-ah, who is Tehbral’dala?” she asks with a sly grin.
He feigned surprise, “Vi, are you jealous?”
She was quick to scoff but still had a huge grin on her face, “Not at all, I just want the gossip.” He looked at her with squinted eyes and a goofy unanswering grin. “C’mon Nau’ul,” she smacked his arm playfully, “share.”
“Tehbral’dala just means woman from the high town or tower. She is no one in particular.”
Vi’s expression softened considerably, “Oh. Well that’s boring. I thought there was a juicy story to go along with your song.” It was strange to him how quickly she went from teasing to … pensive? sleepy? He couldn’t quite read her. As if reading his mind, she gave him a slight sleepy smile, scooted up right next to him and tangled her right arm with his left, resting her head on his shoulder. “Let me have a power nap and I’ll take the next watch” she said closing her eyes.
The rest of the squad was still enjoying the music but they didn’t miss the General’s impromptu napping spot … or company.
Keete leaned over to Reggie and said in a low voice “Look at him go. See, that’s why he’s Capitan Romantic, he can charm the pants off a Jedi.” Reggie laughed as he shoved Keete away with a light elbow, shaking his head with a smile while still eating that was left of his thin bread and legume meal.
***
Lehti we’re here. How is she doing?
I was able to clean her wounds well enough and I’ve been able to fight off a fever but we need to peel back the blaster wound bandages and close them up properly. She’s been quiet mostly, every once in a while, she’ll whisper ‘candlelight’ in Mando’a. Where do you think she got that from considering-
-I’m pretty sure its an inside code from another clan and she still doesn't know where she is. I’m sure she can tell us when she wakes up.