Now and Then (Ali)

[Professor Mors]

"You pledged yourself to the Order–", Sa'ato countered quietly, casting a single gilt eye toward the Felidae, "But today it is I who am thankful- and in your debt Miss Austjor". Having made this distinction, the Neti then noticed his companion was preoccupied with her recently acquired widget, and smirked, "Nael offered that to you thinking you might use it to chart the distance between landmarks and so on for mathematical practice– however, I believe if you were to wear it on your weapon arm, it might prove useful for range-finding with your bow". His remarks made, the professor inclined his head to his feline colleague, and concluded, "Our next stop is back across the border– I recommend something light for travel wear, things will be decidedly more humid"...


***Jungle Moon of Bunduki, Pacanth Reach, Grid Coordinates H-16***

"I've never- understood- why she moved out here", Sa'ato grumbled mostly to himself, pushing past yet another set of hanging vines as he and Aliclair drew toward a clearing, "There were any number of oceanic worlds that would suffice for her work". The humidity that clung to the air was so thick even a vibroblade would struggle to cut– it almost made the Darkside duo's previous 'excursion' to Cholganna seem like a luxury retreat. And, for one such as Sa'ato, who drew 'breath' through his entire person, the excess moisture in the lower atmosphere was uncomfortably close to suffocating.

Mercifully for the arboreal academic, and his almost-certainly perspiring companion, the two left the canopy of vines and trunks behind, and found themselves at a metal door of a modest research outpost. The professor hit the visitor's comm panel door beside the entrance, and an oddly metallic voice crackled to life, "Yes? Do you have my fungal cultures from Malastare?". "Tyka, it's Sa'ato", the Neti answered tiredly, "Let us in already would you? It's oppressive out here!". A long silence passed, until a loud beep sounded and the door slid to one side. Passing over the threshold, the duo were greeted by a winding stairwell that stretched some stories upward and several below ground level.

"Make yourself comfortable up in the loft", the metallic voice echoed from below, "I'll be there in a moment!". Sa'ato gestured for Aliclair to oblige, and led the pair into what would have been a lounge, had it not been infested with various shelves of biomaterial. Organisms big and small had been dissected, trimmed, or compartmentalized into numerous jars and transparisteel sheets. There was, in spite of all the odd scenery, a handful of large, oddly shaped couches and other furniture. The professor nodded for the Felidae to sit if she wished, but remained standing himself. "Sa'ato Mors, how many years has it been?", the metallic voice boomed again, seemingly joyous in aspect, and just around the corner.

And then, the host– or hostess appeared. But if Aliclair was unprepared for Nael, she was even less so for this next phantom of Sa'ato's past. An insect in every sense of the word– and a big one, having nearly a foot up on the Neti. For a moment, they were still as a stone, their multifaceted, kaleidoscopic eyes flashing from the professor to his student and back again. Then, they quite literally fell upon him. The Felidae might nearly have launched a counterattack, suspecting foul play, if the Neti hadn't quickly broken into laughter as he was mildly crushed in a pair of chitinous femurs. "Tyka please– I bruise easily", the professor half-joked, half-protested.

"You brought this on yourself– showing up after so long without so much as a letter!", the lady mantis reprimanded, releasing her affectionate, albeit iron grip. Having been released, Sa'ato rolled his shoulders and gestured toward the seated Felidae, "Tyka'lytaka, meet my student, Aliclair Austjor". The Neti directed his gaze to his fellow Darksider, elaborating, "For all my years at the Chancellor's Academy, Tyka is far and away the best biochemist the galaxy has seen in some time–". Sa'ato smirked, "Even if she is the most obnoxious". "Never could give an honest compliment–", the chittering Yam'rii tutted through a small vocabulator she wore round her neck, and smacked the Neti's shoulder with a hooked limb, "But you're right".

Dressed in yellow tunic from the thorax down, Tyka gave Aliclair a very deliberate curtsy, commenting, "Its very nice to meet you– and even better to see this old sycamore spending time with people that aren't his age– you're lucky to have an instructor like him– even if he is a menace". The Yam'rii paused and tilted her head before looking back at Sa'ato, "At first glance I had hoped this meant you were putting yourself back out there– you're always so slow-moving– but no matter". Aliclair had no way to know if Sa'ato was capable of blushing, but the mixed expression of muted terror and odd coloration that flashed across his features as Tyka spoke was the closest thing to an answer she would get.

"Don't be rude", the Neti hissed with equal parts embarrassment and frustration, "Anyways, where's Gor'el– out on one of your errands?". "Oh goodness no!", Tyka answered nonchalantly, swatting her arms this way and that, "Two cycles ago, during the kor-am-da, well, he was getting up in years, wasn't as fast as he used to be…". Sa'ato looked as if he'd just been struck by a hovervan, "Tyka– oh– I'm very sorry". "Oh don't be! He lived every moment to the fullest you know", the matronly mantis countered, stepping over to one particular shelf and moving some clutter about, "Besides, I managed to preserve one of his eyes!". The Neti fought to mask his discomfort as Tyka held up a jar, whose contents looked awfully similar to one of her own features.

Mentally however, he sent his thoughts, and another telepathic explanation, over to Aliclair, "Yam'rii courting rituals are… complex, and not exactly peaceful. The female is predisposed to… attacking their mate at intervals throughout the year. If their partner can't keep up well… not everyone is as sentimental as my friend here… evidently"...

[Aliclair Austjor]

Ali's ears pricked slightly realizing her comment, her cheeks slightly flushing with embarressment; right. She... pledged herself to the Sith, not the Professor. It was hard to differentiate the two at times. Tilting her head, she used some of her arm wraps to make a temporary strap to hold the compass; she'd need to get a custom made gauntlet made to fix this fine piece of equipment snug on her arm. Something told her that she'd have much more accuracy thanks to this little trinket; as if her aim wasn't deadly enough.

As usual, the Neti's words laid true. She decided to dress in a breathable outfit but even still it wasn't enough; the constant swatting of her plump tail and swiping of claws at the local pests. Drawing her ears back, she looked toward Sa'ato with a grumpled look. "When this is all over, I am going on a two week vacation. And not on a jungle planet, or or ocean planet." she growled before halting as he did.

Relief washed over the felidae when the duo were finally indoors and away from the humidity that was this accursed Moon. Aliclair wasted little to no time climbing on a long couch-like furniture and laying belly down, tongue slightly lolling in attempts to cool herself. Her relaxing didn't take too long as she sensed a "predator" of sorts, her drooped ears quickly perking upwards, expression focused, her tail bristling slightly. She quickly sprung into a pounce position, fangs bared and claws sharpened until it as clear this was the second friend Sa'ato had to meet, to where she immediately plopped back down like a deflated balloon, ears flopped back down on the sides of her head. She stayed laying down until introduced where she sat up and straightened her spine, shirt and posture. "It's nice to meet you as well, Miss." she mused softly through slightly tired but sincere opalescents. It took everything to keep Ali from doing a mixture of chortling and blushing; she couldn't see herself with the Professor on a dating level.

... Could she?

Her eyes slightly shifted while the two conversed, her brows furrowing but her mind began to wonder. And the flame roared before she could even douse it. She placed a palm on her cheek, blinking before she slightly flinched as the Neti conversed with her mentally. O-oh uhm.. that sounds.. uhm. she communed back, trying to find the right word but couldn't. "I'm not sure what it is..

[Professor Mors]

"Don't dwell on it too much-", Sa'ato commented mentally, trying his best to telepathically diffuse the topic, "Ritual practice aside she's lovely when you get to know her". The Neti then turned back to their insectoid host, who had mercifully returned her cherished trophy back to its shelf, "Tyka, apart from checking-in on you, I've misplaced a holobook. I've spoken to Nael and he's convinced you must have it". The Yam'rii tilted her head to one side, "You never had anything fun to steal, let alone books. Besides, if I borrowed it off you, I know I would have given it back". Sa'ato groaned quietly, audible only to himself and Aliclair.

The retired teacher exhaled and continued, "No, you didn't borrow it– Nael thinks I bet it, and lost it in our sabacc game– at the solstice party, the year of the armistice-". From the moment Sa'ato had uttered the word 'party', the mischievous mantis had begun to vibrate excitedly. He barely made it half a sentence further before Tyka erupted, "What a night that was! Hold on, I know I have the photo album on one of these shelves-". Again, for the second time this day, the professor almost seemed to change color, "Tyka, really, there's no need-". "You hush!", the Yam'rii scolded, carrying over an impressively large holofolio in her hooked arms.

Carefully prying it open on a small coffee table situated between the Darksiders, Tyka activated the image matrix and began to flip through numerous snapshots of the past. "Here's Nael and his groff cake– you remember how he dyed it red when Joris complained it had no flavor?", the mantis chirped and chuckled through her vocabulator, "Oh! And here's Gor'el and Radrom before they drank that entire case of Borleian ale– and after when they fell down the stairs! I still can't believe they didn't break anything!". Throughout the many stories and pages, a slender Neti, slightly shorter than Sa'ato, haunted several photographs.

Sometimes the two were seated together, arm in arm, or even just exchanging glances. Sa'ato expression remained almost unreadable throughout, quavering only when Tyka stopped on what was obviously a large group photo. "Remember how relieved we all were that the war was over", the Yam'rii reflected, quieter than before, "We had no idea what was coming– we just made the most of it". Tyka paused, chittered her mandibles, and concluded, "You and Chor'ra were positively glowing that year– I always loved that photo". An uncomfortable silence followed as the traces of emotion tiptoed across the professor's features.

Preempting his reaction, Tyka foisted the album into the Neti's lap, and swiftly but gently took Aliclair by the hand, "I've got a whole bojakfruit in the cooler I've been saving for a nice salad– why don't you help me cut it up Dear!". Having thus catnapped Sa'ato's companion, the Yam'rii quickly led them behind a partition into the kitchen, and began to take out the necessary cutlery and so on. Not wasting or missing a beat, Tyka adjusted her head so as to keep one set of photoscopic eyes on the feline hybrid and the other on her task. She then inquired quietly, but in earnest, "So how long have you two been working and traveling together now? He hasn't been too much of a handful I hope"...

[Aliclair Austjor]

Aliclair gave a half efforted smile; the thoughts circling her mind out-weighted the current events infront of her; they were silly thoughts she didn't want to bring forth in any way. She fought hard to put a barrier between her and Sa'ato as they were interlocked through the Force; her ears pricked at the she-Mantis spoke up as the Neti began to explain his situation and she'd straightened up again, not even noticing she began to slouch.

Ali's eyes drifted from Tyka to the holophotos, her ears pricking slightly. That's right... he had a past before the Sith. Before the disasters. One photos lingered longer than the others and she couldn't help but to stare. She recalled a conversation they've shared; she had... a wife. Knowing Neti biology, it was probably a very long marriage. Something began to crumble within the Felidae. And then the confliction started and why she vowed to never show certain emotion. The feeling of love, affection... it was a weakening feeling. Even the thought of it. The flames, as quickly as they came, decimated. She could never live up to the shoes of his deceased wife. Why would he be looking for something like that after all the hardship, the pain. It could never work. There were many many things either wrong or in the way. Her ear tips slightly dropped and she could feel herself wanting to just let the humidity of the outside suffocate whatever feelings she had.

Before she could slink away from all of these feelings, Tyka had plans to whisk her away. Ali raised her hands slightly to protest but one of them were taken, in a surprisingly gentle way, and she just followed.

She awkwardly stood there, just wanting to run and hide away but something kept her planted; she wasn't sure what was or why. For some reason, the blade to cut the fruit was heavy... but nonetheless, she began to slice to the best of her abilities. "Oh, uhm. I've- been with the school for about a year, possibly two; i-its hard to keep track of time when you're locked up behind walls. I recently got assigned to The Professor; a few weeks on and off lessons. He was before but once I actually stopped fighting against him and working with, he became better. I also became... better. He's a great teacher." she answered with a small smile, her tail tip swishing slightly against the floor.

[Professor Mors]

Tyka listened attentively as the Felidae spoke, occasionally punctuating the discussion with a solid chop to the salad fixings. When Aliclair had finished both her remarks and her task, the Yam'rii chittered their mandibles quietly, and swung her head more towards her feline guest. "The fighting I can believe– for a while I used to think that was the only way he knew how to express himself", Tyka commented at last, scooping the neat slices of bojakfruit into a bowl, "Not with Chor'ra of course, but the rest of us at least". She paused to ladle a premade sauce onto the menagerie, "He really is a softy at heart, once you pry him open a bit".

The matronly mantis then handed the bowl off to Aliclair, moving next to position a drink pitcher and some glasses on a hovertray. "I'm glad you're traveling with him", the Yam'rii went on, "I expect this is the first time he's left that stuffy old house of his since she passed". Tyka chittered once more, "And, he wouldn't have brought you here, let alone to Nael, if you weren't important to him– someone he trusts. Take it from me, that's some achievement". The Yam'rii shook her chitinous shoulders about, and gingerly took the beverage platter firmly in hand, "I know it's a nuisance to ask, but look after him will you? Most of us that knew him back then won't be around forever"...

[Aliclair Austjor]

Swiveling her ears backwards, she thought on the she-mantis' words. Sure, it could mean that the Professor had much trust within the felidae despite what's happened. Her brows shifted with uncertain. She supposed keeping an eye on the older Neti wasn't a.. hard task considering their line of work. However, meeting others knitted to his past was a sign that she was moving in the right direction. Sighing silently, she gave a small brief nod; "Of course. I promise. As.. friends if not anything else. You have my word." she said with a small genuine smile, her ears settling upright.

"If uhm.. you don't mind me asking, how was she like? Sa'ato's uhm.. wife?" she braved, placing down the blade used to slice the fruit in a whatever basin she had available. "I don't think him in that light but- I can't help but to wonder. He gets- really choked up about her, which I understand. I-I.." she stammered, slicking her ears backwards once more. Why was she asking about someone who's long dead? Nonetheless, the question was out and whether she answered or not, was 100% up to her.

[Professor Mors]

"Oh you really are a dear", Tyka chittered happily at Aliclair's assent. The Yam'rii then paused at her followup question, and setting the drink tray down, leaned thoughtfully on the countertop, "Chor'ra? She was different from him in almost every way– but that worked for them. Goodness knows we all loved her. She was always so happy to see everyone, you could hear her from the far end of a room at any time– Sa'ato seemed like a silent monk by comparison". Another clacking of mandibles sounded, laughter perhaps, before the mantis continued, "Dancing was her life, but I always enjoyed her singing best, even if she never thought much of it–".

Tyka tilted her head nearer to Aliclair's, adding wistfully, "We begged and begged for her to perform no matter what sort of party it was. She took some convincing but never said no. She'd sing, and Sa'ato would sit next to her– he used to play the valachord you know". The Yam'rii paused again, shook her shoulders, and sank further onto her bowed arms, "There wasn't a mean bone in her– there weren't any bones in her to be fair. He adored her– and when she fell ill he dropped everything, spent every waking moment comforting her or searching for a cure". Tyka shook her head, "He misses her– we all do".

Tyka straightened back up and reclaimed the drink tray, concluding, "From what little he told us, there wasn't much left of her at the end. She's at peace now– no longer in pain. I don't think it was her passing that caused that old sycamore to shut himself up though. He was helpless– I think that's what broke him". The well-meaning mantis shook her head once again, "But that's enough yammering from me– let's have some refreshments!". And with that, Tyka's bubbly aura returned, and she gently elbowed Aliclair back into the main foyer with the salad and fixings. Sa'ato was more or less where the pair had left him. The holoalbum had, however, been returned to the table.

Nonetheless, the Neti flashed his best smile at the duo when they returned, "Finally– I'd swear you're trying to kill me Tyka, marching us through the jungle only to sit on the drinks". "Don't be dramatic–", the Yam'rii spat back, but obliged her guest with a cold beverage, "I know how much you hate theater". "Galactic opera is and always will be superior", Sa'ato chuffed, his grin long forgotten, "But Tyka, before you drag us onto another tangent– the Solha Compendium– did you win it along with the rest of the pot that night?". The mantis blinked, her large, opaque eyelids temporarily covering her countless photoreceptors.

"Of course not!", the Yam'rii spoke at last, "I didn't win the big pot that year". "Then who did?!", the Neti groaned, raising his voice. More of what Aliclair could only assume was Tyka's laughter, and then, "Why, Radrom of course!". The Feline would then watch as her steward quite literally fell out of his chair. The professor seldom looked so stricken as he did then, rising up like the living dead to lean feebly against the seat cushion, "It' can't be… Radrom…". "Yes that's right", Tyka nodded twice, "Do you remember his old address?". The Neti shook his head weakly. "Do you want it?", the mantis followed up. A weak nod accompanied.

"Oh how exciting!", Tyka chirped, "I'll put together a bundle for you to bring along to him!". With that, she was all motion yet again. By the time she had packed her offering, and enjoyed more salad and small talk with the Felidae, Sa'ato finally recovered, and made ready to leave. "You really need to hit the gym", the Yam'rii teased as the Neti attempted to replicate her iron embrace. "Reckless old bag", Sa'ato chuckled in turn, "Try not to roast out here". Tyka chortled in her way, then subjected Aliclair to the same crushing hug, before offering her a small container. "Just some local fruits and veggies I dry out to send as gifts", she explained, "I hope they'll be to your liking!".

As soon as they had waved farewells and reentered the jungle, Sa'ato began to grimace uncontrollably, muttering Radrom this and Radrom that, seemingly unconsolable. Upon returning to the ship, he marched straight to the con, and began to set up their next hyperspace route. To the outside observer, one would have thought the academic had swallowed a bag of hot coals…

[Aliclair Austjor]

Aliclair couldn't help but to smile throughout it all. It was a nice change of pace to do normal things amongst nice folk. She knew she'd have freedom once she accepted her newfound role as a Darksider rather a servant of the light. To have someone a good chunk of ones life, to cherish. Just for it all to be gone in a blink of an eye... Ali's ears slightly swiveled back; and it was there she vowed to add onto keeping an eye on the Neti, but to always be someone he could rely on. No matter the task, no matter the sacrifices.

During the two's exchange, the feline nibbles on a few pieces of fruit with a very small purr rumbling her chest. In his defeated state, Ali only offered a small head pat with the tip of her tail, mainly keeping to herself. She began to wonder how she could assist but, for now, she stayed silent, only speaking up to bid Tyka a sincere farewell. Within the ship, Ali stayed her distance but still within earshot if Sa'ato decided to call upon her for any assistance.

[Professor Mors]

***Ciutric IV, Outer Rim Territories, Grid Coordinates N-5***

Despite Aliclair's good intentions, the pair traveled from one end of the Outer Rim to the other with little interaction. Whenever the Felidae did have a chance to encounter the Neti, he had fumed endlessly, given over to grumbling and mounting displays of irritation at their next destination. After several long days, the Darksiders' transport broke through the clouds and descended into Ciutric's lower atmosphere. While many areas of the planet had been heavily industrialized, its many rivers and deciduous forests were protected by local law. Sa'ato guided the ship along such a river, until a rustic, angular estate, and a small private landing strip overlooking the water came into view.

"Personal transport seeking permission to dock", the Neti sighed sadly on an open channel. An automated droid controller returned the transmission, "This is the private property of the good master Clarr'adro'mikle: please state your business and maintain holding or police authorities will be notified". "Good master my bark", the professor hissed back, before shaking his head and answering, "Social call, Sa'ato Mors and student– I have need of Dr. Clarr's company and expertise". The Neti looked as if he'd swallowed battery acid given that last comment. Nonetheless, after a few moments, the droid's voice returned, granting them permission to land.

"Be warned, this man you are about to meet is the most vile, detestable, and irredeemable beings I have ever met in almost four hundred years of life", Sa'ato cautioned Aliclair as the two walked along an elaborate, landscape patio that led up to the imposing manor, "Keep your guard about you at all times– hopefully this won't take too long". Upon reaching the entrance, the Neti balled a fist, and was just about to knock when the large, ornate double doors flew open. "You really ought to try calling first, Old Timer", a glossy, baritone voice chided, its tone as snide as it was melodious, "Lucky for you I'm on sabbatical".

The owner of the voice, as it happened, was as rich in appearance as they were in sound. A Chiss, clad only in a pair of fitness trousers and a small towel draped over his shoulders, stood only two inches or so shorter than Sa'ato. It was immediately clear that whatever their workout routine was, it had paid dividends many times over, their azure muscles practically glistening in the afternoon sunlight. Their deep onyx hair revealed only the faintest trace of blue undertones, and fell just past their collarbones. Most striking of all however, were the host's crimson eyes, which had locked onto the Felidae almost immediately after registering the Neti.

"Yes, you do appear to be very busy", Sa'ato spoke at last, making no effort to disguise his wanton sarcasm, "But I need to ask you about your materials, I think there's a holobook in your–". "Have you forgotten your manners in retirement?", the Chiss cut in, nonchalantly pushing past the Neti to stand before his feline companion, "You haven't introduced your– friend? Secretary?". "Student", the professor growled, his shoulders going stiff as he half-turned to look at them both, "Aliclair Austjor, meet–". The Chiss was a step ahead once more, having quickly taken the Felidae's hand and firmly pressed his lips to the top of her palm.

"Professor Clarr'adro'mikle– its an absolute pleasure", the Chiss declared with a dulcet tone while keeping the gentlest hold on Aliclair's digits, "Please, call me Radrom– everyone else does, and it's much less of a mouthful". Radrom then flashed his best smile at the feline Darksider, and looked back at the Neti, his previous demeanor seemingly forgotten, "Your student you said? Perhaps I can be a guest lecturer– look over your curriculum just like the good old days? You must stay the weekend– no– the week! Yes at least!". Sa'ato could barely get a word in before Radrom released his grip on Aliclair and clapped his hands, summoning a small army of butler droids.

"Go and fetch whatever bags they have from the ship", the Chiss cooed, "We have so much to do"...

[Aliclair Austjor]

After about the 3rd time of trying to disengage Sa'ato's grumpled behavior, Ali inevitably gave up and retreated into meditating, fixing the innards of the Neti's ship or tinkering in creating a temporary holopad she could draw up blueprints on. Throughout the missions they carried out, Ali can't recall a moment, or moments, in time where he was life this. Whoever this guy was must really be something else if it riled the Professor up this much, and it was moments like this where she wished she had her Raq beasts for company. Upon arriving, Ali lifted her head from resting on her forearm as she took a small cat nap, licking her lips. Getting up from all fours and giving her limbs and body a nice stretch, she stood on her feet, crossing her arms while standing at the doorway. Though drowsy, she kept her wits about her as her teacher instructed.

Ali kept her arms across her chest to give the intimidation and lack of care factor. In an almost instant, her 'tough girl' posture crumbled seeing this 'vile' acquaintance. Her brows quirked slightly, glancing at Sa'ato with the "This guy? Seriously?" before locking her opalescents with his crimson hues. She unfolded her arms once one hand was taken, and she could feel a flush rushing to her cheeks; it was hard to dislike a stranger, despite other things being told when they acted.. and looked the way they did."I uhm.. it's nice to meet you as well, Doctor." the feminine breathed slightly, using her tail tip to fan the risen heat boiled within her. Her ears perked up more, her features slightly shifting to fret; were they actually going to stay a week? After this distaste The Neti Professor expressed countless times? And surely the Chiss Doctor wasn't blind to this distaste... What was going to happen within the week- no- the hours they were going to be here. Once her hand was freed, she gripped her upper arm, her brows furrowed with worry. "I-if I may, Doctor, Professor Sa'ato is in need a certain holobook that's essential in our current assignment. As much as staying here would be delightful, and.. a nice change of pace, I believe if we had this book in our possessions, we could stay, perhaps, three days?" she offered, trying to find the best middle ground to please both men.