[D5 LE] Respite (Closed)

[Raven Cadera]

It had been a hectic day since the afternoon hours. The mission, fighting, getting exploded a bit, then chewed out by Jan while getting patched up, reporting in... finally there would be some time to come down from everything that had happened.

Being the first to get back to their quarters, Raven could call dibs on the refresher. The armor was neatly packed away to its usual spot, keeping their little camp as it were tidy and clean, and the helmet from Freshie was placed next to it. After some good minutes of soaking, she came back out again, wearing clean fatigues and tank-top and a towel around her shoulders as she was still drying her hair while her eyes looked around to see if Praxton had been able to get back yet.

[Meiyokashi]

Praxton had not come back yet. At all, from the look of the room. Considering all that happened today, the weight of it all... well, Praxton had one place he truly liked to go to think. Outside the back of the base to that same sitting spot overlooking the forest. Always brought him comfort when he needed it. Raven, of course, knew that she was always welcome to try and find him there.

[Raven Cadera]

Figures, she thought, unable to stop herself from smiling a little. It took a few moments to don the armor again, but once its familiar shell was back on, Raven did not tarry long before leaving the room again to find Praxton by his usual haunt. The extra helmet was hooked to her belt.

Stepping outside, she could feel the humid air of the evening against her uncovered face, along with the scents she had grown accustomed to around this Enclave. It was a touch melancholic, she reflected, in that this place that he had found for them to gather and grow strong - to be protected - was something they would have to leave behind soon. No matter the outcome of this conflict, they would leave this place behind.

Raven dispelled those thoughts as she turned around the path to where she knew she could be able to spot Praxton in his usual place, picking up her pace steadily.

[Praxton]

Praxton's helm rests down by the heel of his boot. Parked in one of the two chairs he'd set up out here her looks out into the distance. A contemplative expression reating upon his features. Despite the days events, it appears almost as if the Empire was not hanging overhead. Their Star Destroyer visible to the naked eye during the right time of day hanging out near atmosphere like a foreboding moon set to crash into the planet.

[Raven Cadera]

"Hey," Raven spoke softly at first, then reached out a hand to place on his shoulder. Firm and comforting. "Figured you'd be out here." The gesture was held there for a good moment before she moved to sit beside him in the other chair, the hand moving down from his shoulder to find his hand.

As her hand found his, she made sure to interlock her fingers with his, all the while keeping her eyes on him. Questioning, concerned for his well-being. Never had she pushed him to speak when he didn't wished to, and she was hesitant to start now. Most of all she was worried for him, considering some of the things exposed earlier.

[Praxton]

Praxton was a man prone to shying away from touch. It was a struggle for him on the best of days, at times. Right now, though it concerned him deeply how it would seem immediately after his hand did pull away. Was he worthy? Was he wrong to want it? Why did he want it? These weren't the questions he truly wanted to ask, but his mind would ask anyway because doubt was such a powerful force for a brain to wield against itself.

"She.. looks just like her," he braves to say, despite the hesitant hitch in his voice.

[Raven Cadera]

A gentle nod was given at first, and her hand remained near him, for him to reach for when he needed it. "You know you have my support, Praxton. No matter what." The words of reminder were spoken warmly, with the fondness and care she held for him and his well-being. "You don't have to tell me if you're not ready to, but... we will meet her again in the coming days."

She looks away for a moment, to the vista of nature before them. The peace found here that would soon be gone. It was difficult to find the right words to say, given the sensitive nature of the situation. "Maybe if she heard your side of the story...?"

[Praxton]

"Would you listen to the other side of the story?" he asks, and by so doing says all he might need to say. His.. apparent daughter was a Mandalorian after all. There was much pride in being a Mandalorian and that was the cause of so many problems, like this one. Hearing the other side means you must accept you might be wrong. Mandalorians oft struggle with that concept, and that's been true for time immemorial.

[Raven Cadera]

"Maybe."

She shrugged slightly. Would she listen to her uncle's side of the story, of why he murdered her family? Maybe. The Raven that first set foot on Kamda would not, out of fear. The Raven leaving Kamda would not, out of anger. However, the Raven now was someone else than she had been then, with her fear and anger tempered by him and others around her.

"Considering who she is, I think it is worth to try. Perhaps it doesn't have to be like it is now, on opposing sides like this."

[Praxton]

"I do have to try," he says, but Raven knew he would already. This was Praxton, and he apparently had a daughter. There was no reality in which this man turned his back on that. It was, after all, something he has always wanted at one time.

"It.. is not what troubles me most, Raven," he says, breathes. Taking his time he scans the horizon once more looking for the first lighting of the glowbugs, none yet.

"I am faced with a thought that I should have had long ago. It is not fair to you that I have yet to think on this but.. it would be worse to ignore it," he swallows, finding that strength to continue. Offering a glance in her direction to show his will but looking away because direct contact such as that was like a waters dam to words. "Did I fall in love with you, or did I fall in love with the parts of her mother that I see in you. It.. she.." he doesn't know what else to say, and yet he feels he must try.

[Raven Cadera]

It was indeed a difficult question, she realises. This time she seeks his hand again. Not only to comfort him, but also to seek that connection the two of them share, and to reassure herself. He had been there for her in challenging times, it was time for her to be there for him.

"She was important to you," Raven states truthfully, looking at him. She knew he had felt deeply about someone before, even if it had never been a story she had pushed for. There had been no jealousy about it from her side, and there was none now either. "That will never change, and part of her is always with you. If... if parts of her, is something you see in me... I don't think it lessens your feelings, Praxton, or that they have less value because of that."

[Praxton]

"No, but if they are the source of them.. and have blinded me to seeing you as you are, a unique and capable warrior then.." he breathes deep. Looking to her for the moment, because words were failing him anyway.

"I need to know. Not for my sake alone. If it is true, then you deserve one who sees you for you, and not simply because you are similar to a ghost," he says. Sadness holds him, but there is a hope there. An assurance to her that this is a battle he will fight.

"I will take what time I can to think, and do by you as you deserve. I.. wish to promise you that much, Raven Cadera."

[Raven Cadera]

Raven would be lying to herself if she claimed that it didn't hurt her, but in this moment, she knew that Praxton needed her to support him and she could tell from his tone that he held hope. She finds that hope in his words, and his willingness to fight and share it with her, rather than hiding it away, and clings to it with all her soul.

"I know this is hard for you, but you don't need to put yourself down like that, alright?" she says with a weak smile, reminding him that she found him worthy still. "My love for you won't change. And I'll support you through this in any way I can."

With that said, she reaches behind her and unhooks the helmet that Freshie-- no, Cass-- had dropped at the end of the fighting. Carefully she extends it to Praxton, as if it was a cherished trinket that belonged to a child. And in a way, it was.

[Praxton]

"I do not say any of this to put myself down, Raven," he says, and in the way all people are just scared older versions of their younger selves. "I worry now that you might be forgetting what you deserve in order to hold tighter to what you want. Be careful, Raven," he says, and offers her a kind smile.

Looking from her to the helm he takes it in his hands. Though it was the helm of his daughter, it was not the helm of her mother. This construction must be newer.. received from a person, place, elsewhere that held little connection to his daughters history. There was such a void that questions could live within on what he would know about her. With a sigh, he accepts the helm and puts it to rest beside him.

"Thank you for this, Raven. It.. will surely help me think," he offers, allowing the attempt of another smile.

[Raven Cadera]

Her smile was reassuring, to ease his concerns she hoped. "You don't need to worry about me now. I just... I just want to be there for you now, like you've been for me. Let me have that much at least," a soft bashfulness overcomes her face and she looks away. It was hard to put into words how much it meant to her to be able to support him now for once, as he had done so much for her.

And she knew that even if he would decide that he no longer loved her that way, she loved him... and out of love would do what was best for him, even if it meant letting go. Love also meant being able to let go.

"Just remember to get some rest, hm? I'll take some night shift duties, so you don't have to worry about that tonight. Focus on yourself now, yeah?" With that, Raven stands from the chair, picking up her own helmet.