Jatne Manda (D8, EM. Private)

[Raven Cadera]

Gal, ori'skraan, riduur, yaim' dab'ika.

The past days of R&R had helped much. Having expected to be faced with disappointment for all the things that had gone wrong and what she felt like was a lack of progress upon her return, Raven had been... surprised almost, that Mand'alor had not been like that at all. Rather, there had been a shared sentiment of sorts, especially in regards to the situation with Dex and Silas.

That, and other things, had weighed on her mind during the time back at the Enclave, but seeing Praxton's condition improve by the day put to rest the worst of her concerns that had been plagueing her the last month. And being able to finally spend some time with him as husband-and-wife had been a balm for her troubled soul.

While she was awake and sitting on the bed, she hadn't really got much farther than just starting to look over her gear, still only wearing the tanktop and shorts that served as part-time underwear and part-time pajamas. Today she knew it would be time to return to Bellionas. This time however it felt like it would be different at least. Lazily half-crossing her legs, she reached over and picked up the hunting knife attached to her belt, turning it over in her hands as her features eased into a contemplative expression. The blade, once her father's, had served her well the past years surviving. And during her trials on Kamda to prove she was a skilled hunter and tracker. But perhaps, there was a time now to no longer hold onto it.

[Meiyokashi]

This early, Praxton was comparably dressed save for the top. However, he was still laid up in bed with one of those antique books that were still made with paper and not datapads. For years beyond time either could imagine they were outdated but some still produced them for the authentic feel. Noticing something in Raven he pulls the book down from over his face and watches her for a moment.

"Does something trouble you?" he asks, his voice is hard but with that hint of warmth mixed within.

[Raven Cadera]

"Mm," was the noncommitment answer she gave first, then shifted in her seat to look at him. Sometimes it was surprising how well they could manage to move around eachother in this cramped space they had to share. Looking at him, her features softened into a smile at least. The book-reading wasn't something Raven had picked up much herself, but she knew she probably should. Even if her reading-speed was embarrassingly slow.

"Just... thinking." One arm crossed over her body, holding onto her leg. The other hand held the knife, idly tightening around the sheath of it. "... I hope it's not too late, but... I was going to give you this. On our wedding night."

Lifting the weapon, she held it out to him. "Just never could find the right time, after what happened."

[Praxton]

Thumb between the pages he shifts off the bed, glancing down at the page before closing the book. Laying out a hand to receive the gift he made a silent appraisal of it, a brief smile. "It is never too late to receive a gift, and always too early for regrets," he says with a brief smile directed to her.

"You never need worry, Raven. Before I let something bury itself," he smiles again, "your thoughts are concerned with the gift alone or is there something more?"

[Raven Cadera]

"Well you were stabbed, so I wasn't sure if it would now be in... bad taste?' She chuckled a little bit, letting him appraise the weapon. It certainly had its signs of age and wear, being a knife used for hunting and survival in the wilderness. Judging by its state, and that she had always had it with her before, it was probably more a gift of sentimental value than one of monetary value.

Leaning against him somewhat, the slow rise of her bare shoulders answered first that there was more. "... I just," a pause as she looked down, and then back up at him. "Still don't have much answers to give you, about why that had to happen to you. Only that it was an old favor, but... no clear idea as to why other than that." Raven felt it likely that had the situation been reversed, with her injured instead, Praxton would have handled things better.

"It's not that I'm upset about old enemies haunting us. We both have those, that is the way of the life we lead as Mando'ade. I'm just frustrated that I don't have the answers for you, that you wanted me to find."

[Praxton]

Taking a moment to appreciate the blade, his attention naturally shifts to Raven as she continues. Setting it aside almost absently as he focuses on her and shifts closer, taking her hands into his and setting his on her lap. "You do everything you can, if it were easy it would not be worthy of pursuit," he says with a smile but glances down a moment.

"I must.. be honest. When I asked you to find the answers I did so with an ulterior motive.. I wanted answers, as we need but more-" he looks to her, "I worried you might get lost in seeking vengeance for the deed and allow that to cloud your focus. My hope, was to give you this other goal you would have an easier time keeping sight of what is important," he says with a brief smile.

"We will find the answers, we will learn why this happened, and we will better protect our family. But it is important to not lose sight of the other things which are important," he looks to her in the pause, "to not lose sight of our ideals, and who we wish most to be. I believe in you, that you always will, but.. I understand life is sometimes challenging and so I wished to give you what help I could."

"Yet, I am sorry.. I feel as if it was still a betrayal, on some level."

[Raven Cadera]

That was... damnit. It wasn't a betrayal at all. Pressing her eyes close, Raven bumped her head against his as she leaned in. He was right, she knew. Without keeping his request in mind, she would've been out for blood. Though she also wanted to believe she had been smart enough to suspect something more going on.

"... Thank you," she murmured after a moment of silence, placing a soft kiss on his cheek. "And no. It wasn't a betrayal. You know me well, and you knew what I needed, without telling me. It seems..." opening her eyes again now she almost seemed a bit sheepish, "like we were both doing what we thought the other one needed. Or wanted. Like Dex's friend, Silas. The Raider boy. At the time, I was just so... angry, I wanted to lash out at anyone."

Her calloused hands in turn squeezed his. Kriff, if Mand'alor had approached her at the wrong point that morning, she might've done something so stupid as to take it out on him. "I saved his life because I couldn't think his death would've been what you wanted. Took the chance on believing him, and Dex."

[Praxton]

Praxton smiles, nodding his head, "I'm glad.. death obscures so much opportunity. It is not a weakness to offer mercy when there's doubt," he says, a broadening to his smile as he looks to her. For a minute he just sits with her like this.

"Still, I should have been more honest with my concerns. You are a brave and intelligent warrior, to suggest you need even the slightest deception to make the right choice," he shakes his head. "I could blame it on my injured state but that would be avoiding the responsibility. I still should have trusted to speak freely, and speak my worries. Perhaps.." he shakes his head. "No matter," a renewed smile.

"Thank you for heeding my advice. Regardless of my failing," a small breath exhaled from his nostrils. "And thank you for the gift, I will cherish it."

[Raven Cadera]

"Don't beat yourself up over it. You did what you thought was right in the moment, and it was," releasing her hands from his, her hands brushed up his arms, over his shoulders, before coming together behind his neck to wrap her arms around him. "We aren't perfect, and life doesn't always give us easy choices. But we're together, we face those challenges as they come at us, as one."

Smiling with a sense of peace and wholeness, being together like this, Raven's fingertips brushed against his hair. "And you better. It's important to me, just as you are. I... know he would be happy that it's yours now." Pulling herself closer, this time her lips found his for a kiss.

"Now, before we have to leave..." her voice dropped to a warm hush for only him to hear, "... we should take advantage of having this time and small place of privacy to ourselves."

[Praxton]

Parting from the kiss left a smile as he nodded to her suggestion. Placing his hands to her lap he gave a little squeeze before turning and seeing the knife somewhere safely out of the way, "I will cherish this, and keep it safe," he says, not to let that go unsaid or without full confirmation of how important he understands it iss. Turning his attention back to her, he brought his hands to her sides and found a firm grip.

When she was ready, he would pull her to him with greatly returned strength.

What happened after that? Likely best left to the newlyweds.

/ftb?

[Raven Cadera]

Smiling in return, she knew he understood. "Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum..." she said in a warm tone, words meant for him alone. Claiming one more kiss from him as his hands found her sides, another kiss and a nod encouraged him to go on... and being pulled in elicited a low but joyful laugh from her.

Like the gift, it was never to late to share this special moment that would've been their wedding night.

"Mar'e."


/ftb