Open Log [5] Merry Sithmas

[kallig]

WHO: Altair Kallig & You
WHERE: Event Planet
WHAT: Belated Christmas Event Funtimes
WHEN: Event start to end
WARNINGS: Mentions of child abuse and slavery at some point, probably.

Arrival

My life is random was a truth about his life that Altair had accepted some time ago. From long dead ghost relatives to Colicoids to running a cult to playing matchmaker for a woman and her long-lost Jedi love who turned out to be a coward and a liar. Long story short, his life was an unbroken string of mismatched events and the universe throwing darts to decide what next to shove in his way had become normal.

Still, the music calling them to the ships- he'd been happy to find a new, clean set of clothes, at least- and now this. A planet as frigid as Hoth, with snow coming down.

So he moved toward where he could sense light and warmth and life- like most other people, seeking shelter from the snow, despite his species tolerating cold temperatures more easily.

For some time, he explored the strange little village. Could be found wandering around, being mystified at the rapidly multiplying candles.

And eventually also found with a droid riding about on his shoulder, the droid chirping to let him know when it spotted something interesting.

The sweater was well enough left alone.


Disaster Strikes (and the Sith was once more A Child)

Eventually the lure of chocolate became too much.

From a fairly confident man to a less than confident child.

Though he'd found himself clothes to fit him (mystified at being in clothes much larger than he was to begin with), Altair didn't settle. Wandering the strange village, jumping at shadows.

He was confused, scared, and felt more alone than ever.

A small blue child with red eyes and powder blue hair could be seen wandering, looking in windows, looking about ready to bolt in the other direction should someone approach too quickly.

Perhaps the normal response for a lost child would be to cry- Altair didn't know.

He did know he wanted answers though.


A Child Somewhat Settled

Once he'd gotten his answers, Altair had settled.

Not quite joining in on the fun of all the other children, but still making his own fun- building a snowman, exploring with somewhat less trepidation than before. Acting a little more like a child would.

Though he hadn't joined the other children playing, he did at least sit and watch their snowball fights.


(ooc: Feel free to come up with your own starter, too! w/ either regular adult Altair or the child version!)

Comments

[A child somewhat settled]

[thrawnsaide]

[Eli spotted the young....chiss off by himself building a snowman. He thought it was usual to see the child by himself and not among the other children playing. Yet, it also caught him off guard that he was a chiss. Thrawn was the only one around that he was aware. He'll find out more once he talked to the child.]

Hi, would you like some help with the snowman?

[Eli softly questioned as he stepped over to the young chiss.]

[kallig]

[Altair had not expected being approached, though he didn't flinch. The child did curl in on himself a little though, hands clasped together in front of him, head slightly bowed as though expecting to get in trouble, eyes averted.]

... I didn't know adults liked building snowmen, sir. But, you're human, so you can do as you like, sir.

[This was not the slave settlement on Ziost, nor did he have a collar on. But he'd gotten used to talking to humans as if they were above him, and usually it was safer to default to polite language and a polite tone.]

A Child Somewhat Settled

[wearingthestars]

Billy was trying to keep an eye on Tommy and the other children without become the target of the snow ball fight himself, though when he spotted the one child sitting of apart from the others he approached to join him.

"...You mind if I sit with you?" he asked, flashing him a small smile.

[kallig]

"I don't mind, sir," Altair responded, tilting his head. Honestly, even if he had minded, he wouldn't have said anything- that people tended to do as they liked, especially humans, was something he was more than used to already.

"You'll be bored here though."

After all, Altair was playing alone, building a snowman. Not something that would interest an adult, he was sure.

[wearingthestars]

"Billy," he corrected gently, "Are you Kallig?" he guessed. There weren't many people people to choose from, and Altair had never told him his first name.

He shook his head easily. "Why would I be bored?"

[kallig]

He tilted his head, looking a bit puzzled, "No, I'm Altair. Is Kallig someone who looks like me, maybe?"

As for his other question, Altair shrugged, "I'm not playing in the same way everyone else is. Building a snowman is probably a lot more boring than running around."

It didn't seem like it would be very interesting to anyone older than twelve, anyway.

[thrawnsaide]

Hrmmm...you must have met some boring adults then. Where I'm from we don't get snow. It's always too warm.

[Eli explained in a light tone.]

There is no need to bow your head for me and no need to be afraid of me. My name is, Eli.

[He then knelt before the young chiss and offered his hand out to shake.]

[kallig]

I guess so.

[Altair wasn't sure he agreed, but he wouldn't argue the point either. After all, for all he knew, adults did like to build snowmen. But a slave didn't have that freedom. Even he was unused to getting to play this much, to have fun without consequence.

He reached to shake the man's hand somewhat hesitantly, still a little wary, but less so.] I'm Altair.

[thrawnsaide]

[Eli shook his hand warmly. He did his best to hide his recognition of the name. He was going to have to talk with Altair later about this. For now, he didn't want to confuse the other too much by knowing his name.]

It's a pleasure meeting you, Altair. Let's see about getting the snowman built? Then perhaps some food and maybe warmer clothing for the both of us?

[kallig]

I'm fine like this.

[He tilts his head slightly.] My species is good with cold. I think. I don't actually know a lot about them.

[Altair moves back to continue working on his snowman.] My mom and dad are Chiss too. Um, duh. And my grandparents too. Duh.

[Kinda stupid of him to even say that. But he did anyway. No matter.] But they don't like me much. Because I'm impure.

[thrawnsaide]

....I'm sorry to hear that. I don't think that's fair for them to hate you for that. By....impure you are meaning one with the Force?

I know people used to hate me because of my heavy accent and that I'm not from a Core world. But I don't care about things like that or if you have the Force or don't have the Force. I always believed that what's important is who you are.


[The comments in regard to the cold, sounded about right. He knew Thrawn and his people lived in cold worlds. The heat on the other hand he had a hard time adjusting to.]

Where I'm from my people have heard about the Chiss. But you are the second one I've met in person.

[kallig]

Yeah... I'm not sure but... They say Chiss who can use the Force are... Tainted. Impure. And where the Chiss come from... They said that if I'd been born there, I'd have been executed. Because a Chiss who can use the Force is bad.

[The subject matter is heavy, but the way Altair speaks about it, despite some hesitance, is almost light, airy, like it's matter of fact rather than anything else.]

But we belong to the Empire, so... They can't do anything.

[Anything permanent, anyway.]

It's not my fault, I think. I can't help the way I was born. But they don't really care.

[He tilts his head then. Knowing about the Chiss is more a matter of fact thing for him, too.] There are a lot of Chiss where I'm from too. I see them standing guard in places sometimes.

[thrawnsaide]

[Eli frowned a bit at the news. He could understand now why Altair had been cautious about who he was. But...really neither of them would have been upset about it. So strange how their worlds were similar but different.]

Well, here you are free. You don't belong to no one and it doesn't matter that you have the Force. I will protect you. I protect the young ones back at home as well that have the Force.

[Well it wasn't technically the Force, but Eli suspected it was a part of the Force the navigators were able to use. He loved the girls with all his heart as well.

At home...the Chiss embrace those with the Force. They are honored and protected by their people. It's considered a crime to harm them. I wish that had been the case for you.

[kallig]

I don't need protection.

[There's a bit of the stubbornness of a child there, complete with frown and crossing of his arms.] I've managed this far on my own. I can protect myself.

[It's what he's used to, anyway.

As for Eli's experience with Chiss Force-users... Well, it's hard to believe. But maybe his parents were wrong? Or maybe they lied to him. He's not sure, and he doesn't care. It doesn't actually change the fact that they hate him for something he has no control over, after all.]

You can wish all you want. It doesn't change anything.

[Seems that Altair's tendency to occasionally be a bit blunt is something that's been around since he was a child.]

[thrawnsaide]

Fair enough. I'll be here if you do need my help or have any questions.

[Eli gave a small smile, seeing that familiar stubbornness and blunt attitude Altair was known for.

He decided to go about working on the snowman, sensing that they needed something else to discuss/distract.]

[kallig]

... Are all adults like this?

[All adults who aren't his family, anyway.]

The ladies at the settlement do this too. Not in the same way, but they always end up herding me to their own kids. They feed me sometimes, and give me clothes and stuff. They're kind, but...

[He shakes his head. He doesn't really get it. Maybe it's Eli being a man that's throwing him off and making him want to act tougher than he actually is. Men don't normally bother with him in the same way the women do.]

Never mind. Help me with this?

[He gestures to the snow he's rolling up to be the snowman's torso.] It's kinda heavy.

[thrawnsaide]

No, we're not. We're all different.

[Eli moved over to help Altair lift up the snowman's torso. He was glad that Altair was quick to recover and not afraid to ask for the help. Grinning, he allowed Altair to do most of the directing as they put the snowman together.]

[kallig]

[There are definitely pros to having an adult help.

The con is that now the snowman is a lot bigger and a lot taller than Altair himself is. Try as he might, his hands don't reach high enough to do anything about the snowman's face.

So he might be pouting a little, as he'd brought some stuff to decorate the thing and he's a bit too proud to ask to be lifted so he can work on it.]

[thrawnsaide]

[Seeing Altair's frustration, Eli came up to him and bent down with his back facing him.]

Climb up on my back. You can decorate the snowman this way.

[kallig]

... I'm not a baby.

[Well, he knows it's not for babies, to climb up on an adult's back. He's seen kids a lot older than himself riding around on their parents' backs or shoulders. It's just not something he's personally used to.]

I'm ten, you know. I'm a big kid.

[Never mind that he looks like he's younger.

Despite that initial resistance though, he looks like he's at least thinking about it.] ... You won't tell anyone, will you? I don't want to get laughed at.

[wearingthestars]

"...Maybe," Billy agrees after a moment, "Altair then."

He shrugs a shoulder and smiles at the kid. "Who says everyone has to play the same way? Building a snowman sounds plenty fun to me."

[kallig]

"I guess you do look young enough to still like playing..."

Perhaps he hadn't shed any childish traits, yet. Humans who weren't slaves stayed like that longer than slaves did, he supposed.

"Well, as I said, I don't mind."

Having company was better than being alone, after all.

[thrawnsaide]

The secret is safe between you and me.

[Eli replied as he ignored the other comments. He knew what ever he would say would just feed into a more stubborn response.]

[kallig]

[He hesitates a moment longer, before moving to climb up on his back, being careful to not hurt him somehow. Stubbornness aside, he doesn't actually want to cause him any harm.]

I'm not too heavy?

[Never mind that Eli was a man and could probably lift heavier things than the women Altair was familiar with.]

[thrawnsaide]

[Once he was sure Altair was settled, Eli stood back off and moved over to the snowman, angling himself so Altair could do all the work of decorating it.]

Not at all. I had a lot of younger cousins to help look after when I was younger.

[kallig]

Okay...

[He sounds a bit doubtful, but doesn't argue- instead working on decorating the snowman.]

Can you turn a bit more this way?

[He points toward the direction he wants Eli to turn, so he can get a better angle to work from.] ... Please?

[Best to try and be a bit polite. He's plenty stubborn, but knows to use his manners when asking for something from adults.]