Thread: Countless Stars, Unending Possibilities (The_Gladiator & darkangel76)

Based on appearances alone, the two men were definitely rough around the edges as they bantered back and forth for a time before finally even acknowledging her presence. Laela was quite mystified and stunned that the two would carry on in such a fashion as it was. After all, she was standing there freezing and frightened, smoke billowing from her ship, which had just crashed and who knew what else lurked out there in the black... Yes, it was all quite astonishing to say the least. Still, it was quite clear to Laela that neither of the men were of Illuminati blood, but seeing as they hadn't taken up their firearms that they donned for any casual passerby to see, she was certain that neither had taken up with the rebels either. She didn't know much about the rebels and their cause other than what her parents had told herthat they were wrong and misguided fools who coveted what they couldn't have and clearly didn't understand, that they had no vision and were consumed by their jealousies and hatred to see past the red haze clouding their judgment. She had always taken that to mean that rebels were the enemy, bred to hate them and kill them upon sight if they could. If only they could be reasoned with, if only they'd listened. But it was difficult to reason with anyone willing to stick a knife into your heart. Just then, a shiver ran along Laela's spine. Though she felt confident that these two weren't part of the rebels bred to detest the Illuminati and what they stood for, she wondered just what it was they intended. Men on a planet as remote as Charon surely had to have an agenda of some sort and more than likely it was the kind of thing the Illuminati would not look favorably upon... would they? Laela tilted her head as she watched the men chat, introducing themselves amidst their jabs at each other and use of obscenities. She could feel her cheeks burning as they spoke, their manner and talk making her a bit uncomfortable as she stood there. Her hands gripped her shimmery skirts tightly as she shifted from foot to foot, her body trembling from both cold and nervousness, her mind swirling with confusion and uncertainty. If this was the sort that wandered the rim, the sort that was considered helpful, she hated to know what the true pirates were like. Just then, another shiver shook her body and she bit down on her lip. I... Laela began, about to speak. But her words were cut off when a muffled voice interrupted them all. Before she knew it, the man who called himself Jason, the one who was captain, the leader, grabbed her arm and dragged her along toward their ship that had landed in the distance. Laela wasn't sure if she should struggle or just follow along. If pirates truly were the cause of her ship's downfall, then she knew she had to leave. She'd never survive or keep her honor if they got a hold of her, that much she knew to be true. Her eyes shifted to where the captain's hand encircled her arm and she realized that her feet were already falling into step, following along as she was being pulled along. I don't need an escort, Laela chided as she followed the captain, her arm tightly in his grip. I understand my odds better than you think. She could feel her cheeks burning as she moved closer to the ship in the distance. This might be my first time off Helios, but I'm hardly stupid, you know! Her lips pursed into a pout, but she continued to follow along in the captain's grip. Of course, Laela knew deep down that she had no idea what her fate would have been had this captain and his first mate not arrived when they had, had not taken the time to explore the wreckage or look for any survivors. Truly, she knew she should be grateful. But the way she was being yelled at, treated like a child... It reminded her of those lonely times back on Helios, those times when she wasn't good for anything other than something to remain silent in a corner.