Brawln and Nomi 2

Nomi looks up from a book as Brawln tries to pass unobtrusively by the alcove where Nomi has taken up a spot. HC-7, who is apparently unaware of Brawln's attempts not to distract Nomi from her book, says "Oh, Ms. Amersu, I didn't see you there. I hope you are having a pleasant evening."

Nomi smiles in amusement at the politely programmed droid. "Thank you, HC-7. I was just reading a little before bed, but I am glad you came by." She looks over at Brawln. "I wanted to thank you for rescuing me out from under that building. What was it that went by? A group herding Gundarks for the arenas maybe?"

Brawln nods in acknowledgment, and you see him hold up a hand to try and gauge how large the beasts were.

HC translates, "Something I'd never seen before is all I know. About so high, I didn't really get a great look at them, what with the hiding and all. Someone was rounding them up for Korrda's arena. Brawln overheard that much. We were lucky the building collapsed as little as it did. Brawln glad you came out unharmed.

"Brawln is glad we were able to help your friend Zio. He seemed like a good person. He seemed especially keenly interested in whether or not you were okay, for someone you only met just recently anyway." There is a note of amusement in his voice, which quickly fades as he continues to speak after that part is translated.

"Brawln does not mean to pry, as he respects your privacy, but he thinks it unfortunate that you and your sister may end up spending so much of your youth on the move." Brawln shrugs. "Maybe you won’t mind it as much as I did."

"Next time I will avoid abandoned buildings and stick to trash heaps like you and Zio. Though I did come out smelling a tiny bit better than the two of you. It might also have had something to do with having no hair." Nomi laughs a little. "Zio is just a friend. As I keep telling Somi, who seems to have so many other ideas. But I would have been worried about him too. I mean we had just spent 4 days keeping each other alive on an abandoned surface of the moon. It would have sucked to have been taken out at the end by a bad driver and a poorer choice of hiding spot."

Nomi looks seriously at Brawln. "You don't have to worry. Home is where Somi is and I honestly am super excited about getting to see all of these different places in the galaxy and meet so many different types of people. Ryloth was very insular. Maybe not as much as Vic's home planet, but it was far away and stuck and there was little opportunity. Out here I can be whatever I want to be." Nomi gestures widely with the book that she is holding the title of which is "The Galaxy as we know it: a special and cultural study"

Nomi stands, bridging a bit of the gap that was between the two of them, bringing her closer to Brawln. "How are you doing now that the Mirror is gone?" She cocks her head to the side, concern crinkling the corners of her eyes a bit.

Brawln is quiet for a moment before answering, "Better, I think. Or at least different." HC delivers these all as statements but Brawln's tone wavers a bit, as though the last half of that may have been said half questioningly.

"It was a short time ago that I lost my father, who was one of my only real long term connections since I was young," Brawln explains. He opens his mouth a few times to say something, each time with a different expression on his face - but no words come, until at last, he looks at you with more certainty and says, "Imagine if you lost Somi." He seems to settle back down after that, content that he has probably kinda sort of conveyed his emotional state-ish.

Nomi nods, sadness reflecting in her eyes and she suddenly steps forward and wraps her arms around Brawln's big furry torso. She rests her head on his chest and continues to hold the hug for quite a while. When she steps back she does not appear to feel any awkwardness about the embrace.

"I'm sorry Brawln. I didn't know it was so recent. Do you want to talk about it?"

Brawln responds to Nomi's offer a little quizzically, and HC offers, "I believe she is offering to listen if you want to talk about how your father died."

More quizzical grunting, then HC says, "Well, my understanding is that some people find they feel better about something after they talk about it."

A low, rather mournful throat noise from Brawln and HC says, "Well, I'm not exactly an expert on such things, Brawln, but it certainly couldn't hurt."

Brawln looks at Nomi as he starts to speak, but then turns away shortly thereafter. He speaks for a long time before he is silent, by which point, Brawln's eyes seem unable to stay in one spot, and his voice quivers in places. When he has finished, he makes a motion to HC, who begins to translate.

"It seems that our furry companion here became acquainted with the Mirror because he was an unwitting assistant in several of the Mirror's killings. Apparently, the Mirror gained entry to a vessel using Brawln's father's form, and though Brawln recognized that this man who looked like his father was acting in contrary to every motive his father had ever held, he did not act against the Mirror. Instead, he defended his father's likeness, until that likeness turned on him.

"The Mirror killed everyone aboard that vessel, save for Brawln, but including his father - whose death, along with the others aboard that ship, Brawln feels he is ultimately responsible for."

Brawln roars angrily at HC, who responds, "Well, I never said you would feel better while you were talking about it."

Nomi reaches out for and takes Brawln's giant yet very humanoid hand in hers and though she suddenly feels like a child holding her father's hand she says, "The Mirror was a very bad person. You did a good thing making sure that he could never hurt anyone like that again." She knows that it will do no good to assure him he is not at fault. That will have to come to Brawln in his own time. "We want to trust those we love, even if they seem to be acting in ways we would never expect. I will always support Somi, no matter what. If there is another Mirror out there it could be a fatal flaw for me and despite knowing it, I still have it."

Nomi catches Brawln's eye so he can see she is sincere. "You are a brave, loyal, and kind being, Brawln. That is something that I have seen and know deep to the Force inside me. Don't forget it."

As Brawln listens to what Nomi is saying, his shoulders sag and he lets out a deep breath and gives Nomi's hand a quick, gentle squeeze. His eyes still seem filled with confusion, but the fear that was there when you sought eye contact initially seems to have ebbed.

HC translates, "Brawln wasn't sure how anyone would react if they found out his role in his father's death, but this is not a reaction he was anticipating. Brawln will remember your words. Thank you, Nomi."

"You are very welcome, my friend. I hope you sleep well tonight." Nomi gives his fingers a final squeeze and drops Brawln's hand. Then she slips back to her alcove and back to her book.

Brawln wanders off to be alone with his thoughts. HC follows him to the door, turns back to Nomi and bows slightly before rushing off after Brawln.