GATALENTAN!

While Amilyn did not personally abide by the Idolization of Jedi Practices and Beliefs as those of her planet did --- she had seen enough in her youth to know the Force was an ever present and active component of their world. As Bastila spoke, she felt herself feeling semi-homesick all the same as she hadn’t spoken so candidly about such things since she was a teenage girl on Gatalena.  “ The dark cannot prevail forever ---”  she agreed, thinking back to the Jedi Theology she had learned years ago  “ for darkness means nothing without a light to make it so. Ensuring that is can never truly go out forever... just swarmed for a bit. ”

From beneath green bangs, Amilyn’s eyebrow raised slightly at the question. Was it so hard to believe, she wondered, for someone to be concerned about someone without a personal investment attached ?  She didn’t know a lot about Trilla --- so she didn’t judge her, but the Captain would be lying to say she wasn’t at least curious.  “ It doesn’t bother me, if that’s what you mean --- but I’m worried about the strain you’ll put yourself under long term, purely for your sake. ”   She answered honestly.  “ And that worry does leave me concerned for your well-being, yes. ”

Amilyn gave him a small smile from the corner of her mouth, “ That’s often the way with tension --- it accumulates until it becomes too strong for us to bare. If you’d like, I know some simple stretches that can help in the meantime... but the source of the tension is usually less easy to deal with. ”  There was a motivation inside her --- something beyond just normal empathy that made him seem familiar to her in a way, prompting her to care about his well-being. In the back of her mind, her mother’s teaching of the force connecting all rang in her ear --- but she pushed it down. She didn’t need the force to care about a stranger.

She rose her eye impishly at the offer, it’d been a good challenge to face off with Lando and the idea of facing off once more was very tempting. “ I might just take you up on that when we’re back on base. ”  she replied with a grin.  “ I have a graveyard scanner shift for the next three cycles when we get back --- we can see if I can make the list. ”  Amilyn laughed lightly, before holding out her arm. “  I’m in a good mood, I might just let you buy me two. ”  She teased.

“ Well, that depends on what the difference is. ”  She mused, not entirely willing to give away what she might have in her possession. If she understood correctly, she may have an Idiot’s Array --- but her poker face remained steadfast. She supposed, in theory, it helped that despite her open emotions --- people had told her she was hard to read in most situations. She’d even used it to her advantage a few times in the war.  Something she knew she’d need to summon to beat a master like Han at his game. However, there was an umistakable smile to her eyes --- Amilyn didn’t often get to work with Han, which kept them apart. Still, she knew she liked him alright on his own --- and because of Leia, it was her duty to get to know him better.

Amilyn would recognize the voice of Lando Calrissian anywhere she was. Turning around, she looked up and saw the ever charismatic smile approaching her. She returned with her own as she approached. “ That’s nice to hear, I wondered if after our last Sabacc game that might change. ”  She teased lightly with an impish grin. Han had taught her how to play (and win) over the course of many late night patrols together --- which had led to a very sweet victory on her part the last time they had been together. “ I was wondering when you’d show up here, I didn’t expect you to stay away too long from a celebration. ”  Sprinkling a pinch of confetti that had been filling the air for an hour now over his head lightly with a grin.

❝ How did you do it ? ❞ Amilyn asked before she could stop herself, in a moment self awareness she almost felt embarrassed at her words. They were out now though, she couldn't take them back --- so she had no choice but to see it through. ❝ How did you defy everything you were suppose to be... shed that Jedi livelihood... sorry, I overheard some people talking and... ❞  She had never been a Jedi herself, but so much of her youth had been wrapped up in it's culture. Gatalenta had practically been founded on ancient tenants --- which she had always felt suffocated within. Perhaps this was what caused her uncharacteristic uncertainty as she spoke, the level she was sharing at felt very personal and it made her uncomfortable.  /  @inspiringgreatness​​ liked for a starter.

❝ Remind me again... what counts as a winning hand ? ❞ Amilyn asked, her eyes peering over the top of the cards in her hand towards Han. A playful serious expression as she held them close to her chest, protecting them from any potential cheating --- not that she was really concerned about that. She'd had to show him her hand at least a dozen times as he taught her the game, but she thought perhaps she had gotten the hang of it. // @ofcxrellia