#lostwithspace

Finished sketch commission of Rio for @lostwithspace !

From Young Vynathr's perspective

Their looks: Unlike anything he's ever seen. He's been the only sea kei in a village of Levik for years, with their greens and earthy colors, standing out among them with his deep blues, and here is Rio, so many shades of violet bursting into the world and changing everything. Purple might have become Vynathr's favorite color.

Their personality: Thoughtful. Vynathr's only met one person that was so attentive. So willing to share, rather than take or force his opinions, so curious about the little things. Rio reminds Vynathr of his only friend, Kano.

They had life support.

That was about it.

Cairis had gotten a bunk aboard her pal Rio’s ship, the Onyx Moth, after she’d completed a relatively easy solo assignment.  The files had been done up and squirted ahead; approval had been transmitted for her to take her time while meandering back towards Central Hub.

They’d been in transit and then, suddenly, they weren’t.

The ship had dropped out of hyperspace with just enough leniency to keep them from splattering from bow to stern.  They’d gotten some bumps and bruises; Rio’s tail was sprained and Cairis’ left arm was broken and she’d taken a solid thump to her head.

If Rio was injured beyond his tail, she couldn’t tell.  He’d sprung into action quite efficiently; killing any unnecessary systems to keep the ship from exploding while also keeping life support cycling to keep them alive.

She’d stayed mostly out of the way while he’d run a chasing diagnostic system the length of the ship, trying to track down the problem and see if it was fixable.  She tidied up the best she could and dodged out of his way whenever he came barreling through.

When artificial gravity cut off, she heaved a disgusted sigh and went to cling to something stationary.

Eventually, Rio reappeared.

@lostwithspace

Hideki had been surprised when a Blade had dropped off a package while he worked at the desk in his rooms but didn’t think much of it initially. Once he finally gets a chance to open it his eyes go wide with shock, he knows the tune this storage crystal is singing well and is already tearing up from the memories.

The Empress smiles as he reads the note and chuckles fondly, “Oh Rio... As if I wouldn’t have you for a student for any reason. I’ll have to show Tatsu this later, but for now...”

He takes the crystal and places it on his desk, breathing deep as he pulls up magic and the words of the tune from the depths of his memory. “From the shell~ A song of The Sea~ Neither quiet nor calm, searching for love again~ My Heart~” He thought it was strange of Blaytz to use a lullaby to lock the storage crystals the Blue Paladin made, but he’s secretly glad he did and that he taught them all how to open them.

Rio was walking down the corridor a few sections away from his docked ship, the Onyx Moth. His ship was docked for a few quintants, offering the crew of the current Empire warship some r&r without having to go on leave. In his arms he was carrying a box of spare parts he had bartered off the crew, with a tablet balanced on top.

For lack of a better term, Rio was a little distracted, trying to read the tablet and confirming the inventory he was getting. He shifted the box, trying to get a better view of the screen, but all it caused was for the tablet to slip and fall, landing down a side path.

Cursing, he looked down, and stood there for a moment. He debated whether it was worth the effort to lean down and put down his box, just to pick up the tablet, or if he could just try and pick it up with his foot. He was in the middle of the internal debate when suddenly his body was forced closer to the tablet. Then over it.

And before he knew it, he was pushed into a corner, hand over his mouth, and the wall in front of him was suddenly bathed in a soft purple light. His mind was still catching up, but years of being the targets of various bullies had left him with an innate sense to start struggling. Unlike previously in Rio’s, it wasn’t against someone looking to inflict, but someone in fear of their life. The former engineer’s struggles weren’t as effective, and they didnt last long, after nothing else came to him except the uttered threat. Miraculously, the box if equipment had been pressed up against Rio and prevented any from falling onto the floor.

His hair was raised a bit awith Rio’s hackles, he couldn’t help a soft growl escaping from his throat and he was let go. Turning around with a good degree of caution. “Mind telling me what you are doing before you get some involuntary mechanical downgrades.”

Of course, he expected that the younger man would be defensive, but Razok wasn’t having any of it tonight. He turns to the other, reaching up to rip down his hood and remove his mask to glare at him. 

“Kindly saving your arse from some people who would have killed you had they the chance.” He bites back, and then huffs. “You’d do well to watch your mouth, boy.”

He then turns, quickly peeking around the corner of the building to check and see if any of the Empire’s men were coming back. He found none, and nearly sighed in relief. When he knew it was clear, he turned again and pressed his back to the wall. Razok then turned his head downward with a grimace, having placed his hand on his side, only to pull it away and curse when his fingers and palm came away stained in blood. 

Seems he wasn’t as agile as he boasted. The gunshot wound wasn’t anywhere fatal, but it would still hinder his traveling regardless if he didn’t get it looked at. However, his sight takes him back to the younger man he’d help hide, and a frown overtakes his features.

“...If you’ve got a ship, you’ll want to get out of this city soon. There’s a splinter group of Empire-Loyal ships heading this way. If the data I have on me is right, they’re not taking prisoners.”

Stupid fucking planet. Stupid fucking moon. Between his pale complexion and silver hair, he practically glows under the strangely bright moonlight. He’s a walking glow stick, an easy to track target. He may as well be walking around carrying a blinking neon sign that says “look at me!” 

With a frustrated growl, he does his best to make himself look less like a glowstick and a suspicious person. But ti is difficult - he ddin’t really bring a change of clothes or anything because he didn’t think he needed one. Braiding his hair so it fits more easily under a cap. 

His pathetic excuse of a disguise doesn’t do much. He’s followed almost immediately and despite a winding dash through the forest, he’s still followed. Tackled to the ground by a rather scruffy, burly and generally tank of a Galra, his captor unceremoniously drags him to the nearest clearning so he can see him better. Coincidentally, of course, this is the very clearing in front of where Kusa is hiding. 

“You’re not from here,” the Galra notes with an amused hum. Despite not having met Zephon’s kind before they’re definitely famous enough that he’s taken the precaution of putting a muzzle on him, as well as binding his hands together. “And you’re up to something. No one would go for a walk in this creepy forest for fun. You must be meeting someone here. Who’s the traitor?” Zephon doesn’t answer, not that he can give much of an answer through the muzzle.