Akrennia

Akrennia, a world ravaged by war. If you're willing to look, the Akrennians have a rich culture and a complex civilization. Of course there are a few shortcomings too but a perfect civilization doesn't exist. I've only been on the surface once. Now I'm hesitant to set foot down there, afraid of what I'll see. For a while, the Akrennians were a people without a home. They've got it back, but it'll take a while before they'll recognize it as their home again. Maybe its better I didn't have to go down. Ayko's home was destroyed as were most of the city of De'rahn. It took some convincing before Admiral Rynta let me board the Dinn Eymaru and only because I knew his daughter. She and Preed shared one of the larger officer's quarters. That was their home now. In the meantime the survivors of their race worked day and night to rebuild their world.

Ayko: *opens door herself and frowns*

Specter: *smiles* Got a moment?

Ayko: What the hell're you doin' here? Though I sort of knew you'd come for a final talk when I saw you on Earth again. C'mon in.

Specter: Thanks. Hey Preed. How're you doing? I've actually heard a lot of good things about you.

Preed: *purs* Really? I'm gonna be good at it if I'm not careful.

Ayko: Yeah, the rumors are true this time. *gestures at couch* Siddown. Want something to drink? Akrennian ale? Quntarian whiskey?

Specter: Eh, just water will do fine.

Ayko: *snickers* Just water will do fine he says. You don't drink alcohol do you? Never even tried a good glass of Akrennian ale?

Specter: As a matter of fact, no I don't. Don't be offended, it's just a principle and a matter of taste.

Ayko: *shrugs* Your loss. Just water it is then.

Specter: *sits down across Preed on the other couch* Wow, Preed. Shall we start at the beginning?

Preed: Well, that would be the most logical thing. Last time we met it was on New Earth.

Specter: I heard you stayed there for quite some time before returning to Akrennia. Any particular reason?

Preed: It was not my idea of course. Ayko just wanted to have some fun with me. Didn't seem like such a bad thing at the time and New Earth's certainly not a bad place either. Unfortunately her father didn't seem to agree on that.

Specter: Yeah, I heard you were quite anxious to meet your girlfriend's parents.

Ayko: And with good reason. Here, nice and cold. *hands over glass*

Specter: Thanks Ayko. *takes sip*

Ayko: *drops down couch next to Preed* He was a nobody, not part of a clan and he only had my word to back him up. On top of that my father is not exactly the easiest type to get along with. *looks at Preed and snickers* But we sure showed him, didn't we? *nuzzles*

Preed: *returns affection* You sure did, my dear.

Specter: So you're engaged now and it's approved by your father I heard, Ayko. Got any plans for a wedding?

Ayko: None of your business, little human. If you're ever gonna marry an Akrennian woman, you'd better prepare yourself for it.

Specter: *uneasy* Eh, thanks. I'll keep that in mind.

Ayko: I wanted it to be here on Akrennia, my home. Not everything is destroyed but it hurts.

Specter: I heard about that. I'm sorry. You carry a deep love for your homeworld.

Ayko: Damn right. I love Akrennia. It's where I was born, where I grew up and became what I am today. My father had a hand in that though, quite literally sometimes.

Specter: He's a proud man, isn't he?

Ayko: *nods* Yes. We often disagree and sometimes we can't stand each other but that's because we're too much alike. He knows that and I know it too, feel it too. And even though it looks like we don't like each other and sometimes I undermine his authority on purpose, I still respect him for the man he is. And though our relationship is a little rough most of the time, deep inside I know he loves me and I love him too.

Specter: Sounds like he has a high expectations of you. You've gotta lot to live up to.

Ayko: And with good reason.

Specter: He's an Admiral.

Ayko: Exactly, and with his high rank comes high expectations and not just of me. *looks at Preed* If father hadn't accepted you, you'd never become my mate. But Preed here lets his actions speak for him. Tell him about it in a moment. I think you'll be interested.

Specter: Oh, I heard the wildest stories. Curious to find out which ones are true. Go on.

Preed: *smiles* You'll be surprised.

Ayko: Of course he expects me, my brother and even my mother to live up to those expectations. We respect him. The people around him respect him. He's one of the Trsh'ka clan leaders. No wonder he wants me and my brother to follow in his footsteps.

Specter: Yeah, the relationship with your brother is a little rough too. I mean, c'mon, you're brother and sister. You're supposed to support each other.

Ayko: *scoffs* Then you don't know anything about my brother. Sokarr can be a real pain in the ass. The nerve! I was angry at father too for sending him to my ship. Nice trip around the quadrant with my annoying little brother on my bridge only to keep an eye on Preed. We had bigger things to worry about, like not getting our asses shot off by the Seraphim.

Specter: Funny, cause I think Preed seems to get along with your brother much better.

Preed: I wouldn't describe it as 'getting along'. He did thank me for saving his life. I think he's okay.

Ayko: *sarcastic* Yeah, right. *grumbles indistinctively* I think this is a good time for me to stop talking and a good time for you to start.

Specter: Yeah Preed, you had a change of heart or something like that.

Preed: I'm still very much Akrennian.

Specter: So that means I still can't trust you; people still can't trust you.

Preed: *smirks* It means I have a reason for doing certain things.

Specter: They call that a hidden agenda. You don't have to say more. All of you have one.

Ayko: *snickers* You got that right, human. It's in our blood, part of our culture perhaps.

Jick'chii: *wakes up and yawns*

Specter: So, why did you change? I know you're not the same anymore.

Jick'chii: *moves closer*

Preed: Hmm, let me think. Maybe because my way of life changed and not just a little. *looks at Ayko* I had someone actually caring about me. It gave me the strangest feeling. Never felt that before. I wasn't really used to it and it forced me to change the way I thought about everything.

Specter: Are you happy with it?

Preed: *grins* Let's just say I'm not unhappy with it. It got me where I am today. That's all there is to it.

Jick'chii: *leaps on the couch*

Specter: *timidly* Eh, sweet little dragon thingy.

Jick'chii: *crawls closer and hisses*

Ayko: *amusedly* Better be careful. Jick'chii don't. That's mommy's guest.

Jick'chii: *studying and sniffing*

Ayko: She's a Krach'thaa. She still has her poison-injecting teeth so don't upset her.

Specter: *timidly* Very comforting.

Jick'chii: *purs and rubs head to leg*

Specter: *laughs nervously*

Ayko: I think she likes you. You can caress her now.

Specter: *very carefully touches Jick'chii's head*

Jick'chii: *squeals very softly*

Ayko: Come sweetheart.

Jick'chii: *stands up and leaps in Ayko's arms with a few quick jumps*

Ayko: *caresses Jick'chii* She's sweet and good-natured. You only have to make her feel comfortable. She's even starting to like Preed. *Places soft kiss on Jick'chii's head*

Specter: *sighs in relief* Ehm, where were we? Preed, you changed but you're still the best in turning people against you. First your crewmates, then there was Kryfar and now that other guy; Khiosa. How do you do that?

Preed: A nasty habit of mine isn't it? But honestly, the last two times weren't my fault. Okay, maybe a tiny bit. I couldn't just let him touch my girl in that manner.

Ayko: My fault too. I had a few too many drinks. Didn't realize that guy still wanted me so badly.

Specter: Two rivals fighting for the same girl. He nearly killed you. I don't know how you manage to save yourself out of those situations again and again.

Preed: Survival is in our blood too. It's essential if you wanna live. The galaxy is no different, trust me.

Specter: I just thought I couldn't trust you.

Preed: *snickers* That's something you can trust.

Specter: But eventually you killed him. You were both on the same ship during the attack. Now I've heard a rumor about that too. I've heard you wanted to kill him but let the cold vacuum do the thing for you. You were barely alive when they found you after that fight.

Preed: If you'd be so kind not to tell daddy?

Specter: You've got my word, and it's worth more than yours.

Ayko: *scoffs* He's got a point.

Preed: To be really honest for a change, the thought of saving or killing him didn't even come up in me. With that tear in the hull I was too busy trying to save my own life. I didn't try. You could say I just let him rot. But the injury I caused was too severe, so indirectly I am responsible.

Specter: *frowns* And you're proud of it?

Preed: It was either him or the both of us. I'm an Akrennian. You're smart enough to figure out what I did and what he would've done in my place.

Specter: Well, if you look at it that way…

Preed: Exactly what I was thinking.

Specter: *takes a breath* Thanks for everything and thanks for clearing up those things. I was starting to get worried but it looks like you both turned out all right. *empties glass*

Ayko: *stands up and smirks* Any time. You got plans for coming back?

Specter: If something interesting happens, I'll be sure to drop by. Do you actually sharpen those fangs by the way?

Ayko: Some of us do actually. Sometimes it becomes an obsession. *growls* But I don't. They're sharp enough as they are. Preed knows.

Preed: *purs* Oh yes, she loves my blood.

Specter: *laughs* You're dangerous. I'll be going now. It was a nice chat.

Ayko: A pleasure. Until next time.