Ben looked at himself in the mirror as he tried to pump himself up to give himself a false sense of security. He needed to complete his task tonight. Earlier in the day, he had asked Igni as he found out to be her actual name, to come speak with him at sundown near the cliff. To be safe, Ben had made sure that Lirri was distracted to ensure she had no possible chance of getting in their way. He had laced some of the food with herbs that would cause them to be throwing up and other unpleasant symptoms.
Sucking in a deep breath, Ben walked out of his room as he passed Lirri who was in the medic room doing inventory before shit hit the fan and she was overwhelmed with sick Padawan. Ben stepped in, shutting the door behind him as he laid on the bed. He was waiting for her to acknowledge his presence as she was crouched, half in the cupboard; muttering various numbers to herself. Ben watched as she scooted her way out and let out a heavy sigh before writing down her numbers.
Ben cleared his throat to alert Lirri of his presence as she glanced around with her eyes widening in surprise.
"Ben, what are you doing here?" She asked as she walked over to stand beside the bed as Ben sat up as Lirri raised her eyebrows. "I thought everyone was busy with training toda-"
Lirri let out a squeal as arms wrapped around her hips, dragging her down to be close with Ben as his face nuzzled against her neck.
"What if someone notices you are gone? Or comes in. Ben, I don't want us outed by a rumor." Lirri spoke as Ben groaned before kissing her neck.
"I honestly don't care anymore. Aren't you tired of having to follow the rules?" Ben asked as he leaned back to lay on the bed with Lirri laying on his chest. Her fingers were grazing through his soft hair as as her eyes stared into his own as she shrugged.
"These rules are here for a reason Ben. If you'd like, we can announce our relationship after I finish inventory." Lirri offered with a smile that Ben gave in return.
"Sounds nice." Ben whispered as he tried to not be disappointed that Lirri hadn't spoken exactly what he wanted her to. Instead, he decided to appreciate the time he could with Lirri.
One of his hands moved to pull her headband away as short hairs fell around her face, as she let out a tired sigh and nuzzled closer to Ben as he held her close.
If he could pay to repeat a memory forever, it'd be this one as Lirri stayed there for a few minutes before leaning up as she cupped his cheeks. From the cupping, Ben's lips were puckered as Lirri giggled before giving him a quick kiss. He could only imagine how he looked in that instance as he looked at Lirri.
"How much free time do you have Ben?"
Smiling, Ben took a moment to think before pressing his lips gently against hers and answering in a whisper. "Enough to show you how much I love you." Lips reconnected with Lirri as he hoisted her up before turning so her back was against the mattress.
Ben was tapping his foot on the ground as he leaned against the wide tree. To his left was the cliff while far to his right was the trail. Ben had skipped dinner, to avoid getting sick like the rest of them and to arrive before Igni did. As he heard the rustling in the bushes, Ben focused his attention over to see that she finally arrived.
Igni was grinning ear to ear at the secret rendezvous as Ben glanced over to the cliff again. Igni came to stand in front of him, rocking on her heels and her fingers toying with the sleeves as she smiled up at him. "So, Ben. What is it that you wanted to talk with me about?" Igni questioned.
Ben looked down at her as he realized how unaware she seemed to be. He decided to play it out a teeny bit longer, building her trust.
"Well, what you think?" Ben prodded as Igni started a tangent. She was going on about what her and the other girls were thinking and about what she hoped. Hearing it annoyed Ben, and he debated seeing how she would react if he told her the truth that he was more than happily taken but he continued.
She seemed pretty unaware as he shrugged and decided to play it out a bit longer and build the trust. "Well, what do you think?" Ben prodded as Igni began to ramble about what the girls she had thought it meant and what she hoped. He almost wanted to break her spirits immediately and say he was happily taken but Ben continued on the charade.
As soon as Igni made direct eye contact with her again, he waved his hand.
"You will cease talking." Ben stated as her body stiffened as she repeated what he spoke before turning silent.
Pleased, Ben waved his hand in front of her face before giving her instructions.
"You will walk towards your right and keep walking even when there is no ground under you." Ingi parroted it back before she started following his command.
Ben felt anxious as he watched Igni move so slowly. Perhaps he should have told her to run or to jump for it to be quicker. It felt surreal as he knew what he did but he was still unable to believe it. In a mere moment, Ben would be responsible for her death. His heart raced as his eyes stayed focus on her.
At about two meters away from the cliff, Ben heard a gasp to his right as he saw Lirri. Before he could react, she was running towards Igni, screaming out at the Twi'lek.
Ben was full of anger as he tried to knit pick each moment that may have given this away to Lirri as he ran towards her to stop Lirri but was unsuccessful. Turning, Ben ran down the path towards the beach knowing the two were dropping down to the water or already in it.
Lirri was never intentionally listening in to the Padawan's conversations at dinner time. However, when Ben's name came up, Lirri couldn't help but listen as she slowed down in clearing the dishes up. Setting the tub of dishes down, Lirri worked to grab the plates and other dishes as she snooped.
"Ben, as in Ben Solo?" One of the Padawans asked, with Igni nodding her head excitedly.
"Yep." She answered with an emphasis on the 'p' before continuing. "Ben told me that he wants to meet me in an exclusive area, overlooking the lake." Igni stood up as she let out a happy sigh. "I should go get ready; we're meeting at sundown. Don't wait up since I feel like maybe we'll get some all night fun." Igni winked at her friends.
Lirri heard this is as her stomach dropped and jealousy coursed through her. In her hand was a glass that slipped from her hand, shattering on the floor, as she jumped back with Igni turning to her.
"Are you okay Lirri?"
Lirri was confused as she rushed to start picking up the larger chunks.
"Yeah, just tired from inventory is all." Lirri lied as she smiled. " I got this Igni, thank you."
"If you're sure." Igni stood up, glancing at Lirri once more before leaving. Lirri rushed to pick all the pieces up as she headed to the kitchen and placed the broken dish and tub on the counter.
It was hard to breath and that she could not think straight. Lirri had to resist the urge to march straight up to Ben for an explanation, yet half of her wanted to give Ben the benefit of the doubt. Maybe Igni was just confused, after all they just wanted to talk. Lirri felt awful since she knew that Ben was thinking about telling everyone that they were dating. If Ben was dating Igni too, then Lirri couldn't be mad at Igni, since the girl seemed unaware. Ben, however, she could be furious with.
Deciding to get to the bottom of it, Lirri headed out as she saw Igni going out too. Changing her plan, Lirri followed behind, to protect Igni. She was far enough back, ducking in bushes whenever Igni looked back.
When they arrived close to the clearing, Ben was standing in the center. Lirri hid behind a tree since if she got closer, Ben would notice her. She squinted to see more as she bit her lip and remained quiet. Things seemed wrong as Igni stiffened as if frozen. She was out of character being so still and nonverbal.
The young girl began walking towards the cliff, as dread washed over her. She needed to save Igni.
Lirri pushed off of the tree as she bolted forward, chasing the Twi'lek who was almost at the end. Ben had flashed in her vision to the side but her priorities were different. As Igni started going over, Lirri lunged forward to grab Igni. Lirri misguided this as she cried out, realizing that now she was falling too. As she fell, Lirri realized that she could have used the Force but it was too late now.
When she hit the water, Lirri gasped as the sharp sensation. Her lungs burned as she intook water and lacking air as the strong current threw her around as she hit her head against something hard under the water. It dazed her for a moment as everything duplicated.
Seeing the two Igni's overlapping, Lirri swam towards the girl as she felt for Lirri. She grabbed onto it tightly before pulling the body close and kicked with all her strength to break the surface. She knew it had to be soon since her body was starting to scream in pain and desperation for air.
As they broke the surface, Lirri gasped for air as she dragged the two to shore. As she felt the sand and small ledge, Lirri hoisted herself up and dragged Igni over. Taking a moment before she pulled herself out of the water.
Her eyes were heavy, fighting to stay open as her head pulsed with the world spinning. Igni didn't move as Lirri crawled over to her. She started checking for a pulse but was unsuccessful as Lirri let out an annoyed grunt before beginning CPR where she was pretty sure was where a Twi'lek heart was.
It was a struggle to restart her heart and stay conscious, as Lirri tried to focus on reviving Igni. With each movement, it grew harder.
"C-com-come o-on-on I- Ig- igni." Lirri stumbled out, stuttering no matter how she tried; from either the cold water or her head injury. Her arms starting collapsing on her as she continued to push back up and try to continue the CPR.
Her body's exhaustion finally overcame her as Lirri passed out on Igni, unaware that the girl started coughing and breathing faintly.
"C-co-come o-o-on Ig-ig-niiii." Lirri stumbled out as she continued the compressions even when she fell and pushed herself back up. Lirri's eyes finally closed as she fell onto Igni, not realizing the faint coughing come from Igni or the barely moving chest.