[D3 EE] Ma Liberté (open)

[Fé Kelborn]

Fé had already finished her dinner and was kicked back in the dining hall, plucking away at her seven-string hallikset. The tune she played was pleasant, yet slightly melancholy. It was a bit nostalgic, if one had to put a specific description on it. The strings resonated surprisingly sharply for a guitar-like instrument, making the sound float to most corners of the dining hall.

She was smiling slightly as she played, clearly enjoying her hobby.

[Raven Cadera]

Raven was still in the dining hall after her own meal as well, currently leaning comfortably on her elbows propped up on the table as she seemed to intently listen to Fé's playing with a calm and almost serene expression. A few times she closed her eyes and gently swayed her head to the tune of the music.

"It's such a nice sound," she said softly as she sighed contentedly as the tune finished.

[Fé Kelborn]

"Thank you. It's a beautiful instrument," she replied with a calm smile toward Raven. She seemed to find it relaxing, too. "The song is about a person who kept their freedom like it was a precious treasure, gave up their family and friends for it, and learned to appreciate being alone from it until one they they finally gave up their wandering for 'the prison of love and its beautiful jailor'."

"My mom could really make it sing when I was a kid. At least that's how I remember it."

[Raven Cadera]

Her eyebrows went up slightly with the meaning of the song. "That sounds like such a sad story..." she remarked with some somberness. "I suppose everyone view these things differently?"

Raven picked up her drink, swirling its contents for a moment. "Did your mother teach you how to play the instrument?"

[Fé Kelborn]

She considered the suggestion for a few moments, nodding a little. "I can see how it would seem sad... the tune itself definitely has some of that bit of melancholy to it. There's always a little sadness in nostalgia," she replied, finally. "I think of it like... There was a part of my life for exploration, and there was a part where I found someone or something that makes it worth giving that up. I've been much happier after finding the people I'm willing to do that for. What do you think?"

She took a sip of water, Raven swirling her drink reminding her to hydrate. "A little bit... Naboo is pretty peaceful most of the time, so we had that time together. I picked it up more later, though."

[Raven Cadera]

"Hmm... I do think that is a nice way to consider it. Less sad," she said and took a small sip of her drink. "Everyone approaches these things differently too. For me, loneliness was a cage, one I did not want, but also one that was difficult to leave."

A brief sadness washed over her as she drank again. "Was picking up the instrument again a part of your exploration, or the part where you gave that up?"

[Fé Kelborn]

"Mmm... That's true, everyone does think of it differently," she agreed, nodding a little. "How did it happen? shedding that cage, I mean."

"I don't think it's really either. Just self-expression, and a nice way to remember her," she said with a smile, brushing her fingers over a chord and starting to idly pluck out an improvised tune.

[Raven Cadera]

"Remembering those who are gone is good... keeps them alive in a way," Raven smiled with a touch of melancholy herself. "As for my cage," she paused, "the first step was deciding to not be scared anymore. The other was meeting the people here - Dredgen, Varina, Bura... and of course Praxton."

The melancholy seemed to melt away as her smile grew a touch warmer. "He helped me feel like I didn't have to be alone anymore."

[Fé Kelborn]

She smiled as she listened. "Overcoming that first hurdle of fear is a big deal. As for Praxton, I think you've been very good for him, too. He's never been the smiley type, but its obvious how much more positive he's been feeling."

"You probably don't need me to tell you that, but... Well, consider it a thank you. He's practically family after all this time."

[Raven Cadera]

Her smile seemed to be even more at ease. "Thanks, it... means a lot to me to hear that. Most of you have known him longer than I have, and..." Raven chuckled softly, "well, we're all family now. We all care for eachother here, but I know Praxton cares deeply for everyone too." They both had a strong sense of wanting to protect others, especially those important to them.

"If anyone was going to convince someone like me, living their life on the run, to stop and be part of this, it was going to be him."

[Fé Kelborn]

"Yeah... I know that feeling. Well, in the sense that ultimately, my reasons weren't all that different for joining," she said, nodding, looking off into space for a moment before starting to play an actual song. "Well, it was the ideals resonating with me, as well."

"I'm glad he's concerned about the people we affect. I'm relying on you to make sure he doesn't run himself ragged, though. Mental health and physical health are both important."

[Raven Cadera]

Raven laughed softly, showing a gentleness that was probably strange to see from a Mandalorian. "I try my best, and I'll have to continue to do so. He... cares so much," it was clear in her tone that she found that very admirable, "so I do what I can to make sure he does take time for himself for too."

The music once more was pleasant to relax too, and Raven let her shoulders sink a bit more. "What made you decide to join?"

[Fé Kelborn]

She laughed a little in return. "Good!"

Her gaze wandered over to the throne-like niche in the dining hall. Her tone as she spoke was studiously casual. "I just admired Mandalore . He's... dedicated, to his people and his ideals. He's not some self-aggrandizing demagogue. With him, I know we're moving toward a better future. Well-educated and smart, which are very much not the same thing, so those ideals have solid ground."

She stopped there, leaving a short silence before continuing.

"And, like I mentioned, the goals themselves resonated with me. So when I met the Rebuilders on Nar Shaddaa, I approached them about joining."

[Raven Cadera]

Listening, Raven nodded. While she was drawn to the music, her attention was on Fé as she spoke.

"Yeah. Yeah, I agree." Well, she did think Mandalore was a bit too fond of speeches, but she couldn't deny that he was well-educated and was probably one of the most knowledgeable on the ways of their people. "Hearing about a new Mandalore... it felt good to feel hopeful again, for our people. I do believe that he, and all of us, are doing something right."

[Fé Kelborn]

She smiled, nodding a little bit as she let out a soft breath. She wasn't ready to speak too much on the other part of it yet.

"Yeah... I don't have as much background as some here do, but I definitely feel like I get that feeling. Looking forward to the future. We'll get through this and have a lot to build toward."

[Raven Cadera]

"Everyone's background is different," Raven shrugged, not bothered by the fact that some were born to it and others were newer arrivals. "I spent a lot of my life away from other Mandalorians even if I was born into it, so it's a lot to learn still for me when it comes to being part of a group - a family, and a greater whole."

She drained the last of her cup. "It's both a complicated thing and an easy thing, being a Mandalorian. Or so I've learned since joining."

[Fé Kelborn]

"I guess that makes sense," she agreed. "I guess I shouldn't worry too much about missing something."

"Isn't that the truth? A lot of the families I knew as a kid were big into public service, but it's a totally different feeling."