Crimson Flame

[Valeria_Benitez]

Having just landed her Decurion craft on Thira colony Valeria exited it and walked over. Although her demeanor was confident, her eyes showed the curiosity she felt in regards to the entire situation. As she approached the scene, she remained quiet, listening and unobtrusively studying the foreign man. As a corsair, she did not get the chance to interact with foreign people very much other than pointing her guns at them and telling them to get lost or hand over a few hundred credits.

"And you are right.. this.. this Kommissariat.. " (Valeria tried hard to not mispronounce the foreign name) "... is likely going to look for you el pronto and very hard. It is never wrong to not underestimate your opponents..."

Then Valeria continued to listen as the conversation progressed and when the subject shifted to relaxation and the bar, she spoke again.

"But si, do not worry, the corsair empire is known for its pilots and you are now under our protection. And we fight for us and those we protect, we always have." Valeria had a strong hispanic accent, but her voice was confident and gentle. She did not know the man, nor his story or background, or even his motivations. However, knowing he was now under corsair protection was enough for her and she accompanied those who headed towards Thira's bar.

On their way, Valeria continued to think about the foreign man. She could see it in his eyes, he had seen very much... perhaps too much. Of war, of humanity, of greed, betrayal,... and who knows what else. Although the man had not truly spoken about his situation or story yet, Valeria couldn't help but feel she at least vaguely could imagine how someone in a sutuation such as his must be feeling. He had just fled his own people and confided to the protection of those he used to fight against. His world must currently seem without angle, turned and twisted upside down. For a moment, Valeria wondered what this man held to in order to not loose orientation but as they approached the bar she dismissed these thoughts. Some things were not for her to know.

Once they were there, Valeria finally turned to the man and addressed him.

"By the way,... it is not often that a corsair can speak to one foreign to the empire on terms such as we do. As such I do hope my curiosity does not offend you, I do not mean disrespect and neither do I mean to pry. But you look like you have seen a lot and have despite all that you went through in the recent time, come to a very deep understanding about humanity. Your eyes.. speak of it."

Valeria offered a rueful smile.

"And it is this understanding that I would love to hear about. However, I do understand of course if you would rather not speak of anything that transpired, and like I said I do not mean to pry."

Knowing full well what the man must have gone through Valeria was cautious and gentle. She was genuinely curious about what insights and understanding that man had come to about humanity. And it was this honesty with that she met the man with. The same kind that her flying was based on and that she met friend and foe alike with. Friends with words of kindness and foes with the flickering energy of her weapons.

---

Valeria Benitez

Signature made by the awesome micson128