To Heal Poignancy ■ TECH - The Bad Batch ■

Time Together

The Archium was a beautiful place and easily Adla's favorite spot on the island. She could sit and observe the same artifacts Phee had brought back for hours. She learned the history of each one and wrote it down in a journal she acquired so she wouldn't forget. The Naboo native could sit for hours and come up with little scenarios or back stories that involved the obtaining of said artifacts. Some of them she already knew from Phee.

Adla grinned down at the contents of the journal and made her way up the winding stairs to a different portion of the building. With her nose confined to the pages of the journal, she didn't look up in order to not collide with someone.

"Oh, sorry!" She quickly squeaked out, dropping her writing utensil and journal. Hands grasped each of her arms as Adla swayed unsteadily on the stairs.

"It is quite alright, but I would prefer it if you proceeded with more caution."

Adla looked at the other person and felt her face warm up a bit as she stared at Tech's helmet.

"Sorry, Tech. I didn't know anyone else was here."

Tech pulled up the visor that had been across his eyes. "Like I said, it's quite alright."

She stared at him closely before she turned to the artifact displayed directly across from him on the ledge running up the stairs. Adla recognized the artifact as an item she studied before: it came from twi'lek descent. She wondered if it was a family heirloom from someone who resided on the island, or if it was found and brought back to Pabu. Knowing Phee, she probably brought it to Pabu because of the former reason.

"Any reason to study this particular item?" she questioned.

"I find their use of 'treasure' to be quite fascinating, as most of these items hold little to no monetary value," Tech pointed to the Ryloth artifact, "that is family heirloom."

Adla's eyes sparkled in interest and excitement. "I know. Everyone has a different definition of what is considered treasure."

I treasure you, a small voice in her head said. She felt her face become warm again at the thought. That was definitely too forward to be able to say.

"So it may appear." Tech's voice snapped Adla out of her thoughts. For a moment, Adla had the horrible belief that he might be able to hear her thoughts. He glanced down at the journal that was now back in her hands. "May I ask what has captured your interest?"

You.

"All of it," she gestured broadly to the artifacts around the building. "I record information about them such as their purpose and where they're from. I want to visit these planets one day."

"Do you have a particular planet that sought your interests?"

Adla stared at the artifact Tech had been studying. An unconscious smile visited her face as she thought. "I want to visit Ryloth one day," she announced, "I couldn't because of the war. Before the war, I visited once. I was stuck in a secluded part of the Capitol on a diplomatic mission for... Pad- Padme," she stuttered. She shuffled uncomfortably for a moment. "But I've always wanted to explore."

"There's not much besides rocky terrain."

Adla shrugged, "That's okay. I'm sure there are villages and other cities that I can wander around."

The two awkwardly stood before each other in silence for a moment. Then, they both took a breath inward and began to speak in unison before they cut themselves off and prompted the other to speak.

"Sorry. Go ahead," Adla hurriedly gestured to Tech.

"Please, continue," Tech awkwardly fed, refusing to say another word.