Corellia

[Emily]

She knew this was something serious, so she tried to push aside her enthusiasm at his offer to teach her. Do I really want to change like he says I will? Is it worth it?

 

As she examined herself, she realized that the answer was yes. There was little about herself that she liked. She was ambitious, yes, but indecisive. She was marked by tragedy, and there was a distance that she knew she always had to keep herself at from people because of that. People, she knew all too well, were not reliable. They never stayed in her life for long. Her parents, Montar, Nishant...all had vanished and left her alone.

 

As Andon helped her to her feet, she nodded. "I don't care. I accept."

 

This was a twist in her life's story that she hadn't predicted, but she was content. She would let her life be shaped by this man, her father's oldest and closet friend, for the simple reason that she--inexplicably--trusted him. This would work out for good in her life, she just knew it.

[Skye Organa]

Skye nodded her head as Nishant spoke. When he fell silent, she smiled back at him, her eyes sparkling. It had been a while since she had taught someone the fundamentals of using the Force. "Yes, the Force is a wondrous thing and you never stop learning it's ways. Now..." As she spoke, the healer shifted positions on the stone bench so that she was sitting cross-legged, "... I will show you the rising meditation. It is called this because as you breathe in and out, you rise up into the air." She waited until her new padawan was in a similar position before she continued.

 

"I want you to clear your mind as you take a deep breath in and as you are doing this I want you to open yourself to the Force. Close your eyes if you need to. Next, I want you to visualise lifting off the ground. With each breath in and out, let the Force lift you off the bench."

 

 

 

(ooc: I apologise for not posting sooner, RL is so stressful and hectic atm. I will try and post more frequently though I may still have delays... )

[Nishant]

(OOC: No worries!)

 

He watched the poise that was ingrained in her as she moved, and he followed her example. It was always a comfort, to return to this form of sitting, to fold his legs over each other and rest his feet on his thighs, a perfectly rooted position. As she spoke he sank deep into his root, and his gaze settled just before his master's crossed legs. The transition from life practice to meditative practice was seamless for him, as it always was””in his own practice, the challenge now often lay in the depth; it was a simple matter to transition to the surface””and he was reminded of practice with Emily under Master Kirlocca's instruction.

 

He remembered what it felt like to raise an external object into the air, and what it had felt like to raise Emily into the air. But he did not believe that what his master was asking him was the same. This was visualization; this was a meditative application of mental imagery, and what it could produce when it harmonized with the Force.

 

It was there again, at his navel, in the core of his being””the gate. This time he only needed to touch it and it began to open and flex with something akin to joy at his greeting it, and from it flowed the warmth he was coming to love. He visualized the energy filling him with each natural wave of his breath. On the inhalation the energy deepened, and with the exhalation it spread up his body. In his mind he watched himself beginning to rise from the bench””and somewhere in the back of his mind wondered at the absence of his mind ocean; that perhaps it was easier to practice new visualization using the ”œreal”

[Ashley Jade Skywalker]

Ash's brow furrowed as Tirzah lifted her hand and pointed down the street. "What fairy likes who..." Ash started to ask, her voice trailing off as she saw just who her little girl was pointing at. She stared down the street, her heart stopping in her chest for those few long, impossible seconds.

 

It was him.

 

Her mind tried to tell her that it wasn't, that it couldn't be, but Ash had looked at his face every morning and every night for over a year, and she knew that despite the impossible odds of just happening across someone with a connection to her past, he was standing just a few meters away.

 

And despite the fact that every nerve in her body was screaming at her to rush down the street and demand to know just how he was connected to that past, she couldn't make herself do it.

 

Instead, she smiled down at Tirzah and took her hand, leading her down the street, indirectly toward the specter of her past and more directly toward one of the food vendors. "Why don't you tell me more about this little fairy of yours..."

[SithAcolyte]

Darla was relatively silent throughout the meal. The clam before the storm. She knew that she had waited too long, far too long to tell Darex what she was going to tell him that night. To leave it any longer would be cruel. Perhaps she had already left it too long.

 

Tahlia and Skye smiled and laughed about things from their past together. It made Darla think of her own mother. The two of them had never been that close, never like these two. Darla's mother had fussed over her as child, wanting her to look pretty and 'right' but Darla could never remember the two of them having 'fun'.There was so much love between Skye and her mother.

 

Like a mother and child should be. Darla thought to herself.

 

She smiled at the pair, wishing she too had such a relationship with her own mother. Darla hadn't seen her own mother in over a decade and didn't even know if she was still alive. Darex had spoken about helping Darla try to find her. But she thought that it would be futile. Her mother could be on any planet by now, that was if she wasn't a casualty of one of the many wars that raged across the galaxy.

 

Perhaps it was current state that was making her think so much about her own mother. Motherhood itself looming over Darla like a shadow. Like she had done to her own mother. Darla had loved her, but she had hated her too. The two women were so unalike, but as stubborn as one another.She vowed that she would never loose her child. Never make them feel unloved, unwanted or wrong. Never let them run away and disappear forever.

 

Never.

 

I'll always be there for you. She thought to the tiny life that was growing inside of her.

 

Darla caught herself and realised what she was doing. She had been miles away. Lost in her own thoughts. If anyone had been probing her through the Force her feelings would've surely betrayed her.

 

It really had been too long, she should have told Darex by now. After all, this life was a part of him too. He was unaware of it. He had no say in Darla's choice to keep it. She was terrified that he would be mad at her. Even if he wasn't mad, he would probably be upset that she hadn't felt like she could tell him. At first she had been so unsure and confused about her own feelings on the matter. She had had to come to terms with it on her own. Darla hadn't wanted Darex's feelings to influence her decision.

 

After the initial deceit she felt a little ashamed and selfish that she hadn't told him as soon as she had found out. That had just built up and up over time. Now she felt awful. It had been several months. Her mind was set and there was no going back.

 

If Darex had probed her body through the Force he would have found out. However he was a gentleman and wouldn't violate her privacy in such a way. The only reason it wasn't obvious to everybody was that Darla was still pretty slim. There was a growing bump in her abdomen, but it was easily hidden with looser fitting clothes. Her slender arms and legs distracted from the weight she had gained around her middle.

 

It was a nice distraction from her own thoughts when Nishant arrived. Darla was glad that the young man had decided to return. If he hadn't it would've truly been a shame. In Darla's opinion Skye was the wisest and kindness mentor any Jedi could ever hope for. Not only that, a wonderful friend. She was certain that Nishant's time with her would enrich his life.

 

Darla wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for Skye. Nor would she be as healthy and stable as she was. The idea of motherhood had terrified her at first, it was through Skye's support that Darla had come to terms with her situation. It was her friend's faith that made Darla believe that she really could be a mother and not just a mother, but an amazing mother.

 

The question was, did Darex want to be a father?

 

Once again her mind was drawn back to obsessing over her predicament. As soon as the meal was over she and Darex were going for a walk. This would be when she told him. It had to be.

 

When Emily came up in conversation Darla was sad to hear that she had left. She was also a little upset that Emily hadn't come to say goodbye to her. Was it something Darla had said? Had she offended the younger woman in some way? Darla's advice to Emliy was not to become a Jedi. It seemed that Emily had taken the advice on board.

 

Darla had seen something of herself in Emily. She also reminded her of Alora and Shy-Ree. All women that Darla had been close to and had wanted to save from the darkside, save from the anguish she herself had suffered. Of course, every woman made own destiny and Darla's attempts to protect them from their own natures had been futile.

 

She had been able to shield Nivana from the darkside. For that she was greatful. However she always felt like perhaps she should have shared more of her knowledge with her only apprentice. Nivana had started her training as Fynn's apprentice and Darla had kept her darkside knowledge from Nivana out of respect for Fynn.

 

Where ever she had gone and whatever she was doing Darla hoped that Emily was safe and that one day their paths would cross again. Darla couldn't protect Emily from whatever the galaxy threw at her and she shouldn't try to either. After all, Darla wasn't her mother...

 

 

... but soon she would be someone's.

 

Smiling and laughing at Skye and Tahlia's stories, Darla masked all that was going on in her head. Only a hint of sadness in her eyes gave away what was really happening beneath the surface.

 

Skye ever the thoughtful and observant friend, didn't miss a thing. She caught Darla's eye and gave her a wink as she and Darex left. In that small gesture she said so much more than words could. Darla knew that her friend understood everything and that she would be there for her no matter what. That thought filled Darla with warmth and although she was feeling very uneasy she couldn't help but smile at her dear friend as she left the room.

 

Thank you Skye.

 

Then all her attention was focussed on Darex, the man who had been by her side for all these years, leading her by the hand out into the night.

 

And what a beautiful night it was. Darla couldn't have dreamed something more beautiful. They were far from any cityscape and pollution. The air was clean and crisp, slightly cool against their skin. The full moon and the lake took Darla's breath away. Where she had grown up on Coruscant the night sky had been filled with ships, speeders and buildings towering ever higher. No clear sky with a beautiful and perfect circle of silver. Nothing like this sight before her eyes right now.

 

Darla enjoyed the moment. Forgetting the very serious news that she had to break to Darex soon.

 

Just for a few moments she felt like a princess from a Holo-drama. In those moments there were no Sith, no war, no heartache. Just Darex and Darla. Then Darex made the moment both perfect and heart breaking.

 

"Darla," he said, stopping and reaching into his tunic. "I...I have something for you." He pulled out a small bag and handed it to her. Inside was the necklace he had purchased for her on the Casino--a silver chain with an emerald offset by two small diamonds.

 

He grinned a little sheepishly. "I hope you like it. I've never bought any jewelry in my life, so I don't know what's in style."

 

Darla held the jewellery in her hand. Then tears ran down her face. She clutched Darex tightly to her as she sobbed.

 

"Thank you. It's beautiful." She pulled back and grinned wiping her tears.

 

Then more tears came.

 

He just had to make it hard for her didn't he? There he was being loving and caring. Buying her a beautiful gift and she was about to admit that she'd deceived him. Kept something so important from him. Darla still felt like she had to hide things from Darex, that he'd reject her, realise that deep down she wasn't good. Despite all the love and affection he gave her she still had trouble shaking her self doubt. This is what was happening. This was why she hadn't just told him as soon as she found out.

 

She cried long and hard. She tried to form words but she couldn't. finally she found her voice.

 

"I'm so sorry Darex... I should have told you this sooner... I was so afraid. I don't even really know why." She laughed at little through the tears.

 

Grasping Darex's hand she placed it on her small bump.

 

"There's going to be more than just the two of us."

[Darex Trevelian]

((Turns out I had some free time at work))

 

She was crying. His heart sank a little. Wasn't she supposed to be happy if she liked the gift? He had been stupid to think she'd like something that was probably so old-fashioned looking. But then she smiled, and thanked him through her tears and he knew she truly did like it.

 

But she kept crying. Darex had no idea why she was. Puzzled, he simply patted her on the back occasionally, clueless as to what he could do to help. Then she spoke, and as she did so, she placed his hand on her abdomen.

 

At first, the news didn't sink in. "What do you--"

 

And all of a sudden, it hit him. Raw, unadulterated joy rushed through him with the power of a turbolaser blast. Time crystallized into a flawless gem of extraordinary beauty, and for the first time in his life, Darex was completely and utterly filled with mind-blowing joy.

 

He felt himself go weak at the knees, and he stumbled to a seated position on a nearby boulder. Time unfroze, and with it came a million thoughts and feelings blowing through his mind like a whirlwind. He opened his mouth to speak several times, but no words came out. He was completely speechless.

 

I am going to be a father. He grasped at that one golden truth. He had never, in his wildest imaginings, ever dreamt that that statement would become fact. It had never even occurred to him. But now that it was true, he found that he had desperately wanted it to be so. It had always been there, lurking in the deepest recesses of his mind, a hidden desire that he had buried long ago. And suddenly, it was out in the open...and it was good.

 

His voice finally decided to work again. "That's...amazing!" he said, slowly at first, then faster, the grin that was threatening to crack his jaw finally appearing on his face. "That's amazing!" He stood and grabbed her in an embrace, lifting her off the ground and spinning her around once. "How long have you known? When did you find out? How are you doing?" The questions came rapidly. "Are you feeling alright?" At the last question, he led her to the boulder and made her sit down. "What can I do? Do you need anything?"

 

He stopped himself, remembering to regain the control of a Jedi. But he couldn't wipe the grin away, and didn't even try. He sat down next to her on the rock and reached a hand out towards the small bulge in her abdomen--a bulge that he couldn't believe he hadn't noticed earlier. He met her eyes. He wanted to meet this child--their child.

 

She had already given him permission, and this time when his hand made contact with her, he reached out through the Force. The baby's presence was already brilliant, a shining white beacon of everything good and pure in the world. He gently, very gently, brushed the baby's mind. Hello, little one...I'm your daddy.

 

After a long moment, he eased away."Thank you," he managed. His slightly watery eyes met hers, and he suddenly grew serious as finally the meaning of her earlier statement became clear. She had known for a while now, and she had chosen not to tell him. She said she had been afraid. At first he felt a flash of anger--after all, this was his child as much as hers. But that feeling lasted only a fraction of a second, fading immediately into a profound sorrow. Her reticence only reminded him that she was still a very broken woman. He put an arm around her. "Don't worry about not telling me sooner. I wish you had, but I understand." He paused, then put his hand on her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "But Darla, I want you to know; you never have to be afraid to tell me anything. I love you. Nothing will ever change that. And I will love this child too. We'll be...well, maybe not a proper family, but a family nonetheless."

 

This child was really going to change everything. The more Darex considered that, the more it rang true. But that wasn't a bad thing, he knew. Indeed, he couldn't imagine it being anything but a good change. But it would take some getting used to. And he looked forward to getting used it with Darla by his side.

 

He drew back from her a bit and smiled. "Do you know if it's a boy or a girl? What can I do? What do you need from me?"

Edited April 13, 2012 by Guest

[SithAcolyte]

There was a moment of confusion from Darex and then...

 

Joy.

 

Overwhelming, unadulterated joy. That's what she felt from Darex. It pushed through everything. She didn't even need to reach out through the Force to feel it, it just washed over her in waves. It blasted away all her doubts and worries. Cleansing her troubled mind.

 

It all that she could have wished for.

 

Then there was a small amount of sadness. A little anger too.

 

Darex was upset that Darla was still keeping things from him, still afraid. But that feeling swept aside by the joy that he felt.

 

He led her to one of the boulders and she was glad to be off her feet. Darla wiped her eyes as Darex began to ask her questions. Naturally there was a lot that he wanted to know.

 

"Well... Remember after we fought Kakuto. I felt... I guess it was the baby growing. I was afraid to really explore what I felt through the Force. All I knew was that there was something beginning to grow inside me. I thought perhaps Kakuto had infected me with a virus. I was being sick and I was terrified. It wasn't until we went to see Skye. I asked her to find out what was wrong with me and well... There wasn't anything wrong.

 

"If I had been properly connected to the Force I'm sure I would've know the difference between my own child and virus. I was very confused and wasn't sure if I was ready. I was worried that I decided I wasn't ready and I'd already told you... You would've been upset if I'd gotten rid of it."

 

There it was. The truth.

 

It had crossed her mind early on. She had been worried that Darex would've angry and ashamed of her.

 

"I know how wrong it was to keep it from you. But the longer I left telling you the bigger and bigger it became in my mind. So... It's been a few months now. I'm so sorry Darex.

 

"But I'm happy that you want this child as much as I do. I don't know if it's a boy or a girl yet. I haven't really... I guess I've been a little detached from it. It's a pretty strange feeling to have life inside of you, especially one that's Force sensitive. I know that I could reach out to the baby's mind. But I'm afraid too. I don't want to influence it with my own emotions before it's even born.

 

"All I need from you is for you to be you. Just keep being the amazing man who always there for me, even when I'm not being the most thoughtful and kind woman that I could be..."

[Andon]

It was a surreal moment, watching the face of someone change taking stock in the measure of how they had lived their life up until the moment before. Emily's brow tightened and he wondered what she would be leaving behind; the answer was already clear on her face--it was a matter of acceptance for her now. And then it came, irreverent to consequence and final. Yes, he would train her.

 

Andon resigned to a stoic demeanor out of respect for the moment. He could not bring himself to smile or elate joy that a family member left behind would now be joining him. He felt the urge of all things good, but did not allow the traces of them to cross his lips. She would never mourn the life she could have lived so he would have to grieve its final moment for her. Emily could have settled down, raised a family, rejoiced in problems of simplicity. She would know war with him, see the lost cause that is peace and if he did his job right, take the mantle of fighting for it as her own.

 

She could have been a mother watching sun-kissed skies roaming across the landscape. She could have lived an honest love and a life equally beautiful valuing things so far from the chaotic spiral of a galactic core that ripped itself apart as almost a novelty. She could have shunted the Force within her and known happiness. There would be no easy nights of the sun dipping behind the landscape; there would be no unseeing the price of intimate knowledge of how life truly hurtled amongst the stars. There would be no going back.

 

Did she dream of love? Would she leave it behind? A whole world she had lived within and he would never see her live it again. Good-bye, Emily Skywalker. Forgive me.

 

The eyes of the Jedi met hers and he simply nodded his head. Andon turned on his heel and left the mourning of the life she had known as easily as he left the room. Wordlessly he motioned for her to follow, trailing down the tiny corridor of metal and concave walls into a secluded part of the ship that was vibrant and alive. In this tiny room that was barely large enough for two people to casually lounge in, he sat cross-legged on the floor. His back was against the wall and hands idly laying palm down on the carpet, soft and warm. The room was like a womb, comforting and serene. This was the meditation chamber of Andon Colos.

 

He did not open eyes to greet her or motion a hand for her to sit, in the act of sharing his secret place with her the invitation did not need to be spoken. The man sat in silence for a long minute working up the courage to take the first step on this path.

 

"There are many who meditate on the Force, but few who hear it. Tell me what you know of Immersion within it." His eyes opened, focused and intent. "Tell me what you know of emptiness."

[Darex Trevelian]

It explained a lot, now that she was being open with him. He remembered her odd sickness, always running to the 'fresher to throw up yet feeling ravenously hungry all the time. He didn't know how he couldn't have seen the truth sooner. I'm blind indeed if I couldn't decipher the truth. But at the same time, he knew why he hadn't looked closer. He never wanted her to feel uncomfortable around him. Darex was striving to do everything he could to get her to feel safe and open with him, and if he had discovered the truth about the baby, he didn't know how he would have responded.

 

No, it was clearly the will of the Force that he be left in the dark for this long. It didn't matter, regardless. He knew now. "I would have been upset," he said honestly. "I'm glad you decided to keep it. You're going to be such a wonderful mother." Of that he had absolutely no doubt. He had always seen and loved the nurturing side to her. He had seen it in her desire to protect Nivana from her own darkness, and in the way she related to Aerec and others. She was like a tigress--fierce and a spitfire when the occasion arose, but extremely gentle and caring with those she was responsible for.

 

He smiled slightly when she mentioned not knowing the child's gender. "I might be able to figure it out, if you want. And if not, I'm sure Skye could tell us." A thought suddenly struck him. "She knows, doesn't she? That was what she told you when you got checked up by her." It made sense, and Skye would never betray Darla by telling Darex herself. He shook his head at his own naivete throughout the whole time.

 

He traced a finger along her jawline. "I'll always be there for you Darla. I promise you that." He kissed her gently. "You mean...everything to me. You and the baby."

 

It was starting to get a bit chilly by the water's edge, reminding him of how late it was beginning to get. "I have sort of bad news," he said, changing the subject after a long silence. "Though not too bad I hope. I don't think we're going to be able to stay here for as long as we planned. I received a message from the grandmaster asking for my presence at a peace summit. The Empire and the Republic are finally making peace and forming a new galactic alliance. And the Jedi are pulling back and reassessing their position in the galaxy. This is a monumental event in the history of the galaxy. The meeting is over, last I heard, but Fitt is recalling all Jedi to a new base. I think we should go." He hoped she wouldn't mind. It wasn't as if much would change besides their location. "Besides, I hear Tython is nice. Secluded and peaceful."

[Emily]

She joined him on the floor of his tiny meditation chamber. The place was calm and soothing, enclosed and safe. They sat in silence for a moment or two, and then her new master spoke.

 

Emily nodded at his words. "I've heard the Jedi speak of immersion into the Force. We had an exercise back at the Jedi Temple on Gala that was designed to help us do that. I remember the thrill of it...dropping deeper and deeper, your grip becoming harder and harder to keep." Her voice had dropped in pitch as she remembered. The Force was seductive and cunning, and if you were off guard for one instant, it would suck you in and you'd be lost in it completely. But she didn't know how to put that into words for Andon. "It's a wild place, a dangerous place. But I've come to know that not all people feel the same way. For...others," she said, blushing a bit as she remembered Nishant, "it's as a placid yet unpredictable ocean. If you keep your calm, it will keep it's calm. But I have only once experienced it like that, and that was through another's perspective."

 

It has been a completely foreign experience to her, and one that had caught her off-guard. She had previously been under the impression that everyone saw the Force as she did, as a swirling and powerful vortex with a mind of it's own, ripping through those who tried to stand in it's way, and that only through sheer willpower and iron strength of mind could one withstand and begin to control it.

 

His last statement puzzled her. "Emptiness?" She quirked an eyebrow. "I know much of emptiness, but not when it comes to the Force." Sometimes she was so empty that she ached with sheer loneliness. But she didn't think that was what he was asking.

 

As they sat there, she began to open herself to the Force. The first thing she noticed was that they were being watched. Not through physical eyes, although those were present, but through the Force. One of the presences was young and innocent, and the other felt...wrong. Empty somehow. She decided to speak on it. "Unc--I mean, Master--do you know who it is that is watching us?"

[Gren Sairdonga]

A a transport with an deconstructed E-Wing. Brand new off the assembly line where it was obviously not assembled unloads its cargo at the CC shipyards. With it came a rather chirpy R7 droid who did not realise what was about to happen to its E-Wing. Luck of the draw little buddy.

[Skye Organa]

(ooc: so sorry that I've taken so long to post - and that this will be a short post coz I'm pressed for time))

 

As Nishant rose in the air Skye let a smile spread across her face. He was a fast learner. Her eyes sparkled as she also felt the joy that Darex radiated... the Healer knowing that it was because Darla had told him her news. If Darex came to her at all she would assure him that both mother and growing baby were well.

 

As her padawan opened his eyes, his smile widening as he met her gaze. She watched as he lowered back to the stone bench before she spoke. "Very good Nishant. Now that you have learnt the rising meditation we will move on, although you will need to continue to practice that skill, sometimes it comes in handy knowing how to center yourself enough to lift out of harms way. It is when you feel a close connection to the Force that you can use it to do other things, when you let it into yourself wholly... we will go on with you lifting other objects around us, then we will go on to other aspects. I would also like to know which aspect of the Force you are drawn to the most. Where do you think your talents may lie?"

[Nishant]

As she mentioned the continuation of practice with rising meditation, Nishant understood at least one immediate benefit of practice. He recalled the feeling of energy spreading slowly through his body, and how he had only begun to lift from the bench when it engulfed his entirety; he did not know if this was the same for all who practiced, but it was so for him, and he knew that continued practice would bring a more fluid, more efficient growth of that energy.

 

Thinking on their next lesson, he wondered if he should approach it similarly to the basic telekinetic skills he had learned from Master Kirlocca's group training, or if there was truly such a difference that he should focus on it as he had the rising meditation. He decided, briefly, that he would see what it felt like and do what seemed appropriate.

 

He then found himself quiet and thoughtful, and realized he hadn't yet given a thought to what his 'talents' were, or where they might lead him. He knew what the Force felt like to him, and he knew that it was his greatest interest to immerse himself in it, in the absolute sense of the word. He knew he had other interests--he wished to learn the arts of healing, and he had a loving interest in the natural realm, and he had some sort of an underlying notion that there may come a time when it would be necessary to learn the art of combat...

 

"My greatest wish is to explore the Force as energy...I feel its color in me, these physical, metaphysical properties it has that can be directly experienced, and I wish to explore them deeply, to unite with them, to harmonize with that color. As it stands, I currently have absolutely no interest in combative arts, with or without the Force--perhaps this will change; I admit it is part of what could be called a 'compassionate prejudice' I inherited from my parents and my people. I have an interest in the arts of healing, and reparation, and unity and harmony." He paused for a moment, raised his gaze to his serene master's. "I am unsure...but these are my impulses at present."

[Skye Organa]

(OOC: Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!)

 

As Nishant answered, Skye nodded her head at each point, speaking only once he had finished. "Hopefully after the Peace talks you won't have to learn combat though I will insist you learn how to defend yourself. It is not only the Sith or Empire that could cause harm. There are Bounty Hunters and Pirates to name just two. If you wish to become a Healer, there are times when a lightsaber comes in handy. If you need to cauterize a wound for instance. The touch of the light blade seals a wound and can prevent a patient from bleeding out."

 

She shook her head and laughed softly, "I'm getting ahead of things. If you wish to, you can learn all about every aspect of healing once the time comes." Skye stood and motioned for Nishant to come with her. "The use of colours and auras through the force can be very helpful, tell me what you feel about your surrounds now." Her hand indicated towards the lake, the cabin and the forest. "I want you to reach out ... see how far you can stretch your mental awareness."

[Nishant]

Nishant found himself smiling after his master finished the first part of her explanation, while she laughed lightly. He had not known there was legitimate talk of peace, and he assumed this was a political peace being referenced. He also found in his heart an agreeable understanding for the notion of self defense””in part because he knew how to defend himself. He would have told her this, only her own admittance of ”œgetting ahead of things”

[Skye Organa]

"Very good Nishant. Each and every life form around us has it's own aura. You have taken steps into a larger universe, one that you will never stop learning from." Skye motioned for him to walk with her again, the Healer knowing the way by heart even in the dark. She stopped again a short time later, in a small clearing. She motioned for Nishant to sit with her again in the center of the clearing. The Jedi Master pulled out a credit chip and put it between them. "The credit chip doesn't have the same feel through the Force as a living object would have. I'd like you to use the Force to lift it up." Skye hid a smile as she recalled what one of her previous padawans had done... he had picked the credit chip up with his hand as she hadn't specified for him to use the Force. These days she made sure that she gave better instructions.

 

...

 

Some time later Skye took her new padawan back into the cabin, into the living room. "It's late. Go and get some sleep and we shall start again in the morning."

 

(sorry it's not a decent post... RL issues have significantly reduced my inspiration and will to post)

[Nishant]

(No worries! Take your time--the priority is your wellness, so please do not feel pressured at all from this end.)

 

Each and every life form around us has it's own aura. This had been apparent to him as a concept before, something vague that he knew in his heart. Before this night he had not recognized the breadth of the message, or been able to feel its depth even in as small a way as he had done in the exercise.

 

He sat with his master in the clearing and focused on the chip she set between them. This time he felt as if the light in him had not gone to rest--perhaps it was residual from the previous exercise, or perhaps a continued attunement was allowing him to realize that he could, in truth, be constantly within this light, this energy. He let the energy touch the chip, and he nearly laughed aloud in surprise.

 

Back on Gala, with Emily, he had lifted a remote from the floor. Then it had been so new to him that he had not been capable of making a distinction, at a foundational level of feeling, between her form and the remote's. But now, given these immersions with his master, he recognized the difference and it caused a wonderfully foreign sensation in him. He would almost have said the chip was shivering, or vibrating in response to his energetic touch--movement at such a finite level (compared to what? to him and his perception of what movement was?) that it was wondrous to know he could sense such a thing.

 

In the end he felt as if he barely had to suggest to the chip to shift its vibration in a way that would move it upwards from the ground where it was at rest. It rose up, lightly rotating around its centerpoint, until it was eye-level between Nishant and his master.

 

--

 

Before retiring to his room, Nishant bowed to his master and said, "Thank you very much for this evening, Master Organa. I look forward to the morning. I hope you rest well."

 

Back in his room, Nishant settled into a comfortable position on his bedspread, ready to delve into these new connections and explore. It would be some time before sleep, he knew.

[SithAcolyte]

Darla was a little irritated at the news of having to leave but also glad at the reason why. A new Galactic Alliance? It was something Darla never thought that she would see. Suddenly she felt a lot better about bringing a new life into the Galaxy. Hopefully her child would live in a time of peace. That truly was something wonderful.

 

The irritation was to do with the fact that Jedi business was leading them elsewhere. The two of them had spent years running around the Galaxy on Jedi business. Darla had hoped to spend the rest of her pregnancy with Skye on Corellia. She had thought Darex would get called away on Jedi business and was dreading the day. But this was a little different. He wasn't getting called into a battle like she had thought he would be.

 

Darla wondered if Skye would be going to Tython too. So far her pregnancy had be straight forward, but she didn't like the idea of having to see another doctor. Especially when it came to the birth. She wanted Skye. It wasn't a good enough reason to be separated from Darex though. They were in this together now. He wouldn't leave her side, she knew that. Now she really knew that.

 

Dropping her head into her hands Darla groaned.

 

"I'd really hoped to stay here until that baby came. We've spent so many years running around the Galaxy... Don't we deserve a break?"

 

She looked up, a little pleading look in her eyes.

 

"I'm sorry. I'm just a little irritated. I'll come with you to Tython. I hope Skye comes too."

 

Darla left it at that. Darex was too good to her, he was more than she deserved and she didn't want to argue with him at all.

 

You're baby's daddy is a Jedi...

 

That was something that she would have to live with. Darex was a Jedi through and through. She may have turned her back on the Jedi way, but he hadn't. He had a duty to them, hell he was even a member of the Jedi council. If they called him he would have to go there.

 

He'd stood by her through so much. Darla had to stop the impulse to be selfish. All she wanted to do was stay in this beautiful place. Away from the Jedi, away from the rest of the Galaxy. Rest easy and get ready for being a mom.

 

Reaching out Darla took Darex's hand.

 

"Come on, let's head back. It's been a long day."

 

The two walked back to their cabin hand in hand. Mother and father to be. Although she had become a little irritated, Darla was relieved and happy about the over all outcome of the evening.

 

A huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Now she could sleep easily. Hopefully Skye was heading to Tython too. But that was something to worry about the next day.

 

Darla fell into a deep sleep soon after laying down. Darex was with her and Galaxy was on the brink of a new peace. Things couldn't have been better.

 

Unless I got to stay here on Corellia...

 

That was the last thought Darla had before she was sound asleep.

[Darex Trevelian]

It hurt to see the pleading in her eyes. Darex hated to make her unhappy, but he didn't have a choice. Or rather, he did have a choice, but to choosing to abandon his duties would make him into a different person. He was a Jedi. He always had been. For practically his entire life, that had defined him, given him purpose. Now his view of himself was going to have to expand to include being a father. That wasn't a bad thing, but it was going to take some serious adjusting. But just because he was a father now didn't mean he was less of a Jedi.

 

He knew Darla understood that, but it still hurt to see the sadness in her eyes. "We can't take a break from life," he told her softly. As they rose and walked, her hand slipped into his. "Don't worry. I'm sure Skye is planning on coming. This is for all Jedi, everywhere, and she's a Jedi Master too." He knew that she'd probably want to stick close to Skye right now. It made him glad. She didn't have any other female friends that he knew of--save perhaps her Sith friend Alora--and it was good for her to be around Skye. Besides, Skye was the best Jedi healer in the entire order, and Darex wouldn't want anyone else to deliver his child.

 

As they walked, he mused on the fact that Darla's response to the Order's summons was, deep down, a typical response for her. She had spent a lot of her life running from things; her decision to leave the Order was just one in a long string of decisions. She had run when her old friend Zane was lost. She had run from Fynn's mad accusations and jealousy. She had spent years running from Kakuto. True, she sometimes got so sick of running that she stood her ground and decided to fight, but it was always after long periods of running. It was also part of the reason that she had hesitated to tell him about the baby. Now she had found a safe bubble, a moment in time where she didn't have to run from anything. Darex didn't blame her for wanting to stay.

 

As they reached their cabin and turned in for the night, the Jedi Master lay awake, still thinking about everything that had happened that day. And in the darkness, his fears began to whisper to him, given strength by Darla's earlier reticence. He feared that there would come a day where he would have to choose between Darla and the Jedi. And when he was completely honest with himself, if he ever faced that situation he wasn't sure what he would choose. The thought frightened him, and he hoped fervently that he'd never have to face it. But that was not a responsible attitude. He sighed. I'll just have to face that if the time comes. He glanced over at Darla's sleeping form. I don't know if I could ever give her up. She made him happier than he had ever been in his entire life.

 

And here again was the struggle with attachment that the old Jedi Order always warned about. Troubled, he pushed the thought aside. Chances were it was only the darkness and the solitude that had turning his thoughts so dark. He resolved to patient. Perhaps that Sith Furion was right. I can't change her. Part of me doesn't even want to try. But there may come a time that change will be required, and a sacrifice will have to be made to keep our relationship strong. And if that time comes, I may have to be the one who decides to change. The thought brought trepidation, but he let the emotion melt back into the Force. I will do no more or less than the will of the Force. Whatever that is.

 

His fears eased, or at least, reburied, he turned over on his side and placed an arm around Darla's slim form until he could feel the growing bulge in her abdomen. With the peaceful thoughts of new life and a brighter galaxy filling his mind again, he slept.

 

***

 

The next morning, Darex woke early. Darla was still asleep, so he rose carefully and set out for a nice long morning run around the lake. It was a beautiful morning. The sun was rising over the lake, and birds of all shapes, sizes, and colors were singing their cheerful morning songs, welcoming in the new day. The Force was vibrant and alive, full of promise, and Darex was refreshed.

 

When he returned from his run, he headed back to the cabin and went to the refresher for a much needed shower. He hoped to leave by noon.

[SithAcolyte]

Darla slept in. She finally felt at ease. For a few months now she had felt uneasy, nervous. Now she felt utterly calm. Half awake she lay in bed and enjoyed the feeling of ease that she was now filled with. Everything was going to be alright. For the first time in long time she was safe and calm.

 

She awoke to the sound of Darex in the fresher. Checking the chrono she realised that it was a little late. Darex had let her sleep. She had been alone in the bed for a little while, of that she was aware.

 

It was very sweet of him. Darla smiled to herself.

 

Now that she wasn't hiding anything, she finally felt at ease with her situation. She had been happy about it, but she hadn't felt at ease, hadn't felt completely comfortable. It wasn't the most comfortable situation to be in. But on this morning, Darla really did feel comfortable with where her life was.

 

So comfortable that she thought that it was time to finally reach out to the baby. She knew how easy it would be. All she would have to do was connect with the Force and she would instantly feel the life that was so close to hers. Right now, a very part of hers.

 

Darla had been afraid to before. When she had first found out she had lightly touched the life inside her. It had been so small, just a bundle of cells. But now it was a tiny being, a tiny mind. It was time for her to say 'hello' to her baby through the Force.

 

Tentatively Darla reached within herself. Suddenly she gasped, utterly shocked at what she felt.

[Darex Trevelian]

Darex spent more than his usual time getting ready. He knew that he was preparing to go back among the Jedi, and that among them, he was a man of some small importance. He didn't want to show up to the big get-together looking like a nerf herder. So he took the time to trim his beard and hair, making a face every time he discovered a new gray hair. Just part of getting older, I guess, he thought.

 

When he was finished, he looked much more presentable. He put on fresh robes, and polished his boots until they shone. He glanced in the mirror one last time, satisfied that he would not now put the rest of the Council to shame.

 

The Jedi Master left the 'fresher and saw Darla stirring. "Good morning," he said. He walked over to the kitchenette and grabbed a piece of fruit. He was just about to offer one to Darla when he heard her gasp and felt her shock through the Force. He crossed the room in two steps and was instantly at her side. "What is it? Are you alright?"

[Skye Organa]

It seemed she had no sooner closed her eyes than it was light, the night had flown by so quickly. She smiled as she recalled her dream. A shame it can't become a reality any time soon, she thought wistfully. It would be good to see her family all together again... Skye shook her head wistfully as she pushed herself up to a sitting position. In truth she doubted she would ever see her whole family together again... oh, she would see Morgana, Amon and Krishna for sure... it was just their father. Plenty of time to think of that later...

 

Rising, Skye stepped into the en-suite and showered, enjoying the water cascading rather than the sonic showers in her ship. She lingered a little longer than necessary before finally turning the water off, drying and dressing in her white healer robes. She tied her hair back in a ponytail and left her room, heading to the kitchen to make breakfast for anyone who wanted it.

 

While she was preparing breakfast she found herself smiling at what was sent out through the Force...

[SithAcolyte]

Darla grinned and then laughed nervously.

 

"I...I..." She was utterly lost for words.

 

It had just never crossed Darla's mind. She new she was with child, it was a strange enough experience as it was. However through the Force she had learned a little more.

 

"Come and sit with me." Darla motioned for Darex to join her on the bed.

 

When he'd joined her Darla took his hands in hers.

 

"There's something that I was to share with you. It was actually you that inspired me. When you reached out to touch the baby through the Force. I could feel what you were doing, but I'd never done it myself. Like I said, I was nervous. The last time I felt the baby through the Force it was just a bunch of cells... Now it's grown, it has a little mind all of it's own. Link with me through the Force." Darla was grinning from ear to ear. "Let's say hey to the baby."

 

Reaching out Darla let Darex's presence and her mingle. It was an odd sensation. Usually keeping herself fairly closed off it was common for her link mind with the man that she loved. Especially considering that their relationship had blossomed after she had been cloned and lost her connection to the Force. Her link with it was still tentative. But this was easy, this was her own body that she was feeling with her mind.

 

She led Darex through the Force to the tiny minds of her children with her.

 

Two tiny minds. Two tiny beacons of life shining in the Force.

 

It seemed that their family was going to be a little bigger than either of them had expected.

[Darex Trevelian]

Darex took a seat beside her. Her manner showed him he had nothing to fear for her health, just that she had received a shock. When she spoke about feeling the baby through the Force, he thought he understood. For one who had been cut off from the Force for a while and was just now beginning to recover, he was sure that sensing the baby's presence had come as a shock.

 

But when she invited him to link with her, all thought of the baby was momentarily forgotten. Joy filled his heart, and with a thought, he reached out to her. Their minds merged into a brilliant harmony, and Darex felt all that she was. She held bits back from him, but he chose to ignore those and focus on the blessed fact that she was allowing him in. It required a great deal of trust to share your mind and thoughts with another, and it was always an intimate act. Your very nature was laid bare before the other person.

 

Darex loved everything he saw. She was beautiful, radiant, a bright presence in the Force that was marred only by a few dark spots that remained on her soul. And he even loved those flaws, for they made her the woman she was. The very fact that she trusted him meant the world to him, especially knowing how hard it was for her to trust anyone.

 

He left himself completely open to her, and allowed some of the love he bore for her wash over into her side of the link. Suddenly, he remembered that he was supposed to be focused on the baby. Slightly amused at how she had completely distracted him from the task at hand, he turned his attention to the life growing within her.

 

At first, it felt the same as it had last night. But as he focused, the presence seemed to diverge, and suddenly he realized what he was sensing.

 

Twins?!?

 

Darex was glad he was sitting down, for he felt his knees go weak. He was speechless for another moment, but finally found his voice and met Darla's eyes. "Well, I suppose this means we'll have to buy two of everything. And we'll probably need a new ship." He chuckled, then leaned over and kissed her. "Why have one when you can have two, eh?"

 

Standing, he shook his head. The Force worked in mysterious ways. He was perfectly happy, though he knew that two babies would mean twice the work. But, he reminded himself, also twice the reward. He reached out a hand to help Darla up. "Come on, let's go."

 

There would be plenty of time for them to talk on the way to Tython, and even then, Darex knew it was a day or so's walk to the Jedi Temple. And several months, too, before the baby--babies--were going to be born. How many, he still wasn't sure, but that didn't matter.

 

He led the way to the main cabin, where they met Skye busy preparing breakfast. Darex came up behind her. "That smells wonderful, Skye."

 

He smiled at her. "Thanks for looking after Darla." He knew Skye already knew about the children, and his smile let her know that he knew as well now. As if she hadn't been able to feel his joy earlier.

 

As he took a seat and helped himself to the breakfast, he told Skye that they were leaving in an hour or so. "You're coming to Tython, aren't you? You and Nishant? We may be there for several months, and I would feel comfortable with no one else looking after Darla during the end of her pregnancy."

[Skye Organa]

Skye felt her grin widen secretly at the spike through the Force coming from the guest bedroom... as Darla's healer, Skye had known the moment she had examined Darla as to her condition... well, her double condition though felt that it was for Darla and Darex to discover on their own without Skye spoiling their surprise.

 

When they came out to have breakfast Skye's eyes were sparkling in delight and to Darex's comment and his expression, "That's no problem Dar, it's been a pleasure."

 

"You're coming to Tython, aren't you? You and Nishant? We may be there for several months, and I would feel comfortable with no one else looking after Darla during the end of her pregnancy."

 

"I wouldn't be anywhere else. I told Darla I'd be with her so I guess that does mean we're going to Tython, doesn't it?" the latter was said with a wink. She then called out to I-Nine, "Could you bring in those items please?" The droids both coming in carrying a number of packages. The droids placed them on the table next to Darex and Darla. "I mentioned in passing that I'd picked up something that would be needed before too long. If you would like to open these you will see..." Inside the packages were a number of items required for caring for babies including matching pairs of outfits. Also included were a few outfits for Darla to use once she was showing too much to wear her current clothing... For Darex there was a shirt with the saying "Galaxy's proudest Dad" so he wouldn't feel left out of the gift giving....

[SithAcolyte]

The bond with Darex had been more than Darla had expected. It made her realise how much she had hidden form him and how much she had kept closed off from him. It also made her realise how much Darex loved her, flaws and all. For a moment he lingered filling her awareness with his own radiance until he followed her to the minds of their children.

 

Darla caressed the two tiny presences through the Force.

 

Hello little guys, I'm you're mommy.

 

When they were back in the room, Darla was still smiling. Truly she felt like she was part of a family of her own. Skye would always be like family to Darla, but now she knew the joy that Skye had known creating a family of her own, being a mother, having children.

 

After all that she had been through the past few years, the Galaxy was finally giving her a break.

 

Darla was also aware that the joy she now felt had always been within her reach. All she had to do was let go, trust in her friends and herself. Too long she had spent stuck in her own mind worrying about what other people thought of her. Now she was amongst family that loved her and cared for her and she knew it. Skye and Darex had been there for Darla for years, but she had always been running, hiding and fighting. never stopping and staying still. Never seeing what was right within her grasp.

 

Darex seemed overjoyed at the news that they were going have twins. Now that they were experiencing things together, Darla's own joy was heightened.

 

The couple made their was into the kitchen where Skye was making breakfast. The look on Skye's face and the wink that she gave Darla told her everything she needed to know. Skye was aware that she had told Darex and more than that, Skye knew that Darla was carrying twins. Darla smiled back at her. Of course Skye had known.

 

After hearing that Skye was coming with them to Typhon, Darla was relieved and very happy. It had been a fear of hers that Skye wouldn't be coming and that she would have to deal with the rest of her pregnancy alone. Well, not alone, but with another Doctor and without her dearest friend and another woman being there with her through it all.

 

When Skye sent I-Nine to get some packages Darla wondered what she was doing. He came back with several packages and placed them on the table in front of Darla. Skye urged her to open them and Darla began. As soon as the first package was open, Darla felt like she wanted to cry with happiness. Skye had gotten everything she could possibly need for the coming months and a little present for Darex too. The twins sets of baby items and clothing proved that Skye had indeed known.

 

As soon as she had seen inside the packages Darla rushed over to Skye embracing her tightly.

 

"Skye... A girl couldn't hope for a better friend thank you so much. I'm so glad that you'll be coming along to Typhon. The idea of going through this without you scares me."

 

She pulled back smiling at her dear friend.

[SithAcolyte]

((Accidental Double post))

Edited January 9, 2011 by Guest

[Darex Trevelian]

Darex snorted with amusement when he saw the shirt Skye had gotten for him. He could tell his old master was absolutely thrilled for both of them. As Darla thanked her, he added his own thanks. "And I'm glad you're coming with us, on a personal and professional level."

 

He sat back down and tucked the shirt inside his small travel bag before picking up where he left off devouring the food. "We were planning on leaving after breakfast, if that's alright with you, Skye."

 

The healer's mother entered the room a few minutes later, looking elegant and comfortable in her nondescript clothing. The Jedi Master rose, his breakfast finished. "Thank you so much for your hospitality, Tahlia. I'm sorry we couldn't stay longer, but duty calls, as always."

 

((OOC: Either of you can feel free to post us leaving.))

[SithAcolyte]

After thanking Skye profusely Darla dished up some breakfast for herself. She took a seat and began to eat. It was no wonder her appetite had increased so much, she had been eating for three all this time. As always Skye's meal was delicious. Darla wondered if perhaps she could learn a few things from Skye about cooking. In the past she had never had any interest in it, but as a mother she would be responsible for feeding two children. She couldn't get away with just heating up some ration packs.

 

Tahlia joined them and Darla offered her a smile and greeting. When Darex told Tahlia how soon they were leaving Darla was a little saddened. Although Skye was coming along, Darla was still reluctant to leave Tahlia's beautiful home.

 

Perhaps Typhon would be a nice place to be too.

 

"Tahlia, I know our stay was brief, but I'd really like to thank you for having us. Your home is beautiful. I hope one day Darex and I can have a place like this. I hope we get a chance to come visit you again sometime. It's truly been an honour to meet you." Darla gave the older woman a gentle embrace.

 

The two of them were still relative strangers, but Tahlia was the mother of her best friend who like a sister to her. I would've been nice to get to know Tahlia better. But the Galaxy had other ideas. Maybe they would get a chance to come visit after the babies were born.

 

Darla headed back the room she and Darex had been staying in and had a shower. It felt so good to have a real shower, Darla almost didn't want to get out. Perhaps that was something to do with her reluctance to leave. However she got herself ready and packed all of her things.

 

She now had several extra bags to carry with all the gifts that Skye had given to her. There would be no more travelling lightly when she was a 'mom.' With the help of I-Nine she loaded her bags onto Serenity. The ship felt like home to her, she had spent so much time travelling with Skye over the years. However it was tiny home compared to the beautiful lake resort.

 

When her things were all aboard the ship she when back outside to say her goodbyes to Tahlia and wait for Skye and Nishant.

[Nishant]

When Nishant's eyes opened to the sunlight of the morning, he was still seated upon the cushions he'd thrown down the night before. He recognized with a smirk that he hadn't slept at all, in the conventional sense of the word. He had returned from yesterday's exercise and sat down to continue exploring such things as he had approached the night before. He remembered in the depth of his mind the great tree he had found in the woods, where he had eventually been able to go, and how he had laid down amidst its great roots and "fallen asleep". So from there, he wasn't sure what had occurred.

 

He felt quite refreshed, to say the least.

 

Rising lightly, Nishant disrobed and proceeded through a series of movements towards the light streaming through his window. With each shift of his body, he felt his form lengthen, he felt the slack being drawn in, and he felt his breath align with every maneuver. A brief meditation followed, for grounding in the day that was, a simple and swift immersion that was not intended for depth, but as a reminder.

 

He showered, dressed in his cream-colored robes, slipped on his sandals softly and exited his room. The others were eating and talking of leaving, and Nishant bade them each a good morning, and otherwise noted that they would be going to Tython's Jedi Temple. He had been unaware that such a temple existed, and became a bit excited at the prospect of an extended visit.

 

As he had little to pack, he was ready to go shortly after eating, and he went to Tahlia first. "Thank you very much for allowing me the comfort of your home. If ever I have a home of my own, and whether I do or not in truth, you will always be welcome company."

 

And then he watched his master, and asked her if there was anything she needed of him before they departed.