|
Post by Morris Cutler on Jun 12, 2007 14:39:31 GMT -5
*FInally the moment had passed and Aidan reluctantly rose to his feet.*
"Well my love, I guess we have to face the music. Hopefully I'll still have my male organs intact after it's over. Wouldn't want to spoil the honeymoon afterall" he grinned mischeviously
*He helped her to her feet and she linked her arm in his and they walked out, both glowing. Alyssa cast a slanted glance in their direction and turned to Ragen.*
"I guess it's time to go."
"Lead on Master Storm."
*The four left together, none more tense than Aidan was.*
|
|
|
Post by erickson on Jun 13, 2007 7:06:41 GMT -5
Alyssa watched her brother's squirming with somber amusement.
You forget, Callista will have two targets, she finally sent him. You, for getting her eldest pregnant. Me, for getting her youngest killed. I'd say the odds are even, Brother.
Before he could reply, they were at the Cutler's flat, with Ariel pulling up in a rented vehicle behind them.
|
|
|
Post by erickson on Jun 13, 2007 17:07:32 GMT -5
It was a quiet place, quieter than usual. The crowd of young NCOs that Cutler normally attracted were conspicuously absent.
Aidan felt foolish, knowing Ayla should be able to just walk in, but he reached up anyways and knocked on the door, then took a step back from it and waited.
The door jerked open abruptly, with Callista saying, "I TOLD you he's not to be disturbed...." She stopped, looking at her daughter, a long, slow look. after a few minutes she switched the evaluational gaze to Aiden. She then stepped out of the doorway, and silently motioned them in. The other three were included as an absentminded afterthought
Leading the way to the bedroom in the back, she stepped to the side, and they got their first look at Morris Cutler in two months.
They stepped inside slowly and quietly, following Callista. Cutler looked frail and thin and seemed nothing but a mere shadow of what he was. He was attached to a monitor and an oxygen line, and his eyes were closed in slumber. Ayla looked at him and started to cry, short, quiet sobs. Aidan pulled her close and held onto her, silently lending his support.
Morris growled, without opening his eyes, "Damn it, Callista, I SAID I didn't like tears!"
"Dear," said Callista, her voice ragged, "It isn't me, it's Ayla." At this, his eyes opened. "Hello, Kitten," he said to her.
"Hi poppy, I missed you." She took his hand as he raised it toward her and tried to muster a smile. Aidan and the others held back from the bedside for the moment, letting them have their moment.
He smiled at her for a minute, then looked at Aidan. "You BETTER be her fiance, boy, or I'll come up off this bed and whip your ass," he threatened.
"Yes Sir, Major Sir, we are getting married. I love her, have no doubts about this." He managed a meek, nervous smile. *Ayla smiled down at her father and then back up to Aidan.
The 3 other ladies stood together waiting.
Morris nodded. "Girl, if it's a boy, name it after Aidan's father - Avion Calor was the finest man I've ever served under, and I already HAVE a namesake - even if he IS a stubborn-headed whelp!"
"I am actually carrying twins, we've not really discussed names yet but I think your suggestion is good father, although I want to name the girl Abigail, in keeping with your families penchant for A names, darling," said Ayla.
"Both suggestions are good to me, and thank you sir for the way you speak of my father." said Aidan.
"Damn straight," growled Morris. his eyes slid over to where Ragan and Alyssa stood. "Well, if it isn't the storm-crows - come to see that I'm safely buried, ladies? And wheres my Ginny, couldn't you bring her?"
Aidan stepped back with Ayla and looked to his sister. "Alyssa knows more about her than I do, I'll let her field that question." *then he leaned into the force, allowing support to bolster Alyssa's announcement, Ragen and Ariel doing the same.*
She sighed, unable to see any way to blunt the pain. "Morris, she's dead, along with Kathryn and Timothy's son Thomas. He died, and she died at the same instant."
"Too close a link," said Ariel quietly.
"Alyssa nodded, not looking at her sister. "I'm sorry," she said.
Morris seemed to shrink inside his bed. "Ginnie," he said quietly after a few minutes, almost in a reflective tone. He turned, looking at his wife. "You know, I chased her and Thomas out of the hayloft at the Dojo last year. Now, I almost wish I hadn't." his voice was calm and reflective, but they saw large tears in his eyes. He suddenly started to sob, the great wracking bursts of a man unaccustomed to crying. His wife rushed to him, and held him. She looked at them all. "Please leave for now," she said calmly, although her eyes glared daggers at Alyssa.
"Those damned Sith, they've found yet another way to destroy a life. I need to fight this illness and go after them, kill them. Those bastards need to pay, need to understand the pain that has plagued my family and my friends for decades. A Pain I am going to cause, a pain so unbearable they beg me for mercy." he echoed through his wracking sobs. His face became cold steel, the face of an ARC Trooper.
Alyssa, Aidan, Ayla, and Ragen began walking to wards the door, Ariel stood still a moment, uncertain of whether or not she should proceed or try it another time.
"Help him, Ariel," said Callista quietly. "He and I must go find the bastard that caused our little girl's death." She gave Ariel a pleading look totally unlike the one she had sent Alyssa
"Very well, I will need complete silence so I can adequately attempt to prolong his life. Spend time with your other daughter while she is here. With any luck I can perhaps do something in the span of a day or so"
"I will - and do you have a lightsaber you can lend me?" asked Callista. Ariel had never seen her touch that most fundamental Jedi tool.
"Perhaps the time has come for you to build your own blade, but remember that revenge is of the Darkside, and if you wish to take up the blade now for that motivation then you are already treading on the edge. As far as an extra blade, speak with my sister, she has multiples. I've always only ever carried one myself. Pardon me now though" and then her presence winked out as she expanded her touch of the Force, digging beneath to find the white current of healing energies. Placing her hands on Morris Cutler she began probing, looking for a cause.
|
|
|
Post by Morris Cutler on Jun 18, 2007 20:57:15 GMT -5
As Ariel continued to work on Morris Cutler, the others were gathered out back on the veranda sipping on a lemon fizz anxiously awaiting the results of Ariel's endeavors*
*Aidan drummed his fingers over the hilt of his lightsaber as a sign of his still nervous state of mind, while Ayla sat rubbing her belly. Alyssa and Ragen were standing against the railing looking out into the night, while Callista swung freely in the swing.*
Callista finally spoke. "Did you bring Ginnie home with you?" she asked quietly.
"Yes I encased her in a stasis field inside my ship so you could take her body and do what you need to do. I can take you to the ship if you would like."
"Later......" she said. When I see if I need one funeral or two slipped unbidden from her mind.
*Suddenly there was a sharp cry of panic as Ayla took her hands off of her stomach and looked to the ground* "My water just broke, these babies are coming"
"Relax, Ayla" her mother said easily. "It'll be a bit. Come on to the front bedroom and we'll get you comfortable. " She looked at Aidan. "YOU will come with us and help," so you se the ending as well as the beginning...
"I want you there so she has a hand to squeeze if needed."
"Did you take birthing classes?" she asked her daughter.
*Aidan was a bit mystfied by the last statement but did his best to focus on Ayla, he picked her up gently and carried her into the front bedroom, Ragen followed behind them, having a little bit of healer training. Alyssa chose to remain outside and focus on channeling enough force to support her sister's endeavors.* "No ma'am I hid my pregnancy from everyone until about 6 hours ago, didn't want to lose my wings. I am sure we'll get through this thoug,...aghh contraction"
Callista sighed. "Then I'm sorry, dear, but it's gonna be a bit rough. one question - did you pull any Gs after the first month?"
"And take Aidan's hand. Concentrate on it, not the contraction - and let your body do what it's going to do."
Her mind was hidden, shielded as she said this, and she did NOT touch Ayla.
*Alya gripped Aidan's hand, a death grip that caused him to grimace, she cleared her mind and focused on the one emotion that tied her to Aidan, love. It was through love that she found the willpower to move on.*
*2 hours later, she was crowning and it was time to start pushing. In the other room Ariel kept her concentration levelled on Cutler, oblivious to the goings on in the other room. She was looking for that spark, that last push she needed to finish.*
*Yes...yes mom I pulled G's, only once really though, about the second month, the force was able to hold things together though, for the pregnancy the force shielded it." *she cried out again and pushed, the head starting to show now. Ragen gently took it and began to ease it out as she pushed*
Callista had talked her daughter through the process, her voice cool and dispassionate. She had acted as a labor coach, not touching her daughter, her mind shielded.
Behind that shield she had kept her fears, her information about what might go wrong. It was too late to educate Ayla and have her remain calm, so she kept it to herself, vigilant, alert to something going wrong. She intended to check the children as they came, to make sure neither were malformed, forming bones broken by gravitational stress. She prayed that neither child was crippled or retarded.
*As the first child came forth, Ragen spoke* "It's the boy, Avion. Ok here we go, we got one more." *Ragen scanned the first child and didn't discover any defects or anything wrong with the child and handed him off to his grandmother.*
*As Ariel continued to heal, she felt a new strength, tiny and untrained washing over her. She used that spark to begin to cement the final vital systems in place to where Cutler would live for a few more years.*
The little boy had been quiet. His sister more than made up for it, bellowing at the top of her lungs the moment her mouth was cleared. She seemed to DEMAND that the world make her comfortable.
*Ayla yelled again and began to push, nearly wrenching Aidan's hand off at the wrist. She used the force sparingly to clamp down on the pain and pushed again, as the head was clear Ragen began to draw the child forth from the womb.* "One more push should have it" *with a painful scream Ayla pushed again and as the child was borne from the womb a flash of white light expanded over several kilometers of ground, suddenly without warning Morris sat up and hollered, vibrantly. DO I HEAR MY GRANDKIDS!!!!!" *and on Alyssa's ship a faint heartbeat coming from within Ginny could be detected, slowly. Abigail had made a resounding impact on the world at her birth. The clear mark of what could one day be a powerful healer. Those who had been ill, bed-ridden and more suddenly found a new energy.
*Ragen checked her over too and noted that she was also a perfectly healthy baby, no defects of anykind. Abigail continued to cry at the top of her lungs and Aidan could only stand in awe, his eyes shedding a tear" Hearing Morris' voice, Callista abruptly thrust her grandchildren into their father's arms, and RAN out of the room, back to Morris. she slid nown next to the bed, and grabbed hold of him, crying happily.
"You idiot....you had me scared!" she said hugging and kissing him
"What the hell happened, I thought I was toast honestly, but now I feel fit as a fiddle, much younger. You wanna have sex with me darling?" *At this Ariel smiled and released her concentration on the force, nearly falling down, but steadying herself and taking a spot on the couch where she could sleep.* *Aidan looked every bit the proud papa as he held his daughter, who seemed at ease now. Avion had already fallen asleep in his mothers arms, and Ragen smiled. "Congratulations papa and mama"
Ariel found herself guided to the third bedroom , and tucked in.
Then Callista were back to Morris' room, locking the door, and they celebrated his recovery.
*Alyssa suddenly stumbled as she felt Ginnie's presence reaching out for something. It was so bizarre she nearly passed out. She ran to her ship and slid open the hatch to the cargo hold. Releasing the stasis field she looked at Ginny, looking for any indications that what she felt wasn't false leading*
There was a slight, faint rise of Ginnie's chest, consistant with her having been in Trance state, so slight that it might pass unnoticed
*Alyssa picked up on it though and dropped to her knees, probing Ginny with the force, deeply, seeking the undercurrents. She took Ginny's hand and felt her squeeze it ever so slightly and marvelled at the miracle. Whatever had happened, she realized that perhaps Callista would finally have joy in her life again. Maybe.
Thomas? Ginny mentally whispered. Where are you.....I can't heare you.....you were just here.....
*Alyssa slowly reached beneath her subconcious and placed her into a healing trance. She wouldn't be able to bear the news right now, of this Alyssa was sure. It was a power she rarely used, but also knew that it was of necessity. Her heartbeat was still somewhat faint, but getting steadier. Her breathing was calm and unhindered. Alyssa scooped her up into her arms and began to carry her towards the house, she sent a quick call to Ragen so that Callista would know she was coming.* *Ragen waited patiently for Callista to appear then said to her quietly, Ginny is alive, by some miracle of the force she is alive. Alyssa has placed her in a healing trance so she can recover"
Faintly, Alyssa felt a thread - leading.....Somewhere
*at the end though she found a cold dread, dread that could only be produced by one person.*
He seemed unaware of her. But Alyssa knew that through Thomas, who had been untouched, Andrew had gained a link to Ginnie's soul. A link both he and she were unaware of. A link that - someday - Alyssa could trace.
*Alyssa walked into the room, carrying Ginnie. She gently set her down on the couch and stepped away, to allow her parents the time they needed.*
After she had checked Ayla, Callista and Morris came into the room
*Alyssa looked over at them* "She is alive, I've placed her in a healing trance, partially to keep her thoughts from wandering, destroying her will to live. She'll recover in body in about 48 hours. In her mind I have a feeling that recovery could be a long time away. Enough of my yapping though, I'll let you have your moment, I need to step outside for a moment anyways"
"Thank you," said Callista, as she and Morris moved next to their youngest.
*Alyssa was now in deep thought, she had felt his presence looming beneath the surface and she had her line, soon enough she would track him, but it would be subtle, no rash moves, nothing sudden.*
Callista walked out onto the porch. "Morris is occupied with the twins and Ginny. I need you to give me something."
"I need a lightsaber." *Alyssa missed the first part of her statement still engrossed in her thoughts but snapped aware when she said she needed a lightsaber* "Can I ask why?"
"I'm going after the bastard that killed Thomas.," Callista said simply.
"Careful of your mindset, revenge is a motivator of the darkside. It will consume you to the point of no return. You need to let go of your anger, your fear, your need for revenge, and your pride. Do not allow them to consume you Callista. I can provide you with a lightsaber, but I need some sort of assurance that you are not walking the line, that you won't be consumed by a need for revenge."
"Alyssa...... You know how much I've been avoiding the Jedi. I survived the massacre at the Temple, escaped and I never wanted to look back. It's just.....I've been having these dreams lately. "
"Dreams, expound on that please. If you are willing to take up the mantle of the force again, I need to know what you are seeing. I need to be able to make an attempt at discerning the currents of the force. I will give you a lightsaber if you can give me the details, but you will have to build your own eventually"
"I know, Alyssa, I know. In the dreams, I'm in the temple again, only Morris and the kids are there with me. Sometimes I'm at my old training level and have a lightsaber....and can defend them. Sometimes i have no lightsaber and have to watch them slaughtered before I'm killed. Sometimes I use a blaster, and we barely escape."
"Somehow that sounds vaguely familiar, as if I have been in that before too. I think we are getting ready to see a concentration of Sith Strength lunging at us with everything they have. I will give lend you a lightsaber, but I have a condition to add." she paused
"what is that?" Callista asked.
"You formally accept me as a Master for instruction. You haven't used the force in years for anything other than basic thought shielding. I can teach you the things you need to know to survive. If our enemies are anything like we have faced in the past only the most well-trained individuals will be able to stand against that growing wave of darkness. Only the most balanced Force Users. The Jensaarai aren't as tight on one apprentice at a time. If you truly are sincere about taking up the mantle of the force again, then you will need someone to show you the way, what do you think?"
Callista looked at her and grinned. "So long as you don't ask me to give up making love to Morris. I will NOT go back to being a Jedi virgin."
"Honey, I haven't seen my husband in 8 months, haven't slept with him in 8 months, I would not seperate anyone from that feeling. I won't interfere, don't worry about that. Come with me real fast and I'll get you properly equipped, although I will have to test your capabilities real soon, but not at the moment. An old friend of yours is on the way here with his ship, wanted to be the one to marry your daughter and my brother. Insisted."
"Who?" asked Callista curiously
"Why the Commander of the Ascendency Navy of course, Lord Admiral Jan'al'deek, said he married the two of you on Outbound Flight Two and insisted he marry your daughter as well. I told him I didn't think you or Morris would be too put off. My husband didn't seem to mind not being the one to do it."
Callista started laught. "Jan'al? That old pirate? He threatened us with this when He found out I was pregnant, and insisted we get married - and said he'd do the same for our child. That old Goat! Did HE finally get married?"
"I must have tried to pair him with every good-looking Chiss woman in the fleet!"
"He's married to his flagship, he took over Ordo's baby. After much haggling to get it might I add. Personally I think he wants to wave his flagship around and act all captainy. He should be here sometime tomorrow afternoon, then we can get those two hitched. I feel old, it's been 23 years since Dalton and I got married, although I must confess, I am worried about Caeden, I sense he is in great danger. He insisted though that he be the one to save the Jedi girl. He's too noble at times." *they had reached Alyssa's ship and she opened the hatch again retrieving her blue lightsaber that she had built shortly after her marriage. She handed it too Callista.* "It's a good blade, should serve your purpose"
Callista snapped it on, and slowly moved it, testing the balance of the hilt. "Thanks, Master Alyssa." She did a doubletake. "What Jedi girl? I thought the Empire had Turned or killed all of them...."
"Jenna Mothma, yes same bloodline. She was deep inside the Imperial military, some sort of medic. We intercepted a transcript that hinted the Empire was onto her. Caeden decided he wanted to be the one to pull he out. He went with the Ewok, Jedi Dika. They are a very formidible pair, but I can't help but worry some, Imperial Intellegence is very cunning at times. They'll make it back though, he's been well trained." her voice still carried a trace of worry
"Think Positive, as Master Erickson used to say. She said that a Seer could PULL the odds around to what they saw, making it a self-fulfilling prophecy. Think that Caeden will get back ok, and you'll improve his odds...."
"I know, but ever since I miscarried, I have been very protective of him, I know I need to let him test his own wings though. Dalton is far less protective than I am, mother's instinct, but I am sure you understand that concept. Come we should see how the babies are doing though. With a little luck of the force Caeden will be back before we know it."
Callista stopped, remembering something she had heard Master Kathryn say. "Alyssa.....do you know why you miscarred?" she said carefully.
"No, I assumed it was a trick of the force, some form of over-exertion as the so-called chosen one. Are you privy to information that was withheld from me?"
"Just withheld so it wouldn't hurt you further, or so Master Kathryn judged. Master Alyssa....." she took a deep breath, "Andrew reached into you, at that final battle, and set things into motion - so you would die later, even if you won. You barely lived, you know."
"She realized what he'd done - after you miscarried. I'm sorry," said Callista.
"How can that be, I have never seen my brother, I've yet to engage him in combat. Yet to fulfill this reality of the force. Somehow he affected me from that kind of distance, even with all the mental discipline. I guess perhaps my training was flawed. I want to hate him now for that, but I can't, hate is not an emotion I tend to embrace. All I have is a grim determination to see this to the end, whatever end that may be. Soon enough that time will come, soon enough prophecies will come to pass." "Master Kathryn says you hated then, and so left yourself open to something that was anti-life."
"I forsook my hatred of Jeff Raven when I was 16 years old, I wouldn't think he could have struck that early in my life, he wouldn't have had the training. Unless for some reason it left a stain into my soul that even through forgiveness was never erased. It still breaks my heart, 10 years later I still have grief when I think about the life that could have been."
"She said it was a stain from your childhood," said Callista. "Something or someone you have never forgiven
"Who then, who could I have not forgiven. I forgave Jeff Raven, I stood there with him and forgave him. I never looked back on it either. There has to be someone else, someone who I have missed along the way. I can't be having doubts though, the darkside can hide behind doubt. I just wish I knew who I needed to forgive"
"She wouldn't say, Alyssa. She was a bit drunk at the time, and rambling. something about it being an anniversary." said Callista
"Then I guess I am in need of some soul searching. When the time comes for me to face my brother, I can have no stains, no doubts, nor anything that even smells of darkness upon me, because he will exploit it. Exploit it in a way that I will have no defense. This is the one time I have no room for failure. My brother is as powerful, if not greater than Gavin Spry himself. I will have to bide my steps"
"I guess you do," callista agreed. "Shall we go look at the babies?"
Walking up the steps of the porch, the stumbled over an open basket. Inside were two andsewn quilts. "For the Babies," read the not on the basket.
"Indeed, it's my first time as an aunt, I am excited to have a niece and nephew. Someone to spoil I suppose." as they approached the porch, Alyssa noted the quilts too. "Where did those come from"
"I don't know," said Callista, picking one up and looking closely at them. "We'd better scan them to be safe....."
After extensive scanning and checking, they proved to be only.....extremely well-made baby blankes. The stitches were close and fine, and everything was closely coordinated. They had strange beasts in embroidery, clearly not of this planet.
"I sense nothing hostile about these, though I am very curious at to their origon. I mean no one knew Ayla was pregnant as far as we could tell. I think we should try a tracer before giving them to the babies though, just to be safe. What's your opinon on the matter?" "Be safe - the babies are vulnerable right now. And who would send them," said Calista. "Not Master Kathryn, her stitches stagger all over the place. Whoever did these has a neat hand."
"It's too bad we don't have any Kiffar, to read them for us."
"Looks vaguely familiar to the blanket that Ariel has pinned on the wall of her home, the one given to her by our mother. Granted that isn't possible, but they are very similar. I'll run them back to my ship, you go ahead and visit with your grandchildren, won't be but a moment."
"OK, Master Alyssa," said Callista, and went inside.
*ALyssa carried them to her ship and set them carefully in her cargo room, securing them she headed back to the house and went inside where everyone was googling over the new babies. She graciously took Abigail from Aidan when he offered and sat down cradling her carefully, her own eyes misting over as she thought again about the life that could have been*
When she went back to her ship, later, she smelled something different about the air. Something faint, yet familiar. Nothing was disturbed, but there was a faint, unusual tang to the air.
*Sealing herself into the cockpit Alyssa finally sat back and reflected. The things Callista had told her were eating into her. She realized that for the first time in a long time she was doubting herself. Somehow Gavin and his lackeys were very capable at sowing doubt. She drew the force to herself and focused her meditations, looking for answers, who it was that she had never forgiven. She knew it wasn't Jeff Raven, was it her mother she wondered. No that's preposterous she thought, she had declared her forgiveness to Linda Knight shortly after losing her arm. Maybe though that was the key, she had told Linda she had forgiven Astrid, but had never actually been able to forgive Astrid. Astrid had died and perhaps she hadn't forgave Astrid through some memory of her. It was all so odd so very very odd.*
*Why now she thought, why is he back now and again I am unprepared. Have I failed myself and the others again. When will I finally be prepared to meet the Sith and their manipulative ways. Then she broke, shedding tears of remorse, grief from 38 years of repressed grief, she realized I never got to say goodbye, then I lost my arm, then my own child. It was a gnawing pain that she finally allowed to spill out. A release from everything she had lost. She could feel a quickening of the force, but ignored it, content to just let it go, and there in the cockpit she sought peace, peace from everything she had lost.*
Bent over, her head on the controls, crying, she did not hear the door open. She was not even sure that it DID open. But she felt something put over her shoulders, a blanket she thought, and a gentle patting. Something was telling her quietly, subtily to relax.
Something was singing in her mind, a song of hope, of healing. Something was singing to her that she was loved, that she couod do it.
*The tears continued to flow freely as she sat there in her ship, thinking over everything. She finally spoke, as if to the force itself.* "I'm sorry mom, sorry that I never really forgave you, sorry that I held resentment against you for so long. I do forgive you, whether or not your spirit can hear me I forgive you, and though I've never said it, I love you. I love you mom." Then her tears continued to flow, deep inside though a gaping wound seemed to close, a black hole erased from existance. She had finally made peace with the past entirely. Her last thought before drifting off was I love you too Elena. Those words of a mother speaking to her lost child.*
Then Slowly she sank into sleep. When she woke, still in the cockpit, there was a blanket over her, hand sewn. Looking out the window, she saw a strangely-painted, oddly familiar ship. The name "FireBird" was written in Corellian besides the hatch.
*Alyssa gazed at the ship for a moment, her subconcious triggering a memory from 27 years ago, soaring over the streets of Arkania in pursuit of that very same ship, but there was no way. She hadn't seen Jeff Raven since she had made her peace with him. The rumors had circulated that he was killed in combat with Lord Zarok. She shuddered when she thought of the black-haired version of Jeff Raven, Corax. He had protected her, yet was pure evil. It was one of those memories that stuck vividly with her. She hesitantly lowered the ramp and started walking towards the ship, nervous as hell. It was as she was leaving that she noticed the blanket, something about it sent a weird feeling through her. She assumed however that Ariel had provided it.*
The ramp was down, so she walked up it. As she got to thetop, the ship spoke. "Hello, Alyssa." it was a grandmotherly voice, though some subconscious memory told alyssa she'd heard this ship swear.
*Alyssa searched her mind trying to remember the name of the AI unit that powered the ship and then it clicked.* "Hello Horus, it's been 25 years. What's been keeping you busy over such a long span?" she remained polite and well-mannered hoping that she hadn't gotten it's name wrong*
"Horus? No, she's with Tomas. I'm the 'Bird. Come aboard, if you like," the ship invited as the lock swung open.
"My apologies, I only recall Horus, you will have to forgive me for my daftness." *Alyssa stepped inside, expanding her sphere of influence to the force, not willing herself to be unprepared for some ungodly trick of her brothers. She shunted aside all doubts and walked in. She felt nothing dark from within which set her at ease.* "So what brings you here, to the Haven?"
"She did," said the ship as the sound of nervous pacing back and forth came down the hall.
|
|
|
Post by Morris Cutler on Jun 24, 2007 20:39:58 GMT -5
*Alyssa stretched out with the force seeking the one who had came looking for her. Her senses picked up nothing though, as if someone was blocking their presence.*
|
|
|
Post by Quinn on Jun 24, 2007 22:43:27 GMT -5
A man emerged from a room close to Alyssa, and stopped once he saw her. She could easily tell who he was by his blue hair and tall, thin status. Jeff's eyes met Alyssa's and he nodded to her.
"Been keeping well?" he asked, voice slightly strained.
|
|
|
Post by Morris Cutler on Jun 25, 2007 6:52:36 GMT -5
*Alyssa blinked three times in rapid succession, her mind fathoming that it was Jeff Raven talking to her.*
He..Hello Jeff, yy..yes I've been doing well. Forgive my lack of speaking, but you're one of the last people I ever expected to see again. I married Dalton, we have a son..I lost a daughter." *she gritted out that last statement.*
"Why do I get the weird sense something cataclysmic is getting ready to hit. Everytime I have ever seen you has been at a turning point in my life. Forgive my rudeness though. How have you been?"
|
|
|
Post by Quinn on Jun 25, 2007 6:56:17 GMT -5
"A lot better, actually. And yes, your life is going to hit a turning point. Congrats on the marriage and the children. And you have my sympathy at losing your daughter." he bowed his head to her. By the looks of it, Jeff had not aged a day. Not even being Force Sensitive could do that. But maybe something else...
|
|
|
Post by Morris Cutler on Jun 25, 2007 7:01:12 GMT -5
"Well I guess we all reach that point someday. Some of us more often than others." she managed a thin-lipped smile.
"I have a feeling...something nagging in the back of my mind that all these odd emotions are coming to the surface for a reason. I keep getting a sense of my mother, she is in everything I see these days. Do you have any idea why?"
|
|
|
Post by Quinn on Jun 25, 2007 7:20:08 GMT -5
Jeff froze once Alyssa mentioned her mother. And not from the emotions of the past it conjured, but how Alyssa had realized something even more prudent. Jeff just wished this hadn't needed to happen. He sighed heavily, knowing the truth must come to her in some form. And it was better it be this way.
Although Jeff was fully prepared to accept the blame for the whole situation. It WAS his fault really... although he'd explain that himself in a bit.
"Yes Alyssa, I do. But maybe it's better that she explain herself." Jeff gestured to the lounge of the Firebird, stepping to the side so that Alyssa may pass.
|
|
|
Post by Morris Cutler on Jun 25, 2007 8:04:50 GMT -5
*It was Alyssa's turn to be shocked.*
"Your...telling..me my mother is...alive. Oh my God, oh my God."
*She desperately reached into the force to clamp down on the growing emotions from within. Years of grief, hurt, pain at not having a family threatened to burst from within. It was replaced by a sense of wondering, a sense of unbridled hope. An emotion long repressed. Astrid was alive, and with Jeff. That nagging angry voice in the back of her mind, trying to plunge her into darkness. She didn't let it, and with an emotional strength she hadn't known she possessed she dispelled whatever notion of anger that lingered,*
"The force really does have a strange sense of irony. I will go see her, thank you Jeff. God this is difficult. My sister misses you you know, you should go see her."
*Then taking a deep breath Alyssa straightend her body and walked into the room, feeling as though she was walking on eggshells.*
"Mom....is it really....you."
|
|
|
Post by erickson on Jun 25, 2007 11:56:18 GMT -5
The redhaired woman looked to be Alyssa's age. Slowly she stopped her worried pacing, and turned, looking at her daughter. She managed a weak smile. "Yes, Alyssa, it's me."
"But...how...why...where have you been for 38 years. I needed you, you know. I think I turned out alright, but I needed you, needed father. Hell, my son could have used you." she managed a smile, her emotional state in turmoil, but not an angry turmoil.
Jeff quietly walked in and stood leaning against the doorjamb, unnoticed by either woman. -c-
Astrid stopped and looked at her. "For the first 16 of that, Alyssa, I was dead," she said slowly. "A Force Spirit, but dead."
"I stayed away after that because of a promise that Jef made to your father"
"I knew you were a spirit at one point, I felt you, shortly after Sargon nearly killed me." pain creased her features for a moment at that recognition. "Dalton said he saw you, well saw..something, feeding me energy to keep me alive. It took me too long to let the past die. I think in my own pain, my own hate for you not being there I lost my daughter. It still hurts to this day. It was you wasn't it, you brought me the blanket, lent me small comfort mere hours ago. I am sorry for living with the regret for so long, I do love you. So where does that leave us now though?"
"My Father....He's alive too... No can't be, I don't get the same sense about him as I do concerning you. What did dad make Jeff promise. I am so totally confused right now." *then abruptly Astrid would notice, Alyssa suddenly felt a wave of calm washing over her.* -He's alive, he made it back- she thought
Jef said,"No he is not, because he asked not to be."
"Not my father, my son. He's alive, I just felt his presence again, he's close"
"OK," said Astrid. " And the promise, Alyssa, was to never contact you, after I was re-embodied."
"It's a long story, dear." Astrid said. "And I have missed you ever since I remembered you."
"Re-embodied?? I thought that was something the Sith did. Tell me you not...Sith. No that's stupid I get no sense of the Sith, I am sorry the thought even crossed my mind. You know you have 3 Grand-Children now right, d'oh of course you made the blankets. You'll have to forgive my scatterbrainedness the shock of the day keeps getting bigger"
Astrid walked over to her, and deliberately hugged her. "And what I'm going to tell you may not help, dear, but I need to say it."
"Oh no where is he..my brother coming for us already?"
Astrid's grip tightened almost convulsively on her, and she said, "Not while I'm here to protect you. He was my mistake, let me deal with him now, my dear."
"No he's my destiny, everyone knows this, but tell me, what is this news you have for me, if not that Andrew is coming here?"
"Some good, Some bad. First, to get it out of the way, I was re-embodied in a cloned, soulless copy of myself. Raven - you remember him? taught Jeff how to do it. Sith technique, non-Sith action."
"Second. Andrew already owes me for killing one of my granddaughters. I will not let him kill his sister."
"Finally. He and Lord Zardok, between the two of them, are responsible for all the current disasters. Lord Zardok engineered the blatant ones, Andrew the subtle ones. And it's all because they're contending for the title of Dark Lord of the Sith."
"I have data backing all these statements, if you like," Astrid said, looking hard and angry.
"He won't kill me, have too many people rooting for me. Zarok..Zarok can be dealt with, his strength lies in direct control. Linda or Shakara I think can dispatch him pretty quickly. Andrew however is a different matter. I have been well-trained. As much as you disapproved of him, Master Spry did well. We can take my brother together if necessary. That is if you can still handle a lightsaber" *she just grinned casually, lightening the mood for a moment.*
|
|
|
Post by erickson on Jun 25, 2007 12:26:14 GMT -5
Astrid smiled humorlessly. "Yes I can, as can your brother and sisters. Although Tomas is more of a healer."
"That is - if I can find where he went to THIS time. He took Horus."
Brothers..and sisters.... Haha you married Jeff Raven. I so knew it...luckily he and I have a mutual respect you know, otherwise I might have been angry. I know father would have wanted it to be that way. He really did love you. Aidan is a very gifted fighter also, but his main strength is in his teaching. Training new apprentices for him is almost effortless, I envy that. Ariel can fight, but she is a healer also, but then again you know this. Dalton is a fierce fighter too thankfully. He was my Godsend when I was ready to give it all up. You'll have to meet him. I know he'd want to meet you."
"Well, Sweetie, you've got four others to add to the party list. .........."
At that point, a tall blue-haired girl with dark wings rushed past Jef and into the lounge. "Mo-ther, he's NOT on this Planet! We've GOT to go FIND him - he's UP-set!" she declared dramatically. She looked about 20, but spoke like she was 16.
Astrid sighed. "Krystal, say hello to Alyssa," she said.
*The proximity sensors echoed momentarily on Alyssa's comlink as Dalton spoke to her.* -Darling, I have Caeden on approach, I am diverting him to your landing pad, he should be here shortly. I love you." "Love you too honey, you'll have to get planetside shortly someone you need to meet." "Will see what I can do, Liis just got a break, but he'll take the bridge" "Thank you" *alyssa turned towards the new voice. "Hello Krystal, I am Jensaarai Master Alyssa Calor, nice to meet you." she stuck out her hand
"Calor? CALOR! Oh, gee how wonderful!" she said. Only Astrid could pick up the slight trace of sarcasm, and she said nothing to Krystal. Jef, however, stirred. "Bedroom, young lady." he said in stern tones. "Your mother needs some private time," he continued without a trace. Krystal took one look at his stern face, and left.
"She looks like her father." Alyssa said. "Where does she range in terms of the family, eldest..youngest, middle." *Alyssa turned to Jeff* "Would it be ok to let my son come on board when he arrives?"
"Oldest, then the Twins, then Tomas," said Jef. "And its ok by me - but ask the Bird?
"Hello again bird. My son will be arriving shortly may he be allowed to come on board an meet his grandmother and stepo\-grandfather" *she said the term sincerely, acknowledging that Jeff was defacto now her step-father* "It's been months since I have seen him, and it's a relief to know he is alive and made it"
"He's family, isn't he? Family is always welcome."
|
|
|
Post by Morris Cutler on Jun 25, 2007 12:38:22 GMT -5
OOC Info: This merges the Reporting In thread with this one.
*Moments later Dika lofted the small shuttle into a slow, deliberate descent. Jenna lay sleeping in the back and Caeden dutifully watched over her with a smile, until Dika put the ship down.*
"Make sure she is ok pal, if she needs anything see what you can do to help."
"Yub-Yub Caeden"
*As the ramp slid open Caeden approached his mothers ship only to be diverted by her computer notation that she was on the bird, the ship sitting across the clearing.*
*Gathering himself he walked over towards the other ship and stopped when he heard a soft grandmotherly voice call out his name.*
"Come in Caeden, my name is Bird. Your mother is waiting in the back lounge."
*Startled Caeden shook his head.* "Umm..thank you Bird."
"You're welcome"
*Caeden was admitted into the ship and found his way to the lounge. Once inside he saw Alyssa, and two people he did not recognize.*
*Alyssa's heart fluttered with joy as her only child stepped into her view.* "Hi baby, welcome home and congratulations on your successful mission. Next time I'll have to talk to Master Spry about assigning you to something shorter."
"Very funny mom, I can take care of myself you know. I missed you though, I love you."
"I love you too honey"
*and mother and son embraced for the first time in several months before Caeden remembered there were other people in the room.*
"Forgive my rudeness, I am Defender Caeden Storm" *his eyes rested on Astrid for a second* "Holy cow, your not her, but you look just like Aunt Ariel."
*Then his eyes found Jeff.* "And you..I've seen you in my visions. As odd as it may sound I saw you, I swear it." "Forgive my babblings though, who are you, friends of my parents?"
|
|
|
Post by erickson on Jun 25, 2007 21:49:40 GMT -5
Alyssa chuckled slightly* "Caeden this is your grandmother, Astrid my mother, and her husband my step-father I do suppose, Jeff Raven" "Your mother....I thought she was killed when you were like three. In fact isn't Jeff Raven the guy who helped you become a Defender?"
"I don't know too much about helping her, but it did help me somewhat." Jeff nodded. "And Astrid being brought back, is a long story."
"Long story eh. I am rather interested to hear about it someday. So mom, does Aidan, and Ariel know their mother is alive?" "Not yet, but they'll know soon enough I am sure." *Caeden turned to Jeff, while the two women talked. "Perhaps we can talk in private soon, maybe you can help me make sense of these visions I keep having with you in them."
"Son, I'm not a Jedi Master, not anymore." Jeff shook his head. "In fact, I was only a Sentinel. Your grandmother is the one who's decent at making out what visions mean."
"Well what I am getting is a tall mountain. Very rocky, very precarious. We are both going up the side of it together. You keep mentioning the name Krystal. At the top we enter some sort of winding tunnel that opens into an old chateau. At the far end of this chateau is a man wearing all black. He ignites his lightsaber and then charges us." "Suspended in the air behind us is a winged female crying out to us for help. Then it goes black, I feel a searing pain across my gut and then I wake up. I have never gotten past that point."
"A possible future, I would guess. But I never put much stock in foresight, because there's the possibility it won't happen." Jeff shrugged. "So, I say just continue on with life."
"Yeah, I intend to carry on, it's just a recurring thing. I don't really like it. Sometimes I find that I feel too overwhelmed. But I guess you know the feeling. Forgive me. So... what brings you to our Haven?"
"Our son, Tomas." Jeff said shortly. "He has my ship, and he's here somewhere."
"Tomas....dad mentioned something about his hangar being full so he diverted me here. Maybe he's on dad's flagship, I can probably ask him if you would like."
"Yes. Probably healing someone, knowing him." Jeff said exasperated.
-Admiral Storm, go ahead.- -Hey dad, I have a question, I am with Astrid and Jeff Raven here on planet and they are looking for their son. You mentioned that your hangar was full. Is he there perchance?- -Actually yes, he came on his father's ship, he was brought in to heal Kathryn and Timothy's daughter. He was still in there last I checked, but he also asked not to be disturbed. Everything OK?"
- -It's fine sir, mom seems to be genuinely happy and they are really nice people, but I think you answered my question. Defender Storm out.- "He is on my father's flagship Grandparents of mine. Wow that just sounds weird"
Just the a tall dark-winged girl with blue hair burst back the room. "MOM! Can you PLEASE tell the twins to stop bugging me?"
"Krystal........"began Astrid, clearly losing patience. "You're older than them, now, please, out......"
*Caeden blinked rapidly* Th...thats her. Pardon me a second I gotta regain my composure "Hello...Miss....I am Caeden Storm, nice to meet you." he was clearly very nervous
"Hi, you're the cute guy I've been dreaming about," she said bluntly. "The one who rescues me."
"And he's also your half nephew." Jeff told her, looking at her sternly.
"Darn", she said, unrepentant.
*Alyssa could have cracked up if not for discipline of the force.
Caeden was taken aback, his cheeks turning red.* "Well I don't know about cute, but yes I have seen you in my visions, though they remain incomplete."
Jeff sighed in frustration. "I'll go find Tomas." and he turned, leaving the room.
"I'll go with you, Dad," said Krystal. "Gotta get baby brother out of trouble, after all."
"No Krystal, you're staying here. No exceptions." he told her shortly.
*Alyssa turned towards them* "Feel free to take my ship if you need, quick easy access to my husband." *Caeden shifted uncomfortably and stood near his mother.* "I should probably go check on Jenna soon, make sure Dika isn't driving her crazy with his Ewok singing."
There was a sound of words being exchanged, the lower voice remaining calm, yet firm. The higher-pitched voice grew louder and louder, until finally there was a stomping off and the slamming of a door.
"Sit down, please, Caeden," said Astrid. "You mentioned a vision."
*Caeden took a seat, clearly remaining very tense.* "As I was telling your husband. "Well what I see is a tall mountain. Very rocky, very precarious. We are both going up the side of it together. You keep mentioning the name Krystal. At the top we enter some sort of winding tunnel that opens into an old chateau. At the far end of this chateau is a man wearing all black. He ignites his lightsaber and then charges us." "Suspended in the air behind us is a winged female crying out to us for help. Then it goes black, I feel a searing pain across my gut and then I wake up. I have never gotten past that point." "How does the vision end, that's what I want to know. How does it come to pass even"
"What color is the lightsaber?" Astrid asked him
"Red, but not a typical red, a very deep scarlet hue, similar to the one dad took from a Sith Acolyte he brought back to the light several years ago now. He was about 6'4", flashing eyes, stocky build, very poised. Not the typical arrogance we associate with Sith such as Sargon Mazzic. He seemed very deliberate in his stance."
Astrid closed her eyes. "Did he mention his name," she said.
"No, he said he wasn't of this world, that he followed someone. I asked are you a Sith, he responded no, something deeper, more ancient."
"Did he.....resemble....your mother," Astrid got out.
"Not in the least, he looked nothing like her. There was a carving in the wall behind him though, some sort of ancient deity, one who looked very powerful. I am not entirely sure the person facing us was human. He was unworldly. He also wore a gauntlet, he had some sort of mythical creature carved into it. It's the last thing I see before the searing pain"
"Lightsaber....." said Astrid through gritted teeth. "Darkside Lightsaber. We've got to divert it - what you felt was your death."
Alyssa cringed and prompted quickly* What did the creature look like?
"It was like a scorpion, it had eyes that seemed to be made of runes. It wasn't exactly a scorpion though. If it's my death I feel then so be it. I do not fear death, but I embrace it as a natural part of life. What good does a fear of death do me anyways."
"No," said his grandmother sternly. "Fight it. To not fight it means accepting your fate, and I don't want that."
"Runes...Runes..." Alyssa puzzled. "The only person who ever mentioned seeing runes was Master Gaeriel, but she died 6 years ago. I wonder if her husband would have a copy of her journals. I would like to study it. Diem Dhiel was with her at the time, but no one has seen him in about 6 months." "I'll look into this, and Caeden your grandmother is right, fight it. Fight it with all you've got. Trust in yourself, it will carry you. Until then though, I highly suggest you remain around here, not many Darksiders would be bold enough to march into a stronghold of Lightside Masters. I can't really give advice concerning Krystal, but I'd keep her here also. We need to investigate this very throughly. I will depart shortly. I need to check on Ginny, then convince her mother to come with me."
"I'll go with you," said Astrid softly.
|
|