A Mother and A Survivor

[Turak Karede]

Turak stood at the railing of one of the massive bridge cities on Cato Neimoidia. His eyes drifted below his mask to look into the massive canyon below. Clouds dotted the skies and massive flying beasts streaked beneath the bridge followed closely by star fighters and various transports as they left the city. He stared in wonderment, having never quite seen anything like it before.

Cato Neimoidia was new to him...well everything was new to him.

Myrkyr had been a jungle world, a planet filled with predators, killers, and smugglers. There was no such thing as beauty on Myrkyr, only death.

For a moment Turak closed his eyes. He tried to remember Vesta, he tried to remember his homeworld. He caught brief flashes, large cities filled with corpses, houses ablaze, dead. His eyes snapped open suddenly, his head shaking as he attempted to tear the memories of the Icarii campaign from his mind. A scowl appeared on his face.

With another shake of his head Turak turned away from the edge of the bridge, he had to get back to work.
[member="Avalore Eden"]

 

[Avalore Eden]

Avalore Eden's life had changed rather drastically in a single month.

She'd given birth amidst the chaos of a Sith Invasion on Coruscant. Guarded and aided by Jedi Knight Erinyes Draclau, making it to safety with an infant had proven quite ...exciting, to say the least.

She'd moved to Cato Neimoidia to live with her Master, Diana Moridena. The planet was vastly different from her homes on Corellia or Coruscant, and getting used to the subtle sway of the bridge cities was going to take some time. Motion sickness coupled with the recovery of her very long pregnancy seemed to be a losing battle, but Diana promised it would get better.

She'd been assigned a body guard. Avalore was used to constant company - her life within the Jedi had never afforded her much privacy, espcially not with how much they fussed over her while carrying McPuff. But this was a different sort of company. So far, he'd proven mostly quiet and certainly unnerving. It was only the first week of his detail here, but Diana insisted it was necessary. She wouldn't always be around, even if Avalore didn't plan on getting into trouble anytime soon. Trouble found her quite readily.

She had a baby.

That was the most profound change. The feeling of emptiness, of losing her partner in crime, had been utterly overlooked by the presence of this tiny infant. Odd, she could have sworn it would have been bigger. It certainly felt heavier when it had been in her belly, a bit more durable too. Now, here it lay in a hovering crib, watched over and attended by a mid-wife droid, a healthy baby girl with scant dark hair, wide blue eyes, and pink cheeks. Avalore watched it with a great deal of anxiety. She wasn't a mother, hadn't ever thought she would be either. But the decision to place the infant immediately into adoption within the Temple hadn't been on the table following the birth. So here she was, being taught how to hold a baby by a droid with silicon padded paddle arms, pondering the infectious nature of the burbling noises.

She smiled wanely and reached over the crib to gently poke at the infant's cheeks, "Still a little McPuff, aren't you." Avalore hadn't named her yet - she hadn't planned to, truth be told. Adoption and all, it was still on the table once things settled.

The bodyguard returned and Avalore looked up from the crib, watching him silently. By her side the caretaker droid issued soothing hums. For some time Avalore had considered his presence in her life, pondering what was normal for someone with a body guard. Did you speak to them? Do you give them orders? Are you supposed to be friends or was that against some sort of code? What happens when he got tired and needed to sleep? Was he Jedi-Code compliant? Did she care?

"Hello," the murmured, knee-jerk greeting took her by surprise, but it was out there, way left field pitch.

[member="Turak Karede"]

 

[Turak Karede]

Turak looked at the girl, his eyes drifting over her, and then the child.

He was not accustomed to being around children, in fact his past had pretty much directly opposed such a thing. But the Jed Master who had hired him had told him the child and the mother were the greatest of treasures in the galaxy, and after thoroughly interrogating him about his past, his associations, and his skills she had finally decided to hire him.

It was due to his associations that she had come to this decision, or rather his lack thereof.

Turak had been completely honest with Diana. He had shared things with her that he thought he would never tell anyone. Strange, that the Jedi were so easy to open up to. When he had mentioned that the last two years of his life had been spent in isolation, and that he quite literally held no ties to any organization or faction. That was when the Jedi had made up her mind.

“Hello.” Turak responded to the girl, she was only a girl after all, young to be a mother.

He stepped up to her, eyes beneath his mask shimmering slightly. He did not want to be rude, but it was best that he not show his face...for her...yeah for her. “Do you need anything?”

He had to try his best. He had to do this right, even if it did make him uncomfortable.

 

[Jsc]

If there were doorbells on Cato, Sam would have pushed it. Standing outside the glamorous abode of newly mothered Avalore Eden, Sam Jhovna of Coruscant felt rather out of place. Not unlike the protective Turak, she too felt the grandeur of standing upon a whole new world. Though she did appear dressed to impress.

Sam wore a grey and golden gown fashioned after Tetan cultural tokens. It fell easily about her ankles and did a wonderful job of covering up her dirty brown riding boots. She'd forgotten to bring a spare shoe bag. Sam blamed the airlines surcharges for that.

In her arms was a bouquet of flowers and a wrapped gift for the young child. The Jedi Knight had called ahead to announce her visit, but she was not sure if Master Moridena's aid had past the message along in good time. Her appearance might be sudden as best.

"Oh my. I hope I'm not intruding." She spoke to herself, "And, if this is the wrong address? Well... Let's hope the locals enjoy flower arrangements from the Sable Markets of Naboo. Hehe. Oh dear. Now I'm just getting flustered."

[member="Turak Karede"] [member="Avalore Eden"]

 

[Avalore Eden]

"Hello," he replied.

Avalore raised her brows. Well, that's a start. He was talking. She smiled, sort of.

"Do you need anything?"

A life. An easy button? An answer to all the questions circling her thoughts? A-

Beeeoooooo.

-what was that?

Visitor, cooed the Caretaker droid. Avalore blinked, realizing for the first time since her stay here that she'd never once before heard the door chime. The infant stirred in her crib and began with waking noises. Avalore looked back and forth between Turak, the direction of the door, and the droid that was ushering her to move closer to the crib, insisting that now was the time to be making with maternal things.

"But I..." another glance around and back to Turak, "...can....can you see who's at the door?"

[member="Turak Karede"]
[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Turak Karede]

Turak was about to say something to the awkward teenager when the ringing of the bell cut him off. Looking perplexed for a moment Turak suddenly nodded, as if he had been given a mission of the utmost importance.

This was not what he usually did...or had done. In his life before Myrkyr, before everything Turak was a criminal. He had broken legs, arms, and collected money for the biggest mob bosses around. Now he guarded an unwed mother and her child. He let out a slight chuckle, it was funny how things changed because of necessity. As he approached the door Turak drew his WESTAR-43 from its holster, holding it tightly as he looked through the peephole of the door.

When he saw a young woman standing there he automatically relaxed. Perhaps he clung to a stereotype, but women generally weren't killers...especially Jedi. That was the next thought as he saw the girls lightsaber.

Slowly Turak reached over and pressed a small button on the door, the metal slid to the side just in time for Turak to put away his weapon. “Hello.”

He said eyeing the woman still, one could never be too safe.

“I assume you're here to see Avalore?” His tone was friendly, but careful.
[member="Avalore Eden"]
[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

Sam was surprised to see such a shiny, erm... Face. He didn't look local but the name sounded right. Guess she had the right place.

"Um. Why yes. Yes, I am. ...Samantha Jhovna of the Coruscant Jedi Temple. I called ahead but? ...Well. Thank you for greeting me."

She gave a soft bow. Realizing to great surprise that she had accidently brought her saber-staff with her. Oops.

"Oh? Sorry. Old habits die hard I suppose. ...If you'll just give me a moment, I can return this little thing to the car. Hehe. Sorry."

Jedi or not, Sam thought it rather awkward to greet a new friend with a laser sword on her hip. Or a rifle, or a rocket launcher. All the same kinda. Especially if you knew what a lightsaber could do. She was new-fashioned like that.

"One moment. I'll be right back. Oh!? ...Here. Thanks."

She passed Turak the flower arrangement and gift. Then jogged off back into her rental skycar. Her gold gown made running seem ridiculous.

[member="Turak Karede"]

 

[Avalore Eden]

Avalore stared blankly at the baby.



This was the extent of her relationship with it thus far. Blank stares, a lot of confusion. She considered it for a moment while awkwardly maintaining it cradled in her arms. It wasn't fussing or crying, but simply staring blankly back up at her. Perhaps, Avalore thought, she knows what I'm going to do.

"Have you been listening to me, McPuff?" she questioned it quietly.

The baby continued to stare. This was the extent of its relationship with her thus far. Blank stares, a lot of confusion. The baby considered her for a moment while awkwardly laying in her arms. Perhaps, the baby thought, she knows what I'm going to do.

Jedi stared at babe, infant stared at adult, mother stared at daughter.

I supposed I expected it to be more needy. More wanting of my attention. But it's like it knows. Like it knew all along this wasn't going to work out. Like we've only just been strangers turned friends because we crossed paths at one point and moved in the same direction. Like it expected that one day those paths would part, just uncustomarily sooner than most. I'm not sure if I feel relieved or depressed. Sorry kid, this gal just wasn't meant to be a single Jedi mother.

Suddenly there was something there. The baby grimaced and grunted. Moments later ...

"Oh...oh!" Avalore held her out, grimacing too, "OH! Hiro-shyma has landed, get everybody out! Take it, takeittakeittakeit-" she carefully handed the infant off to the caretaker droid and quickly padded off to the fresher, holding a hand over her mouth. Curse that sensitive post-birth gag reflex.

Minutes later, when she reappeared wiping her mouth on a wet towel, Avalore glanced to the home entrance where Turak stood in the open doorway holding flowers and a giftbox, "I didn't know you had a girlfriend," she offered, moving to inspect, "or...boyfriend, you know, I don't discriminate."

[member="Sam Jhovna"]
[member="Turak Karede"]

 

[Turak Karede]

Turak looked around at his environment perplexed.​

​

His eyes shifted slightly after the woman that handed him the gift and the flowers, then to Avalore rushing around to throw up on herself, then down at his feet. He was unsure of what to make of this situation and in truth he became extremely uncomfortable as the Jedi rushed off to go put away her lightsaber.​

​

He was about to take a step after her to tell her the weapon was fine when Avalore returned. She spoke to him and his mouth opened, before quickly being shut by the implication of his supposed homosexuality.​

​

“I-” He cut himself off and stared blankly at Avalore.​

Pausing momentarily he stared down at the gifts for a moment, then almost longingly after the Jedi girl that had just left. “They're for you. From a visitor.”​

​

He finally spoke again, his tone somewhat grumpy.​

[member="Avalore Eden"] [member="Sam Jhovna"]​

 

[Jsc]

Sam slammed the door to her car and trotted on back to the door. Brushing her hair back in place as she arrived on the doorstep.

"Okay. Much better! Let's try that again."

She placed her arms behind her back and swayed,

"Good afternoon Lady Eden. I'm Sam. From the Tython Temple. Your boyfriend and I were just getting acquainted. Hehe. I wanted to go put my weapons away before I came in. Sorry."

Sam smiled and swayed like the wind. She remained blissfully, ignorant.

[member="Avalore Eden"] [member="Turak Karede"]

 

[Avalore Eden]

"Oh," she said.

Avalore stared blankly at the flowers and gift as they were pressed into her hands. But who would visit her? Then a lovely stranger face with wispy stranger words answered her question. Well, sort of.

"Hi ..." she blinked, expression falling flat, "Sam, from Tython Temple, right?" Now you're just being facetious Avalore.

"I don't -" Avalore took a sharp breath through her nose and pursed her lips, eyes narrowing, she glanced to the gifts with uncertainty, "I don't know you. How do you know me? How did you know I was here?"

[member="Sam Jhovna"] [member="Turak Karede"]

 

[Jsc]

Sam nodded and puckered,

"Would you be completely offended if I said, by accident? Hehe."

She paused to remember much of the aftermath of Coruscant. Her story would get lost somewhere in there.

"Anyway. Long story. A holocron, a Bothan, a mistaken pregnancy, and a little help from your Master's secretary? And well. Here I am! ...Here to wish you congratulations on your new baby."

She beamed a smile and swayed in the wind. Plot hole blurry handwavium at it's finest.

[member="Avalore Eden"] [member="Turak Karede"]

 

[Avalore Eden]

Avalore's expression flatlined.

"My Master's ... Secretary."

Diana Moridena did not have a Secretary. Avalore Eden's lips went thin.

She suddenly burst into a whimsical facade of humor, "Oh, hahaha, of course. How silly of me. Nobody knows how to keep their traps shut, but it's not like everyone at the Temple didn't know who the Paddie Preggo was. It was me, ahaaa."

Avalore's expression flatlined again, "Thanks." Welp. She was bitter about her situation and a bit apprehensive about ... company without Moridena present, but she wasn't raised to be rude to guests, "Come on in, Sam, baby just fell asleep so let's chat in the kitchen, ey?"

The baby began crying in the background. Yep, sound asleep. Avalore lead Sam to the kitchen, putting the flowers and gift on the table.

"Listen, Sam," Avalore itched at her head, "it's Sam, right? I don't, uh, I don't get many visitors or entertain many guests. Or any, actually. So, this is all a bit ... awkward for me."

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

Sam followed Avy into the kitchen.

"it's fine. You've picked a wonderful place to stay and the locals are almost friendly to humans. Hehe."

She waved away the comment with a giggle,

"I'm a very liberal thinker and I applaud your bravery. I only wanted to wish you well and give you any help you might need. Babies are a commitment for the rest of your life and I wanted to let you know that the Order is here to help. ...Erm. And by Order I mean, me. Hehe."

Truthfully Sam had been doing a great deal of growing up recently. Turning herself from a prissy city-girl, into a dashing swordsman, and now into a caring teacher of Padawans. All in less than a year. Good grief.

"Anyway. I don't mean to stay long. But I would love to schedule a time to have lunch tomorrow? Would you be available? I leave the planet tomorrow evening around nine'ish. But I would love to take you to lunch or do something girly before I go?"

Sam remained bubbly and bright. She liked making new friends.

[member="Avalore Eden"]

 

[Avalore Eden]

Avalore could not help the grimace that appeared on her face at the offer of help from Sam, the Order, or just Sam as it were. Knowing it wouldn't look right in response to such a kind thing, she cleared her throat and made herself busy pulling out two glasses and filling them with water. Slowly.

She pursed her lips, brow setting firmly over her eyes as she stared at the water streaming from the faucet. She fought with herself for a moment with the need to clear the air about this whole business with the kid, and the desire to not make a scene. In the end she refused to allow others to think better of her, to congratulate her for having human qualities that just weren't there. She wasn't Diana Moridena or Kiskla Grayson or Master Draclau and she sure as hell wasn't going to be placed on a pedestal like them where she didn't belong.

"I'm not keeping the baby, Sam."

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

Sam seemed socially, surprised.

"Well. Being a single mother is certainly a steep undertaking. I wouldn't fault for a second if you considered giving the baby up for adoption. It's a simply adult thing to do. Very responsible, if very personal. I'm sure you have your reasons. Ahem. Yes."

She would skip the part about how irresponsible it was to give another human life and then feel bad about it later. Oh glory. Ahem. Best to stay polite and quietly take her leave. Sam had come here to revel in the joys of womanhood with another liberally minded Jedi individual. Clearly, she had misjudged the whole situation. Avalore must have viewed this entire event as a mistake rather than the joyous occasion Sam perceived.

I guess she could strike 'committed friendship between two awkward females' off her bucket list right about now too.

"Okay. Well. I suppose I've imposed upon you long enough now. Ahem. Erm... Yes, so. Call me. If you want to do lunch tomorrow. Or something? Ya know. Whatever. ...And. I'll just go ahead and get out of your hair now. ...Looks like you have plenty on your mind, right? Okay then."

Sam took two steps back and seemed very awkward.

[member="Avalore Eden"]

 

[Avalore Eden]

"Great," Avalore continued watching the water overflow from the cups without really seeing it, "thanks. Seeya later, Sam."

She didn't see Sam to the door, but Turak made the effort for her and quietly bid the woman goodbye. Well, that was awkward.


The next day ... (hope you don't mind)

Avalore sat at the kitchen table idly mixing formula for the baby while staring at the gift left by Sam. The curiosity was there, enough for her to set aside the formula and let it cool in order to pick up the neatly wrapped package. She turned it over once or twice, testing the weight of the box, and held it before her, staring at it as though it were a puzzle. In truth, it sort of was. Avalore saw the gift and the act of unwrapping it as a concession of motherhood. She wasn't excited to see the end result, she was truthfully terrified of it.

This was a gift for someone else. A gift for her baby's new mother. Avalore set it down and peered at the attached tag, gingerly tipping it open with her pointer finger. It had a kind note written inside by Sam, one she didn't bother to read, but at the bottom beneath the woman's signature was her comm line. Lips drawing thin in thought, she suddenly reached into her pocket for her own comm and dialed the woman up.

"Hi."

Was all she said when the woman answered ... or when the messenger picked up.

"It's...uh, it's Avalore. Listen, I'm sorry for being such a flake. You're really kind. Let's do that lunch thing? I really need some ..." she glanced off towards Turak who was quietly eating his morning meal, "...human interaction."

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

Sam was still planetside in her apartment and picked up the phone as the message played.

"Hey. Yeah, okay. That sounds great. Human interaction is good. Hehe. Um, where should I meet you? There is a restaurant just here across the street from me? ...Unless. Well? Unless you know someplace that makes a great Hanging Victoria Sandwich?"

She looked out the window and into the golden beyond. This planet's culture was so foreign it took her a moment to get her bearings.

"I can, um, call a cab and be there in fifteen minutes? Whatever works for you."

The blond smiled. This might be fun.

[member="Avalore Eden"]