A Reunion on Alderaan

[Simeon Alde]

His call completed, Simeon slumped back in the seat relaxing for a moment before he returned to check on Trevor. His parents were, of course, overjoyed to learn that Tre was alive. After a year, their hope was all but gone. Being told he was found made them sound years younger to Simeon’s ears.

Their mood was more subdued when Simeon described his condition to them even though the eldest Alde son was now apparently going to survive his ordeal. Saddened by what they heard, they were no less happy now that they knew he was still alive and in safe hands.

Simeon promised he would keep them up-to-date on Trevor’s progress and that he would have him call when he was well enough. He discouraged them from coming to Alderaan, reminding them of the reasons they had left. He didn’t mention the fact that he may have sith assassins tracking him as they spoke. He would do everything he could to keep his parents and sister out of their crosshairs; including never returning to Nubia… at least until he was sure things had resolved, one way or the other.

He exhaled deeply, releasing more of that unrealized stress, stood, and returned to Trevor’s room. It was much as when he left. Claire was now standing next to the doorway. He stood next to her, put an arm around her shoulders, and gave her a brotherly kiss on the side of her head. “Thanks for being here for him,” he whispered. Giving her a smile, he continued, “He’s going to be alright.”

He stepped up to the chair she had vacated and sat down near enough to Trevor to be deep within the concentrated flow of the force Master Organa was weaving. This time he didn’t bother protecting himself by cutting himself off. He was concentrating on Trevor and wasn’t self aware enough at the time to worry what was happening to him.

He glanced at the monitors. He was not a medical professional but his background in biotech engineering gave him a working knowledge, and, to his eye, Trevor’s life signs were improving. He laid a hand over one of Trevor’s, and used his force sense to confirm what the dials and gauges were showing. He sat there and closed his eyes, savoring the sensations of the force working on his brother.

Then he opened his eyes in a start as he realized it wasn’t the forces effects on Trevor that he was sensing; it was its effects on himself. He didn’t retreat from it as it wasn’t as uncomfortable as before. Was it curing something in him as well. That was a question he would have to ponder at a later time.

He caught Master Organa’s eyes and gave her a smile and a nod. He stood and discretely stretched, realizing that he felt better than he had in… at least since before he originally came to Alderaan to find Trevor.

He smiled and nodded a greeting to the stranger standing in the corner, assuming he was with Master Organa. Simeon then stepped nearer Claire and asked quietly, “Is there a nice, quiet restaurant nearby that you recommend? I’ve promised a young lady I recently met named Arabella dinner and a conversation tonight.”

From behind him, a weak, rough voice croaked out, “Once a horndog, always a horndog…”
Followed by a laugh that sounded like an old combustible fuel engine trying to start and transitioning into a cough.

Trevor was awake.



[member="Rianna Ar'klim-Organa"]
[member="Claire Organa"]
[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Claire Organa]

Claire had never had a brother this one simple act of Simeon putting his arm around her was worth more than any dress order. "Arabella?" Claire knew Arabella she had been part of the group who had rescued her and Tori from Balmorra.

"There are a few nearby. Depends on what you like to eat, I would say though." She thought about the words carefully, very carefully. "there's a place that serves only what is grown on Alderaan, then there is another that combines imports with local. Either of those I would say are good."

As she started to mention one other a raspy voice called Simeon a horndog.
"Trevor." Claire smiled he was awake.

Rianna paused looking down at Trevor, a very good sign he was speaking. She moved to his side to help him elevate, and to give him water. She looked over to one of the interns, mentally she spoke to them to find Mimi and inform her that Trevor was awake. Rianna knew the young healer would want to know. She had worked hard and long at prolonging his life. She deserved to know it paid off.

Rianna smiled the healing crystal that was located in a place no one knew but Rianna was working. She moved to touch Trevor's arm her fingers felt cold on his warm skin. His body temperature was up, fighting for its life. She'd have to watch that.

"Don't over do it Duke Alde" She said softly. She looked to Simeon and Claire. "Better?" They couldn't stop just because he felt well enough to speak.

[member="Trevor Alde"]
[member="Simeon Alde"]

 

[Ian Milàn]

Ian watched intently as the Alde brother returned and gave Claire a hug. Ian had to admit, it was kind gesture on the man’s part as Claire’s anxiety over Trevor was obvious. Then he sat down next to his brother and, as best Ian could tell, examined him with his force sense. Ian cocked his head to the side, his curiosity definitely peaked.

He used his own force sense to observe the interaction. It really didn’t last very long before Simeon retreated back inside himself, although, this time he didn’t shut himself off from the force. Ian watched even more confused than before.

Again it appeared that swirls of light and dark were dancing around the younger Alde. Over the few minutes it lasted, Ian would have sworn the light cleansed Simeon of the darkness. He wasn’t even sure if that was possible. He and Master Ar’klim would have to have a long talk when things calmed down around here.

​

[member="Claire Organa"]​

[member="Rianna Ar'klim-Organa"]​

 

[Simeon Alde]

“Once a horndog, always a horndog…”

Rough as it was, Simeon would recognise that voice anywhere. He put an arm around Claire’s back and together they stepped back up to Trevor’s bedside.

“Horndog? Brother, you taught me everything I know!” he laughed with relief.

They chatted briefly mainly to reassure Simeon that Trevor was really that much improved. Then he reinforced Master Organa’s directions for Trevor not to overdo it and took his leave. His first stop was at the communication center where he made a quick call home to update his parents. Then he went back upstairs. He surprised himself at how much he was hoping she was still there.

He found her sitting in nearly the same place, looking out at the night sky. He grinned like a schoolboy seeing her; uncertain why the prospect of spending time with someone he’d just met thrilled him so.

“Arabella… ready for that dinner?”


[member="Claire Organa"]
[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Claire Organa]

Claire was speechless she listened, she sat, she smiled, and she could finally breathe. That familiar face that, frog sounding voice, that accented those tired eyes, Trevor looked and sounded like he had gone through the worst of it.
She knew how he had gotten to Alderaan.

But the Sith work camp, feth.

She sat in the chair looking at him, words stuck in her throat. Even as he looked at her. "You're late" She finally said. She took his hand. Words just failed her, someone who talked to people to get them to buy clothes, that..wow.
She was so relieved and elated to see him.

[member="Trevor Alde"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

Bella was still sitting there watching the world outside, the gliding thranta on the upper cross winds, the snow capped Juran Mountains, and the lights of New Aldera.

She really hadn't expected for Simeon to come back she considered their conversation walking dangerously on the edge of no return. She looked up when she heard the lift, someone else was coming? Maybe it was her Aunt.

She looked over in the dark shadows she could just make out his face, and for some reason she smiled.

"Simeon" Carefully she got up she was hungry. She was dressed in all black she usually wore all black it made her feel invisible.

"Yes, have you thought about where you would like to go?" She took a step something was different, something had changed.

"Your brother is doing better?" She took a few more steps towards him as she tried to figure out what it was, was it him, or her? There was shimmer in the force something, someone familiar? She looked out the window again, then back to Simeon.

[member="Simeon Alde"]

 

[Trevor Alde]

Trevor slowly looked around the room as the fog continued to lift from his head.

He hadn’t met her officially but this must be Master Organa, his master healer. Even if he hadn’t even been so much as introduced, he felt as if he knew her. All he could figure was that during the force healing she’d performed he must been exposed to her force presence offering a unique knowledge of the woman.

He caught her eye, smiled weakly and said “Thank you.”

Looking on around the room, he saw a man standing the the corner he didn’t know but who seemed to be with Master Organa. He nodded a greeting and said, “hello.”

He saved the best for last. He turned to face the beauty holding his hand. “Claire! I promise I got here as soon as I could,” he answered her with a feeble but ernest laugh.

He was quiet for a moment, taking in the sight of her. “You know,” he admitted… “I don’t know if I would have made it through that work camp if I hadn’t had you to dream about. Whenever things got unbearable, I’d fantasize about exploring this place with you.”

That wasn’t all he fantasized about but the other things he was now alert enough to know not to mention.

He gave her a teasing grin and added, “I guess you could say you saved my life.”

[member="Claire Organa"]​

 

[Claire Organa]

[member="Trevor Alde"]​

​

She just didn't know how to react to that, no one had ever said that to her, that she had saved their life. Usually she was the one saying just that. She held onto Trevor's hand, "We have a lot to talk about Trevor, more than you know. So much happening...but." She shook her head, "I can't tell you what I felt when I read your name on that list, I thought you were lost. Gone forever." It was more than relief, more than oh my god, it was as if part of her had been restored.

She stroked the back of his hand gently, "We are going to explore everything see it all, help rebuild it, and...Trevor, if you leave me again I'll just die without you" She didn't think she could survive losing the way he made her feel, Viktor had come incredibly close to making her feel this but Trevor all he had to do was look at her and she was disarmed. Trevor seem to look inside of her, see her there with nothing but her raw emotions.

She wanted nothing more than to lay next to him and hold him close, possessively, and yet with such endearing emotion that she couldn't help but remember the story of their parents and all that had happened.

"You have to get better first"

[member="Trevor Alde"]

 

[Simeon Alde]

Simeon would have worried about the goofy grin on his face if he’d been self-aware enough to realize it was there. Maybe it wouldn’t matter to her if she knew she was the reason for it.

“Yes, Trevor is doing much better. Master Organa received the anti-toxin and that, plus her healing skills, turned the tide. Now he needs to regain his strength. I have a feeling Claire will be overseeing most of his recovery,” he added with a knowing smirk.

Much as he would have liked to reach out and touch her, he wasn’t positive he wouldn’t draw back a bloody stump from that kind of uninvited invasion of her personal space. So he refrained. His force presence wasn’t so indecisive, however, as it seemed to reach out to hers and the two of them began weaving together, spiraling together off into the nether reaches of the force.

If he sensed that mingling, he didn’t show it. He offered her his elbow so that they could walk together to the lift and then out of the medical center.

“Claire, recommended a couple in the area,” he answered. “I don’t know anything about either so if you have been here long enough to have a favorite, I’ll be game to try anything.”

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]​

 

[Trevor Alde]

“I saw the remains of House Alde, Claire. It was all ruins and the old fort is even worse. Still… it seemed like I was drawn to it.”

He remembered the days he’d spent exploring - the days immediately following Mimi’s treatments when he was strong enough for that strenuous climbing and hiking.

Thoughts of Mimi made him feel like he was betraying her for some reason. Perhaps in his subconscious he knew how she felt about him and that worried him. He owed her so much. He turned his head to face the healer and asked, “Master Organa… the healer that was with me - Mimi… is she alright?” Trevor knew how much she had done for him and all the others hiding in the cave. If the jedi gave medals, she surely deserved one.

He turned back to face Claire and smiled at her. He was barely awake and fading fast. He asked her, “Have you ever seen a spruce tree? I want a house in a spruce forest.”

He may have been slightly delirious, but, with the reassurance of having Claire holding his hand, he went to sleep with a smile on his face and pain free for the first time in months.

[member="Claire Organa"]​

 

[Claire Organa]

Rianna moved closer to answer Trevor, "She is doing well, she is quite concerned about you. I did send her word that you were awake. I do expect she will be to see you and make sure for herself that you are doing well"

Now when young Alde began talking about living in a spruce tree she tried to hide her smile, it was clear the drugs were working on him. She arched a brow and then looked at Claire, "He may be a bit out of sorts, if he continues to want to live in a tree, let me know"

Rianna shook her head and walked out, too funny she had heard many things from people that were under the influence of drugs. The Whyren's people are drowning. Loook I have six toes, how cool! Are you my mommy? You smell like warm cookies.

Yes she had heard many different things.

Claire was concerned she was sad that House Alde was gone, "We can rebuild House Alde," and shaking her head, "and if you want a tree house we can build a tree house" She kept hold of his hand, she wished he could meet Tori, but only Tori knew where Tori was right now. It would be ok, she kept telling herself this.

She exhaled, sighed whatever it was in relief. After everything that was happening she needed something positive. Seeing Trevor was certainly positive. He still had a way of making her feel weak in the knees.
She watched him rest for now, it really had been a long day. She wondered how the rebuild was going. She pulled her datapad out and sent a message to the foreman. "how goes the build?"

The Foreman was preparing to send the workers home for the day, and they would start again tomorrow. "Hello Miss Claire, the staircases are in, and they've begun work on the railing, the stone work for the balcony, and the stairs out front and back are nearly completed. Will you be returning soon?"

Claire looked up at Trevor, "I'll will try to be out tomorrow to see how things are, do the medics need any supplies?"

"Mam, they can always use supplies"

She nodded and then looked to her cousin who seemed to have this talent for hearing things that concerned her. "Rianna will make sure they are resupplied, have a good night"

[member="Trevor Alde"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

Arabella took Simeon's arm, "I'm glad your brother is better" She was glad, she knew very well the value of family. She missed her brother [member="Garith Darkhold JR"] terribly. She didn't know where he was, all she could do was remember him and hope that one day he would come home, but she feared he was in Netherland where many of the denizens of the galaxy had disappeared to.

But people had to move forward had to live a life.

There were shimmers in the force that she didn't understand right now, perhaps in time she could call upon [member="Connor Harrison"] to see what he thought of this, was it a warning, or something else that given her ever changing status she might not recognize.

"Claire did huh, I understand that she would know she entertains many of her clients in New Aldera, and other in New Crevasse City." They walked at a slower pace not in a hurry to rush off, but in quiet adjusting to one another feeling out what questions might be met with excitement, which ones might be met with resistance.

"There is a place near the spaceport, The Dancing Thranta that serves local produce, as well as imported. Depending on how hungry you are, or what you are in the mood to eat I like going there. It's...a place that doesn't intrude on private time."

It was a place that let people eat and drink till their fill, providing top rate service from an organic staff rather than droids.

[member="Simeon Alde"]

 

[Simeon Alde]

Simeon was thrilled when she accepted the offer of his arm. In addition to the pleasure of her touch, it seemed the contact amplified whatever was going on with their force presences - something he sensed rather peripherally with curiosity, but, didn’t want to kill the relaxed time they were having by asking if she knew what was up with it.

“That sounds great,” he responded when she told him about the restaurant. They walked along quietly for a few minutes, enjoying the night air.

“You know… tomorrow I want to go out to see where my family had its home. I… also I’d like to see the cavern Trevor lived the last few months.”

There was a great deal of guilt for Simeon. While his brother was hiding in a cave, he had been living in a luxurious island home on Spira. It was true that turned out to be much less pleasant than it had seemed like it would be at first… still - a cave?

“Do you think you’d like to go with me?”

[member="Arabella Darkhold"]​

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

Did she want to go with him? What should she say? "Do you have the location of the cave?" She knew Alderaan had many hidden caves, and waterfalls, and..well there were many wonders to see on Alderaan. She had not ventured far from the Palace or the hospital. She had yet to meet her other sister [member="Alyesa Organa"] and it had been some time since she had seen her mother.

She did not expect anything less time, everyone needed time.

But now to Simeon's question did she dare? She had to admit that this was the calmest she had felt in sometime, that in his presence she felt...changed. At ease. different.

"Would you mind if we add to that trip, Cloudshape Falls? I've read about them I'd like to see them." Her going with him did not depend on him saying yes or no, she had a feeling he was going to say yes and she knew she would go. It was odd this sensation, she had not felt it in...well...since...then. She looked towards the restaurant it seemed quiet and she liked that.

Perhaps she had been alone for too long and that was why solitude was so appealing? Or was there still too much sith in her?

[member="Simeon Alde"]

 

[Simeon Alde]

The Dancing Thranta was nice enough if not exactly a five star establishment. It had very few customers which surprised Simeon. Perhaps they were later than the normal dinner crowd for the area. Whatever the reason, he was pleased. They had a quiet corner of the restaurant all to themselves.

The waitress offered menus but Simeon asked if there were specials. The special was chargrilled grazer with a baked Corellian potato which, oddly enough, was grown locally. SImeon ordered a grazer steak medium rare and added a mixed green salad to the special; plus, a bottle of a local Alderaanian wine.

While waiting for the meal to arrive he answered her question, “The mine entrance is the ancient spike borehole in King’s Pass. The cave was a part of the rakghoul tunnels. I don’t know why I want to see them. I suppose I want to get an impression of what Trevor experienced while he was in hiding.”

​

The waitress returned with the wine and poured them each a glass. When she was done and left them alone again, he continued, “Old Fort Alde and the Estate itself are a bit further into the Juran Mountains. Cloudshape Falls shouldn’t too far from that area. Is there anywhere else you would like to see while we are out?”

Simeon did want to see those places; however, he was more interested in spending more time with Arabella. There were very few things she could suggest that he wouldn't agree to do.


[member="Arabella Darkhold"]

 

[Arabella Darkhold]

She nodded when the wine had come she would have liked to try the emerald wine that House Organa was making but this bottle they served was also from a winery on Alderaan and would do nicely. She listened intently to Simeon as he spoke about why he wanted to see it.

"You want to see the conditions to know how much it took for him to survive to get an idea of what it was like, see it, maybe realize how remarkable it was." She lifted her glass then took a sip, nice, a bit fruity, a bit of spice was hinted at. Yes she liked it, she'd get a bottle for the cellar on Vena. "Juran Mountains there's still places where there is snow we'll have to check it all out, but I'd like to the mountains up close. Faith almost died on the mountainside before Draco saved her, perhaps I too have a bit of curiosity to satisfy."

She looked at the menu and heard what he was ordering, "Make it two" she handed back the menu.

"Other things, the monument in the mountains near the Lake House, its to remember my grandparents and Aunt I'd like to see it. " Since she could talk to the dead she wanted to know if she could hear any of them there, were they lingering, could they give her answers.

"I hear the Lake House is very nice and close to all of this, maybe we can grab some lunch there. Faith says its always stocked." She smiled, "what do you think?"

[member="Simeon Alde"]

 

[Ian Milàn]

Ian quietly followed Master Organa out of the patient’s room and to her workstation in the ICU’s offices. When she sat down in her chair he sat in one beside her desk. He leaned in closely and asked quietly, “Master Ar… Organa…,” he’d almost called her Ar’klim - the name he knew her best by but not what the locals knew her as - “when I was observing during your treatment of Duke Alde, I noticed something… unusual… in his brother’s force presence.

He paused but her questioning look caused him to continue. “His force presence seemed to consist of a blend of light and dark spirals. I don’t know that I’ve ever a sith, so I have no idea what their force presence would appear.”

He gave her a quizzical look and asked, “Can someone be both of the light and the darkness?”

[member="Claire Organa"]​

[member="Rianna Ar'klim-Organa"]​

 

[Rianna Organa]

She leaned back slightly in her chair she could see his question and concern on his face. Could someone be light and dark.

"In my travels I have met those who are both. Someone not wholly of the light but also,not wholly of the dark. And then there are those that are choosing a path it flickers between both uncertain of what they truly are."

She probably just confused her padawan mire. We will watch him and be ready should it be necessary. But right now this hospital is neutral ground [member="Ian Milàn"] "

She smiled, "it is never easy being of the force i don't know why people think it is. Have you noticed anything else about him?"

Ian has a keen sense this was good

 

[Ian Milàn]

Ian pondered her response a moment. It was informative but not necessarily reassuring. Was it that easy to be confused in the force and exist with both sides of the force simultaneously. He wondered how near the darkness he’d allowed himself to come when he turned away from his jedi training. But to answer her question…

“My only exposure to Simeon Alde was the time we were both in Duke Alde’s room. Other than the confusing force presence he exhibited, he seemed… nice. He was kind to Claire when she seemed most distressed by the Duke’s condition and he was obviously very concerned about his brother. If not for what I saw through the force, I would have never considered him a possible sith.”

He asked, “I know you were concentrating on the Duke but did you notice anything about Simeon?” He was wondering if it had all been his imagination.


[member="Rianna Ar'Klim-Organa"]

 

[Rianna Organa]

Had she noticed anything about Simeon, "Yes I noticed that he seemed to be using the force on his brother and yet he never mentioned being of the force. Either he does not know he is, or does not care to have it known. Otherwise all of his actions have been, calm, for someone who could have lost their brother." Meaning if he showed emotions she classified it as having to deal with that thought.

"So now Ian, if you sense something, then we must pay attention and determine what it is he is, and react accordingly" She looked out beyond and contemplated the last encounter with a Sith she had. Cameron Centurion, here on Alderaan. He definitely wanted her dead and since she would not see to the release of Shery DeWinter he definitely wanted her head on a pike.

Where were the children Maeve and Dral right now? Surely Edee was with them.

Her intuition told her caution but not danger.

She looked to Ian, "What does your danger sense tell you?" Had she taught him that? Did he know it already?

[member="Ian Milàn"]