As Fate Would Have It

[Hemlock Briar]

The next few moments were a hazy blur, his vision skewed by mixed emotions and sheer exhaustion. He felt more tired than he had in a decade, his body was weak and shaky, his muscles sore. His life seemed real once more when she cooed. He was alive, he hadn’t passed. Hemlock didn’t know whether to laugh or lament, for the last few moments he was sure he had killed his friend, but it turned out he saved his life. What semblance of a smile the Draethos could muster he did, he was very happy in that moment.

Another moment passed before Hemlock was able to stand again. He was emotionally and physically drained. He looked at his friend who had barely opened his eyes, likely yet to realize what had happened. A purple hand grabbed Vexex’s arm, “It’s good to see you again, friend.” The healer’s attention then turned back to Feena, whose palms were still glowing lightly.

“Thank you so much for helping save his life." He took a second to himself to thank the Force for allotting such a well timed miracle. "What disease could this even be?” He was curious to see if she had ever encountered something like this. His hope was that she would be able to cure his friend and hopefully cure Hemlock of the worry he would end up letting his friend down.

@[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

“Thank you so much for helping save his life."
The healer smiled and shook her head.
"Thank none but yourself," she replied, "You were the one that saved him."

In her head, she was taking notes. This experience was good for her research. It seemed that the stronger the emotional connection to the patient, the more powerful the healing ability. Interesting indeed.
"What disease could this even be?”
"I've encountered something similar in just the next town over," she answered, leaning back in the chair, gently rubbing her baby bump, "I thought it was just a common cold but... clearly I was wrong."

@[member="Hemlock Briar"]

 

[Hemlock Briar]

The feeling of accomplishment from hearing someone as powerful as the healer before him compliment him was overwhemlimg. However Hemlock knew it wasn’t going to end there. No good story was ever this short, not in the two centuries he had been alive and not ever. The light sider took a sip of some random tea he had made a few hours back that was sitting on the counter; he needed something to level him out. The sweet aroma and taste of the beverage was enough to bring him back to reality, there was still work to do.

“Could it be caused by the length of time he has been sick? It’s been months since he’s been healthy; I’ve only been staying here for the last few weeks.” The Draethos contemplated it over in his head. He tried to think of anything that might have happened the last few days to trigger these new problems. Hemlock’s thoughts were still a bit scattered, he as just exiting the shock of potentially killing his friend and dealing with the joy of saving his life.

“Perhaps it’s a…darker kind of corruption?” The Draethos of course referred to the Dark Side, however he didn’t feel any shadows creeping up his spine.

@[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

Feena went silent. When it came to the darkside, for all her lightside influence, Feena was quite familiar. She understood darkness as well as light. She understood the need for balance. Not even a Jedi with the purest heart was beyond being touched by darkness now and again. And that was okay. Learning to be okay with that, learning to love the dark as well as the light was the way to become truly happy and emotionally healthy.
It was like her and her husband. He had been Sith, the complete opposite side of the coin. They balanced each other.

"...Whatever it is," she replied after a moments consideration, "The key to understanding it is patience and careful observation. We study the illness and create a solution."


@[member="Hemlock Briar"]

 

[Hemlock Briar]

Another silence from the wayward healer, another flickering indication that this illness was a sign of something darker in the desert, something that may have been attracted to the pulse of Force energy coming from the hut. Still it wasn’t certain, perhaps Vexex had come down with a disease from his years of living in solitude and cooking his meat in less than ideal ways. He used to joke that he liked his Nerf steaks so rare he just wanted them to tease the Nerf with a match and cut the steak off.

“I have been observing him for weeks, but this is the first time his symptoms have changed.” The hope in his voice had started to wane, but not because he had lost it, but because there were more important things to deal with now that it was established his friend had stopped seizing. “If you need to rest you can take my bed in the basement, I will sleep up here near him if I must rest.” He wasn’t sure if she wanted to rest yet, but it was always smarter to ask a pregnant lady if she wanted to rather than assume she didn’t, even unborn babies took their toll.

@[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

"Not yet." she sighed, standing up to walk around. The baby was getting restless. Even if she wanted to sleep, there was no way she could manage it with Celeste kicking her like this.

"Actually, there is a bit I wanted to ask you about... How did you learn to heal? The herbs you used, who taught you?"

@[member="Hemlock Briar"]

 

[Hemlock Briar]

Slate green eyes watched the woman wobble about in her pregnant state. It was miraculous that she was as strong as she was, Draethos women were known for their murderous outbursts when they were pregnant, but then Draethos were very violent people to begin with. He wanted to offer her a hand as she walked, but didn’t want to come off as chauvinistic by implying she needed help. Coming from such a male dominated culture obsessed with war and death, Hemlock quickly learned not to trust gender roles or inflict his male ego upon women. Instead he simply listened to her words with keen ears, recalling the stories of his training.

“Mostly my own trial and error.” He offered a Draethos version of a chuckle which translated to a deep sigh. “I have been alive for two hundred years now.” Hemlock nodded, recalling that might sound old to humanoids, “Many many moons ago, however, I stumbled upon an old hermit who felt what he called ‘Motus Kai’, which I came to understand was his way of saying inner peace.” He sipped at his tea again, his tongue danced with flavors of mint and berry. “He trained me in healing and the minor things of the Force. He showed me the basics of everything I know. However the most significant thing he taught me was how to feel, how to feel the emotions of those around me and how to hear them and truly understand.” Vexex gave a halfhearted laugh from his bed, having heard this story countless times.

“After his human lifecycle ended I traveled the galaxy planting his favorite flowers, Nova Lillies, which eventually started my career in botany. I have truly seen the bond between nature and the Force, everything in this galaxy is alive and I have dedicated myself to healing whatever or whoever needs it.”

@[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

"...I see."
Feena took a deep breath, trying to calm the baby as best she could by practicing breathing exercises. Didn't work very well. Celeste had a mind of her own already.

"And have you considered learning a little more?"

@[member="Hemlock Briar"]

 

[Hemlock Briar]

“My entire life is dedicated to learning.” He had vowed to make sure he became the beacon of light his people so desperately needed.

Perhaps she had a chance to learn?
@[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

"That's what I like to hear."

Smiling, she took a seat again.

"In that case, I have been looking for another student, if you are interested?"

@[member="Hemlock Briar"]

 

[Hemlock Briar]

Different feelings rushed over the alien all at once. He was still worked up over the entire situation as a whole, plus all of the feelings he had resurfaced during the Vexex fiasco a few minutes ago, and on top of that the opportunity of a lifetime had just been introduced to him via the Force. He took a moment to gather his thoughts and breath, not wanting to sound too desperate or eager. If there was one thing he had learned in his life it was you should think about what you say before you say it, some things just aren’t worth speaking.

“I would be privileged to learn under you, Feenarah Mason, healer of the dunes.” He motioned to his friend, still lying in the bed in the living room, still on the verge of unconsciousness constantly. “I must stay until Vexex is better however; I feel this storm is going to evaporate soon, the Force sent you here for a reason.” Hemlock gave out another deep breath, it was officially time for him to stop running from his past and embrace his life.

@[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

Feena smiled at his agreement to become her newest student. Oh, it had been too long since she taught- abut three months! That was way too long!

"I shall stay as well, if you do not mind the company. I don't leave the sick or injured right away while they are still on bed rest."

@[member="Hemlock Briar"]

 

[Hemlock Briar]

Hemlock beamed with excitement, mind the company?! He would cherish it! The last few weeks had been lonely, Vexex could barely speak and the only visitors were Banthas and beggars. He turned on his heel to fetch three bowls from the small cubic holding cases they were placed in. placed them on the counters and began to pour his soup into the bowls.

“I do insist that you have some soup however, I will start cooking you a larger dinner if you want, but this soup is good for the immune system, good for the baby too.” The soup was a mixture of sweetgrass the Draethos had picked up on Endor, special rose petals from Bakura, and a mixture of other different herbs from across the cosmos, some bought, some saved.

He took a spoonful from his bowl, “Just the right temperature, not too hot, not too cold.” He approached Feena with her bowl and spoon.

@[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

The offer of food was something Feena was not too proud to accept. Oh, a good meal was something she hadn't had in a few days. She was surviving off of food capsules and freezedried meals. Not exactly good nutrition for her growing fetus.

"I'm sure this will be wonderful. Thank you for your kindness."

@[member="Hemlock Briar"]

 

[Hemlock Briar]

He offered what smile he could to her. He truly hoped she enjoyed his soup, it was quite tasty to him and he enjoyed almost nothing more than sharing tasty food with other people. Culinary arts were a favorite past time for the Draethos, it went naturally hand in hand with his botany, reaping the rewards of a good harvest and using them to create tasty food for people.

He quickly went back to Vexex with his soup, blowing it off a bit before setting it near the bed. Hemlock’s friend had fallen back to sleep in the last couple minutes, he stuck onto consciousness for as long as possible, trying to piece together what had happened. He likely would wake back up in thirty or forty minutes, and Hemlock would feed him then. Until that point he figured it a good time as any to eat his dinner and find out more about this traveler.

“Enlighten me to yourself, Miss Feenarah, I have gone on and on about myself. How did you come about your extraordinary healing abilities?” He sat in a chair across the way from the lady, his full attention on her every word.

@[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

Oh, wonderful. Now he was asking about her. Sometimes he loved talking about herself, but for the most part, she truly hated it. She sighed, forcing her attention from the soup to her newest student.

"Let's see... where to begin... Well, I started out as a Jedi padawan. I was placed with a Master who, quite frankly, did not listen to anything I said. Under him, I learned very little. Personally, I sort of always leaned more towards force talent over brute strength, but that wasn't how he trained me. I was trained to be a warrior, but that is not who I wanted to be. Once I reached knighthood, I did all I could to separate myself from that. Of course, being raised to fight, it was difficult to convince the council that my natural talents lie elsewhere. It wasn't until I was actually elected on the council, that I was able to get anywhere. I ended up nearly leading the Jedi order myself."

She sighed, remembering that struggle. Trying to convince the others that it was not their job to go to war for the republic... well, she had to wonder if she was the only one to remember the Jedi code.

"Long story short, I left, deciding my skills were more useful elsewhere. I am glad I did. If I had stayed with the Jedi, I would not be here."

@[member="Hemlock Briar"]

 

[Hemlock Briar]

The Draethos shook his head in mutual frustration. The Jedi of old were vanguards of the just and fair, not warmongers sent to fight battles for overconfident politicians. Hemlock had stated he wouldn’t offer his services to the Jedi Order until they stopped being so caught up in a decaying Republic’s problems. It had been far too long that the Jedi were the voice of the Republic and the Senators sat safely behind their lightsaber wall.

“The Jedi Order is likely one of the most sects in the galaxy.” The Draethos took another sip of his soup while she continued. He was quite happy she relinquished her spot with the Jedi also, not because he held a grudge but because he was quite happy the Force brought the two of them together, they were destined for a much brighter future that was for sure.

“Do you wander this far into the far reaches of space often? Or is Tattooine a frequent stop?”\

@[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

"This is my first trip to Tatooine," she admitted, "Well, not first ever, but first in a very, very, very long time. My work brings me to many places."

She took another slow sip of her soup, not explaining any further about what she said.

@[member="Hemlock Briar"]

 

[Hemlock Briar]

In his many years of living, Hemlock had seen various people avoid questions, it sometimes was to avoid having to take the time to explain some long story, that or there was something they wanted to avoid bringing up. Either way Feenarah was going about not answering the question completely, Hemlock was okay with. She was a respectable woman from what the alien could tell and there was no reason to pry any further into her life than she wanted to go, making someone uncomfortable who potentially held the key to your friend’s survival was not the smartest card to play.

Instead, Hemlock nodded his head in understanding and added, “Tattooine is a planet I visit near never, however Vexex has convinced me to break my absence and land here to come visit. It’s more of a not understanding for me, I do not see the joy in wandering about sand dunes until my feet burn off.” The empathy flowing through his body made him cringe at his own joke, not physically, but mentally. He hoped he didn’t offend her seeing as she had likely wandered herself into quite the sore feet.

“Though it has its benefits.” He referenced her immaculate timing, hoping to lighten the air if he had spoiled it.

@[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

Despite what he thought, Feena had not been offended in the least. Indeed, she hardly noticed. She was smiling as she finished the soup, happy at last to have something in her stomach that was still fresh.

"Tattoine is... not exactly my ideal planet," she admitted, "Too much sand. Must be difficult to clean up after."

She was really just making casual conversation now.

@[member="Hemlock Briar"]