Private Blast from the past, not of the past? Wait, what?

[Caltin Vanagor]

IT'S ALWAYS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN...​

Location: Corellia
Equipment: Conservator and Vanguard 2.0 (Lightsabers)
Comm-link, Rebreather, Custom Robes
Starship: Starlight Sentinel, (Dilorian in cargo bay)
Companion: Astromech R01R - "Roller", Pilot droid Mu51c - "Music"
Tag: Ami Carson

The "Corsec Bar & Grille", what will they think of next?

Caltin was here for an interview with some media outlet. Odd since it was not something that he was used to. Then again, there were a lot of things that this Jedi was not used to, but those have been drivelled over way too many times, and we're not going there, at least not right now. So here he was, sitting in one of those "theme" restaurants based on the old Law Enforcement organization. It was salacious, it was tacky, it was ridiculous, it was... awesome. I mean, it was so downright stupid, it was great, the uniforms, the (no doubt) decommissioned weapons, everyone there to eat sitting in their own "holding cells", it was all just too much and that was probably why the place was so popular.

The funny thing is if anyone he knew previously from Corsec would look at this and probably think that they were at work. This place was built over an actual old Corsec office, repurposed anyway. It was one of the things that actually made him sentimental and not depressed about the past, especially coming to Corellia, but the more he visited Alyscia's memorial, the more he was opening up and the more he was able to actually find peace. After all, no parent should live long enough to bury their child, but he didn't exactly have a choice, and from the looks of her obituary and markings, she lived a long and fruitful life so that is all he could ask for.

Anyway, back to the B&G. The contact Caltin was supposed to meet for this interview had yet to show up, it had been a half-hour already and frankly, he was on his third iced tea. He could only "hold it" for so long. So a few moments went by and returning to his table, Caltin returned just how quickly these people looked into "turnover" as his table was already given to someone else. An eye-roll and walk to the bar area, Caltin sensed a presence as he sat down at one of the tables and ordered his fourth iced tea.

... and who might you be...

She was definitely of the Light side... strong... who might she be? Where might she be?

... YET THE DAWN ALWAYS COMES.

 

[Ami Carson]

wearing: xXx
tag: Caltin Vanagor

When arranging an interview where you needed the audience and the interviewee to be happy, would wouldn't you send her? Ami was very difficult not to like, she had a way of winning people over; it was her kind nature, her abundance of patience and understanding. So she had been asked to meet a person at the Corsec Bar & Grille and ask them a few questions about their long service in the Jedi Order, and what words of wisdom they had for the galaxy. The only problem was she didn't know who this person was. It could have been anyone - a part of her even hope it would be Dean. It had been too long since she had seen the one-eyed-Jedi. But as she entered the bar, soft blue-eyes on the lookout for the person they had said she would 'know' when she saw them, she has sensed a familiar presence in the Force, one she would recognise in a heartbeat.

Her feet were moving before she had seen the familiar bulk of his at one of the tables. And when she had seen him, Caltin Vanagor, nothing could have stopped the smile that spread across her face or the happiness that bled into her aura "Caltin!" She called out his name to alert him of the incoming body, giving him time to recognise her, to stand, and to catch her as she leapt at him. Given the height difference between them, and the fact that he literally stood more then a foot taller than her, it would be amusing to onlookers to watch the miniature redhead leap at the giant.

Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, her face buried against his neck as she hugged him fiercely, holding tightly out of a need to expression her absolute joy seeing him again, and as to not topple to the ground in case he didn't catch her. Her laughter was light, carefree, shaking her slender frame as as she continued to hug him, refusing to let go in that moment. There were not many people that Ami cared so deeply for but Caltin was one of them. Always had she considered him friend, and mentor, and important in her life. "I can't believe its you!" She laughed, drawing back long enough to look at him and smile before diving right back into hugging him. "I've missed you."

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

IT'S ALWAYS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN...​

Location: Corsec Bar & Grille
Equipment: Conservator and Vanguard 2.0 (Lightsabers)
Comm-link, Rebreather, Custom Robes
Starship: Starlight Sentinel, (Dilorian in cargo bay)
Companion: Astromech R01R - "Roller", Pilot droid Mu51c - "Music"
Tag: Ami Carson

The familiar presence brought back good memories. They were not all that long ago when he was brought out of the ice. There were two Padawans who picked him up, but they could do little to really help him, after all, Caltin had been under for a long time. There was a Knight that they brought him to, a young healer, she was a Master at it but never had the chance to really prove herself. Ami not only helped him recover physically but mentally and emotionally, no, no therapy or anything like that. The Jedi Knight (at the time) actually managed to renew his sense of identity and purpose. She did very little actually, in fact, he did most of the work by giving her advice and them simply talking. No, he was not the reason that she was awarded the level of "Master", she did that all on her own, he was simply there when she needed a friend, just like she was for him.

She was a friend.

Oh... My... GAOOOF!

Yep! Still a hugger and MAN could she tackle! Caltin had Ami by a couple of hundred pounds and she nearly took him off of his feet with that leap. This was not just a good feeling, it was a great feeling. The dynamic he has with Ala is becoming more and more complicated by the day, she was still his "little sister", but things were not the same anymore. Not even with them both growing as individuals. No, they needed space from each other right now, but he still needed a friend. Everyone needs a friend every now and then, and that is what Ami always was to him, nothing more, nothing less. That is probably why he hadn't laughed or smiled like this in a long time.

Sure, there were onlookers, after all, it wasn't every day you see a Jedi openly hugging someone, or maybe it was nowadays, this was Corellia, and a different time... who knows anymore. Either way, Caltin was oblivious as he just hugged her right back.

This is so great right now!

Putting her down on her feet, the big guy held out a chair and then took his own.

Look at you. Jedi Master, ace interviewer I'm assuming... you have to tell me what you've been doing with yourself. How've you been? You look great!

It felt great to talk to someone without the pretext of the lightsabers either one of them was carrying, or the Force that they were both attune to. It felt great.

... YET THE DAWN ALWAYS COMES.

 

[Ami Carson]

wearing: xXx
tag: Caltin Vanagor

Words did not do her emotions justice in that moment. Ami felt like she might cry when he hugged her back; the feeling of his arms wrapped tightly around her, the strength of him as he held her weight so effortlessly, bought a tidal wave of memories. Caltin had done so much for her over the years, even if he didn't believe he had. Even the sound of his voice, and the feeling of his body vibrating with laughter, made her incredibly happy. Ami allowed him to set her on her feet, not trying to stop him when really she wanted to continue to hug him, to convince herself he was real and not a dream. "It's incredible to see you, Caltin. It's been too long." She replied after taking the seat he pulled out for her. It warmed her heart to see he hadn't changed since they'd first met. He was as hilarious as he had always been.

It felt like an eternity had passed since the day those two Jedi Padawans, who were now Jedi Knights, had come to her for help. She could remember the panic in their voices as they explained a bear of a man had been pulled out of the ice, that they were worried he would be violent and impossible to stop if he raged, how they were scared of his size. She had not hesitated in helping, having believed at that time that they had come to her because she was the best. It had been teenage hubris that led her to this belief, because she had been a teenager when they met.

She had been... fifteen, maybe sixteen? And Caltin had helped her learn humility, he had helped to curb her growing arrogance, had helped set her on the right path. He and Dean were the reasons she was still pure of heart and strong in the force. She owed the two men a great deal. "That's right! I was finally mastered, thanks in part to you. I've not seen you again to be able to thank you, Cal, so thank you." It was nice to be able to talk with someone so freely. To be so comfortable with someone that there wasn't a need to worry about who or what might be skulking nearby, of if a weapon would need to be raised in violence. It was just the two of them, old friends, enjoying a drink.

And along the way if she got information for the interview, that was great. But Ami had already known what to say the second she'd known it was Caltin. "I've been busy," she started with a laugh, before ordering a drink from a waiter that stopped by. "I took a leave of absence for almost a year to take care of my family so I'm not up to speed on a lot of what's been happening. I think that's why they sent me here tonight--to learn from about that recent happenings of the galaxy, and to ease me back into things. I'm glad that did." She had thought about turning down this interview but now she was glad she hadn't. "But what about you? what had you been doing with yourself?

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

IT'S ALWAYS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN...​

Location: Corsec Bar & Grille
Equipment: Conservator and Vanguard 2.0 (Lightsabers)
Comm-link, Rebreather, Custom Robes
Starship: Starlight Sentinel, (Dilorian in cargo bay)
Companion: Astromech R01R - "Roller", Pilot droid Mu51c - "Music"
Tag: Ami Carson

Far too long!

He didn't look at her the same way, she was a friend, but Ami is no older than his daughter Alyscia was the last time he saw her. They would have gotten along great as they're a lot alike. No sense dwelling on that though as he would only begin to miss his "Pride n Joy". He too remembered the day they met, a little more in detail, when he woke up, wanting to throw hands, disoriented, lost really. Then hearing how long he had been under ice, it was... it was something he wished on no one, but that was then. Maybe it was him, maybe it was all of them who knows. The fact is, this is something she needed to be able to show that she could move to the next, level and he needed to be able to come back from the precipice.

Of course, Ami feeling like it was practically he, who was a part of her elevation, well...

Me? I didn't do anything. I may have opened the door, but you had to go through it. Right?

Maybe it was a little too humble for him, but in reality, it was true, she was given the opportunity, and maybe he provided it, but that was all he could do. Of course, that was Caltin, never really giving himself credit for anything because this is who he was. It was annoying, but it was who he was. He was relaxed when he could be, it felt good when he could just sit down and chat with friends. That is probably why he was smiling from ear to ear so resplendently right now. It was great to see her.

You know what? Screw this... give me another hug, girl.. bring it in!

Getting up and holding his arms out, the big guy gave her a sure-to-be welcome hug. Then she mentioned how she was taking time off, which was good because it was important to be able to do so when you could. So he was glad to see that Ami could be there for those she loved. Sure, Jedi were not supposed to have those types of attachments, but when they did, it was not frowned upon, after all, he did. His family was... complicated... at the moment, so it was good to hear that the dynamic was able to put someone else in a good place.

That's great, girl. I'm glad you're able to have that part of your life to keep you grounded and so on. There's been a lot going on out there, but you come back to it when you're ready. Before I leave, make sure you get my holo-frequency so we don't have to go this long without seeing each other again.

... YET THE DAWN ALWAYS COMES.

 

[Ami Carson]

wearing: xXx
tag: Caltin Vanagor

Of course he would deny having done anything for her, that was just the type of person Caltin was. He was not a glory monger and it was one of the things that made him so memorable, so likeable, such a close friend. He did amazing things and did not expect glory or credit for his actions. Ami laughed out loud, the smile not once leaving her face. "Opened the door? I think you mean you took it off the hinges, tossed it in the trash, so it would never close on me again." She exaggerated with a laugh. He might have denied any hand in her growth as a person and Jedi, but she knew better. He and Dean were very much responsible for her not falling to failure or darkness.

There was no hesitation when he stood for another hug. Never would she be able to deny him. Once on her feet she'd wrapped her arms around his neck once again, holding him tightly, so he would feel her happiness in the strength with which she squeezed him. Being set back on her feet, and taking the seat opposite him again, she couldn't help but feel calmed, relaxed, safe with Caltin. He was like a fond memory, pleasant and never forgotten. Just being near him reminded her of years past, of how much had changed, and how much they had both grown.

"I'm definitely ready to come back," she said, smiling brightly. It was time, she was getting stir crazy at home, her mother was feeling better, her brother was now a teenager, and it was time for her to go back to helping people. It was high time she found herself again. "But enough about me!" She insisted; she'd always found it embarrassing to talk about herself like this. "What have you been doing? Where had you been?"

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

What about him? Heh...

Well?

He wanted to tell her, Ami was, especially for her age, always one to be able and willing to help out others, no matter the issue and she seemed invigorated now. Not only that, she was able to keep a secret. Caltin was not one who enjoyed being doted on, after all, he felt that anyone helping him was wasting their time when they could be helping others who needed it more. Ami was never like that though, it was refreshing.

I'm actually going on a bit of a quest.

He felt a little bad in saying it, in that she was ready to come back to the galaxy and he was ready to leave it, in a manner of speaking. That's probably why he was being vague as to who it was for. If asked, he wouldn't lie, never, but the big guy didn't want to burden the healer with the news of what might happen to him, or why he was going. His connection to the Force was losing more and more focus by the day, he's going to become a danger to others if he did not do something about it. Of course she knew him well enough to figure out that he was probably the one with the problem.

Going to find the Wellspring of Life. A Jedi is in need and I know some people who know some people...

Stopping himself and giving a general look that asked "Did I just say that?" he went on.

Anyway, it was figured that I would be the best one to find this... but we'll see.

 

[Ami Carson]

wearing: xXx
tag: Caltin Vanagor

His words enticed her brows to draw together and the smile to melt from her mouth. He said he was going on a question and then seemed almost to hesitate. It was so unlike him but in many ways Ami understood. It had been some time since they had seen one another let alone sat and talked like this - they were not the same people they were five years ago let alone five months ago. Time changed things; it changed them. But he knew that she would always, without doubt, or hesitation, be there for him. No matter what the situation was.

"Finding the wellspring of life is going to be quite the journey, " she noted, not condescending or frightened or upset, just pointing out facts. And the way he stopped himself raised just a bit of concern. Ami may not have seen him for some time and may not have been as close to him as others were, but she knew Caltin. They were not simply friends but much more. Moments of their lives had been intertwined. There were invisible webs of fate linking them with an unbreakable tether. So to feel him pulling away now was... troubling.

She reached a hand out to place it atop of his, the gesture gentle and reassuring, reminding him that he could tell her anything, She would never judge him. "You know I'll never force you to talk, Cal, not if you don't want to." She said with a gentle smile. "But is there anything you want to tell me?"

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

IT'S ALWAYS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN...​

Location: Corellia

Spoiler: Lightsabers

"ELOAH" (Primary - Long Handle)

"ELOHAI" (Secondary - Long Handle)

Spoiler: GEAR

Comm-link, Rebreather, Custom Robes, Battle Armor,Toraynor-Henkan,Advanced Jedi Utility Belt

Spoiler: STARSHIP/COMPANIONS

Starship: Starlight Sentinel, (Dilorian and Bike both in cargo bay)
Companion: Astromech R01R - "Roller", Pilot droid Mu51c - "Music"

Tag: Ami Carson

Well, I... did want to tell you how madly in love with you I am...

A waggle of his eyebrows and a cheesy grin was all he needed to get the smack on the arm and laugh from Ami he was looking for, then taking a drink he settled back down. He wanted her to know, so he told her. He told her how he was losing focus in his connection to the Force, how his ability to control it was shrinking by the day. He told her how he would not be a "lab rat" and he meant it, but he also felt that he would be a burden on any healer trying to help him. It was then that he found various pieces to a puzzle and how he came to them in his holocron.

He didn't doubt how she would probably be there if he needed her, without any hesitation. He knew this before she even gave him that look of hers, but that didn't mean he wanted her to worry, or to take time from others, like her family, to focus on him. No, he did not hold anything back and she knew everything at this point, but there was still that reticence to talk about it, you know, not be the focus and all.

Thank you. Thank you for being a friend. Not just a fellow Jedi, a friend.

... YET THE DAWN ALWAYS COMES.

 

[Ami Carson]

wearing: xXx
tag: Caltin Vanagor

Ami couldn't help but laugh when he joked that he was madly in love with them. She loved that about their relationship - that it was comfortable enough to have jokes while also being able to handle serious conversations without the atmosphere getting tense. And this was certainly a serious moment. The kindness did not bleed from her expression as he explained he was struggling, losing control and connection with the Force. She had the urge to offer him help, and she was confident that she could help, but refrained.

Sometimes it was not about the problem but the journey to fix it.

She kept her hand on his and smiled softly. "You do not ever need to thank me, Caltin." And she meant in. Ami never needed to be thanked for being a friend or for helping, because it was what she lived for. She was the light in the dark, the one people could rely on, and turn to when they were struggling. She wanted to be that person because kindness helped the world go on. "Wherever this journey takes you, promise that you will remember one thing.

Promise me that no matter how heavy the burden gets, no matter how deep in the darkness you find yourself, that if you need help, you will come to me. Because I will always be here for you Caltin."

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

IT'S ALWAYS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN...​

Location: Corsec Bar & Grille

Spoiler: Lightsabers

"ELOAH" (Primary - Long Handle)

"ELOHAI" (Secondary - Long Handle)

Spoiler: GEAR

Comm-link, Rebreather, Custom Robes, Battle Armor,Toraynor-Henkan(mind crystal added)Advanced Jedi Utility Belt

Spoiler: STARSHIP/COMPANIONS

Starship: Starlight Sentinel, (Dilorian and Bike both in cargo bay)
Companion: Astromech R01R - "Roller", Pilot droid Mu51c - "Music"

Tag: Ami Carson

It is always strange when you talk about something that you didn't want to and feel better about it. That was exactly how the big guy felt about it though, getting it all off of his chest, sure he knew it was a good thing to do, but this was one failing of his "everyone else is more important than you" personality. She seemed to take it all in rather well, which was not surprising at all, Ami was never one to get riled up in her emotions negatively. It was surprising though how she was not going to press him for help. Ironically if she had offered, the big guy would not have ultimately turned her down, but that was neither here nor there.

When their meals finally came, she spoke of her request of him, it made sense that it would be done as Ami was not going to mince words. She did not want to see a friend fall after all. While it did seem like "doting", the big guy didn't take it as much and put his hand on top of hers and winked in that fashion she recognized as his way of saying "thank you".

The Darker the Darkness, the Brighter the Light. Right?

He would call her if he needed to, in fact right now, Ami was probably the only person in the galaxy, Ala included, that he would call, but right now this was something he had to do himself. At least he had something to come back to.

I want to give you something.

Unbuttoning his shirt and pulling out a chain with a pendant on it. Caltin held it out for Ami to take.

You know about my daughter, Alyscia. I've told you about her. Well, this is a charm of the Blood Cross, the old Corellian awards. Well, I used to give this to her to hold for me, you know "I'll be coming back for it." kind of thing when she was still young. Now I'm not comparing you to a thirteen-year-old or anything, but if I did this right it is imbued with my aura. You'll know how I am and expect me to call you if I need to.

He smirked.

Which I will.

... YET THE DAWN ALWAYS COMES.