Each Day's a Gift and Not a Given Right

[Coryth Elaris]

"Well there is that part too." She admitted softly, managing a smile as Eileithya stroked her cheek. "I suppose, that wasn't exactly my finest choice. It is done now, and there's no undoing it." Her mind instantly drawn back to the troops that had been lost on her part, to save her. That still stung.

"Yeah, I know. None of what I've been through or done will do any good if I'm not alive to use those skills. So damn easy to find something to die for. It's so much more difficult to have something worth living for and I have that. I have what many others don't. It's all a foolish waste if I let something stupid, something done in haste be the end to it all." Sighing again, frustrated at herself for it. "I can't be that foolish anymore. That's one luxury I cannot afford."

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


"Then don't act like that anymore. I admit I cannot judge too much. When I was your age...I made the same mistakes. Perhaps even worse. It cost the lives of many. But the Goddess showed mercy to me, a kindness I did not believe I deserved. To this day I carry the memories of those who died because of me. But they are with Her now," Eileithya admittedly softly, a soft sigh escaping her. For a moment it seemed as if she was elsewhere in her mind, looking somber and serious before she brightened up again.



"So...you like Siobhan's breasts, dear? They are rather large and pillowy, I must admit. She also has a tight butt. And you enjoy kissing her feet? I admittedly never quite understood that fetish of hers." Apparently she could switch quite easily into being a merciless troll again. "Well, I have it under good authority that she thinks yours are cute."

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth nodded slowly, "I suppose that's doable." If only the tiny redhead could stick with that, if she'd actually remember this particular moment before she dashed off on another adventure with haste and without thought to what she was doing.

It was then that the redheaded priestess caught her completely off guard. "I uh... um... uh .... er ...." The Jedi's skin instantly turning and extremely vivid shade of red, all the way down her chest even her toes were turning bright right as the poor dear blushed so brightly. "Ummm .... I ..... Oh, gods I give up." She finally managed to string that short small sentence together as she hid her face.

It was time for a new tactic, Cory decided to change the subject quickly before she could get further embarrassed. "You know what I've always wondered? How Hutts have sex.... Cause that always baffled me. There just isn't a bed big enough for that.... Not anywhere. I'm also fairly certain that would break even stone..." Well it was still sex,but at least it wasn't her sex life being discussed.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


"Hutts?" Eileithya's tone of voice conveyed very clear distaste. "Your sex life is far more interesting than that of vile, disgusting slugs. I was just about to ask whether Siobhan has already introduced you to toys. If not, I'm sure she will. A vibrator is a woman's best friend. One of them at least," she leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on Coryth's scarlet-hued cheek.



"Alright, I guess I trolled you enough, for now. But think of what I said, dearest. You have great gifts, blessed by the Goddess, and you can do much good with them. But you cannot keep not taking care of yourself. There are people who, like it or not, rely on you. Even feel very strongly for you. It'll be a while before you're fit for duty again, so no running off, dear. Don't make me regret not sedating you."

 

[Coryth Elaris]

"Yes, Hutts." Coryth said with a firm nod. Anything to avoid discussing her sex life. "I suppose it is, but ..... I uh ... I just don't talk about my sex life that much. In fact ... never. I have never really discussed it." Then there was a small paused, "So that's what that box was that Siobhan left me .... It so makes sense now."

She gave a small nod, "I'm not likely to forget this anytime soon. Especially not when I'm still looking every bit like a space lobster." It was starting to finally sink in, that she wasn't doing the things she should, not taking care of herself had been a foolish mistake and she'd been doing such for far too long. "But you are right. There are, they need me and I can't let them down." A small frown crossed her lips, "I appreciate you not sedating me .... Not running off this time. I'm just a small bit too hurt for that." A huge admission coming from Coryth, the girl who liked to hide her injuries from others.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


"Alright, dear. I'll come by later and check up on you. In the meantime, I'm afraid I have to make sure the Angelii aren't driven insane by holding off all your fangirls. You may not know it, but you're popular," Eileithya said deadpan with a completely straight face. It was unclear whether she was being serious or not.


In any case in this moment an Eldorai nurse walked in and put down a tray with food and drink on Coryth's bedside table and so the Priestess arise. "May the Goddess light your path in these dark times, Coryth. You may not worship her, but you are a candle in the darkness."

 

[Coryth Elaris]

"Thank you." Coryth said softly, finally returning to almost normal color. Though she did lift a brow at the mention of fangirls. It seemed such an odd thing but given the volume of mail she received, there was no doubt there was a little truth in Eileithya's words.

Happily Coryth ate her lunch without complaint, and after a while of flipping through the holovid channels, she finally turned it off. Reaching out beside her bed, she grabbed the cane they left for her and carefully made her way through the halls to find Kaida. She was curious how the Eldorai was fairing, plus, she felt she might owe her a small apology.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


The short stack of fire would ultimately find Kaida in the training room. It was to be doubted that the Angelii should be up and about, let alone working out, but it seemed she was too stubborn to rest. Or do paperwork. The Eldorai was currently wearing a tank and shorts and lifting weights. Clearly she had been going at this for quite a while, for the exertion was written across her features and she was glistening with sweat. Her blonde hair had been tied back into a severe ponytail.


"Elaris. I see you're on your feet again. Good. Word about you has been passed on to Firemane. You want Ms. Martin to be informed? She seemed glued to your hip last time I saw her. Not keen on her personally, truth to be told. She reminds me of a lost puppy." Yes, that was Kaida's way of initiating conversation.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

The redhead nodded, "Yeah, probably shouldn't be but then neither should you." Still couldn't help but worry about others, even now. "Nah, she can find out about it later, not really in the mood for that. She'd fuss, and fret and I don't want that right now. I'm alive, that's what matters, anything else is just a detail at this point."

A sigh came and went, "About earlier, I'm sorry if I seemed ... ungracious. Just don't take things like this all that well. Sure as hell am not used to others coming after me, used to being so on my own without a soul to care. I forget that people do now." She shrugged, the idea that she mattered to people, that her life was worth saving still came as a surprise to her. "Anyway ... Sorry."

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


"I find that fretting is most of what she does, when she randomly appears. Not sure why Firemane hired her in the first place. You were over your head, but you're not a delicate flower that needs protecting, though shallow people may think that. Otherwise you wouldn't thrashed have Bando Gora on Gehenna," Kaida said bluntly. Suffice to say she did not like Hevana. However, she felt a degree of respect for the little redhead, even if she was a bit crazy! Well, perhaps there was also the fact that Coryth was cute.


Kaida was quiet for a while after Coryth made her apology. It seemed she was pondering her words, then finally she put down her weights and got up. A bit shaky on her legs she took a bottle of water and downed a good deal of its contents before wiping the sweat off her face with her towel. Her muscles, not that pronounced but quite evident, rippled as she moved, whilst the shorts did nothing to hide her toned legs. "It's fine, really. Apologies if I come across as a bit stiff...or not tactful. I'm not that used to social interaction."

 

[Coryth Elaris]

"Truth be told, I'm not sure either. She's a nice girl, a decent soldier. But you are right, I'm not some little delicate flower. And it really fething bugs me when people treat me that way. I can handle myself for the most part. Just a few exceptions to that rule...."

Coryth's gaze followed as the Eldorai got up to head for her water. It couldn't be helped but noted that the woman had a great ass, and fabulous legs. "It's alright. I understand completely." Once upon a time, she wasn't so good at the whole social interaction thing either. "Not really used to someone being that direct with me, however it was something I kind of needed to hear. Whether I liked it or not, doesn't matter. Definitely needed to hear it."

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


"True. I suppose one can't blame them too much for getting protective over you though. You are very pretty after all," Kaida responded. She put the towel down and approached Coryth. As for Ms. Martin, the Eldorai did not have more to say about her, so she let the matter drop. "I'll hit the showers and get dressed. We can then visit the wounded if you want," she offered.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth instantly flushed red at the compliment. "Uh ... thank you." She managed politely, uncertain how else to react to that.

"Yeah, I'd like that. Would really like to see them." Coryth felt it more than owed to those who had gave so much to make sure she made it home alive. There was simply no way she could just go about life, after what they had done without saying anything, without seeing them.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


"Just stating facts," Kaida responded, cocking her head to the side slightly as she saw a scarlet hue spread across Coryth's cheeks. "And now I know you like busty, domineering women. That Priestess is an awful troll." That was said in a rather nonchalant tone. Oh, and the Eldorai might have been checking the redhead out a bit. For a woman of her size, she had a rather ample bosom.



Anyhow, she soon turned serious again. "I'll be back in a bit. Meet me at the medbay." With that the Eldorai departed from the training hall. Or rather she painfully limped out, whereupon she quickly hit the showers and then got dressed in something slightly more appropriate. The trousers were still quite flattering though.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth nodded, not really able to follow that up with a word at all. The poor thing was just a little shy when it came to such things. And that lovely red hue only spread further as Kaida kept speaking, "Uh .... um.... Yes, she is." And you aren't much better! Thought but Coryth couldn't speak it.

"Okay." Spoken as Coryth started to limp back to the medbay, grateful for the momentary break. She certainly was going to have to get used to the Eldorai being a little more ... open with sex. It just seemed so strange to her, when she kept her desires and choices a private affair, rarely spoken of aloud. Wasn't that the human way? The normal way?

With a sigh she came into the room of one of the injured Angelii and waited patiently for Kaida. She couldn't help but feel it was entirely her fault and to a degree it was. Just keep it together. Or let the Elf embarrass you more, that's always fun. Not like it takes anything to make you blush anyway... True.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


Coryth did not have to wait long before Kaida arrived on the scene and gestured to her to enter the room. "Wing Leader Ynnead. Good girl, has heart. Crushed a Klaxxi with a shockwave before one of the beasts rammed her through the back and tried to swallow her. She stabbed the thing in the mouth," she spoke softly.


The Wing Leader seemed barely conscious, or rather was drifting in to sleep due to the sedatives, whilst a nurse checked the IV drip. "We've been hit hard by the mass disappearances. Makes every casualty even more of a loss. Every Angelii in rank above me has vanished. That leaves me in charge of what's left. And, let's be honest, we can't expect any useful aid from the fools in power in the Protectorate and their collection of useless space marines. Still, we have our duty, so we'll do it," Kaida spoke as they walked past the beds of the wounded, tone grim.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Taking a deep breath, Coryth stepped forward slowly. You've seen wounded before..... It's not that big a deal. Yeah, but I'm the reason she is here, and that is the problem now. "Such a brave girl." Reaching out she laid a hand gently against the woman's cheek. Breathe in and out ... Reminding herself to do so.

"No kidding. Damn disappearances hit everyone hard it seems. I suddenly went from a temporary medical director, to being one of the few high ranking Omega folks left. Surprising given my position was only temporary, to set up their healers and get on with life. This ..."

A sigh fell from her lips, "This crap, wasn't supposed to happen. And I sure as hell shouldn't have been out checking on planets, but someone had to." Someone had to.... No matter what, it would have been someone's life on the line and this time it was hers. "But yeah, Omega isn't worth crap. They won't be out to help us. Won't lift a finger beyond what I saw to press them into." She bit at her lip at that thought, still far too stressed with all that had happened and the agony the entire galaxy was in. "Even seeing this event coming .... even the visions I held of it, helped nothing. Not a damn thing." Not that the gift of foresight ever actually helped her. She never seemed to see anything that could save her any pain.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


"Under other circumstances I'd congratulate you, but it seems you were handed a thankless task. There wa a time when OP did what needed doing. Wiped out the Bando Gora for one. Now it goes from one blustering idiot to the next and randomly destroys its own planets," Kaida spoke scathingly. She had no doubt that OP would sell out Kaeshana without a second thought. Far as she was concerned Fondor was not worth one drop of Eldorai blood.


Then she made her rounds, passing the beds of the wounded. She did not speak much, but then she never did, though she stopped at the bed of every single one of them. A word of encouragement here and there, perhaps the more meaningful because she so seldom handed out praise or gave pep talks, a simple look here. She let out a soft sigh as she turned to face Coryth again. "Self-flagellation doesn't help anyone, least of all you."

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth nodded, following along beside Kaida. "Yeah, not a job I really wanted. I only wanted to help, and make sure they had the healers they needed. I didn't expect to be temporarily running the show. That kind of job, never was my desire. Never wanted it." She shrugged.

Her eyes fell to each soldier in turn, feeling a little worse each time. Her gaze drifted to Kaida, "I shouldn't but I feel terrible. It's hard not to take rather personally. Especially when their pain radiates to me." Another sigh came and went, "I'm trying not to, Kaida. It's just, this is all new to me. Not really sure how I should handle it. Other than to never make the same mistake again. Which I guess is all I can do."

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


Kaida looked sympathetic. Well, as much as she could! She simply did not do well with emotions. Or most people in general. Nonetheless she gave the redhead a nod and then, somewhat awkwardly, patted her on the shoulder. "It's war. War's hell," she said simply, leaving out the part that they were sort of losing.


Feth the Protectorate. She turned away and headed out of the medbay, gesturing to Coryth to follow. "If you're interested, we can go to the cantina for food and drinks. Better than what the nurse delivers to your room," she offered. No, that did not count as a date or something like that.