Family is What you Make it

[James Justice]

The Lost Angel nimbly cut its way along the angles of the asteroids. Its graceful turns, its artful twists were a dance to behold that normally would have given the pilot and joy to do.

But now. James' heart was heavy, like lead in his chest. The cigarette between his lips burned idly, the tobacco giving him no relief and no pleasure. The bottle of ale in the co-pilot seat was half empty, but there was no relief for the pain he felt.

His mind went over the past few weeks, turning them over like a cube in his mind. Less than a month ago, Rose Blade had turned to the darkside, using his own company supplies to even bomb out no less than twelve cities, killing hundreds of thousands--if not millions. He had exiled her, setting his forces to look for her, scouring the galaxy for the android. But they so far had found nothing, and it left a gaping hole in his heart. The month before that the Prosecutor had captured James and tortured him till he lost his mind and was forced to tear his life back from the world around him like an animal.

Tortured. James' eyes narrowed. Not long after Rose Blade, Thraxis had captured James and tortured him to hell. The scars on his arm were fresh, that damn "sander" had left more than its mark, scars pitted and ripped along it. He had went through it willingly to protect Ryn. Who turned up missing shortly after. Vanished from his life for--Days? Weeks? From a medical bed and from cruiser's bridge, he had conducted the search for him to no avail.

Then there was Sasha. Who had vanished not long after, and also was gone like a wisp. Almost as if she had never existed. The imprint she left in his bed was only dwarfed by the massive hole that was torn into his heart.

Then he, [member="Ultimatum"], and [member="Lady Kay"] had been tipped off by that creep where [member="Ryn'Dhal"] had gone. He had been captured, tortured, and they had picked him up injured on some hell-world in the fringe of space. Hunted. Injured. Terrified. The spacer couldn't stand to see the way his adoptive younger brother had been when they found him.

And that was why they were on their way to James' secret oasis, LC-2. When his company had been small he started the shadow-port in this end of the Roche Asteroids, far from the public eye. Not long after his company had rocketed faster than he could keep up, so it was largely still uncharged. He, the droid staff, and a few trusted individuals knew where it was at. And there they would save his friend, nurse him back to health, and hopefully help it stop.

The ship finally landed in the duracrete flooring, James gave a few of the post-landing checks, pressing all that hell and hurt back down. Deep down in his person. Ryn needed him. Ryn needed a strong man, not some weeping schoolboy tripping over his own laces. However, one thing would be sure; James and Ryn would both be very different after this. That was for sure.

He pressed his wrist comm active briefly.

"Keep the Scarlet Letter back just in case, wait for my signal," he muttered.

"Yes sir."

Satisfied, James wiped the tears from his eyes and sauntered into the living quarters, reeking of alcohol. He gave a cheerful smile, "Alright, mates, let's get this on."

 

[Dancer]

Mystique had no idea why they had called her here. James Justice had called her in a cryptic message while she had been at Scarlet's place saying that her Masked Man was in extreme danger. Shortly after, a pair of surly armored men working for James had come to her, taking her this secluded, Force-forsaken, out of the way place.

And now she was here, in the room alone. She had been for hours. She was beginning to wonder if she had been captured again and would be on the slave block again.

She swallowed. That would be horrible.

Her head bowed, crimson curls covering her face. If that were the place, Her Masked Man and Scarlet would rescue her. She was sure they would. Her faith in their love for her was unswerving. Even in light of all things, she knew they would always take care of her. She just wished she was safe here. She wanted security. It was taking everything in her to not revert back to her slave ways. There had been so many good people help her get this far in a short about of time, emotionally secure, mentally safe.

But she was still so frail. So weak. So--

She shook her head. Her Masked Man would take care of her. She knew he would.

[member="Ryn'Dhal"] [member="James Justice"] [member="Lady Kay"] [member="Ultimatum"] [member="Jessica Justice"]

 

[Ryn'Dhal]

The beast stirred, as they touched down. Wounded, weakened, and not moving, asides from a faint flick of an ear occasionally. Eyes, half-lidded, would take in sights, the faint shimmer of the Force Cage walls keeping others safe from him, should he regress into the ball of fury and rage he was not long ago on Tash-Taral.

A low, pitiful, groan of pain would be emitted, the deep bass of the tone echoing down the corridors of the vessel. The pain was excruciating, and it cause his limited vision to blur. He'd shift his weight, attempting valiantly to prop himself up on his forelegs, panting heavily. He knew he was safe, he could feel it, but the pain was too great for there to be any contentment in that knowledge. When James would enter into the room, a visible softening of the pained expression on the beasts face would be seen, as that deep, rolling purr could be felt even outside the cage.

"We..... Home....?" He'd strain the words out, a feline smile mingling with the grimace upon his face.

[member=James Justice] | [member=Mystique] | [member=Jessica Justice] | [member=Ultimatum] | [member=Lady Kay]​

 

[Jessica Justice]

Watching monitors, stream of smoke flowing from the cigarette between her lips, Jess was beyond bored. But, then she saw a flash of red, as two guards escorted a woman into a waiting area. Perking noticeably, the young Justice hopped form her seat and ran off to investigate. Pausing by the bar to snag a bottle of Corellian Ale, she'd amble along in search of her little adventure.

Taking a pull of the ale, and following it by a plume of smoke, she'd nod to the guards to let her into the room. Entering in, she'd offer a warm smile to the woman within. "Hello there! I dannae know if I ever made ye're acquaintance. Name's Jessica. Jessica Justice. I be sure ye know me da." She'd say, smiling as she offered a hand in greeting. As she entered, her pheromones proceeded ahead of her, along with the Force, to blanket the room with a calm, with ease. She hoped she'd finally get to make friends with one of her father's friends here in this place. Hard to keep entertained while he was working. He did say he'd teach her to fly before long though....

But, that is neither here nor there. Now, there is the young woman with the red hair. Her new friend. She hoped. "What might be ye're name, love?"

[member=James Justice] | [member=Mystique] | [member=Jessica Justice] | [member=Ultimatum] | [member=Lady Kay]​

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay had no ship of her own, so she hitched a ride with [member="James Justice"] on his. At the sound of his voice, she gulped down the remainder of her tea and rinsed out her cup before putting it into her satchel.

She was worried for him, and for [member="Ryn'Dhal"] . Both had gone through so much in such a short time, it was no wonder that they were both behaving a bit differently. Yet at the moment, Ryn was too injured to be anything but different.

It wasn't long before she bumped into James. "I hope that you got some rest like we did. You need it too." His eyes were a bit puffy. Was he crying? Kay didn't want to embarrass him. "We're here to help, so that you don't have to do this alone. Ryn is in good hands."

[member="Mystique "][member="Ultimatum"] [member="Jessica Justice"]

 

[Ultimatum]

Ultimatum had stuck with James, giving the droid controlled ship's leave to head back to Mustafar. He would be alongside [member="Ryn'Dhal"]. To good a friend to lose him now. Especially with all that they had been through. Leaving him now would have been wrong and he did not want to anyways. There was something to be said for the loyalty to friends, more so for those that were considered friends by an artificial. Ultimatum did not have many organic friends, or friends in general to be honest, but those he found he kept true to. Perhaps it was a bit sentimental, Ultimatum bet that it was somehow attached to the his emotional matrices. But he did not care.

When Ryn had spoken his few words, Ultimatum tried to respond reassuringly. "We are heading there. Do not worry, you are safe. No more hunters will be coming for you. Rest now, you need to heal." Ultimatum wished he were better versed in medical fields, he might be a little more help in the situation. He could learn all he needed to, but even if he did there was little he could do. There were no tools or medical equipment that he could actually use. Even if there were, he was uncertain of Ryn's biology exactly and that would complicate things in such a way that he was not prepared to chance it.

He wondered how the others were doing. He felt worn out, if that were possible for a droid. He sat down on the ground. This was a situation in which all he really could do was wait. A strange feeling, that of helplessness. He hoped that the trip would not be too much longer. This was the first time he had ever been this way and he found it incredibly annoying.

[member="James Justice"] @Mystique [member="Jessica Justice"] [member="Lady Kay"]

 

[James Justice]

James wanted to pat Ryn's head and tell him it was ok. He wanted to hold his friend close and assure him that things would work out. But he was still in death-killer mode. And after seeing what he was able to do in that form he wouldn't dare touch his friend without permission. It wasn't that he didn't trust his friend--it was that he liked his hand attached to his body. Instead he gave his friend a cheerful smile, and wink, "Mate, we're at LC, we'll get ye to the med bay, they are all ready for ye. We got ye covered mate."

He motioned a few of the massively strong loading droids onto the deck. They carried the Force-cage and [member="Ryn'Dhal"] in it towards the medical bay, being very careful. Even with their small processors they could tell what the spacer did to those who failed him. Even droids. Satisfied he gave Kay a very tired, very weak smile. There was no use in lying to a Saber-jockey Sorceress. They could tell when you were lying without a doubt. They always could.

"Sleep is for the weak," he said with a lame attempt at keeping things light, "Ye know me; gimme some booze and a pack of Reds and I be set. I ain't never needed none of that sissy sleeping stuff."

He shrugged and scratched his head, "I know ye are, ye are all the best."

He could say it, he could hear it, but the spacer still felt the drive to protect. To heal. To take care of everyone. His heart bled for the weak and the hurting. Those who were closest to him were the ones he cared the most about. He wouldn't be able to rest until Ryn was ok. That was just how it was.

"Come on," he said leading her and motioning to [member="Ultimatum"], "this has a decent meal and caf, I be feeling we all could use some, if not just a change of scenery. Cabin fever be a real thing, me friends."

@Mystique.

 

[Dancer]

She nodded at the young woman who had come in. Mystique took a deep breath to steady herself before speaking, "Y-yes, I do."

She saw the woman offer her hand and her cyan eyes blinked unsure. She didn't know what that meant, most people only ordered her around, and even as a free woman now, most of the time she was ignored like a wallflower. She was surprised how much and how little had changed as a free woman. On one hand she was usually free to do as she wanted, but in her mind, there were always still orders and commands, and nothing to chose from. Outside, her tracer and tagger had been removed but inside she was still that girl on the pole, dancing for dear life, begging it all to end.

And in some ways, in many ways, that pole was the only constant and true thing that had protected her.

She took the young woman's hand gingerly, wrapping her own thin, pale fingers around hers and giving it a delicate shake, "M-m-mmm-Mystique, m-my name is My-mm-Mystique."

She swallowed a moment, lowering her head slightly to brace herself to continue talking. She could do this, it was only a few simple words, after all. Think of Scarlet, she told herself. Think of the Masked Man. Think of them, "Its n-nice to m-mm-meet y-oooo-uu J-jess-sic-k-kk-ah."

She looked up and gave a tentative smile. She did it, it wasn't that hard, now was it?

[member="James Justice"]
[member="Ultimatum"]
[member="Lady Kay"]
[member="Ryn'Dhal"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay sighed a little and shook her head as she followed [member="James Justice"] and [member="Ultimatum"] to the cafeteria. James was so stubborn, but then so was she. Sometimes that would make them clash, but mostly they got along. Yet right now he needed food and coffee. Tea was good, but coffee would do better. On second thought...maybe the tea could help relax him into sleeping. Hmmm. "Did you want some tea? It could help us with our stress levels. There's a reason that I drink it all the time, you know. I think that coffee would just get you jittery."

[member="Mystique "][member="Ryn'Dhal"] [member="Jessica Justice"]

 

[Ultimatum]

Ultimatum walked alongside [member="James Justice"], the droid hoped that the others could handle this. He could really enjoy food or drink, he did not have appropriate sensors. However, talking would perhaps take his mind off of Ryn for a time. He smiled at [member="Lady Kay"]'s comment, evidently she had not lost her love of tea. He was glad for it.

He hoped that [member="Ryn'Dhal"] was alright. This current state was by far less than favorable, but the organic was tough. Ultimatum bet that he would make it, but there was always the possibility. He wondered if the others were ready to accept that if it happened.

 

[James Justice]

James nodded with a half shrug, she probably knew best. He reached into his pocket and this time, instead of retrieving a cigarette he pulled out a pocket-sized holo-projector. He activated it and tossed it onto the center of the table, a matter of a few seconds later data read outs on [member="Ryn'Dhal"]'s vitals displayed before them. He had already thought ahead and integrated it into their views. The kid couldn't even sneeze without them seeing it on this data read out.

The spacer began to methodically puff on his cigarette, instead of his typical thoughtful, tobacco devouring fast huffs, these were slow, zoning out puffs. He could feel himself breaking apart like a meteorite on re-entry. His facades, his continual jovial nature, the indifferent mask was falling apart. His eyes glazed over as he watched the vital signs on the steady nature.

Ryn was only a few feet away, in the next room. LC-2 had been designed ages ago, by colonists in the Old Republic era. They had been small in number, and favored aestheticism over comfort. Over the years the base had been handed down by pirates, smugglers, and eventually to James, but that was a story to tell later. The base had been built out of one massive carved cavern in a giant asteroid; the distance between rooms was nominal. They could be over to Ryn in a matter of a few seconds if things went bad.

No, they couldn't, they wouldn't he wouldn't let them.

"Come on, Ryn," he muttered under his smoke-filled breath, "Hang in there kid."

[member="Ultimatum"]
[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Ryn'Dhal]

His vitals were a lot weaker than one would expect of a creature of such mass and potential vigor. But, loss of blood and rampant infection would have such effects on ones body. But, aside from over-all strength of his breathing and heart-rate, the medications the medical-droids were administering to him were doing what they could, easing the inflammation and fever swiftly, in conjunction with the fluids they were administering via IV's.

An interesting bit of information that would also show up on James' little holo-projector, was under 'Species', it was listed as 'Unknown'. But, right before their very eyes, they'd witness the word being deleted, before being replaced with 'Felacatian: Variant'. In the room, the massive beast had informed the lead medical-droid of his recently acquired knowledge of his species and his apparent genetic abnormality, which in turn enabled the droids to start bringing up all information available on the anatomy and biology of the species and their two forms. His vital signs momentarily lowered dramatically, before leveling out, still quite low, but exceedingly steady. Any who has witnessed surgeries would know that it was anesthesia, and Ryn was rendered unconscious while the droids performed surgery to remove the slug round from his shoulder, as well as cut open the various sutured wounds to clean them properly and close them more efficiently.

This all took place over the course of an hour, where his vitals on the projector would eventually begin to elevate towards a much stronger, but still understandably weakened, level. A few moments after the signs elevated, the lead medical-droid would begin his trek to seek out James to announce the patient being moved to recovery.

[member="James Justice"] | [member=Ultimatum] | [member="Lady Kay"] | [member=Mystique] | [member=Jessica Justice]​

 

[Jessica Justice]

That smile on her face faltered slightly, changing to a smile that showed sadness and compassion. "Ye poor thing..." The stress radiated off the scarlet haired woman in waves. "Let's get ye out of here, and into a more comfortable location, eh?" She'd say, giving the woman's hand a reassuring squeeze, as she still hadn't quite released it from the hand-shake earlier. "Ye like hot chocolate? Whiskey? Wine? Caf? We'll get ye whatever ye want, whatever ye heart desires. Then we can just relax and enjoy a lil girl talk if'n ye be wantin'." She'd offer, a winning smile cast to the girl, as her free hand opened the door.

One of the lumbering guards move as if he was going to think of detaining them. A sour glance would be given to him, and he'd instantly cow, backing away and broaching the issue not a moment longer in his mind. The scarlet haired girl was with the bosses daughter now. Conflicting with a decision of one of the Justice Kids was a quick way to find oneself in need of new employment.... If they were lucky.

Looking back to Mystique, she'd give a friendly giggle. "So, Mystique ye say? Would ye be opposed to me callin' ye Myst?" She'd ask, as she would lead the girl towards the cafetera. She'd not had a chance to make friends with a woman in her age range yet.... so, hopefully the poor scarlet-haired woman would forgive Jess for her enthusiasm!

[member="Ryn'Dhal"] | [member="James Justice"] | [member=Ultimatum] | [member="Lady Kay"] | [memeber=Mystique]​

 

[Dancer]

Mystique followed the young girl's pull into the next room, into the cafeteria. There were other people there already. James Justice she knew from her rescue, Senator [member="Lady Kay"] she knew from news and the likes, and then there was the droid that made her feel very intimidated. He was tall, massive to say the least. She never imagined that beings could be that big or--well anything.

"M-mm-Myst is fine," she managed to say with a frail smile.

A moment later she found herself staring at a beverage machine. There were so many choices. So many options. There were words written on each one, but to her illiterate eyes, they looked like warbled lines scrawled across the options. They had never intended to teach her how to read as a slave. And since her time being free, no one had offered and it hadn't come up much. So far she had survived alright without knowing how to read a single word, but one day she wanted to be able to read books, menus, road signs, and other things like normal people. Would she ever be normal, she wondered.

Her hand grabbed one of the levers delicately and pulled on it. A golden liquid dispensed itself into the dancer's glass. She moved along with it in hand, following Jessica to a spot of semi-seclusion. She took a sip from her foamy yellow drink. Ugh, it was so bitter and it stung going down her throat. She winced.

"I--I th-think th-the w-w-wwater-r f-f-ff-filter is b-broken-nnn," she managed to say blinking the drink's affects away.

[member="Ultimatum"]
[member="Jessica Justice"]
[member="Ryn'Dhal"]
[member="James Justice"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay looked at the holo-projector intently. Everything was displayed for them as it was happening which was pretty amazing. She looked to [member="James Justice"] , seeing him all zoned out with worry. Poor guy. He'd been through a lot, both him and [member="Ryn'Dhal"] have.

She got to her feet, slipping herself away from the table and holo-readings to fetch herself and James some tea. It's too bad that [member="Ultimatum"] couldn't enjoy it too. Kay prepared it herself just as [member="Jessica Justice"] and [member="Mystique "]arrived. Kay bowed her head to the two young ladies before carefully carrying the two teas over to the table. She set doth cups onto it before retaking her seat and studying the readouts. "Looks like things are going well for him, James. Try some tea. It might make you feel better."

 

[Ultimatum]

Ultimatum looked over the screen. Well, with information on species the droid at least had some idea of medical treatment and how well his friend was doing. There was still the issue of whether his friend would react to the treatment negatively, specifically violently. Ultimatum hoped the sedation would be enough to keep him under, just for the safety of the creature's friends.

He also hoped that [member="James Justice"] would hold out through this. It was a very emotional and scarring set of events. This was not exactly the idea way to have a friendship tested. He hoped that [member="Ryn'Dhal"] would make it, he trusted that his friend would. It would be the first time to lose one and he did not want that to happen. Not to one so kind as this. "He will make it. He is too strong to be broken by this." He tried to encourage those that heard him.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[James Justice]

James nodded as he heard the pronucenment. He accepted Kay's tea and heard his robotic friend talk about Ryn. He didn't have much hope to hold onto these days, but he would hold onto that. He had to. He couldn't loose another person--not again.

Taking his tea, he limped into the Operating Room. Did the others follow him? He didn't know. He was numb from everything, he didn't even notice his daughter and Mystique in the Caferia.

He looked so peaceful. It was almost possible for James to convince himself his friend was just taking a nap instead of fighting for his life. The droids around him kept a close eye on the feline. James would have it no other way, if he failed to live through this, the spacer would probably be plunged to a darker place than he had ever been. Even on Degobah, even in his darkest moments, he wouldn't ave been this bad.

James rubbed his younger brother's head gently. That was what Ryn was to him, race mattered not. Anyone who got in the way would die a bloody, gory death at James' own hands.

"I sorry I didn't take better care of ye," he whispered, his voice cracking. "I shoulda never let me eyes off ye. I shoulda watched ye, made sure ye were ok. I shoulda--" he wiped a tear from his cheek. He had to be strong. He had to let the lad know he meant something to James. He swallowed.

"Ryn, I can't lose ye," he said at last. "I have lost so much, so many people, so may friends and family. I am--I can't anymore," he couldn't stop it anymore, the words gushed from his lips, "Mate, I were married. I know I never told ye, I know I never did. We were married only six months when she died. I were gonna be smart. Go strait and narrow. I even got a proper job in an office, bought an apartment on Alderaan. First day of the job I--" a sob cut himself short, he stiffed it, driving his nails in the palm of his free hand. "I were on me way home when I saw it. A speeder rammed into the building it killed her. They said there were no remains left, I lost her and our unborn that day. I lost everything that was important to me," More tears came cascading down his face as he whispered at last, "I cain't lose ye too, mate. No, I cain't. Ye are me family, my kin. Ye been with me longer than most anyone else. Please, mate. Please," he swallowed but the lump in his throat refused to move, "dun't die on me."

[member="Lady Kay"]
[member="Ultimatum"]
@Mystique
[member="Jessica Justice"]
[member="Ryn'Dhal"]

 

[Ryn'Dhal]

The massive beast that was Ryn'Dhal was bridge. The pass-over between consciousness and unconsciousness. He thought he heard a voice. James? he'd ponder sleepily. He liked James. James as good. James was family. Hearing James' voice echoing in the void of the pre-slumber consciousness was soothing. But.... something was amiss.... There was pain, in his voice.... These words he was speaking, Ryn had to hear them. He had to. They were important to James, so they were important to Ryn! He'd surge forth with all his will, breaching through the barrier of unconsciousness, his eyes opening just half-lidded, which was impressive against the sedatives administered.

His head was angled on it's side, so one eye was angled to where he could watch James. James was crying, the pain he was exhibiting wounded Ryn to his core. A low vocalization was given, a strange combination between a growl and hoot, as he jostled his head slightly to nuzzle against James' open palm. "Not.... go.... a.... way.... Stay...." He'd groan the words, weakly, before giving a feline smile, as his feeble grasp upon consciousness. He'd slip off to nap the rest of the sedatives away, but he'd let his friends know, in his own unique way, that he appreciated their concern by his purr. It wasn't as strong as it would normally be, which was understandable given the circumstances. But still, there against James' palm, the great beast purred, lost in the great abyss of restful slumber.

​

[member="James Justice"] | [member="Ultimatum"] | [member="Lady Kay"] | [member="Jessica Justice"] | [member=Mystique]​

 

[Jessica Justice]

Jessica couldn't help but giggle for a moment. "That wasn't water! That was soda! Coul....." She trailed off, eyes widening suddenly in realization. She'd quickly bit her lip, before leaning towards the other woman, whispering to where only she could hear. "Ye cannae read?" She asked, genuine concern and compassion on her face. Her natural affinity for emotions in general, hand in hand with her latent Force-related capabilities revolving around emotions, her Empathy, would unconsciously attempt to enhance the woman's positive disposition towards Jessica. To make her more open, more trusting, of the young Justice. "I could.... I would.... if'n ye wish me to.... help ye. I could teach ye...." She'd say, biting her lip, before stopping her hand which was reflexively reaching out to take Mystique's in a comforting gesture. She didn't need to over-whelm the poor woman.

But then a medical droid entered, summoning her father and his friends. "Ren who? Doll? Dawl?" Her head cocked, confusion plain across her face. But upon seeing the recognition of the name on the girls face out of her peripheral vision, and the look of pain and concern on her fathers countenance, Jessica took the woman's hand and stood up. "I think we best follow. Me da is in a right state, and ye seem familiar with the name."

Reaching the doorway after her father and his friends, she saw the largest, most amazing creature she'd witnessed. "Wha...." She'd falter, hearing her father breaking down, sobbing and talking to this animal as if it were intelligent... But then....

"I cain't lose ye too, mate. No, I cain't. Ye are me family, my kin. Ye been with me longer than most anyone else. Please, mate. Please, dun't die on me."

She'd hesitantly walk up behind her father, and slip her arms around him, hugging him from behind. She'd rest her head against his back, feeling her own throat catching, his pain radiating through the air, into her.... through her. She felt his pain, almost, but not quite, as if it were her own pain she was experiencing. A few moments, James would feel the back of his shirt soaked, saturated with her own tears, as she cried silently into him, leeching his pain, his sorrow, and carrying a small portion of the load for him.

Sometimes.... Empathy was a queen.

​

[member=James Justice] | [member=Ryn'Dhal] | [member=Ultimatum] | [member=Lady Kay] | [member=Mystique]​

 

[Dancer]

She listened as the girl realized she couldn't read. She smiled, the girl was nice, genuine and real. There weren't all too many like that out there. And it was a sweet gesture for her to offer to teach her but--Mystique knew she was too dumb to learn. She wasn't smart and she knew it. She had been told so many times, over and over again. A lot. A lot of times she had heard that she was this. And so she was.

No, she couldn't learn to read she wasn't smart enough but she gave a ginger smile none the less. It was a sweet gesture, and if it made the girl feel better she would try, but there was little doubt in her mind that it wouldn't work, "Th--thhh-thank you. I c-ca-aaan tr-r-rrry."

She tried to mind her own business; slaves were supposed to do that after all. She had gotten quite good at blocking out her peripheral hearing but Ren Doll or Drawl or whatever it was sounded a lot like the Masked Man's name. Was that why she was here? To see the masked man? He was so kind and sweet, she hoped he was ok, her brow furrowed in mild worry. But he was special, he had his magic, he couldn't be hurt, his magic would protect him. Or could he?

She followed the other girl to the operating room. There was some sort of big cat thing on the gurney sleeping and James Justice was crying. Soon Jessica was crying. It was all so much it was almost too much for her to handle, all this crying. She didn't know what to do. What to say, what would be ok. She did the only good thing that a person raised in slavery was conditioned to do--stand and wait. Wait for orders. She wished she was smart enough to do something to help this feline or to stop the crying, but--she didn't know. She couldn't have known.

If she only knew her "Masked Man" was the one in the bed, she would have been in tears too. She would have cried and held him close until he was better, even if it was nothing more than a sentiment, it was all she would have been able to do.

[member="Jessica Justice"]
[member="James Justice"]
[member="Lady Kay"]
@Ultimatum