Many The Miles

[Keziah Denko]

Keziah had self-taught herself the basics when it came to the medical field. She knew how to take care of minor cuts and scrapes but when it came to the big stuff she was useless. This held true when it came to Force healing as well. She knew a little but as soon as she found it useless on those within the Liberty Concord so she didn’t pursue it further. The young woman instead found herself leaning towards the more battle centric abilities. They were useful however she found after the massacre at Druckenwell that a change was needed not only for herself for her children too. It would be different but she wanted to try the more peaceful approach or if that didn’t work she could always be a battle medic. The clan could always use more medical minded individuals.

There was only one person whom came to mind when looking for this training [member="Feena Mason"]not only was considered the best healer but she had taken care of Calico during a time he was in critical condition. If Keziah was going to learn, it was going to be from her and as such she had seeked her out on Naboo in hopes Feena would teach her.

Taking a deep breath she knocked on the door in hopes that Feena was hope and would teach her. Keziah hoped that by taking the initiative and coming to her it would show how serious she was about learning.

 

[Feena]

Feena had just returned from giving her first big speech as a candidate for the rule of Naboo, and she was exhausted. She was sitting along in her private study, 'the white room' she called it. Just about everything inside it from the floors to the furniture to the ceiling was white. Not cream, not off-white. White. It gave the entire room a... almost fairy-tale appearance. Like magic.

Feena had closed the door behind her, shut all the windows, closed the floor-leingth curtains and sat alone in the shadowy white room, facing the holocron of Bethany Kismet. So far, she had managed to convince the gatekeeper to let her at least access the basics of healing... unfortunately, this was all what Feena already knew. It was a little frustrating, but Feena was not going to give up. She had already made the decision. She was going to be, not just a good healer, but a great one. The best, if she could. And she was going to heal a Galaxy, bit by bit.

...If she could manage to learn something new.


She did not hear the knock at the door, but the droid, Whom she lovingly called K, opened the door.

"Hello," it's metallic voice greeted, "Are you expected by Lady Feenarah?"

[member="Keziah Tal'Verda"]

 

[Keziah Denko]

She hadn't expected a droid to answer the door but than again she had no idea what to expect. A woman of her stature would have a servant she assumed. Keziah couldn't help but feel a little out of place as she had grown up in the slums and wasn't used to such fancy things. Even now she didn't have anything fancy though she did kind of like such things.

Gulping she grinned slightly at the droid. "Umm, well no exactly but I'm hoping to gain an audience with her. I was hoping she could help me with something." Keziah could have made up a story on how she needed tips on how to take care of her husband whom was now home or needed advice on how to take care of herself in her state. It was better though to just be honest from the get go with Feena. Honesty in her opinion was always the best policy.


[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

The droid's massive blowing eyes seemed to flicker in a way that was meant to resemble blinking.
"Lady Feenarah is unwell at the moment, but if you come in, I will go and see if she will see you."
K opened the door for the young Lady and led her to a comfortable sitting room.
"Please wait here until I return for you. And be advised that the Lady may not be up for taking visitors today. If this is the case, please do not take it personally. The Lady has been through much and has been very busy on top of it."
With those words, the droid left the room and went to speak to the Mistress of the house.

"Lady?" the droid spoke up, politely knocking on her door, "A visitor to see you. She says she needs your help."

Inside the white study, Feena cringed at the knock on her door. A visitor. Of all times. But she took a deep breath to calm herself.
What would Bethany do? she asked herself, and when the answer came to her immediately, she waved her hand, dismissing the Gatekeeper of the holocron, picked it up and put it back in it's case.

"Tell her she may come in."

Feena turned on the lights as the droids heavy footsteps faded, and sat down at her desk with a sigh. She had been so close. The Gatekeeper had just mentioned something Feena did not yet know. A Technique for healing. Why now?


[member="Keziah Tal'Verda"]

 

[Keziah Denko]

Nodding Keziah waited at the door to see if she would be welcomed inside. She would understand either way after all she was sure that Feena was busy and she hadn't called again. The young woman was here on a whim as she felt that learning the art of healing would help her for everything that was about to come. The war had taken a toll on all of the protectorate so she could only imagine how the healer was feeling.

"Lady Feenarah will see you. Please follow me." The droid motioned for Keziah to follow him inside to which she was lead to a room where she assumed that Feena was waiting. Gulping she held her hands behind her as she felt herself begin to become more nervous about actually meeting with her. It was silly, she knew however the young woman couldn't help it.

Stepping inside she bowed slightly before addressing her host. "I'm Keziah Tal'Verda, thank you for agreeing to see me on such short notice." She paused to take a breath. "I was hoping that you could teach me to heal." There, it was out. No need to beat around the bugs about it.

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

Feena was sitting quietly at her white desk, hands folded neatly in her lap. The woman who came in, Feena already knew. There was no reason for her to introduce herself.

"Mrs. Tal'Verda. Yes. I know. I healed your husband, remember?"
Feena had entirely chosen not to address her plea for healing lessons. Feena simply was not in the mood at the moment.

"How is Cal doing? Is he taking the medication I prescribed to him?"

She wanted to smirk at the little nickname she had given him. It was a bad habit of hers, giving nicknames without permission, but her and Calico were familiar with each other, long before, she was sure, he even knew his current wife. She knew him in several different ways, from several different people. One such way was that,by pure coincidence, one of Keters less... reliable employees was a woman by the name of Fenni.

"Take a seat," Feena instructed, motioning to the white chair opposite her desk, "Would you like tea?"

[member="Keziah Tal'Verda"]

 

[Keziah Denko]

"Yes, of course. I couldn't forget the healer whom helped save his life," Keziah had only introduced herself because she had thought that perhaps Feena wouldn't remember her after all a lot had gone on that day. It was nice to be remembered and not just another face in the crowd.

As she took a seat Keziah could only raise an eyebrow at the nickname. She didn't even call him that. "Physically he's doing very well and is working hard to get back to full use of his shoulder. The only reason he takes the meds because I'm making him. He doesn't think that he needs them though really they are only there to help."

Keziah had been following the at home instructions on how to change his bandages. She was getting good at the basic nurse care. "Tea would be lovely, thank you. The wound is barely noticeable. It's amazing, I don't know how you do it." Keziah wouldn't press the healing bit. She assumed her host wished to just talk for now and perhaps get to know her before agreeing to anything.


[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

To be honest, Feena was only half listening. So far, she was not really feeling this woman as a potential student. Normally, Feena would have had more patience. Normally, she would give one the benefit of the doubt. After all, wasn't the interest in healing good enough? But her time was so limited. She could not afford to waste time on a student that would not pull through, or would use her teachings for anything other than healing innocents. That, and given the fact that her husband was a soldier...
Well, this audition was not looking very good.

"K, tea please," she called into her comm, "Two cups. Thank you."

She went back to casually looking through her schedule.

"Has he been displaying any changes in personality? Mood swings? Depression? Has his interest in intimacy changed at all? I only ask, because mental health is just as important as physical health. It's easy to forget that during recovery. And Druckenwell was hard on us all."

[member="Keziah Tal'Verda"]

 

[Keziah Denko]

Calico and Keziah's private life behind closed doors was just that private. She couldn't help but blush though at the thoughts. As a General and now sole Chieftan of the clan he was on display enough as it was. It was nice though that she was concerned.

"There were many souls lost during the war on both sides. It's a real tragedy and I know he's taking it hard. Since the battle there has been a lot of responsibility thrown on his shoulders. He's sole Chieftain now so that by itself is a lot. He's holding up and doing well." She smiled lightly. Keziah hadn't come here to speak about her husband but about herself.

"I'm not a super solider myself like the Dread Guard though they have trained me. I'm afraid I'm not as good as them so I thought it would be best to focus on what I am good at. I know basic healing but I want to learn more. I don't want my inexperience be the reason I can't help others."

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

And she ignored her questions. That was fine. Feena was used to such personal questions being ignored, but honestly, her excuses...

"So you're going to use the healing I teach you, to heal your soldier friends, so they can go out and kill and maim more people?" she asked, tilting her head, and taking a sip of her tea, "I see... I think you've made a mistake coming to me. I am not the teacher you want."

And with that, Feena turned her attention fully to her schedule, now completely ignoring the woman sitting in front of her.

This was lesson one.

[member="Keziah Tal'Verda"]

 

[Keziah Denko]

Keziah's solider friends were much more than that to her. They were her family, the only family that she ever knew. The healing wasn't just about them, it was about herself. She wanted to make the galaxy a better place. Keziah wanted peace but it seemed Feena misunderstood her. It didn't surprise her much though as now a days most people misunderstood her.

"No, I don't want killing and war. I want to be able to help the galaxy and make it a better place for future generations. I only want peace for my children." She spoke even though she was now being ignored. That had never in the past stopped her before. Keziah was used to fighting to get what she wanted. Nothing ever came easy for her.

"I'm sure you have heard this before but I want to use healing to do good in the galaxy and help the innocent people whom get caught up in war. I only want peace in the galaxy. I want to help the galaxy and do good work."

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

Feena was still silent for a very long time. Not even her impassioned speech moved her an inch.

"The door is that way," she spoke up finally, "K will show you out."

Lesson one. Lesson one. A healer had to have a backbone. They had to be strong. They had to be brave. They had to know how to stand their ground.

[member="Keziah Tal'Verda"]

 

[Keziah Denko]

Keziah sighed but didn't move. A part of her wished to cry due to hormones most likely. She had not come all the way out here just to be shown the door. Learning from a Master healer was worth fighting for and standing up to Feena if she had to. If she couldn't stand up for what she believed in, what good was she?

"No, I came here for help. I want to learn to be a healer. I won't be turned away so quickly." She shook her head. "I want your help so that I have the tools necessary to help the galaxy be more at peace and less at war. I know you agree with me and wish for less bloodshed."

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

Feena looked up at long last. She had a dark look in her brilliant eyes, her hand froze on the 3rd of next month.

"You spoke of your children," she said slowly, "Would you give them up to heal a galaxy? Miss birthdays? Holidays? Spend restless nights away from friends and family, elbows deep in a fleshwound? Can you handle the scent of death? Can you deal with losing your husbands intimacy? Your childrens affections? Your friends trust? Can you work yourself to insanity, just to pull someone you don't even know back from death?"

She carefully folded her hands together in front of her face, lips pressed into a careful smile.

"Can you give up everything, for people who you don't even know, who will never truly appreciate you?"

[member="Keziah Tal'Verda"]