Private Master and Apprentice

[Braze]

TAGS: Jasper Kai'el

Braze perked up, tilting his head curiously as he looked at the little pins Jasper held. His eyes widened slightly in awe, and a small smile crept onto his face. He shifted his gaze back to Jasper and smiled more brightly, hearing that they did, in fact, win.

That certainly seemed to brighten Braze right up. He let out a small yawn, rubbing at his eyes with the back of his hand as he tried to shake off the lingering drowsiness. "I'll live," he stated simply, as if shrugging off what had happened. He seemed to care a lot more about what Jasper said next, his eyes sparkling with admiration.

Without hesitation, he replied, "I belong by your side, and that's where I will stay.... And I have never felt more certain about anything else. " His tone was firm and sincere, showing just how loyal he had become to Jasper in the short time they had known each other.

There was a sentiment in his voice that spoke volumes about his certainty. "I don't know if I belong here," he added shortly after, his eyes glancing around the room before settling back on Jasper. "But what I do know is... I belong with you." He finished.

Despite being drowsy and exhausted, braze was earnest and steadfast in his commitment. He rubbed at his eyes seemingly trying to gather more strength and wake up more fully, despite everything, his loyalty to Jasper was unyielding and he seeme dto wnat to go withhimin that momment.

Braze then looked up, his eyes meeting Jasper's "I'm certain, Jasper. Wherever you go, I go. No matter what we have ahead."

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Dawnbreaker
Tags: Braze

Lightsaber
​

"Alright..." Jasper nodded, giving his student a pat on the shoulder. "If you're in this fully, that's all I need to hear... Oh, right. There's someone here to see you."

His best friend, so to speak. It was touching to know that Braze had made such a good friend in at least one padawan in the order. Braze had spoken before on the matter of finding it difficult to make friends, something that Jasper had found to be the case for him at that age. Most importantly, the young Godoan seemed rather invested in her friend's recovery, rather stoically standing vigil outside the door of his hospital room every day for the entirety of his recovery.

"I'll step out and send her in," he noted. "Give you two a moment."

Jasper stepped out, ushering in the young girl that was waiting on the other side of the door...

 

[Loomi]

Dawnbreaker
Tags: Braze

​

"Uh... hi..."

Loomi greeted her friend with a warm smile, one that was most certainly not on the verge of tears for any reasons relating to people being asleep and not waking up. And she was, most certainly, not worried that her best friend might not make any sort of recovery. She meekly made her way up to the side of the young Echani's bed, her wings fluttering anxiously.

"If I hug you... will it hurt?" she asked.

She had her priorities in a set order presently.

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Loomi

Braze blinked, hearing that someone was here to see him. Curiously, he looked over and saw Loomi. He offered her a smile. "Hey," he greeted, trying not to laugh at her following question. "No... I don't think it will hurt," he said, opening up his working arm as if inviting her in for a hug. "Do you know... what day it is?" he asked, uncertain how long he'd been in his sleepy stupor as his body was wracked with trying to recover, his natural immune system hit hard.

 

[Loomi]

Dawnbreaker
Tags: Braze

​

"No... I don't think it will hurt,"

That was all the confirmation that Loomi needed. She threw her arms around the young Echani, pressing her head into the crook of his neck. She'd linger there for a good moment before pulling back, giving an apologetic smile. The Godoan had really been worried about her friend. It was comforting to have him back here in one piece...

"It's been a week since Coruscant," Loomi noted, her tone more somber. "You... were under intensive care for a while."

A frown came to Loomi's face, her antennae lowering as though to cover her face. The anxious fluttering of her wings began to still. There was still something off... wrong.

"Braze... I couldn't feel you," she expressed. "I feel you now... but it isn't the same. I-I don't know what happened."

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Loomi

Braze blinked and gently raised his working hand to pet the back of her head affectionately. "A week, huh? Has it really been that long?" he asked, wondering if his friends, Shan Pavond , Ko Vuto , Jonyna Si , Aris Noble , and Zaiya Ceti , were okay. He wasn't entirely sure if all of them had been involved, but he knew at least Nir Si should be safe somewhere else, and Loomi was right here.

He heard her next words, and his blood ran cold as his heart skipped a beat, drawing him out of those lingering thoughts and onto others...

She was right. He couldn't even feel her now. He couldn't feel Jasper moments ago, and he couldn't feel anybody... he couldn't feel anything.

Damn that bastard Abraxas Colt. Whatever had happened to him seemed to have had a severe consequence.

"I... I'm not sure what happened either... I... I can't feel you like... before... like... at all. I can't feel anyone."

 

[Loomi]

Dawnbreaker
Tags: Braze

​

"I... It's okay."

Loomi reached out her hand, taking Braze's into it. They didn't need the Force to connect, not after everything they had gone through together. She had been worried, of course, but this state of disconnection between their minds wasn't going to change anything. The Godoan mustered a warm smile for her friend, giving the young Echani's hand a gentle but firm squeeze.

"You... can feel me now," she stated. "I-it's not the Force, but... it's real."

Because what did any of it matter if they were dead?

"I, um... I'm sorry," Loomi suddenly apologized, hanging her head. "I-I was listening in on your talk with Master Kai'el... I-I shouldn't have been nosey, but..." A soft frown formed on her face. "Y-you're... leaving... right?"

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Loomi

Braze nodded gently, a warm reassurance blooming in his eyes, which, for a moment, seemed to gloss over, reflecting a distant, unspoken thought. He tightened his grip on her hand, his touch tender yet firm, as he rubbed the pad of his thumb over the back of her hand in a comforting rhythm. "It's okay... Really, it's not the worst outcome from eavesdropping," he said, his voice soft but steady, ensuring his words carried the weight of sincerity he wanted to convey.

He paused, letting the silence stretch between them just long enough to gather his thoughts. "And there's nothing to apologize for," he continued, offering a small, reassuring smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yes, I'm going with Jasper. We will very likely travel a lot." His tone held a hint of excitement mixed with an underlying current of uncertainty, as if the prospect of the journey ahead was both exhilarating and daunting.

Braze's gaze lingered on her, seeking understanding or perhaps acceptance, as he shared this slice of his future. "What about you?" He asked gently.

 

[Loomi]

Dawnbreaker
Tags: Braze

​

"What about you?"

"I-I don't know," Loomi admitted, turning her head. "It... doesn't feel like there's anyone left for me here if you go. Ko Vuto and Shan Pavond grew up... I-I don't really know how to interact with the other padawans in a way that isn't... messy..."

A more somber expression came to her face.

"And Aliris Tremiru ..."

She sighed, turning back to Braze. It wasn't like she could just leave, right? She had her training, as well as a Master who was responsible for two other padawans, especially the one that could not protect themselves. Loomi didn't want to just walk out on them, but would any of that matter if she was miserable?

Alone?

"I... d-do you think they'd let me leave?" the Godoan mused. "W-with you?"

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Loomi

Braze eased back slightly, his movements gentle and slow. He reached out, carefully sweeping some long, dark strands of hair from Loomi's face, ensuring he could meet her eye directly—a gesture of comfort and attentiveness. His eyes searched hers, trying to gauge the depth of her turmoil. "I'm not sure," he admitted softly. "But I can try to bring you with me," Braze offered, his tone light yet sincere.

He observed the subtle changes in her expression, sensitive to the storm of emotions playing out within her. Loomi was a sweet person. It was hard not to feel a protective warmth towards her, a desire to help ease her path.

"Leaving isn't a small decision..." he continued, his voice steady and reassuring. "Finding a place where you can grow, where you feel you belong. If that's with me, then I'll do everything in my power to make it possible."

Braze smiled gently, trying to infuse a bit of hope into the heavy atmosphere.

 

[Loomi]

Dawnbreaker
Tags: Braze

​

"I'll... think in it," Loomi decided with a nod.

It was all so complicated. Was this really the right decision to be making? She wasn't sure, but there was something so certain in her gut that there had to be something out there for her. Maybe she just wanted to follow Braze. Why did her stupid little head have to be so confused on what she wanted?

It was all just so strange.

"Can you promise me that following you isn't a burden?" she asked. "I-I don't want to weigh you down."

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Loomi

Braze's voice was soft, still tinged with the grogginess of recent medical treatment as he spoke, "You won't be a burden," he reassured gently. "You're a tough girl, capable of pulling your own weight. To suggest otherwise would be an insult." He paused, collecting his thoughts before adding, "I just think... it's important for you to decide what's best for your future... to make choices that will ultimately make you happy and bring you satisfaction."​

 

[Loomi]

Dawnbreaker
Tags: Braze

​

"Thank you."

A warm smile spread across her face. As long as she was able to help other people, Loomi was okay. Well, maybe not entirely okay, but it was a start. Slowly but surely the hand of the Godoan retreated from Braze's, returning to her side. She had certainly taken up enough of Master Kai'el's time.

"Well... I should let you rest now," she reasoned. "I'm very happy that you're okay."

And that was the genuine truth.

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Jasper Kai'el

"I'm glad you're okay too," Braze replied as he returned and stretched out, letting out a small, satisfied squeak. He had neglected his nightly and daily routines, and he felt quite out of sorts. Right next to his bed, he began some light stretching, his eyes following Loomi as she left the room. Braze knew well that one couldn't just wait for their body to magically get better. He drew a soft breath and sighed. There was much to catch up on from the time he was out. Shifting his weight, he scanned the room for any of his belongings before he sought out Jasper, hoping to be discharged. There was still much to do before he could truly rest.

"H... how did... I get pins?" He asked finding Jasper's side. " What all has happened?" He was going to rely on Jasper to fill in the blanks for him. "And what's on the agenda for today, boss?"

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Dawnbreaker
Tags: Braze

Lightsaber
​

As Jasper stepped back in the smile returned to his face.

"Well, the pins are pretty straight forward," he noted. "Golden Starbird is one of the highest honors in the Alliance. It's for bravery in combat, a willingness to put your life in danger for the protection of civilization. The other one is the Signet of Fidelity. It's for being wounded in the line of service. You... helped achieve something people never thought possible, you know. Sularen has been a thorn in the side of the galaxy for years. To have him finally punished for his crimes is one of the largest wins for good people everywhere."

The man sat back down on the bed of his student, patting him on the back.

"As for the schedual, we're getting you home today. You're gonna have a few days to get your strength back up, then we'll work on getting you back into your workflow." He gave Braze a more playful grin. "I know you don't like staying down for long."

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Jasper Kai'el

Braze felt a little dizzy and his brain felt fuzzy. He drew his hands to rest over his eyes. " Okay." He said softly seemingly ready to go. It felt like there was a lot happening in the galaxy. "My friend wants to come with us. " Braze offered lightly. " I ... I don't want her to be lonely. " Braze added lightly. "We should finish what we started, first if we haven't already. " Braze chirped softly. Eluding to the idea that they should take care of Marlon Sularen first thing.

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Dawnbreaker
Tags: Braze

Lightsaber
​

"Your friend?" Jasper remarked. "Oh, the one you asked questions about, right?"

Jasper crossed his arms, giving a nod of his head. He did, at the very least, knew the sort of background Loomi came from. He had really only interacted with her in passing, like when she had been waiting to see Braze after his recovery. She was a good kid, certainly with her heart in the right place. Considering she seemed to have been taken advantage of in the past, the knight could see her having interest in freeing the Outer Rim.

"I would be willing to let Loomi join," he nodded. "Should she be permitted to. I should have a Temple facility available for those who join us."

And now to finish what they started...

"The Diktat of Corellia is expecting us," the knight informed Braze. "Are you feeling well enough to come with?"

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Jasper Kai'el

He nodded lightly at Jasper. " Yeah... I'm awake so count me in. " Braze chirped. " Good... I'll uh... let her know... " He trailed softly. " Hey uhhh... papa?" Braze asked quietly as he followed after Jasper. "I can't ... um... I can't feel any one any more. " He offered quietly. He was ready to pad after Jasper wherever he went as he ran a hand through his silky white hair and shook it out tussling his own bangs.

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Dawnbreaker
Tags: Braze

Lightsaber
​

" Hey uhhh... papa?" Braze asked quietly as he followed after Jasper. "I can't ... um... I can't feel any one any more. "

"Buddy..."

Jasper sighed, sitting down on the edge of the bed to pull Braze into a hug. He understood well enough that Braze was very heavily theathered to others through the Force. It was a gift that he never developed himself. Clearly it was a distressing mater. Jasper rested a hand on the young Echani's head, ruffling his hair.

"It'll be okay..." he assured. "You senses will come back... just give it a little time. I'll be right here with you the entire time."

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Jasper Kai'el

Braze blinked as he was hugged, a mixture of surprise and relief washing over him. "So... you're not... upset... or mad... or like... disappointed that I'm just... broken...now?" Braze asked in a quiet tone, his voice trembling slightly. He felt light and easy to move, but there was uncertainty in his voice. "Will you feel the same... Even if they... don't?"

This was a new and unfamiliar development for him. He didn't know if his previous prowess had made him a favorable student for Jasper or not. Deep down, Braze believed that his power and potential were the reasons anyone wanted to teach him anything. Now, without those, he felt an unsettling insecurity, wondering if his worth was tied solely to his abilities.