Private Off the Grid and On the Edge - Alt Timeline

[Desbre Gensan]

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Tag: Milya Vondar​

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Spending all day at the river, swimming and drying on the banks, without much of a care sounded amazing. Though, in truth, they'd need to probably eat something at some point. Not that they couldn't find something for that too. When she surfaced, she felt Milya studying her. Even closed off, she could see the concern there. Her question sent a pang of guilt through her core. Followed by another one as Milya continued.

"I-I'm sorry," she stammered, shrinking a little. "You're right. I am. I should be more focused." How could she talk to Milya about all the things going on in her head? A lot of them revolved around her? How could she extract herself, keep from getting tangled up in things? Was this why Brandyn abandoned her?​

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Slowly she shook her head. She wasn't about to abandon Milya. Silently she swore that she wasn't going anywhere. She wouldn't have what was done to her done to someone else. someone she cared about. "I.. I.. wouldn't even.. I mean..." She grimaced almost as if pained, then shook her head again. "I just.. No. I .." she frowned again, then slumped in defeat, as much as she could in the cool water.At that moment, she'd have been happy to drop to the bottom of the river and be washed out to sea.​

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[Milya Vondar]

Tag: Desbre Gensan

Milya watched her friend as she shrunk back, immediately she felt she had pressed too hard. She could see her start to withdraw a bit into herself, it reminded her a bit of that night at silver rest where they had first come to understand one another, all the deep hurts that they shared. Milya stepped forward toward Des and let go of her hand if only for a moment before wrapping her arms around Des and pulling her close, Milya’s cheek resting gently against her neck.

As Milya held her she closed her eyes and spoke softly to Des. “I'm sorry, I didn’t mean to push, I just worry about you. You are my best friend.. Well also my only friend” she chuckled a bit at that. Milya released her just a bit so she could look Des in the eyes, her heart sank a bit at her expression, she just looked defeated. Milya reached up a hand and gently guided a wet strand of hair back behind the Arkanian’s ear.

She wasn’t sure how to resolve this situation but rather wanted to show Des that she cared for her no matter what. “Just know you can tell me anything, but only if you want to ok?” Des was always the more sensitive of the pair, when it came to everything. Milya was the force of nature, breaking violently against whatever opposed them, while Des was the thoughtful, caring and friendly one. As such the role she found herself in at the moment was uncomfortable, but when it came to Des the Echani was more than willing to do what was necessary.

Milya leaned forward letting her head rest against Des forehead and she smiled. “You know you are the only one who ever gets me to let down my guard. Who sees the real me, just like at silver rest when we first really talked.” she paused a moment remembering that night holding her just like this her face flushed a bit as she remembered one particular thought from that evening. One thing she had wanted to do then, but had been too fearful. Being this close to Des brought that memory and feelings back to the surface, but yet she hesitated. Would she risk it? What would Des do? All she could think about was losing Des if she was wrong.

 

[Desbre Gensan]

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Tag: Milya Vondar​

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Des slowly shook her head, eyes closed, just taking in what she could. The river clawed and pulled at her, as though trying to sweep her away with her emotions, and worries. But Milya was such a rock and Des held on tight. "You didn't push too far. i want to tell you everything. I just don't know how. Don't know where to begin. Don't know how to do it without messing things up. Making things worse." Under Milya's touch, she trembled, but nto from the cold. She was so close, and in some ways it could have been a lightyear.

Her mind drifted back to that night. It felt like a lifetime ago, and like now, she had felt lost. Twice now. She had to wonder. Coincidence was something she believed in less and less these days. The Force had a way of conspiring in her life, she supposed. She was supposed to be here with Milya. And Milya with her. At least for now. Most everyone in my life has been so transitional. Only here for a short season. At least since I left home all those years ago. Not a single constant. Other than constant change. She let out a slow soft sigh and just held on to Milya tighter.​

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[Milya Vondar]

Tag: Desbre Gensan

Milya watched as she held her she was at best arms length from her as she started to speak her mind. She simply listened as Des spoke while at the same time she watched her, making note of her body language. Even if it wasn't the echani arts, Des told much by the way she stood, where she looked., Milya moved closer again and wrapped Des in firm but gentle hug once more. "It's ok Des take your time. But I have to ask Do you really think you could mess up with me?" Milya smiled in the embrace though Des couldn't see it she would feel it Milya knew her well.

"And we can always get off the topic entirely, plenty of daylight left for training. We haven't had a good sparring match in a while" Milya teased her friend hoping to ease her mind by offering a way out of the conversation entirely. Finally Milya let her go and stepped back a bit before taking Des' hands in hers.

Milya too had her own thoughts she was wrestling with. As the situation was currently she wouldn't entertain those thoughts or desires when Des was in such a state. Her determining was that the best thing to do at that time was to move on, at least for now anyways. Perhaps an opportunity down the line would present itself but not today it would seem.

 

[Desbre Gensan]

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Tag: Milya Vondar​

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Feeling Milya's arms slip around her, Des held on tight with deceptive but gentle strength. For a minute she just stayed put, eyes closed, focused on Milya, drawing in her strength, her comfort. Like a rock she could hold onto in turbulent waters. She pondered the question, could she really screw things up with Millie? There was always the chance of failure. But she doubted she could make Milya worse. So there was at least some comfort in that. The tension in her shoulders eased by a layer.

The river continued to buffet the both of them, but standing in the shallows together, Des ignored it. Sparring? She shook her head slightly as the offer was made. "I appreciate the distraction, or the idea of it." It's not what I need. She sighed. Or is it? I'm not even sure what I need. Except a clear path forward. A bitter half-laugh escaped her then. I'm a Jedi Knight, a wayfinder, an explorer, a crack pilot, but this is the hardest thing to navigate I've ever dealt with. Oh, the irony.

Eyes closed, she rested her forehead against Milya's and let out a sigh through her nose, relaxing a notch. Her insides weren't so knotted up now, and it seems things were settling. Nothing was solved, yet. But at least the worst of it was passed. "Look, I screw just about everything up eventually. Especially relationships, whether they be family, friends, with teachers and mentors. And on top of that, I'm not even entirely sure what all I can truly help you with, or how to grow your skills. I know that will come in time. I know some of what you can do, but I have no idea where your previous master, or Master Caltin left off. I've seen you in combat. And you have gotten stronger since being here. And it's stupid, irrational… the thought that I might make you worse. But you're important to me. You matter. And … I .. worry about you. Maybe more than anyone. Even though I know you can handle yourself. It's foolish and…" There I go, babbling like an idiot again...

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[Milya Vondar]

Tag: Desbre Gensan

Milya continued to hold onto Des as she rested her forehead against her own. Feeling her relax somewhat she smiled a bit as just remained quiet and let Des say what was on her mind. Over the years she learned you merely had to prompt her and Des would eventually get to what was bothering her, a small defeated sigh was the signal that she was correct.

"First off, everyone screws up. Look at me, without you and Caltin I would probably be dead or a Sith. The problem isn't that you screw up, friends, family should have your back when you screw up, they shouldn't bail on you. I would never leave you."

"Secondly, as far as training I am more like Caltin then you. You want finesse, call you. Need a building brought down and a path carved through an army, that is when you call me" she grinned broadly at that, she was the battering ram while Des was the scalpel, they complemented each other in that regard. "So no, you can't make me worse, anything you teach me makes me better."

What Des said next made her pale cheeks redden slightly. "You are important to me too Des, and I worry about you too. I get it, I do. You have been the one constant thing in my life since my Master died." Milya's voice lowered ever so slightly. "Losing you is about the only thing that frightens me." her eyes fixed on Des own, though her eyes were closed the silvery orbs looked at the woman opposite her. Again she wanted to act, but true to her words fear of losing Des caused he to stop.

 

[Desbre Gensan]

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Tag: Milya Vondar​

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"First off, everyone screws up. Look at me, without you and Caltin I would probably be dead or a Sith. The problem isn't that you screw up, friends, family should have your back when you screw up, they shouldn't bail on you. I would never leave you."

Desbre held on tighter then, as if trying to hold herself together, or to keep from drowning. She wanted desperately to believe those words. Des didn't have to be Force Sensitive to feel their weight and intensity. Milya meant them, at least for now. Life had a funny way of making things happen. But for now, all she could do was trust that there was truth there. At the same time, she ached to hear those words or something like them. Mixed with the apprehension was a kind of relief, like she'd been holding her breath for years. And for just a moment she could breathe once more. It took everything not to let go in wracking sobs. Her jaw tightened but a few tears slipped free, but of relief and release.

"Secondly, as far as training I am more like Caltin then you. You want finesse, call you. Need a building brought down and a path carved through an army, that is when you call me" she grinned broadly at that, she was the battering ram while Des was the scalpel, they complemented each other in that regard. "So no, you can't make me worse, anything you teach me makes me better."

Des smiled despite herself for a moment. She never saw Milya like a wrecking ball. But she was certainly a whirlwind when she wanted to be. Caltin was a rockslide that could demolish a building or a town. Des never gave it much thought to herself. She never saw herself as ... surgical. But as she turned that assessment over in her mind, she was forced to admit Milya was right. She never did anything more than was needed. There was no waste in her efforts, her saber technique, her use in the Force. Even most of her flying was crisp, precise. Everything was just enough, and done with her best skill.

What Des said next made her pale cheeks redden slightly. "You are important to me too Des, and I worry about you too. I get it, I do. You have been the one constant thing in my life since my Master died." Milya's voice lowered ever so slightly. "Losing you is about the only thing that frightens me." her eyes fixed on Des own, though her eyes were closed the silvery orbs looked at the woman opposite her. Again she wanted to act, but true to her words fear of losing Des caused her to stop.

Fresh hot tears streamed down her face. Nobody ever ... Not in a long time... Her chest tightened up, making it hard to breathe. It had been a decade at least since anyone expressed any worry or care over losing her at all. Much less with the way Milya spoke. Even somewhat closed off, Des could feel how much she wanted to impress those words on her. And she was afraid she'd said too much. Opening her own silver-gray eyes she locked gazes with Milya for a moment. "I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere." Her voice was low and soft as fresh powdery snow, almost lost in the babble of the water against the rocky shore. She opened her mouth to continue, but what she wanted to say caught in her throat.

Closing her mouth she fell silent, her gaze looking inward for a moment. There was a subtle shift then in her body, a change in muscle tone, a slight change in stance, so small it would have been a micro-expression, but to an Echani it was enough. She'd made a decision. "My heart has always been with you since that night, and my mind has never been far. Perhaps the Force conspired to bring us together, even then." She broke into a small smile then as she reached up to caress Milya's cheek, cupping it in her hand, drawing ever closer, until their lips were almost touching. "Even if it didn't... I'm still here." And still yours.

 

[Milya Vondar]

Tag: Desbre Gensan

Milya felt the arms around her tighten and she only smiled, Des held onto Milya as if her life depended on it. She didn't have to use the force to see that Des was desperately holding back tears. She lifted a gentle hand wiped a tear that was forming from Des' eyes with a softy swiped of her thumb as Milya's hand cupped her cheek.

When Des heard the last few words she had spoken the silvery eyes not unlike her own opened and looked back at Milya, she felt her own heart skip a beat at the gaze

"I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere."

Milya smiled at the words despite it genuinely made her happy to hear those words. At the same time she watched Des retreat softly again into herself and then a decision was made. She watched it happen, it was as if reading a book for an Echani as if one had turned a page before you had finished reading it.

"My heart has always been with you since that night, and my mind has never been far. Perhaps the Force conspired to bring us together, even then." She broke into a small smile then as she reached up to caress Milya's cheek, cupping it in her hand, drawing ever closer, until their lips were almost touching. "Even if it didn't... I'm still here." And still yours.

The echani smiled broadly as she listened and Des' hand reached up to touch her cheek. Milya gently leaned into it as she watched her. As happy as she had been by what Des said prior, she was not prepared for what came after and it stole the very air from her lungs.

They were so very close now, she could feel Des' breath on her own lips and a chill ran down her spine. Milya's other hand moved before she fully processed the situation finding a place firmly on the small of Des' back.

"Ever since that night, there has been one thing I have wanted to do. I wont let fear stop me anymore" she whispered then leaned in pressing her lips gently into Des' and pulling her as close as she could possibly be without hurting her.

 

[Desbre Gensan]

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Tag: Milya Vondar​

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Milya's lips pressed against hers. An electric current ran from her lips through her chest and down into her core in a tingling cool shock. She felt her heart truly skip a beat. Every nerve ending lit up. So many times she'd wanted to do that. Wanted this. This moment, but she'd held back for so many reasons. Reasons that were lightyears away.

Pouring herself into the kiss she met Milya in the middle. The water was cold against her skin, but Milya was almost fire against her skin by contrast, and one she would have happily died in, in that moment. Slowly reality, the world around them invaded her senses. Is this even real? Am I dreaming? It didn't feel like it with the way her head was spinning, and her breath was caught in her lungs.

Behind Milya's back she pressed the tip of her right index finger into the valley of her palm as hard as she could. But.. t didn't sink through. Nope. Reality check passed. A smile played across her lips, though she didn't pull away.

You know this can't last forever right? This is a big problem. - She shoved the thought away. Was it? Was it really? That was a problem for another time and place. Instead, she focused her attention back on Milya, slowly running her hands along her body, as though trying to memorize what she could before this whole surreal fever dream fell apart. Even if it was real. Just for a minute. Slowly she broke the kiss, only to break out with a small bubble of giddy laughter. "Hi there," she mused. It was the only thing she could really think to say, well, better than the other things floating through her head.

Great. Brilliant. Dork. Even then she could only grin at herself just for a moment as she rested her forehead against Milya's eye to eye.

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[Milya Vondar]

Tag: Desbre Gensan

Milya's brain was going a mile a minute, one half of her was questioning her sanity right now, but on the other side there was relief and exhilaration that finally she had worked up the courage to do what her heart wanted to do the first time she held Des in her arms. Her mind calmed as soon as she felt Des lean back into the kiss pressing her lips back against her own, had her mouth not been preoccupied she would have sighed in relief. Milya pulled her in closer before the kiss was finally broken.

She opened her eyes and looked at Des, seeing the smile on her face was all the confirmation she needed. She reached a hand up and gently stroked Des' face for a moment before kissing her once more a more gentle and quick kiss. Des was never good at handling awkward situations but Milya could tell she was happy. Beyond the smile Des was happy perhaps the most happy she had ever seen her, the sudden outburst of bubbly laughter brought a smile to Milya as well.

And when she said hi there she chuckled and just stroked her cheek all the more. "Hi there." the echani's eyes looked into Des' all Des would see in Milya's was genuine happiness.

 

[Desbre Gensan]

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Tag: Milya Vondar​

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Des basked in the moment, the radiance of Milya's happiness warmed her skin, reflected back to the Echani. Though they were still in the water, Des felt none of it. Milya was her entire world at that moment, narrowed to a single point. Everything else was forgotten, left behind , momentarily. Des felt as though she was in w whirlwind but stood still in the center, surrounded by conflicting, spinning thoughts and ideas, but yet..,. they didn't seem to touch her.​

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She pressed into Milya's hand just a little, then turned to kiss that pale palm before a soft sigh escaped her. "Come on," she murmured, and began ushering her toward the shore. Finding a large flat rock, she hopped up onto it and helped Milya with an offered hand, reluctant to break contact for long. Considering for a moment, she stretched out a hand toward the treeline. Wood began flying off the forest floor, and from deadfall, everything from very fine to as thick as her wrist or forearm, assembling into a pile. From there, she began to focus on the heat around them in the air, in the warming stone, and poured it into the smaller twigs and kindling. Her hand shook some with the effort. This was something she only practice da little since learning how to manipulate her body heat a while back. This wasn't exactly the same, but worked on the same principles.

After about fifteen seconds the wood was smoking, flames sprang to life, rapidly growing into a small cheery fire,. Heat bloomed and radiated outward into the two of them as Des grabbed a seat. "Better?" Of course it was.

"So... Where do we go from here?"​

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[Milya Vondar]

Tag: Desbre Gensan

Milya's eyes never left Des' the both of them had crossed into uncharted territory, there would be many things they had to talk out. Everything changed when Milya kissed her, she knew that much but looking at the Arkanian's face and seeing the radiant smile. She knew she had made the right decision. When Des took her hand and kissed it Milya's heart fluttered from such a simple act.

She almost did not register when Des spoke to her and began to pull her out of the water. Then the Echani took her hand and let Des pull her up onto the rock and sat beside her. Silver eyes watched as Des pulled everything from the forest floor into fire, she stared into the flames as the sparked to life, she pondered for a moment. Des spoke and the Echani turned to look at her as she sat, she then scooted closer to Des and leaned against her slightly.

"To be perfectly honest. I didn't think that far ahead." she smiled slightly as she looked back into the fire. "I suppose I need to find a new master." she joked slightly. "Not a bad trade, lose a master but gain a girlfriend?" she turned that statement over in her mind, there was a slight redness to her cheeks.

 

[Desbre Gensan]

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Location: Name​

Equipment: Simple Jedi Robes, Silver Sigil, inherited lightsaber, light-filtering lenses, Hush-style comlink, aquata breather, liquid-cable launcher, stim pills, nutrient/food pack​

Tag: Milya Vondar​

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"Only if you want another. I know a relationship complicates things," Des said softly. "I didn't plan all that far either. Kinda flying by the seat of my pants, like always." Flexibility was a valuable skill, and required for field work. In truth, she'd always had the ability to plan and anticipate, but also operate loose and off the cuff. It was what made her a good racer, a software engineer, allowed her to jury-rig at will, and adapt to changing conditions when on an op. It was one of the things that made her a source of calm in a crisis she supposed.

"But at least that's ... better." While the phrasing was a statement the upward lilt at the end turned it into a question, mostly at herself. Was it better? She didn't feel a tight knot in her gut anymore. Mostly just relieved, rather than feeling foolish, or like she was going crazy. "I'm up for continuing, but I think it's going to require a longer, detailed conversation. Unless you were keeping updated on the Jedi Comport? I should be able to access those files and get up to speed." Truth was, Milya had spent a lot of time in the field as far as she knew, so those records probably weren't as complete as she hoped.

And Milya had survived things Des as pretty sure would have killed her. She shuddered at the idea of facing the Bryn'adul in combat. The Kastolar Sector Raiders had been bad enough.​

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[Milya Vondar]

Tag: Desbre Gensan

Milya sought out Des' hand and her fingers intertwined with her own. The unspoken emotions between them speaking louder than words ever could. It was a bond forged through shared experiences, trials, and triumphs that had woven their lives together.

With a gentle lean, Milya rested her head against Des', Her words held a mix of sincerity and playfulness, "I was joking, I wouldn't want anybody else. As long as you are okay with it."

Their mutual uncertainty was acknowledged with a casual shrug, "I think we are both flying by the seat of our pants here." The uncharted territory of their emotions was a testament to their genuine connection. The unknown was made less daunting by the fact that they were facing it side by side.

Milya spoke softly, "You know me, I'm more about the practical applications of the Force." Her voice carried warmth, a fondness for Des' role in her life. "You have really taught me more of the theory than anybody."

 

[Desbre Gensan]

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Tag: Milya Vondar​

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Des smiled, squeezing her hand. "When I came to the Jedi, I wanted to know more about the legacy of my ancestors. it seems that there might be some deep family roots in Jedi history. And I was curious about the Force itself. I wasn't so much interested in the dogmatic teachings of the Jedi... but practical application." A warm, pleased smile blossomed on her face as she looked back, then nudged Milya with her shoulder.

"I was always a good student when it came to knowing what I wanted to know. I'm still learning, still growing. just because I ranked up doesn't mean that stops. it just means I have more doors to open, and more options."

"Theory is good. Strengthening the foundation, focusing on basics makes everything stronger. For the longest time that's all I could do. Not because i couldn't take on more, but the ... group I had fallen in with... They were stretched thin. Not many teachers, and most were out in the field. And nobody seemed really interested in taking me on as an apprentice. I had a few classes and basics. I took that training though and expanded on it in almost every way I could, though I wasn't allowed to be taught anything new, or 'learn' anything further without an instructor." She shook her head at that.

"They were very limited and narrow in their thinking. They didn't encourage exploration, self-discovery, or anything like that. And because nobody wanted to really take me on, I always felt as though there was something wrong with me. That I was somehow wrong, not enough. It took a long time to realize that was not the case. Master Caltin helped with that a lot. You helped a lot with that too." Another squeeze of Milya's hand follow, longer, a little tighter, as if she could impress her gratitude upon the Echani with that simple gesture. At the same time, the pain of those times echoed through the Force, like a whiff of long-faded perfume.

"Of course that was compounded on top of other drek. So, yeah, fun times. But it tempered me in a lot of ways. Not that I want you to go through that kind of pain and personal darkness. But it did give me the will and determination to ..." She paused. The words stuck in her throat. Could she really admit that out loud? It was Milya. There wasn't really anything to hide there. She could accept whatever judgement her friend (girlfriend?) held. "To be better. To stop drinking. Do whatever it took to get where I wanted to go."

"I don't think I've ever told anyone this but after my second teacher, master... whatever. I was in such a bad place. I felt like I'd done something wrong. I was wrong. There was something wrong with me." For a moment her vision started to turn watery and her throat tightened up, remembering how much pain she'd been in, and how needless it all had been.

"I was called back to the temple, but I didn't go. Not immediately. Or rather, I was very slow to return. At one of my stops, all I wanted to do was drown the pain. I crawled into a bottle for months. Pretty much tried to drink myself to death, in between star systems." More shame rolled off of her for a moment before it wined out. "I realized, floating somewhere in that vast darkness, that it wasn't happening. And that i wanted to live."

Des took a deep breath then shrugged. "I suppose I could have hated the Jedi, then. I had reason to. I had reason to resent them, and my family. But ti never really occurred to me. I guess I'm not wired that way. Detoxing was 'fun'. That was actually, I think.. the first time I fell into a healing trance. Flushed everything out and repaired things quickly."

"When I got back to the temple, I just started training. Hard. If they weren't going to train me, I would train myself. I suppose I was also punishing myself. I pushed and pushed myself. Lifting weights, running, all sorts of physical training, endless lightsaber velocities and sparring against droids and anybody who wanted to step into the ring. Not to compete against them, but some things you really only pick up against the living. But more than that, was constant meditation. Disciplining my mind and delving into the Force, listening, feeling, and expanding my senses, control, and focus."

"Somebody finally noticed after I guess a year and a half. She saw the invisible whips driving me so hard, and looked after me. She was a healer, damn good one too. When she found me I had micro-fractures in my feet, legs, hands, and arms. I was in rough shape all over. I was in a state of exhaustion too. She pretty much restricted me to bed rest for days." Des broke into a grin. "That didn't sit well with me. I felt like I was wasting time. i had so much to do. But she knew recovery was much more important. I spent most of those first three days in a healing trance induced by the other healers." She paused again. "I'm surprised the didn't dunk me into a bacta tank just to freshen me up. But eh, this worked just as well."

"So Mal and I talked for a while. We learned a lot about each other, and she'd promised to take me on, complete my training. As we talked she realized I'd already progressed so far that there wasn't a lot left to qualify me for my Trials, even then. And some of the things I had gone through might well qualify for one or two of them being complete already. I was kind of shocked."

Des chewed her lower lip. "Shortly after, I was on a short run for supplies when I got caught in a space-time anomaly. When I came out of it... I was here." it sounded crazy, even to her. There was no telling what Milya would really make of that. So far as she remembered, she'd never told Millie that either.

"Soon after, I was taken in by the Silver Jedi. It was strange and surreal, but I felt immediately welcomed. I went through a lot of training classes, and I blew most of them out of the water. I did learn new sills though. I felt out of place though. Maybe I was. But I didn't have anyone to teach me otherwise. It was what I knew, and knew how to do - learn. And then I ran into Caltin. Master Vanagor. I thought he was a clone, or a doppelganger at first. But I realized that no, it was the same Master Vanagor from my time." She shrugged. "I felt like I was going crazy, but we linked up in a Shii-cho class he was teaching. I'd attended another of his classes back home. I had been disappointed he didn't take me on as a student back then, passing me up for two others. But I was understanding overall."

"I guess Caltin saw the state I was in and that's how I wound up training with him." After a moment, she sighed. "Sorry, that's a long story, all to say that foundations and theory are important. Being rock solid in the basics means you can build mountains on top of them. I just don't want you to go through all the pain I went through to get where I'm at. But I will happily push you as much as I can. I know you're up for challenges and tough enough to weather hardship."

She paused for a moment, to kiss her forehead, a rather intimate little gesture. "I'm already proud of you in so many ways, you know."

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[Milya Vondar]

Tag: Desbre Gensan

Milya listened with rapt attention as Des spoke of her past. There were parts that she knew of course but there was also much that she didn’t share up front, much like herself. A smile touched her lips as Des nudged her. Milya wore an expression that was somewhere between annoyance that anybody could make Des feel unwanted and sadness that she had ever felt that way. Her echani upbringing made her want to find those responsible and beat an apology out of them but for Des she just listened and squeezed the hand gently in return.

“If people were so short sighted that they couldn’t see your value, they were not worthy of you. It’s good that Caltin recognized that, but then I never counted him as an idiot.” she grinned playfully at the Arkanian seated next to her. The second longer squeeze of the hand was once more met in kind, Milya returned the gesture and lifted Des hand to kiss it lightly. “I don’t know if I have actually been that helpful, but it's nice to hear.”

As soon as Des started to tear up, Milya reached a gentle hand up and turned Des to face her before gently wiping away the tears. “It’s a greater strength than the force sometimes to do what is right by yourself. We have all had dark periods.”

As she recounted her training regimen MIlya chuckled a bit and put a finger to her lips in a mock thought. “Interesting, you almost sound like Echani” a broad grin touched her lips as she leaned against Des, she then talked about being confined to bed rest. “OK now I really think you are Echani”

She blinked at the space time anomaly thing as she proceeded. “So wait, my girlfriend is from an alternate reality? Universe? Timeline?” she pondered. “That’s kinda cool, I can definitely understand why you wouldn’t run around telling people that though.”

Suddenly Des turned it all around on her and the echani’s cheeks flushed slightly as Des pressed her lips to her forehead. “Proud of me? I punch first and think later, stubborn as a ronto. I am damn good in a fight though” Milya grinned up at Des.