Part of the Family

[Riamah]

When the Sith had taken Vjun from Ra that wasn't the only thing they had taken that day. Within the halls of Bast Castle, her friend and servant had died defending her. After that, Ra had gone quiet about what had happened until a chance encounter had happened at a beach party with Josh and the Silvers. There she had seen the person that had killed Vincent.

At the time, she had wanted to return the favor, but a well times hug from Jason had stopped that. It was then she finally told Josh what had happened. Tears had been shed, love and support given along with the of a service to remember her friend.

Now a new opportunity was provided. Once Josh had learned from her what happened on Vjun and by whom, he had questioned his padawan. He gathered some information from him and learned Vincent had been buried on Naboo. Additionally on one of their mission they had confiscated cloning devices.

The idea to bring her friend back had been hatched and the day for that to happen had come. To say Ra was a little nervous would be an understatement. If Josh hadn't been so supportive of her and this idea she would not be doing it. However, they wouldn't be using the devices they had collected.

Instead they would be using a clone of a Zorren that Vulps had gifted to her. His new body was kept in one of the cloning containers and she looked at him. Everything was arranged and ready to go, at least in the physical sense. Mentally was another story and Josh might be able to pick up on her uncertainty. Looking at him there were some thankful tears in her eyes and they turned to the remains of her friend.

"He sacrificed himself for me. Are we doing the right thing?"

A simple but weighted question she wanted answered.

[member="Josh Dragonsflame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

It had been two years before that cloning devices had been salvaged from the facility that had been trading in slaves. Josh had his... Own reasons for confiscating them, and had it granted by the Silver Assembly for them. As he knew that Ra had once had something like them on Bast, he had decided to include them with the renovations in the basement to oblige by Ra's joking request for a "lair" of her own. While he didn't include a study or anything as they already had one in the small building next door, he'd done his best to replicate what he recalled of her equipment on Bast with what he had confiscated. He would investigate the equipment in time, wanting answers for a certain thing that their former owner had done, but in the meanwhile... They would be used to aid Ra in another endeavor. Or at least, that had been the plan.

He'd only met Vincent once or twice. But it was clear he had been a dutiful servant to Ra, and a member of her family. If Ra wanted to bring him back after Josh had found out he had been buried on Naboo, then he would support her endeavor. But it seemed they needed a body, and she seemed to have one from Vulpesen now. Which meant the equipment wasn't needed, it seemed. At least not for the cloning. If she could make use of it for preserving the body and then aiding in the transfer process, she was welcome to it. It was her home as much as it was his now.

Ra seemed uncertain though, as they stood over the grave. When she asked, he simply gave her a comforting smile.

"If you feel his death was unjust... Then you are doing what you feel is just. No?"

 

[Riamah]

Looking down at her old friend, he had given his life to allow Ra the chance to escape. She questioned herself about what she planned on doing and gave voice to it with Josh. Nodding at what he said, she did feel his death was wrong.

"You know I don't actually need his body to do this. If we had to use the cloning devices then yes. However the option to use a zorren came up. All we need to do is find him in the Netherworld and bring him back.. Unless you know of any other ways to bring a soul back."

There were other ways but Ra had never actually deeply investigated the truly dark art of necromancy. Shivering slightly she really didn't relish the thought of a return there. But would for her old friend.

His comforting smile wasn't missed and she squeezed his hand as she returned her gaze to Vincent.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"You're the expert at this" The Jedi Master pointed out, looking toward her. "You've essence transferred before, I haven't. I have no damn clue how to do it, or what alternatives there are."

Well, that certainly answered that question. To Josh, his death was wrong and if there was a way to bring him back without side effects, then all the better. Though he wasn't sure about bringing him back as an entirely different species. That seemed like it would be... A bit of a shock. But if that was what Ra wanted, then that was how it would go, right? He wouldn't question her in this. It was up to her if Vincent would be comfortable this way or not. Sure, one might rationalize its better than being dead, but...

"Either way, decision's yours on how we do this, dear. I'll support you all the way."

 

[Riamah]

She shook her head when Josh called an expert at this. All Ra knew was the theory behind it. While had helped Vulps to bring his people back from the dead, it had been done differently.

They had gone into the Netherworld, found the Zorrens, brought their souls back and then transferred them new bodies. This was before she had learned she was Zorren.

With her change and loyalty Vincent had given her, she knew this was the best way to do this. Instead of her friend being an old human, he would be a young and trialed Zorren. This meant he would live just as long as she would.

Resting her head on his arm, she gave Josh's hand a squeeze.

"I love you, Josh. Thank you."

Letting go of him, she took a step forward and squatted down close to Vincent. Reaching out to lightly touch his cold skin, she stood back up to look at Josh.

"Everything is set up at home. I just need to find him and call him back. Vincent need to come on his own and by his own choice. Let's go home and get to work."

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

She knew more than he did. That's all he knew. Josh wasn't familiar with Essence Transfer. He knew of the technique, but he did not know the technique. He had considered, when Ra had told him of it, asking to be taught to use it... But he wasn't sure either. It sounded... Too good to be true, the premise of it. Perhaps all of this would help him change his mind. Sure, Alexandra had done it a hundred times, and Ra had implied she'd done it before herself. But he needed to see it for himself, see how it worked, the little details, the goods and the bads, the side effects especially... The premise of bringing yourself or those you love back if you lose them... It just felt too good to be true, again. It just didn't seem true, and if it was true, there was a catch. There always had to be a catch. There always was a catch.

As far as the butler being a Zorren... That was Ra's decision. Josh didn't like the idea personally of being returned to the world of the living in a body that wasn't just not your own, but also one that you wouldn't know how to move in at first. Every race had its own biology. Decades of battle experience and other skills could be lost if put in a body that you didn't know how to handle. As a Zorren, Vincent would not return the way he was. The brain would be there... But it would be some time before he would be able to return to his job, if he so wished it. It could take months, maybe years before he was as efficient as he once was in any trade he had picked up ins his lifetime. There was no muscle memory to help him here.

Josh was just glad Jason wasn't here to see the body. HK and the other droids were keeping him company until they could bring the body back. Josh had specifically instructed distraction duty. He hoped they wouldn't fail. Squeezing her hand, he let her go to Vincent and let her do as was needed. When she returned, he nodded his head.

"After you."

 

[Riamah]

It was a good thing she had helped Vulps bring his people out of the Netherworld. If that hadn't happened, then she wouldn't have as good of an idea on what to do now. She also thought of something about Vincent, while he hadn't been able to use the Force, his ghost might still hang around her. If that was the case, then finding him would be much easier.

Luckily the way Vincent had died, his body hadn't taken much damage. Moving him wouldn't be a difficult process and Ra was thankful for the way Kahlil had taken care of him, considering he had been Sith.

Taking a hold of her old friend, she lifted him with the Force gently and set his body on a hover cot to get into the speeder. If this something somebody thought of as morbid, she didn't care right now. Not feeling the need to explain things to anybody, she made sure Vincent was secured and requested lift off. Taking him back to the lob Josh had built for her in their home.

Travelling in silence, Ra focused inwardly to touch the Force as she had been taught many years ago. Not having touched it for a while, she wondered if this would even work for her. She had given up her Sith ways and ideals, but Ra was not exactly a Jedi either.

This skill was thought of as something Dark and evil, but the Force was something neutral. Essence transfer went against the will of the Force and as such thought of as something from the Dark Side. She knew that wasn't true though. It was all about the intention of the user that made something light or dark.

Here she was bringing a friend back and did not feel evil.

When they arrived, she ordered Vincent moved inside and set next to the empty body of the Zorren clone.

"Ready?"

She looked at Josh and was slightly nervous that this might go awry and go very wrong.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

As Ra did the work in securing Vincent, Josh was there mostly for moral support as he did not wish to potentially impede the process and potentially taint the body or spirit due to his inexperience in what constituted Essence Transfer. Josh was aware it was considered a dark sided power, but he decided to trust Ra. How she used it here would help in his studies when it came to what to classify it as. What she used to make it work, the steps to make it work... And what it might cost. He was watching for all of that. If it went too far in a certain direction, he would stop her -- as much as he would regret to.

They could not risk a massive collection of dark side energy. Not here. Josh knew that and he had ensured that Ra knew as such before they began. No matter what, they could not compromise the homestead. To do that would be to compromise Jason. More relevant to the situation... It would potentially compromise Vincent should he wish to remain in Ra's service after he was revived. The Sith would not strike here... So long as they remained uncompromised. To compromise their homestead would be to very well make all this effort to bring Vincent back be for nothing if he was killed again.

"Ready" He spoke, just following along and taking notes. He'd also considered what to say to Vincent, should this work... While Ra trusted him with his life, Josh had only met him the once. But he knew Ra would want him to stay here. Which worried him, understandably. He had been considering how to ensure their secret would be kept... Explaining that he would be safe here if he kept the secret would probably be a start. Uncompromised, the Sith would never bother the homestead or Vincent again.

 

[Riamah]

It seemed like for the first time since they met, Josh was the one detached and businesslike through the process. He supported her and was present for her, but Ra sensed he wasn't going to be too much help in this process. This was new ground and territory for him and he just didn't know what to expect. She wished he had been present when they had brought the Zorren people out of the Netherworld. If he had, then he would know what she was doing was not evil or dark.

He had made it clear if this went awry or called too much upon the dark, he would end it. Not wanting to put their home in danger, it was something she understood entirely and wouldn't attempt to dispute that.

"I love you Josh."

Giving him a gentle hug and smile, she returned her focus on finding Vincent and bringing him back. While there would not actually be anything physical going on around them, it might seem like there was a breeze flowing through. It went in circles and Ra connected to the body of Vincent as she meditated. Searching for the lost soul that was her friend.

She touched his cold body and started crying. It wasn't anything she was aware of. The life he had, she could see in her mind. What he had gone through while under her service and his life of a slave before she had found him. While she could not pick up on how he felt, she knew he had been a happy man in his later life. In his younger days, he had been a slave, but yet still found a woman to love and have a family with.

Watching as his life played through, she saw him lose everything in a sith attack and be taken prisoner. It brought her low and made her realise what a fool she had been when they met. Spouting on about being a sith, but yet he must have seen through to the real woman under all that and chose to remain with her. Vincent had become more than the steward of Bast, he had become her friend.
As the travelled through his life, she touched his soul and called out to him. She beckoned and requested he come with her. While she could not see him at all, she felt him with her. The impression she had was the same as it had been when he was alive. Vincent would do as she wanted and come with her. Drawing on the Force, she reached out to touch the spirit around her and connect him to the living clone in the real world.

Opening her eyes as soon as she felt his presence leave her mystically, she looked at the sleeping clone and pretty much prayed.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

He didn't like being the stick in the mud for a mandate like that, especially when he knew just how important this was to Ra - and that was something he really did try his best to express to her before this all began. But he had a feeling that if Vincent were still alive right now, the last thing he would have wanted would be for them to put their new home - and Jason - in danger in a misguided attempt to bring back an old man. He was someone who's council he knew Ra held in high regard, so he doubted he would have approved of this if he knew that it would go that far. Which also meant he did trust her not to go that far so as to endanger them. But he did have the precaution in place for if it did. It would break his heart as much as it'd break hers if he did, he knew. But it would be a sacrifice he'd have no choice but to make if they risked being compromised.

That was the main concern. Not that it was "too dark" or just that it might go wrong... But if it began to steadily risk exposing their position, that would be the end of it. He just hoped it wouldn't get that far.

He smiled softly at her words and hugged her gently before getting to work. Despite the apparently dark nature of this, he did regret not being able to help further. As much as he hated to say it, this was just too out of his depth to be much help.

He frowned when she began to cry. He wanted to immediately grab her and comfort her, but he knew this was a moment that Ra needed to have. He would get the chance to comfort her later, when this was all over - success or fail. So he waited for the time being. Reaching out with his senses, he could sense traces of what Ra was able to, though not to the same extent. He was only tracing what she was finding after all, not utilizing the same techniques.

But after some time, he could feel... Something. Something living. He didn't need to try hard to sense the spirit anymore. It was here. In the physical plane. He quirked a brow and looked toward the clone, then to Ra.

"This may be a stupid question" He spoke up, deciding to at least make some attempt to comfort her during a time he knew she was at her most high strung. "But do you think he'll want plastic surgery when he gets back, to look more like him?" He joked lightly.

 

[Riamah]

She was very focused on her prayer even though she had no real faith any particular entity. Her eyes were only closed for a few moments before Josh dug into her conscience. This wasn't a bad thing though and she looked at him quizzically not having actually heard what he said.

Drying the tears that she hadn't known were on face, she looked between her friend, lover, companion and partner to the still sleeping form of the clone.

The machines were active and functioning quite well. Until Vincent connected to his new body, they were keeping him alive. No longer was the clone something she could think of as a simple clone or body. He was now Vincent. As soon as he started breathing on his own, one of the machines beeped. Standing up, she unhooked that and turned it off.

Turning her attention back to Josh, she listened to the natural breathing of Vincent.

"What did you say dear? I was a bit distracted."

Just her admitting it was a large step she had taken with them. For so long, she had a hard time opening up to her mistakes and appearing weak. This wasn't the first time she had done this and it wouldn't be the last. Now Ra knew it wasn't a bad thing or a weakness to make mistakes, it was human. It was something very minor though and knew it wouldn't be a bother to have him repeat it.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh looked toward the clone body, noting that it wasn't breathing. But he could definitely sense a faint presence from it. Something living was in there. It was no longer an artificial body with no soul, it was a living thing with a real soul, a real spirit. Whether it would actually show properties of a human being, well, that answer would be soon to come. He hadn't felt much of a dark presence through the process, and as Ra turned the machine off, it hit him that it was over. But it didn't hit him really and truly until the clone body would suddenly breathe. And then he knew. He knew that the process had finished, and had been successful.

Ra didn't seem to have heard him, but he finally gave into his desire to come from behind her and wrap his arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug.

"Oh I was just curious about what he was going to think of the facial features of the Zorren body" He explained, deciding to go with a softer approach this time. "Waking up with a different face might be... Jarring. With the ease of re-sculpting one's face with current technology, I was wondering if he might end up wanting to get something closer to what he's used to. And if he does, if he would end up making it look more like as when he was younger, or if he'd go for something more like his older self."

He hadn't said once that it was in the vein of "if" it worked. He wanted Ra to believe that this was going to work from the beginning, and to keep hope. Now, it seemed that hope had been realized.

 

[Riamah]

It was a relief of a great many things and when Josh wrapped her into a hug, Ra breathed out a shaky breath and leaned into him. Even though she was looking at Vincent, she listened to Josh this time. His suggestion was unexpected and not something she had thought of or considered.

"If that is his desire, then it will be done."

That was the simple answer and she smiled slightly.

"I never met him when he was young. By the time I rescued him from slavery and gave him his freedom, he chose to stay with and serve me. He led such a horrid life before then that now I think I know why he chose to do what he did. Both in serving me and giving his life so I could get away. He had also kept from me that he was dying already. Even with the technology we have now, there was nothing that could have kept him alive. Instead of wasting away into nothing, he sacrificed him..."

His eyes opened and Ra ran to his side, not forgetting Josh was holding her, she grabbed his hand and pretty much dragged him along.

"What is going on?"

Hands lifted to touch his new face, hair, ears and then his body. Color came into his skin and his speech was slow and calculated. Eyes got wide and he attempted to sit up. Finding himself bound, he laid back down.

"You can let me up you know..."

Sucking in a quick breath, Ra did exactly that and helped him sit up. Filling him on what happened, she said it as quickly and in as short of a manner as she could. Only saying the important details. The rest could be filled in later. Bending down to the floor next to the bed, she stood up and held something out to him with a smile. Even if he was in a young body now, she had kept his cane and gave it to him now.

"Until you decide you don't need it any longer."

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Ra began to tell the story of how she had met Vincent. Of how he had once been a slave. Having been in that position himself, he could emphasize. He'd decided to use his newfound freedom to serve Ra, interesting... He would need to one day ask him why if he did survive this. He listened to the rest intently, but really he couldn't help but keep glancing back at Vincent. Was that really a living being in what was a husk of a clone body just moments before? It wasn't even a fully living clone, it had just been a body... But now he could sense life. Was it true?

Ra talked about why she had chosen the Zorren body. To extend his life. One that Vincent had known was soon to expire and he had chosen to use the rest to ensure Ra's escape. He could admire that kind of loyalty. He could see why she wanted him back so badly.

But then his eyes opened.

His eyes widened, as it hit him real and true that the old man he had met at Bast was here. He held his breath a moment, as if expecting him to drop dead right then and there again. But he didn't. He let Ra help him sit up.
"It's good to see you back, old man" He spoke softly with a ginger smile. Ra did her best to fill him in best she could, though left out quite a bit. Josh did decide to mention a detail.

"I do need to mention. This place you are in now, it is sacred to us. Once you figure out what you want to do with your newfound life, I want you to understand that you cannot speak of this place to anyone. Should you abide by that, you are welcome to stay here if you wish, there is a guest room you can stay in since Ra's moved into the master bedroom with me nowadays and I can always start on renovations to make a new one should you decide to stay permanently under Ra's service again. Understand that this place is a sanctuary. Should its existence be kept a secret... The Sith will never be able to find you again."

 

[Riamah]

Eyes just like hers looked at him out of a younger man, eyes that still somewhat carried the weight of human years. His hands reached out for the cain Ra held out to him with a grateful smile.

"It appears it's going to take a bit of time for me to get used to moving."

Looking up at Josh, he attempted to stand up and could only do it with the help of Ra and the cane. Vincent was a stubborn man, but his goal was accomplished and he leaned against her and that cane for support.

"No longer such the old man I was. Call me Vincent, please. As if we are meeting for the first time. As soon as I can return to my duties, I will stay here. You also have my word I will speak nary a word to anybody about this sanctuary."

Those eyes blinked slowly as he thought of his next words, but eventually he found what he wanted to say. Using only the support of the cane, he held out a hand to Josh and moved very slowly as he figured out how to move and control his new form.

"You trust Ra and in time, I hope you will learn to trust me just as much. My word is good, Master Dragonsflame. What Ra considers hers is also mine. As I laid down my life for her, I will do the same for you and yours."

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The truth was that it was not a matter of trust. They had been together for years, and Ra trusted him with her life. He doubted Vincent would talk and it he did... He had emergency measures to ensure they could keep this sanctuary. It would involve a change of scenery, and either killing or wiping the memories of anyone who knew, but it was there.

But the reason he had been so adamant about it to Vincent was its importance to his own safety now that he had chosen to stay. He had already died once due to the Sith invading his home. Josh did not wish for the same to befall their sanctuary. But so long as it was kept a secret... Vincent would be safe here. And he would likely be allowed to stay throughout his long life even after Josh had passed on. Unlike the two of them, he wasn’t nearly immortal after all.

He nodded his head and took his hand, obliging his request.

“I think I can speak for both Ra and myself when I say that you have been given a gift of new life, mobility... When you learn to use it anyway... And much longer youth. You are no longer an older, frailer man Vincent. I think Ra would agree with me that its only right to say that should you wish for that freedom to explore this life on your own, outside of service... I don’t think either of us would have any reason to hold it against you should you choose to start this new life anew. You at least deserve the opportunity to choose. And I think Ra can agree that you fulfilled any prior obligation to her in your last moments.”

He knew Vincent had made up his mind but seeing as they were effectively a family at this point and his service benefited Josh, he refused to allow him to do so on the grounds he felt he had no choice but to return to his old life. He wanted him to know his new life should be dictated of his own choosing, no matter what that decision may be.

He would appreciate his presence if he chose to stay, but he wanted him to know he had every right to choose.

 

[Riamah]

There was a reason Vincent had stayed loyal to Ra and that was because even when they had met, he had known she was a good woman. Everything she had done for him had not bought his affection and attention, it was because of what Ra was. He listened to what Josh said and nodded in acceptance. Knowing he could leave if wanted to did mean he would.

"We will have to see as time progresses, Master Dragonsflame. Mistress Ra gave me my freedom many years ago and with that freedom, I decided to stay at her side and serve her. At the time, she had no steward and I decided she needed one."

He smiled with something of a bittersweet look and then turned his attention to Ra.

"If you will have me still, I would remain at your side. This is all I really know, Ra."

The many years they had spent together allowed him some freedom to address her as a friend and not as a master or owner. It had been made clear when they met she was not going to be his owner. Vincent wanted to stay at least until he learned how to control and move around better. Then perhaps he could spread his wings a bit more. Time would tell and they both knew that.

"No longer do we have such a large home, I take it."

Not yet used to even being alive, he quickly grew weak and sat back down on the bed. Around him was small cloud of disappointment, but stubbornness as well. With the help of Ra and Josh, he would recover and get his life back to something he was familiar with.

Ra shook her head and helped her old friend back onto the table.

"No, there is no Bast for us any longer. There is this though and this is my home as much as it is yours. As Josh just said you are free still and I will not hold you back if you decide to leave."

Giving him a peck on the forehead, she gave Vincent a hug and looked to Josh.

"Do you think we can get him a proper bed in here while he recovers and until he can make it out of the lab?"

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

“If that is your wish” He answered. “You are free to stay as a part of this family as long as you wish. I think by now, you have earned that right.”

When he asked about their home, he gave a sad smile and bowed his head. “It is no Castle Bast” He admitted softly. As much as he had tried to make Ra feel as close to home as he could , this was definitely no spacious castle. Though, after the renovations, a 3 bedroom home wasn’t too bad either. It would need to be 4 eventually to accommodate guests if Vincent became a permanent resident. Which was pretty good, though they’d probably need to pool resources to pull off that one, hiring a droid team to come to the middle of nowhere for that was costly and he’d just done it recently. He’d considered building construction droids for the future, which would reduce those costs. But he’d need to learn how. But regardless of how much they renovated... It would definitely never rival Bast. They didn’t have the space for it. Though to be honest, Josh had every need he had fulfilled with this home, for him it wasn’t necessary anyway. But he wasn’t sure about Ra. Still, he supposed there was something to such a large home, especially now when living in such a small one in comparison. But...

“But it’s home” He finished. “For as long as you feel it suits you.”

Ra asked for him to move the bed and he nodded as he left.

To her likely surprise, later he would return with the bed floating... And Jason.

“Hup, two, three, four” Josh spoke softly to Jason as one might notice that Josh’s hands were not up at all. Instead they were on Jason’s shoulders to support him as they stepped out of the elevator. Jason meanwhile was in a state of deep focus as he walked forward with his hands up, the bed floating nearby.

“Hup, two, three, four” Jason repeated in a mumble as he moved his legs with the rhythm of the chant, seeming to be using it to help him keep calm and not trip over while moving. “That’s it, you got it” Josh muttered to Jason as they strode forward. But the bed clanged against the wall, and began to crash toward the floor as Jason let out a panicked whimper when the small mistake caused his anxiety to flare up and lose his focus completely. It would have crashed had Josh not caught it in a telekinetic grip of his own. He let out an exhale as he brought the bed back up to position. Jason had never been in any real danger of failing and damaging the bed, Josh had been keeping tabs on it the entire time in case Jason’s anxieties got the best of him.

“Repeat after me” Josh whispered calmly to Jason. “Size doesn’t matter.”

“Size... Doesn’t matter” Jason repeated shakily. “Again” Josh spoke up. “Size doesn’t matter” Jason spoke again. “Until you mean it” Josh stated. “Breathe, steady yourself. Then again.”

Jason pouted and puffed up his cheeks a bit, but did as requested and took a deep breath. “Size doesn’t matter” He spoke calmly. “Good. Now take the bed and let’s try again” Josh spoke up with a gentle smile. Jason nodded his head and the shaky little shift of the bed soon after indicated that Jason had taken hold again and Josh had let go.

Before long they had gotten the bed nearby Vincent, and Josh would hold Jason’s arm. “Steady, steady...” He spoke softly. “Lower it steadily” He told Jason as he nodded his head and while it was a bit shaky, and very slow going, the child eventually managed to bring the bed down without damaging it. Josh smiled and wrapped his arms around Jason. “That was great!” Josh cooed, cradling him in his arms. “You’re getting better so quickly!”

Jason grinned wide, and if Ra was the observant sort, she’d recognize that grin as customary from his father almost immediately. Josh turned to Ra and Vincent then.

“My apologies for the delay. I thought it would be a good opportunity for a bit of work in Jason’s training” Josh admitted. “I hope we were of no inconvenience to you in the process.”

Josh looked to Vincent, then. “Vincent, this is my son, Jason. You’ve met, but it’s... Been a long time since you saw him last.”

When Vincent had seen Jason last, he had been a timid, frightened two year old with separation anxiety. So it was probably a bit of a shock to wake up and see a five year old standing in front of him using the Force. “Jason, you wouldn’t remember him. But this is Vincent, Ra’s associate” He introduced him to Jason then. “He used to be Ra’s steward when she lived in a great big castle” He elaborated, knowing Jason probably wouldn’t remember the hellish time they’d had at Bast between the separation anxiety and how much the climate appeared to bother Jason. In hindsight, Vjun was a world with a strong Dark Side Nexus and Jason had always been Force Sensitive... It was completely possible that such a planet bothered him because he could feel it, even if he hadn’t been able to express how or why at the time. Still, Jason ooh’d and ahh’d as Josh told him about the magnificent castle Ra had lived in with Vincent as a steward, or “Guy who helps her with stuff at her request” as he described to try and elaborate on the situation. The truth of why he was doing so? Selling Jason on the idea that Ra had once been some kind of fairy tale princess living in a castle; and Vincent being part of this tale, he hoped would make for a smoother transition to Jason adjusting to Vincent’s presence in the house. “He wants to be Ra’s steward again, so he’ll be staying with us.”

Notably, the word “servant” hadn’t been used once. Josh figured teaching Jason a more dignified and respectful approach to Vincent’s position would be best.

“What happened to the castle?” Jason asked. Josh supposed he should have been ready for that one. “I’ll tell you later after we get Vincent on the bed. He’s not feeling well and can’t walk very well right now.”

Jason appeared to find this acceptable for the time being and didn’t protest as Josh held out his hand to help Vincent from the table to the bed.

 

[Riamah]

There were some aspects and attributes that would take time for Vincent to move beyond. Being an old man was one of them. While he might get weak and tired easily now as he learned how to control his new form, he could feel the innate strength there. Stronger arms and legs as well as the youth. In time, maybe he would stop thinking like the old man he had been and embrace this second chance. Right now though, all he could think about was resting.

Listening to what Josh said, he nodded in understanding.

"We will just have to make this home as good as Bast was with the same sense of family. As long as there is a roof over our heads, the size doesn't matter. I don't suppose there are many guests to take care of here."

His mind was as sharp as ever and that was never something Vincent had failed in. His body might have been dying, but his mind had remained. Without guests, he didn't think he would stay here long. But his duty and loyalty to Ra dictated he should remain with her.

Once Vincent fell asleep, Ra went around the lab and shut down the machines she no longer needed for him. Just as she finished up, Josh and Jason were returning. Standing up, she blinked her eyes a few times just to make sure she was seeing things properly. Moving out of the way, she observed what was going on with some surprise. She had known of Jason's training, but had never been part of it
Not making any moves, she was ready to support the bed and reached out to support it with Josh. It might not have been needed, but she assumed the touch would be noticed.

With the racket and commotion going on, Vincent had woken up and was sitting up on the table. Still not yet familiar with his new body, he made no effort to stand up until Josh introduced his son. Taking a hold of the cane, he started to climb off and stand upright. It was clear to Josh that he still still struggled, but with some help he accomplished.

Holding his hand out to Jason to shake, he nodded at the apt description of what he did. When the boy asked about what happened, he paled and his grip on his cane tightened. Thankfully Josh deflected his curiosity and said he would learn later. Giving him a nod of appreciation, he owed Josh almost as much as he owed Ra.

Taking the hand offered, he held it for a moment to give a squeeze of thanks and allowed Josh to help him over to the bed. As he got to the bed, he hung the cane next to it and looked down at Jason and as Josh again.

"Thank you for the bed. When I'm better, you'll have to take it back upstairs."

Of course he didn't know he was also a building over and not even in the main house. Details like this were unknown to him as of yet.