Location: Naboo | Outside of Theed
(Relief Center/Refugee Settlements)
Objective: Mixing 2
(Helping Settlers) and 3
(BYOO)
Tag: [member="Cassius Droma"]
“Sip it slowly.”, Gianna spoke quietly to a young boy that was curled up against the side of his mother. He had a few bumps and bruises but the healers at Monastery had taken care of him well. At most, he was a little dehydrated, but, that could be corrected with proper treatment and time. The tall brunette woman that kept her arm wrapped protectively around his shoulders refused to let him go. If she were being honest, she could see that the woman barely breathed, with her eyes glued to the only exist the temporary housing had to offer.
“Are you all right ma’am? Are you hurt?”
The flame-haired healer could feel that something was amiss but there were so many different emotions flooding the area that it was hard to discern one from the other. The separation between emotional pain and physical injury sometimes cantered a line that was hard to discern. She waited patiently, however, fully aware that post-traumatic stress was likely a factor. Some people were still just shocked, adjusting, and compartmentalizing. Others were psychologically damaged.
“No. I’m fine—Thank you Jedi Aegis.”, the woman responded slowly, too slowly, before turning her attention back toward her child.
“You can call me Gianna. Or Gia. You don’t need to worry about being formal here.”, the green-eyed woman responded kindly, bending down to pick up a pack that held some basic medical supplies, and quite a lot of bacta patches.
“If you need anything don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Those droids…Aren’t they armed? Aren’t they dangerous?”
Gianna paused, before glancing out at a few of the B1 Battle Droids, passing supplies in a line. One of them bent and bashed their metal head on another while they both tried to pick something up at the same time. They huffed, apologized repeatedly, and then hit their heads again trying to retrieve item a second time. The kindhearted woman smiled briefly, before shaking her head slowly, believing in the Queen of Naboo to keep things civil.
“No. I promise. They’re here to help.”
It had something she’d found herself repeating day in and day out. It was different to see droids like these as allies versus a potential threat. But the Galactic Alliance had been capable of it before the fall and the Confederacy had kept good on their word—so what could they do? Accepting help where it was given, when it was needed, was the right thing to do. Gianna excused herself from the tent after that, making a few notes in a datapad, before she turned around to find a spot to wash her hands and freshen up. The sun was warm and wonderful but hard work was hard work.
As she left the water station a familiar presence began to percolate in the back of her mind. It was thin, translucent, and iridescent like a soap bubble. A soft smile crossed her features when she recognized the aura of her friend, technically, her student, and she dutifully pretended not to notice.
She stopped by the nutrition station and found that they were guiltlessly doling out fresh baked nutrient-laden berry-cookies. At first, she declined, but the staff seemed rather relentless and she eventually accepted. By the time she felt Cassius near, she let him approach, trying to quell a sense of joy. The slight sense of well-deserved pride would reflect clearly in summer-green eyes when she turned toward him. He was doing better and better every day.
“You’re late.”, she announced teasingly, her sweet expression gentle, and without reproach.
It didn’t matter. Gianna was extremely flexible when it came to disciplining her ‘
Padawan’. It felt strange to refer to him as such, considering, he was only a little bit younger than she was. Nevertheless, in the eyes of the Jedi there really wasn’t any other word for it. The flame-haired woman broke her cookie in half before popping the other half in his mouth when he opened it to speak. Her head tilted and she smiled cutely, nose crinkling, before munching on the other half.
That was about as harsh as her training had been thus far.
You’re late. Here, eat this nutritional, yet, still slightly tasty cookie.
Suffer.
“—And yes. I could use a hand. Two, actually.”, she responded, before landing on the correct name in the system. She smiled and beckoned the dark-haired man to follow along. He had another bit of training to complete before they could even begin to worry about real estate. Besides, it wasn’t going anywhere. It had been on the market so long that the owner was willing to cut a very gracious deal
. “This is a perfect chance to learn how to take pain away from others. It’s a safe, controlled environment, with plenty of willing participants.”
There was an elderly man that had volunteered his mild scrape for the job. It would heal on its own with only mild irritation, however, Gianna had promised to take care of it regardless of the outcome. He’d been more than eager.
“Cassius Droma, this is Daniel Alovic.”
“The third.”, the man chimed in, in mostly good spirits, despite the craziness. He was puffing away on a pipe with a well-worn hat hiding hair so gray it appeared white.
“Good to make your acquaintance Jedi Droma.”
Jedi, Padawan, it was all the same to most of the people recovering in this settlement. They all knew it was simply synonymous with help.
“Forgive me—“, Gianna began with a laugh, before holding her hand out. The man was also aware that both Jedi would likely be touching his person. Healing was an art form that for some, Gianna included, was nigh impossible without physical contact.
“Daniel Alovic the III.”
“My friend and I are going to need to take hold of your arm for a moment. Please bear with us—It can be a slow process.”
The man smiled and nodded. He didn’t only seem kind, but he felt, kind. He felt like the type to have a million younglings playing at his feet, throwing their toys, pulling on his hair, and not thinking anything of it. He was the perfect sort of person to start Cassius off with.
‘Let me guide you. Clear your mind. Focus not on the injury but on the person as a whole. Picture him not with your eyes but with your heart. Medical knowledge helps, however, the Force will intuitively bridge the gap.’
Though she would seem silent to the old man, deep in concentration, she would speak to Cassius through telepathy. Her mind was a comfort. A place of safety, discrete, and unobtrusive. It was a place designed to leave others at ease, with a sense of coming home, versus feeling invaded. She did not obliterate the halls of his mind to gain entry, not like some, who broke windows and barreled through walls.
Gianna simply grasped the handle and politely opened the door.
‘First—Use the Force to discern what truly ails him. Have patience and let it speak to you.’
[member="Cassius Droma"]
