The Heat of the Day [Thurion]

[Coci Heavenshield]

Tabaqui​

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A humid afternoon​

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

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Hidden behind a curtain of falling vines, is a cave. A place of solace for Coci near Himmelskald. No one is home, the children are on Voss continuing their education through the Silver Temple. Thurion is away, duty has him called to other parts of the galaxy, demanding his attention, so Coci has come to be at peace with her thoughts and to heal a wound from the Killing Fields of Contruumere. There, she had faced Vornskr, a growing blight to the Heavenshield's and one that must be dealt with in order for them to have peace of mind once more. Not just for them, but to rid the pestilence of the man for the entire galaxy.

As best she could, she pushed away the thoughts of this, and tried to clear her mind so she can begin to heal herself, but to do this would mean to let in the loneliness, it would creep into her mind unrelentingly. Yes, Coci is feeling sorry for herself, it is only natural, she is but a woman wanting for the love of her life, and beyond. And so her mind turns to her husband, thinking of him is enough sometimes to warm her heart and mend the soul but not today, she misses him terribly and wants for his touch.

Coci lets out a long sigh, rests back against a large pillow placed behind her back and looks up at the ceiling of the cave. Above her are a colony of small winged night creatures, all huddled together and chattering among themselves. She watches them for a moment, mother's attending to babies, feeding them insects and fussing about their fur and wings. Others fighting for space or over a girl and occasionally, droppings would fall to the floor of the cave. Coci raised an eyebrow at this before she smiled weakly. "Go outside and do that". But the pain in her leg drew her attention, the burn on her upper thigh still biting and red with anger, her skin twisted and melted from the hot slag of the armour cut my Vornskr's blade.

I should have gone to Voss, "I should have gone to Voss", she told the curious creatures above her, as they are her only companions. They responded with a series of clicks and chatter, which sounded a little like laughter. "Yeah I know, but .. I hate hospitals".

On a small table by the recliner on which she lay, is a small bowl and a jug of water. Beside those a pouch of herbs given to her by their loving father, Thrand. He, now knowing what his son and daughter do when not on Midvinter spending time with him, he gave her these herbs to help heal any ill that would befall the family. Coci looked over to them, there was no way she could focus to begin to heal herself through the force, her heart and mind too much in turmoil to do that, but she did not know what to do with the herbs, what the ratio was to make them effective to the skin.

Gingerly, she placed her legs over the edge of the recliner and sat taking up the pouch of herbs to open it. The image of Thurion's face still fresh in her mind, "How do this? what herbs do I use?", she spoke to him as if he was there.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Aboard the Oathkeeper
Heading home

She was in pain. He'd felt it when it happened on Contruum, as clear as if he was the one getting wounded in her place. Knowing that she had gone alone only to face Kaine in battle pained him greatly, but when Kaine hurt the woman he loved the most it caused a terrible feeling to stir throughout his very being. While they'd fought side by side countless times before and both had suffered equally, this time was different in that he was in no way able to protect her. He regretted having been unable to go with her to Contruum, to help the Republic against the Sith. She didn't hesitate to lend her aid, and he loved her for it.

At least knowing she was safe at home on Tabaqui while he was away on Jedi buisness eased his mind somewhat, but it sure didn't make him sleep any sounder at night. The lack of her body next to his, her soft breath against his skin while she slept in his arms, caused him to stir in his sleep on more than one occasion. This time was no different, and so he opted to not return to bed. There was no use knowing she would not be there waiting for him. Instead he got up and walked towards the bathroom to wash his face. While gazing into the mirror he noticed a few more lines on his face than last time. They didn't concern him much; he was a father of two and married for several years now. The extra lines on his face had been well earned.

Rather than attempt going back to sleep he assumed a meditative stance upon the bedroom floor. Closing his eyes, he reached out to his beloved through their unbreakable Force connection. He went as far as not only being able to feel her, but to actually see her in his mind as if she were there with him, and he there with her. As if they were sat opposite of each other. "Coci," he spoke, knowing she would hear. "I'm here for you, my love." He had picked up on her confusion as to how to treat her wound, and already she would hear him instructing her within her mind. He reached out as if to caress her cheek, and she would feel the warmth of his palm on her skin as he did.

"I love you, now and beyond this life," he told her, smiling.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

A cooling breeze swept through the outcrop that was the cave. It danced at all that was present within, shifting and moving them with a gentle touch, even the creatures seemed to calm as the heat of the day dropped to a comfortable level. And yet there had been no sign of a breeze before this, and Coci sat still. It was Thurion. She could sense him, Thurion had heard her calling him and without hesitation had replied. A welling of tears formed in her black eyes and her heart raced knowing he was coming home, overjoyed at the thought of it, she smiled and pushed away the sorrow of absence and longing.

Their force bond rippled with love, a blending of life forces that united years ago now and only grew stronger as time marched onward. His voice whispered to her telling her of his love, the emotion stronger within her body and it was returned to him, never is it not. "Thurion", she spoke his name once more, his name replaces the word of love as he is that to her, the living love. "Beyond this life .. ". He would hear her as he touched her cheek.

Her hands lift and touch her own face as if she placed her gentle touch to his, before they worked the herbs as he instructed. The bowl filled with them and water placed, she began to create the paste to apply to her leg. Once done, she turned to him once more. "I need you", she wanted to ask when he would be home, but she can sense him coming and he is nearing. The need of him is not just for healing, but to be able to live. He is her life, her breath, her heart beat. He is her Heart.

With her trembling hand, Coci applies the paste to her skin. Immediately she felt the soothing of the herbs on her hot melt skin and the burning reduced. The herbs will never remove the scars and twisted flesh but the pain is gone. Physical pain removed and with each passing moment, her heart ache as well. He comes to her ..

She lay back to allow the herbs to continue their work and she closes her eyes. Thurion there, as always and she will rest until he joins her.

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

A few hours later...

The humidity of Tabaqui was far from a nuisance, but rather a sign that he was home. Always dress light for Tabaqui, in stark contrast to his homeworld of Midvinter. As soon as the Oathkeeper touched down some distance from their house Thurion was making his way to her. Her position was as obvious to him as the air he breathed, even across stars. He wanted to see her. He had to see her.

Quickly finding her little hideout in the form of a hidden cave entrance, Thurion pulled the vines aside to step inside. Very little sunlight made its way inside, leaving it cool and dry compared to the jungle outside. At the far end he laid eyes upon the love of his life in the form of a sleeping Coci. Her leg was all patched up by the herbs she'd applied with his instructions, but it would take some time to heal properly. The sight of her being wounded caused his brows to furrow, but he knew it was only temporary. She was alive and well, considering.

Gently he drew closer, afraid of waking her up. He joined her on the cave floor and the Midvinter fur she lay upon, breathing softly. Reaching out he caressed her cheek before lying down next to her, arms around her lithe body to keep her warm and safe. A mirror image of their first time together, when she patched him up inside a cave on that moon orbiting Shri-Tal. "I love you," he whispered upon closing his eyes and simply enjoying the calm silence.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Upon the soothing green grass her feet tread, a woman dressed in a white shirt button up the front and it is all she wears. Her long black hair falls down her back swaying gently with each step around her waist. Her hips sway side to side, a little wider since she had given birth, her body is more curved and shows through the shirt in silhouette as the sun beams against her skin. She is walking with purpose to a place by the lake near their home, a waterfall sounds it music as its never ending song sings to the jungle and provides life to everything. It is a special place she seeks and there is a special person waiting for her, it is where Thurion and her made love the day they found their new home. He lay in the grass, his skin sun kissed as is his hair, his eyes are closed and a small smile rests on his lips. She approaches and as she does she unbuttons her shirt and lets it fall, she walks to him naked and when she reaches him, she lay with her Heart ...

Coci smiles with her dream, she can feel his touch on her cheek, his arms around her holding her tight as he protects her. The only place in the entire galaxy that is safe. And it belongs to her.

She stirs from her slumber, words so often spoken yet she would never tire of hear them, "I love you,".

As she awakes her dream is reality and Thurion is here with her. Now she can breath again and her breath releases a soft sigh as she opens her eyes to see his face. Coci smiles, as if still dreaming but she can feel him, hear his heart beat and smell his musk. Her hand reaches for his beard, caressing him with a touch so soft yet heavy with her heart so filled with him.

"I am in love with you", she kisses his bottom lip so plump and warm, "I cannot live without you". She knows this to be true, only one breath more would she take if he was join the living force. There force bond so strong, to sever it would mean death, but how happy she would be to walk with him into .. beyond.

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion would remain with his wife for a good hour, arms wrapped around her for protection and comfort. No further words needed to be uttered, for they both knew the other by heart, as well as their thoughts and intentions. As the sun began its descent in the West, Thurion noted the drop in temperature. "Come on, sweetie. Let's get you to bed." Getting up on his knees with her still in his arms, he effectively lifted her off the Midvinter fur as he stood up. Making sure to pick up what little belongings she'd brought to the cave, Thurion then carried her off to their home by the lake - Himmelskald.

Walking slowly to make the short trip as comfortable for Coci as possible, he placed a kiss upon his wife's forehead just as they reached the threshold and stepped inside. Immediately he made up the stairs towards the bedroom, and didn't let go of her until gently lowering her unto their bed. Removing his jacket and tossing it aside, he sat down on her bedside by her wounded leg and placed it in his lap. His gaze met hers and he smiled. "You did good with the herbs, darling. This will heal up nicely given time and good rest." Thurion then called upon the Force to rid her of any stinging or discomfort by gently caressing the skin surrounding the wound. As he did so he started humming one of Asha's songs she'd sing to him as a child.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

The heat of the day had passed, the cool of the night descended bringing with it the rolling clouds that would sweep the skies before dropping it's water to enrich the tropics once more. You could almost set your chronometer by it, and the living creatures that lived in the surrounding jungle, innately knew as well. In the distance the soft voice of rain could be heard, the streaks filled with sun light looked like the workings of the Hand of a God, gazing down upon all that is created. As Thurion carried her, Coci rested her head against his shoulder and watched the living force in all it's glory. The living force has her in his arms as well, a force in her life that knows no equal, a man that will never be bested and who possess a soul of purity and goodness, there is only one other who might be better in this regard, and that is their daughter, Nina.

Himmelskald, a perfect place.

She breathes long and drawn in as he takes her over the threshold and up to their bedroom. The warmth of his lips would be healing enough to her, but as she makes herself comfortable on their bed, she watches as Thurion begins his healing of her. The tingle of the force prickles her skin, it is gentle but she can feel the pull on her skin, it does not hurt, it never does with him. All she can do is smile as he hums, she has heard this song before but never asked, "Where did you learn that song?".

Coci is aware Asha was his mentor, and more, his mother, but he had never really spoken much about her to Coci. With passing time, the wounds of loss may have healed enough for him to tell her more.

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion paused as she spoke, asking where he'd learned the melody. In truth he didn't realise he'd been humming until she asked him. He looked up at her and smiled softly. "It's one of Asha's songs. I had terrible night terrors as a child, but each time I'd wake up she was there to sing me back to sleep. She'd always sing it in Epicant, so I never learned the lyrics. The melody remains imprinted in the back of my head, however." He returned to healing her leg in his lap, caressing her soft skin with utmost care. "When she was believed to be dead I'd hum the melody for myself, and even then it managed to ease my mind and put me to sleep."

Another smile crept up on him as he reminisced. "Later when I met Nina all those years ago, I saw myself in her; she had no home, no family or friends. Just a frightened little girl alone in the world. She too had nightmares almost every night. She'd come knocking on my bedroom door at night, and I would hum for her as I cradled her to sleep." Without realising it, tears had begun to roll down his cheeks. "She was so tiny, Coci. Innocent, pure..." Thurion looked back up at her as tears keep making their way down his cheeks. "I have buried enough family members. Should I be forced to bury another there would be nothing left of me..."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

The warmth of his touch on her leg made Coci look down and watch him work. The skin around the burn had ceased it's anger and returned to normal colour, the melted flesh had 'unraveled', the shine of the burnt flesh fading and reform as if new. There would be a slight scar to remain but she did not care, it is a sign of battles won and lost, of duty constant and the fight for freedom worth it all.

It was only when Thurion spoke of Nina did she look up into his face and noticed the tears, his blue eyes twinkling with the moisture but not from life but death. Yes, he had lost a lot, they had with family members of the Silver Jedi succumbing to journey of life leading them to death. But Coci did not mourn them the way Thurion does, they are still around as far as she is concern and even though they will not see them, they can feel them. Watch them at work through the ways of the Jedi that had been touched by their teachings.

Coci understood what he had gone through, twice he had to deal with the death of his mother and master, "We say goodbye to physical but immortalise them in our hearts, through their words and .. through their song". However, Coci pulled back from Thurion only a little. She is hurt somewhat by his words, she knew that was never his intention but her heart broke.

"Do we, mean nothing?", she asked, "Is not our love for you enough to fill you entirely? Me, your family and friends? There would be nothing left of you, if someone was to pass you would give up?".

"All the people that we have lost to the force, regardless of their passing they never leave, how can you say you would be empty when their death only fills you more?", she understood his meaning, she understood the pain of separation, to never see them again or hear their voice or sense their love in the physical realm, but the realm of spirits is much greater and stronger and one day they will all unite once more.

She pushed her legs over the edge of the bed and moved to her beloved. "If that day comes, I will fill you with all of me. You will never be nothing, never be empty, not while I live". She remained where she was.

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion watched as his beloved moved to sit beside him on the bed. He'd wiped his tears away using his sleeve, and even managed a weak smile as Coci put her fiercely convinced beliefs on display. "You're stronger than I could ever be," he told her as his hand found hers and gave it a gently kiss. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. You mean everything to me, Coci. You, Nina and Théo. Each time I see one of you smile I am reminded of how I would gladly give up anything if it would guarantee your safety." He wrapped an arm around her to hold her close, resting his head against hers. "I love you."

A vivid memory came to mind as he watched the open door leading out into the hallway and the staircase on the far end. "Remember when Théo had just learned how to walk? He was so amazed by it that he'd run up and down the stairs right before bedtime, otherwise he couldn't sleep. That boy would run in his sleep if he could," Thurion added with a chuckle. He placed a kiss upon her forehead. "They'll be fine, won't they?" he asked, referring to their children.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

She let go of his hand only to place her arm around his waist. With the other, Coci gently encourage Thurion to lay and they rested across their bed. With a gentle touch, she removed the remainder of his tears from his cheek and offered her weak smile. The soft breezes of Tabaqui washed over them as it entered through the open window, it felt cool to the body and smoothed her mind. "We have been through so much already in our young lives", she said and they are still young by comparison to some, and have many years ahead of them. What the future will bring for them both is becoming clear in a way. They walk a path together that will lead them to a purpose of their own as the day will come when they retire to a different life.

Their force bond swelled, emotions high as once more Thurion and Coci question life within a turbulent galaxy. It is dangerous for them, let alone children and both of them, do what they must to protect those dear to them, especially their children. But a soft laugh escaped her lips as Thurion reminded her of Théo's first steps, he had hit the ground running and had not stopped, a complete contrast to Nina in all ways.

"They will be fine, they have to be", she added with her own hope, as they will not always be around to protect them. "They will have each other". Coci pulled Thurion to her, a sudden need for comfort and closeness as she too worries for them after they have gone. "Beyond this life, we will walk together and watch over them".

"I love you", words whispered and caught on the breeze.

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[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​