Thinking Outside the Box

[Prennis Keeoli]

Aes'ona had not had time to put in for vacation in months. Nor desire, but mostly time. And what little time she did have she didn't want to spend feeling guilty of ignoring her father. Of being a bad daughter and a disappointing older sister.

However, she had had time on her transport to Atrisia to request approval of a simple detour before her return. She had kept it sufficiently vague, probably to the annoyance of the processing officer, but the reasoning she cited had pushed it through. 'For the purpose of acquiring rare medical assets.'

Whatever that meant no one had asked. Were these assets new technologies? Tools or implements? Prototype vaccines? Drugs?

It probably was all of the above, and the doctor was certainly open to bringing back anything helpful to her practice, but she had the latter in mind. Specifically andris spice. She could access carbonite back in First Order space easily enough, but the same could not be said for the cure of hibernation sickness.

The security bureau tended to keep its enemies on ice, only thawing them out in extreme circumstances and even more rarely treating their ailment afterwords.

Taeir's chronic bloodburn, the well-hidden reason that he had hung up his pitch black sunbonnet to train others, had become a magnitude of power more aggressive over the last year. Nileeta emailed Aes'ona at least every week about the newest hundred-degree-plus fever. Only when their daughter returned on shore leave one day did the horror stories come to life for her. Dizzy spells. Unusual bodily swelling. Nasty bruises. Ironically poor circulation. bulging blood vessels. It stole what little sleep she got aboard the star destroyer.

Taeir's general practitioner, Darren Eros, had recently stopped administering hadeira serum, the only know semi-effective medication. In a private correspondence, Doctor Eros had admitted his fear that because Taeir kept requiring higher and higher dosages he might be nearing substance dependance. And her father was in no shape to start a rigorous diet and exercise regimen.

Thus, Aes'ona's last idea was to freeze her father for a few months, a year at most, as she searched out a permanent and safe cure.

†††

While wandering the crowded side streets of Cinnagar, Aes'ona stumbled upon an eye-catching shop. Something in the back of her mind told her to allow herself the distraction, but everything else told her to move on...

[member="Julian Imani"]

 

[Hira Mitsae]

[member="Dr. Aes'ona Terrani"]

The shop in question was... haphazard.

Like it was roughly shoved between two different buildings and that was the end of that. The brick and mortar old and worn. The windows dark, making it impossible to see through them. There was a small sign hanging (barely) on next to the front door. Faded letters, but Imani could just about be read from it. The name of the shop? Name of the person who owned it?

Maybe it was some sort of strange Tetan description.

Who knew.

Nothing of the shop truly summoned confidence in the few people that somehow found their way into the detached alleyway. Maybe, just maybe, Terrani was about to think better of it.

Start to walk away.

That was when the door, old wood, slowly fluttered open. The scent of herbs, fresh earth and more washed over her.... inviting her to give it a chance. There was even a small tug somewhere inside her mind. An echo. It whispered to her in her own voice: do I really have anything to lose here? Maybe that question would receive its own answer again.

In the meantime.

The shop was open, a faint light shining and barely illuminating a figure at the counter.

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

When the door creaked open, she expected an existing customer to join her in the alleyway, and so she fell back to give them some personal space. But no one emerged.

Strange, thought Terrani. Even with as run down as the storefront appeared, there was no way that the wind was the culprit.

Or the only culprit. Aes'ona reminded herself how close she was to Tython, the ancient home of the Jedi. Force-users could be here as well. Perhaps, though, it was only the raw memories of her encounter with one at her previous post playing into her unease.

But then the earthy aromas reached out to calm her and her own voice asked her what she had to lose. Nothing, nothing at all. If this shop was a dead end in her search, there would always be the next. Have an open mind, she thought now for herself, for Father.

Driven into the threshold by curiosity and hope, Aes'ona's eyes darted over the side sign. She announced herself with a quiet, "Hello?" She had nothing on her person to denote her faction, but she hoped that her somewhat stereotypical accent--high and dignified-sounding--wouldn't automatically peg her as an Imperial.

[member="Julian Imani"]

 

[Hira Mitsae]

[member="Dr. Aes'ona Terrani"]

The silhouette glanced up.

A book next to him was closed shut and the shimmering of white teeth pronounced the grin. "Ahh, dere be a customer we got, brejin, I tell ya we get one soon, eh?" His hands clapped together and suddenly the darkness went away. Candles blazing in and making the shadows melt away.... even the one the silhouette had. If Terrani was paying attention, she'd notice the fact that he didn't seem to have one right now.

Odd, that.

"Cyattie be lookin' for something, no? Something special... yah, yah... yah."

He rounded the corner of the counter, spring in his stride. She'd notice how... lively he was then. An energy in his body. There didn't seem to be a constraint to him- his hands moving to pronounce and underline what he was saying.

"How can mistah Imani help ya today, mmhm?"

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

She was indeed paying attention. In a bit of a panic, Aes'ona glanced at her feet and then over her shoulder. There was plenty of light in the room now, but her shadow was missing as well.

A shudder coursed through her body and a slight chill followed. She managed to drag the door closed behind her as she entered the shop. It took some effort, probably due to the age it appeared to have.

"Uh, y-yes," she hesitated, bringing her gaze back to the shopkeeper. A strange man to be sure. "Yes, I am. A cure for something uncurable." How stupid and misled that sounded out loud made her cringe internally. She was prepared for it to sound likewise to him--for some reason--despite all that just happened.

"I'm interested in some spice..." Unzipping and shrugging off her twinset jacket, she slung it over her arm. Immediately, the cozy warmth of the shop melted the goosebumps on her arms away. "Ah-a-andris, specifically," she added, not wishing to be dealt illicit drugs. "Probably only one dose."

[member="Julian Imani"]

 

[Hira Mitsae]

[member="Dr. Aes'ona Terrani"]

It was quite clear that Terrani was kind of out her depth here.

Internally Julian realized he might have come on a little strong. Showmanship was his and he enjoyed it much, but sometimes... maybe a lighter touch was necessary. Not that it really mattered now. Cat out of the bag and all. "Ya be at the right address, cyattie, I deal in... impossibilities... mmhmm, yah yah yah." He stepped in closer. Almost pushing against the personal space every person carried around with themselves like luggage.

He had never been much about that.

Talk, interact, touch, they were all mingled together for him.

"Imani is me, Julian Imani." His hand extended for a shake. "Who is cyattie then? Who needs da impossible to 'appen here?" A smirk played at the end of that last bit, before he added... just a little bit mischievous. "Who be needing a hit of spice an' thinks da earth scent invites it, eh?"

Clearly joking about that last bit.

The fact that she was still here, even closed the door (with some difficulty that Jul told himself to remember), was noted.

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

[member="Julian Imani"] would have been standing a little close for almost anyone's standards. Including the doctor's. It wasn't that she didn't care, but that she had learned from many First Order officers that to step back was to show weakness. And weakness wasn't an acceptable trait for one to have, or, at least, to show.

Shifting her coat to drape over her left arm instead took a moment, but Aes'ona accepted Julian's invitation for a handshake. It was not her best performance--grip quite lackluster to what it usually was. It was an attempt to appear less professional, but also a byproduct of apprehensiveness.

"S'ona," Terrani introduced, feeling it not only appropraite but safer to use only her nickname. Unbeknownst to her, anonymity was probably not a comfort she would be able to afford given what she was seeking.

"My father," was the answer to his next question. "He's terminally ill. I--" An awkward laugh. It might have been clear to him, but she failed to pick up on the joke. "It's not like that, mister Imani. Cryog--" She stopped herself before she finished. 'Cryogenics' was a doctor's word. "Carbonite freezing is his last chance."

 

[Hira Mitsae]

[member="Dr. Aes'ona Terrani"]

On the skin of his hand she'd still be able to feel the grains of dirt, of oils worked with, vegetation worked on.

Once that shake appeared Julian stepped in even closer.

Intimate. As if they were old friends... or older lovers, he seemed completely at ease there with that smile bright. "S'ona..." Julian tasted the name between his teeth. Letting it roll there, before offering a nod in return. "S'ona is, then Jul ya may call me instead, cyattie." It was from this proximity that she'd be able to feel the overpoweredness of his scent. Those same herbs of the shop, but stronger twice and thrice. More besides that. Fresh ground. More.

A head tilt.

The smile was softer now as he understood.

Still there, but covered out of respect. "Da's be distressing, S'ona, whatcha father be troublin', eh? What sickness infests?"

Maybe then she'd suddenly realize... he hadn't let go of her hand yet either. But those eyes studied her intently, watching her every reaction.

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

Still, Aes'ona didn't step back. She did, however, try to weasel her hand out of Jul's, the physical contact bothering her rather than the cleanliness of his hands. She wasn't a germaphobe anywhere but a medbay. Though, she didn't try forcefully enough to break his hold.

"Uh, t-thank you, mist--Jul," she replied, correcting herself. "Bloodburn. Are you familiar? It's aggrevated. I've--" She stopped herself again. "There's nothing more the doctor can do."

[member="Julian Imani"]

 

[Hira Mitsae]

[member="Dr. Aes'ona Terrani"]

The moment she tried to pull her hand back Jul let go of it.

The soft smile stayed there.

He pushed, yes, but he didn't force. That wasn't his way and never would be. It was all worth it in the end though, because her sheer fluster was amusement incarnated. Every once in a while there was someone like her. They just didn't know what to do about someone like Julian. Who didn't seem to subscribe to their idea of civil discourse. Who followed their own path. Did what they wanted to do and that was it.

Always funny to see.

Her father? A different story. "Bloodburn be ugly, S'ona, dangerous... ya ya." A nod as he pondered about it for a moment. Didn't leave her personal space though. Stayed right up there, because she didn't take a step back either.

"Ya made him statue while ya search? Smart."

Very actually. It might just save his life too.

A shrug followed soon after. "Mebbe I can rescue. Mebbe." Eyes shone bright there. "But what do Julian get for it, eh? Whatcha offer be?"

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

"...Money?" she replied slowly, unsure as to what Jul was insinuating. "It's no obj--" She stopped herself, sudden realization dawning on her.

The strange occurrences she could only describe as magic--from the door swinging open at her moment of uncertainty to the duo's shadows disappearing--and the smell of herbs, oils, and the presence of both on Jul's hands reminded S'ona of the few times she had played pharmacist.

Then the whole lot of it made sense: [member="Julian Imani"] was a witch doctor.

And his latter question, too, gained a new meaning.

"Mmm..." she hummed in thought, unsure still but no longer so scared of her surroundings.

Surely she was to some degree, but her newfound understanding ironically gave her peace of mind. She found within her a new desperation grew with the possibility of an answer. A cure. Admittedly, not a scientific cure, but she didn't care. It would be a cure nonetheless. If the doctor had learned one thing over the last few trying months it was that her precious medicine had failed her when she needed it most.

Not that she would, or could, admit it, but she was bitter at what she had devoted her life to.

"I, uh, have these chrysopaz gems," she offered first, sweeping her hair behind one ear to show one of the yellow studs. She remembered being told by their seller that they weren't just decorative but could act as power sources. Perhaps useful for one such as Jul. If not, she was sure she could think of some other items.

 

[Hira Mitsae]

[member="Dr. Aes'ona Terrani"]

He watched her eyes as they turned from introspection to realization.

Once it dawned?

Julian laughed, the smirk growing wide as he acknowledged her realization without reservation. It seemed that the knowledge made Terrani less like a doe pushed into a corner by predators. That much Julian could appreciate, because it made the exchange more... equal, so to speak. He watched her push over strands of her hair, showing the gems. He leaned in deeper. At this point his cheek almost brushed hers. Of course, it only had to do with looking at the gems.

Right?

His finger flicked softly against the surface of the gem.

"Mmmrrrmh, dem's not be da bad, cyattie, but be more interested in else." Whispered gently against her ear before Jul pulled himself back a bit. Watching her reaction again. "Be interested in ya services, many ya can provide, eh?"

He was probably talking about her being a doctor.

Right?

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

This time Aes'ona could not have stayed still even if she wanted to. She took a single but small step back. Considering [member="Julian Imani"]'s very...physical demeanor, Aes'ona was led to assume a certain implication with regards to his comment, one she did not care for. It made her fright all over again, but she was much more frustrated than uncomfortable at the moment. She didn't raise her voice, but it did gain a sterner quality. "My father doesn't have time for me to play this game with you, Jul," she began. "Whatever it is.

"Be clear with what you want," she added, too angry to be worried by what that invitation could precipitate. "I am desperate, not completely hopeless."

And then she paused, suddenly aware that she was asking something hypocritical of him. Since coming into his shop, even since arriving on his planet, she had not been truthful. She was dressed as a mechanic from some unknown spacer crew, a disguise which one of Jul's talents could probably see through. She wasn't completely sure of that, but she resolved to level with him nonetheless:

"My full name is Aes'ona Terrani," she explained quietly after a heavy sigh. "I'm...I'm a naval doctor with the First Order. I was sent to Atrisia to help treat the victims of a Sithspawn attack. I..." Another pause paired with a sigh, sad and truly desperate. Imbued with all the love she held for Taeir. "I rarely get to the Core. It's-this might be my only chance to save him.

"Please, tell me what you want."

 

[Hira Mitsae]

[member="Dr. Aes'ona Terrani"]

Maybe it was the admission.

The sudden honesty.

Maybe Julian was struck by the hopelessness of her situation. It could be one of them, all of them, but it could also be none of them. Either way- he took a step back himself, shoulders and arms raising in a gesture that could suggest defeat. Or perhaps acceptance. "Ah, dun' worry, cyattie, Juls be testin, but ya getcha help, is okah." The words were rolled around his mouth as he tried them. "Aes'ona Terrani.... doctor... mmmm, Order of da First too, eh? Dem's be some hardy people."

He didn't judge her.

Even if the First Order was everything he was not.

Too clean. How could you trust a person, if you could still smell the antiseptic on them a few days after, eh?

"I can heal ya da, ya ya ya, in return ya owe me. Dunno what it will be. Equal value tho, yah? So, mebbe one day I will ask ya to patch me up." Doubtful. He could handle those parts himself mostly. "Mebbe sum rare chit that only ya Order contacts can getcha."

Thoughtful pause.

"Mebbe something else. Dunno, like I said. Dig?"

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

/ [member="Julian Imani"] \​

†††​

The offer didn't have to come a third time. For maybe it wouldn't have.

And surely, as if Jul would retract the deal if she had not accepted quickly enough, she hastened to reply, "I...dig." Though she didn't regret her response, she immediately screwed up her nose. His vocabulary did not sit well on her tongue. She would not say that again. Ever.

She ran a hand back through her hair thoughtfully and adjusted her jacket on her arm. "What now?" she asked after the short pause, taking a step towards Jul again, hoping to show her renewed interest in their deal. Her presence.

Her determination.

Even to be in unknown debt. She was more than ready and willing. Anything to save her father. In one respect--the conventional medical one--she had failed him, but she refused to do so again.

If Jul ended up asking for, as he put it, something only someone in the Order could get him...well, what was a little theft on top of the count of treason she had previously gotten herself into? It meant nothing to her. Of course, she didn't wish to harm the Order if Jul asked her to in any capacity, but she had little to lose.

Hopefully they'd never find out either.

 

[Hira Mitsae]

[member="Dr. Aes'ona Terrani"]

He did notice her step forward.

This amused him.

Immensely.

His hand extended, palm upward, for her to take before he guided her past the counter of the shop. The back room. It was a place of leisure for him. Where he relaxed during breaks, right now the walls were covered with paintings from all kind of styles. One corner was occupied by paint and other equipment, it was clear this was all his work for the most part. "Now we ponder on da solutions." He gestured for her to sit on a chair next to a rounded table, before moving to brew some tea for them.

"Ya da's sickness is serious, mhm, but I can help... yah. I make talisman for him. He need to carry it. Always, understood?" He glanced over his shoulder at her. Just to make sure that she understood he was serious about this.

"Gon' make him a brew too. He be needing to consume it twice a day. A year, maybe more. Batch I make is good for a month. Ya come here once a month to get next batch. Dig?"

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

/ [member="Julian Imani"] \​

†††​

Crossing her legs as she sat and draping her jacket over them, Aes'ona glanced around the room, admiring the paintings. She was still listening, however, but she tore her eyes from the walls to find Julian's when he turned serious.

"I'll make sure he does," she affirmed with a nod. Admittedly, she wasn't sure how, but somehow she would.

Another nod. "Yes. Monthly." Again, she wasn't sure how she would make it out here, but she put it out of her mind. There was plenty of time to figure the logistics of that out on her shuttle back to the Fleet and then to Dosuun. After all, she was here to find solutions for Taeir, not for herself.

"Are there any side effects?" she would ask when Jul returned from brewing their tea. The question was almost instinctual to her as a doctor--though normally to answer, not to ask. She was almost certain that Jul's sort of medicine operated differently than hers, but it still had to have risks, right?

She scooted to the edge of her chair, uncrossing her legs, and couldn't help the inquiry that she launched into: "Should I note anything? What should I expect? Should he avoid anything?"

Sudden realization made Aes'ona sit back, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Sorry, I'm thinking like a normal doctor." Her eyes, that had fallen closed, shot open and a slight crimson rose to her cheeks. "I didn't mean that... I'm just worried."

 

[Hira Mitsae]

[member="Dr. Aes'ona Terrani"]

A snort followed right after.

"S'be okay, cyattie, no normalcy here you will find." And that was all good as far as Julian was concerned. Normal was boring. Normal retired out of sleep, there was nothing to it. No, Julian enjoyed being on the fringes of the weird and the occult, it kept him alive in more than one sense. "No side-effects." He paused there for a moment. Considering his own words, before shrugging. "Mebbe some. Ya da will 'ave heightened feels, ya? More angry, more passion, more... more."

"Dun' let him near ysalamiri, any chit dat interferes with..."

His hand waved a bit in the air, like wind passing his fingers. "The beyond. Amulet dies, he follows, ya feel?"

That part was the most important thing. The amulet would sustain and keep the old man. Maybe for the rest of his life, maybe for a long duration. It all depended on how his body reacted to it. Nothing that Julian could really say about it, until he saw it himself.

Such was the way with non-normal medicine.

 

[Prennis Keeoli]

/ [member="Julian Imani"] \​

†††​

Jul's revelation of the side effects worried Aes'ona.

It had never been a mystery to the doctor, even when she was middle-school-aged, that Taeir had two personalities: one for Zenith base and another for home. The former, though she had only glimpsed it once, was a stern and hard man, in a world with no room made for nonsense nor weakness in any form, but especially not pity.

Still, somehow, Commandant 'Tyranny' had had enough of it left at the bottom of his heart to adopt poor, unwanted little Aes'ona. And then to pick Nileeta up out of the gutter and offer her a bath. And then to marry her and adopt her child too.

So maybe it wouldn't get that bad.

Maybe.

Aes'ona was hesitant to ask, "...All emotions? Or just one?"