Tiny Dancer [Hazel]

[Mishel Kryze]

After Bespin...

The freighter arrived on Monastery, and disembarking from it was a dirty, soot-ash covered Mishel. Her hair was mucked up for sure. Greasey and oily from the incineration plant but she didn't care. Robes were filthy and spoke of the terror that had been Cloud City. Softly, slowly, hold me closer... She took in a breath and looked up at the sky around the Sanctuary. Hazel-green eyes cast a glance of relief as her shoulders relaxed. The winds felt so good and as she looked behind her, the teenager found her friend Toothless the Thranta happily soaring and she turned back toward the white brick-faced building. Her neurotransponder's power began to flicker and Mishel knew it was a matter of time before it gave out, but she didn't care... Did not care. Softly, slowly... Cloud City had been for the teenager a confirmation of who she was, who she wanted to be and so she came home. She came home to Momma...

[member="Hazel Zanteres"]

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYcyacLRPNs[/media]​

 

[Hazel Zanteres]

Hazel was a mess, and her hair seemed to be the obvious indicator of such. It was completelly strewn all over the place, even her usual ponytail failed to keep it in check. The Hapan already had to redo it several times, because for whatever reason it kept coming loose every time she was darting and there throughout Sanctuary.

Bethany's disappearance had thrown the Sacred Lotus into disarray almost instantly. The only thing they really knew was that the Jedi Master had gone offworld on a mission, and yet never got in contact since. That wasn't entirely unusual, until there had still been nothing days later. And when they had tried to reach out, they received nothing. For now she was listed as MIA, and Michael Sardun had departed to search for her.

This left Hazel as the last remaining Elder active on Monastery now, which meant everything was being stacked up before her. She had barely got much time in just being on the council, let alone effectively leading it now.

That was the reason for her current state, unaware that something or rather someone was about to land that might just be that bit of breather for the Hapan.

Her comm was pinged.

"Yes, what is it?"

"We just got word from an incoming vessel, requesting permission to land. They answered as one Mishel Ren." Hazel's expression practically lit up at the mention of the young woman.

"She has clearance, inform her to land at the usual spot. I'm on my way."

It took a few minutes as Hazel had to navigate around a bit more to avoid any potential interruptions along the way. Eventually though she got outside to the landing pads. Initially she looked up to see a Thranta of all things flying above, that was...new. But the Hapan's attention was quickly turned to Mishel, immediately taking in the state she was in.

"Mishel, what's happened?" There was a mixed expression on her face. Happy to see the young Ren, but also concerned at what she was seeing.

[member="Mishel Ren"]

 

[Mishel Kryze]

She stumbled and met the ground hard. Mishel just breathed a moment and looked at the grass beneath her body. Her hands with palms crushing the blades of grass worked to push her up. Legs wobbled as they worked, the teenager stood to her feet and hobbled toward the Hapan. Grass stains added to the myriad of stains already on her robe. Softly, slowly, hold me closer... Repeated in her mind as she recalled the hue of hyperspace as she navigated her way to Monastery. Grateful for the piloting lessons of [member="Jorus Merrill"], and grateful for the resolve she learned from watching @Alkor Centaris on their crystal trip not so long ago. One foot, then the other until she could reach out and hold Hazel. Her hands grasped the blonde's forearms, "Cl-Cloud City, Alliance, Invasion." Were the three words she was able to say.

And then she just held Hazel, a half foot step closer. Her body felt so heavy, so weary, and yet she felt at home, the galaxy was right in this place. Monastery's cool winds brushed by her face as Toothless swept down low beside them both, his majestic wings rose up above Sanctuary as Mishel gathered up strength. Her transponder began to shut down, and she recalled the conclusion she had reached on Cloud City. The teenager pushed off a moment from Hazel and looked at the Hapan. "I- I just, I came home mom." Her eyes looked directly at the blonde as she said the words again, "I came home, mom."

Hold me closer, tiny dancer​

Count the headlights on the highway​

Lay me down in sheets of linen​

You had a busy day today​

​

[member="Hazel Zanteres"]​

 

[Hazel Zanteres]

The second she saw Mishel topple, Hazel's pace instantly picked up. But by the time the Hapan was close enough, Mishel was already on her feet again and hobbled the remainder of the way. She almost on instinct went to pull the young Ren into a hug, but the grip on her forearms stopped her. Hazel frowned slightly, now getting a closer look at the state Mishel was in, along with her explanation.

The Sacred Lotus had received word that something was going down at Bespin and the surrounding sector. But with everything that had gone down, the Order hadn't been in a place to assist. And still wasn't, if Hazel were honest.

But right now that didn't matter, the young woman before her was her sole focus.

She let Mishel pull her into a hold, and turned her head slightly when Toothless soared down past them. Questions of where the creature came from, how Mishel got him here...they all lingered on her mind for a moment until she felt her push away slightly.

Hazel looked at her, and immediately her mouth fell open in shock.

"I came home, mom."

"W-what..." She wasn't entirely sure how to respond, just sheer surprise in her eyes. That and concern when she noticed Mishel's legs shake, increasingly so. Quickly she pulled the young Ren into a hug, helping lower her down to the ground gently as the transponder failed. And ever the doctor, the Hapan was swift to pull out her commlink.

"This is Zanteres. I need someone to bring Mishel Ren's hoverchair to the landing pads, asap." With that her attention returned to Mishel once more, a soft questioning look in her expression.

"What did you say?" Even though Mishel had said it twice, part of Hazel was not fully registering it.

[member="Mishel Ren"]​

 

[Mishel Kryze]

But oh how it feels so real
Lying here with no one near
Only you and you can hear me
When I say softly, slowly​

​

Mishel quietly sighed as she rested there on the ground, on the grass. "I- I realized that ever since I came out of the tank, you've been the only one who cares for me in this way," she paused and wiped her hair out of her face. Smudges of soot and ash dragged along her skin as she did. "Siobhan Kerrigan's blood might run through my veins and yes she might be my mother but she is not my mom," tears swelled up, "because the person who I've been looking for has been you." A scoff of realization, "and I... I'm sorry if it's too much I just." The Tygaran shrugged and looked down at the blades of grass before her attention was drawn to the thranta in the sky. "I've spent the last six months wondering about myself, wondering about who I am and who I would be and."

A shrug, "and all the answers seemed to happen while I was at this incineration plant." She explained but it was all she could say her body rested there on the ground as the hoverchair was brought out to the landing pads. Mishel barely moved when the team took her and set her in the chair. The girl had taken note of the Hapan's tone of voice, her posture and wondered if it was all too much but then she thought that that would be okay. And all she wanted to do was to rest. And then her mind went to Ara again, and grief struck her as she recalled the moment Sister Ara faded from the force. "The incineration plant... where Ara," she stopped herself there. Change was happening all too fast, much too fast for the teenager's liking.

[member="Hazel Zanteres"]​

 

[Hazel Zanteres]

Hazel just watched and listened in silence, holding Mishel close as the young woman spoke. The Hapan felt her heart break at what she was hearing, realizing and wishing that Mishel hadn't had to go through that, especially about someone's own biological mother. And in part, she silently cursed Siobhan Kerrigan for sending her daughter into this state. That and Sieger Ren.

Then the dam seemed to burst when Mishel mentioned Ara, and it took a moment for Hazel to recall the name, remembering back to when the Ren had been tended to on Monaster. There was no need for the young woman to finish the sentence; the tone she used, the tears welling up, it was clear as day what had happened to Ara Ren.

If possible, Hazel hugged Mishel even closer to her, wrapping her in a warm embrace not giving a damn about the state her clothes were likely to be in from the contact.

"Oh Mishel...it's not too much, you just took me by surprise is all." There was a slight sniffle from Hazel as she continued speaking, her own personal thoughts welling up to the surface. "It's just...no one has ever called memom."

Nor did I ever think someone would...

Though that thought went unsaid, as the Hapan was reminded of her ailment and the very real fact she couldn't have children herself.

"And I'm sorry to hear that, about-" She paused trying to remember how the young woman referred to her fellow Ren. "your sister Ara."

The pair simply remained sitting like that for a while, even when one of the Sanctuary staff finally arrived with Mishel's hoverchair on tow.

[member="Mishel Ren"]​

 

[Mishel Kryze]

It was a first for both of them, Mishel had never known the love of a parent before. The unconditional feeling that came with it, or how no matter what it seemed that they were there for you. The ones who know when you're upset before you know it yourself. As Mishel was moved into her chair she looked over at the Hapan, at Hazel. "Is it okay that I call you this?" She's unsure, and for good reason not only was it blurted out but she didn't want to force the situation and was nervous about it.

And then Ara. Mishel lowered her head, "I wasn't fast enough." If she had been fast enough and not fussing with Toothless, she'd have gotten to the incineration plant in time. "If I had been maybe, maybe I could have saved her." Or gotten herself killed, she didn't want to cry again but it hurt too much. Toothless swooped down and made his way to the Tygaran. The creature's nose bumped into Mishel's body. He whimpered, and moved to flip around hoping to gain a smile from the human.

[member="Hazel Zanteres"]

 

[Hazel Zanteres]

"Of course you can." Hazel said, a sad smile on her face. Both had been missing something for a long time. Mishel, searching for a mother only to not be able to find one on a biological level. And Hazel, who had long desired to have a child of her own; a family, but knew she'd never have one or riddled with doubt that she'd even be a good mother. Some might think it fast, but over the several months the Hapan had felt something whenever Mishel had stayed with her for a period of time, either taking care of her or simply talking about recent events.

For Hazel there was a certain degree of disconnect she had to have when it came to her patients. She cared for every one of them, the number at this point lost to her. But they couldn't always be on her mind, otherwise she'd likely go crazy. And often enough, they usually just resided somewhere in her mind, popping back to the forefront should she ever cross paths with them again.

That wasn't the case with Mishel.

Ever since that fateful day, there had been a connection drawn between them. Something that went unseen to the naked eye, but lingered deep within both women. Going beyond a simple doctor-patient level.

It had been in the wake of Ember being born, that Hazel finally understood that that connection was.

"Provided I get to call you my daughter." It was impossible to say those words without wiping away the tears that followed. She looked; still a bit startled having the Thranta present, especially as he landed down next to them. It seemed like the creature was consciously aware of the plight.

"As hard as it is, try not to think on the 'maybes'. You'll find yourself falling down a slope you won't be able to climb back up." It was certainly something Hazel had plenty of experience in. "Now come on, let's get inside, get you cleaned up and something to eat."

[member="Mishel Ren"]​

 

[Mishel Kryze]

Sanctuary, Monastery​

​

She packed my bags last night pre-flight​

​

Zero hour nine AM
And I'm gonna be high as a kite by then
I miss the earth so much I miss my wife
It's lonely out in space
On such a timeless flight​

Toothless followed them until he could no longer do so, Mishel's battle worn body slumped into the hoverchair. Lightweight repulsors carried the chair, as the white brick walls of Sanctuary welcomed her. Slowly she breathed and thought on [member="Hazel Zanteres"]'s words. It was hard, difficult - impossible even to not think of the maybes, the what-ifs and the what-could-have-been it all danced around her head. And as the lights of Sanctuary blinded her eyes, her body reacted shutting her eyes. When they opened again the teenager reached out for Hazel once again, and the bond that had been forged nearly a year or so ago felt stronger than it had before. The memories of Bespin were still fresh in Mishel's mind. Even as the cool air kissed her skin, the Tygaran's thoughts wandered. "The Jedi of today are not like what Gram spoke of, they are not Gram." Mishel's hand balled up and released as the darkness Seiger had placed in the teen worked its way through her body. Mishel was at a point where she started to think that the struggle of light and dark within would be eternal, but for now. For now, she let it go and just relaxed into the hoverchair as they took her into an examination room.

​

​

And I think it's gonna be a long long time
'Till touch down brings me round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh no no no I'm a rocket man
Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone​

 

[Hazel Zanteres]

Hazel winced slightly at the mention of 'Gram'; or rather Bethany. The Hapan was still unsure what she was going to do or say when asked about the Jedi Master. But for now, she was focused on taking care of the young woman in question.

Fortunately Mishel hadn't sustained any significant injuries, especially in comparison to the last time the young woman had suddenly arrived on Monastery. Albeit, that was also the time when the rest of the Ren had been taken to the planet too.

The time in the examination room was brief. Hazel was quick but thorough to check Mishel for any injuries and wounds that needed tending to. Thankfully though there was nothing serious, and the young Ren was primarily dehydrated from as a result of where she had been fighting. That and she was incredibly tired, given the fact Hazel had caught Mishel beginning to doze off ever know and then.

Her neurotransponder was uninstalled as required, and Hazel made sure it was kept safe and allowed to recharge.

With that all done, the Hapan helped Mishel back into her hoverchair and took her to her usual room that she resided in when at Sanctuary. There, she left the young woman with some water and promised to be back in a few minutes with some food. It took Hazel several minutes, but eventually she returned and pushed the door with her back as she slowly walked in holding a tray.

[member="Mishel Ren"]​

 

[Mishel Kryze]

When Hazel returned, Mishel could be seen sitting on the bed looking out a window that overlooked the gardens. Long brown hair flowed past her shoulders, eyes glassed over. A burning anger at the audacity of the Galactic Alliance's attack raged beneath her exterior. Sister Ara had suffered at the hands of these Jedi, this New Order. Words of her father, Seiger echoed in her mind that she and her brethren would have to put these insufferable pests down. And then she remembered where she was, and she could relax. She could breathe and exhale, the young girl turned her head to the right and looked over her shoulder.

"Thanks mom," a soft smile perched along her lips.

A warm meal would do her a galaxy of good, Mishel thought and moved herself over. She patted the space beside her, and waited a moment before she elaborated. "I was in Cloud City with Sister Samka, we were with others and we came to see her childhood home, and then the Alliance arrived." And that was that, "alarms sounded, the military moved in to secure civilians. I was notified that we had agents in an incineration plant that needed help. So that's where I went." She gave a small, sad shrug, "and that's where she... where she, um, died."

[member="Hazel Zanteres"]

 

[Hazel Zanteres]

It was impossible not to smile at Mishel's words, the revelation was albeit still fresh but there weren't going to be any further waterworks - at least not to the same degree earlier when the young woman had arrived.

"You're welcome." Hazel replied, a smile on her face as she took a seat beside Mishel.

She watched as a certain look crossed her face, the moment silence indicative to the fact the topic from before was still on Mishel's mind.

The Hapan listened with a neutral expression, knowing to some level what exactly what the young woman was going through. And in the wake of her finishing, Hazel wrapped one arm around her shoulder and pulled her into a half-hug. It also made some sense of that state Mishel had been in, covered in soot, grease and ash.

"I'm sorry to hear that," she began. "It's never...easy to lose someone close to you." Hazel herself had felt it numerous times, too many if she were honest. "And I know how it feels, to lose someone close to you; friends, family and comrades."

Although the Hapan realized it had likely impacted Mishel even more, being Ren. Hazel's brief experiences with the order made it apparent there was some type of bond between them, and there was no doubt she had felt Ara's passing.

[member="Mishel Ren"]​