Private What Secrets the Garden Keeps

[Braze]

TAGS: Everest Vale

Braze had chosen the gardens in the hope of gathering his thoughts. Meditation should have come easily here, among the swaying branches and the gentle hush of flowing water, but his mind refused to still. He sat with his legs folded beneath him, back straight, hands resting lightly on his knees, doing everything as he had been taught. And yet, the restless hum beneath his skin would not fade.

The air was cool, scented with damp earth and the faint sweetness of blossoms, but it did little to ease the tension coiled in his chest. The rhythmic murmur of water against stone that was usually a balm, only sharpened his awareness of how oddly overstimulated he felt. Too much sound. Too much movement. Too much of something he couldn't quite name.

Braze inhaled slowly, holding the breath for a count before exhaling through his nose. He tried again.

And again.

But his thoughts remained tangled, refusing to quiet.

​

 

[Everest Vale]

Eve didn’t speak that much these days. On some days, she wasn't particularly sure she was even capable of doing so. She had been pulled so relentlessly into a perpetual state of tension throughout the last weeks, albeit some of which had been alleviated by the support of her girlfriend. But the pain just wouldn't leave her.

The temple gardens were quiet at this hour, the midday hum of conversation and training sessions having faded into an afternoon stillness. Sunlight filtered through the carefully cultivated canopies, dappling the stone pathways in shifting patterns of gold and green. The sound of water trickling through the streams filled the silence, but for a time Eve let herself focus on nothing but the rhythm of her own delicate footsteps as she wandered aimlessly through the grounds.

She had come here without thinking, drawn by instinct more than intention. The gardens had always been a refuge, a place of life, of balance, of steady things that didn’t change, no matter how much the rest of the galaxy did. But even here, the weight of Woostri lingered in her chest, heavy and cold.

She walked past the flowering shrubs, past the wide pools where the koi fish drifted lazily beneath the surface. Normally, she would have stopped to watch them, maybe even knelt to run her fingers through the water. But today, she just kept moving, plagued again by thoughts that simply wouldn’t leave her. The chaos. The fear. The storm. It all swam around her mind, numbing much of her heart.

She exhaled slowly, trying to push it away, but they clung to her like frostbite. Eve rounded a corner, and that’s when she saw him; a familiar face she wasn't quite ready to see yet. A good friend she had made at such an early point in her life at the temple, who had been a regular presence for her as she adjusted to being a Jedi.

Braze sat amidst trees and water, seated in appropriate meditation posture. Eve stopped in her tracks, not sure she was ready for a conversation, but their gaze had already met before she could even think of turning away.

There was a pause. A small one. But she could feel the subtle shift between them. She braced for a question – How are you? Are you okay? – and wasn’t sure she could answer anything of the sort.

But she was first to break the silence. As her eyes pulled from the gaze and settled nowhere in particular, her tender voice seemed to wash into the waters around them.

"Braze..."

Braze​

 

[Braze]

Everest Vale
Braze was almost startled from his thoughts, the voice pulling him from his meditative attempts. He had heard it—felt it—before she had even spoken, his senses brushing against her presence in the Force. His eyes fluttered open as he turned to look at her, shifting his position to sit back, drawing his boots in front of him.

He perked up—visibly, deliberately—masking whatever had been weighing on him beneath an easy, practiced facade. A pleasant smile, bright but effortless, slipped into place as if it had always been there. His voice carried a soft, warm lilt, touched with quiet excitement.

"Hello, Everest."

The greeting lingered in the air between them, gentle, almost hesitant. He exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders ebbing as he let them slump, his gaze drifting across the water before returning to her.

"I was just, uh… trying to sort out my thoughts." A small pause. A slight furrow of his brow. "Been feeling a little…" He trailed off, searching, coming up empty.

"I'm actually not sure how I feel."


His lips pressed together briefly, as if trying to settle on an answer, but none came. It wasn't just one thing, wasn't just one emotion. It was everything, tangled and indistinct, a haze too messy to name.

Instead, he shook his head lightly and met her gaze again.


"How are things with you? Are you well?"

 

[Everest Vale]

Woostri had left its mark on so many. Even strong, stoic Braze seemed to be feeling something. Something he himself perhaps wasn't sure of. Eve's heart ached, feeling through the Force something unaddressed inside of him, and his words had confirmed it. There was something dark and unspoken between them, as if they both carried heavy wounds that neither of them could express.

She could have said so much, but she herself didn't have the words either.

But then the questions came to her. She winced a little in response, dreading being asked anything of the sort.

"I'm..."

What? Rendered utterly unable to shake Woostri from her psyche? Plagued by night terrors every night, entirely unable to sleep? In a constant state of heartache? Completely lost and directionless, incapable to make any sense of life anymore?

"...fine..."

Silence hung between them for a moment too long, as she stewed on what else she should say. She just wanted to turn around and leave, hide in her room, not see or speak to anyone. But here was sweet, young Braze, already welcoming her in his usual warm way. There was nothing else to do.

"D-Do you mind if I join you? I... don't want to disturb you..."

Braze​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Everest Vale

"Fine, huh?" He tilted his head slightly, studying her. "You know… that usually means no one is actually fine." His voice was gentle, trailing off as if leaving space for her to correct him.

Still, he didn't press. Instead, he extended a quiet invitation. "Please, join me. I'd really appreciate the company... I'm not good at talking with friends in a casual way... but I want to try. "

As he spoke, he moved to fetch a thermos, his motions deliberate but unhurried. With practiced ease, he unscrewed the metal lid, the soft hiss of escaping steam curling into the air as he poured a cup of hot tea in to the metal lid. Turning back, he held it out to her, the warmth bleeding through the cup into his fingers.

"Would you like some?" he asked, his voice light but sincere. "It's calming tea."

Whether she accepted or not, he settled back into his seat, shifting into a more relaxed posture. His gaze drifted toward the large fountain just ahead, the water catching the light that fluttered down from above.

After a moment, he spoke again, quieter this time.

"Do you want to talk about it?" A pause. "You can if you want to… you don't have to if you don't want to. Sometimes it's nice just to have someone hear you."

His eyes lingered on the rippling water as he added, almost absently, "I ended up by myself down below."

 

[Everest Vale]

Eve set herself down beside him. Braze's manner was gentle with her. He could clearly pick up on how she was feeling, and it made her tense a little in resilience, but she appreciated that he didn't insist.

She took the cup with both hands, giving a small smile of thanks. Floral hints grazed against her senses. Gently, she blew along the top, the curling steam dissipating outward into nothing, before taking a small, cautious sip. It warmed her immediately, and she could feel the tension in her shoulders soften ever so slightly as she took another sip.

"Thank you..." Her voice was barely a breath.

But he asked again and she could feel the tension in her shoulders return again, her gaze hanging idly nowhere in particular. As he added an allusion to his own experience, her silver eyes flitted towards him.

"Are you... okay, Braze?"

She was at least grateful she was able to avoid the same question put to herself.

Braze​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Everest Vale

Braze lifted a small orb of amber colored tea from the container in a telekinetic display, suspending it midair. Carefully he separated just about a cup's worth, setting the rest aside as he guided the floating sphere of liquid to his lips, sipping from its edges.

"No..." he answered truthfully, his voice trailing off. Then, after a beat, he added, softer, "But... I will be.... In time."

"Feelings are fleeting... The bad ones won't stay this bad forever. It's hard to believe in the moment, but..." He hesitated, then exhaled,

"For some things... only time can mend."

 

[Everest Vale]

There was something solemn in Braze's voice that Eve couldn't ignore. It broke her heart to know he was suffering so. Her brow furrowed slightly. And yet, Braze was Braze, ever stoic, ever pragmatic, ever willing to tackle the problem head-on for what it was. His resolve was always a source of strength for her, in times when she was incapable of finding such strength in herself.

She found her lip quivering without her consent, and took another sip of her tea to distract herself from the upset that brewed within her.

"I'm sorry... Sorry you're hurting..." As she spoke, her voice broke a little, and she forced a breath in and out. "I'm here for you..." She turned then to him, and forced a smile, failing at covering the hurt in her eyes. "...if you need."

Braze​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Everest Vale

​

Braze glanced back at her and smiled softly.

"Being a Jedi Shadow means you end up alone quite often... with no one to turn to for help or guidance. I guess I just didn't expect it to happen so soon. I miss my Master, Jasper Kai'el , terribly so... and I found myself alone again on Woosteri." He exhaled slowly. "So... I appreciate the sentiment."

He offered the words with quiet sincerity before taking another light sip from his levitating orb of tea.


"It's not something I can really change... I think Ko Vuto helped me understand that I shouldn't keep blaming myself for what happened... but it still hurts, you know..? He adopted me to... and with Marisa Pregnant I'm kinda the man of the house whilst he's missing... I feel like I have a lot of responsibilities kinda all at once... It can be a little... overwhelming. "

He took another sip, blinking against the sting of a few hot, crystalline tears that welled up at the renewed thoughts and memories.

"I hope I can at least return the favor," he said gently. "I hope... war aside, you've been settling in nicely... making new friends?"

 

[Everest Vale]

Braze had a tough life, it seemed. Eve's natural empathy tapped in heavily to him, and she felt for him deeply. Not just from his words, but from the feeling that came from him. She supposed she was sensitive in the Force in such a way, which allowed her to feel what others were feeling with such ease. He was alone on Woostri... She had been too, for a time. If Tigris hadn't found her, maybe the worse would have happened...

Braze tried to gloss over his troubles by moving on with another question, but Eve couldn't shake the pain she felt for him, and she could see his eyes welling slightly.

"I'm sorry, Braze..." she said finally. "You have a lot to deal with, I understand..."

She didn't really know what to say. Words didn't come easy, so instead she settled for the Echani method of touch. Extending her arm towards him, she placed a hand on his, her quartz eyes meeting his emerald. There was visible hurt of her own in her gaze, yet tinged with concern and care and love for him. Then she found the words came after all.

"You're so strong, Braze. I really admire you... but... it's okay to cry every so often... Take it from me." She gave a small smile at the jest she added.

Braze​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Everest Vale

​

He finished off the little tea ball he had and sighed, wiping at his tears with the heels of his palms before exhaling again.


"That... is a nice thought," he offered meekly. "But it's not a good look when younglings look up to you. They want to see someone who's confident and wise... someone who's unshakable."

As he spoke, his mental shield tightened, his emotional aura becoming harder to pick up on. It was a skill he had honed for years, practicing it around the clock. A secretive, over-emotional Padawan with a strong desire to keep his feelings his own burden.

"I think I'll just... "

He moved to stand, walking toward the pond before hopping onto the low containing wall. Turning around, he raised his arms—then let himself fall back.

There was a resounding splash as Braze hit the water, sending ripples outward. Nearby birds fluttered away, startled by the sudden motion. The small pond was perched high in the room, its water cascading over an infinity-style edge, gushing down into a larger lake somewhere below.

 

[Everest Vale]

Eve sighed, watching as Braze submerged and bobbed back up. She would have joined him, but she was too conscientious of her robes and nearby creatures she'd disturb, and just wasn't quite sure she wanted to be soaked through right now. But she sat by the side of the pool, running her pale fingers through the waters' edge, savouring the cooling sensation against her skin as her eyes gazed solemnly at her reflection that started to slowly still from the ripples.

She watched as Braze did whatever it was he needed to do, but it sent pangs through to her heart, understanding how willing he was to hide from those feelings that bubbled inside of him. She had been there, had forced herself to close off to everything. It nearly cost her her own grip on reality, and if it wasn't for Tigris' intervention... she might well have lost it entirely. She refused to let that happen to Braze.

And as she watched from afar the young boy push down his own feelings into the void of his being, the knowledge of his pain blending with that of her own, she could hear the delicate drop of her tears against the pond's surface.

Braze​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Everest Vale

Braze did not come back to the surface; not for a short while...

Finally he surface and shook out his wet hair and took a fresh breath of air. he moved up to the edge and looked up at her. " That's better. " He chirped gently before his brows furrowed seeing her looking upset. He flopped back in to the water beneath her looking up.

Braze floated lazily in the pond, his eyes fixed on the canopy above, while Eve traced idle patterns in the water beside him, her fingers barely disturbing the surface. The weight of everything that had gone unsaid clung to them both. Each of them carrying burdens too heavy for their age.

Then, Braze spoke, his voice softer than before. "You ever feel like... the more you try to push it all away, the more it sticks to you?" His words barely broke the hush of the garden. "Like trying to shake off sand, but it just clings to your skin no matter what you do...."

 

[Everest Vale]

Eve gave a sad, knowing smile to the boy.

"All the time..."

Her eyes drifted upward to the trees above, catching sight of several birds nests tended to by busy mothers. Life was simple for them, uninhibited by the kinds of worries and threats that weighed on the two Echani. A part of her wished she, too, could be simply a bird, free to fly whenever she wanted, free, away from all the sorrow. But she knew that wasn't possible.

"These things... They define us. Or rather... How we deal with them defines us... Something I've been trying to learn lately."

She wiped away the tears that had streaked down her face in silent surrender.

"My girlfriend, she... I... I nearly lost myself, Braze... I shut everything and everyone out. But she pulled me back, because... she gave me that space to let it out, and not just bottle it up... If I kept doing that, it would've killed me..."

She sighed, another pang echoing through her heart, this time from the memory of her behaviour immediately after Woostri. She had pushed everyone away.

"What I'm trying to say is... We're never alone in this fight, Braze... Shadow or not... and it's important we face what we're feeling, or we might never come back..."

Braze​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Everest Vale

​

Braze shifted, sloshing through the water as he moved to haul himself up onto the stone wall. Water rushed off him in rivulets, his robes clinging, soaked to the bone. He settled there, feet still dangling in the water.

"Things don't often get better when you hide them away," he offered gently. "It's okay to ask for help."

He seemed to agree with his own words—at least in principle. But something about this conversation with Eve unsettled him, tangled in contrast to the discussion he'd had with Valery Noble .

The truth was, he needed to be ready to let go of everything and act in the moment.

He had done what was right on Ord Providence with Azurine Varek and Aadihr Lidos , leading the other Padawans to safety. He didn't regret that. But he had lost something; someone important to himself.

And now, he didn't like how he was acting.

There was a tension within him, a dissonance between feeling and action, and he was struggling to reconcile the two. It was as if there was an unspoken expectation that he should simply move on, step into his new role, fulfill it as he ought to.

But he wasn't sure he knew how. Or perhaps these were just his own mind playing crule tricks on him and making his problem seem much bigger than it is.

"I don't like asking for help though... "

 

[Everest Vale]

Eve understood it. She, too, didn't like asking for help, but she had come to realise that sometimes it was painfully necessary; a truth that simply couldn't be ignored, because not everything could be handled alone. She counted herself so lucky that both Valery and Tigris were there for her; her lifelines. Yet there was always healing to do.

Eve inched a little closer to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze in the way her Master would do with her when she needed that extra support. Her quartz eyes were misty as she gazed at him with a knowing sadness.

"Y-you don't need to ask for help. I offer it freely."

She paused. She breathed.

"We're in this together."

Braze​