Private An Arm and a Leg

[Thirdas Heavenshield]

Physical therapy facility
Silver Rest, Kashyyyk​

It had been a hard-earned victory, but Midvinter was safe. More importantly, her peoples were safe. The Valkyri had lost their king, but soon welcomed another to take his place. It seemed a no-brainer to Thirdas that his father finally be recognised as the true leader of their people he'd always been, even while his brother held the throne. And, he surmised, Uncle Thyrian would be the first to admit to the same unspoken truth. The old man might loathe the position, but there was no question whether he was right for the job.

In the military, you always rely on putting the right people in charge. Many good soldiers might otherwise die needlessly, all from sheer imcompetence from the higher-ups. No, Midvinter would surely flourish under the Lion King's rule.

So it was that the young sergeant and the Jedi padawan bid his homeworld farewell yet again, to return to their duties amongst Rangers and Jedi respectively. Though he'd lost two out of four limbs just recently, Thirdas could hardly complain about the journey back to Silver space as he spent it nestled against his ever-protective Nida, who had been so amazing in caring for him throughout his state of disability.

A week had passed following their return to Kashyyyk, after what seemed like a lifetime away. As always, the tremendous contrast in climate and temperature did not sit well with Valkyri biology causing Thirdas to catch a fever during their first few days back, forcing the cybernetic experts to postpone their scheduled procedure. But finally the days had come, when Thirdas could no longer be called a cripple.

Encased within a shell of tough phrik armour, the sophisticated servos and man-made machinery underneath were grafted into his flesh and bone via precise surgical procedures. Eager to get it over with, he'd insisted that the egg-heads install both limbs in one sitting, rather than draw it out with a few days' rest in between. Thirdas had gotten enough rest not being able to do anything on his own for weeks. He wanted to get back to his unit, to be of service again.

Above all, he wanted to be a man for Nida again.

Cut to a few days later, and the young sergeant was making a speedy recovery. Not speedy enough to his liking, of course.

"Again," he panted as beads of sweat ran down his naked upper body, struggling to turn around and remain upright as he supported himself on the two handrails. "We'll go again..."

With great difficulty he raised his prostethic leg and set it down barely a foot in front of him. The arm was faring better, though it took considerable effort to properly grip his fingers around the railing. The finer motorics had yet to be mastered.

"I can do it," he told himself. "I can do it." But his movements turned to a crawl, and all he could do was hang on for a moment. "I... I can't do it...!" His arms and legs both gave way and he crumbled to the floor, his fall broken by the soft mat beneath his feet. He lay there on his back, catching his breath.

"How many was that," he asked Nida by his side.

Nida Heavenshield ​

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

Nida was still reeling over the events on Midvinter. She knew that Thirdas’ job as a solider placed him in the line of danger far more often than she would have liked, but this was the closest she’d ever come to losing him.

She’d stuck to him like glue since then, doing everything she could to care for him. Not one to be content with sitting idly, Thirdas was eager to proceed with the surgery and returning to Kashyyyk offered them a glimmer of hope. The cogs in the machine were finally moving.

The fever had been a setback, and they’d all agreed that it would be for the best to wait until Thirdas had regained his strength before they went ahead with the procedure. When the day finally came, Nida didn’t love the idea of Thirdas undergoing two prosthetic attachments at once, but the physicians and cybernetics specialists agreed that it could be done. The catch was that it might take longer for Thirdas to adapt to his new limbs.

Nida had attended every appointment with Thirdas, had spent nearly every day making sure that his amputation sites were healing properly, checking his vitals to make sure he remained in good shape, and of course, spent plenty of time cuddled up by his side watching terrible movies in bed with McYodas. It had hurt to see him so restless and frustrated, and her heart was being torn cell by cell as she watched him struggle through his recovery. By all physical standards, he was doing remarkably well. But in true stubborn Valkyri fashion, Thirdas would consistently summon the will to try one more time.

She had watched with baited breath as Thirdas gripped both of the bars, his body exhausted from trying to regain its natural movement. Thirdas had an incredible amount of willpower, and she’d never seen him back down from a challenge. Failure was always taken in stride, where he’d simply pick himself up and tackle the problem again, perhaps from a different angle. But seeing him struggle for something he’d wanted this badly, the simple gift of movement, was absolutely harrowing. One hand was on his back, helping to steady his gait while the other was at his mechanical arm. She felt his limbs tremble under the weight of their own fatigue, stooping down with Thirdas quickly as he collapsed.

“Oh, Thirdas…” She cradled his head in one hand, thumb brushing a tuft of blonde hair, matted with sweat, from his forehead. “You can do it. I’ve seen you do it.” Nida chose not to answer his question, discretely pressing the two fingers of her free hand to his wrist in order to check his pulse. Pounding. “If you allow yourself to rest, it will become easier.” It was a tune she’d been singing since the day of the procedure, but Thirdas hardly knew the meaning of the word rest. He was, and always had been, a man of action.

Shifting on her knees, she leaned down to place a quick kiss against his forehead, lips lingering with the taste of sweat. “Coruscant wasn’t built in a day—each day that you allow yourself proper rest and practice, things will become a little easier, My Lion.” She smiled softly at him, acutely aware that she was not the one with severely reduced mobility. “You’ll be back to leading missions in no time.”

Thirdas Heavenshield

 

[Thirdas Heavenshield]

He found himself cradled in her lap, looking up at her pink face framed by long purple hair. Propped up on his elbows to help support his own weight, Thirdas did everything he could to calm his stressed pulse while listening to her speak. Her voice was soothing, the touch of her lips upon his forehead even more so.

"It's an entire planet - of course it wasn't built in a day," he replied to her use of the old saying, smirking mischievously. His gaze dropped to the metal arm at his side, watching the fine craftmanship at work as the interlocking plates allowed for realistic movement each time he made even the smallest of motion. He stretched his fingers out to their full length, then proceeded to make a closed fist, repeating this a number of times.

"I'm still struggling with the finer motorics. Sometimes they won't close all the way, meaning I don't get a proper grip." He looked up at her once more. "I'm afraid I'll overdo it and accidentally crush something." There was concern in his tone of voice as he raised his left arm, letting his fingers of flesh and blood caress her cheek.

"I'm afraid I'll end up hurting you," he told her just as his fingertips grazed her soft lips. He then settled his hand behind her neck and pulled her down towards him, having their lips meet for a gentle kiss.

Outside the sun was slowly setting, bathing all it touched in an orange glow. "Alright," Thirdas conceded. "Let's get out of here. I believe it's your turn to pick tonight's vid when we get home?"

With a grunt he sat up, grabbing hold of the iron bars once more to pull himself up on his feet. From a corner of the room a nurse appeared with his wheelchair, and Thirdas slumped down into its seat after he'd put his shirt back on. At least it felt good being back in uniform. It made him feel less like a patient and more like a soldier.

He could also get around on his own now that he had both his arms, and in moments of boredom had already discovered the skillful art of popping a wheelie. Rolling himself towards the exit, he stopped just shy of the threshold and offered Nida his hand. "After you, My Lady," he bowed his head.

Once out in the fresh air and making their way across the compound towards the NCO living quarters, Thirdas noted the amount of heavy equipment being loaded onto shuttles. Ever since their return to the Silver Rest they'd been informed of the Order's intention to relocate their base of operations to a planet called 'Commenor' - a world unknown to the young sergeant. While he would go wherever top brass ordered him, it was sad knowing he would need to give up his current quarters.

Then again, perhaps the move could provide them with the opportunity to get a place of their own once on Commenor?

"Looks like we'll need to start packing soon," he turned to Nida walking beside him.

A group of recruits walked by the pair, stopping to offer a military salute to the wounded veteran. Thirdas raised his cybernetic arm to his forehead, returning the salute. He could feel their lingering stares at his artificial limbs.

Nida Heavenshield ​

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

Nida closed her eyes as the fingers of Thirdas’ organic hand reached out to touch her face. She could feel the heat in his digits, from where he’d strained to grab the bar and from the general exertion. In the back of his mind she shared his concern—Thirdas was a large man already, and his Valkyri blood only made him physically stronger. He was used to controlling that much strength, but through a new avenue like cybernetics, it was worrisome. Still, Nida was confident that he’d gain precise control over his artificial limbs in time.

Parting from the kiss, she smiled softly. “Then we will take things slow.” It had been a defining feature of their relationship, and one of the aspects that had made them grow so close. Thirdas had been endlessly patient in waiting for Nida to become comfortable in her own time with physical affections, never rushing or chiding her. In turn, she had complete trust and adoration for the soldier.

When it was time to leave for the day, they did so hand in hand. Nida followed Thirdas’ gaze to the shuttles being loaded. They’d been informed of the move upon their return from Midvinter, which would be done in stages. Although she’d only spent a few years on Kashyyyk, it had been home to her, where she’d begun her Jedi training.

“I’ll miss it.” Nida lamented with a quiet smile. “Not just Kashyyyk, but our apartment.” It may have been small, but it was where they spent most of their time together, grown closer together.

Once they’d made it to the NCO living quarters and inside their apartment, Nida couldn’t help but focus on every little detail that she’d miss. Everything from the rug—a faded piece they’d gotten secondhand that now had a few tears in it—to the faint stain on the wall made her throat tighten with emotion. As they settled themselves inside, her fingers brushed against the blotch of discoloration on the wall. It had happened after a cooking accident. They’d spent the entire afternoon making a pot of stew, only to become distracted as they’d left it to simmer. The pressure had built up inside the pot to the point of bursting, covering the counter and a portion of the wall with sticky, overcooked broth. The pair had been spared any scalding splashes on their skin, but they’d spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning up the mess. No matter how hard they’d scrubbed, the wall always still held a slight stain.

The brief nostalgia trip made Nida smile, but it also unknowingly caused her to tear up. So much had changed in such a short amount of time, and their professions did require them to be flexible. Quickly running a finger under each eye to chase away the tears, Nida inhaled deeply before turning to Thirdas with a bright smile. “If it’s my turn to pick the vid, then it’s your turn to pick dinner tonight.”

Thirdas Heavenshield

 

[Thirdas Heavenshield]

Upon their return to the NCO apartment complex, the first thing Thirdas did was go get changed out of his sweaty workout clothes. It took longer than usual nowadays, owed in part to his artificial limbs, but mostly it was the mirror in their bedroom that would often draw his attention. Once naked and standing before it, he would take a good long look at himself. They weren't ugly prosthetics -- in fact they were very organically correct in appearance -- but seeing himself wearing them only served to hammer home the reality of his situation. That he would never be rid of them.

Slipping into a fresh pair of sweatpants and a tank top, he returned to the living room/kitchen to find Nida still standing there, observing each and every thing of theirs. He didn't interrupt but simply stood leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. When she turned to him and smiled, clearly emotionally affected by their upcoming move, he walked up to her and put her arms around her.

"Hey, look," he placed a soft kiss in her magenta hair. "I was thinking... I've been saving up some credits the last year or so. Maybe, when we land on Commenor, we could use them to get a place of our own? Someplace away from the Jedi or the military, where we could just be normal people. Somewhere nice and quiet."

Gods know a sergeant's pay wasn't much, but if it could buy them a proper home then that was good enough.

There was another thing he'd been saving up for, but that was a secret for the time being. Buying them a new home was the more pressing matter.

Very delicately he cupped her pink cheeks and looked down into her wide eyes, hoping the metal surface of his right palm wasn't too cold against her soft skin. "Sound good?" He smiled and leaned forward to place his forehead against hers, letting their noses touch.

Nida Heavenshield ​

 

[Nida Heavenshield]

Although Nida wasn’t the best at allowing herself to express what she was really feeling, she found it easier to do so in the company of Thirdas, who never hassled her or made her feel silly for it. So she appreciated him allowing her the space to reminisce, and sank easily into his chest when he circled his arms around her. It always amazed her how such a simple gesture could feel so intimate, as well have the capacity to calm her, Just a few years ago, Nida would never have even imagined that she could feel this comfortable with someone not in her immediate family.

Thirdas spoke to her softly, and what he said took her by surprise. She expected words of comfort and a promise that they would settle into their new life on Commenor, not the suggestion that they should pursue a home that they could call their own, out from under the Order.

“You mean a home of our own?” It was true that both Jedi and NCO quarters were cozy, not designed for two. Until this point, Nida hadn’t considered that as an option. Anywhere she and Thirdas were together could be called home. Pausing for a moment, she leaned into the touch of his mechanical hand, finding the durasteel cool to the touch, yet strangely not devoid of the usual gentleness. Smiling sadly she placed her hand over his, thumb stroking along the front of the cybernetic. “I’d like that very much, Thirdas.”

She glanced down to the rug beneath their feet, one that had been received second hand and had endured all manners of stains, spills and rips as they’d learned to adjust to life as a couple. “Perhaps we should get a new rug for our home? As many memories as it holds, I don’t think this one will survive the journey…” A light of an idea flickered in her eyes. “Maybe next time we go to Midvinter, we can get one there?” She sounded hopeful, having so admired the lovely designs and patterns of the rugs she’d seen of the artisans on Midvinter.

Thirdas Heavenshield

 

[Thirdas Heavenshield]

"Then it is decided," he beamed a boyish grin down at her.

As for their next rug purchase, he would leave that entirely to her; much like his father, interior design was not his forte. One perk of living in the NCO quarters was the already furnished apartments provided. Still though, to have a place of their own for the first time ever was too exciting a prospect to not consider.

He knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Nida.

"As for food, I've already ordered pizza." They were fortunate enough to both enjoy the same ingredients on their pie, so rather than order two different kinds they would just share an extra large. Saves credits that way.

"Now, whatever shall we do to pass the time," he smirked as his forehead touched hers. There was a pause, as if to allow Nida to come up with a suggestion, only for Thirdas to suddenly swoop her off her feet and into his strong arms, carrying her over to the couch.

Gently he laid her down and placed himself on top of her, hands on either side of her head and arms straight to support his weight so he would not crush her underneath. His head leaned down to place his lips upon hers, a kiss of the utmost tenderness and love.

Of course the moment had to be ruined by a knock on the front door. There was a pause from Thirdas, who would only shake his head. "Nah," he said before resuming their kiss. But the banging on the door didn't stop, and so it was with great frustration he finally got up to answer it. "Gods be damned," he muttered under his breath.

"You guys sure got here fast--" It wasn't the pizza delivery man.

"Sergeant Heavenshield," a colleague of his in full dress uniform saluted him, before handing him a datapad. Thirdas accepted it hesitantly, knowing what it entailed. "Orders from the top brass," the lieutenant explained. "Full details are on the datapad. Have a nice evening."

Thirdas offered a meager second salute to bid the officer farewell, and promptly shut the door as he left.

Feeling defeated, he slumped down in the couch beside Nida, tossing the datapad on the coffee table. "New deployment orders," he informed her, head in his hands and rubbing his face.

"I'll be shipping off tomorrow. Some place called... Yurb?"

Nida Heavenshield ​