Private Ardor Lives: The Shore [Part II]

[Cybelle Sal-Soren]

TAG: Brandyn Sal-Soren | John Locke | Blaire Sal-Soren | Gianna Aegis
ITEMS: Petal Blossom (Jade Bangle) | Green Lightsaber (Generic, Hidden)

Cybelle wasn't sure what to think.

From what she understood, pregnancy was supposed to change a person, or at least that was what every midwife she had ever spoken to asserted. Gianna had helped deliver half of the younglings in the small villages outside of Theed and had often assured her that her growing waistline was nothing to be concerned about. But…There were days when her body no longer felt like her own. When her emotions came and went like the shifting tide down by the Shore. She was tired more often than not, and her dreams were filled with transient shadows that whispered away come mornings light…

But returned with a vengeance the next night.

And the night after that.

And the night after that.

Wasn't this what she ought to expect? Didn't the holo-books say that she would desire strange foods and that her dreams would be even weirder? Weren't these normal symptoms of wear and tear from growing a tiny person inside her? Exhaustion? Fatigue? Moodiness? Fitful sleep? Weren't all these things some level of…Standard?

Brandyn…Didn't think so.

Cybelle craved the normalcy that the child she carried represented. The family…She couldn't remember. Her husband had been watching her too closely in the past few months, his eyes following her in moments when she thought everything was fine. His hand often lingered somewhere on her person…But that was nothing new. He was always there. This just felt, different. As if he were afraid, she might break apart if he looked away. He wasn't alone in his worries. As time passed, they spread to her in turn…Made her distant.

Quiet...Unless she was speaking to herself.

Sometimes, when she stared too long at nothing, it felt like something was staring back.

That was the reason she finally acquiesced. Left their quaint little cottage on the edge of the property and went to the main humble houses for Sprite Gate Shore to visit with her adoptive parents and perhaps some friends that might be able to lend insight. For Brandyn's sake…She would sit across the dinner table and from Gianna Aegis and John Locke . She would be patient. She would say the things he wanted her to say…The things she wanted to hide.

The familiar fresh air met her, and a moment later, warm arms wrapped around her. Cybelle blinked. Surprised. Where had the time gone? When had they arrived? She couldn't remember leaving the cottage, only that she agreed to. For all the weight she had gained during her pregnancy, parts of her seemed exceedingly thin. The soft hollows of her cheeks were visible, and her wrists were unbearably skinny. She could feel the soft smile of her Master and found herself burying her body in welcoming arms. Gia was so warm. As if the sun itself had taken shape and form of a mortal woman. Gianna smelled of something clean…Lemons and flowers.

"Hi."

The singular word Cybelle uttered also made her chest ache…But she didn't know why. Topaz eyes slipped to John Locke when Gianna slowly released her to greet Brandyn similarly. Her love and compassion knew no bounds, especially when it came to their little hodgepodge family. The sight of John Locke brought a different emotion to her. Memories of watching him work on gadgets and gizmos when Gianna was away on a mission. He was always a calming presence. Other than Gianna but…Grounding all the same. Absently, she wondered if he ever felt the same quiet strangeness that she did now. The sense of becoming something new and unfamiliar.

Without consent.

"Thank you for having us…", Cybelle spoke softly, topaz eyes slipping toward Brandyn. Feeling…Guilty, somehow. She wanted nothing more than to slip back into the comfort of his arms and place the entirety of this unpleasantness behind them…But she couldn't ignore his concerns. Even if she wanted to. The auburn-haired Hapani would do anything for him. "Dinner smells lovely…Is it still okay that we have a few others stop by?"

Anything.

She would do anything for @Brandyn Sal-Soren…Anything for her baby.

"There are...Some things we need to talk about."

Hopefully, before she lost her mind.

 

[Gianna Aegis]

Sprite Gate Shore

Brandyn Sal-Soren | John Locke | Blaire Sal-Soren | Cybelle Sal-Soren​

Her arms lingered around Cybelle for a moment longer than what might have been considered necessary. Practiced hands found the back of the one life in all the galaxy that she treasured as if she were her own child and tried to ease away the tension. The stress that seemed to be eating away at her. Cybelle put up a good front, for the most part, but there were cracks in the armor she put on every day. Shadows in her eyes that…Gianna didn't recall. She was careful not to squeeze too tightly.

Hazel eyes found Brandyn while she held Cybelle. Searching. Seeing.

The Jedi Master of the Shore was far too perceptive not to notice something was amiss with the typically happy couple. It wasn't because the Force whispered little things to her through the wind or any other such nonsense that the locals prattled on about…But simply because she had eyes. Something was eating away at Cybelle, and Brandyn didn't seem to be far behind. She wanted to hug them both at the same time and shelter them from…Everything.

There had been too much suffering in their lives.

She pressed a kiss to Cybelle's forehead before releasing the young woman to pull Brandyn into a hug whether he wanted one or not. There was no awkwardness to it. Just…The kindness that seemed to radiate from her core. There was no hidden agenda, no secret, save for the fact that she felt blessed for being able to spend some time with them. They lived on the property but…

Gianna thought it best to let them live their lives.

Hopefully, so they didn't feel smothered and decide to rent a flat in Theed instead.

"You don't need to thank me…You're home. You're always welcome here.", she spoke without hesitation, unwinding from Brandyn, only to offer a reassuring smile. "Both of you."

The ginger-haired woman, remarkably youthful for her age, laughed softly when Cybelle mentioned bringing others by the Shore. They could bring one or a hundred…Everyone was welcome here.

"You know I don't mind, little bird…"

But…Gianna didn't comment on dinner. The truth was—She had barely started. There had been endless love in her words, but there was also a healthy dose of concern. The changes she saw in Cybelle were more than just psychological. They were physical. She did not miss the weariness that clung to her despite youth, despite the joy of being a mother, and this was not…Entirely expected. During her last exam, she had cautioned the young woman to take her vitamins and rest, but…

This seemed like she had done the opposite. Was she sleeping at all?

The wise woman did not press yet. Especially…Not on the fact that dinner was only just in the oven. The fact that Cybelle could smell anything at all was an oddity, especially because the meat was still raw. It wasn't the first time she'd heard of women with child having enhanced senses, but combined with everything else, it felt…Out of place. Worrisome.

She returned to Cybelle's side and took her hand, fingers brushing her slim wrist with tender care. "You know I cook enough to feed an army. The more, the merrier. We'll set as many places as we need, and John, I'm sure, will be delighted to show off his latest work if they're curious."

Gia squeezed Cybelle's hand gently.

"We'll talk, yes. About whatever you need…Neither of you are alone. But until then, let's get you inside and off your feet. You both look like you could do with a pre-dinner snack."

Her levity was meant to lighten the moment while she began to lead them into the main house. She was nothing but sunshine and light, projecting an innocence that seemed out of place for a woman who had seen so much war and madness. Nothing broke her spirit.

"Now…Both of you—Tell me all about the cottage. Are you doing well? Do you have everything you need?"

No. Nothing could bend the inherent goodness of the red-haired woman.

Not even when she was worried for those she loved.

"Do not mistake peace for weakness. To choose compassion, again and again, in a galaxy that thrives on conflict—that is the truest strength of all."​

 

[John Locke]

Wearing: Would you believe, not a suit?​

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Naboo | The Spritegate Shore​

Tagging: Cybelle Sal-Soren | Brandyn Sal-Soren | Gianna Aegis
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Hi

It was a small word, fragile and unsure, carrying with it a note of uncertainty, or hollowness that seemed so wrong, so out of place. John didn't even have to close his eyes to be able to cast his mind back to a time when that voice would be filled with life and laughter, when the young woman standing before him would be unable to contain her excitement and energy.

The Spritegate Shore had always had an almost ethereal nature to it, a sense of being outside of time, of worry and heartache. It was a place where you came to rest and recover, to get away from the problems of the galaxy, of that constant stress and worry that was so hard to escape. It had always been that way, ever since he'd first met Gianna and arrived at the estate.

Cybelle had brought something else, something different to the peace of the haven. And undertone of energy and mischief, the sound of laughter and pattering of feet as she almost danced from room to room, encounter to encounter, carrying with her a sense of the spring, of renewed life and happiness. He could remember when the brunette was young, perched on a table in his workshop staring intently at whatever droid or speeder he was working on, features drawn into a serious look as she peppered him with questions.

It was the sense of energy, curiosity and joy that had endeared her to everyone she had met.

It was the sense of energy that was missing now.

Unlike almost everyone in his family, born and found, John had no tangible connection to the force, the energy field that suffused the galaxy and allowed those around him to preform such remarkable feats, to sense changes in the world around them. However, he didn't need the force, didn't need any kind of extra senses or understanding of the world to know that something wasn't right, that his adopted daughter was suffering somehow. It was in her face, on the tension on her body as he replaced Gianna and wrapped his arms around her in a hug.

"You're saing us from leftovers, and we can always drag in a few more chairs if we need. Besides, I do have this speeder bike in the garage."

Arms tightened for just a moment before he took a step back, nodding his head at Brandon.

"And perhaps something to drink? I make a mean lemonade. We're here, for both of you, whatever you need."