Clear The Noodle [Asha]

[Coci Heavenshield]

Atrisia
Quan'Lo


What a contrast between Nar Shaddaa to this. The view from any point of the village was breath taking and the soft morning mist cool to the touch on the skin, a scent of pine not unlike that on Midvinter took Vik home, if he did not know better he would think he was in his homeland. But it was different, the people even more so but they possessed the spirit of generosity akin to the Valkyri, those that don't have much willing to spare what they could. Jak had advised him to bring [member="Asha Hex"] here, after the events on Nar Shaddaa he suggested this place would provide her with the much needed rest and a place to regain her senses. Whether Jak had been here, mattered little, Vik supposed he had knowledge of this place and Vik was grateful regardless. The bleating of farm animals shifted his thoughts, the murmur of voices of the women as they gathered their things to begin their daily work vanished behind the slopes as they made their way to the fields of water in which they grew their crops.

Vik turned to make his way back to the small hut in which he and Asha had to themselves. The girl still very much reliant on him even though her scars had healed and her injuries on the mend as much as he could have done for her he did but she would bare the scars for life, he was not able to rid her of that. She had lost a lot of blood, and that was the dangerous period for her, but now? all her strength had returned and with it a sense of awareness of her situation.

It was time to go and prepare some breakfast, before the usual morning walk. He would lead her out into the village and beyond into the country side, all this helped her much to grow stronger each day. And as usual, the children would come to him running around his legs with fun in their heart and most curious about his ears. They believed him a imp or will-o-the-wisp of some strange land and he supposed they were right in sense. So he would play with them, teasing them that he would spirit them away.

Upon reaching the door to their hut, Vik knocked, "Asha? you awake?", it was his way of announcing his intent to enter, just in case she was dressing.

 

[Lief]

The first few weeks had been the hardest.

It was one thing to lose one sense; had she merely been blind, there would have at least been conversation. Had she merely been deafened, then she would have at least been able to look around, read lips, have some sort of freedom and autonomy. And had she still her connection to the Force, she would have tapped into it in order to compensate for both. As it was, Asha had lost all three during the explosion.

She was lucky indeed to have so patient a man at her side as Vik. Anyone else would have left her there that day to die, as so many others on Nar Shaddaa had in the attack, or walked away once she was healed of the bloodier wounds. Instead he had taken responsibility for her, he had been her guide through a Galaxy without senses, ensured she was fed, and hydrated, that she had somewhere to rest her head. It had been strange to begin with, she did not know a single thing about him. Not how he looked, or how he sounded, not his species or even really his gender. She'd stumbled around for what felt like months, and she never would have made it this far if not for his guidance.

Her hearing had been the first thing to return. Slowly, muffled like she was underwater, and constantly drifting in and out of existence, but it was the first real sign that things might be alright. It had been overwhelming to hear again, to be able to hold a conversation, and during that time she learned a great deal about him. Well, as much as he was willing to tell. But beyond the words themselves, she could tell that he was male, that he came from a world outside of the core - he didn't have the accent - and that he hadn't done this for any sort of personal gain.

People with such generosity were few and far between in a Galaxy such as theirs.

Neither her sight, nor her hearing, nor even really her connection to the Force, had fully returned. There were still days when she woke up without one of them. Even on the days when she had her senses they were very sensitive, she was forced to keep her eyes closed when she didn't need to use them, and would cover her ears if things became too hectic. Much of her free time, when Vik was busy, was spent in meditation, trying to reconnect with the Force she loved so dearly.

Coming to Atrisia had worked wonders on her, though. The calmer surroundings and slow pace of life afforded her all the time she required. There was ample shade to cater to her eyes, and beauty all around. The people of this land were kind, also, far more giving than they had any need to be, and though there was much she could not do Asha tried to help out as much as possible.

The sound of knocking at the door drew her from her thoughts. Rising from where she had been sitting on the edge of her cot, Asha approached the door and allowed it to swing inward. Vik was stood there, the sun casting him in an ethereal light, and the sight of him brought a smile to her face.

"Good morning, Vik," she said, excited to have the function of both eyes and ears that day, "Did I oversleep?"

[member="Vik Velkarson"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

He leaned in closer to the door to hear any sign of her awake, it was not every day she would have possession of her sight or hearing but she responded which was a great thing. Vik opened the door to find her sitting on the edge of her bed, "No not really", he said, after all they have no where to be until she is able to enter the galaxy without his assistance. "But you are missing a beautiful day", as it was for outside the sun bathed the region in warmth, and everything was alive with power and energy. He walked to the only window in the small hut and opened it, letting in the fresh morning air and light before turning to a small fire on which they cook and keep what little cold would fill the room away.

"It is time for you herb tea", he said placing the pot over the flame, "and after you have that .. we can go on our walk". The tea had been provided by the villagers to help her healing, a herbal concoction to help restore not only her sense but her strength. It has a strong scent and where there was a bitterness to it, Vik did not know not having tried it. They were herbs the likes of which he had never seen or tasted, but still the power of plants was something he could appreciate.

"How are you feeling this morning?", he asked her, as he poured the brew into a small cup and handed it to her, with a nod of encouragement to take it and drink it all. As he got up from sitting on his haunches he brushed his hands against his legs and sat back on his cot, grabbed a piece of fruit from a bowl and took a large bite.

[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Lief]

The warmth which radiated from outside the hut seeped into every inch of the room. A tender breeze washed through, drawing the sleep from her and setting her mind into more of an alert state. While the tea was brewed she stepped to one side of the room and drenched her face in fresh water from a bowl, forcing her to briefly wince.

"I like beautiful days" she said, nonchalantly, as she dried herself off. The smell of the tea reached her then, and though she did her best not to pull a face a little of her disdain for the brew made itself known all the same. If he thought it smelled bad, then the taste of it was much worse. Still Asha wasn't stubborn when it came to such things, she knew that she needed to get better and the drink most definitely helped her regain her strength. So too did their walks, they forced all of her senses into motion between the two of them and though some days that caused her great pain she was started to adjust to having them all back in use again.

"I feel okay," she said, before taking a sip of the tea. She allowed her taste buds to adjust to it, before continuing, "Better than I have all week, in truth."

After that she gulped down the brew, as quickly as she could, to get it over and done with. Though it did burn the back of her throat, in an odd way it was soothing. Even with the bitter aftertaste. "Did you sleep well, Vik? I swear, you're the last to sleep and first to rise..."

Taking great care to gently rinse out the cup, she reached past Vik in order to grab a piece of the native fruit herself and let out a small sigh. As much as she enjoyed the walks, she did still have to mentally prepare herself - it was a lot brighter outside than it was inside their hut.

[member="Vik Velkarson"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

He grinned as her face wrinkled with the bitter taste of the tea, it did not smell all that wonderful either but the local healers had insisted she drink it and with time Asha had grown stronger. Her senses however, would take much longer to regain and this was well beyond his capacity to help with. The body has a strange way of coping with such aggressive assaults to it, and he hope for her sake, time would return them to her.

"I did thank you, the fresh air of this planet gives energy but also tires me out", in truth he had, slept as soundly as he had ever done but it there was more to it than the fresh air, his heart and soul have been lifted of a great burden that he had to carry for many years, and had instilled in his a way of being since his childhood. Of all the beings in the galaxy, it had been his father that had given him the relief he so desired. What a strange and complicated creature is his father, not something or someone Vik could understand at this moment, but maybe in time when he returns home, he would.

Vik would wait for Asha to finish her fruit before they would venture outdoors, "Oh!", he suddenly remembered. "I have something for you", he said getting up off his cot and pulling out a hat made from the local reeds of this area of Atrisia.

"Here", he handed it to her with a smile, "It will keep the glare of the sun from your eyes, and it is quite the fashion around these parts". The people that work the field of water in their crops would always be seen in them.

[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Lief]

"I have been enjoying our walks," she told him, in agreement, the fresh air had been a welcome change for the girl after Nar Shaddaa and then the various starships they'd used to travel all the way to Atrisia. "It is nice to slow the pace a little, to appreciate each moment of the day rather than rushing between duties."

Though she'd never admit as much to Vik, it strengthened her connection to the Force. But he was of Midvinter, and she did not think he identified with the Force as an entity at all so the conversation would not even be worth bringing up. If she was ever able to exist on her own again, she had no doubt that she would make time for more humble activities such as the ones they carried out here. Shaddaa had really put things into perspective for her.

His sudden excitement had her perk up, quickly finishing the last bite of her fruit so that she could stand and admire the hat he pulled forth. She didn't reach for it right away, instead cleaning off her hands so that they were not sticky with fruit juice, but when she did her dull eyes lit up.

"For me? Thank you!" It was a very considerate gift, all things considered, and would likely mean they could spend longer outdoors than they usually did. "Do you think we could try a new trail today? I would so like to get at least part way up one of the mountains, the views from up there must be spectacular, and I want to make the most of my vision."

As they stepped outside, she pulled the hat into place and grinned up at him. Sometimes she truly had to wonder what she'd done to deserve such selfless companionship.

[member="Vik Velkarson"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Duty for Vik was a thing of the past, at least for the present time. He had once been one of the Aelvar that helped the Queen in tending to her forest and everything that entailed was demanding, although he liked it as he could be alone and only have the trees and plants as company along with some of the creatures of the forest. In those days he would hide for fear of too much knowledge, about people, but now he realised just how little he truly know of the worlds outside Midvinter. He was on an adventure in more ways than one, which was fulfilling to him and could only make him grow as a person for it.

He sat in reflection, remembering the what happened between him and his father, and it was becoming clearer to him why he did what he had. In his way he had done Vik a service, pushing him away like he did and regardless of the pure fear he had felt from his actions, Vik held a sense of gratitude for it. Maybe his father was not a monster at all?

"Of course, a change in scenery would be welcomed for me too. Are .. are you sure you are up to it?", he hoped she would not be pushing herself, beyond her means now, but Asha had grown much stronger in the days their spent here. Exercise was a good thing, and so too the fresh air.

"Come on then", he said pushing himself off the cot and grabbed his jacket slinging it around his shoulders. One thing Vik had learned out in the wider galaxy was that nothing remained the same, one day a place could be a beautiful as anything in this world, the next in total ruination. There were people out there that wanted for nothing but to see everything destroyed, for their own ambitions or whatever they purpose. And each day was precious, each view that one took in could be last time that beauty was present.

For tomorrow it could be gone.

[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Lief]

"Up for it?" she asked, with a beaming smile, "I cannot wait!"

This was, apparently, one of those rare days when Asha was at her best. Far from perfect - even with the hat she still winced when they stepped out into the sun - but also not trying to hide away from her troubles. There had been days, weeks, when Asha would refuse to leave their hut. When she'd remain curled up in bed. And then there were those days when she didn't really have the ability to speak with him, to let him know whether or not she wanted to. On those days it was a toss up between whether Vik would escort her outside regardless, or whether she'd be made to rest.

But today?

Asha practically radiated positive energy.

With a skip in her step she joined him on the front deck, and then carefully down the steps which led up to their humble home. The village lay around them, small yet bustling all the same. She pulled the brim of the hat down a little further, and turned her head to admire the view. Inhaling through her nose she took in the scents of the morning, before turning to Vik.

"May I make dinner, tonight?" she asked, hoping internally that her vision remained for that long. "There's something I've been wanting to make with one of the local roots..."

They walked at a steady pace, though even so there were moments when Asha fell behind, or paused entirely. Though Vik had done wonders patching her up back on Nar Shaddaa there remained some bodily issues beyond her senses. But that was the point of their walks, to help strengthen her once more.

[member="Vik Velkarson"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"Of course, in fact I look forward to your cooking", he grinned as they left their tiny hut. The sounds around him pricked up his Aelvarian ears, the points of them twitching as they walked up the slope that would lead to the mountain near by. In the distance he could hear the avian, crying out to call their mates, but this sound was well out of the range of normal hearing, his pupils narrowed to protect his eyes from the harshness of the light of day, it was much brighter here than on Midvinter in the forest that surrounded Averlorn, forever walking in dappled light. But he adjusted to it soon enough.

Although he could power on up the slope on any given day, he would fall back if Asha found the going hard as she was still recovering from the physical wounds to her upper body, and it was not until coming here did they discover the piece of metal in her leg which one of the local healers had removed. It had not been in a dangerous position but it required healing and rest nonetheless. "Just .. just take your time. We have all day to get up there", at least she could try and push herself beyond what they did yesterday and gain more strength from the out door exercise.

"I never really got to ask you, but where are you from?", it was only in the more recent days had they the chance to get to know more of each other. Besides, Vik was growing more curious about the galaxy at large, and there was so much he did not know. The slope on which they walked edged the side of the water fields in which the local people grew their crop, the musty smell, was rather pleasing to the senses and the water in the paddies was clear and held a life of it's own, or rather an ecosystem of small creatures that fascinated Vik.

He stopped for a moment and went to the edge of one, watching these small creatures swimming about, some had long tails, others the same but had small legs and slightly bigger than the rest, he knew them to be amphibians but they are different to the ones found in the brooks of Averlorn. He placed his hand in the water to scoop one up, and in a small pool in the cup of his palm, the tiny spawn flicked about. "I wonder what you will become", he asked it although it was more a question to himself, "A frog, a toad .. or a .. Prince". He realised he was speaking this thoughts aloud and quickly put the tadpole back into it's rightful place.

[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Lief]

She beamed a smile at him when he decided to give her a shot, and seemed to find a little extra energy to fully catch up with him. Not that he ever went too far ahead, of course, at least not intentionally. It was gorgeous outside, a nicer day than she'd seen in a very long time, and while she knew there was no rush to head toward the summit - or even an outcrop, which was honestly the more likely outcome of the day, even if she wanted to be ambitious - she did try to push herself.

As some of the pain returned to her leg she took a brief break, feigning interest in one of the blossomed trees which lingered overhead, and upon spotting a particularly long and straight branch which had fallen from it she scooped it up and used it as a hiking stick. Even regular old adventurers with nothing wrong with them used such things to keep them on the straight and narrow, it wasn't a crutch.

Right?

After starting back up, a question was posed her way. She pondered on how best to answer, after all most did not like the answer she gave, before finally looking across to him with a shrug.

"I was born in space," she told him, "I don't have a homeworld to go back to." She rubbed her chin for a moment, somehow managing to keep her strides even despite being distracted, and decided to give just a little more information about herself. Neither of them had really shared much outside of surface information, so delving into her history would at least be something new to pass the time with.

"My papa raised me," she added, leaning into the stick while still mentally reassuring herself that it was something anyone could use, "Never knew the woman who birthed me. And well, my papa was a busy man. Always on the move. We were never attached to any one world, though sometimes I wish we had." Sometimes? Well, not really. It had only been something that really crossed her mind following the attack on Nar Shaddaa in truth. Things like that really put life into perspective. "But we saw a lot of the Galaxy, so I cannot complain."

Thinking about her father made the girl smile, though it also set a longing within her soul. It had been far too long since she had seen [member="Jericho"] and after her unexpected disappearance she wondered if he would think her dead, or worse. Their last reunion had not gone to plan, after her time on the Durasteel Graveyard, and she could only hope that he had learned from that experience and would not be so quick to presume the worst of her.

With a soft sigh she waited as the man glanced over a small pool of water, grateful for the brief respite.

"Tell me more of Midvinter, Vik," she said, with some of that same longing seeping into her tone. She had been there once, of course, but she had only ever seen the Valkyri side of things. Part of her presumed that the side of Midvinter Vik knew was far different from that which her Uncle [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] and his family resided within.

[member="Vik Velkarson"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"Born in space", he repeated and shook his head realising just how much he had to learn about things in the galaxy. He understood she was not born in actual space but he was still getting used to the terminology of the way people spoke out side of Midvinter. He remembered his confused look when a girl he met told him she was born on a wheel. Although Asha spoke of her family or lack of experience with them, there was a strong sense of sadness in the words and regret for a past lost in a sense so he would not push her to speak more on them. He knew his own mother well, loved her most dearly and longed to see her again but he would soon enough. His father, well ... that was entirely different, and would be kept to himself.

"You have seen far more than I, and I believe that one could spend an entire life time trying to visit each and every system and would never reach the end. It would be a life well spent to try". He wiped his damp hands on his trousers and they continued their leisurely walk up the slope.

"There are secrets on Midvinter yet to be unveiled, some in recent times. Like the Aelvar which .. is what I am. My people live in a place that is shrouded from the eyes of the Valkyri and as history would tell, for good reason. But now, with the decree of the Queen of the Aelvar, we have formed an understanding with them and an alliance is in place. My home is beautiful, different from the rest of the planet which is equally as beautiful and although I love my home, I have more of a connection to the rest of it, to the fields of snow and ice", he pondered his own words, why that would be? but deep down he knew it has something to do with his father. For a brief moment, he turned his hand and looked into his palm from where his power comes.

It was cold, it was forever cold.



[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Lief]

______________________________________________________________​

​

Atrisia, The Core Worlds // Quan'Lo​

Taking A Hike // With [member="Vik Velkarson"]​

♫ // You Ask Where Will We Stand In The Winds That Will Howl​

As All That We See Will Slip Into The Cloud​

______________________________________________________________​

"One day," Asha explained, with a wistful tone to her quiet voice, "I hope to have seen them all."

It was an unachievable goal, of course, and the girl knew it. There were so many systems out there in the Galaxy, so many stars, and so many worlds orbiting them, that you'd need a thousand lifetimes to truly see them all. But that didn't stop her from wanting to give it a good try. One day she'd look back on it all, realize how much she'd been able to see. All of the people and the landscapes, the wonders of the Galaxy.

They began back up along the winding trail, and Asha leaned into her stick as she got back into the flow of things.

"Maybe one day, when I'm all healed up, we could visit some of them together. Have you seen a desert before, Vik?" They were harsh landscapes to be sure, but if you had the provisions, and a good head on your shoulders, you could make it work. Especially with a ship. "It's something else entirely."

He spoke almost longingly of home, and it made the girl wish so desperately that she could also see it. Perhaps one day she'd have a chance to, though if it was as closed off and secretive as he made it out to be then maybe that would not be the case.

"It sounds wonderful," she told him, "What I saw of Midvinter was breathtaking, colder than I am used to to be sure. Still, I was well looked after."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

He had to smile despite himself, there was so much he had never seen, had not even contemplated existed let alone that he would have the chance to see such beauties in the galaxy. He wondered how long they would remain that way? it seemed the galaxy was forever in a flux of war or some sort of conflict that the beings of the galaxy were hell bent on destroying rather than preserving. And that was just the landscapes, what of the people that lived among them all?

Vik was not naive to conflict, his home planet had seen a lot of it over it's history and most likely would again. But his home always seemed to prevail against those that come to attack the place without any understanding of it's own natural will to resist them.

"No I have never seen a desert", and he truly did not know what to expect although he knew them to be hot but that was about his extent of knowledge. "To be honest I am not sure I would survive it", as one of the weaknesses of those that hail from Midvinter face, extreme heat will kill them.

They pushed onward, the climb beginning to turn toward the cliff and the walk became more difficult although not for him. "My home is open to those that come with good intentions, our friends and those we trust. Those that enter it, that only seek deception .. will perish", he added more ominously but with a matter of fact tone to his voice. And there was somewhat of a pride in his voice and the idea of trickery of the mist was amusing, which even curled his lips to a smile.

[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Lief]

"Oh..."

Asha frowned to that, and swiftly shook the very notion of bringing him to a desert world when she was feeling better from her mind. No, there was not a chance in Chaos that she'd risk it, it simply was not worth it, so she set the idea aside and rubbed her neck.

"Okay, that was a terrible idea then. What about... worlds made up almost exclusively of ocean? With little archipelagos? They aren't always so hot, but they usually are very beautiful, the islands filled with luscious landscapes and wildlife."

As they reached a steeper rise Asha found herself leaning more and more on the hiking stick as a clutch, eventually grasping it so tight that her knuckles turned bone white. Every once in a while she would use both hands to hoist herself up, yet she had not reached breaking point yet and so she did not complain, nor try to turn back the way they had come. Instead she pressed on, managing her breathing so as not to sound too laboured, and hoping all the while that he would not insist that they stop.

"I should love to see it," she reiterated wistfully, of his homeland, when he mentioned its two-toned approach to visitors, knowing in her heart of hearts that she would never step within it with anything other than the purest of intentions. This was Asha, after all, she couldn't be monstrous or cruel even if she tried.

[member="Vik Velkarson"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

He could not help but chuckle, as much as Vik would like to see a desert, it was not possible but her other suggestion was although he would struggle with it, he could probably temper his core body heat to be able to tolerate it. And something as beautiful as this place Asha suggested sounded too good an opportunity to pass up. It sounded like paradise. "That sounds like a great idea and something I would love to see", he turned to see her struggling with her stick she used for aid to walk.

Her healing was going to take time, it was more about getting her strength back now, all the internal injuries were mended or mending to the point that she was out of danger, but her core strength still lacked. And although he wanted to stop and give her rest or even turn back, she had to push herself some more. Asha had the good grace of stubbornness which helped to propel her further.

Vik grinned. "I was a little melodramatic there wasn't I?", he said as he grin grew, at his thought of Averlorn. "You have no fear of the mists, I would make sure of that".

It took time, but the pair made it up to the point of the mountain and could go no further. The air was thinner up here, a cold wind that pulled at their clothes but for Vik it was very refreshing and his blood welcomed it. It was now time for Asha to rest, by now she would need it and they still had the climb down which can be just as hard. He found them a place on a rock that would be comfortable enough to rest awhile, and take in the splendor of the view.

[member="Asha Hex"]

 

[Lief]

Somehow Asha had made it up the mountain.

It was a monumental occasion for the girl who had barely gotten half way up during past attempts. Yet now as they came upon the summit and the view of the village down below was lit up by unhindered sunshine she could not help but feel a sense of pride. Her legs buckled beneath her, the adrenaline beginning to wane, and rather than collapse completely she managed to sit herself down and let out a long sigh.

The air was difficult to breathe, so it took her a little longer than usual to recover her breath, yet none of that could outshine the emotions she was feeling.

"That... Settles that, then..." she said, with soft exhales, "One day you'll see the islands, and one day I'll see through the mists..."

The idea of having to walk back down the mountain became more daunting as the minutes passed by, so she banished the thought from her mind and instead focused on the gorgeous vista before them. Asha had faced many trials in the past, yet none had felt quite so rewarding as this.

[member="Vik Velkarson"]