Comfort

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Silara"] [member="Danger Arceneau"]

They moved him into the medical bay of the ship.

He was still delirious, still out of it, not quite sure where he was or where he had come from. However there was a certain peace in his heart, peace that came from knowing the love of his life was safe, that she was not too far off and that she was still with him in every sense of the word. That peace was only added to by the knowledge that his one and only friend was near as well.

He hardly thought of the two interacting, nor did he care if they did.

Alric had never held any fear of the two of them meeting, and if it hadn't been for tonight's little incident he very likely would have introduced them himself. Of course right now he didn't have the mental acumen to even think of that, and instead he was drifting in a haze of thoughts that didn't quite make any sense.

That didn't matter though.

What mattered was what he had.

A low hum escaped his throat, a sound that was familiar to some, and never heard by other. A low melody that thrummed within his body, denoting satisfaction within his delirium.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"] [member="Silara"]

The low hum brought with it memories. Shades of the past here and there. Different times, different places, down to the first time she heard that low thrumming melody and its comforting tune.

Tatooine.

But that was a different time and a different place, so she slipped it from her mind. At very least things were progressing how they ought to. The medical bay was a room full of disinfecting white and steel. It wasn't too far off that both Silara and Danger were sticking out like sore thumbs with their finery. Medics would come here and there, monitoring the holographic feeds along with that Corellian Cardiologist -- name is Asterian Cain after a quick question from the Trade Queen on Alric's status.

He was stable for now, but would be looking after.

A tight smile and a nod would indicate her gratefulness, along with the, "Thank you right kindly Doctor Cain."

That voice would soon pan over towards Silara, the woman she still held in her light grasp. What manner of thoughts would pass through her mind would be kept to herself, as instead there were other more pressing things to turn to.

"Aeri --" her soft coo would summon her assistant, motioning for the Zeltron to get a small seat beside the bed. The woman would move with deftness, and in short order a small comfortable seat would be placed at the right of Alric's bed.

"Gonna get you seated right now, Miz Silara," Danger would tell the quiet woman with a soft tone, comfort and an offering of strength should she so desire it.

"Got you a place right by his side." she told her, gently guiding the blind woman right on over, much like an older sister to the younger. A squeeze of comfort would be left lingering, warmth in her voice.

"You can reach right on for his hand right there."

A pause, then another question.

"Care for some water?"

 

[Hailyn]

In the silence that accompanied their trip from the party Silara came to make a connection with this "Danger" person and the very same Danger that she heard from the late-night tales Alric had told her, tales that enraptured her like a small child listening to the stories of a stranger in awe. At the time it was a bittersweet tale, an experience she was envious of, and for a while she had created a mental separation from her Alric, the one lying close by, and the Alric of the past. While she could not watch his face as he told her of his past, she envisioned, imagined, it all as if were playing out before her and during his one-sided talk with her she found herself rooting for Danger in silence, only to be ultimately disappointed with the way they parted. Now, however, that it was her story, her life, she felt awkwardly inferior to the sharp-tongued business woman, and suddenly being a Sith Lord felt more like a boast than a title of honor in comparison to the tales of Danger and Alric. In fact, she felt downright inferior. The way he'd recognized the woman, the way he'd spoken her name, and the sudden and sharp decline in confusion that had radiated from Alric at her presence spoke volumes of their relationship - whether it was as friends or less than such.

Every word of comfort was welcomed, and indeed she felt like a younger sibling in treatment to the queen of trade. Once she was directed to her seat, as close as she would be allowed to Alric, the musings of the blind woman began. Mild amusement with her current attitude, frustration with the natural progression of things, and confusion with what wracked her mind - with guilt. Why did she feel it? Had she not been trained, tortured, and re-educated to forget its addictive touch? Had her depression already taken root? The time from her arrival at the charity gala had been long enough for her medicine to slowly wear off - she'd expected to be returning home by now and avoided coming with more of the mind-altering medication than needed - and it would certainly coincide with the feelings she was having. Metaphorically speaking, she looked towards Danger through the force, analyzing her figure, and silently wondered if this - her and Alric - bothered as much as she felt it should. "Yes, please." Came her soft words in reply to [member="Danger Arceneau"]'s question, her small right hand reaching out for [member="Alric Kuhn"]'s.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Silara"] [member="Danger Arceneau"]

He hadn't noticed either of them come in, he hadn't noticed them speaking either.

The hum in his throat had died, and his body had slowly pushed him into a light sleep. When the warm touch of his fiance enveloped his hand however, Alric's eyes slowly pulled open. Deep blue crescents rimmed by angry red stared up at the ceiling for a second, fingers latching closed around the tiny digits of the woman he loved.

A smile spread across his face.

His head swiveled to the right, turning towards where Silara would be sitting. His eyebrows raised in surprise as he saw Danger there as well, the look of an older sister seeking to comfort a younger sibling upon her face. His smile didn't fade however.

He was glad to see them both.

“Well, isn't this a lovely view to wake up to.” He squeezed Silara's hand lovingly, smiling at her even though she couldn't see it.

His eyes then cast to Danger with an inquisitive look. It was then he realized that he had absolutely no idea why he was in this bed, or why Danger looked so concerned or why his Songbird looked more distraught than he had ever seen her. A sudden flash of concern ripped through him.

Had he been poisoned? Shot? Stabbed?

What had happened?

The machine that monitored Alrics heart began to beep slightly faster. “What happened?”

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Aeri was on point as soon as the confirmation came. The Zeltron would leave to find refreshment for all, taking with her the calming manipulations of her kind for the moment.

However, there was no time to think.

Green eyes would draw towards [member="Alric Kuhn"], catching his curious expression as it shifted into concern.

“What happened?” Danger repeated, her drawl shifting into a soft chide, “What happened is that you ain’t taking care of your hide, Kuhn.”

It was clear she only said this out of deep concern for the man, straightening to her full height. She had that rather imposing brooding hen demeanor about her, and her expression told Alric that she wasn’t too pleased with him. Then again, beyond that it would also relay her worry.

“One would swear you are taking stims to keep going instead of resting like you should,” she’d tell him, unconsciously giving a stroke of her hand through [member="Silara"] ’s hair. It was light, comforting, much like she’d done to both Ashiin and Saffron as well as the rest of the girls in her care. Most folk wouldn’t know it, but Danger had a heart of gold when it came to women of vulnerability. Perhaps it was due to the loss of her own flesh and blood and the lack of blood family that made her so inclined to shift into that mode.

Or maybe it was due to having been wronged so many times before she understood the feeling of being at rock bottom without another soul to help out.

The cafune would continue, a light stroking of gloved fingers. “Ain’t doing anyone any good if you are going to work yourself into another heart attack.”

Her words were blunt, but they’d been through worse and were of the sort that blunt is what they did -- at least, when it came to the other’s well being.

Other far more intimate tells were still avoided. The words never came. Never could be said. Unknown.

I can’t think of what to say…

He’d told her a long while ago. Funny how things change yet still stay the same.

Needing to keep things going and moving along so her mind didn’t dwell on her own chaotic and confused bundle of nerves, Danger would turn to Silara.

“Just like him to make an entrance like so. Always was one to set the scene and get his own way. Never a compromise.”

An eyebrow would arch in seeming amusement and wry irony that was directed over at Alric.

“And still the worst at introductions.”

 

[Hailyn]

Alric's musings brought a small smile to her face, the firmness of his grip on her hand as much a comfort as it had been when she'd been in his position and he in hers. She couldn't help but stifle a short laugh, which came out almost like a giggle, at [member="Danger Arceneau"]'s rather blunt response to Alric's question."I told you that you needed to sleep more." She said in agreeance with Danger's comment on his sleeping habits - or rather his lack thereof. Suddenly she felt a comforting sensation at the side of her head - the feeling of fingers running through her soft hair. Without realizing it she had began to tilt her head towards the woman's hand with a sigh of content, remnants of a time prior to her formative years beginning to resurface as memories of her head laying comfortably in the lap of someone else while fingers were ran through her hair. She smiled a little brighter, but also a bit sadly, at the recognition of the memory of her mother's touch.

"Yes, he's always been one to thrust himself into the center of attention." Silara replied, moving her artificial left hand up on instinct to the hand that ran through her hair - something Alric did quite often to her while she slept. It wasn't until several seconds later that she realized what she was doing and pulled her hand away in embarrassment, her cheeks flushing a shade of pink. "Why don't you sit down?" She asked sheepishly, moving to the side of her seat to make room for another. Turning her head towards Alric's voice she made a face that she was certain would be mock disappointment, a face she often made when either making a point about his habits of getting out of bed to answer a call at one in the morning or reacting to his sporadic jokes at her expense. "I think it's best if we let him rest a while, so I'll introduce myself," She began. "I'm Silara, Alric and I met just a few months ago, a regular business meeting between Sith and Titan, and it took a different direction and we ended up in.. well, we were together for a while before he felt okay calling us an item." She explained, trying to formulate a length of time between the day she met him in his office to now. It had certainly been several months, but she couldn't quite say a year, or close - it felt too soon to say that. Her voice had trailed off at realizing that and remembering Alric's sudden proposal several days before.

"And just.. well, just the other day, a routine inspection of the progress of Corellia's reconstruction effort brought me to him sooner than usual and.. well, he just sort of proposed to me in the hangar of his ship. It was really surreal.. it.." Silara continued, though her words trailed off and rubbed her thumb against the back of [member="Alric Kuhn"]'s hand. "Well to say I was shocked would have been an understatement, but I said yes when I realized he was serious - and here we are." She finished softly, withholding the secret that housed her insecurities - that he hadn't told her he'd loved her, that he wanted her like she him, until the very same day. It was a touchy subject for her, she hadn't brought it up with Alric yet either.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Silara"] [member="Danger Arceneau"]

He wanted to say something.

He wanted to interject, but he found himself dumbfounded.

Was it the heart attack? Was it the fact that they were being so light about it? Maybe a little of both, but for a few moments Alric simply looked away from the two women and stared at his own hands. He gripped the bed for a few seconds with one hand and tightened his hold on [member="Silara"] with the other. His thoughts simply drifting about his own health.

A heart attack?

So young?

Was it in his family history? Had his father had heart problems? His grandfather? His great Grandfather? He didn't know, they had all been Sith. They had all been Krath. Any failings they might have had would have been fixed by the force. His lips thinned for a few moments, and then finally he turned his head back towards the two women.

He listened for a few seconds, then smiled, nodding slightly as Silara spoke.

“Well...” Alric said quietly before Danger could say anything. “This is Danger Arceneau. One of the only people in the galaxy I can call my friend without even a hint of irony. ”

Silara was one of the others of course, she would already know that by the squeeze on her hand.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

It was a curious situation. Certainly surreal. One might question if it was a dream; certainly Danger was having a few doubts of her own. T'was the slight graze of Silara's hand and her introduction of herself that drew her attention, prompting a quick shove of her curious thoughts.

Aeri had the best timing; or the worst. Truthfully, Danger wasn't quite sure but it was what it was. Two bottle of waters were subsequently offered to Danger, and a small thanks of gratitude would see that one was given to @Silara.

"Your water, Miz Silara." Danger would inform her with a soft tone, holding it just alongside Silara's free hand for her to take. Blind she might be, but that didn't make her an invalid. There was as much respect in that as Danger could provide, knowing that the woman likely had her own pride.

All the while, her mind would register what Silara would reveal. More pieces to the puzzle. The other half. Ahh, so they met during business.

A glance would draw over to Alric. Why am I not surprised? she'd muse, well aware that was the same sort of situation that brought a start to their own relationship.

Question was, what made this different? The curiosity was maddening and she fought with herself at the conflicted emotions and thoughts that would rear their head in the back of her mind. Truth be told, she couldn't help but peer curiously at the woman as she spoke. There was a quizzing study, as if trying to take in how this slip of a girl had managed to wrangle Alric's heart.

What did she have that would stir him so? Was it that vulnerability? Her figure and form? Or there wasn't any doubt that the woman was a beauty, she might be pale but it suited her fine with the vibrancy of her scarlet hair. Curious no, from one redhead to another.

Well, at least he didn't stray too far from the groove, she'd internally muse, only to remind herself to stay focused. But she couldn't help it. Not when Silara would reveal more with every sentence she spoke. When they met. How long. The events of Corellia. The engagement...

You didn't stop running once you started did you Alric? Just kept on running and jumped with both feet without looking. Without a single regret. She'd muse to herself, thinking back how she'd encouraged him to go.

Her hand would twist the bottle cap of her bottle water and she would find herself in a desperate need to drink. Halfway through the water, she was half wishing it was stiffer.

A small gesture would come with a wag of her finger over at Alric's direction, swallowing one last gulp before adding, "Don't let him lie to you.

He'll say it with plenty irony when he's got a death's wish to rile one he ain't supposed to." there was a measure of lighthearted banter to that -- she had to, in order to keep herself talking. "Mainly me."

Her green eyes would dart over towards the offered seat the woman had offered with a scootch. Well, here was the moment of truth. Just how far was she willing to go?

Danger had no delusions that here was where the line was drawn. Not for Alric, but for herself. Just how far was she willing to play on this Dejarik board for her best friend?

It only took a spare glance on over at the way the Tetan held Silara's hand and the softening of his expression to seal it. Heartbreaking as it was, that was were the fork lay.

Damned if she do and damned if she don't.

To put it more into perspective, it didn't help matters that the subtle nuances of insecurities and vulnerabilities beyond the physical would tug upon the Queen of Trade's heart much like Saffron and Ashiin had before.

What is love? Sacrifice, darling. It is all about sacrifice.

"A right pleasure Miz. Silara...and thank you kindly."

And so, Danger Arceneau found herself seated upon the offered seat right next to Silara, a genuine smile on her face as she'd say with a gentle tuck of a wayward lock of Silara's crimson hair behind her ear. Somethings one just couldn't help one self.

"And I figured as much on who you be...you had Alric quite tongue tied without realization he was twiterpatted 'round you for the longest."

A seemingly wryful twist of her lips would curve over her mouth, catching Alric's eye.

"He's a dense one. Sometimes... you just gotta break things down for him to understand."

 

[Hailyn]

It was a tad bit odd that she couldn't quite see where the woman's hand was through the force, or much of her really, but it didn't take much to infer that where there was an absence in the force would be where her hand was, and in turn the bottle of water. "Thank you." She said, making room for the other woman. She quickly took a sip before handing it off to Alric, a look of sharp concern on her face. Just prior to his heart attack she'd tried to get him to take a glass of water, now she was going to make sure he didn't worm his way out of the drink. "Drink up." Came her scolding whisper, wishing she could physically see him to give him a glare of frustration. She didn't quite understand what Danger meant by the talk of irony, eventually assuming that she was speaking of Alric's habitual sarcasm, but she was glad that the older woman had taken the spot she'd offered up to her. "No, thank you. You've been a great help." Silara replied, stammering but not just quite when she felt that smooth touch against the side of her head again. There was just something about that sort of touch that made her feel right at home.

She felt her face flush red at Danger's assertion that she realized who she was, or at least what she was, to [member="Alric Kuhn"], and she made a shy smile to show her embarrassment. "Alric's said a lot about you, enough to make a girl worry!" She said with a small laugh, pretending it didn't bother her when it was really the only reason she had brought it up in the first place. Though she kept her right hand near Alric, she couldn't help but feel that familiar caging sensation of shrinking, as if she was slowly being made smaller and smaller in her ever decreasing personal space. "I do agree, though, sometimes he ignores what's right in front of him." Silara said softly, the tone of her voice meant to have stayed in her head more than anything - though she either didn't realize how it sounded or the feeling of longing made her brush it off.

[member="Danger Arceneau"] [member="Alric Kuhn"]

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Silara"] [member="Danger Arceneau"]

Alric took the water bottle, letting go of Silaras hand only because his other arm was connected to a series of tubes that were feeding some sort of liquids into his bloodstream. He assumed it was a mixture of IV and perhaps bacta, though quite honestly he had no idea if Bacta would actually heal the heart as well.

He assumed so since Aspha did...but he wasn't about to start taking Aspha because of a heart attack.

Not after the last time.

He chocked slightly on the water when she made her comment about what Alric had told her. His gaze fell to Danger for a brief moment, then shifted back towards Silara. Perhaps the idea of the two of them conversing about...that sort of thing made him uncomfortable.

“I don't ignore anything.” Alric said as he finished taking a sip of the water, placing the still quarter full bit of plastic onto the table beside him before taking Silara's hand again. “It just seems to hide from me.”

He smiled at her, then once again wrapped his hand around the length of Silara's digits. His fingers curled, and he squeezed her palm, pulling on her hand slightly as if he wanted her closer. He did of course, but it would be slightly inappropriate to have Silara crawl into the Hospital bed and start snuggling, at least with Danger here. He would convince her to do so later.

His eyes shifted between them, frozen lakes shifting from one woman to the other. They sat so close to one another, wedged in place. He smiled at them, but there was something behind it.

Alric felt small.

Perhaps it was the two women bantering back and forth, perhaps it was the heart attack, perhaps it was the realization that he was not immortal. He didn't know, but the feeling sat in the back of his head, and for a brief moment he found a thought looming within his mind that had never been there before in the entirety of his life.

Doubt.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

"Alric's said a lot about you, enough to make a girl worry!" ​

That eyebrow would arch so high.

Even the dense [member="Alric Kuhn"] would not be able to miss it nor the expression of piqued curiosity.

Just what had he told her? How much had he told her?

Questions would plague the mind like writhing maggots choking themselves on grey matter.

Had he told her about how they met? What about what happened afterward? Tatooine? What about the years that came after?

What about Fio--

The blood went draining from her face as she blanched.

The pulse at her throat would start to flutter, and in that was a nauseating feeling that would strike at intense vertigo.

Inari the fething reviver! There was tension in her expression that would subtly dance in growing anxiety along with the tang of growing betrayal. She felt sick.

Horribly sick.

How could he?! No..

He couldn't. He wouldn't?! Right?

He knew well what that would mean. What that betrayal would be if he did.

But in that was a startling realization; right there as Alric clung to Silara's hand and watched her with bare emotion, his affection for her clear.

No, this was not the Alric she knew. He could have very we'll have told all.

Another subtle flinch.

I do agree, though, sometimes he ignores what's right in front of him.​

​

...he ignores what's right in front of him.​

​

...what's right in front of him.​

​

...in front of him.​

Now that struck that ice pick further in her heart.

I don't ignore anything. ​

You do.

Flashes of times where he was too dense to realize things came to mind. Or likely wouldn't let come to mind.

It just seems to hide from me.​

The last struck a mite bit too true; as if he held a mirror to her face. He wasn't the only one to blame.

Just a white liar.

T’was Aeri’s grasp at her forearm that drew her from her growing panic; snuffing it before the cinders could turn into a blaze. The expression that the Zeltron gave her suggested that what she would say next should very well be taken heed.

“Miz. Arceneau, Mistah Starchaser is asking for you.” she’d call out to her quietly, a hand to her earwig as if she’d received a message, informing her of the owner and CEO of the BrightStar Casino they stood upon. Calm would drift down and saturate the Queen of Trade much like Danger had provided with comfort to Silara herself.

Aeri had a mission to see to her mistress's safety afterall, and the Zeltron was well aware that this was not a situation that would do Danger right.

“Yes… of course.” Came Danger’s soft reply. She’d rise to her feet, every appearing the stout tower of strength, her fingers curling ‘round her water bottle, a smile in her voice -- perfectly poised, sugar and cream, the very picture of Companion hospitality.

It was all fake.

“Pardon for the rudeness… but duties call. “ she’d say in an apologetic voice to both [member="Silara"] and Alric, nary a single indication of anything abnormal beyond the worry and concern of a friend.

"We are only but mortal, Mistah Kuhn; try to keep your hide in one healthy piece...” Slowly, she would adjust her gloves, a graceful motion of a slight smooth and tug at the hem at her elbow, neither party before her able to notice that the motion was used to hide the faint trembling upon them.

“I won’t be there every time to save it.”

One would wonder if there was more to the phrase than a mere seeming teasing banter.

“I'll leave him to your capable hands, Miz Silara.” she’d say warmly to the woman, “Fret naught...Alric Kuhn isn’t the sort to let biology bring him down.”

The corner of her mouth would quirk as if in mild amusement.

“Of that I can guarantee.”

 

[Hailyn]

Alric's response brought a silent sigh to her lips and her thoughts immediately countered his statement, one which made her wrinkle her nose slightly in frustration for a moment or two. 'Maybe if you'd just pay attention.' Came the words in her head, thoughts which argued wordlessly against Alric while her hand went slack as he grasped her fingers more tightly. It was the timing of the Zeltron that kept her from chiding him verbally, though she could tell by the hesitation in [member="Danger Arceneau"]'s voice that there was something amiss - whether it be because of what she said, what Alric had said, or something entirely else altogether. Silara didn't dwell on it, however, and instead she turned her head to seemingly better hear the woman as she said her goodbyes. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Arceneau, perhaps you can drop by to visit sometime in the future." Silara replied, not quite requesting a visit but more or less putting the idea out there - she lacked the sort of communication skills that the trade queen likely utilized to the fullest, a bit rough around the edges at best.

Her hand squeezed [member="Alric Kuhn"]'s hand as she assured her of his health, and she remembered the bottle of water that had been given to him. Moving her right hand to cover the hand that held her left she gently pat the back of his and nodded towards the bedside table suggestively. "Finish your water." She said simply, leaning back in her seat with a blank expression, thinking back to a conversation they'd had together several nights ago. She smiled and sighed contentedly. It hadn't been long enough to check, but she was certain that he'd get exactly what he wished for - or at least be made aware of it in the near future. Allowing the moment of thought to take her over briefly, she tilted her head back and breathed in and out heavily. It had been a while since she'd been put in a mood, and the timing with her queasiness prior to their arrival gave her a hint of what was to come.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Silara"] [member="Danger Arceneau"]

It hit him like a brick.

A wall that he ran directly into.

Doubt.

He had never felt anything like it before, had never experienced anything quite like it. The feeling pushed through his mind and focused on himself heart. It was not a doubt born of Silara, born of Danger or even the two women talking. It was doubt in himself, doubt in his health, in his ability to do things, in his ability to run Titan and succeed.

It permeated through him, plague his thoughts. Time seemed to slow for him and a race of questions pulled through his mind.

Will Titan Die without me? Who am I benefiting? What will happen to her? Whats more important? What am I doing?

The last echoed in his mind like a bell,ringing over and over again until an answer came.

I'm Killing myself.

The answer struck a cord, and it pulled him out from whatever deep pit of self doubt he had fallen into. Alric snapped back into reality just as Danger turned to go. He looked at her, eyes searching, trying to find something amiss. Bright blue briefly glanced towards the Zeltron woman, then back at Danger. Something was off, that smile...it felt wrong.

Alric shook his head, perhaps he was imagining things. “Danger.”

His voice was somewhat stern, but there was still that softness of being out of breath to it.

“Thank you.” He smiled at her. “We'll talk soon, okay?”

The woman simply smiled at him, that same smile, then turned away from the both of them. Alric stared after her for a moment, then looked to Aeri. The Zeltron gave a nod and left after Danger. For a moment Alric simply sat there, then he felt a squeeze on his hand.

He grinned slightly as he heard the command, but didn't follow it. Instead he gently lifted her hand and gave it a light tug, hopefully prompting her to come into his bed. “Hey you, Get over here.”

Alric had reached his decision.