Making A Judgement Call [Thyrian]

[Lief]

It felt good to be back onboard the vessel which had acted as her home since she was but a child. The Judgement had been gifted to her by her Father in her fourteenth year, and it had served her well ever since. Being within its halls once again was like life had been renewed within her. She did not presume to retake her old quarters, that of the Captain, believing that Phoenix would have already taken over in her place.

Instead she resolved to stay in one of the many guest chambers. Having practically nothing on her person she settled down on the cot and glanced around the minimalist room. Even in its present state it seemed far more adorned than her own was. Her head raced with how quickly all of this had come about; more so, however, were her thoughts of Phoenix. How odd it was that he could now tame the flames... And how grateful she was for that respite.

[member='Thyrian Ashborn']

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

The capital ship was teeming with rumors and whispers regarding the recent arrival of the Lady in White. Eye-witnesses had told everyone of how she looked identical to their former master and Queen, with some scoffing in disbelief and others believing she's been reborn. Some even came to think she was never dead and that the whole thing was a ruse orchestrated by her and Darth Taral. They may never know the truth. He didn't even know the truth, but stranger things had happened; he himself had been resurrected back to life into human form. He knew better than most not to tempt fate by asking questions.

Ever since the Kära he knew passed away, he'd hesitated to take up residence within her old captain's quarters. He had instead kept the room as it was, untouched and sealed off, and rather remained in his own quarters. He wouldn't know how to live in a room larger than what he currently had, with little more than a bed in it. With this 'new' Kära having taken up residence in a common guest room, no more furnished than his own, the two were given some time to think and get used to the situation.

His thoughts were of her; how she'd not rejected him but rather embraced his advances, yet she didn't know any more than he about loving interactions between two human beings. She seemed so... innocent. Pure. Like the little girl he grew to love in the first place. What puzzled him was why she kept calling him nothing but 'Phoenix'. It was a pet name his former master had used only sparingly. Did she not know his true name?

Making his way through the hallways to see that she had settled in her new home, Thyrian passed a couple of officers sneaking around outside her quarters, looking for ways to confirm or deny the rumors. Enraged by the fact, the Ashborn took the two by surprise when all of a sudden one of them was shoved several feet and slammed into a nearby wall. He was the lucky one. The other he grabbed hold of and proceeded to ram his fist into the man's face over and over again, breaking his jaw and nose. "You tell everyone you meet that this is the fate of those who presume to approach the Lady in White," he told him with a low snarl, eyes ablaze with rage. "Now get the hell out of here."

The two scurried off, hurting and sniveling like rats. Breathing deeply, Thyrian composed himself before knocking on Kära's door. While awaiting permission to enter he adjusted his armour somewhat, more out of nerves than out of necessity.

[member="Snowflake"]​

 

[Lief]

Outside her door Kära overheard a scuffle. The clunk of dead weight against the metal interior of the ship, the slightly wet sound which accompanied a harsh pummeling... And then the voice of the Phoenix, livid and vehement. She had risen from her seat on the hard bed even before the knock resounded at her door. Rather than immediately answer she instead set her gaze out of the viewing port. She could watch the stars drift by from this room, and it felt soothing. It reminded her of simpler things. Since she had stepped foot in this Universe everything had been crazy, turned on its head. Hopefully now there would be some sort of stability to hold everything together.

Speaking of which...

Kära strode two further steps and reached the door, which opened when she entered a code into its console. Stood there she saw her Phoenix; the knuckles on one of his hands were bloody, and with a soft frown she gestured for him to come inside. "Here, let me see to that..." Being a solider in her own world, Kära had to learn a thing or two about on-the-field medicine. Taking him by the hand she led him into her chambers and left him standing beside the bed, while she hurried to one of the lockers to remove a medi-kit. "You didn't need to do that, you know?" Looking back at him she smiled a little, yet concern laced her expression all the same. "You'll only cause more rumours."

[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

Thyrian said nothing as she took him by the hand to lead him inside. He'd not even noticed the blood on his knuckles until she made mention of it by tending to his hand. For all the good being human brought him, feeling pain was not one of them. While Kära went for her med-pack, he remained where he stood and watched her. "The rumors are abundant, anyway. We'll have to make an announcement soon to quell them." He looked down at his bloody hand, then back at her with a slight frown on his face. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that, I know. I just... wanted to protect you, I guess..."

[member="Snowflake"]​

 

[Lief]

She hurried to his side, pushed him into a seated position on the bed and knelt before him. Carefully, while he was focused on sitting, Kära removed a small vial and swiftly took a sample of his blood, the Force differentiating between his and the Officer he had pummeled.

Pulling out some disinfectant wipes she cleaned over the wounded knuckles before swiftly applying some bacta in salve-format to seal them up and begin the rapid healing process. The location made it difficult for her to do much more than that, however she was satisfied that it would be okay all the same. They were in a rather sterile environment, after all.

"Tell them what you wish, they're your men." She finally set aside the medi-kit and peered up at him with a tender frown, one hand settling over his. "I don't need protection from words, Phoenix, though I thank you all the same."

[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

She worked with speed and efficiency, cleaning and disinfecting his wounds. It didn't sting or hurt, and through it all he kept a steady gaze at her gentle hands. It seemed a bit silly that she would feel concern over such a slight injury considering all he's been through, his scars evident of his years of service. It was a nice feeling, though, to be cared for by someone you loved. One he could grow accustomed to. There it was again: "Phoenix". He was convinced now that wherever she came from, she'd forgotten his name or never learned it from the start.

"Thyrian," he simply said as she finished up. He looked into her eyes. "My name is Thyrian... the Ashborn." He turned his head to see his reflection in a mirror hanging on the wall. "Though I guess the latter holds no meaning anymore." His eyes lingered at his reflection, still not used to seeing himself in human form despite having been such for many years. He returned his gaze to her. "You're wondering how I'm no longer... that thing, aren't you?" He moved over to leave her room to sit beside him on the bed.

"It was nearing the end on the Sith Empire. Kaine Zambrano held the position of Emperor at the time. We were launching a full-scale assault on the world known as 'Togoria'. You and I both went. I was... at the end of my existence. Falling apart. The resistance had snipers take out high-value targets. When their crosshairs were on you, I just... took the hit." Thyrian paused, trying to remember what came next. "Even then there was no pain, but my body was failing me. I knew I didn't have much time. Once I got you to safety I tried to buy you time by challenging them. A Jedi Knight answered the call. Needless to say I was rather handily defeated, but I knew you were safe. I could die in peace, return to the ashes I was born from."

"The next thing I remember was being reawakened into... this." He gestured at himself. "The process was like... you'd been holding your breath for so long that you verged on suffocating. Then all of a sudden you were allowed to breathe again." He looked over at Kära sat beside him. "You brought me back, Snowflake. To serve and protect you once more." He chose not to go into too much detail, as this was undoubtedly a lot to take in as it was. Instead, he reached into his utility belt to pull out a smooth, white object. "Here. I kept this safe for you ever since you... passed away." Opening his hand he revealed a small pebble.

[member="Snowflake"]​

 

[Lief]

"Thyrian" she repeated, making a swift mental note of the name. Yes, that seemed familiar to her now. She watched as he glanced at himself, seeming just as confused by his appearance as she was. Was he glad to be rid of the fiery exterior, or did part of him miss it? One thing she knew for certain was that she did not wish it to return, she had never been able to touch him before. That wasn't something she was willing to part with any time soon.

Taking a place at his side she leaned against his shoulder and began to listen to the story as it unfolded. The thought of him sacrificing himself for her made her frown somewhat, she didn't relish that idea. Although she supposed it worked out for the better for them both. "I'm sorry that you felt as though you needed to martyr yourself, Thyrian. I can't claim to know the kind of woman I was before I was reawakened, But I'm certain she never wanted that either."

When the pebble was removed and handed to her Kära simply stared at it. A wealth of emotion and memories flooded through her at its touch, and she recalled exactly where she had received it in another life. "Thurion," she whispered, mesmerized by such a simple item. She wondered if Thyrian knew about his brother, or her connection to him... Or at least, who he had been in his youth.

[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

Thyrian watched as she plucked the tiny stone from the palm of his hand. He had no knowledge of the time she'd spent with him during their youth. He never had a youth to begin with. He was dead at the time, not yet even a lab animal at the hands of the Sith. Since becoming human he'd regained the few memories he had of his brother. He would've done anything to protect him growing up, and he did; when the bigger kids bullied him he beat them up, all at once. When they would run out of food he'd give the last piece to Thurion. Every night he'd let him sleep in the trash can they called home before the orphanage took them in. He loved him once, and while he was certain that Thurion was still alive, there was no way of knowing where he was or even what kind of person he was.

He took Kära by the hand, squeezing it lovingly. "I... know he was close you. He was before my time, before I was... made." His other hand reached around her back and settled on her shoulder. "Should you ever wish to find him, I will do what I can to help." Carefully he rested his cheek against the top of her head while she rested against his shoulder. "I've missed you, [member="Snowflake"]. So very much," he whispered.

 

[Lief]

Kära shook her head. "He was not before your time - I may have known him prior to meeting with you, Phoenix, but he was your brother before he was my friend. He was your brother before what happened to you both, and you became what you are today." Biting her lip ever so slightly, the woman sighed. "Have you met with him yet, Thyrian? I think it would be beneficial... For both of you." She would even refuse to go along with them, they had years missing from one another. She may not have known what it was to have family, the only member of hers she cared for was Zarathustra and the girl hadn't even been a blood relation, more a shadow for her to follow in her youth, but she knew that some things were better than ignorance.

[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

Thyrian was unprepared for the question she posed, and took a moment to think of an answer. "I only remember the face of a small boy. I don't know how to find him or even what he looks like. He's most likely got his own life to live, his own worries without having to deal with me showing up out of the blue and bring back painful memories of our youth. He thinks I'm dead, and with good reason." Thyrian turned his head to look down into Kära's blue eyes. "I did die. Twice I've faced death and yet..."

He raised a hand to settle underneath her face, caressing her chin with his thumb. "I only hope that next time the fires of the abyss summon me, it will once again be owed to me having protected those I love." His thumb now moved North to gently brush against her soft lips.

[member="Snowflake"]​

 

[Lief]

Kära frowned; she did not agree with the sentiment at all. She had seen how Thurion had woken in the night, afraid of whatever he had experienced that awful night. And his life was owed to Thyrian. With a shake of her head she simply frowned.

"Let me sort out the intricacies. There's few I would have trouble finding in this Galaxy, Phoenix, and your brother is not among them. Please, let me do this."

Peering up at him the young woman leaned into his touch and then finally closed her eyes. "I don't want you to ever die for me. I did not bring you back from death to have you bound to me. I did it so that you could live."

[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

The notion of not being required to serve she who he thought as his Queen was... difficult to process. His will had been subjugated a long time ago by her own hand, only in a different life. Soon he'd realised he was following her out of love, but she would never allow herself to feel the same way. Yet to say the old Kära did not care for him would be a harsh thing to say, because deep down Thyrian knew she did care. She always was too hard on herself.

His gaze dropped to her hand in his and he offered her a nod. "I would never presume to tell you what to do, Snowflake. You do what you must." She had his permission. His eyes met hers once more and his heart skipped a beat. "I've only ever felt truly alive in your presence, Kära. When you died, my spirit died with you. Now you've brought me back once more." What came next were a string of words he never expected to leave his lips.

"Come stay with me."

 

[Lief]

Kära frowned as he spoke, he was still intent on doing her bidding. Still she knew as well as any the effect freedom had on those who were previously bound to another whether through slavery, coercion or otherwise. Perhaps it would be best if she eased him out of it instead... "Then I shall do so, at any rate I know it is something you have both lost nights over." Did this Phoenix sleep? The other had not, but that didn't mean he had lacked dreams... Even if they were more the recollective types.

"You do not need my presence to feel alive, Thyrian; there is apart of me within you, and there always will be. You are mine, Phoenix, and nothing will change that, whether I am living or dead." What came next left her confused, however. "What do you mean 'come stay with' you?" The woman tilted her head to one side, genuinely curious.

[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

The Ashborn turned away as he rose from the bed, glancing down at hand to inspect Kära's handiwork. His knuckles remained bruised, but no longer did blood seep through the tiny cuts, which had been closed to perfection. He was just stalling for time by this point. "I... When you died I left your old room the way it was. Everything is still there. I could not come to terms with the mere notion of sleeping in the same bed as you once had." He turned his head sideways to glance back at her.

"But the Judgement needs her captain, and the captain needs her quarters. I will not let you remain here in this... this filth. It is beneath you." Again he turned away before tilting his head up slightly, eyes staring up into nothing. "I have not slept since you passed away. I get terrible nightmares about when it happened. When I... killed you. You! The only person I've ever loved!" There was anger, but also sadness in his voice, and as went on his head become engulfed in fire. The flames died away soon after, however, as he continued.

"Snowflake, I... I need to make sure you're safe. I want you to be the last thing I see before going to sleep and the first thing I see upon waking up." He knew full well what he was asking of her. He was ready to take any punishment she saw fit for his preposterous proposition. But he felt a need to speak his mind, and did not regret saying what he did. He turned around again to face her. "I swear that I would not let anything happen to you. We would not need to touch each other, or..."

[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]​

 

[Lief]

Kära held up a hand as he finished speaking, as though to stop him from saying anything further, and gently shook her head. "You wish for me to reclaim the ship and my old room?" she first asked; the idea was most definitely a pleasant one. Not so much the room, she didn't care where she lay her head, but as for the ship itself -- it was important to her, no doubt. If this was what he was asking, then there would be no issues from her.

What he went on to say however was what posed the real issues. He wished to share living quarters with her. It was a little presumptuous even with his added amendments, but that wasn't to say that she wasn't sold on the idea. She knew that he lived to serve and protect, and while she didn't want to limit his life she knew he would not sleep soundly if at all if he had no peace of mind.

Thus she mulled it over for a while, glancing upward to the ceiling as though it might hold an answer. Instead she rose up, and peered across to him. "I will think on it. For now, there is something I want to do. When I'm finished you will have your answer." Her Forge was still aboard the ship, she knew, the real question was what state was it in? She ached to feel the heat of the flame, the painful glow of the molten metal...

And doing so always cleared her mind and helped her to decide her next course of action.

[member="Thyrian Ashborn"]