Shortly after Caltin arrived, so too did Desbre, though at a distance she was almost unrecognizable at first.
Ilum had done much for her and had almost been transformational. After returning back, and Caltin had decided to give her some space she'd taken it as an opportunity and a sign to change focus for a bit. No more training eighteen to twenty hours per day. Sure, she would keep up with some basic, even vigorous exercise. She didn't need to get dull and slow. Some meditations to keep her mind honed and clear. But ultimately, she considered herself on vacation. After five years of endless, exhaustive pushing, it was the healthiest course of action while healing. Even if there was a war on. That nagged at her a little, but for the time being, Des knew that if she
didn't rest she would be of no use to anyone. And though part of her chaffed at taking a month off, she did it.
Her Loronar B-7 freighter was finally out of drydock at The Rest, and in better shape than it had ever been, thanks to the skilled Wookies. But more than that, beyond just fixing it up the first time, it was now patently
hers and customized. She'd taken to some traveling, visiting a few places in relatively safe space she'd wanted to go. Won a few swoop races. The cash was nice, but she didn't do it for the money. That, she had, after her galavanting around the Unknown Region a couple years ago and selling off all the survey data to the Cartographer's Union. She had enough credits to buy a good chunk of land, build an entire estate, and live comfortably on the interest of the rest in savings investments. Racing and flying were her first loves, and something she'd only minimally indulged in.
Then it was back to The Rest. Very quickly she resumed training. Still intense, but the intensity was different. She had a better work-life balance, but when she trained she pushed
harder. It had been noted that the girl was tearing through training droids like flimsiplast. But any who had paid much attention to her would note a change in how she went about it.
As the young woman approached, her head was held higher, her eyes were clearer. The dark circles were gone. Her shoulders were back and square. Each step was sure, confident, and almost languid but ate up the distance. Her spirit seemed easy and light, though her expression might have seemed disagreeable. Each had now had a few rings on them, and besides the charm she'd been given by the Wookiees, there were a few more bracelets on her wrists. in her time since joining the Jedi, none had ever seen her wear any kind of jewelry, but that didn't mean she was without it.
Her uniform design had changed, and while it still had the elements and design of the Jedi... the tabard had shortened some, the belt had switched to a dark blue, along with her boots and cloak. Her hair was pulled back into a braid with an artful neon blue streak in it. A new lightsaber hung at her left hip, but it was likely she still had her previous saber on her.
Fetching a plate of food and a steaming mug of water from the serving line, she made her way back to Caltin. She fixed him with a stare before breaking into a slow but bright smile that lit up her entire face. "
Welcome back. You look good," she said brightly, then sat her things down. Into the water went what looked like a dark brown pill, but immediately the liquid turned over, swirling into a dark tea. "
You found something at Nar Kreeta, didn't you." Not a question, but also somehow conveying that it wasn't a physical find. Easing into the seat across from him she pushed back her sleeves a little.
Gone was the pain and guilt that had plagued her. Even it seemed much of her anxiety had been burned away. Before she would have approached Caltin with more reserve, wondering if she was in trouble, or what she had done wrong. She certainly wouldn't have deviated so much from 'the standard.' It took work to get her to smile, to burn away the dark clouds over her spirit. Those same clouds were gone and the long winter had passed. The Des before him now was much closer to her old self, before the Jedi, before the loss that drove her from her homeworld. But now tempered and matured by her time among the Jedi and under the slings, arrows, and whips of her own self-flagellation.
"
So what's up," she asked casually. "
Your message was pretty vague, though I'm happy you're back and safe."
Desbre Gensan
