Whole | Adelle

[Malok]

Location: Lakeside, Monastery​

Tag: [member="Adelle Bastiel"]​

Agony.

When his name fell from the lips of thousands, t'was as a prayer or a curse. Those brazen enough to raise a hand against the borders he raised viewed him as a Demon. He was the wrathful God who sat atop an iron throne, commanding unfeeling legions to smite the foolish and the Mandalorian. Yet. To those who aligned themselves with the southern systems, he was the force of nature which kept them safe. He was the vicious tower that stood between the corruption of the Galaxy and their lives. In truth, despite how ascendant his reputation might have been between allies and enemies, Darth Metus was mortal. Mighty in more ways than one, yes. Resourceful, yes. Capable of spitting in the face of death itself, yes. Yet, beneath the helm and hood beat the heart of a man.

And in the wake of Eshan, his face had been perpetually contorted. What began as phantom pains and random fits of numbness escalated with each passing day. The muscles in his offhand were frayed - yet the hasty healing he had underwent on the battlefield provided a quick, yet incomplete solution. When he was liberated from the door of death, his body was kept from perishing. Yet, the state of the hasty repair caused his muscles to heal improperly. Bacta would not solve this. Nor Kolto. Nor any medicine known to mortals. The Sith would know, he certainly tried. Yet nothing would ever cause the pain to cease. In some instances, the persistent agony was a boon - for pain was a gateway to the Dark Side.

But in those moments when the fires of war hushed to a whisper, the pain was deafening. Thus, against his better judgment, Darth Metus turned to the last source he ever thought possible. The dark one turned to the Light. Monastery had been a world within the Confederacy for quite some time - yet the Sith did his absolute best never to set foot upon the Jedi world. It was a symbol for all the Galaxy to hearken to: that the Confederacy truly transcended the petty duality of the present in order to offer something far greater. That a Sith could lead a thriving nation and never lift a finger against the local Jedi. Yet, in this sole instance, Darth Metus would make an exception. He did not venture to the hallowed halls of the Sacred Lotus. But rather, to a small settlement on the other side of the planet. Here, the presence of the Light was not so blinding.

And here, the Sith waited at the water's edge to be seen. This settlement was...primitive...by modern standards. Electricity could only be found in the most essential of buildings - and the life blood of the community was the crystal-clear lake only a stone's throw away. This fed their crops, quenched their thirst, and had become instrumental in their identity. It was even said that the waters had healing properties...or perhaps it was just those who administered the treatments? In truth, it mattered not. Nothing mattered, except securing wholeness once more.

 

[Adelle Bastiel]

[SIZE=11pt]The wind felt light and cool as it teased Adelle’s hair, the day’s heat slowly dying as the planet’s primary star began to sink below the horizon. As far as her eyes could see, idyllic fields and woodlands similar to her current home stretched far and wide. The faint scents of sun-warmed earth and growing things hung on the wind, and the world around her buzzed with life. Teemed with the Force. But the real attraction in this locale, she’d been told, was the crystal clear lake.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Monastery had not been the first planet on her list. Nor the second. Nor the third. But after visiting multiple planets, it seemed the best suited to what Adelle needed. What she and her partners needed: a new home. Adelle chewed on her thumbnail and thought through their situation as she idly walked towards the lake not too far from an agricultural village similar to their current living arrangement. Noba would probably not take the news well, but the itching, nagging voice in the back of Adelle’s mind had grown too loud to ignore.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Leigh’s invention—Na’an’s eye—wasn’t safe.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Neither was Leigh herself but a unique combat droid wasn’t completely uncommon. Na’an’s eye though? As far as Adelle knew, it was the first of its kind. And the implications of it being used by another were sobering at best. So far, they’d been relatively safe on Dantooine, living quiet lives working for a triticale farm and generally flying under the radar. The eye, Libeta, and its subsequent additional program Babylon, went unused for the most part. But with Dantooine under the government of the Sith Empire, how long would it be before an enterprising someone who knew about it brought it to the attention of officials? Of the Sith? Adelle didn’t want to think about the consequences: her current nightmares were already bad enough.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Monastery seemed ideal in comparison. It was close enough to almost be convenient and it was under the jurisdiction of a Confederation of independently ruled planets and systems. At the present time, Jedi inhabited this planet and acted as caretakers, if not governors. So long as they didn’t press the issue, Adelle was positive this would be preferable to living under the Sith government.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Villagers from their town nearby had been friendly enough and mentioned wanting to be able to connect to the others on this planet. Trade had been slow, limited as they were to their own local network of markets. Some of their sister villagers felt the same. Adelle figured Na’an could get on board with that. They’d have to find and repair a ship of their own, but it was doable. Leigh would probably be a wonder: she’d seen a boy not older than nine standard years carried around by his family because his legs hadn’t worked since birth.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Shards of light glanced off the lake’s surface, made to dance by the wind. Monastery turned out alright. Adelle closed her eyes and breathed in the air.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]And frowned.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]She expected dropping temperatures as the sun set. She hadn’t expected to feel this. An icy spot in the middle of the Force’s temperate current, an oil slick, a smudge on Monastery’s surface. Adelle looked at the lake, squinting against the glare of the sun. A dark shadow sat at the water’s edge. Immovable. Aware. Waiting. She fought down the surge of anxiety and paranoia that leapt up. The possibility he’d been involved in her unmaking on Coruscant was highly unlikely. Adelle ground her teeth and set her jaw before approaching the rocky shore. If she had sensed the dark sider’s presence, he had undoubtedly sensed hers.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Adelle stopped when she was even with him, a meter between them. Not directly looking at him, but observing through her periphery and the Force. Human male, athletically built, tall, and steeping with the Dark Side. If his anger and frustration had been any worse, it could have peeled the paint off of the village’s huts. That was expected.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]The raw pain underlying all of that was not.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Was that why a Dark Sider was here, of all places? Healing was not, as far as she knew, accessible to the Sith and the like. But modern medicine could bridge the gap and often brought old enemies thought dead back to the battlefield. So then why was a dark sider like him here. Waiting.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“If it’s company you want,” she said finally, still looking out across the lake, “you might have better luck in towns."[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt][member="Darth Metus"][/SIZE]

 

[Malok]

Location: Lakeside, Monastery​

Tag: [member="Adelle Bastiel"]​

He had expected as much.

In silence did the Vicelord tarry before the water's edge, eyes lulled to a close. If one were dull to the presence of the Dark Side, one might have even mistaken him for a Jedi - for the expression and stance matched that of meditation. Yet there was no dive into the waters of the Force for the man before the lake. Rather, endurance was being displayed with each passing moment. Endurance and a boundless sea of patience. For the raw agony which tarried underneath the surface tugged at his awareness. With each passing second, his teeth seemed to clench against one another all the more - but still his eyes did not ease open. No, he maintained his silent vigil until...contradiction entered his senses.

To those steeped in the Light, Darth Metus was anathema. He was a droplet of pure obsidian in a pristine vessel of white. His mere presence upon Monastery did not belong. And his shadow seemed to blow upon the winds. And, though he brought no corruption to the lands, there was a chill which came from simply being aware of his presence. As of ice had formed in the pit of one's stomach. It could be far worse; but he attempted to make himself seem at least approachable. For what he sought was not the decimation of a single soul that called this world home...but rather their aide. Opportunity did eventually come. What transpired was the equivalent to a shining light filtering through his window in the dark of night.

The dazzling presence burned through his eyelids, causing his sulfuric gaze to ease open. He did not turn to face whomever it was just yet - but as he knew what she was, undoubtedly she would know what he was. The words which found his ears all but confirmed this truth, and a light chuckle escaped him. "Fortunately, it is not simple company I seek." he said truthfully. "I seek not to disturb this world for too long. I seek only the restoration that a Jedi is capable of. And should I find it, I will leave this place as quickly as I came."

He motioned his good arm in her general direction. "Do you know where I might find what I am looking for?"

 

[Adelle Bastiel]

"Fortunately, it is not simple company I seek." he said truthfully. "I seek not to disturb this world for too long. I seek only the restoration that a Jedi is capable of. And should I find it, I will leave this place as quickly as I came."

Even with as dark as his presence was, Adelle found no hint of lie. A cool breeze blew in from over the lake, bringing with it scents of fish, earth, and its own composition. His pain, certainly, was raw enough to be true. Still, she'd be a fool to trust him on his words alone. Her best course of action would be to feign inability and point him to the village. After all, she came here to get away from Sith. She should just walk away.

He motioned his good arm in her general direction. "Do you know where I might find what I am looking for?"

Adelle thinned her lips into a line and folded her arms over her chest. He either knew or guessed. She turned and glared down at him, searching his presence for anything to give her cause to say "no." Anger, arrogance, hate, pain, echoes of something dark and terrible, fire and flames . . . She couldn't say no.

"I'm no Jedi," she said, not quite answering his question. "I've heard of your ways. I would need assurances if you want me to restore you."

[member="Darth Metus"]

 

[Malok]

The Force was the lens to a great many perspectives.

By its ethereal might alone, the sensitive could gain valuable insight that would be lost upon the mundane. In this instance, the beacon of Light behind the Sith would know his words were true. She would be able to feel the agony which radiated from his form and thoroughly encouraged him to seek out this world in the first place. Pain was an excellent motivator - for it encouraged the Vicelord to speak plainly and true. Perhaps this was enough for the woman, who folded her arms over her chest before speaking once more.

She claimed not to be a Jedi...but did not dismiss his needs or her ability to provide. "Name whatever assurances you require, and they will be done." Within reason.

[member="Adelle Bastiel"]

 

[Adelle Bastiel]

He seemed more than agreeable. Perhaps his pain was greater than he let on. Adelle considered him for a moment, measuring her words.

"I leave this place the same way I came," she said finally. "Alive, unharmed, and well. And no philosophical discussions."

Simple, as far as terms went. Mostly, she wanted to make sure that the moment she turned her back on him, he wouldn't ignite a saber in her chest. But she also knew there were other methods of destroying a person and she knew them intimately. Her last demand served two purposes: one, she didn't want him trying any sort of manipulation or trying to pull her to the Dark Side. She was perfectly happy where she was.

Two, she just didn't want to argue. It never worked.

"Those acceptable?" she asked. The first stars of twilight began to twinkle in the darkening periwinkle sky as the horizon flared with amber, rose, and gold.

[member="Darth Metus"]

 

[Malok]

Given the relationship shared between servants of Light and Darkness, the demands made by the woman were the furthest thing from unreasonable. The fact that she even entertained tending to his maladies was a testament to how closely she walked to the former. Darth Metus, even if his existence was not plagued by the destruction of his limb, was also a man of his word. Deception had its place - but not when it came to simple matters such as agreeing not to kill someone after being healed.

"But of course. Those are more than acceptable."

He then patted the earth beside him. "I may be Dark, but I do not bite. Tell me, what shall I call you?"

[member="Adelle Bastiel"]

 

[Adelle Bastiel]

He agreed. Adelle almost heaved a sigh of relief but restrained herself. It was not for him to know how she felt about things. She took a seat on the ground, folding her legs beneath her. For a moment, she stayed silent and studied his face.

"Kore," she said at last. "Yours?"

Her presence enveloped his, though it was like the black waters of some frozen pole. Not quite touching or invading, but certainly trying to sound out where his greatest pain was. Although it'd probably just be more expedient to simply ask. Adelle slipped into her role as 'Doc' with more ease than she expected.

"Where is the pain?"



[member="Darth Metus"]

 

[Malok]

When the inquiry of his name reached his ears, the Sith momentarily parted his lips to answer. However, before his tongue could so much as shape the syllables, he felt her presence falling heavily upon his shoulders. It was a surprise - for the man had become accustomed to bacta baths over the years - but he did not impede her investigation. Rather, he answered simply and truthfully.

"Isley." he began, uttering the name of his birth. "The pain is centered around my right arm. From shoulder to fingertips." Following these directions would reveal grievous damage to the nerves that had been haphazardly healed by bacta baths and other remedies. [member="Aelle"] Bastiel had her work cut out for her.

 

[Adelle Bastiel]

"The pain is centered around my right arm. From shoulder to fingertips."

Her focus intensified on the limb in question. Turbulence from the damaged nerves roiled and frothed, adding to the cloud of pain and anger surrounding the man. Adelle grunted and brought herself to look at the face of the darksider—Isley, he'd said.

"It'll take a couple sessions, but it's not the worst I've seen," she said. Nothing would ever beat having to thread hair-fine filaments through a living brain with just the Force. "I will need two points of contact to initiate healing. Are you comfortable sitting like that for a long period of time?"

[member="Darth Metus"]

 

[Malok]

After naming the source of his agonies, the Healer straightaway began to investigate. He could feel the probing of her presence - and the minute agony his nerves felt caused his teeth to momentarily catch within his mouth. He acclamated swiftly thereafter and met the gaze of the woman called "Kore." And, despite the sordid condition of his arm, the man's lips curved into the lightest of smiles. His head moved, nodding as she spoke, and also to signify that he was alright with multiple sessions.

"You have my thanks, truly Kore." he began. "Please. Take as much time as you need. I am perfectly fine."

For the most part, the Sith would have been perfectly satisfied to sit in silence whilst the woman worked. After all, he did not want his nerves to be repaired incorrectly. The most he offered was a light inquiry to keep the silence at bay. "Are you from around these parts?"

[member="Adelle Bastiel"]

 

[Adelle Bastiel]

He accepted without hesitation. Adelle settled on the grass behind him, placing one hand on his shoulder blade and the other on top of the joint of his right arm. She tried not to jostle the arm too much as their polar presences collided. She had trouble trying to feed her Force energy into his body, though through no fault of his own. She'd have to match his physiological pulses, make it seem like her energy was his.

"Are you from around these parts?"

Adelle grunted, feeling for his heartbeat and breath. "Dantooine. Quiet enough but I can't help wondering if home will still be there. You?"

Na'an and Leigh would be going about their days about now. Noba might be finishing up a meeting or calling finishing time depending on where Dantooine was in its rotation. Adelle listened to Isley's heartbeat through her hand, slowing her breathing to match his resting. This time, it was much easier to slip through his dark energy and get to the problem area.

The muscle and nerves tangled together in impossible knots. Adelle supposed his arm was functional only through force of will. Blood vessels and scar tissue criss-crossed all over the place. She'd have to start at the bone and work her way up to straighten everything out.

"Brace yourself," she said, trance-like. "This will hurt."

She severed the first cord of muscle and began to painstakingly stitch the cells back together properly.



[member="Darth Metus"]