Closure...

[Rev]

Alderaan. The Shining Star of the Republic, and its tranquil beauty proved its name rightfully so. It was one of few visits for the Jedi Knight, Caed Ultor. His eyes peered outward over a vast inward sea, the mixture of blue and white flourishing the tranquility the planet let off. The almost never-ending sight capped off with a mountain range that was all too close to the Jedi Enclave.

His robes were nothing out of the ordinary for his wearing. They were the almost always black, accented only in an off hue of the same color. His robe maintained the same darkness the primary robes held; bringing his appearance to an almost unwelcoming one. The dark hood for a rarity did not veil his face, instead Caed lay open and waiting for the visitor he had hoped would maintain her almost methodical schedule. Those once golden brown eyes had lost some of their darkness, shading to a dark yellow near orange; pollution of the darkside. Caed's demeanor however lay calm and welcoming, and the energy his form let off was almost soothing. With a deep breath his eyes fell to his right hand, the mechanical limb a constant reminder of the woman he loved; and a sight he both welcomed and hated at each glance. That prosthetic would take hold of a datapad and peek at the time, she would arrive within the coming minutes if his previous days "scouting" proved worthwhile...


...He was ready for this, he hoped..

 

[Sreeya]

Val had decided to stay on Alderaan, continuing to aid in the healing process. She had a routine of dropping Raziel off during the morning and picking him up again at night, after she had finished her work for the day, while periodically visiting. The lifestyle was temporary, yet it was one that brought her peace. She was exhausted from the days activities, wanting nothing more than to return to her quarters and sleep. Val would remain on Alderaan for only a few more days before moving yet again. Not finding a stable place to live was getting to be a pain..

As she walked out of the enclave, Raziel in her arms, she couldn't help but feel a very familiar presence in the area. Val ignored it for now, focusing her attention on her son, who was fast asleep. As she walked away from the temple, she felt him shift and awaken, his curious eyes wide. Val was too busy smiling down at him to notice another figure in the area. As soon as she looked up, her blood ran cold. She forgot how to breathe for a moment. No...not him...not him now. She took a few steps back. His eyes were yellow again, his appearance more haggard. Val had to keep from letting her anger explode, reminding herself that she led a new life now, one that did not involve him. She drew in a deep breath, exhaling before she spoke. Her face betrayed nothing.

"What are you doing here?"

 

[Rev]

In the distance a figure grew, with each passing second it grew closer and with it the familiar "presence" echoing through the Force. It was at that moment fear had run over him unlike any feeling he had ever possessed, perhaps he wasn't ready... Taking in a deep breath of fresh Alderaan air he hoped its tranquil presence would calm his nerves. The child Val carried became evident as her presence developed, the stopping in her tracks and look of shock being exactly what he had expected. He'd motion to speak at her question, but find his voice unable to develop.

"I-..."

He'd swallow down the lump that had developed in his throat, and with it a pool of developed spit. Using it to moisten his drying mouth he simply took a step towards Val, hoping she wouldn't run away like he had in the past.

"..I-I came to talk..."

If she walked away he would try and chase her, but only for so long. He had made a promise to another man, another Jedi... a friend. He took another half step forward to center his legs beneath him. Posturing up he tried to offer a smile to Val, but the feelings her body radiated prevented him from ever doing so. His eyes narrowed as they focused on the lightsaber at her side before taking in her entire body as well as the child she held. It was the first time he'd seen the boy, he'd hated him last they spoke without him ever coming to be. A feeling he had long dwelled on, one that he accepted at long last and it would be the child's playfulness that would bring his first smile.

"..I see the boy has the mother's good looks..."

 

[Sreeya]

Val's first reaction was to look around her. She knew she had to make sure she had an easy way to get out of the situation. His yellow eyes always worried her, making her wonder how long before he snapped. Val could never afford to put Raziel at risk. Outwardly, her demeanor was calm, her Force aura neutral. She had raging thoughts swirling inside her mind. As he referred to Raziel, Val almost wanted to hide him. However, Caed's smile caught her off guard.

"There's nothing to talk about...haven't you done enough?"

Val sighed, looking down at the ground. She had to chain her emotions, had to subjugate everything. Raziel curiously looked at the stranger, his face breaking into a smile. His pointy ears were evident even now. She met Caed's gaze again, in the back of her mind knowing that this was a dangerous territory to walk on. Val jerked her head to the side, motioning towards somewhere they could sit down. She walked till she was at the edge of a lake. Val had to shake her head, biting back a sad smile as she remembered how this scene was similar to when she had first told Caed she was with child. Val sat down on a bench overlooking the serene body of water, Raziel sitting in her lap. His eyes never left Caed.

"Things are different now. I hope you understand that. What is it you wish to tell me?"

She was shocked at her own tone. Usually anything involving this man made her dive headfirst into being an emotional wreck. Now, her voice was strong, her thoughts contained within her mind. Perhaps becoming a mother had allowed her to grow considerably.

 

[Rev]

She had always been good at hiding how she felt.. He could sense the hatred, anger, pain, everything she felt through the Force by simply being so close. She was who he had fought for, for so long, and still now was doing so. His memory thinking back to Colm, the intervention they had filling his mind. Her comment of there being nothing to talk about caused him to bite down on his cheek, and the question was enough for him to lower his head in disappointment.

"..why are you doing this to yourself? Just leave... Just leave..."

A pit had formed in his stomach as his head rose to see her motioning to follow. He'd take his time to sit, trying to make it evident he wanted her and the boy to be at peace, calm. As he took his seat his eyes looked outward, trying his hardest not to look at the woman he knew he could never be without. Hunched over as if a heavy weight was pressed into his shoulders he'd look over at Raz, staring into the baby's "cool" eyes.

"..I know, I haven't come here to ask you for anything... To change anything, you're happy.. I've seen it."

He smiled at her before his prosthetic slowly rose in front of his face and balled into a fist, the mechanics within clicking with life. His eyes looked at the fake flesh before his real hand slowly drew towards Raz, Caed's cold hand simply hovering above the innocent. Raz's small hands would rise to take hold of Caed's index and give it a squeeze, a feeling that would bring a soft smile to the normally cold Jedi's face.

"..I'm sorry.."

His eyes had still stared into Raz's as they slowly rose to Val's for a brief moment before jutting back to the lake. His hand would remain in place as he tried to think of the words to tell her.

"..I know it means nothing, it all means nothing.."

His hand would slowly pull away from Raz, the child's firm hold finally releasing when Caed's hand became out of reach. His head would lower into his hands as the words he had to say still crept in the back of his mind, having no idea how she'd ever take it.

 

[Sreeya]

It almost pained her to watch the interaction between Raziel and Caed. Part of her wanted to pull Raziel away, the memory of Caed having called him a bastard still ingrained within her mind. At the same time, it was touching to see Caed make an effort to acknowledge what she ultimately believed to be the cause of the end of their love. Val couldn't help but allow a small smile to form at Raziel enthusiastically grasping his finger. He was so oblivious to all this, so happy all the time. Val envied him.

"I've named him Raziel. See? He's not so bad.."

The last bit had come out without her meaning to. It was apparent that how Caed had made his feelings clear about her unborn baby bothered her to no ends. Val then realized the gravity of the situation only when Caed pulled away, leaving behind a disappointed Raz, who was convinced Caed wanted to play with him.

"Sorry about what? Ultimately it was your choice, Caed. You've left me every time. Each time with a vague reason."

A slight hint of anger crept into her tone this time, something she couldn't help. He looked at the lake, but she looked at him, eyes narrowed slightly.

"Why are you doing this to yourself? You're falling again, I can see it in your eyes. It's like...it's like you always want to run away from anything that could ever make you happy."

 

[Rev]

Her final words at the mention of his named burned to his core. He remembered their last meeting as if it were the day prior. He was filled with such anger, such mindless rage that he had damned himself to a place he wished never to go again. Looking at the boy once more his mind raced at the name Raziel, the name reminding him slightly of his father.

"A name I'm sure he'll live up to."

Her stood at her preaching at what he had done, walking towards where they had come from only to stop feet from her and look outward for a long second. Finally he'd turn to face her, his eyes showing the taint of the darkside just as they had when they met years earlier.

"..my existence.."

His words were but a whisper, barely escaping his lips as he spoke. She was the only person he had left in the cruel universe, and he was forced by the very fabric that created him to give her up. His eyes fell on the key to their separation before his thoughts poured out.

"I-.. I'm leaving."

The words burned at finally saying them. A pain uplifted, yet lingering for all the world to see as his expression had filled to nothing but pain at the thought of turning once again.

"I've seen images.. dreams, since we ran into eachother on Malastare. Pain... death.. sadness..."

His words accentuated the last of the emotions. He'd take a short step towards them again, looking at Raz once more, letting the child again play with his fingertips.

"my being here... a Jedi.. whatever... Results in your..."

His eyes stared into Vals for perhaps one of the longest moments he had ever felt. His breath hadn't held, merely his speech had.

"and Raziel's lives being taken..."

His hand balled into a fist over Raz, the childs fingers again slipping free as he moved his hand to his side.

"I was bound for darkness... my mother gone to it... my Father taken by the same fate.."

He lowered his head for only a moment remembering their own ill fates, all perhaps stemming back to his creation. Looking skyward his eyes would stare into the vast blue for a long moment, wondering where he'd go.

 

[Sreeya]

His words disturbed her greatly. As he mentioned Raziel as well, she instinctively clutched him to her chest. It was obvious that Val was overprotective of her son. She would easily give her life for this small, feeble being. However, for now, Caed's words ran within her mind. There was silence between them for a long time. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. That was why he had left?

"How did you know those...those images were real? Could they not have been your paranoia playing tricks on you?"

It was a plausible conclusion to draw. However, at the back of her mind, she knew it was more than that. The Force was mysterious for the most part, but it had a strong voice at some points. If it needed to bring something to attention, it often did so by strongly instilling it within the mind.

"Caed...you have to understand that I'm a Jedi Knight."

She had to smile.

"The chance of me falling in battle is always there. It's something we don't talk about, but we're in a war. All of us are at risk of getting slain. And when Raziel grows up, he'll join in on the fight as well. I hate the thought, but it's how we are meant to live. You can sense him, he's strong in the Force. He will be a fighter and will risk his life just as I do. But...but you can't let it deter you from what you have now."

What he had then. It pained her to accept that everything was in the past now. It was far too late to change things. Val was happy with where she was and she knew it was also what would be best for Raziel. She sighed and joined Caed in gazing up at the sky.

"If I die, I want it to be in battle. It could happen tomorrow, it could happen many, many years from now. Death is inevitable and it's pointless to run away just because it appears prematurely."

She cast him a sideways glance.

"Where will you go and what will you do? Don't look to the path your parents have walked, Caed, pave your own."

 

[Rev]

"I spoke with Colm.. Master Lorian.."

He often referred to the former Grandmaster by first name, sometimes even confusing others at the "lack of etiquette." The man had been a family friend one might say since his upbringing, and he treated him as such.

"I met with him, not long after our-"

His mind couldn't find the words to explain their last adventure, so he instead ventured past it.

"..a strong Foresight, recurring... It has.. many meanings; but death is the most apparent."

His thoughts pictured the image of Rev standing over him as he cradled Val's limp body. The darkside had polluted the former Grandmaster, and there was no telling what he was doing.. The thoughts of Caed's mother filled his mind and the connection he played in her death. If Rev ever found out, the chance at revenge may find itself in Val and her child, the thought that filled the Knights mind more-so than any other.

"..and I expect your time to come when it is meant to be, not by my misfortunes... Not by my failures."

Her words of what he had meant nothing, for that is what he had. One could say the Jedi were in his corner, but he could not even complete a measly kidnapping without causing trouble between himself and his allies.

"I am where I do not belong... The Jedi have long cast me out, an unfortunate side-effect of my past decisions.."

He wanted nothing more than to let whatever they had blossom into what it truly could have been, but he ruined that. He ruined that. Lowering his head to look at her as she sat upon the bench his thoughts wandered.

"You, you have a long life to leave Valena... A long.. happy life. Your child will be just like you... be careful.."

He smiled before letting half of a laugh escape from him. He had no idea what was to come of Val or Raz, but perhaps thoughts of happiness for them both would bring her some peace of mind.

"...I dont know, Hutt space.. See how many of those bastards I can kill before they get me.."

He laughed at the idea, yet his voice held a seriousness to it that said he wasn't lying. He'd accepted his fate in the past weeks, wondering if death would finally bring him that peace his soul craved.

 

[Sreeya]

As Caed began to talk about how she had a long life to live and her son would be like her, a smile began to creep onto her face. It was the first signs of her personality returning.

"What are you, some kind of Jedi prophet?"

She playfully shoved him, lightening the mood. It was helped by his next words, suggesting that he was also ready to put the heavier topics behind him. Val shook her head.

"I don't think Hutts are too happy with us. I have a feeling that Cedos guy you killed was pretty tight with them."

Val had no idea that Cedos was alive. She had simply seen Caed attack before being hit with the Force Blast. That day had been one she would never forget. She carried the burns on her body still, and she knew the scarring would last forever. Val looked down at Raziel, thinking back to his earlier words.

"I hope he isn't like me. I get myself into trouble way too much. It's embarrassing how many times you've had to save my hide."

 

[Rev]

The nudge was welcomed, he had forgotten how easy it was to get her to react in a physical fashion. Too many times had he opened his mouth to get slugged or caught off guard with a light smack. It had almost come to define her in his mind, but he'd always welcomed it. Acting as if her push was far more powerful than it could have ever been he stumbled over himself foolishly before regaining his posture at last.

"..Then they shall join him."

He smiled before looking towards the ground, he too remembered that day all too well. His body also bore marks from the blast, it had felt like nothing he had ever encountered; white phosphorous.. but hotter. Small burns speckled his torso along with the many other scars and former lesions. The Bogan had put him through a lot, but it was nothing like the journey Val had put him through.

"..no idea how easy it is to follow you... Should change that."

He gave her a friendly bump with his elbow, it wasn't the first time he'd tracked her down. Whether they both knew it they were connected through the Force, their bond starting back on Coruscant.

 

[Sreeya]

Val couldn't help but laugh at his reactions. It dropped all the tension and anger welled up within her mind. Raziel, as if sensing the positive energy began to giggle of his own accord, though having no clue what was going on. She rolled her eyes at Caed's words.

"Hey, you just liked stalking me from the very beginning."

She laughed again when he bumped her with his elbow. Val thought back to where he had tracked her on Kashyyyk, shaking her head.

"You remember those wookiees you set on that Bogan woman? You were such a prick back then!"

Val thought about it for a moment before bursting out laughing. She had forgotten how many misadventures they had shared. It was odd to recall how different he had been back then. He was impossible to understand, he was always angry and when he talked it was..

"Always a load of bullshit, I swear. Always vague. I think you used to lie all the time. I bet you hijacked the ship on Kashyyyk to get to Dantooine.."

In retrospect, it was all quite comical. The last thing she had expected was to be laughing about the past with Caed, of all people. Their journey had been a long, painful one. Ultimately it had its place, good and bad.

 

[Rev]

He smirked, it was kind of odd that he had been following her for so long, but he personally thought she had perhaps always know; even if it wasn't apparent. He'd laugh with her until she brought up mention of the Wookiee's remembering his use of them to distract a woman who was now dead. He'd softly laugh thinking of his stubborn nature, he still had a tough mind to sway, but he'd loosened up significantly since everything had happened.

"You'd probably be without child or life if I hadn't.."

He continued to laugh as he remembered some of the few being chopped down, others escaping or being ignored by the powerful Bogan. That thought alone caused him to wander on the thought of the Bogan, what they were doing since the attack on Ando, and if they were still out to get him. Her comment on the ship only caused him to laugh in a way that more than gave away his apparent theft.

"...Yeah, uhhm-"

He paused only briefly.

"Hijacked is such a... strong word."

He'd feel his finger again gripped by the child. A slow pull towards Raz's face and his index finger found its way into the boys mouth. Staring down at the child in wonderment he wasn't quite sure what to do with the boy.

"..and I promise, you've saved me far more times than I you.."

 

[Sreeya]

Val looked down in astonishment at Raziel, who was now using Caed as a chew toy. A moment later, he withdrew and immediately attempted to crawl over. Val gave Caed an apologetic smile.

"Sorry he's a bit friendly.."

A moment later, Raziel had crawled onto Caed, happily investigating the prosthetic hand and attempting to bite it. Val kept a close watch on him, though it was only from being overly concerned about him all the time. She couldn't help but grin at Caed's words.

"I still can't believe I let you escape from my apartment when your father showed up. I thought for sure I was kicked out from the Order.."

The memory was surreal, as if it had happened many years ago. She thought about the past for a long moment, the smile lingering on her face. Val finally exhaled, looking over at Caed.

"I...I know things could have been different. Who knows where it could have gone. I like to think everything happens for a reason. I really want you to find happiness and ultimately free yourself from your past."

She knew the topic was more serious, but it needed to be said.

"You have taught me a lot of things, things I will never forget. I hope I've done the same for you. In truth, we've both saved each other in many ways and we've both come a long way. I guess we just have separate journeys with different goals."

Val smiled again, leaning in to give him a sideways hug. It was a strange feeling, almost alien. It still brought her warmth, but it was far different from what once existed between them. She pulled back, gazing down at Raziel and then back over at Caed.

"Try to stay alive so he can get to know you better. Hopefully he won't try to bite you then..."

 

[Rev]

He welcomed the crawling infant. Grabbing the small lad by his wrists he'd raise him to his feet to stand on Caed's own knees. Raz would kick his legs attempting to walk some only to topple from weight as his leg muscles weren't quite prepared. He'd smile at the boy one last time before allowing him to sit and play on his own lap.

"..you were surprised? Imagine how I felt..."

He remembered the leap from the building, it was years ago, but still too felt like yesterday. The impact on duracreet as his body toppled over its injured self to safety. It was that instant he'd felt more for her than he had any other, she'd sacrificed herself for him.

"In another universe I'd wish it were different... Perhaps it could have been different.."

His thoughts would linger on what could have been before she began to speak of how he had changed her life. Just as he had done to her she had done to him, it was more than evident in who he was before her.

"Perhaps those paths may again cross... I sense the Force has much in store for you and your family.."

The last words he put power behind, to reinforce his leaving. Hell he was almost starting to believe him going was best for him now. It was... different. He'd listen to her last comment and offer a half smile.

"I think it best if he knows not of me..."

He paused only briefly staring into the boys eyes, that familiar smile creeping onto his face before finally fading.

"..a dark future I have in front of me.."

He'd return the hug, a familiar feel to it, but far from what it had been sent a quick chill up his spine. He'd plant a soft peck on her cheek as a final goodbye before moving on. Reaching to his hip he unclipped the only object that had ever defined him; his lightsaber. It was far from his first and wouldn't be his last. Looking over the silver staff one last time his eyes turned to Val.

"..When he's of age, tell him it's a gift from an old friend.."