Homecoming: A Light Touch

[Nikka Toren]

Rishi
Rishi System
19:47
​

It had been so long since she last felt these sands beneath her feet, last heard the dull roar of the ocean... sensed the vibrant life that pushed against the shore. The briny air filled her lungs, and eased ever so slightly the ache that had followed her since the events of the caves. The crab that had followed her since was secured in one pocket; it seemed to have taken a liking to her, oddly enough. She had cleared the jungle three hours ago. Now she sat upon the shore, far enough that even high tide didn't reach her, but the jungle hummed with Life behind her.

She could feel it pulsing under her boots, shivering in between shoulder blades. She had been meditating for that time, aware of nothing more than tide in, tide out. She remembered the hours, days... weeks, so much time spent here, training hard. Training until her muscles screamed in protest, and until her mind had emptied of all thought.

Tippy was on-board with the Alpherys, a safe distance from Pirate's Cove. She wasn't unarmed, or underprepared; she had called her Master back here for a reason. A stick sat before her, a twin to the one he had gifted her for her training. It too was polished smooth from use.

It was when the jungle stilled behind her, that she knew someone had come. She slowly turned her head towards the person. As ever, he was a beacon of Light, her pillar of strength. Her master. Even without sight, he was recognizable to the Miraluka.

"Luy." She smiled, chasing away that feeling of foreboding that had lingered... at least, for the time being. "Thank you for coming so swiftly. For once, it is you who answered my call. But now I need to ask you for help. Will you give it?" She slowly stood and turned, palms pressed together before her, chin tilted up to him. She had waited a long time for this lesson; she hoped he would be the one to grant this.

She knew he had much on his mind; she only hoped he was willing to grant her request.
@Sangga

 

[Luy]

Luy burst through the canopy, his mane of tendrils and his outer robes covered in vines, stains and other detritus from the jungle undergrowth. His head snapped about taking in the coastline and what was on it, when he saw her. His demeanour relaxed, and a smile began to crack across his face. Once he was within speaking distance, considering the rolling of the waves, he lowered his head in a bow to his former pupil. “Nikka, I hope you are well. You require more teaching? Did I not suffice as a teacher?” He stood up and began noticing the additions to his attire and set to removing them or trying to rub them out of the fabric.

“Well, obviously you are looking for guidance into something that maybe we skimmed upon during your training?” He clapped his hands against his sides in submission. He looked to her, how she had grown up from that scrappy mechanic on Bothawui. Still abstaining from anything resembling the robes of the order, her choice of course, but nothing signified her as being a Jedi. Maybe that was for the best, but he could not imagine what he would wear, other than his robes.

The wind picked up and he looked to her, what would she want from him? He was happy to help with most things, of course, but why Rishi? Obviously it had significance to them, but what did it have to do with her request?

@Killa Ree

 

[Nikka Toren]

The grin widened on her lips, as she heard him. Like every time, sensing his presence was like witnessing a sunrise; no matter how dire the Order seemed, his was always an aura of Light, the Force a blazing river within him. Like water and fire, it answered his call even when he seemed... oddly disheveled upon arrival. She offered a bow in return, lowering her hands to her sides. "Oh no, you mistake me. It is not inadequacy on your part..."

Here, she hesitated a brief moment, waiting for the inevitable question she knew was coming. The smile softened as she dusted sand granules off her knees. Straightening up, she took a deep breath, then slowly released it.

"Back on Anoat... I realized that I want to be useful."

She realized the words sounded foolish, but it was the truth. "Fighting is not my strongest suit, as you know. So I wanted to ask your help for some time... especially after the knighthood trials. I wanted to be worthy of learning how to heal others... with the Force." She let the silence linger a moment longer, squaring her shoulders.

"I don't want to stand hopelessly by while those of our Order are wounded, waiting for a medical ship that might not make it. I want to be of use..." she placed her left hand on her chest, over her heart, "to heal those that not only struggle with physical wounds, but spiritual ones as well. Can you teach me, Master?"

So serious, so calm. How much she had changed in that span of time. After all, she was willing to help him rebuild the Order; she hoped he could help her in healing as well.

It wasn't going to be easy. But... she was ready.

@Sangga

 

[Luy]

She was the picture of serenity. While the nearby coastline was pounded, and the ever rolling tide sprayed, she was still. Was it that she had no eyes, no, she saw more than anyone would ever know. So young and yet was already so wise. Luy's throat dried, the words caught in his mouth. He swallowed and tried again. "Can...I?" Raspy, he was still reeling from the stark difference in his former pupil. "I am able to teach many people a great deal about many things. But I ask you as my former pupil, why do you wish to be taught still? Why are you not seeking out this information yourself and applying it in practice?" He turned to her and lowered his frame to a knee, looking up at her slightly. "I would be happy to part with the knowledge I have."

He chuckled to himself, seriousness melting away. "Now see here, I am not a healer. You will most likely surpass me if you plan to focus on this as many within the old Order did. But the Force is our ever faithful ally, and it will see that you heal those that have been brought harm outside of our protection." He held out his hand in front of her. His other reached back to his belt, at the mall of his back and a very reflective knife was revealed. He then scored his wrist with its sharpened edge. A hiss was drawn and soon vermillion liquid pooled in is hand.

“First lesson, the Force binds us together. In this case, you need to focus on the wound and not the blood. Focus on the wound and visualise what has just happened, to as small a scale as you can. You can do this Nikka.” He wiped the blade on his outer robe and then sheathed the weapon.

@Killa Ree

 

[Nikka Toren]

The smile remained on her lips. His shock was evident; much had happened since the last time they had met, since her final trials into Knighthood. The diplomatic missions. The failure at Ilum. Even the events since Ando Prime and others before that... she had been tested. Over and over again, the bonds of her connection to the Force had been strained, almost to the point of breaking, and her shoulder still ached from the recent stint in the medical ship.

But she was no longer in doubt of the Light. And apparently, it showed. Curious.

"I wish... no. I need to be taught, Master." Simple words, hands spread out before her. "I do plan on seeking out more about this Old Order and its' healing... but last when I spoke to Master Vu'thari, he recommended you. And I agree. There is none I trust more to teach me such a necessary skill. I would like to say I can apply it with the knowledge you've given me after all this time, but.." Here, she paused, aware he had suddenly knelt before her.

"I need to know the basics. To understand them as you have taught the other necessary skills before, so I cannot hurt anyone."

Her smile widened when the smallest hint of the jovial Master she had known surfaced. Too long, his aura was one of subdued speculation, and fierce, swift retribution. It had been a very long time since she had last heard him laugh.

She witnessed him slicing his own palm. For her. And hearing his affirmation... Her throat closed slightly. This was the last remnants of a student and teacher. After this, it was going to be so much greater. She had faced hell as his Padawan, endured trials that tested her by his side, and afterwards... they would become allies.

Her left hand touched, feather-light, against the bleeding wound, the right alighting gently to his cheek. The strange texture of his skin was a bit of a surprise, but she remained. It was a feather-light touch. Her smile was warm, serene. "Thank you, Master. When this is over... with your permission, I would like to See you." But then, the need for words had gone, only after either his assent or denial.

Then, her right hand joined over her left. She took one deep breath in. From within, the Light answered, and a soft blue light began to glow from his wrist, to her palm, and back. She began to focus, following the threads of the Light. From the smallest cell to the damaged dermis, she began to focus, slipping into a light meditative state.

@Sangga

 

[Luy]

Her touch was nought compared to his heavier hand, his Master had told him such during their bouts of lightsaber practice. He barely could employ maneuvers from the Makashi style. But her hand, such control and care in her movements, the hands of a healer.

He spoke softly, feeling how much quieter she’d gotten, not just in voice but within the Force and her overall presence seemed withdrawn. “Nikka, bring the division closer. Encourage the cell growth, guide them with your Will. Right the wrong with the Force’s light. As in everything, let the Force guide and aid you and the in this case the healing of others.” He placed his unwounded hand over hers. His strong hand encasing her light touch. The light of her power bleeding through the gaps in their digits.

It was certainly something, to hold the power of the Force in your hands, the actions of another Jedi within your palms. Once more his chosen path had revealed to him another experience, a pearl of Wisdom that he had observed and would cherish. He removed the hand at the top and as her hands moved away the cut had gone, not so much as a scar.

“It would appear that you are extremely gifted…” he took in a deep breath as he inspected his palm. “... that and I imagine your skill has a greater effect on a recent wound?” He chuckled to himself, his lack of knowledge causing some wry amusement from the Master. He lowered his hand, placing it on his knee. He closed his eyes and remained very still. She had made a request, and he felt he didn’t need to say that she was welcome. They had known each other for some time, and the fact he didn’t know what he looked like ashamed him somewhat; as her Master, should he have not accommodated her before?

As a few moments passed he thought that maybe she didn't get the gesture, without opening his eyes he began to move to her hand but his face found them first. Such small hands, so fragile. She was hesitant, as if she thought this might hurt him? With another muffled chuckle, he pressed his face into her hands, showing her that she could press firmly if she had to and that he could take more if she needed. His hands fell to his side, and he waited for her to finish. Unmoving unless asked, he became a face for her to see… for the first time.

@Killa Ree

 

[Nikka Toren]

She smiled brightly, as brightly as she ever had. Hearing such encouragement shouldn't have pleased her half so much, but it did. He was a Master who knew the old ways; knowing that he thought her gifted was even more of a balm to what had once been her troubled mind. True, she was subdued; it was for a very specific reason. She had much to think about; a new Padawan, a life outside of study. One where she balanced personal goals with those of the Alliance; where battle was met with scholarship. She achieved balance, but how long would it last? She had to be prepared for the worst. And the worst was...

No.

She would not dwell on the events of Ord Cantrell. That was an odd twist of fate, something that still troubled her no matter how many times she puzzled over it. But now wasn't the time.

"Thank you." She dipped her head slightly. She resisted the urge to touch the wound to her shoulder when he commented on recent wounds; it still ached raw, and moving it now still brought on a fierce twinge. But move she did.

She could feel the vibration of a chuckle against his cheek, and she stifled one herself. As before, now it was... his face was the third that she would See for the rest of her life. Fingertips skimmed over eyebrow ridge, forehead, ghosting over eyelids and beneath the eyes, then over his cheeks, towards his jawline.

The tendrils were likened to a beard in her sensitive touch, she was curious, but didn't dare go much further then. But her voice was soft, light, almost wondering.

"I see. What a strong visage. No doubt a commanding presence in any room," humor laced her voice, a spark of the old Nikka. An eyebrow perked along with the smile, and she alighted her hands to either side of his face, and inclined her head. "It's a pleasure to see you at last, Master. And for one last lesson... and now..."

Her hands removed from his face. She took two steps back. The surf rollicked around the ankles of her boots, the serene smile still on her lips. "Is there anything you need of me, Master? Any way I can help our cause?"

@Sangga

 

[Luy]

“Yes… I feel closer to you now, and you’re the one who couldn’t see!” Luy stood to his full height, his hands folding within his sleeves again. He pondered her request and Luy looked over her at the ocean, an image of the Force if ever there was one. Like their lives, all Land masses touched, were surrounded and contained the water that was part of or led to the ocean. The Jedi were as Nikka, standing within the Force, closer to it than anyone on the land.

Soon they would no doubt be striding into the ‘surf’ once more. Luy’s gaze lowered to face his former student. “We are to go to Ruusan, I do not know when it will be a good time to do so, but I have been doing some studying and I have meditated on my findings. You and I are going to make a discovery that will change our lives and our vision of he Force. This vision was crucial to my thoughts.” Luy turned to walk along the beach, his head turned back. “But for now, work on your healing where you can, the struggle is only about to begin.” With that the Master began to head off down the beach toward the Kirin’s landing site.

@Killa Ree

 

[Nikka Toren]

When he moved away and glanced back, he would see her lowered to a low bow. When she at last rose, her voice was soft. Perhaps barely heard over the surf, but strong, confident. "To Ruusan... I'll go when you call for me, Master," giving a faint bittersweet smile.

"It's like I said here those years ago, I'd follow you until the end. Even if everything we learn in Ruusan changes things forever."

When he had left, she stood for a long time at the shore once more. Contemplating. There was much to do, much to prepare for... but first...

She had to plan ahead. There was the trouble of Zeven Visz; after their encounter at Ord Cantrell, she had to prepare for the worst ahead of time. She had to make sure that there was no danger to herself or others; perhaps, after Ruusan, she could disappear. Just for a year or two. And if and when she was needed...

She would return for the call. Yes... if he ever needed her, she would always answer his call.

/End Thread

@Sangga