Ask Missing Persons?

[Brienna Lanaamer]

Bri chuckled a little as Corran tried to correct the Gran, but eventually gave up. There was a reason Bri had chosen not to do so, and that was mainly to get to ordering as quick as possible, considering how hungry she was. Hopefully it won't upset him. I wonder if there's a Mrs. Corran out there? They hadn't really gotten to the stage of 'friendship' of asking reasonably personal questions. Regardless, the Gran really didn't care, and seemed more interested about what kind of business he'd be getting. Bri waited as Corran ordered, including some additional light teasing from the proprietor about Bri's larger appetite compared to the Rangers. That also made the Jedi smile, and offer a slight laughing scoff. She usually burned enough calories to eat just about what she wanted to. Usually.

"Hey - I thought I said I was going to pay?" she poked him with the elbow of her good arm. It wasn't a point she wanted to debate vociferously, but at the same time, there was meaning behind her playful nudge. The Jedi felt firmly that the danger encountered that evening was entirely her fault, and owed some kind of recompense. For the time being, it appeared the Ranger wouldn't acquiesce. The two stepped away from the immediate vicinity of the food stand, waiting nearby - Bri got a better look and judged that the area was more of a slight ubran park. A small square of non-industrialized area for those to find a little respite from the loud and metallic surroundings that seemed to dominate the city.

As they waited, Bri looked over as the Ranger started a few series of questions, first listing a few of his own experiences that he had witnessed of the Force. The Jedi paused, not entirely sure how to respond. The Ranger, before on Dxun, and even this evening on Botajef, seemed to air some kind of hesitation or caution when approaching the subject. Why? There was a certain amount Bri could feel in his emotions. But also, it seemed deeper, that she couldn't feel a the surface level. The Jedi's first guess was there was a history of experiences that had built his opinions. Thus, she didn't want to go too far off the 'deep end' in answering his questions, lest she end of scaring him off. It never felt good to be called a 'zealot' or 'fanatic.'

Realizing she had remained quiet for too long, she looked up and tried to explain. "Well, there are a number of different ways that the Force can be manifested into 'abilities,' ... more than I can list. Pushing and pulling things, those are probably the easiest - in terms of what you can see. Healing requires a little more concentration and skill. Fire and lightning also. Though lightning is an ability derived from the dark side of the Force," she commented, sounding somewhat more serious at the mention of the Dark Side. "Some Jedi study these various Force techniques for their whole lives." Bri paused, getting a little ahead of herself, and tried to think of a simpler metaphor. "Because of the nature of the Force," she waved her hand around in front of her, "being everywhere. It can be used in a wide variety of implications. I've only been trained in moving things (an oversimplification), healing, and sensing or reading one's emotions or feelings." The Jedi paused again. "I guess it's a little hard to explain. The Force can also enhance one's physical abilities - you know, running or jumping. Though again, there are much more diverse applications that just that." Bri remained quiet, then added, "there's sort of a running joke that using the Force is just lifting rocks - but the base of all of the Force abilities is feeling. Feeling what's around you. Within you and others." In the last sentence, the passion the young woman felt about her connection to the Force could be sensed. Of feeling. Realizing herself, she tried to lighten up once more. "Obviously a pretty broad subject," with a smile.

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

Bri seemed to take everything in stride. A kind of friendly confidence. Much like his own at times. From the playful poke of her elbow that pushed past the previous awkwardness to the deep questions on the nature of the Force. On the former, Corran could only jest back. "You must have been mistaken. Momma Velt raised me to always pay for a lady." The later was much more complicated than who covered the snacks. Corran listened with hands in his jacket pockets as the most detailed lesson on the Force in his life thus far was explained to him. It was odd to process something he'd never understand. Never feel. He wasn't one of the few born with the... sensitivity. The young ranger had thought different Force abilities were innate. Someone would be born with the ability to heal, or toss fire, or summon lightning. But Bri made it sound like any ability could be studied and actually learned.

Except the Dark Side. At it's mention, Lieutenant Velt visibly jerked his head back and made a face of bewilderment. First he'd heard of any delineation among religious adherents. Bri continued so he dared not interrupt just yet as fresh questions arose from that complication alone. Her hand gestured to the open air and his gaze followed it; eventually glancing around at the nothingness. The Force was... everywhere? Corran sniffed and eventually ran his own hand through the night air. It could not be tasted, touched, or seen. Yet the Jedi could feel it. Her countenance reflected a powerful ardor in how she described it. That connection. Between Force-users and the Force and the Force in others. But it couldn't be in him. It never rose to empower him. None of these mystical bonds flowed from the young man's body. It seemed more likely, to him, that the Force resided in individuals. Those who had it and those who didn't. Like him. Like nearly everyone else.

Other powers Bri spoke of were things more tangible and practical. Increased speed and agility. That explained how Sith moved the way they did. No other sentient being could deflect laser blasts without it. Those, along with the physical manipulations of objects, he could grasp. Sort of like tractor-beams but organic. By the time the first lesson was over, Lieutenant Velt's thoughts were well-formed. "So... You've trained on sensing or reading emotions. Is that what you did to Cen? Have you ever done that to me?" He asked softly, sincerely curious. Ilana Morata had something similar. A powerful empathy. Was this the same? "Is that similar to that hand gesture you did against those two thugs or something different?" Corran offered a similar but inaccurate reaction with his own hand, "And the Dark Side. That's the religious schism you have with the Sith. They must call you the Dark Side." The ranger glanced at his own palm, "So shocking people is forbidden by religious code? You can do it but refuse to."

His words sounded both innocent and conflicted. No one had ever taught him anything about these beliefs, dogmas, and the Force. Too much time was spent chasing fleeing Jedi or surviving Sith terrorists. In any other circumstance, Corran wouldn't have even cared to ask. They were zealots and freaks. Different from normal people. But Bri... the sensations he felt deep in his gut or... whatever around her. He had to get to the bottom of why it was different and how he felt so trusting. Was it trickery or real?

@ModernMarvel

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

Bri laughed again at Corran's comment about paying for their food. "There you go again calling me a lady! You got shot at because of me. The least I could do was pay for your," she gestured with a head nod toward the food stand, "meat stick." Despite her joke, she still felt a little sore at not being able repay the favor. She made a mental note to try again at another point in the future. Whenever that may be. As the Jedi explained an introductory into Force abilities, she could tell the Ranger was a little overwhelmed. Which was not entirely surprising. It's complicated stuff. He seemed to be almost looking around for the Force, reaching out with his hands, which made Bri smile. It was rather innocent.

A number of questions were obviously swimming in his mind - and Bri hoped that she could help to try and make things a little more clear. The first inquiry was on reading emotions. "I have, yes" a nod, "and it was what I used with Harend. I can't read minds, but I can read feelings," A small grin formed at the Ranger, again rather innocently asking if she had done the same with him. "No," she shook her head. "Well, not in depth like I did before with Cen. I was searching for something in him. Just generally, I can feel what's happening around me, and that includes the surface level emotions of those around me as well. It feels like another sense - breathing, hearing, seeing, etcetera," she waved her hand. "You can try and suppress it, but it's always there." She nodded again, "the ability to sense one's emotions can be pulled further by the Force to influence another's mind. That will only work on the weak minded, however. That's what I used on the two goons."

A religious schism would not be how Bri described the difference between the Jedi and the Sith. For the sake of simplicity and continuing their conversational flow, she choose not to correct Corran, but it could be noticed that she bristled somewhat at the thought. "They see us as their enemies, but they themselves embrace the term, 'Dark Side,'" she placed an emphasis on the last two words of the sentence. "No," Bri shook her head. "There are some abilities with the Force that require a connection to the Dark Side to use. Force lightning is one of them. In order to learn such a power, you need to tap into the anger inside you, the fear. The Sith would want you to believe that such emotions make you stronger, more focused. As Jedi, we disagree. Anger and fear lead to far deadlier emotions. It sends you on the path of destruction, until there's nothing left inside you. Why destroy, when you can do things like heal people? Like comfort or protect?"

The Jedi was not an expert in Force lightning, and it was clear that she did not like talking about the Dark Side. It made her seem somewhat down, and though not physically possible, almost seemed like her sunny colored hair and cheerful blue eyes lost some of their luster. She did not see her job as trying to 'convert' Corran to her side of the Force. Surely, the Sith's violent and malevolent actions would do that for the vast majority of the Galaxy. Bri felt herself lecturing somewhat and tried to step back. Meat-sticks and ice-pops were far more pleasant conversation topics than the Dark Side. But, if Corran had questions, Bri was more than willing to help explain. Especially if she could clear up some confusion or even misconceptions he may have about the Jedi.

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

As with everything dealing with the Force and its adherents, nothing was cut and dry. Bri had sensed his emotions and feelings, but only as ripples in a pond compared to the depth she searched Cen Harend. The exact difference between those levels was so vague. Much like Ilana's empathy. Could Bri sense when Corran first saw her again and felt that instinctual thought of her attractiveness? What about his disapprovals of the Force cults? Even now, was his curiosity tangible to her senses? It felt... intrusive in a way it didn't with Ilana. He didn't know Bri that well. But instincts or feelings or whatever defied that logic. It coaxed him to trust her. Smile when she smiled. Laugh when she laughed. A mirror image. Or worse. A puppet.

Corran rested an elbow in his hand with a thumb on his finger and index finger over the lips. Clearly a posture of deep, inward thinking. Force powers had some connection to emotions. Sith utilized base emotions like fury and fear. Fury he had witnessed first that. That and insanity. The cackling of a vile woman as she threw swords faster than blaster shots. His gaze looked to Bri as she spoke to mentally compare the two. Yes, they were opposites. If the Sith drew on excess, the Jedi relied on restraint. Focus. Memories flashed of the meditative states Bri took whenever she used her abilities.

But this could mean the Jedi and Sith weren't the same. The Lieutenant's eyebrows furrowed in discomforting thought. That's... impossible.

He lowered his hand and opened his mouth to speak but noticed something off with the Jedi immediately. The usually bubbly Bri had visibly wilted. It didn't take a Force power to sense her emotions on this topic. Discussing the Dark Side dimmed her light. Corran closed his mouth and swallowed. No more - even if he didn't understand it yet. He looked at her with apologetic eyes, "Bri, I-"

"Order up!" The burly shout erupted into the night sky. "Order for the young people!" A hardy chuckle bellowed. Lieutenant Velt glanced over his shoulder and shook his head with a shy grin, "That's us." He tossed a thumb over his shoulder to the semi-circular food stand.

The Gran offered Bri's order to her first, "For the young lady." Corran would help her hold anything if needed, given her damaged arm. Then came his order, which he the meat-stick and ice-pop in one hand each. "And for the young man. Can I gets you two anything else?" The Sector Ranger politely shook his head in the negative for himself but let his companion for herself. The Gran purveyor waved them off as they walked away and went about his business in other parts of the shack.

Corran took a bite of his meat-stick first and found it just as savory as the first time he tried it. Just the right amount of cooked and yet still juicy. He hummed in appreciate of good eats and his stomach roared to attention demanding more for the empty stomach. That'd have to wait for a brief moment. With a swallow to make sure he wasn't chewing with his mouth open, the blond man turned to Bri, "Is your ship a long walk from here?"

@ModernMarvel

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

As Bri explained, she watched the Ranger's face furrow with either confusion, or information overload. Such was the extent, he had placed an arm over the other, with a finger tapping ponderously on his lips. The Jedi was not surprised that such information could be overwhelming, especially to those who did not have a solid understanding of the Force. Or it could just be disregarded. After finishing her last point, she looked over at the Ranger, who appeared to have a thought on the tip of his tongue, but was interrupted by the call of the Gran. I'll ask him later.

Bri's attention was snapped over to the food stand, as 'the young people,' had their order called. A short laugh escaped the Jedi's lips. "Thank goodness, I'm starving," she added to Corran, walking along side him to the window. The Jedi's food was offered first.

"For the young lady."

What, do I look like I'm twelve or something? Bri took one meat-stick, then another, holding both tightly in her good hand. The fried chips were packed into a to-go bag and draped over the injured arm. "No thanks, we're good," she returned to the Gran as they walked off. Bri immediately took an eager bite off the meat stick, and smiled pleasantly at the rich taste that filled her mouth. An additional quickly followed before she had finished the first.

"Is your ship a long walk from here?"

The second of the two bites were still in Bri's mouth, delaying her answer on the location of the ship; she shook her head in the negative to buy more time. "No, not that far. Just parked at the Spaceport," without the use of either hand, she tilted her head in the general direction to indicate. The thought reminded her to notify her droid that they'd be soon approaching. Adjusting the grip of the two meat-sticks, she extended her pinkie finger and tapped a few buttons on the device on her wrist. The hum of a communication channel opened. "NL - we'll be back to the ship in just a few minutes," Bri spoke. The droid could be heard to beep a hasty reply - questioning quite aggressively who the 'we' was. The Jedi offered a sheepish grin to the Ranger, closing the communication before the droid could finish. "My droid can get a little over-protective at times."

Taking a few more moments to eat a bit more of the meat-sticks, Bri decided to retake up their previous subject of conversation. "I think before our food, you were going to ask something more about the Force?" Though it was simultaneously a touchy, and non-touchy subject, Bri could tell that Corran was interested deeply into what she was explaining. Or at least, it looked like he was. If the Jedi could do anything else to help dispel confusion, she definitely wanted to.

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

Another bite of the savory hand-held meal kept Corran's mouth closed when Bri nodded in the direction of the nearby spaceport. He turned his head to look mid-chew and then nodded in understanding. Botajef had a few spaceports of varying sizes - being an industrialized world - but populated areas like this had much less. He popped the last of his dinner into his mouth as the Jedi dialed on her wrist. A lowly cocked eyebrow was the only visual expression that the young man didn't know who NL was at first. Beeps of various octaves revealed it was an astromech.

He chuckled at Bri excusing her shipmate and began to choke a little because of it. Corran smacked his chest a few times and swallowed hard. "Over-protective? You must have the beefiest astromech in the galaxy if it can handle more than you," he teased after clearing his throat, followed by another small laugh. Compared to the super-natural powers of throwing objects and deflecting laser blasts with a lightsaber, a little astromech being worried seemed funny.

As Bri ate her own meal, Lieutenant Velt moved onto desert and took to enjoying the small ice-pop. It was kid's size. He stuck it in his mouth like a lolipop with the stick at the corner of his lips. The Jedi sensitively broached the topic from before. Corran's eyes opened more widely for a second before settling back to normal. "Oh," he said quietly, "yeah." He looked around to see if they were alone. No workers were moving about. No families on a stroll. There was no better opportunity.

The blond man removed the desert from his mouth and swallowed softly. His sky-blue eyes locked with Bri's own. A seriousness gripped the air around them. "Have you ever... influenced me with your powers?" A stern question spoken with furrowed brows. "To make me feel, think, or act a certain way. Like with those thugs from earlier." All those mirror actions had to be explained. Those reflections of Bri. They weren't bonded twins from birth. There had to be a reason and he was going to find it.

@ModernMarvel

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

Bri laughed at Corran's choking reaction after finding the intercation with NL humorous. "Careful there," she added, playfully. "Its usually the source of an argument or two between us, like my flying skills I mentioned earlier," Bri explained further. Despite the words not conveying as such, there was still a detectable tone of affection towards the droid. Long space journeys could often end up being lonely affairs, and the Jedi was grateful for the company of her droid partner. Even if we end up getting on each other's nerves.

The two meat-sticks in Bri's hand became easier to manage as their respective volumes slowly diminished. As soon as the first was finished, she eagerly started on the other. After getting about halfway through, she started to slow down, however. "I think my eyes might've been bigger than my stomach," she mumbled, with a daunting look down at the meat-stick. A few more bites ensued, as Corran returned to the previous subject with a slight widening of his eyes. Is this something he doesn't want to talk about?

The Jedi tilted her head in both interest and confusion as Corran, spoke quietly. Despite the rather child-like ice-pop still in his hand, Bri could tell the Ranger reflected on his question quite seriously. Is that what's been bothering him? Bri's immediate reaction was to feel somewhat hurt by the question, as if Corran expected the Jedi to 'magically' trick people into liking her. She expressed with a slight frown, and again a dimming of her bright spirit. However, that feeling slowly dissipated as the Jedi surmised that the Ranger was coming from a place of confusion or misunderstanding, rather than anger. "No," Bri shook her head earnestly. "Of course not.....Why would I?"

Why would he think that? Is he afraid of me? Or the powers that I've shown with the Force?

Bri was tempted to follow her response with another joking comment to lighten the mood, but sensed Corran's seriousness and decided it was not the best course of action.

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

The early night atmosphere stilled. Corran's furrowed brow weakened and his eyes refused to blink as he stared blankly forward at the Jedi. His mouth opened only a little and no words came. Only a near-silent gasp. It had been the only explanation. All the twined emotions, moods, and reactions. It had to be because she was influencing him with the twist of a hand. It had to be. All the ranger's theories had relied on that likelihood. He didn't like Jedi. He didn't joke with them or laugh with them. Yet all day Bri had been helpful, heroic, and good company. Rigid thoughts demanded that she lied. The Force had altered him. It was all a lie to veil the true 'Dark Side' of all Force religions.

But when Lieutenant Velt's eyes refocused on the woman, those untrusting thoughts began to wither. Like snow under the first light of spring. Bri uncertainly frowned; her aura dulling only slightly. He felt the tug at the corner of his mouth. A want to frown too. Her hands were not moving. Eyes open. Not obvious sign of use of her powers. Then why did he mimic her? It kept appearing. Subtle, not in anyway overwhelming, but present.

The ice-pop fell from Corran's grasp and landed on the ground. "That... can't be," his voice was shaky at first but grew in confidence, "All day some thing has made me feel some speck of what you do." The Ranger's hand raised to cover have his face, fingers pressing against his forehead. "It grows more... influential as we stand nearer. I smile when you smile. Laugh when you laugh. Like a reflection." Saying this all out loud felt embarrassing. He closed his eyes and focused on trying to find the right words. "I'm not like this. Not when wearing the badge. I'm disciplined. Trained. I don't joke or-or-or buy dinners."

Blue eyes opened again. The hand slowly glided off the young man's face until it rested at his side. "Tell me. What would cause this?"

@ModernMarvel

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

The confused furrow on Bri's face scrunched further. What? That....that doesn't make sense. Once again the Jedi sensed equal feelings of confusion within the Ranger. Though it was something more, as if something Bri had said shook the foundations of some of Corran's beliefs. She stopped walking and turned to face him. His face was painted with emotion. Mouth slightly open, eyes forward, blinking in bewilderment. Bri looked up and across, making up the minimal difference in their respective heights.

Bri was tempted, very tempted, to reach deep inside the Ranger and pull out what was bothering him. She occasionally found other people and their feelings to be completely foreign to her. This was becoming one of those instances. Possessing empathy, but not comprehension. Normally, she'd reach within and try to feel her way around their emotions. Yet, still she held back. It wasn't fair to do, and if she did, would she be guilty of doing exactly what Corran had been accusing her of? It was accusations wasn't it? He couldn't account for his own behavior, and concluded that Bri must be the problem. But why? I thought he had just been enjoying my company. Instead he acts like he's misbehaved... and I'm at fault.

Corran's ice-pop dropped to the ground. Bri's eyes lost focus of the Ranger's face and watched the frozen treat fall. It landed with a less than satisfying plop. The Jedi, normally full of words, almost didn't know what to say. "Corran....I....," she mumbled, trying to buy her brain some more thinking time. She ran a hand to smooth a non-existent stray hair from her ponytail. "I....I don't really know what you're talking about. I haven't been changing your mood or your behavior. I'd like to say its my winning personality," another defaulted joke, and slight smirk, "but it sounds like you've felt something different," she returned to being serious.

The Jedi tried scan through her own memory banks to remember anything in the old texts that maybe mentioned something like Corran described. An example of a non-Force user somehow connecting, or tuning into the feelings of another. Unless Corran does have a connection to the Force? ... No, I would've felt it. A thought popped into her mind, but was quickly dismissed. She instead tried to think aloud. "I...I suppose that you might be tuning into my abilities with the Force. Almost like a tuner finding a different radio frequency." Bri tapped her chin. "But that wouldn't account for any changes in you behavior."

She remained quiet for a few moments again in thought, looking downward. "I'm not sure if I can explain what's happening. Do you feel different?" Bri stressed the penultimate word.

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

An attempt at humor in this situation normally would have fallen flat. Corran wanted to stare blankly but instead felt the twinge of a smirk coming on. Another ripple effect - Bri's own smirk a pebble tossed into a placid pond. He had to turn his face away to hide the grin, resorting to shifting his jaw from one side to the other like chewing metal to quash the reflection. It was funny though. The Jedi was a likeable person on her own anyway. When the ranger returned his head back to his companion, she was hypothesizing possible solutions.

Corran had no experience or education on these things. Bri would have to diagnose or completely dissuade the man from whatever was going on. The analogy of a tuner finding a sensor frequency had the Lieutenant thinking. That was more in grounded than mystical teachings. His eyes squinted at her before looking down in deep thought. It didn't seem possible that he could, subconsciously, align with a Force Sensitive. He wasn't like their kind. And for it to occur so suddenly... No other other Force-user had this effect. Even Ilana, whom he wished he could mimic her emotions sometimes. They were often polar opposites. Bri and the Ranger had only met once before, even if it was a harrowing survival situation where they had to rely on one another.

When Lieutenant Velt raised his gaze to answer the Jedi's question, he discovered that she had joined him in staring downcast. Was this situation bothering her too? Perhaps it might've been best to not say anything at all. He placed a hand over his heart as if physically detecting any difference was possible. "No, I don't think so. I feel fine. Do you feel different? Does it go both ways?" Corran was starting to feel like he was coming off crazy. Memories of Dxun kept coming back. Probably because there weren't any others the two shared. Hanging in a seated harness, blood dripping onto the torn fuselage. Could it...?

The Ranger's eyes blinked a few times as the squinted, furrowed eyes slowly opened to full. He held his arms out towards the Jedi, hands open as if grasping some invisible object. "The Force healing. Could that have left something? Like a... uh, uh..." Corran struggled to find an analogy, "...a seed? A fragment?"

@ModernMarvel

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

The confusion continued. Corran raised his attention back to the Jedi. Bri was beginning to think that whatever was occurring was not something that she had read about in the library, or been trained in by one of the Jedi Masters.

"No, I don't think so. I feel fine. Do you feel different? Does it go both ways?"

Bri chewed her bottom lip, and began an evaluation of her own feelings. Did she feel different? Not really. She didn't exactly maintain connections or other feelings with many people. Friends and family included. Whatever was happening, was obviously bothering the Ranger. Or at least his inability to figure it out. The Jedi didn't quite share the same levels of frustration, if only due to the fact that she had long accepted there were facets of the Force that she could not, or would not be able to comprehend. There was a constant pursuit of knowledge, and Bri had long committed to furthering herself in its journey.

"I don't think so," Bri looked down, focusing on nothing in particular. "Just about normal," she shrugged. Truthfully, there wasn't much there. She began to review her past interactions with Corran, sorting through them in her mind. Her internal review was still underway when her concentration was interrupted by the Ranger's interjection, holding his arms. out.

"The Force healing. Could that have left something? Like a... uh, uh.....a seed? A fragment?"

"The Force healing......" Bri repeated back, slowly, sounding intrigued. Was that even possible? Could he feel a lingering connection to Bri from the affects of the Force that was used to heal his wounds? I mean I guess so? The Jedi felt connections to those she had healed, but in her mind she viewed it as more of an emotional connection, rather than something tangible, or manifest-able, like Corran described. "That's quite an interesting idea," Bri mused, tapping her chin once more in thought. She extended the analogy further. "Almost like when I healed you, I left the bandages behind. Or stitches."

If I remember right, his wounds were pretty bad. Bri tried to think back on her feelings when she had healed Corran. Bleeding. Head wounds. Confusion. After a few moments the Jedi spoke again. "I suppose there cold be some lingering Force energy within you. More specifically, my Force energy. Though I would have expected it to dissipate after all this time," she pointed absentmindedly with her finger, using it to punctuate her sentence. "It could explain what you've been feeling."

More questions would help Bri form her conclusion. "Have these feelings just been around me today? Or have there been past instances where you can't account for a change in your behavior or emotions?"

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

Corran stood there with his arms raised to see if the desperate idea had any merit. The alternatives were either unpleasant or manipulative. He searched Bri's features for any clue of her insights before she would verbalize them. The Ranger was practically holding his breath. When the Jedi didn't cast the concept out of hand immediately and even seemed interested in it, a relieved exhale escaped. He nodded along appreciatively to the continuing analogies. Bandages and stitches were less permanent than a seed or fragment. Those sounded better.

At least he wasn't alone in this crazy idea. His arms retreated to his sides and hands rested on his weapons belt as Bri spoke aloud theories on if such a thing could be possible. The word 'dissipate' forced an blond eyebrow to raise. Meaning the reflections might've been stronger before. Or that they would fade away on their own. Though she didn't go so far as to promise that.

Lieutenant Velt didn't even hesitate to reply. He pointed a finger at her and shook his head, "Just today with you. I've never had a change in my emotional state." The man stared seriously at the Jedi for a few beats before he realized how dumb that sounded. "I mean I have emotions. They change when I'm happy or sad or whatever. Just... rarely on the job or in direct mirror of someone else." Someone else was a nicer way of saying someone like her. A Jedi. A religious zealot who had caused the galaxy nothing but grief in their constant strife with the Sith. And him personally.

And yet... Bri had been nothing like the few others he'd met. She didn't flee or cause public disturbances. Certainly didn't try to murder innocents. Not to mention her actions on Dxun in total. A good person among troublesome people. Like a clearing sky from a spring storm, then Ranger's face began to soften. He ran his hand through blond hair and rested it on the back of his neck. "So... this energy. It will go away on its own? That it must be pretty weak by now? You won't need to remove it with a hand wave or something?" Saying that much was a lot to suggest. If the leftover energy 'causing' the Force connection was weak, then some, or most, of what Lieutenant Velt had mirrored today was real. That she was a enjoyable company all on her own, despite the associations she chose to keep. Maybe a Jedi wasn't so bad. Corran wondered if Bri would pick-up on the implication at all.

@ModernMarvel

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

The Jedi laughed at the Ranger's comments. At least he, himself, could admit that he possessed emotions, and was not always robotic. Still, it was an interesting point that he only felt this certain way being in Bri's company over the course of the evening. For a moment, Bri was curious what sort of personal relationships Corran had. She had no doubt that his friendly personality probably attracted others. When he shows it. Yet, at times, he didn't seem to be the most personable of people. Maybe when he's not 'on the job' he just cuts loose and goes crazy. The Jedi nixed the final idea from her mind as being unlikely.

"Corran the droid, feeling emotions? I'm shocked," Bri replied with a sarcastic grin. Turning more serious, "but, that is curious. Just with me today. Hmm..." The Jedi gingerly took the datapad out of her interior jacket pocket and started to type away, quite quickly, with the digits on her left hand. Bri was always curious about the mysteries of the Force, and had a real life example of one standing right in front of her. This must have been documented somewhere, I've just got to find it. "Sorry," she replied, putting the datapad away. "Just wanted make a couple notes on what's happening to you."

"So... this energy. It will go away on its own? That it must be pretty weak by now? You won't need to remove it with a hand wave or something?"

"Truthfully, I don't know," Bri shrugged. "I'm not really an expert in this area, so these are my best guesses." The Jedi could spot the look on concern on the Ranger's face as he asked the questions, and while she knew this all to be totally harmless, still wanted to put his mind at ease. "But, I would strongly suspect that it will. That it already has been." But, if something was put there, where there wasn't anything before, who's to say that some of it wouldn't stay behind? "Do you mind?" Bri held her hand up, preparing an attempt to get a better feel of what Corran was describing. She'd stay away from any 'mind-reading' or searching his emotions. "Don't worry, not going to mind control you or anything," she added with a giggle, trying to sound as friendly as possible, knowing Corran's skepticisms in the Force.

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

An amused huff responded to her sarcastic jest. Corran the droid. He's nothing like that. A quick inventory of how he'd treated the Jedi all day confirmed the opposite. A little polite chatter here and there but mostly rigid replies and objective-minded determinations. Inputs and outputs. A solitary chuckle arrived first. Soon followed by others. It wasn't a mirror of her grin but genuine mirth. Bri had given a good ribbing; he couldn't deny that. The young man tilted his head at the appearance of the data pad. Just as quickly the Jedi apologized for tapping out some records for later. Lieutenant Velt offered a forgiving wave off, though the implication was intimidating. Oh great, I'm a study specimen.

First diagnosis was slightly more reassuring. Concern gave way to subtle relief in his features as the Jedi believed things were being handled naturally. Well, as natural as the Force went. He thought that was likely the end of the topic, 'it will go away on its own' and all that, until an upraised palm stopped him. A giggly promise did little to comfort Lieutenant Velt. His gaze focused on the hand as if it would suddenly turn the planetary gravity off. Force-users were capable of such immense and surprising things. Bri had explained exactly what he might 'mind.'

On Dxun that very hand had been placed on his forehead and bound severe wounds. Corran's brain didn't turn to mush or scramble into a different persona. He went on to fight through the jungle brush and bunker system without loss of skill or awareness. There wasn't a choice then. There was now. The Ranger stared at the palm unresolved. A conduit of reality-being powers. He canted at the waist, to look at Bri's face around the edge of her hand. A searching gaze examined her for a few seconds before the young man returned upright. "Okay, you know what?" Corran announced with some levity, rolling his shoulders like an athlete stretching before a meet, "Let's do this thing."

No questions to dissect what came next. No tough-guy attitude. Bri had taken his indifference and rigid attitude - both on the Demon Moon and today - and was still kind. Still patient. Still wanted to help. Anyone else would have considered her friend. Pride surrendered to possibility. To show his commitment, Corran took a step forward and rested his arms at his side. He would meet her halfway. A subtle nod gave the go ahead and sky-blue eyes glided closed. Sometimes trust... only required a small leap of faith.

@ModernMarvel

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

Bri watched as the Ranger's face slowly morphed into slight relief at her mentioning of what ever effects of the Force leaving him on its own. There was no way to guarantee that, however. I'm not going to tell him that. Besides, if he only felt it when I'm around, then it really doesn't make that much of a difference. Not like we'll be spending an extended amount of time in each other's company.

The Jedi laughed at Corran's 'warm-up.' "It's not like I'm going to perform surgery on you or anything. You probably won't even feel it," she added, still smiling. Still, his reaction was genuine, and Bri could tell that he was trepidations about letting her feel around. It signaled, at least for him, a certain amount of trust that had been built between them. And though Bri was joking about his reaction, she did feel appreciative that the Ranger was seemingly becoming a little more open-minded about Force users. Or at least the Jedi.

Not closing her eyes, Bri kept her gaze fixed upon Corran's face. Her own visage was blank, belaying no hints of what she was finding or feeling. I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking for, anyways. There was no need to reach within the Ranger's feelings or thoughts, and so she didn't. Instead, she focused her concentration of attempting to locate any slight connection to her Force energy, no matter how small. The Jedi didn't expect her search to yield immediate results, but still had hoped to find something. Instead, there were only faint wisps. Whispers, almost. An analogy came to Bri's mind of hearing very faint music from far away. So distant you can't even make out the tune.

Only the slightest feeling of connections to her. Though it was a challenge, the evidence then supported the theory that it would likely dissolve over time. But still, highly curious. Bri lowered her hand and offered a semi shrug. "Yeah, it's really hard to feel, but there is something very, very faint. Something you wouldn't find unless you were explicitly looking for it. Because of that, I'd definitely think it'll go away on its own," she summarized her findings, sounding rather analytical. The Jedi also doubted that Corran felt her figurative poking around, but with that leftover connection, perhaps there was also something.

"Thanks for being my guinea pig," she added with a smile, offering another joke, yet still sincere comment of appreciation.

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

Corran prayed that the Jedi's promise of not even feeling it were true. Unsettling interpretations of the Force wormed out of his imagination. Invisible tendrils prodding his organs. Insect-like crawling over his mind. A crushing pressure like being deep under water and oxygen quickly running out. An Invasive noose tightening at his throat. His eyebrows dented, anticipating these twisted things. No, no. Relax. You have to relax. The ranger inhaled and exhaled softly and slowly, calming his nerves. His shoulders slowly lost their tension. Corran's mind emptied of everything and only the pitch blackness behind his eyes remained.

There was nothing. No twinge. No plucking. Only the silent, empty dark. Then he heard a single drop of water plop into a puddle. Nearly imperceptibly but still possible to make out. In a different direction, another droplet splashed quietly. Like water sliding off the leaves of trees after a spring rain. It was... soothing. Even quieter than those distant drops, yet more constant, was something else. Soft, ethereal sounds. So faintly that one wouldn't even notice unless by concentrating. They drifted away upon being noticed; a shy mirage of music.

So inwardly focused was he, that Lieutenant Velt didn't even realize Bri had dropped her hand and ended the whole process until she spoke her diagnosis aloud. His eyes fluttered open and furrowed his brow in confusion. That was it? No meditation or soft-spoken wisdom? The Jedi's analysis sounded so casual and ambivalent to him. Corran put his hands upon his hips and shifted his jaw, unsure what to make of it. "You're welcome, I make an excellent test subject. It's the pigheadedness," he jested back reactively, his eyes on the ground off to his left and his thoughts elsewhere.

She said there was something there. But tiny. Like nothing there at all. It sounded a little like what doctors told patients to pacify them when nothing was actually wrong. Corran turned his back to the Jedi and pointed a finger at her, "Did you do anything? You didn't actually do anything, did you?" The hand withdrew back to his hip and he laughed at himself. "Closed my eyes and you just waved your hand around just to make me not feel crazy. You're so sweet and thoughtful." It was obvious that most of this was self-assuring humor, but there was some hints of actual seeking for confirmation. Had a Force experience really been that... painless?

The ranger tucked his hands back into his coat pockets and gestured with his shoulder towards the Jedi's ship. "Come on. Let's keep going. Wouldn't want you out past your bed time."

@ModernMarvel

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

Bri watched silently as Corran did his best not to wince at her actions. But, like she promised, there was no strong reaction to her efforts. At her prompting, he re-opened his eyes, almost with a look of confusion. What was he actually expecting? Bri laughed inwardly to herself. "If you say so," Bri smiled in return, appreciative of the light-hearted jest.

However, following, the Ranger pointed an accusatory finger at the Jedi. She raised an eyebrow as a small smirk formed. It could have been true. Just a slight mystical looking hand wave, and the promise that, yep, all's good. Corran didn't have a way to find out if she had been faking the whole thing. Bri let his comments marinate for a moment. She could tell he was joking somewhat, but there was still an amount of seriousness to the questions. "Course I did. Why? You want to feel something?" she offered a less than veiled threat, along with a mischievous grin. Another laugh followed at his characterization of her.

"You're so sweet and thoughtful."

"Something like that."

The brief interlude having ended, Corran offered the reasonable idea to continue on their way to her ship. Bri concurred. The dull pain in her arm was slowly starting to return. The teasing theme of Bri being a 'lady' returned. Past my bed time. Pffff. Corran was met with a not so subtle eye roll. "How old do you actually think I am?" she laughed.

It turned out they were closer than Bri thought to the Space Port. A few more blocks and the street opened up into a wider boulevard, with the bright lights of departing ships and tall buildings illuminating more of their view. The Jedi's 3-Z light freighter was parked near the eastern side of the port, in between a few other larger vessels. It appeared that nightfall did not slow the planetary arrivals or departures, as the incoming and outgoing traffic appeared just as busy as when Bri had first arrived earlier in the day. The dull hums and gentle roars of thrusters punctuated every other moment. As the two approached, a small grey droid was busily rolling around the proximity of the ship. It noticed the two arrivals and sped over hurriedly.

Before Bri could even greet her droid partner, it lauched into an animated droidspeak explanation of how the Jedi was going to get a ticket for leaving the ship parked in one spot for too long, how it had to fend off others who also wanted to park their ships nearby, and how it had to ensure no exhaust fumes from nearby vessels damaged the 3-Z. Bri held a solid look of bemusement on her face, before the droid stopped and noticed her injured arm. Another energetic sounding admonishment followed. "Told you he worries about me," Bri said quietly to Corran.

"Thanks, NL. For everything. I'll get inside and we'll put some bacta on my arm. It's not that bad." The astromech did the droid equivalent of sighing and shaking its head. Bri followed with introductions. "This is the Ranger I told you about earlier, Corran Velt," she nodded to the man standing next to her, "and this is my astromech, NL-142," turning her head the other way towards the droid. NL nodded in introduction.

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

Bri's playful threat was met with an equally playful gesture of surrender. Corran raised both his hands casually, "Okay, okay, I believe you. No need to toss me onto the nearest roof." They were really getting into this exchange of quips. Truthfully, he really did believe her. The Force was unknowable and mystery for a normal like him, but... those sounds. Water droplets of warm spring showers and soft tones - those were real enough. What they meant, exactly, may never be fully known. The Jedi had been honest with him, forthright, and even gentle in their examination. Maybe... they all weren't so bad.

A roll of the eyes signaled that he'd landed a good tease on his witty opponent. A private smirk subtly tugged at the corner of the young man's lips. He sociably chuckled along with Bri before actually pondering on the rhetorical question. "I usually assume most women are my age until told otherwise," the Ranger said, "So, you're my age." He childishly beamed at her like a schoolkid who out-clevered a word problem.

The gentle night atmosphere was soon eclipsed by restless industry as they neared the landing pad. Hues of blue, purple, and red soared through the darkened sky as ships arrived and departed at consistent intervals. It was strange for such a distant world to have a port like any urban Core World. But Corran was comfortable in this setting. Spaceports were practically home. Being a trade ship crew member makes one at ease among the thrum of starship engines and hulking transports. Between two such ships sat a 3-Z light freighter. It was about the same size as the YT-1300 but more refined. The Ranger let out a long whistle as his eyes took in the saucer-like craft. "Not bad looking for something you've wrecked a dozen times. Allegedly." He glanced at Bri with a ticked-up eyebrow in a show of teasing.

A tiny little ball-track Astromech was moving about the landing struts until the two humans came into view. Without delay, it zoomed over and began a tirade of beeps, bloops, and expressive rolls. Corran didn't understand Droid Speak, but it was obvious the little guy was excited about something. "After today's antics, I'm coming around to his line of thinking," He whispered back to Bri's minor translation, tapping the side of his nose with a solitary index finger and a secret grin.

Corran leaned forward a little to look at the woman's arm at its mention. He wasn't aware it was starting to hurt again. Her wound was partially his fault. Bri had taken the risk of preventing a quick-draw shoot out at personal expense. The man frowned privately. Upon introduction, and already leaning forward, Corran squatted down to get as close to eye-level with the tiny robot as possible. "Nice to meet you, NL-142. From what I hear, you keep Bri intact despite her best efforts. You're a good droid." He gave the astromech a kind pat on the head. The Ranger wasn't sure if droids could feel such things, but it felt natural, so he did it anyway.

Rising back to full fight, Corran turned his whole body to face Bri and glanced down at her arm. It still clung across her chest like the wounded wing of a bird. Sky blue eyes rose to look into her face seriously. "I can help with that, you know. Put a little bacta on it and apply a protective wrap. Believe it or not, I'm pretty good at handling blaster burns and might be easier with two hands than one." A small offer of restitution, but one that would settle the Ranger's small pang of guilt. As a officer of the law, civilians being in danger and coming to harm, even Jedi, weighed on him. He rose his hands up defensively like before, "But if you're good, I get it."

@ModernMarvel

 

[Brienna Lanaamer]

"I usually assume most women are my age until told otherwise,"

Probably a safe assumption. Though humans tended to age the same, there were a number of other near-humanoid beings across the galaxy who did not. As far as Corran knew, Bri might've been one of them. But I'm not, so.... "That's fair," the Knight responded with an approving shake of her head. Despite his clever working of the question, he was likely right. Bri was in her late-20's and judged Lt. Velt to be the same.

The Jedi's attention turned back to the Ranger as they arrived at her ship, and he took it in with an appreciative whistle. "Oh, its not allegedly. NL can list off the incidents from his incredibly detailed memory." The droid rolled up and began what sounded to be a lengthy recounting of events, before Bri held her hand up to get it to stop. "I was joking," she replied, flatly. All things considered, the ship was in decent shape. Despite the misadventures, the Jedi tried to keep it looking flyable (a bare minimum). There were a few panels on the ship's exterior that didn't match the overall lighter grey color of the fuselage, indicating replacements.

Bri watched as Corran introduced himself to the diminutive droid, not unlike an owner with a small pet, including a head pat. The whole scene made the woman laugh. NL, who often saw itself as the key reason for keeping its human partner alive, nodded in a appreciation of the compliment. "Yes - of course I am," beeped an impressed sounding reply, proud of its actions being recognized. "If there's one thing to do to get him on your side, its fill his ego," Bri said aloud, with a slight laugh. NL responded with the droid equivalent of an eye roll, and sauntered off. "We like each other, really," the woman looked over at Corran with an amused smile.

NL connected in to a panel at his height on one of the landing struts. The ship hissed and groaned, as the landing ramp descended with clouds of white vapor, to Corran and Bri's left. The Jedi turned her attention from the ship to the Ranger as he broached a question about helping her with her arm. Bri hoped her face didn't betray her feelings, but it was a little unexpected. Still, welcome, however. Corran was right, it would be much easier to apply the bandage to her arm with two/three hands than her one (and NL's retractable arm). "Uh, yeah, sure. Thanks," Bri nodded, walking up the ramp into the ship.

For the briefest of moments, Bri worried about the cleanliness of the ship - wondering if she had left anything out - not having expected to bring a guest back with her, when she had first left earlier in the day. Wait, no, I'm good, it's tidy. The ship was brightly lit as they entered, with the entry ramp depositing them in a tubular hallway. The cockpit was obviously to their left, while Bri turned to the right, passing the engine room and cargo hold, before making it to the crew quarters and the main hold.

The ship itself was an intimate view into Bri's life. More often than not, Bri's Jedi work took her 'on the road,' and she spent the majority of her time living on the ship compared to her planetary lodgings on Yavin. By force of habit, Bri took off her jacket and hung it on the rack that sat right at the entry of the crew and personal space, leaving her in just a tank-top. Despite the coldness of space, Bri was a warm-blooded individual, and liked feeling the cooler air. She reached inside the jacket, and fished out her saber, placing the copper tube of metal on a nearby shelf. A number of texts occupied the lower part of the shelf, seemingly in various languages and symbols. Bri also took off her boots, setting them next to each other in a neat fashion, alongside two other pairs. Bri was fine with shoes inside her ship, but, especially in her living quarters, she tried to make it feel more homely by leaving them behind. Her bare feet padded on the metallic floor as she entered the main hold. Next to the boots sat a small-ish device which Bri used to give the area a pleasant smell, often helping with her meditation.

A circular table with booth seating occupied the right side the main hold, while a chair and connecting series of screens and main keyboard sat opposing. The screens were currently showing an abstract series of blue waves, folding and waving in a silent, pleasing manner. Next to the table sat another shelving feature, though this one was much larger and reached up to the ceiling of the ship. It held a number of drawers, and a larger compartment, which was evidently where Bri's food was stored. She walked over and opened it up, depositing the bag of fried chips, which she had gotten too full to eat. Those are going to be terrible tomorrow. Fried food never holds up to storage.

A few stray trinkets and baubles lay strewn on the table. A few looked to be complex puzzle devices, while others appeared to be strangely shaped pieces of interlocking metal. A datapad was next to them, forming the clear conclusion that Bri had been working on them previously. She picked all of the items up and held them in her arms, depositing each in an open spot on the shelf, which held similar looking objects. The only personal item of note was a small picture frame, containing a photograph of a smiling Bri, kneeling down with NL next to her, and a forest looking background. The whole atmosphere of the space was an extension of Bri. Clean and tidy, but a few stray items that seemed like they never had a permanent place of residence.

"Uh, one sec," Bri muttered to Corran, walking over to a room to their right, which was obviously the sleeping area, though Bri had taken up the whole space for her bedroom. From first glance, it was less tidy than the common space, with a few stray articles of clothing still sitting on her bed. Oops. She picked them up and tossed them into a corner, out of sight from the views of the main hold. Bri headed into her bathroom, and opened a lower cupboard, bringing out a toolbox sized container. She returned with it to the main hold, and rolled the chair next the screens over to the table, sitting down.

"Ok, I think I've got everything in here," she said, taking out the necessary items. "Uh, thanks again for the help," she added with an earnest smile, no hints of a joke to be found. The comment had multiple layers. Obviously for bandaging her arm, but Bri also meant it in a wider sense, from their whole evening together.

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

Jovial beeps and Bri's laughter was infectious enough to get Corran to laugh along with them. So often among criminals and dead-eyed cops, being happy in a sliver of a moment felt... nice. He rose to his feet and nodded in sarcastic appreciation of how to win her constantly-protective robot. His own YT-1300 lacked any sort of company at all, robotic or otherwise. The Ranger flew alone more often than not and had gotten accustomed to long stretches of solitude. Not that he enjoyed it. It just was how his travels went. NL rolled off back to the ship and and Corran rolled his own eyes at her promise of their bond. "Obviously," He replied sarcastically.

The offer for supply some medical aid seemed, for a brief instance, to surprise the Jedi. Perhaps that was fair, given the history and how he'd acted. Corran watched her walk past before falling in behind Bri towards the light freighter. Clean, white light filled the tube of a hallway once up the ramp. They passed by doors labeled for the engines and cargo. The layout between the 3-Z and the YT-1300 were so similar that Corran guessed what came up next. Yep. The common area. Likely adjacent to crew quarters. Those were supposedly bigger on this ship and indeed turned out to be the case. He stopped a few steps behind the Jedi, to give space, as she went through her routine to enter. His gaze panned the surroundings out of idle interest until the reveal of a lightsaber immediately enraptured him. A simple-looking tube of metal, no bigger than a flashlight. It contained both terrible and mystical power. People who knew how they worked was a rarity. Lieutenant Velt had seen Bri's before. What it could do. He'd seen what red ones could do too. She placed it unsecured on a shelf for anyone to see. A dark thought of envy wondered if someone stole it, could they wield it? Could it level the playing field against the Sith? Corran gave his head a self-scolding shake. Bri had entrusted him entrance and he would not abuse it. He was no thief.

For his part, the Ranger kept his jacket on. He was naturally warm too but often kept it on for no specific reason. Even the icy touch of an Arkanian wasn't unsettling for him. Corran had taken a step into the main area to take in the new environment but immediately froze in place at his impoliteness. He leaned against the circular entryway and stood on one foot to hoist off one boot, then the other. The two black boots found themselves a temporary home near Bri's other footwear. When on Coruscant, do as the Coruscanti do.

Upon entering the common area, Lieutenant Velt was struck by how similar he and the Jedi lived. Her lifestyle was on full display; doubly so for an observant investigator like a Ranger. Puzzles and mind-games littered the table, some unfinished, writings of unknown script and fascinating potential, digital waves on a series of screens provided a sooth ambiance to it all. It also had a pleasant smell. As Bri moved about to and fro to 'tidy up', Corran swiveled his head around at all the things that spoke to her true character. When she excused herself, he absentmindedly replied back, "Take your time." He walked closer to the shelf and stared at the picture of NL and the Jedi in a dense, but calm forest. Corran tilted his head in thought. "No family?" He thought out loud, but too quiet for anyone to hear. A small pang of embarrassment and a little shame rose in his chest. Just how personal this place was dawned on him. A level of trust he wasn't sure he would have reciprocated if the roles were reversed. The Crimson Venture housed everything he held of value and was practically a crystal-clear look into his personality. Was this any different?

Bri re-entering the main hold recruited Corran's attention back to the present. He took a seat on the edge of the semi-circular booth closest to Jedi's rolling chair. The medkit was fully stocked with all the essentials for first aid. That made this much easier. He was only trained in slapping a bacta-patch on a wound in combat, but Doctor Ilana Morata had taught him, by lesson and experience, to go beyond such rudimentary medicine. A small dab of sanitizer was rubbed gingerly over his hands to purify them of any possible contaminants. Warding off infection was the most important step. Corran was picking through the kit when the Jedi expressed her gratitude. He stopped for a moment and blue-eyes flicked up to her face. Her thanks could have been just for providing basic medical care, but it felt heavier than that. His focus turned back to preparing the right materials but he still responded in a humbled, low tone, "You're... welcome. I should be thanking you too though. Injuring yourself to save me." A single huff of amusement. "Again."

First came the bacta. Spreading it evenly over the wound helped equal healing. The clear-liquid was applied to thin, flat metal tool that looked like it could also serve pizza. Corran motioned for Bri to hold her arm up and began to the application. Bacta was always cold at first touch. "You guys aren't very good at healing yourselves, are you?" He mused vocally. Flying shrapnel had struck then Ranger Velt in the head during a starliner crash. Healing then was instant and no side-effects. Well, besides the emotional mirroring that tethered Corran to her for the time being. Something as common as a blaster bolt burn should be nothing compared to that. Yet here it had returned to an angry red. Likely to painfully blister without attention. The tool glided back and forth over the wound carefully but to spread the healing liquid evenly. Corran pulled his gaze away from what he was doing and looked at Bri, "You know... we make a good team. On Dxun. Here on Botajef. I get us into trouble. One of us gets hurt. It's a good dynamic." He softly chuckled at this stupid joke. "I never thought I would say that. I... dislike Force-user religions and their adherents."

Bacta covered the wound in a thin sheen and the effects were likely already being felt. Wiping the tool off with an antiseptic napkin, Lieutenant Velt began to prepare the white medical wrap that would protect the burn as it recovered. "But I'm starting to think, maybe, I've been wrong. At least about some of them." Pride clenched heavily around Corran's throat, making him sound raspy. It was an admission he'd only ever told one other person. It would be apparent to Bri that something like this was something like a liberating confession. It was up to her if she accepted it.

@ModernMarvel