Chapter Twenty: Connecting
Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive. Anäis Nin
Drex was moving slowly across the room without using a cane. Han'yaie had started him on physical therapy and he was trying to walk across the room without falling on his rear. The surgery on his leg had gone well, but the muscle and tendons still weren't at their normal strength, so he was conditioning to get his range of motion back.
Shane was watching, practically enraptured by the Master's struggles, amazed that he was even able to walk, considering he knew how bad it had been damaged.
"Come on now, that's it, just a bit further," Jani encouraged. The physical therapist was pleased with the amount of effort her patient was making though she had a long history with treating Drex from various injuries in his special operations unit and she knew he was never one to shirk. He always wanted to be up and around, most of the time his problem was doing too much, not too little.
She pushed her red hair back behind her shoulders as Drex collapsed in a chair at the opposite side of the room, rubbing his knee. "You've done well," She said projecting feelings of healing towards his knee. She was a Zeltron like Nuri and it greatly aided her abilities as a therapist.
Shane swiftly came over as soon as he saw Drex sit down. Moving to his side, he studied him for a moment, fledgling control reaching to offer strength, "Did good," he had to admit, impressed.
"Thank you young one, " he said giving him a small smile, feeling the boy try and help him.
Shane gave a hesitant smile in return, though said nothing further.
Jani came over and bent down checking his knee, stretching Drex's leg in and out multiple times. "We'll try a few more times, before we finish for the day," she said and moved back to let him stand up.
Drex nodded at that and he tried to rise from the chair. He couldn't do it. His knee did not want to bend enough and support his weight at the same time. On the third try he eventually managed to get half way up and grab onto wood paneling to where he could steady himself.
Shane watched uneasily, willing and ready to help if he truely thought the Master needed it.
Bit by slow bit, he slowly made it yet again across the room. Though this time, his face was red from the effort and he was sweating heavily.
"I think we'll leave it there for today," Jani decided after checking Drex's leg one more time. "Any more effort and you might pull something we don't need pulled and set your healing back."
She gathered her datapad and began making notes after she helped Drex into bed. "We'll try again tomorrow. Make sure you rest," She added sternly. "Make sure he doesn't move," she instructed to Shane. "You tell me if he tries to move."
Shane nodded mutely, before climbing up into the bed, beside the Master. "I will."
She nodded at that, satisfied, and Drex made a face. "I'm not going to go anywhere," he complained.
"No because I have someone watching you who'll tell on you if you do," she shook her finger. "So you just watch yourself."
Drex shook his head. "I always do," he smirked.
"Sure you do," she said shaking her head. "I'll see you tomorrow, Rixar," she said as she left.
Shane watched her go, before settling himself comfortably next to the Master, curling there as he lay his head on his chest, "I'll keep watch."
"You will, will you?" Drex asked ruffling the boy's hair. "You're going to tell on me if I don't rest?"
Shane cooed at the touch on his hair, "Don't need to. Can keep you here myself."
"You can, can you?" Drex looked amused. "How do you plan on managing that?'
"Have my ways," Shane chirped confidently.
"Is that so?" Drex laughed a little. "And what would those be?"
Shane lifted his head, a slight smile on his lips, "Secret."
Drex looked amused. "Secret huh? Well I suppose I'll let you keep them then."
Satisfied with that, Shane lay back down against him, one hand moving to clutch the Master's tunic with sheathed fingers. The sheaths had come earlier that morning, with something about the fact that it would be safer then just cutting them. Shane had hated them on, but had swiftly grown used to having them.
There was a knock on the door in the silence. Drex glanced at the chronometer. "Looks like it's dinner time," he said before he replied, "Enter."
"Or perhaps not," he said, smiling warmly at the woman who entered and his gaze softened as he glanced to the small boy behind her. 'Greetings, milady, and to you also Kieran,' he said smoothly. He had been practicing his Saren basic on the trip to and from Saren and he had to admit he sounded a lot better about it than he used to.
Kieran looked amused, as he nodded in Drex's direction, hand still holding to his adopted Mahte's hand, waiting for her to speak.
Te'mahte' fluffed her wings in amusement and guided Kieran to the bed so he could climb up to sit. "I see you've been practicing your Saren Basic, Master Jedi."
Drex had the grace to look sheepish. "I have some. I hope I didn't sound too bad."
"Not bad, Master Rixar," Kieran assured softly.
Drex reached to lower the rails on his bed so that they could move closer and he lifted Kieran to sit close to him. "Not bad huh? How's my accent? Still needs work doesn't it?" he shook his head slightly before he turned his attention to Shane curled up beside him. He decided he would try and introduce them in Saren -- well he could try anyway. 'Kieran, this is Me'telnen. He returned with us from Saren.' He grimaced at the sound of his words. He knew he had butchered at least one.
Te'mahte' covered her mouth with her hand, hiding her amusement at Drex's greeting. In reality what he had said was, "This is Me'telnen. He brought back a ship from Saren."
Shane had sat up at that, having watched curiously for the last few moments. Nodding in greeting to I'sa, he didn't comment on Drex's slip up, though Kieran looked amused. Instead, he reached across, lightly taking the older boy's wrist in a warrior grip, 'Fate's blessing.'
Kieran nodded, pleased, and Shane noted quickly the boy's mix blue and gray eyes were blind, and that the different eyes marked him as a half breed, like himself, 'On blood's heart. and our meeting.'
Drex looked pleased that the two had finally met though he could tell both from Te'mahte' and Kieran's reactions that he had slipped up somewhere in his greeting. He puzzled wondering what he had said.
Releasing each other, Kieran turned his head in Drex's direction, and smiled, "It was not bad, Master Jedi."
"Well that's something at least," Drex said shaking his head. "And how have you been keeping yourself busy this year, Kieran?"
"I've been learning, Master, much about our galaxy," Kieran reported.
"That's very good," Drex said approvingly. "Are you working with a tutor or are you in one of the local schools?"
"Tutor," Kieran replied, his hand reaching out again, finding Shane's easily, though he never made a motion to him.
Shane looked down at their two entwined hands, but said nothing, oddly comforted by the other's touch. He had never thought he would see his own kind again. I'sa had been a shock, and Kieran even more so.
"And how have your grades been thus far? Studying hard?" he said, knowing the answer already. The boy was very smart, even if a bit behind due to lack of real education before Drex had rescued him. He had proved himself early on to Drex.
Kieran nodded, "They're improving. I'm almost at a perfect scoring."
"Very good. I knew you would do well, " he said with a small smile. He turned to Te'mahte'. "You must be very proud of him."
"Indeed I am. I am very proud of how far he's come in just a short time. In fact, we're going on holiday soon, as a reward."
There was the slightest blush on Kieran's cheeks, "I'm only living up to the expectations of those who have helped me." He brushed off humbly.
She glanced at Shane thoughtfully. "Perhaps Shane would like to come with us when we go on holiday?" she said.
Shane looked a little shocked, having never expected such an offer. He almost felt vaguely tempted, with the comfort he was oddly drawing from Kieran's presence, something he was linking to the fact that the other reminded him of his brother, with his eyes. But... "Can't. Going to be with Ky in a few more days."
Te'mahte' smiled slightly at that. "It wouldn't be for very long. Just a few days. And it's in a couple of months. I have many pressing duties to attend to first."
Shane frowned a little, "But we just met..."
Te'mahte' nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps if you do not wish to do so now, you might when you get a little older. After you've had more time to become better acquainted. Though I think you both will take to each other very well."
Kieran nodded, and smiled a little, 'I think we will,' his tongue was not Saren basic, but Riku'ian home tongue. Shane knew it, as he did Sora'sa home tongue as well, having been raised amidst all three languages, 'I want to.' He did, being with his own kind eased the tremor of strangeness in him and the tightness in his chest.
Nuri was delivering the meal trays to their usual rooms. She hadn't seen Shane in some time. He had been taken for treatment for his broken bones according to Master Rixar and she had heard that he was done now as he was listed on her sheet to receive a meal tray. She knocked on the door once and Drex replied, "Come in."
She pushed the cart and looked around. "Hello," she said bringing the two trays over to the Master. "Where's Shane?" she asked frowning.
There was a rustling from above, before Shane fell before her, landing in a catlike crouch. Looking down at himself for a moment, as if checking everything, he finally stood, graceful and silent as his wings tucked tight behind him. Smiling, he tilted his head a little, "I'm here."
She blinked in surprise. "What were you doing up there? You shouldn't be doing that if you're hurt!'
"All better now," he shrugged a little, "Nothing broken."
She glanced at him skeptically as if trying to figure out if it was true or not and she glanced at Drex for confirmation and he nodded once and she beamed at that, happy for him. "See don't you feel better now?"
He nodded, his look turning shy, "Healers different here."
"Told you so," she said. She glanced at him, turning shy herself. "Do you, um, still want me to eat with you?"
He nodded, then quickly stated, "If you want to. "
She smiled, "I wouldn't have said yes if I didn't want to silly," she said, shaking her head. "I brought my tray and delivered to you last, just in case."
He smiled a bit more at that, and moved to gather his tray from beside the Master. He then gestured to his bed, a little ackwardly, silently asking if she wanted to sit.
She came over to sit beside him and settled comfortably with her tray. "I got mine from the dining hall so it's a little different food than yours," she said. On her plate was a salad, legimme noodles in red looking sauce with meat scattered throughout the noodles, an odd smelling sort of bread, and a slice of cake.
She stabbed the noodles with her fork and daintily twirled them and put a bite in her mouth.
Shane watched her curiously, having never seen such food again. An experimental sniff brought the smell of plant, from the bread and noodles, instantly turning away his interest, as he dove into his own meal, not using the utensils in favor of his claws to rend the meat and bring it to his mouth.
She eyed him and pushed a fork and knife in his direction. "Here, use these," she instructed. "These are for eating with.
He glanced at her, and then glanced at them, "Why? Hands better for it."
"Cause that's what civilized people do," She said, glancing at Drex as if to say "why haven't you told him this yet?"
Drex shrugged slightly at her glance. Shane had never needed to before and teaching manners and refinement would come eventually. He just hadn't thought of it.
He frowned a little, picking up the fork. Studying it, he pierced one of the bits of meat he had with it, before trying to use it. It was a bit awkward, not being used to using a metal contraption to feet himself, before he managed, without chocking himself.
She gave him an encouraging smile as she twirled more noodles on her fork. "See? That's not so bad."
He raised an eyebrow at her, "Don't see the point."
"Well eventually you'll have to, cause sometimes you have to eat with really important people as a Jedi and you can't eat with your fingers," she pointed out.
He frowned again, but relented to eating with the fork, getting a bit better at it each time. However, he still sliced the meat apart with his nails, not liking the knife, and how dull it looked.
Nuri was pleased that he was making at least some progress. "Would you like to try mine?" she asked. "I thought you might like a taste."
He blinked and sniffed once again, nose crinkling a little, "But isn't that plant stuff?"
She frowned slightly. "Plants? This isn't plants. It's noodles. It doesn't taste like a plant. It has meat and sauce in it."
"Still made out of plants," Shane stated confidently, his nose telling him so, "Saren born can't eat plant stuff. Hurts if we do..." Of course, small amounts were fine, but he was hesitant to try unknown plant stuff.
She paused and flushed slightly, her skin turning a darker shade of pink. "Oh. Sorry," she said, feeling slightly embarrassed about her lack of knowledge about his species.
He smiled a little at her, and shrugged, "No sorry needed. Saren breeds are different than most others."
"So I see," she replied, accidentally loosing some of her noodles to her tray. "Oops," she scooped them up back onto her fork before putting them in her mouth and reaching for a napkin to wipe up her mess.
He looked a little amused, and watched her curiously for a moment, "I might could try it..."
She looked worried. "I don't want you to get hurt if I give you something you can't eat."
"I won't hurt. A bite won't do anything," he assured her, wanting to ease her worry.
She didn't look as if she quite believed him. "Okay. Do what I did then," she said twirling some more noodles.
He nodded a little, scooting a bit closer as he used his fork to mirror what she did. Getting a lesser amount, it took a bit of balance not to drop it all over as he brought it to his mouth. And started purring a little at the burst of taste that exploded in his mouth soon after.
She laughed at that. "See? I told you it didn't taste like plants."
He nodded, still purring, "Tastes good." Though he certainly knew he couldn't have more than that one bite as it was settling heavy in his stomach.
She noted it was too bad that something he liked he couldn't eat as she began again to eat. "How could you eat chocolate then if you can't eat this?" she frowned. "Chocolate is made from plants too."
He considered it, thinking it over and finally shrugged, "Just less heavy than this."
She cocked her head curiously. She hadn't considered that. "I guess that makes sense," she agreed.
Shane nodded, going back to his own meal.
The two ate in companionable silence for a while before Nuri said, "Do you know when you'll be released to go to the crèche yet?" she asked.
Shane paused a little, glancing to her, before he finally answered, "The healer says tomorrow."
Her face lit at his answer. "That's great," she said happily. "It'll be nice to be out of here, won't it?"
He nodded a little, "It will be different..."
"It will," She said agreeably, "But you'll get used to it. And I'll be there and so will Kyran," she tried to ease his nervousness she could feel trying to build. "So you won't be alone."
Shane smiled a little, a slight secret flickering in his eyes, "I'm never alone."
She blinked a little. "Well, of course, the Force is always there," she amended.
That brought amusement to Shane's eyes, "Yes, and no. Ky has been here the entire time."
Her brow furrowed. "No he hasn't. He's been in the crèche with me. I saw him."
Shane shook his head, "He's been there. But he's been with me as well," he reached up to tap a temple, "Here."
Nuri was fascinated at the idea. "Really?" she asked, sounding impressed. "How? Only Masters and padawans and the very best of friends can form bonds..." she trailed off before adding, "And you haven't had any training on how to do that. How could you possibly have one?"
Shane paused, and finally shrugged, unsure of what to tell her. It was true, he had no training yet, and neither did Kyran... Yet they had bonded, strong and fast. Not even the violent, life giving way Ja'thernen had forced between them had created a bond such as he had with Kyran. "Don't need training. Ky and my bond just happened, and Ja's and my..." he shut off at that. He didn't want to discuss his Ke'.
She sensed it was a sensitive topic and wisely did not press with the issue not wishing to upset him further. She reached to him trying to impart some feeling of comfort.
She turned back to her meal to finish eating in quiet.
Shane felt her comfort, and accepted in quietly, as he started eating again as well, though his appetite was diminished.
Eventually she finished consuming her meal and glanced over at Shane hesitating now wondering what to say.
Catching her glance, he offered a little smile, in reassurance, "It's okay..."
Nuri looked somewhat skeptical. "It is?"
He blinked, and cocked his head a little curiously, "Of course. Heart pain is part of living. My mahte' said so once."
She gave a small smile, not having considered that before. "I suppose you're right. She's right."
Shane nodded a little, looking down to his hands, "Mahte' was always right."
She reached over and rubbed his back comfortingly. "I would've liked to have met her."
He gave another little nod, "I think she would have liked it too," his eyebrows furrowed together after a moment, in thought, "But I wouldn't be here if Mahte' was still alive."
She tilted her head at that. "You wouldn't?" She asked in surprise. "But wouldn't your mahte' have let you be a Jedi? Would you have really not gone with Ky?'
Shane shook his head, and looked away, out the window. He couldn't tell the real reason why, or so his mind argued, conditioned through years of fear. Yet, he felt he could trust her, and Master Rixar already knew, somewhat... "My ancestor was an evil being. My family didn't trust either the Sith or Jedi, after he destroyed our world."
His hands clenched, "And if Mahte' was still alive, and Nissan was..." his throat constricted, unable to voice his sudden thought. If his mother still lived, and his brother was still gone, he wouldn't have left. He would have stayed, to protect her. And if his brother was still there... He would have remained. His brother would have killed the Jedi, or tried if they had tried to talk him...
It was on her lips to say that maybe it was a good thing then, that none of them were because otherwise she would not have him as a friend, and Kyran wouldn't either, but she swallowed it, seeing the pain he was in. "But your mahte' and Nissan would still be proud of you now," she said instead. "You're going to be able to live a better life than they did," she pointed out. "One not full of war."
"Nissan wouldn't," and Shane knew that well.
She didn't pretend to understand. She knew well she never would without having a family of her own. She merely nodded. After a few minutes she decided to change the subject, "Are you going to eat that?' she pointed to the chocolate brownie still untouched on Shane's tray.
He brightened a little as he glanced to the treat. He wasn't completely done with his meal, but he didn't feel like eating more. He looked to her, "I'll share, if you want."
She smiled. "I already had some. I had a slice of cake. I don't need more," she laughed a little.
He looked a little confused, not understanding how someone could turn down what his body insisted was heaven. Finally, he shrugged, and glanced at Drex briefly, as if asking permission, before he gingerly picked it up and took a hesitant bite. As always, he started purring as soon as the taste hit his tongue.
She began to giggle as he ate the chocolate and her eyes sparkled with mirth at his reaction, as the purring grew louder. "Good isn't it?"
He nodded distractedly, eyes growing a bit lazy as the purring only grew louder.
She tried to control her laughter as she took the empty trays to take back. "I guess I ought to take these back now."
He blinked a little tiredly at her, but kept awake. He was slowly getting used to the affects of the chocolate, "I'll see you later?"
"Yep," she replied sliding off the bed and going to Drex to get his tray since he had finished as well. "I'll see you tomorrow when you get there!"
Shane nodded in response, assuring her that he would. After she was gone, he curled up against Drex's side once more, though didn't drop off to sleep as he normally did.
"Will miss you," he said softly to Drex.
"When I can," Drex assured the boy. "I'll be busy on missions again once I'm released," he replied softly.
Shane glanced at him curiously, "What kind of missions?"
Drex glanced at him thoughtfully before he said, "Most of the missions I go on deal with critical information and extremely dangerous situations, little one. I manage the Special Operations and Investigations Unit here at the Temple."
Taking a moment to digest that, Shane did his best to understand, before he nodded. Not truly getting it all, but the gest of it.
He knew the little one hadn't really understood so he tried to simplify it some. It was hard trying to explain his unit to those who knew nothing of it. "To give you an example, let's say on Saren, the North captured Te'mahte' as she was visiting. If that happened, Southern Saren would contact the Republic and then the Jedi for someone to be able to get in and get her out safely and as unharmed as possible," he paused a little before he said, "Does that help you understand more?"
Thinking it through, Shane nodded. He understood better with that explanation.
"We take the impossible situations and make them possible," he said with a small smile. "I suppose I could've just said that," he shook his head slightly.
Shane looked amused, "Could have. Still understood."
Drex glanced at the boy thoughtfully, wondering if the boy was interested in going on missions like that. He knew Shane would be good at it -- however, after the kind of life he had lived, once he got used to the Temple, he might decide something else would be better for his calling, though he hoped not.
Drex nodded, smiling. "So long as you understood," he tweaked the boy's hair.
"Why don't you try and sleep, ne'?"
Shane shook his head in protest, though he yawned a little, "Not tired."
Drex looked amused as Shane yawned. "Are you not?"
Nodding, Shane tucked his head against Drex's side again, "Can't sleep all the time."
Drex chuckled slightly. "No indeed, but tomorrow will be a big day and you need to be ready for it." He looked thoughtful. "Why don't I show you something... I can show you how to quiet your mind and meditate..."
Shane blinked curiously up at him, "Meditate?"
"Yes, eventually all students learn how," Drex said. He touched the boy's temples gently. "Close your eyes...
Shane obediantly did as told, trusting the Master fully, though he didn't really understand what the Master wanted to teach him.
Drex closed his eyes and reached for the boy to form a temporary link between them. //Wrap the warmth around your mind, like I'm doing... // He projected the image of himself wrapping a thick, fluffy blanket around himself to show Shane.
Shane started, and tensed at the feel of the Master's voice in his mind. It took a long moment, for him to calm down, as he naturally sheltered some things deep within, behind natural walls. Namely the two links buried within him, protective of them against anything. He eventually did as the Master told, reaching for the Force, and drawing it to him, wrapping his sense up in it.
//Good...// Drex said softly. //Good... now walk with me...// Now he projected the image of the two of them in the middle of a beautiful serene forest. An avian's call rent the silence in their minds as Drex called upon one of his memories to help Shane visualize.
Shane let himself be drawn into this vision, still hesitant, but almost freely willing to follow. Timidly, he reached out a hand to catch the Master's in the vision, while his sense touched upon the other's through the Force.
//See? It's not so hard... and it's the most peaceful feeling in the galaxy, drawing the Force around you...//
Shane could feel it, and it felt both odd, and soothing in ways he had never known in his short life//I never felt it like this.//
//That's because of the Darkness Saren is covered with. The Light is next to impossible to feel,// He explained gently. //Let's go for a walk for awhile and then we'll turn around and go back.//
Shane looked curiously around them//Where would we be going?//
//Just for a walk,// he said with a soft smile. //You'll see.// As they walked along, going deeper and deeper into the Force, Drex eventually brought Shane to an overhang with a very large cliff and a beautiful view. //This is one of my memories that I'm using to help you visualize the Force a little easier..//
Shane looked on in wonder, mouth unhinging a little as his eyes racked over the scene ahead of them, he then looked to the Master//There's so much water, and green stuff...//
//This is on Naboo, on the outskirts of the city called Alderia is the forest we walked through and this waterfall...one of the most breathtaking scenes I've ever had the pleasure of seeing... // Drex said. //I'll take you there sometime so you can see for yourself...//
Shane eyes widened more//You will?//
//Mmmhm, I most certainly will...// Drex said as they enjoyed the view.
Drex lost track of how long they stood there staring at the view ,enjoying the peaceful feeling between them. Eventually he realized they should head back at the avian's cry. //Come on, ne', let's head back...//
Shane was reluctant to leave, enjoying the feel of the world around him, and peace deep within. Yet, he merely nodded, and started back with Drex.
We'll come back, don't worry,// He said with a small smile.
Shane nodded, trusting his words as they moved along.
Eventually they came to where Drex they should have been able to separate and Drex noted that the path did not deviate yet. He blinked, wondering why. He had not formed a permanent link...at least that had not been his intention ... not yet
Eventually they returned back and Drex opened his eyes and smiled at Shane who was still curled up next to him. He stretched and yawned, feeling sleepy and peaceful.
Shane was smiling, though he didn't open his eyes, shifting only a little to prove that he was awake//That was nice.//
Drex blinked in surprise as he heard Shane in his mind. he had thought he had broken the link. He explored a little, confusion etching across his face slightly. //It was indeed...//
Shane frowned a little, shifting again//What's wrong?//
//Nothing,// he soothed him. //I'm merely surprised that's all...the temporary link I thought I had formed...it doesn't appear to be temporary...//
//It's not?// Shane felt a little troubled, more protective of his other two links, but not greatly so.
"Evidently not," Drex spoke the words aloud rather than in his mind. "Most interesting," he stroked his chin thoughtfully wondering what it could mean.
"Why don't you get some sleep ne'? I need to think for a few moments."
He glanced at the chronometer on the wall. "It's late besides."
Shane still didn't open his eyes. He wanted to ask what was so interesting, but didn't, deciding to wait. Instead, he curled closer, with a soft, "Alright," and then his breathing deepened, showing how tired he was.
Drex smiled sensing the little one falling asleep almost immediately. He brushed a hand through his hair, marveling at the idea that a link had formed so easily. He had intended for it to be temporary...he didn't really know what to do about it except to leave it there.
His eyes closed and he decided to wait until tomorrow to worry about what it meant. For now he was too tired to care...