Morgan Calmcacil
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Post by Morgan Calmcacil on May 13, 2013 14:22:01 GMT -8
*And almost as soon as Morgan's last words left her mouth, her mama had spoken to her in a voice that made her jump, spinning to face her. It wasn't harsh, it wasn't stern like the tirade she'd given the doctor, but it was still firm enough that she felt like she was being scolded as Kory asked her to wait in the hallway until she had finished speaking to the doctor.
What had she done?! Had she said something wrong? Morgan didn't mean to, but the doctor was being mean to her! Well, not really mean, but not very nice either... So why was she in trouble?! Morgan's lip quivered as though she wanted to protest, but then she sealed her mouth tight and only nodded, though her lower lip protruded pitifully. Hanging her head, she turned away and began to leave the medical facilities, fighting tears and giving the woman and her droid a wide berth.
When she stepped outside the entrance, she leaned against the wall and slid to the ground, wrapping her arms around her legs and burying her face into her knees. Suddenly, she was reminded of the last time Kory had asked her to wait outside, back in the archives. Before Kory was her mama. Before the first time Morgan ever told Kory that she loved her. Only then, she was asked to leave for her own benefit, and because she was having a hard time processing the strange fluctuation of negative emotion that had permeated the air and she had absorbed.
Here, there was no sign of anything that she was being protected from. Okay, sure, there was the woman and her droid, but wouldn't she have been safer staying in the medical facilities, where both her mother and Tom were there to keep an eye on her? She felt like she was in trouble. She didn't do anything wrong! She was the one being picked on! Was it so wrong she wanted a little respect, after being whisked away to Haruun Kal, after her fleeing the altercation in the city, after nearly being eaten alive by a vine cat, after... after... after fleeing for her life as Mesh gave his to protect it?
And then the floodgates were opened as that thought entered her mind. Tears flowed freely down her face and into the fabric of her Felucian garb as sobs rocked her body. She may have been home now, she may have been safe, but that didn't change the fact that someone else died because of her! If she'd never gotten stuck on that ship or lost in that jungle, Mesh would still be alive! They never would have had to meet that cruel being that killed him, the one the droid in the medical facilities resembled so greatly. It was all her fault... it might as well have been her that killed him.
How come she never did anything right anymore?*
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Post by Vidalu Na'an on May 14, 2013 18:44:15 GMT -8
The Healer pursed his mouth disapprovingly for just a moment later. Then he sighed and stepped aside, tapping on the datapad. "I've already told you I cannot stop you," he said. "The guard will maintain a safe distance. Unless things go south, she won't even know she's being monitored. I'll look after Miss Calmcacil." Na'an's file had been returned to the foreground of the datapad when it was placed in Lady Bastiel's open hand. "Tread carefully. Her injuries aren't as fresh as yours."
There was now nothing between the two women but open air. As if on cue, Na'an's eye snapped open, watching the Jedi who had been ushered away from her return with an expression that was almost wistful. "I'm betting the Healer saw my file," she said. "Am I in trouble?"
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Adelle Bastiel
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Post by Adelle Bastiel on May 22, 2013 11:58:39 GMT -8
Adelle frowned slightly as the healer walked away. She would've preferred to have his permission instead of a mere "I can't stop you" but she also couldn't please everyone, and in her heart, she knew this young woman needed help. Her eyes scanned over the file, committing what she could to memory. Vidalu Na'an. Age approximately 24. Padawan to Master Tyrono Parr. Much of the information after that was brief, to say the least. Little snippets with long gaps of time in between. Absolutely no information for about three or four years. Brutal fights. Not much else. Perhaps not violent instability then. An issue that went deeper, maybe.
She set the datapad down on the examination table and hobbled her way over to where Vidalu leaned against the droid. The young woman looked as tired as Adelle felt.
"No," she said with a small smile. "It's only raised a few concerns." That was an understatement. "I actually think I might be able to help you, where a regular healer could not. If you want help, anyways."
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Post by Vidalu Na'an on May 24, 2013 10:12:37 GMT -8
As Na'an listened, the wistfulness on her face sharpened into disbelieving hunger. She leaned forward on her elbows, appraising the injured young woman carefully with her remaining eye. It was to the stranger's credit that she did not shy away from the empty socket that joined it. "You're going to help me? You're not in good shape...I don't want to put anyone at risk." Her eye twitched slightly, as if in response to some violent inner thought, then she continued. "The file's not quite up to date, either. There's...things...I should probably confess."
**********
The old Healer watched the two girls meeting with sad resignation. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the guard, a burlier young man, pause outside of the door to wait for further orders. Next to him, the little girl had slid down into a fetal position against the door, weeping quietly. Dax sighed. The girl was so emotional, especially after the incidents in her own file. All those deaths, having to cope with them without any of the adult members of her own family, her uncontrolled Force Connection with an entire planet... it was a wonder that the child seemed as normal as she did. He crossed to the entrance, nodding at the guard as he passed. Morgan did not notice his approach; Dax placed himself quietly beside her, waiting until she cried herself out.
It was strange. First Morgan, now the girl with the robot. What was it about Adelle Bastiel that seemed to attract such broken things?
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Morgan Calmcacil
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Post by Morgan Calmcacil on May 24, 2013 16:22:18 GMT -8
*As Morgan sat there crying, she could only think of one thing: Mesh. Her mind no longer dwelt upon the doctor she thought was picking on her, or on her mama's firm request to leave until she was done talking. All of her negative emotions right now stemmed from Mesh. Never had someone's death affected her so before. The closest she had felt this distressed was when she took Ascin's life during one of her earlier feats of incredible Force usage; the act of taking his life had frightened her, but ultimately she accepted that it was a necessary act. And besides, he'd come back, only to become Ambar Calmcacil, a beloved member of the family.
But Mesh... she felt like she'd purposefully led him to his death. A stranger, an innocent bystander practically, whose only crime was saving Morgan's life from a vine cat and offering to lead her to safety. For his trouble, he died against a creature he'd never seen before. Sure, he was a total stranger to her, but that didn't make the situation any less traumatizing; maybe it was the fact that he was a total stranger who'd freely given his life to protect hers that made this so distressing.
Movement. Morgan sensed someone right next to her. With a noise that sounded like a mix of a gasp and sob, she looked up at her visitor, only to see the doctor from earlier. Instinctively she scurried away a foot or two, staring at him a moment before reaching up with one arm to wipe at her eyes, then sniffled before looking at him again.*
What do you want?
*Her question sounded more pitiful than accusatory like she'd wanted, but she'd lacked the energy to be disdainful to him at the moment. And the will. She didn't want to be mean to anyone right now. What if he ended up being the next person to give his life for her? She couldn't let that happen. She couldn't let anyone do that ever again. She sniffled again, watching him for a reaction with an expression as pitiful as her voice. He'd obviously come to check on her; that had to be worth something, right?
Would've been nicer to have her mama, though...*
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Post by Mark Shadows Sorrows on May 24, 2013 19:38:30 GMT -8
Mark closed his eyes, and tried to relax, having no idea what all was going on around him, when suddenly his eyes shot open with a look of dismay... His stick! What happened to his stick? He couldn't have lost it! He frantically looked around, and was about to try to get up to go back to look for it (which would not have been a good idea given his state) when he heard a soft scattering and a purring noise.
A baby acklay scampered into the room with Mark's stick in it's mouth. The acklay gently dropped it where Mark was lying, purred softly, and then trotted out of the room right past Morgan and the healer and out of the base.
Mark let out a sigh of relief. He would never lose that stick again! He promised himself. After the baby acklay left, things started to come back to him. The baby acklay woke him up while he was out in the crash.
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Adelle Bastiel
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Post by Adelle Bastiel on May 25, 2013 9:39:18 GMT -8
As Na'an listened, the wistfulness on her face sharpened into disbelieving hunger. She leaned forward on her elbows, appraising the injured young woman carefully with her remaining eye. It was to the stranger's credit that she did not shy away from the empty socket that joined it. "You're going to help me? You're not in good shape...I don't want to put anyone at risk." Her eye twitched slightly, as if in response to some violent inner thought, then she continued. "The file's not quite up to date, either. There's...things...I should probably confess."********** The old Healer watched the two girls meeting with sad resignation. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the guard, a burlier young man, pause outside of the door to wait for further orders. Next to him, the little girl had slid down into a fetal position against the door, weeping quietly. Dax sighed. The girl was so emotional, especially after the incidents in her own file. All those deaths, having to cope with them without any of the adult members of her own family, her uncontrolled Force Connection with an entire planet... it was a wonder that the child seemed as normal as she did. He crossed to the entrance, nodding at the guard as he passed. Morgan did not notice his approach; Dax placed himself quietly beside her, waiting until she cried herself out. It was strange. First Morgan, now the girl with the robot. What was it about Adelle Bastiel that seemed to attract such broken things? "Trust me, I'm in better shape now than I've been in weeks and I was at greater risk then," she said. "We'll talk then, as much as you feel able and comfortable with. I need to speak with Master Calmcacil about getting a room for this though. The medbay isn't the best place for private discussions." She would've offered her own temporary guest room but that was her sanctuary. Vidalu needed a neutral area where she felt she had control, where she felt safe. It couldn't be where she slept, since that would be invading her space. Outdoors in the gardens might have been a good spot but it was a public place and Adelle wanted no intrusions. Too many variables to account for and all that. No, it had to be a room where they would disturb no one and no one would disturb them and, if worse came to worst, a place where Vidalu could be contained without collateral damage."I'll make this trip as short as possible," Adelle said. She shifted her weight as best she could on her crutch and turned, half-walking and half-hopping in the awkward way that a crutch allows. She nodded to the healer as she passed him by. Vidalu was stable for now and would remain so as long as there were no triggers. Morgan sat on the floor, her face tear-stained. Adelle's heart ached in sympathy. Seems she and Vidalu weren't the only ones going through hardships."Morgan," she said softly. "Would you help me find your father? I need to talk to him." |
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Post by Terra Fauna on May 25, 2013 23:06:51 GMT -8
A Jedi healer entered the medical facilities carrying an object that resembled a statue. Though a life presence seemed to be emanating from it.
NPC Jedi Healer "Could I get a scan on this thing? It's odd, but I'm sensing a life-force coming from it."
A medical droid approached the healer a bit quizzically, as this type of thing was out of his area of expertise. He was a medical droid after all, and did not specialize in investigating objects, but he answered to the best of his ability.
NPC Medical Droid "Why certainly, I will take a look at it and go through my preliminary scans. It seems to be made out of something that resembles carbonite according to my data."
Just before the medical droid was able to pick up the object to scan it, the boy in the room piped up.
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Post by Mark Shadows Sorrows on May 25, 2013 23:12:45 GMT -8
Something about the statue that the healer brought in intrigued Mark. It was almost as if it were... pulsating... like it had it's own rhythm... some type of endless cycle to it... almost as if it were...
"Wait! ... I think that thing's alive."
Mark surprised himself for a moment there. He didn't know why but he felt an urge to stop the droid from doing any scans that might potentially harm it. How did he know it was alive? He had always been somewhat instinctive but this was even a bit odd for him. He didn't quite know what to make of it. Maybe it had something to do with this Force thing his parents would speak about from long ago... back in another time, another dimension... But Mark couldn't worry about that now. For some reason he was still fixated on that object... that being....
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Morgan Calmcacil
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Post by Morgan Calmcacil on May 28, 2013 22:50:26 GMT -8
"Morgan," she said softly. "Would you help me find your father? I need to talk to him." D-Daddy's not here... He was g-gone, wh-... when I left. *Another sniffle, as she desperately tried to control her voice.*A-and he's not back yet... *Morgan stared at Kory for a moment, then slowly got to her feet. She looked up at her again, expression pitiful, sniffling once more.*Mama, are you mad at me? *Her voice sounded strained with this question, almost as though it pained her to ask it. She wasn't even sure if her mama really was mad at her, but she couldn't tell right now. Tears began to flow again. Her emotions were on the fritz, her thought processes were running wild and incohesive. She was, quite frankly, a mess at that moment. If her mama really was mad at her, she didn't know if she could take it.
She wished Jake were still here...* |
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Post by Vidalu Na'an on Jun 8, 2013 18:42:25 GMT -8
Na'an blinked as the woman stepped out, only letting out a long breath once she vanished entirely out the door. She hadn't expected to find someone who would listen to her so easily, although maybe she should have. In recent months, she realized, the Jedi had been nothing but kind to her. Master Man'Sell, in sending her away from Yavin's rising tension...the Healers...And now this gentle-eyed woman. And yet everywhere she looked, she expected hostility, anticipated rejection or, in more paranoid moments, outright attack.
It would have to end. It would have to all end.
The look she turned to the droid behind her was a question in and of itself.
"Are you going to confess too?" She tapped lightly with one knuckle at the metal chestplate. "They probably already know, but if you have a conscience in there too it might do you good while you wait."
It wasn't as hostile a question as it might have been. It was why they were here, after all, and Na'an knew they had a lot of unbelievable things to confess. Among those were things the Jedi may not believe: Time travel, synthetic sentience...
Others would be more familiar, like Na'an's inability to touch the Force properly unless she was trying to kill. Or the aforementioned paranoia. And deep, deeper than she'd ever wanted to think she went, the dark little voice that was still pounding in the redness of her blood.
What are you doing.
What are you doing.
What the hell do you think you're DOING?
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Adelle Bastiel
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Post by Adelle Bastiel on Jun 20, 2013 11:56:56 GMT -8
Well that complicated things. Aerandir was the only Jedi Master she knew in Felucia's enclave. Without his authority to grant a room, she was stuck with precious few other options. Adelle stared at the wall, frowning. Maybe there was another master present she could talk to.
The question startled her out of her thoughts. She looked down at Morgan, who looked up with large sorrowful eyes. Was she mad? Disappointed certainly, that a Jedi Padawan and child as good and sweet-natured as Morgan lacked the self-control and respect to at least be silent during adult conversations. She had a point, but still, it was tactless. Thoughtless. Reckless. But was Adelle mad at Morgan?
"No," she said at last. "I'm not mad at you. I need your help right now though, so I need you to focus. We'll talk later about it, okay?"
Adelle shifted her weight, trying to ease some of the pressure off of the arm leaning on the crutch. Damn these things hurt. "Who else is in charge here?"
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Aerandir Calmcacil
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Post by Aerandir Calmcacil on Jun 20, 2013 12:18:41 GMT -8
Why, is there something you need?
*Normally, this would have been one of Aerandir's moments of comedic timing. But now, it was more of a curious and sincere question. For something was wrong with Morgan, that he could tell. And Kory herself didn't seem in the best of moods either. She was on a crutch, for that matter. He appeared from around the corner, approaching them with a look of concern for both of them, more especially Morgan.*
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Morgan Calmcacil
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Post by Morgan Calmcacil on Jun 20, 2013 12:26:53 GMT -8
*Morgan felt a small bit of relief when Mama said she wasn't mad at her, though the delay made her feel as though there was more to it. Not anger, but maybe something else. Disappointment? That was almost worse... Morgan couldn't help but dwell on it, because she didn't want to be doing the wrong thing, and she wanted people to tell her what she was doing wrong so she could fix it!
But Mama only said they'd talk about it later, asking her to focus because she needed Morgan's help. It was almost a relief, but it couldn't make her feel better after the distressing events she'd just been through. She could try to help, but it wouldn't make her feel better. As for who else was in charge here, there was always her cousin Raven—
That voice! Her father was here! She spun with a gasp to see him approaching. Normally this was the kind of moment where he was being funny, but now he was looking nothing but concerned for them. He was approaching them, asking if there was something they needed.
Morgan knew what she needed: His love and his arms.
She ran at him, throwing herself at him. She felt herself gathered up into his arms immediately and cradled against his chest. She threw her arms around him and pressed herself against him, allowing tears to fall once more. She sobbed softly as she just held onto her father, opening herself up to him, letting him know just how much she'd been through, how distressed she was, how much she just needed someone to hold and love her. Her mama couldn't do that right now; she was injured. Her father's timing couldn't have possibly been better.*
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Adelle Bastiel
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Post by Adelle Bastiel on Jun 21, 2013 19:22:11 GMT -8
Talk about perfect timing. Adelle turned unsteadily to face Aerandir as Morgan ran to him and locked him in an embrace. Waves of hurt and confusion rolled off the young child with hurricane force. Adelle closed her eyes and shut out the emotions, closing down any empathic connection to the young child. Her body and her mind already struggled to maintain control over her own emotions. She didn't need to feel anyone else's hurt. Not right now. She could only take so much before exhaustion wore her down.
"Yes, actually," she answered. "A couple rooms in a little used wing would be nice. My stay this time around is going to be much longer."
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Aerandir Calmcacil
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Post by Aerandir Calmcacil on Jun 24, 2013 14:03:36 GMT -8
*As expected, Morgan ran to him when he appeared. Kory's crutch was indicative of injury, and Morgan, even whenever she craved love and affection for whatever reason, was too courteous to seek it when one was injured. So she had waited for him instead, and his response, of course, was to scoop her up and cradle her closely, opening himself up to her and sending calming waves of love and concern, taking in her own distress.
But what had even happened to put her in this state? He noticed she was dressed in her Felucian garb, bow and quiver slung across her back. Had something happened in the jungle? She looked a little dirty, but otherwise unharmed. And Lokay was just sitting on the ground, staring up at them. He didn't seem to be damaged either. Did something happen to someone they knew... ? A quick mental check reassured him that all his family were in the base and safe. So what had happened... ?
That was a story he supposed he could find out later, when he and Morgan had some time to talk. Right now, Kory was requesting rooms, commenting that her stay would be a little longer this time. Oh, he knew that would make Morgan happy. Or at least give her something to look forward to. He cuddled her closely and kissed her on the forehead before nodding at Kory.*
Of course, no trouble at all. How many will you need?
*He didn't even need to ask why she needed them. He hadn't known her too long, but he trusted her. It helped that Morgan trusted her enough to call her "Mama," and if Morgan trusted her that dearly, then so did he, as far as he was concerned.*
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Morgan Calmcacil
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Post by Morgan Calmcacil on Jun 24, 2013 14:33:18 GMT -8
*Morgan drank in all the comfort and love her father was sending her that she could. She needed this, she craved it, and she was happily she could finally receive it. He probably wanted to know what happened. Would he ask right now? She almost hoped he did, but mostly hoped he didn't. But he always seemed to know when to ask and when not to, as he didn't yet ask her about what happened.
Sure, that was also probably because he was responding to Kory's requests, but still, he usually made her his first priority. And that meant he knew to wait before asking her what happened. She wasn't disregarding her mama's statement about staying here longer, which was great news to her. It was just something she couldn't truly feel excited for. Happy, yes, but it didn't exactly cheer her up. But...*
Mama...
*She sat up in her father's arms, sniffling away the thickness in her voice as she turned to face the woman with glistening emerald eyes.*
Can I stay with you? I know you're hurt, but... but I can help! I can... I can get things for you, and, and help take care of you, and...
*Her sudden fervor seemed to grind to a halt as she realized she wasn't truly making a convincing case and was more simply pleading to stay with her. She had to get better at that, but she might as well just run with her true feelings.*
... please let me stay with you, Mama...
*If it was possible to seem as though she were leaning toward her yet shrinking into her father, Morgan just proved it. She loved her daddy, and she wanted to tell him everything, but she also wanted to stay with her mama who she didn't get to see as much, and tell her everything as well, and make sure she was okay, and... and Morgan was such a wreck right now. She just hoped her mama let her stay with her. She could tell her daddy everything before she left, too, so he wasn't left out. But she still wanted to stay with her mama...*
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Adelle Bastiel
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Post by Adelle Bastiel on Jun 26, 2013 14:26:46 GMT -8
"Two maybe three. Adjoining," Adelle said, thinking about the situation. Vidalu would need her own space, a sanctuary, and they would need a neutral spot where Adelle could talk to her without the young woman feeling threatened. Adelle would also need to be nearby in case the doctor was right and Vidalu showed signs of "violent instability."
And then Morgan asked to stay with her. Adelle's heart wrenched and her insides twisted as she felt the pure emotional need behind the request. As much as she wanted to say yes and give Morgan what she wanted, she couldn't. Adelle sighed, bracing herself for Morgan's reaction. As if she wasn't tired enough.
"I'm sorry Morgan. Not this time," she said, as gently as she could.
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Morgan Calmcacil
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Post by Morgan Calmcacil on Jun 26, 2013 15:18:35 GMT -8
*The hesitation was visible. The response, as gently as it was spoken, was crushing. For a moment, there was just emptiness. Her mama had denied her. There would be no closeness, no pouring out her heart, no snuggling or loving with her tonight. Morgan wanted to ask why, but she couldn't form the words to speak, even if her mouth quivered and opened and closed ever so slightly.
Then her bottom lip protruded and trembled, and she shut her eyes, tears squeezing out from between her eyelids, as she turned and buried her face into her father's neck, grabbing onto him tightly. Then she shook. She almost felt like running away. But what good would that do her? What comfort could she seek in the jungle, when Felucia would not physically be able to reach out and hold her?
And why was she completely neglecting the fact that she had a father who loved her just as much?
At last, Morgan did sob, but not because of her perceived rejection, but because she knew where she was: In the strong, loving arms of her father that would hold her tight and protect her. She wanted to speak, wanted to say she was sorry to him for making it seem like he wasn't as important to her as Kory, but she couldn't. Her throat just wouldn't let her speak. She only clung to him as she cried. She wanted him to take her home, back to their quarters. She wanted him to sit down with her and hold her. She wanted him to tell her everything was alright, that she'd be alright. She wanted to tell him everything.
Especially that she loved him.*
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Aerandir Calmcacil
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Post by Aerandir Calmcacil on Jun 26, 2013 15:35:37 GMT -8
*Two or three adjoining. He could manage that. Better make it three, to be on the safe side; if the third was unnecessary, he could remove the reservation on it. He nodded, mostly to himself but partially in response to Kory, but stopped when Morgan suddenly spoke up, making her pitiful request to stay with Kory.
Aerandir smiled sadly. He knew that the news Kory was staying longer would get to Morgan in a good way. But she was still upset about something, and it troubled him when she was troubled. Still, she loved the woman dearly, and it was perhaps that thought that she at last had a human mother that drove her to wanting to spend so much time with her. Aerandir couldn't blame her. He'd want to spend lots of time with his mother if he grew up many years without one.
But, it seemed, it was not to be. At least, not tonight. Whatever Kory needed to do, it could not involve Morgan. Now Aerandir was curious what Kory's mission was, but he wouldn't pry. Maybe Morgan knew, but what Aerandir wanted to know from her was what was troubling her, not what Kory was up to. And she certainly wasn't taking the gentle rejection well; she only buried herself into him and started to cry more. He squeezed her gently, patting her on the back, quietly shushing her reassuringly and whispering to her.*
There, there, baby, it'll be alright. It'll be alright.
*He knew she wasn't a baby, but he also knew when she needed comfort, and this was the best way to give it to her, along with gently beginning to rock her back and forth. He then looked at Kory and gave her a nod.*
I'll see what I can do, then contact you with the information. I'd better take her, though. May the Force be with you.
*He leaned forward ever-so-slightly, just enough to be barely recognizable as a bow, before he turned and began to depart the area with Morgan. He debated with himself, whether to ask her right away what was troubling her, or to merely sit with her and let her cry herself dry, then let her choose when to tell him what had happened. She was old enough, he knew, to make that decision on her own. He could sense that she wanted to be close to him, wanted to share with him. Perhaps, then, he would ask, the moment they were home...*
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