What's Seen in the Dark

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

With the help of the Healer, s'Il managed to maintain a standing position which was precarious at best. Her weight felt like some outside construct propped up with a single strong pylon and a smattering of rickety twigs. It was... an interesting sensation to say the least.

With her eyes still on Teagan, she felt a thin-lipped grimace as the girl averted her eyes to Wygraant, then back. That partial step back was not near as much as she had wanted, but Zem's words at least soothed her instincts enough to where she remained mostly silent, focused more on keeping upright. Her hand tightened its' grip on the Healer's shoulder, and the Lupine couldn't help but pull the two closer in an attempt to stabilize. It was infuriating, to be so unable to perform such a simple function as standing on her own two feet without assistance. But, she also knew when to accept help, and that was what she did now. The other woman had reached deep inside to soothe and apply the sort of salve that only the Force could provide. It was an act that she was increasingly grateful for.

Head finally dipping, her neck angled so that her forehead came to rest against the taller woman's shoulder.

"Take me from here," she murmured so that only the Healer could hear.

[Kaie]

A precarious peace now reached, Kaie then heard the whispered plea then turned and guided her patient from the battered ship. Nearing Teagan, she could see the surprise and pain in her young face and the white witch knew firsthand how that felt. Seeing one's own parent feeble and out of control wasn't something any child imagined. Parents were strength, a solid foundation in a large world. A refuge.

"She's going to be fine," Kaie assured as they moved through the docking collar. "Don't worry."

Her own faith solid, the healer continued leading s'Il into the freighter and turned left as she continued to the their communal bedroom. Once inside, the four bunks tucked neatly into the left and far walls, she guided the blonde to an empty one and helped her lay down. "Just relax. Ossus may take us a few days to return to, though not sure where we may end up dropping the Imperial off," she mused aloud, pulling up a soft blanket and draped it over Teagan's mother.

[Zem Vymes]

Zem gave Teagan only the barest of glances, keeping the majority of his attention on Captain Wygraant. He offered the Imperial an affirmative nod. This was a step in the right direction. One of many, hopefully.

"Teagan, let's head back through the airlock."

The Jedi Master himself took a step back toward the door, though he didn't turn his back to Wygraant. Instead, he extended a hand.

"It may not be direct, express, or comfortable, but we'll get you home. I promise."

[Rolth Wygraant]

Captain Wygraant also nodded in turn, punctuating the moment of solidarity with a brief massage of his temples with fingertips to dull an approaching headache. The show of discomfort was brief. Hands by his sides again, Rolth sucked in a quick breath and exhale.

"I'll defer the formalities. My negotiation position is hardly one of strength at this point. Lead the way."

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

She backtracked through the docking threshold, and it wasn't long before her attentions shifted from the strange captain and Zem to her mother and Master Kaie. Teagan bit her lip in thought for a few undecided seconds before she took in a deep breath. There was no doubt that she wanted to shuffle away to the familiarity of Dama's presence, no matter how distressing it would be, but another part of her wondered if it was the right thing to do. The initial rejection had stung, but there was a growing sense of unwanted understanding that'd begun to form in the back of her mind. It was the same sort of understanding that she had come to realize after considering Zem's own reactions from their time on Dantooine, and when he had had Sanis take her away from the sight of her mother after the terrible fight with the bounty hunter. And now, she was connecting the dots that much faster; knowing that there was more to her mother's intentions than just a simple brush-off.

It was what kept her from stepping through into the communal bunk area.

Instead, she let out a long exhale, shifting back so that she could stay against the bulkhead wall. It was a strange feeling, to let her mind work through the reasons and thoughts behind actions and words. Her brow furrowed as she considered the next option open to her, and slowly turned her head to look down the length of the corridor as Zem appeared through the collar once more.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

There was no denying the reality; no denying that she was not hallucinating this bizarre circumstance that seemed to be nothing less than a rescue of sorts. s'Il let her head fall back against the compact pillow, eyes closing as she grimaced in both phantom pain and thought. Her body still worked relentlessly to funnel its' reserves into healing; an act made easier by the Healer's endeavors at calming the worst of her injuries. She let out a cough, then pulled an arm out from beneath the blanket to drape it over her midsection.

But, there was something that pulled at her thoughts. Going to Ossus...

She'd not been permitted to set foot on the planet for some time; would there be some form of dispensation now? Perhaps the Council would look past her crimes for the time being? She doubted they would, but the hope was still there. However, it was a thought that was soon pushed away in favor of much more pressing matters.

In the relative quiet of privacy, she opened her eyes once more, finding the features of the Healer.

"I don't understand," came the final admission.

[Kaie]

Brow furrowed lightly as Kaie straightened, the statement sounding strange in her ears. "Don't understand what?" Though she knew next to nothing about the blonde, Kaie only knew she had been in pain and needed their help. Teagan's nightmares having been so vivid made the Jedi Master need to find this woman whom she had never met before. Green eyes focused on the woman's face, noting the faint scars and confused look.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

It was a question that made her fall silent for a moment, as she did her best to collect her thoughts in order to verbalize the still-present haze of partial confusion. It was a strange thing, to know with utter certainty that you were destined for imprisonment and most likely death, then to be plucked away from that sort of ending. She had known that she would end her days on Coruscant; she had known that her life would be forfeit if she and Wygraant escaped together, but to leave him on Umbara would have... not been right. She had taken so much life, and perhaps the tortured plea that Zem had spoken so many decades ago on Boz Pity had burrowed deep inside of her core to manifest now.

"I can't look another person in the face and know they're dead to the universe and know I can't do a thing about it!"

The pain and anguish in those words struck an unknown core buried deep inside, and on Umbara it was a chord that had come to the forefront. She'd been unable to save Roe Siintas; all that she could offer the woman was a grave on an Umbaran plain. But, Captain Wygraant had also survived his own ordeal, and she could not allow him to become another person dead to the universe, because she could do something about it.

Her head shook as if to clear her thoughts and push away the mental cobwebs.

"You said... my pain - my daughter felt it... ?"

[Kaie]

Now understanding the confusion, Kaie sat on the side of the bed and grinned, glancing out through the main entrance to the guest room, then back. "Teagan told me she had a nightmare about you, then felt actual pain as we made our way to find Master Zem. There were moments on our way to find you where she continued to experience whatever you were going through. I understand that type of empathy when it comes to a parent or sibling," she grinned. "My sisters and mother have that same type of bond and my mother always told me that the Force had made our relationship closer for a reason, though I'm not totally sure what that is beyond knowing when they're in danger or in pain. It's not always a pleasant thing to feel out of the blue, but it does help knowing you need to get to them as fast as you can, and of course, hope that you're in time. I'm just glad that we found you before your wounds grew more serious."

Kaie took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "Your daughter missed you very much, which may have only intensified this bond".

[Zem Vymes]

Zem walked through the ship to the cockpit, pausing at an access terminal to call up a section of the local galactic map. Stars shimmered in space between him and Captain Wygraant. He didn't need to explain what they were now doing.

"Alright, let's find you a drop-off point."

The problem presented itself plainly in the clouds of stars illuminated red, blue, and white to determine their allegiance.

"There aren't any unaffiliated worlds within three sectors of our location. Just past that, we may have a shot."

He pointed at a section of space filled by mostly white dots.

"Unaffilitated territories are here. It's not close, but Antar IV might be the best option."

[Rolth Wygraant]

Wygraant studied the star chart, tightening his gloves on each hand as he did so.

"That passes us awfully close to several high security Alliance cordons. We could be stopped and searched, and if we're searched, then I'm finished."

[Zem Vymes]

All true, to be told. Zem simply tucked his hands in his pockets, nodded, and smiled.

"Trust in the force, Captain."

[Rolth Wygraant]

Wygraant put on a mildly dour expression.

"You'll forgive me if I refrain. It may be easier to trust in something that's at your beck and call."

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

She had moved, following after Zem at a discreet enough distance, though the starmap was enticing enough to draw her closer. It was always a beautiful thing to see, and there had been more than a few times when she stared at starmaps and counted all of the places that she had visited, and picked out the planets she hadn't yet been to that she wanted to see.

The words shared between the two men were taken in with mild interest, and it was a strange look that she turned to the Imperial captain at his last admission. To no trust the Force seemed a strange thing to say. She turned a puzzled look to the captain, but remained silent despite her features betraying her feelings on the matter.

After all, who couldn't trust in something that apparently connected two people together so fiercely that they shared one another's pain?

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

It was still a bit to process, but the basics she could follow well enough. She'd heard of such things in passing, long ago during her younger years at the Temple, but to see it displayed before her was something else entirely, and had been enough to take her aback. The Lupine stared up at the Healer with half-lidded eyes as she bulled her way through the words spoken to her.

Her hand, draped over her chest, slowly lifted in a trembling motion, fingers twitching in the after-effects of her previous ordeals. But, the intention was clear, and her introduction heartfelt.

"Loklorien."

[Kaie]

She could tell that the woman needed her rest, but Kaie indulged her a bit longer. "Pleasure. Kaie." Taking in a long breath, she let it out slowly, still recovering from the taxing use of the Force. The woman's injuries had been more severe than she imagined, but she was glad that she could help. "I'm going to let you get some sleep and try and keep everyone else out of here," she grinned pleasantly, talking in low tones. Rising, she moved to leave the large room, "Get some rest. You're safe now."

Leaving the room, she closed the door and soon noticed Teagan looking lost, eyeing the activity in the cockpit which Kaie could overhear. Moving to the autochef, she chose a soup and waited, then gathered her choice and sat down. "Teagan," she called out and began eating as she waited for the girl to join her. "Your mother's resting, but she's going to be fine," she smiled, though wear was telling on the healer's face as well.

[Rolth Wygraant]

Glancing away from the star map in polite resignation, Captain Wygraant spotted the young girl's face as she silently spied them from a distance.

"So you are Captain s'Ilancy's daughter, then?"

The resemblance was certainly there.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

Her eyes had gone to Master Kaie, and Teagan let herself fall back by at least a half-step. Hope and relief washed over her at the reassurance that her mother would heal, and the young Lupine bit her lower lip as a question begged to be asked. Her mouth opened, but another voice broke in; the Captain's. Gaze shifting from Kaie to the Imperial, she hesitated as discerning eyes swept up to his face before giving him a slow, deliberate nod in answer to his question.

Turning fully, she moved closer to where the Jedi Healer sat while giving a last look over her shoulder to the Captain. And then her attentions returned to Master Kaie and the burning question.

When she spoke, her voice was low, unsure if she really wanted to know the answer.

"How... how bad was it... ?"

[Zem Vymes]

Master Vymes kept an eye on Teagan as she made a tentative interaction with their guest. He stepped back a few steps, meeting Kaie after she'd broached the good news to the younger girl. With his voice low, Zem nodded to the white witch.

"Thank you. This wouldn't be possible without you."

[Kaie]

Kind, but tired green eyes found Teagan again as she ate, needing the sustenance after all that she had done, though as the girl approached the table Kaie straightened. She could see the concern on the young face and though the Master wasn't much older herself, she could understand the thoughts that no doubt were roiling around in her mind, especially after all that she had experienced on her end. Daughter didn't need to know the gory details, she knew.

Relaxing as she sat, the inevitable query arose and prompted an understanding, sympathetic grin. "You felt it all," she stated simply. Grinning, she chuckled lightly more in empathy now that the girl's introduction to one of the Force's many gifts had begun to manifest itself. "Something I'd be happy to explore more with you once your mother's healed and up and around again. That's a rare gift, though as you and I know, not an easy one to possess." Feeling someone else's pain - someone that you cared very much for - wasn't the preferred one on the list, but it definitely had it's uses.

Going back to her soup, she then glanced up to Master Zem as he approached as well. Nodding to him in thanks for the compliment, "It's the reason that we exist at all, isn't it?" Though she was never looking for praise, having this gift of healing that her mother, and Master N'yssa had taught her, Kaie wasn't sure what else she would rather be doing with the Force's energy.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

She nodded, thinking on the answer that'd been given to her. It made sense, though the pain that she had felt was hard to decipher in the moment; about all that she could focus on was the extent to which it hurt. Now that it was mostly gone, Teagan let her thoughts return to those moments. She remembered where she had hurt, and how bad it had felt. And while she was sure that what she had felt through the bond was a shadow in comparison to what her mother had endured, there was no denying that it was serious.

Serious, but not insurmountable.

Her eyes shifted down then, to stare at the deckplates. Her features screwed into a look of concern as she thought, and with a sigh the girl moved to the bulkhead, sliding down until she was sitting. With arms propped up on her knees, she stared at her hands for a few moments before angling her head and sending a sideways glare to the captain who still stood a small distance away.

The blame in her blue eyes was as plain to see as the interior of the ship they all now occupied.

[Rolth Wygraant]

Those eyes didn't need any words to speak for them. Rolth didn't shrink from her gaze, nor did he excuse himself.

"Your mother is very brave. What's your name?"

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

She continued to stare at him, even as he spoke directly to her once more. Her brow furrowed, intensifying the already pointed gaze as her eyes stayed locked with his. She was not a youngling anymore, and she would not show even a bare anything of backing away. She'd learned that much from Major Verratoa. Another thing that she'd learned from the Major, was to watch. To pick apart a person and use what she saw as a way to understand them. Or at least, to maybe have an inkling of what might be coming next. Well, that part she was still working on, but the whole observation part was easy enough. The captain looked like he was used to being in charge - the way he stood made him seem that way, at least. Also the fact that he was a 'captain'... well, it sort of stood to reason.

But there was something else, like some sort of duracrete block in his gut that held him down.

For a moment she simply stared at him, answering his question with silence as her mind worked through the man she was glaring up at.

Finally.

"Teagan."

She wasn't a little girl anymore; she wasn't hiding, and she wasn't trying to hide. Not now. Not ever. She was not her mother.

But, there was still more that she was curious about, and the young Lupine sent her eyes from the captain to Master Kaie once more.

"Are we taking her back to Ossus?"

[Kaie]

As she ate, Kaie listened to the discussion and could tell by Teagan's face that the girl was unhappy about having the Imperial onboard. But, both had been in danger and though she didn't agree with their ideology, the Jedi wasn't going to cast him out of the airlock for his affiliations. Spooning out the last bite, the soup having reinvigorated her, the white witch sat back again as the young girl queried about their final destination. "Why not?" Having no history on the elder s'Ilancy, "I'll be able to make sure that her healing is complete there and we have other facilities that can help speed that recovery."

Knowing the Imperial felt uncomfortable on the freighter now having disappeared into hyperspace, she called out to him, "I don't know your name, but you're more than welcome to grab something to eat here, if you wish." Not able to see him, she judged by Teagan's expression that the young girl still had a lot to learn about being a Jedi.

[Rolth Wygraant]

The temptation was great to decline the offered meal. To do without in that stoic way a captured officer should. To decline offered comforts that might be used to influence him in interrogation. But the Captain was exhausted and starving, so he quietly accepted the offer from Kaie with a nod.

"Thank you."

Dignity at least kept his eating to a slow pace, despite wanting to rush it. Wygraant finished a spoonful, nodding to show his approval.

"I'm Rolth Wygraant. Captain of the Imperial Star Destroyer Decimator."

It would be of little use to hide that fact which Captain s'Ilancy knew already.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

A Star Destroyer captain. She'd never seen one of those except for in pictures and holos, but her mother had often enough told her that they were large. Larger even than Khera. So much for the thought that he captained a cruise liner.

Still sitting on the floor, Teagan watched Captain Wygraant with a critical eye as he began to eat. He looked tired, as though he would fall asleep into his meal.

A few moments later her gaze shifted back to Master Kaie.

"Is he going to Ossus with us too? Or are we leaving him somewhere else?"

She hoped that it would be the latter of the two choices.

[Kaie]

Placing her own empty bowl into the autochef, she hit the CLEAN button and sat back down as the Imperial joined her, then introduced himself. Nodding to him, "Kaie, Jedi Master," she grinned and then glanced to Teagan. "He's being dropped off elsewhere," Kaie stated, then glanced to the officer, not knowing where he and Zem had decided that would be. "I'm sure somewhere on the border?"

Green eyes took in the young girl on the floor and she knew that prejudices and hatreds were learned and the best way she could influence the girl would be to act as a better example. Turning her attention to Rolth again, she relaxed and noted how hungry he apparently was. "I'm guessing you've been away from your ship for some time now? Probably be good to get back to something more familiar, I bet."

[Rolth Wygraant]

Wygraant nodded.

"My stay on Umbara has been as unpleasant as Captain s'Ilancy's, I'm afraid. My shuttle was driven off course; its crew and passengers were killed."

He averted his eyes from the hard glance that Teagan s'Ilancy gave him, returning to his bowl of soup.

"Best to be done with this whole unfortunate incident."

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

It was almost instantaneous, her reaction. A scowl that perfectly matched her mother's, and a slightly exaggerated crane of her neck as her head slanted to the side so that she could meet his eyes with an accusing glare.

"Unpleasant? You're not the one that was helped off that old shuttle and... "

She caught herself in that moment, mouth clamping shut as she sent a look to Zem first, then Master Kaie before mumbling an apology.

"Sorry. I just... " she bit her lip, trying to explain herself to the Jedi Healer. One hand came out to gesture to the Captain. "... it's just, he's fine and she's not."

Blue eyes went to downward before clenching shut, and her voice sounded once more in a whisper.

"Sorry."

[Zem Vymes]

Zem placed a hand of undestanding on Teagan's shoulder.

"At any rate, I think we'll all be much for the better once we reach Antar IV."

It was far from an ideal solution, but the best one ahead of them. He glanced to Kaie.

"How long will it take your pilot to make the trip?"

[Kaie]

Nodding to the officer's reply, she could understand that sentiment and as she was about to comment, Teagan did instead. Though she understood the unique situation that the young girl was in, being attuned to her mother in such a strong way, the white witch also knew they had an opportunity here. That and her mother was healing and they had saved her from a worse fate than just being in the company of an Imperial. Grinning sympathetically, she turned her attention back to Rolth.

She also assumed that the Imperial had heard everything that had been talked about since they had returned aboard the freighter bound for a neutral system. "I'm sorry for your men," she expressed genuinely. "Losing friends is never easy," she glanced to Teagan, "or family." Green eyes returned to Rolth once more, "But, we all have to endure the same things in life. Same fears and hopes. I'm just glad that neither of you lost your life in whatever you had to face on Umbara."

Glancing to Zem, she shook her head and pushed herself up, moving around the table. "I'll find out." Heading down the short hallway, she entered the cockpit and neared the pilot and copilot, both eating a late lunch. Hands on their headrests, "How long to Antar Four?"

"About sixteen hours," the copilot informed.

"Thanks," she replied and turned, then headed back to the galley and hoped that she didn't have to help Master Zem break up a fight.

[Rolth Wygraant]

Rolth waved off Teagan's apology with a slight turn of his hand as he shook his head.

"I take no offense. You're upset for your mother, and rightfully so."

Sixteen hours to safe harbor. Wygraant didn't exactly let his guard down, but he didn't feel completely at unease with the company of his captors. He continued to dip his spoon into the bowl cupped in his hand. It didn't take long to empty it. He nodded to Kaie.

"Thank you for the meal. I hope it won't be untoward of me to excuse myself from your company. I'm exhausted."

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

She kept silent, only watching now as those older than her conversed. Sixteen hours until their next stop was a long time, and the young Lupine found herself at a loss as to what to do until the only obvious thing sprang to mind.

Teagan shifted her posture, pulling herself up to her feet while breathing in deeply. Stuffing hands into her front pockets, the girl moved past the others on her way to the shared bunk area.

"I'm going to lay down."

It was a simple statement, followed by quiet footsteps which brought her through the short corridor to the rear cabin.

A form on the far bunk arrested her attention, and she sidled up to the edge of the bed. Her mother was sleeping, head turned away. A few moments of staring passed before she slowly, carefully, crawled up to occupy the small space still available. Sitting crosslegged, Teagan rested a hand gently on the elder Lupine's shoulder, watching for only a short amount of time. It wasn't long before she stretched herself out, pressing against the warmth of the body whose wounds she had felt so vividly.

[Kaie]

Returning to the galley, Kaie informed the other passengers of their estimated arrival and then nodded to Rolth, "Not at all. I can imagine everyone's tired right now," she glanced to Teagan and Zem, then back. "There's more than enough room in the two bunk rooms, so just find one that's empty." It didn't take long to empty the galley of people and Kaie followed Teagan into the communal bedroom occupied by her mother, keeping to herself as Teagan claimed a spot with her mother. Understandable, she mused and grinned affectionately at seeing the young girl then lay down with her mother, bringing back memories of a younger Kaie laying with her own, long ago.

How she missed home all of a sudden.

Taking in a deep breath, she staved off emotion and moved to her own bunk, then sat down and removed her boots. Knowing she would rest better after a shower, the refresher could wait and she laid down, herself, pulling up the comfortable blanket and drifted off to dream.

[Zem Vymes]

Hours later


The planet Antar IV loomed in the view of the cockpit as they began their downward ascent. Master Vymes watched as the final approach began to take them through the atmosphere and to the nearest settlement below. The homeworld of the Gotal people had been hit hard in the days of Imperial occupation, and the Antar atrocity had largely dispersed most of the original inhabitants into a refugee diaspora. Those who remained were mostly humans, though some of the Gotal had begun to migrate back since the treaty, in the hope of setting up a government. It was a place that had seen better days.

"Put us down at that starport there." Zem gestured, finding a suitable location a distance from the settlement.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She'd woken slowly, feeling a warmth of closeness that she'd not felt for a very long time. For a few disorienting moments the Lupine thought that she had been transported back to Layla, and her bed aboard the Black Cat. It was a fleeting awareness that soon enough lifted, parting away to reveal reality. But, the body beside her was still very real, and s'Il couldn't help the instinctive flex in her arm at that moment, clutching her eldest child closer to her. It was as if a nightmare had been pulled from her future and she let herself sink into the comfort of her daughter's closeness. The girl sleepily reciprocated in a slumber-induced grasp of her own, smaller hands holding tight to the still-ragged and ruined under-tunic of her uniform.

She lay for a few more minutes, soaking up each sensation of comfort, but it wasn't long before she extricated herself slowly, careful to not disturb the sleeping pre-teen.

She still felt week, her footing somewhat unsure, but there was determination, and s'Il lurched her way to the threshold that separated the communal cabin from the rest of the ship.

One hand came up to grasp at the door frame, and she heaved a deep breath as she sent her gaze up and ahead.

[Rolth Wygraant]

Rolth made his way to the cockpit, watching as the vistas of Antar IV came into view. His expression was cool and somewhat grim. Even if this wasn't a trip to an Alliance stockade, this world was far from civilized, and beyond the control of the empire. The locals might be a problem. Hopefully not.

Still, the Captain was far too proud to lean on his would-be captors for any assistance other than passage to this wretched place. He simply watched in silence.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

One eye opened, and Teagan bolted upright. The covers were thrown from her body as she felt the first wave of panic envelope her. Had it all been a dream? Had she imagined curling up beside her mother? The empty bed now seemed to confirm that, but as her frantic eyes turned to the doorway, the girl was rewarded with a familiar form blocking some of the light from the corridor. Her mother. A slow sigh of relief, and the young Lupine let her legs slip from the thin blanket she'd burrowed within. Her feet hit the deck quietly, and pushing off the bed, Teagan reached up to rub at her eyes as he made her way to stand beside her mother.

She grasped her mother's free hand, holding tight while leaning into the body that brought so much comfort.

Her other arm came around then to deliver a tight hug, unwilling to let go lest Lok s'Ilancy disappear into thin air.

[Kaie]

After what only seemed like moments, Kaie's green eyes fluttered open and she was greeted with the dark wall and shallow, but wide shelf that housed only a couple things. One being a chronometer whose green light denoted the time on Ossus: 04:53. Way too early, she mused and quietly turned over, then noticed the two shadows in the doorway, illuminated on the far side by the luma lamps and ceiling lights of the freighter's hallway. She grinned at the scene knowing Teagan and her mother finally had one another again. A touching moment that she didn't wish to disturb, but admired them for a long moment.

Soon, she pushed herself from underneath her blanket and then pulled it back up again, straightening out the wrinkles until she then rose from the bed. Moving to the small refresher, she cleaned up and returned to the long drawer underneath her bed and opened it. Taking out a clean set of clothes and a robe, she slipped them on and pulled on her boots. Ready for another day, she stood and moved to the doorway and headed into the galley, her stomach rumbling as if she hadn't eaten in a month.

"Morning all, hope you slept well," she asked, then glanced to her patient. "How you feeling," she inquired before heading to the autochef to grab something to eat.

[Zem Vymes]

The light freighter made a looping pass at the starport, quickly resolving its clearance to land. It eased down, landing struts emerging from the fuselage to support its bulk. The ship gently buffeted as it touched duracrete below, followed by the low and fading whine of a powering-down engine.

Vymes turned back to the Imperial standing behind.

"Well, this looks to be your stop."

[Rolth Wygraant]

"Yes."

Rolth stared at the interior of the starport. A few dingy Gotals and humans barely looked up from their work to regard the arrival.

"It would appear so."

He drew in a deep breath, let it out, and nodded to the Jedi.

"My thanks for keeping your word."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Teagan's closeness was welcomed, and s'Il let an arm drop so that it rested along the younger girl's shoulders. Her eye lifted though, from her daughter's blonde mop to the Healer, Kaie.

"I am... better."

There was a moment when the deck beneath her feet feathered ever-so-lightly, and her hand tightened its' grip on the doorframe. She knew the feeling well enough; she'd been on landing shuttles more than once, and though still exhausted, she had to wonder where it was they were. Gingerly she pushed away from the doorway. Her gait was still tender, her movements stiff and seemingly disjointed. Her entire body still felt warm to the touch, but it was healing, and that was all that mattered.

Slowly the Lupine moved to sit in the first available chair. Teagan stayed close, choosing to occupy a nearby chair as well. For a moment s'Il cast a wary gaze to Wygraant, but it wasn't long before she returned her attentions to Kaie.

"Thank you, for what you've done."

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

Making sure that her mother was in her sights, Teagan kept half of her attentions on Zem and the Imperial. Would they simply let him walk out? Would they send him off with some food and credits? There was no doubt that he'd be taking the small leather shoulder pack he'd brought aboard with him. Probably had some sort of special comm unit to call the Empire with in there. Or maybe it was a phrase-book like the ones tourists bought when they went to different worlds that didn't speak Basic? More than likely it was boring, whatever was in there though.

She huffed a breath, lost in thought.

[Kaie]

Watching how gingerly the elder s'Ilancy moved to the chair, Kaie knew it was probably too early for the woman to be on her feet, but she had a feeling this woman was strong willed and wasn't going to be told what to do. She had seen plenty of that mentality in the medbay on Ossus when trying to prescribe medication or bed rest. Usually a waste of breath. "You hungry," she motioned to the autochef and moved to it, then grabbed Loklorien's order and carried it to her. "You're more than welcome," she stated at the compliment, then glanced to Teagan, "She was insistent and I'm glad that she found me when she did," Kaie's green eyes motioned to the variety of still-healing injuries, then turned back to the autochef and moved to it. "We got to you just in time."

For the sake of Teagan, she didn't go into how severe some of the injuries could have been after another half hour of neglect. The girl had been through enough already. Grabbing her own choice for breakfast, she carried it to the nearby table and sat down. "I happened to notice that you're strong in the Force," Kaie stated, glancing to Loklorien as she ate. "She has that potential as well," she glanced to Teagan, now seemingly still trying to process everything that she had felt the last two days.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She accepted the food without really looking at it, her eye instead studying the features of the Healer. Kaie. It wasn't a name that she recognized, but that certainly did not mean anything other than that her forced absence from Ossus caused her to remain mostly blind to the goings-on of those who lived there. It was for the best though, and had been the will of the Council. It was not an edict that she sought to defy.

"I am as we all are," her voice was quiet, and finally she looked to the meal set before her. Nerf and tuber stew; nothing exotic, but there was no need. It was hearty and filling; the sort of food that a body needed while in the throes of righting the wrongs done to it. Slender fingers grasped the spoon that rested beside it, and the Lupine dipped it into the broth.

"My talents were never for the healing arts though."

A tentative taste, and she swallowed.

"I am glad that yours are."

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

Satisfied for the time being that her mother was not going to go anywhere, Teagan swiveled in her seat, casting her eyes toward Zem. She bit her lip, not entirely sure what was to come next.

And without thinking her voice found purchase in her throat, speaking out to address the Imperial.

"You should eat," a pause, as if hoping that she was doing the right thing, "... before you go."

[Rolth Wygraant]

Zem nodded in receipt of thanks, and the Captain let it stand. He then turned his attention to Teagan and her offer.

"Thank you, but I think I've imposed myself upon your mother's company long enough."

Rolth offered a hairline smile, giving the girl a nod. He then turned his attention to Lok.

"Captain s'Ilancy, I won't say it's been a pleasure, but it has been illuminating."

[Kaie]

So, Teagan's mother was a Jedi, she mused with interest. Unsure as to who she was now in the presence of, Kaie knew that her own interactions with the council had been negligible at best, so the name was never heard at least. Not until Teagan found her, that is. "I'm glad that we've finally met, then. I have a feeling that your mission on Umbara may have been a private one, or sanctioned by the council, but that's not mine to know," she shrugged, then heard Teagan's offer to the man that she knew had been part of the reason that her mother was so injured and Kaie smiled at the girl. Proud that she could see past what the man's uniform may have suggested and who he was as a person. Regardless of what his government stood for.

Glancing up to Rolth, she listened to his farewell to the wounded Jedi and her eyes turned to s'Il before replying herself, then added as she returned her gaze to the officer. "It was nice meeting you and... good luck." Refraining from offering his help with the Force as she would for another Force user, or Republican citizen, she knew that farewell would probably be more appreciated. She also knew that fighting fire with water may one day win an ally, or maybe even a friend.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

For the moment she did not look up at Captain Wygraant's farewell. She simply spooned another two bites of stew into her mouth, a thoughtful expression falling over her features as she mulled over both his words, and the words spoken by Kaie.

Finally.

Her back slowly straightened, as she let her posture rise in her seat. She blinked. Then half-turned to regard the Imperial. A hand came up then, to rest on Teagan's shoulder, making sure the girl stayed right where she was.

And in that moment, locking her broken gaze with his, she set her lips into a thin line. In her eye there was a hope that spanned the distance between the two, as if willing him to see something beyond his past.

"No monsters," were her hushed words.

[Rolth Wygraant]

Rolth's eyes fixed on s'Ilancy in that moment. His jawline set, and he reluctantly nodded.

"Indeed."

The Captain gave a glance to the others, then returned his attention to s'Ilancy once more.

"I think in the spirit of that, you'll appreciate it when I say that Antar IV is a nice place to visit, but for no more than one hour."

It was the best kindness he could offer her. Wygraant glanced to Zem, feeling the Jedi Master's eyes on him.

"We shouldn't meet again, I don't think."

The Captain then turned, and headed down the gangplank.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She received his words with silence, her features level if not a shade impassive. There was no mistaking the message being sent, and s'Il finally afforded the man a nod before he turned to begin his trek down the boarding ramp. Teagan looked at her, but the elder Lupine only gave her shoulder a squeeze as she turned to Kaie.

"I trust that refueling won't take very long?"

That was, if the shuttle needed to do so.

[Kaie]

Listening to the exchange between the two, she knew that there was still some bad blood there and she refrained from inquiring right now, wondering how much of the damage to s'Il that she healed was actually caused by the Imperial. Had that been the case, then she definitely understood the looks and Teagan's disdain for the man. Turning to the elder Lupine, Kaie pushed herself up, "I'll go find out." Heading back to the cockpit, she noticed the captain working at a large panel to her left.

"Hey," he glanced at her, then continued.

"We need to refuel, or good to go," she inquired.

"No," he shook his head. "Just waiting for clearance to head to Ossus. We had more than enough to travel," he smiled. "But, I wouldn't suggest any more diversions, or we will."

"Okay, just curious."

He turned and slid back into his chair as the copilot reclined with a drink in his hand, listening to their conversation. "Should be on our way here any minute," he assured.

Nodding, she turned and headed back toward the galley, turning her gaze to mother and daughter, "Be leaving here in a few, get you back to Ossus in a couple days." She knew they would all be able to relax again, finally.