Bimmisaari's Open Terrain

The sleep I fall into is mercifully free from the dreams, all variations of a single dream really, that have plagued me ever since my fall, and is brought to an end when I feel someone prodding me gently. Sitting up, tchun, my left lekku swinging up onto my right shoulder and curling around the front of my neck as I reach up to massage my temples, I turn and see that it is Ellie that has prodded me and begin to ask how long I was unconscious, stopping when I see that, like me, Kaiya has just awoken. Holding up a hand to indicate to Ellie that I am in no need of anything, I stay silent for the time being to allow the sisters to speak.

My presence possibly a hindrance to the sisters' reunion, I get up from the bed and walk from the medbay to give them some privacy. I do not wander far, leaning back against the wall of the corridor and smiling as I remember the feel of being joined with Ashla while healing Kaiya; I know it does not mean that my transgression has been washed clean, or that I am now free from the darkness I brought into myself, but it is the first time that I have felt it possible that, someday, I might be cleansed and capable of rebuilding my relationship with Ashla.

Kaiya laughs when her twin says she must look pretty bad indeed, nodding playfully to agree even though she can see in Ellie's eye that something has changed within her, as though she has been through difficult times. Taking the water when it is handed to her, she says, "You look like you should be the one in this bed vod. You look . . . tired. Trying again for humor, she says, Meh gar kyrayc, shuk bah ni." (You're no use to me dead) After taking a small sip of the water, Kaiya answers the question about how she feel by lifting her free hand and wobbling it from side to side, saying with a hint of surprise in her voice, Jahaala (Well/ healthy). While she cannot remember what happened to put in in the Medbay, Kaiya finds it strange that she has awoken feeling unharmed, and almost refreshed. Was I kadala? (wounded) Me'bana? (What happened?) I don't remember anything after we left to find you when your ship was shot down, Kaiya says, the thought causing her to look around the medbay as though trying to place it. Where are our Masters? she asks next, surprised that Master Kowen or Master Kei'takao are not here as well. One question leading to another, Kaiya asks in a rush, her tone becoming somewhat worried, Where are we? Who was the Twi'lek?"

Kaiya doesn't interrupt as her sister tells her all that has transpired, revealing that the gap in her memory most likely exists to insulate her from the shock that remembering everything at once would cause; she feels more numb than anything as the details unfold, the amount and content of the information she needs to absorb simply too much to take in at once even though she knows that she will need to do so eventually. No wonder, she thinks, her twin seems so changed to her given all that she has been through.

"Me'ven . . . Kaiya says softly, disbelief and shock in her tone, and then looks at Ellie with concern and gratitude reflected in her eyes, Ori'vor'e vod, she says, knowing full well that her words of thanks are inadequate, that she will have to find other ways to repay her sister for all that her sister had done in order to get her back to safety. Vor entye, Kaiya adds, using the phrase that, in their native tongue, translates literally to I accept a debt to try and convey the depth or her gratitude and make it clear she understands what her twin has done for her. Shaking her head, trying to set the tormenting swirl of questions that rise within her for another time, Kaiya says, I should thank your Twi'lek too. Smiling, the expression somewhat forced, she says, And your gut for bringing you here. Looking into her twin's eyes searchingly, Kaiya asks in a concerned tone, looking for an honest and complete answer, Me'vaar ti gar?" (How are you?)

Kaiya smiles when her twin tells her how she can repay her, nodding as she says, "That sounds too easy vod, but if that's what you want, I'll do my best. But, she adds in a somber tone, Mando'ad draar digu, (a Mandalorian never forgets) to let her sister know how deeply thankful she is. Getting up from the bed to put her arms comfortingly around Ellie after she describes how she feels, Kaiya says, K'atini (It's only pain), in a gentle tone to convey that she is giving advice, not using the word in reproach or jest, and then adds, Don't let it make you lose your shereshoy (lust for life), or I'd never forgive myself."

Resting her chin on Ellie's shoulder, Kaiya sighs, almost not wanting to know the answer to the question she is about to ask, "Is there any reason we can't gal, ori'skraan, riduur, yaim' dab'ika (take a break) now, just udesiir (take it easy)? Just for a while?" Kaiya knows that even if there is not something that they need to do, they cannot take a break forever, that there is so much that they still have to talk about, and maybe decide, but with Ellie feeling so drained, she thinks that taking a day or two to collect themselves is a good decision.

"Good, Kaiya tells her twin when reassured that Ellie hasn't been so affected by what she has been through that it has taken her spirit from her, and then after squeezing her tightly once more, stands up and nods with a pensive frown as Ellie reminds her that the slaver is still out there. There are other things unresolved as well, the fate of her Master among them, and Kaiya feels guilty for thinking of taking a break when Force knows where her Master is or whether he is still alive; one thing she does know for certain is that if he is alive, he is undoubtedly searching for her and Ellie. Nodding in agreement with her twin's statements, Kaiya says, Maybe we should head back to Endor right away. The trip there will be a kind of break. If my Master is still alive, he may go there, or may have gone there to look for us, and you're right, they will be worried with us being gone so long. Her expression hardens and darkens for a moment as she adds, They also might be able to help us get a lead on the slaver."

Nodding in agreement, Kaiya takes a deep breath and releases it before walking from the meday into the corridor outside where she finds Sienn resting against a wall. Seeing the Twi'lek again, Kaiya remembers feeling as though she knew her when she woke and first saw her, the same sense of familiarity present even now; probably, she guesses, because of what was involved in the healing process, which would have been more complicated than usual given the cause of her comatose state.

Smiling when Sienn notices her approach, Kaiya tells her, "Thank you for your help, Sienn. If there's any way I can repay you, anything you need that I can give you, don't hesitate to ask. I'm not sure what would have happened if Ellie hadn't found you, Kaiya says, her words of thanks to the Twi'lek feeling as inadequate as those she had spoken to her twin, and she shakes her head, telling Sienn, I wish there were better words to convey how thankful I am."