thefinaljedi | Appointments

[Luke is, of course, out cold. Three days of battle and rescue, combined with the steady, constant drain of Nomi channeling Battle Meditation through a half dozen telepaths will do that to you. He's not wounded, just tired. Ami's care has been more than adequate, and he's beginning to feel a bit better, but he cannot feel the Force at all still.

When he hears the knock, he sits up.]

Come in.

[Adele, despite her earlier confidence, hesitates. Their discussion on the beach, how poorly it ended, all on her shoulders, leaves her uncertain. And she does loathe uncertainty.

But. She'd given Lupin her word. And she does need to apologize.

The door opens slowly and she ducks in with a tray, two mugs and a tea pot ready and waiting. She remains in the doorway, though, not entering fully.

...

She ought to say. Something.]

Good morning Master Skywalker.

[Best to play it safe. Familiarity, after all, may be unwanted. He might ask her to leave immediately.]

[Well this is definitely not what he expected. He'd guessed based on her behavior that Adele wouldn't be visiting him any time soon. Its not that he didn't care, it was more that he wasn't sure himself. It wasn't his nature to not forgive, but her explosion on the beach...that was uncalled for, hurtful, and quite frankly he wasn't convinced that he wanted to be around her.

He'll be polite, yes, but she's got some serious apologizing to do.]

Doctor.

I brought tea.

[She holds the tray up like a shield. Commenting on the obvious to save herself from saying something even more inane. It was apparent, though, that this would have to be quick. He was supposed to be resting and her being here wasn't conductive to a restful environment.

She hesitates a moment more. Stalling, trying to sort her mind, she honestly doesn't know, before stepping in and letting the door close behind her. It's not far from the door to the chair and side table next to Luke's bed, but at the moment it feels like a mile. Second guessing herself. Her intent. Her sanity for what wasn't the first time. It wouldn't be the last either.

All too soon she's at the table. Has to set the tray down and set the tea to steep- something simple, spicy. One she remembered he enjoyed from their earlier quiet discussions in the teahouse. Pleasanter discussions,

She can't make herself look at him. The lack of warmth, while well deserved, unsettles her. Instead she focuses on the tea.]

...I. I wish to apologize. But the words seem inadequate.

[As she approaches, Luke can honestly feel her nervousness. For him, watching her approach is bittersweet. She'd said things that...offended him, and were meant to hurt. And to someone with whom he shared a deep understanding with, out of nothing more than simple paranoia. He was willing to forgive, but he also wasn't going to forget.]

Do you? Why is that, Doctor?

[His tone is flat, neutral, not judging, but not inviting. Its not his place to talk, only to listen]

Edited 2012-06-28 21:09 (UTC)

Because I've wronged you.

[She focuses on her hands, moving the teapot over both of their mugs, pouring the proper measure in and setting the tea bags to steep. Breathes in the warmth of it, braces herself.]

And a simple two word phrase, no matter how sincerely spoken will not and cannot make it better. It will not undo what was said. It will not change the fact that I breached your trust in a way that is beyond recompense.

...I am sorry all the same. What I said, how I behaved. You didn't deserve it- neither of you deserved it. Master Sunrider is as much a victim of circumstance as you are; while I do not understand your situation, while it leaves me unsettled because I cannot rationalize it-

It's not mine to understand or rationalize. It's not my place to know, or speak on this.

No, it isn't your place. Grandmaster Sunrider is a legend in the Galaxy, and a symbol of hope from a time long ago. What you've done and said, it was needlessly harsh, and disrespectful.

[Luke sighs heavily, not really knowing what to think.]

She is not me, I'll grant you that. But that doesn't make her any less worthy of your respect. And your trust. The fact of the matter is this. Nomi Sunrider has done nothing wrong. She was instrumental in defending the village these last few days, she saved my life during the last experiment, and has offered aid to the people of Luceti. She doesn't deserve your ire, and I find it shocking that you would react that way.

Too tell the truth, I'm not even sure what happened on the beach was said by the same woman I've come to know.

Edited 2012-06-28 22:02 (UTC)

[Respect and trust are earned, but. She's shown a wonderful example of how well that works now, hasn't she? Trust and respect levied at the mention of but a name rubs her the wrong way. It always has- she judges people on their own merit as best she can. Though it is more than obvious her reaction, her judgement here was made poorly.

The tea's finished steeping. She pulls the bags from their mugs and offers Luke his, eyes still more or less everywhere but his.]

It was. There is nothing I can say, no explanation I can give that would warrant or justify my behavior.

[Luke understands that line of thinking as well, but for him the reality of the situation isn't quite the same. The Galaxy is filled with heroes, legends, and things that someone like Adele just wouldn't understand. She's from a world where most heroes are stories. To Luke, that's not the same. Master Baas, Master Yoda, Master Sunrider, The Qel-Droma Brothers, even men like Han Solo. They were all real, more than just stories. And one of them was caught up in the madness of the Malnosso the same as him. He had the distinct impression from before that were Han to appear in Luceti before her, she'd treat him quite differently than she had Nomi. Based solely on his reputation.]

Was it fear, perhaps?

Edited 2012-06-28 22:23 (UTC)

...possessions are fictional or bullshit. In my world, at least. They simply do not exist. Here, of course that means nothing. Another personality brought on by a disorder, I could understand but. An entirely separate soul sharing a mind and body with someone I know...

[She shakes her head and sips her tea.]

It sets me on edge, because I cannot understand it. And then she acted in a way I know now was not made with ill intent, but rather to make me more comfortable. It's no fault of hers it had the opposite effect.

...The Malnosso can change so much of us, Lu-. [A beat. A sigh.]...Master Skywalker. Our memories, our emotions, or physical forms. Even thus changed, however, my mind is my own. I know you. I trust you and Ben to speak to me in such a way because I know you. I do not know Grandmaster Sunrider.

And that, Adele, is the unfortunate truth. Your open hostility towards the unexpected and the unknown isn't healthy. That leads to fear, and fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering. You should know by now where that leads. The Malnosso are not to blame here, I fear. No. This isn't something lingering from them, this is a part of who you are. It's something you are going to need to conquer.

[He sits up, propping himself up on his elbows before picking up a tea cup and taking a long sip.]

Grandmaster Sunrider was...[a sigh of his own]...is a hero and a shining example of the good that the Force can do. She's stronger with the Light Side than Master Yoda, Master Kenobi, and myself combined. She is considered a living avatar of the Force. That alone should speak volumes in her favor. I believe Levarre knew of this, and I'm certain you and I have had that discussion.

[She bites down on the first thing that comes to mind to say. That she should just open her mind to anyone that has the power to read it simply because of their association with one side over another. That Light does not always mean good- but she knows too little of the force, and knows better now to take care in what she says. What she thinks.

Once was more than enough.]

...for the better part of the decade the unknown. Things and individuals of which I am not certain- they could have seen me killed. Did, in fact see me killed.

[Not that her wariness, her fear, her attempts to protect herself did anything to prevent any of it. It delayed some things but. It didn't save her.]

I am. Trying to teach myself a better way. I become fearful, I lash out at those that do not deserve it, at you.

[She looks over at him now, eyes tired. Darkened by a terrible sadness.]

You who have been nothing but kind to me, at Grandmaster Sunrider who has been nothing but benevolent to the village. Even Lupin, earlier, who only wanted peace of mind before I left. [Lupin who has yet to return.] I am, undoubtedly, in the wrong. And I've no idea how to make reparations for what I have said.

This...was comforting to hear. He did want to help her, truly, honestly. That she was sorry, and that she knew what she had done was...wrong, that was enough for Luke. In the back of his mind, the Jedi Grandmaster nodded silently.

"Luke, I can feel what you are thinking, and you're right. This woman doesn't understand the forces with which she is dealing. It wasn't correct of me to do as I did, but her reaction. That troubles me. It speaks of an underlying current of fear, anger, and aggression. You should be helping her."

The soothing, matriarchal voice flooded Luke's subconscious, a reminder of his guest's great patience. Luke in turn looked at Adele and nodded slowly.

"Adele, I forgive you. She forgives you. Your apology is accepted."

She drops her eyes back down to her tea after that. Remy had spoiled her for apologies, she knows this. He'd shrug most anything off. Keep an eye on her anyway. Bear it all in stride; and it was easy. Because he never had to be there all the time. That she's locked, here, with people far better than she is only makes her feel worse. There's no real opportunity for them to leave, for her to ride out the worst of her downward swings on her own. To not subject people to her more vicious side.

Honestly, she isn't expecting anything other than a polite dismissal. Forgiveness startles her because, truly it cannot be this simple. This easy. She's wronged him, it has to take more than words and intent.

It doesn't make sense otherwise.

Then again, Luke is a far better person than she is.

"I. Erm." Do you thank someone for accepting an apology? She looks up, uncertain how to respond with anything other than relief and gratitude.

This time Luke raises a hand, asking for her silence. His eyes meet hers, stern and icy. He forgives her, but he's not going to forget this. That needs to be plain.

"Adele, I forgive you. But I have a condition, as does the Grandmaster. From the time that Ami sees fit to release me from the clinic, barring shifts and other extreme incidents, you and I will work daily on mental training. You are a good woman, with a strong will and a stout heart, but you have issues. Anger, fear, paranoia. We need to address this, to prevent another incident like this."

Edited 2012-06-29 02:01 (UTC)

"..."

Conditions- that sounds far more reasonable than just blanket forgiveness. Nothing is fixed easily once broken, especially trust. Working with him to change this would be for the best. Especially since it felt as though, for some time, she'd been settled. Centered. At ease with herself.

Of course now she knows that was just the lingering echos of Levarre. The more she locked those memories away, the more she fell into old, awful habits. She'd attempted training before then, with Ben but. It hadn't gone well. Chun-Li had helped her learn to center herself through sheer force of will. And terror. And respect.

The niggling voice in the back of her mind commenting on how she isn't at all a good woman is ignored. That is how Luke sees her, even after this. She's grateful for it.

"That...would be for the best. We have seen how well I have managed on my own."

"Good. I will let you know when Ami lets me go. It shouldn't be too long I hope. Its difficult sitting still when there's so much work to be done"

Luke smiles now, a warm familiarity returning to his worn face. He's tired, but really glad that this particular bit of stress is resolved. Its not much different than Kyp, except for Adele's biting wit, really...

"That depends entirely upon your level of exhaustion and how long it is you have been resting. It may yet be a day or two. Perhaps as many as three."

It slips out, easy and automatic because it's the physician speaking rather than her. She's not certain if it's welcome, but. They're better than they were before. She shouldn't worry about it. Adele takes a moment to finish her tea and offer Luke a tentative smile.

"And on that note I should leave you so you might sleep."

"Adele, I want you to remember something. Think about it over the next few days. I'd like you to ponder the meaning of the phrase 'There is no emotion, only peace.' Please keep it in mind, we will discuss it further."

With that calm, quiet bit of insight, Luke lies back down and settles himself in. He wasn't terribly happy to be cooped up, but Ami had insisted, and Adele was quite correct.

"...only peace. I shall think on it until you are rested enough to be released." It's an odd thought. One she's aware of. One that Ben commented on before but it still seems too close to apathy for her comfort. Then again-

She'll mull it over after she's gone. The teapot is left with Luke in case he wants more after he's slept longer. She ducks out of the room without another word. It went a good deal better than she'd hoped, really.

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