Ask Ajan Kloss Can't Rain All The Time

[Maxims Tionson]

Max felt relief as the source of the curse was removed so it wouldn't be able to spread any further. The crystal made small echoing sounds as it rolled away, somehow both tiny and beyond it's own true weight. There was too much within the crystal for it to be as light as it once had been and sometimes the metaphysical crossed over and acted as though it were physical. It was not something that was seen often but it was something that was happening right now regardless.

He let out a slow breath as he looked down at his left hand. The withering curse had spread up from his palm, completely taking over the fingers on his left hand. His forearm showed signs of the same up to his elbow but it didn't seem to have spread any further than that.

Yeah... they were fine...

Standing was a chore even with someone helping him up but together they managed it. When it came to walking? Well Max hadn't ever thought of putting one foot in front of the other as taxing but he was being proven wrong. It was exhausting and he was already exhausted, the tank long since having run dry of fuel at this point. He felt like he hadn't eaten in an age, physically, and his connection to the Force felt strange.

It wasn't gone and it wasn't reduced - his connection would always be there so long as he was alive - but it felt like the waters of the Lake were sluggish. Still there but he wasn't quite able to reach it as well as he would like. So they stepped, one foot in front of the other, out of the ruin of the Temple and with every step Max felt less like he needed to tell himself that he was fine - because with each step he felt it more and more.

"One of these days Alex... you and I are going to have a nice time... where nothing and nobody tries to kill us..." he breathed out between breaths with a laugh, frail but honest, "Won't that be boring?"

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Ignorance was occasionally bliss. Alex’s exhaustion made it easy to breeze past Max’s altered connection to the Force. She did not even notice. That was for the best. She had far too many other things clouding her mind. Mostly, trying to drag their weakening bodies from the Temple. Alex had her hands full with just walking. Adding Max to the mix was only making it that much harder. He had given so much to save the Temple. She would not fail him. So, Alex put one foot before the other until they were nearing the edge of the Temple again. She made a mental note to immediately alert the Council to the corrupted crystal. They would need to do something with that.

Despite everything, she did laugh when Max’s tired voice broke her reprieve. A full hearty laugh. “I would never want that.” A natural smile spread across her face. “What would we talk about…you’re running out of limbs for me to ogle at.” Her eyes briefly flicked to the withered arm. He would be fine. She would make sure of it. The next few moments passed in silence as they finally neared her ship. There was not a kriffing chance she would let the Jedi Master fly home on his own. “We’ll send someone back for the ship and I’ll report to the Council.” A shudder passed through her. What a terribly unfun experience that would be. “I will take of everything. Just stay awake until we get back to the Yavin IV.” Alex’s eyes swept over Max again. Oh, he was making her nervous. Her voice became serious for a moment.

“Thank you…I never could have made it out alone…I think I finally understand what the Force wants from me.” She sighed softly. “And it does not involve hiding on backwater worlds.” Alex had made her choice.

@Nefieslab

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