More Than Medicine

[Firen]

Jedha Temple​

Firen had been left at the Temple on Jedha to train with others while his Master was away. It was nice to be off of her ship for a while, even if Jedha was a little warm for his tastes.

Today, he was meeting with a familiar Jedi. He had met her on a couple of occasions and he was excited to learn from her. With the Jedi's numbers so small, healers were very important. There were not many, and Nikka was one of the Order's most experienced.

He had read about Jedi being able to use the Force to heal all sorts of sickness and injuries. It was not the combat skills he had been so desperately eager to learn, but Firen saw the importance of this. As he progressed in his training, he had begun to see that it was often a Jedi's skills outside of combat that defined them.

The small Kushiban Padawan entered the Jedi Healing Hall. There were some Jedi being treated, as well as those who lived in the city outside. He made his way through the large hall, looking for Nikka.

 

[Nikka Toren]

Nikka Toren was finally in her element.

After spending months in the galaxy, listening to manuals in her spare time and meditating between healing sessions. There was only so much she could do at one time; it was exhausting work, but the Force was willing to provide what it could to ease the pain and suffering of others. Unfortunately, that pain was not always caused by physical sources; some were deep and emotional.

Those were always the most difficult to See.

She was not anticipating visitors on her behalf; it was always for those recuperating here, what few of their numbers there were. She had tucked herself away in one private booth, Force willing to rest weary bones a moment and to catch her breath. Between all the personal events she had happened, along with Hoth and the Memorial... Nikka Toren was a woman who wanted to lose herself in the monotony of hard, earnest work.

It was almost like an atonement for what little she could do at this moment. She almost didn't notice the presence of a new person within her Sight. She was taking a deep breath in; one of their members seemed to have sustained serious torso wounds, which were always the most difficult to heal...

She took a deep breath, and slowly sat upright. There was no luxury for rest; only work.

@Raydo

 

[Firen]

He asked a couple of people where the Jedi Knight was and they pointed further down the hall before turning back to their work. It was obvious they were short staffed, he wondered if it was always like this.

His feet padded silently down the floor before finally being pointed to one of the private rooms. He made his way there, seeing the woman sitting down for a moment. Uhh...Master Toren?" he asked timidly, not wanting to disturb her but he had been sent to find her for training. He assumed she had been informed of this.. He bowed respectfully before speaking again "I was told to report to you today to help here if I can." he said.

He turned around at the sound of the groaning man. He writhed on the cart as they wheeled him in place, in obvious pain. Even with Firen's more inexperienced perception of the Force, he could feel the man's agony. He was unsure what to do, he looked back towards the Jedi Knight. He was certain she would just send him away. It was obvious she had more important matters to attend to than his training.

Firen shifted uncomfortably as the man let out another howl of pain behind him. It sent tingles down his back as he felt the Force surge in the area.

 

[Nikka Toren]

She hadn't expected to be called Master anything... but perhaps it was fitting to her duty. She turned her head, giving a blank expression to the Kushiban Padawan. For a few brief moments, the Knight seemed slightly at odds with the thought that there was someone here to help. Sure, there were actual medical staff, but they were in another location altogether... she had to remember to ask them for another batch of patch kolto...

Suddenly, she recalled, exhaling with a grin. "Yes, of course Firen. It's good to sense you again; you've had good timing." The man whimpered next to her, and she shushed gently, passing a hand over his forehead. He was human... young. The pain of it pulsed along the lines of the Force, sending goosebumps up her arms as she nodded patiently. "The Force has been prodigal, you would be a tremendous help actually."

She tilted her head towards the smaller being once more, giving a faint smile. "I'm sorry... I completely forgot. But now that you're here, an extra set of hands would be welcome... and a set of eyes," she remarked wryly, chuckling. She carefully wheeled a stool beside the bed with one foot and patted it. Though she could feel herself want to sway to sleep on her feet, she had made a promise to help earlier. She just didn't know how much help she could be.

There weren't many healers... perhaps he could learn and ease some of the burden that had been pressing on her since the last they met.

She tilted her head in his direction. "Tell me, Firen.. where do you see wounds?" Though the bleeding was stemmed, she would wait until he spoke.

Yet even without eyes, she could feel the cry of abused flesh. One more, perhaps, and then she would take a break...

@Raydo

 

[Firen]

She gave him a blank look, and he knew that was just due to her different way of seeing the world, but he still shifted uncomfortably as she studied him. Seeming to break free from her train of thought she finally addressed him. He was shocked when she didn't send him away. He hoped he wouldn't get in the way, but wouldn't waste time arguing with her. He had come to learn and hopefully help.

She moved the bedside of the yelling man. He couldn't see the top of the bed due to his height. He hated how short he was. She finally pulled a stool up and he grunted as he climbed to stand on top of it. This was much better. He looked over the man before noting how she studied the injured man before looking back up at him.

He wasn't expecting the next question, even though it would be a logical first step in treating anyone. To be honest, he had expected to maybe see some minor injuries and mostly hear a lecture, not be thrown into the deep end. Even with her here, he felt overwhelmed.

"Uhh.." he stammered before finding his words. "There is a large wound on his stomach and a couple of smaller ones on his side. he said scanning the body. "There are also a good amount of scrapes and bruises on his shoulders and chest." he added. He wasn't sure what was important to her and what wasn't so he listed everything he saw to be certain.

There is not a lot of bleeding but the wound on his stomach is pretty big and deep." he said as the man squirmed in pain again. What can I do?" he asked looking back up to the Jedi. Luckily the man had seemed to blackout somewhat from the pain, only occasionally whimpering now.

@Killa Ree

 

[Nikka Toren]

She lightly patted his small shoulder, knowing that perhaps seeing something this horrific was hardly a good first step... but she had no real choice in the matter. She could sense that it was perhaps a bit too much, so she deliberately kept her voice gentle, and her movements careful. Even with her training, terrible wounds were horrific to her Sight. The Force pooled in her palms and within, she could feel it answer in their patient as well as the young Padawan beside her.

"Excellent. Just as I thought..."

She held her hands over the man's torso, but paused. Took a deep breath in.

To his vision, her palms seemed to glow a gentle blue over the wound. She could feel her awareness of torn flesh and lost blood trickling in. At first, the young man's body was still, but then the wounds began to softly glow in response to her hands, the flow of the Force gentle, soothing. The deepest wound first began to knit itself together slowly, the pain that trembled in the Force seeming to ease.

She swayed slightly on her feet when it had mostly closed to a smooth, shiny pink scar; the rest could be managed later. His smaller wounds were not deep, thankfully, and would take less time. But she didn't have the luxury of being able to heal and heal nonstop; such tasks that sped up nature's healing took a serious toll, and this one especially was difficult. She was careful to apply kolto bandages, then tugged the sheet that was at the young man's feet over him, careful with Firen not to stumble into him.

She gave the Padawan a weary smile, stepping back to smooth the sheet down, then tilted her head. "You came at the right time; I'm sorry you had to wait, however. I had forgotten I was told you were coming by.. my apologies, or I would have dressed better." She sighed, running her fingers through the loosened braid.

"But... I will take a break. How can I help you, my friend?" She began stepping, pausing long enough to allow the younger Padawan to keep stride with her; she knew she should probably rest, but she couldn't. Not yet, at least.

@Raydo

 

[Firen]

A smile tugged at the sides of his mouth as she approved. She patted him on the shoulder, most people, even his master, usually patted him on the head. He hated that. It was a small thing, but it meant a good bit to the Padawan.

He watched on as her hands began to glow with the energy of the Force. Firen could feel the warmth pulsing into the man until she removed her hand sometime later, revealing the wound had closed itself. Firen's eyes were wide in wonderment. He knew the Jedi could heal wounds such as this, but he had no idea it was to this extent.

He studied as she applied bandages to the wound, helping wherever she would let him. She rocked slightly on her feet, appearing tired as the Padawan looked up at her. When she stepped back from the bed, the man was resting comfortably. He jumped down from his chair as she turned to leave. He snickered slightly at her comment about dressing better. No! Thank you for letting me watch! That was so cool! he said excitedly as he walked quickly to keep up with the longer legged Jedi.

"Are you sure? I mean...You look kind of tired. I don't want to waste your time or nothin'?" he said reaching a hand up to sheepishly scratch behind one ear. "Can you teach me to do that thing you did, you know, with your hand." he said holding out his hands in front of him making energy sounds.

 

[Nikka Toren]

The weary smile tugged back at his enthusiasm, a soft chuckle slipping past her lips at his enthusiasm and open delight. Typically, not many of the Order, or training to be, were so... excitable was perhaps the term? Then again, he could be quite young... what did she know of his species' aging and physiology? She made a mental note to study later... such knowledge wouldn't be too terrible to obtain, surely.

She made sure to adjust to his pace; not too difficult, considering she felt full of sand and it was a task to keep her usual straight poise and careful steps. She nodded to Firen's question. "You couldn't waste my time, even if you tried. I should have stopped hours ago... but the Force calls, and I always answer."

Suddenly, his last words registered, and a sudden well of joy nearly shocked her out of her own lethargy. Another healer in their midst, this was a promising day indeed! She had hoped to teach all her Padawans her ways, but they all had their own interests and desires. They all had their own ways and paths to follow, much like her own former Clanmates. It was only some years ago... but it felt like ages. Another woman stood on those banks of Rishi, nothing like the Jedi Knight that stepped along with a Kushiban Padawan eager to learn. Perhaps as eager as she once was...

She smiled wider at his interpretation, nodding once. "I'd be delighted, but it's not a simple skill to learn." Finally, they made it out of the healing hall; the gardens would be best, even in the hotter days it was a pleasant, soothing place. Some of these concepts were best taught hands-on, but she knew some concepts had to be taught, then applied first. Not too long ago, Ashlyna came across the Knight when she was meditating. That, too, was some time since.

"You will see terrible things; blood and wounds are not the only thing, but mental attacks, illnesses. Would you still be interested, my friend?" she asked this kindly, with no condescension. She knew his size, and perhaps, from what she had been told before, his appearance, but this would work to his advantage.

But first... to heal.
@Raydo

 

[Firen]

He was relieved when she said he wasn't wasting her time. He half expected her to send her away; he was eager, which made him feel a little guilty. He wanted to learn, but she did not tired. He was worried for the woman as they made their way out of healing hall. She walked like she was carrying a hundred-pound weight. He wanted to say something, even opened his mouth, but she was the Knight. She knew better than him, right? For now, he chose to follow silently.

"I am ready to work as hard as it takes!" he said enthusiastically a second later. The walked out into the garden. He wasn't sure what they were doing out here, the sick people were inside. His twisted into a somewhat confused look.

He forced his attention back to her when she spoke up again. Before he would have spoken without thinking, but now he took the time to actually think on her words. He had already seen terrible things. He had been in the Order long enough to see the toll the Galaxy took on the Jedi, and before that, he saw the effects of war on the Alliance. He had seen people die, others hurt, and almost everyone changed.

He finally looked up to her and nodded slightly "I am" he spoke quietly. "Where do we start?" he asked.

 

[Nikka Toren]

She knew much troubled Firen. Being so sensitive to others meant another sense altogether; and since her experience was both with physical and emotional trauma, emotions were not that far away from being easily felt. She knew it was slightly irrational to keep going, despite being so exhausted, but she couldn't help it. She had to keep going, to slow down meant surrendering to the thoughts that she could have been more useful on Hoth. There was no guilt... but there was a pressing need to heal the hurt that followed on the heels of that destruction.

She smiled, relieved to be outdoors for once, content to breathe in fresh air and relax her poised posture for just a moment. They had both changed much since first meeting; she was somewhat surprised, he had been a downright chatterbox before. Not that she minded, it was a relief to not always be talking.

"Right."

She had to drag herself out of maudlin thoughts, they didn't help her focus and she had to help him as much as she could. "We start here... though I'm sure most people would simply toss you into the infirmary, I know that's not always the easiest way to learn." She smiled wryly, finding a low, flat rock to sit upon, crossing her legs and putting her palms upon her knees. "And Knights are notorious for lecture. I won't lecture you for long," she chuckled, opening her palms. "But... I will ask, what did you feel, when that young man was in pain? What did you sense?"

@Raydo

 

[Firen]

He climbed on a rock beside hers, feet out in front of him as she settled herself. The Jedi were always short handed, so must learning was done through doing. Firen like that way of learning. He wasn't that great at this part.

He let out a snicker as she made a comment about lecturing. "You guys are pretty good at it." he said with a giggle.

Firen then let himself focus as asked a serious question. Before he would have blurted out whatever answer came to his mind but now he pondered, thought about what he felt. "I was scared, afraid he wouldn't be alright." he admitted. Forever putting on a brave face, it was no small task for Firen to admit such a thing. People, Jedi included, often underestimated him. He combated this by wearing a sort of forced bravado that said he could do anything and was afraid of nothing, but in reality, he was afraid of letting people down constantly.

Not letting himself get caught up in those thoughts he continued "But there was more. I could feel a..." he trailed off trying to think of the right word. His whiskers twitched slightly as he tried to put a finger on what he had felt "Pressure? In the Force I mean. It was like waves slamming against my mind."

"Is that right?" he asked sheepishly, even though it was likely a question with no exact right answer.

@Killa Ree

 

[Nikka Toren]

Truth be told... if she remained upright for much longer, she would have collapsed to her knees. Though the young Padawan seemed to have a good head on his shoulders, it would hardly do her any good to crush him by collapsing! She chuckled, though, when at least he found her mild self-depreciation humorous; it seemed to dispel some of the serious atmosphere, which did well for her soul. "We are.." she commented with wry amusement, arching a brow. "Wisdom... or the sense that we have something to give. It can be deadly to the helpless soul willing to listen."

Amusement soon chased out by his comment; she nodded slowly, encouraging him. So young, uncertain. She had no doubt he had seen pain, and things that paled beyond most imaginings. He still had much to learn... but perhaps she had a few words of wisdom to offer. Before...

What?

Before it was too late?

"I was not afraid... but I trusted in the Force," she commented quietly, tilting her face towards the light of the star above them with a sigh. "Either to heal him, or relieve him of his pain... unfortunately, there is not much I can heal for someone who is near death. Not without much help."

She nodded again, face tilting towards his direction when he was trying to describe what he sensed, a smile ticking the corners of her lips. "There is no right or wrong answer, Firen, but you felt it. That's a good step; not all wounds are physical, you know." She lightly closed her palms together in her lap, taking a deep breath. "Some are mental, emotional; deep wounds and scars from traumas, terrors, things beyond most help... we help them, but our minds will feel that pressure, that cry out."

She tilted her head. "It's like therapy; you'll never be your old self, but you will be stronger. Am I making sense, or rambling?" She had to stop and make sure; she had known her Master to go on and on and on... she had to make sure she wasn't.

@Raydo

 

[Firen]

He felt a little ashamed. Was he a coward? He had been afraid though. He knew he should trust in the Force, but it was hard to do in the moment. He looked away from the Jedi Knight, averting his eyes by habit.

He listened as she explained the different types of wounds a person carried with them. Some of them were like the ones he had just seen back there, they were obvious, but the emotional wounds? "How do you know if someone is alright on the inside though?" he asked innocently. He could tell his master was sad sometimes when she talked about her own master who had disappeared.

He was quiet for a long moment. He was usually pretty confident but he wasn't sure he could do this. "How did start with this stuff?" he asked. Maybe if he knew how she had started it would help him. He wanted to help, but he wasn't sure he could do all of this.

 

[Nikka Toren]

She paused for a moment, thinking it over. To know someone was not doing well on the inside... perhaps, for a sighted person, it was difficult to process. It was a hard thing to understand... but she would explain the best way she knew how.

"Some of those who come to the infirmary come because they feel pain. They feel it in their hearts..." she tapped over her chest lightly. "And in their minds. As a healer, you must trust your instincts to tell you about this pain. Not everyone will allow you to touch it, though; some wounds are never allowed to be healed. A person in pain is a strange thing." Her tone was thoughtful.

She smiled at his next question. It had to be overwhelming... it was like learning how to build a droid with only a fusioncutter and some elbow grease.

"I started with my own Padawan training," she spoke softly, palms over her knees. "My master gave it to me the difficult way, of course." She chuckled, extending one palm out. "He sliced his hand open, and instructed me to focus. To imagine it as being healed with light... to focus with your energy and follow where that pain is. For if you trust the Force, it rewards."

She gave him a more sardonic smile, closing her hand. "But you must learn to trust your abilities, my friend. You're much more adept than you give yourself credit for."

@Raydo