Ask Post-Crisis: Doctor's Choice

Dr Ilana Morata

Character
Independent
Rank
MorataCorp CEO

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Killa Ree
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
991
Reaction score
336
She could feel her mind and body being weighted down by the siren lure of sleep, and yet out of sheer will, determination, she had to remain awake. There was still a small, stubborn part of her that refused to sleep for the risk of a threat still looming at large in the galaxy that still waited to be dealt with. An inability to surrender that vigilance. A want to be closer, nonetheless, compounded with when he rested his head atop hers.

Unselfconsciously, the hand not immobilized lightly brushed her thumb over his own hand once more. At his words, her eyes fluttered open once more, gazing at his features, then sighing.
"But I can't wait to tell you..." she murmured throatily, lids beginning to grow heavier. The pain began to diminish, as had her ability to protest.

"I'll stay as well. For however long you want me," she vowed softly, feeling herself slip into the sweet oblivion of sleep. A few last words, however, were mumbled out as the Doctor surrendered the last few threads of her resistance.

"Wake me in two hours, cowboy..." she muttered, before nodding to sleep.

At the door, however, there were a trio of knocks as the other person waited permission to step into the room.


@TerranSteel
 

Corran Velt

Character
Rank
Lieutenant

Character Profile
Link
OOC
TerranSteel
Joined
Jan 7, 2020
Messages
800
Reaction score
373
As Ilana drifted off to sleep, Corran gave her a gentle nuzzle of his cheek to send her on her way into a napping slumber. "Two hours. Promise," he assured her, though he was likely making an oath to himself as the wintery woman was asleep already. With nothing but his thoughts and an empty room to himself, the recovering Sector Ranger could only think of the girl next to him. She'd stay for as long as he wanted her to. Quite the promise, considering he wanted her to stay forever. Awhile ago, that would have been impossible for the young man to admit to himself. His solely visible blue eye glanced down at the exhausted person who slept nearby, only seeing the top of her white hair. She had done so much. Cared for his wounds, fostered his career, encouraged his goals, shared his battles, and most of all, trusted him. Despite the ferocious danger of Coruscant and the ruthless enemies they both faced, Ilana had stood guard over his hospital bed and now she slept under his care. They relied on one another in their most vulnerable. That meant something.

But there was that other thing she said before. What did she want to say?

Three steady knocks on the door signaled someone wanted to politely enter. Given it was a medical facility, the staff would have entered on their own volition anyway after enough time at the door. Corran decided it best to not keep them waiting, "Enter, please." His voice was firm, but still sounded like it had been camping in the Dune Sea without water for two days. In came a nurse, who seemed startled to see the wounded man still awake and the Arkanian woman asleep at his side. In her hand was a datapad, which she quickly tapped on to pull up information. Odd that they had come here unprepared without his files pulled up. "Ranger Velt? How are you feeling?" She chimed in that polite, customer-service way. The blond youth rubbed his throat weakly with his left hand. "Alive. Not a lot of feeling, ma'am." Even in his fatigued state, he couldn't not show due respect.

The medical attendant glanced down at the datapad in her hands. "That would make sense. Your blood samples came back with some troubling results. It seems you were in contact with a dangerous combination of rare paralyzing toxins from species across the galaxy." Her brow furrowed. "Along with some... chemical signatures we can't identify. It coated the sword that was brought in with it." So it was artificial then. Cooked up in some Sith madness and used on people. Corran wondered if the bladed Sith woman was the only one who knew how to use it or if it was common knowledge among their cult. He wasn't sure how they shared information between cells. Regardless, he would have to assume the toxin would be used again. Maybe heavier armor or a helmet would...

"Your pain-receptors and nerve-endings were quite overwhelmed. You'll feel ghost-pains and lack of feeling for awhile, but should recover in a week or two," the nurse interrupted, "Good news is that it was non-lethal. Doctors believe you will make a full recovery." She nodded to the bandages on his face. "We'll come to check on that physical injury later and swap bandages." Corran nodded his head gently in gratitude, "Thank you. I appreciate it."

Strangely, the medical attendant didn't turn to leave. She tapped a few times on her datapad and kept glancing over the top of it at Ilana and then Corran. Finally after clearly debating something in her head, the nurse directed her attention to the sleeping Arkanian. "When she awakes, can you tell her that her conditions are... normal. And to come see me at the floor office." Corran agreed with a nod again. It was easier to do that than speak. Soon the nurse departed and he was alone again. Not alone in the way he had been in the darkness. The void between living and dead. He was awake and Ilana was by his side. Healthy, by what the medical staff said. Though the arm troubled him. Best not worry about it for now. Instead, he enjoyed simply being awake. Only the sun filtering through the blinds and the steady breathing of the woman he cared for beside him for comfort. It was all he needed.

@Killa Ree
 
Last edited:

Dr Ilana Morata

Character
Independent
Rank
MorataCorp CEO

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Killa Ree
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
991
Reaction score
336
Just like it always was when sleeping with Corran, hers was a deep and dreamless sleep, but there was a thin skimming of awareness still. Of movement, of warmth... yet there was something else about this. Something that pressed beyond the edge of the pain, that she could sense. It was a presence entirely new.

When she woke again, he was still there. She could still feel him in the narrow hospital bed, still hear the rhythmic beeping of his heart monitor. Her thoughts were muddled, vague, but slowly pieces came together. She was warm, he had his cheek pressed against the top of her head and still holding her hand.

But her body ached to move, especially after sleeping in such an awkward position. Amber eyes began blinking the haze away, until the room came into focus... and then she slowly tilted her head up to look up at him, a faint smile touching her lips.


"Did I miss anything?"

@TerranSteel
 

Corran Velt

Character
Rank
Lieutenant

Character Profile
Link
OOC
TerranSteel
Joined
Jan 7, 2020
Messages
800
Reaction score
373
Two hours had passed uneventfully and yet Corran had considered them the most exciting thing he had experienced since falling unconscious at Sector Ranger HQ. Light shining through the blinds and sluggishly moving with the passage of time. Random staff and patients passing by. Inaudible conversations in the distance along with the occasional speaker-system alert. Compared to the void he had endured, it was nearly overwhelming to his senses. On top of it all, though, he could feel again. Feel the calm breathing of the woman next to him. Her soft hand in his own. Even the grogginess began to depart, as if the mere act of being awake convinced his mind and body that life was worth living. So idleness passed in bliss until golden eyes fluttered open, a woman shared a secret smile with him, and sought an update.

"A nurse came by," the wounded ranger replied dutifully, "She said much of the same of what you told me. A toxin coated the sword that cut my face. Something both biological and artificial. I should make a full recovery once it works its way out of my system." Compared to the short, staggered sentences earlier, the young man's speaking ability was practically astonishing. "Someone gave me some general-purpose anti-toxin in the field. Likely helped my recovery. I owe a big favor to whatever cute person did that." Corran's left hand reached over and tapped Ilana's nose with a single finger. That boyish smirk appeared for the first time since Starfall. It was undeniable now. He was returning back to his normal self. "My face wound will be checked on later, they said, but it doesn't hurt all that much anymore," the blond youth concluded.

He slouched back a bit, as if settling back from his report. A beat or two ticked by. Then he sat up again, recalling something else. "Oh yeah, the attendant nurse also said your conditions were normal. She wanted to speak with you at the floor office on this level." Corran didn't think anything of it. Ilana had suffered an injury all her own against the Sith. It is only normal that medical care for that wounded arm be followed-up on by the hospital staff. "I hope you aren't in too much pain. Do you believe you're healing well?" Sincerity laced the young man's voice and his eye expressed a caring concern.

@Killa Ree
 

Dr Ilana Morata

Character
Independent
Rank
MorataCorp CEO

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Killa Ree
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
991
Reaction score
336
He sounded and looked so much better, the tension she had held for the last few days easing from her shoulders the more he spoke. It seemed like he was recovering swiftly; she had hope the pair of them would be out sooner rather than later. But it left a large hole in the future; a looming 'what next?' that pressed into her thoughts. There was the future... but there was so much more to it than that.

Again, a niggling feeling in the back of her mind persisted. Listening and nodding along, she paused when he mentioned something odd. Conditions, like there was more than one. White brows dented, as thoughts began to filter through her brain. Sluggish, slow, as she blinked back to mental clarity. She didn't even recall his question... however.

Amber eyes widened in surprise. She sucked in a breath, suddenly lurching upright, lips parted in surprise.
"You're sure... she said conditions?" she rasped quietly, glancing back towards his face. Having released his hand, it now moved over her midsection, but if she could look any paler, she would have. If she could recall her dates...

She waited to hear him confirm or deny, feeling her hand tremble as she did. If it meant what she thought it did...

Would he ever forgive her this slip-up? A pit of dread pooled in her stomach, and she had to will herself to slow her heart, her breathing as every instinct screamed to run out right away and find that nurse. If he reported correctly what she said in the first place.


@TerranSteel
 

Corran Velt

Character
Rank
Lieutenant

Character Profile
Link
OOC
TerranSteel
Joined
Jan 7, 2020
Messages
800
Reaction score
373
Everything seemed fine at first. His strength was returning and energy began to swim through his veins again. Ilana had awoken and generally seemed more at ease after being updated. But then something began to seem off. Even though Corran had asked her a question, the Arkanian doctor seemed like she was on another world entirely. Like he wasn't there. Eyebrows dented, eyes staring off into the mid-distance, and unresponsive. Without warning, she jolted up straight so quickly that the young man released his grip on her hand and leaned away, afraid to collide unintentionally. Even after she asked a question of her own, a single blue eye scanned her whole person apprehensively. What had startled the usually placid woman so?

He spoke slowly, drawing out each word as if one misspoken phrase would cause a bomb to explode in the room. "Yeeeah. She said... conditions." What was so wrong about the nurse's report? It seemed very standard and thorough. He got some answers of his own and if Ilana was in good health, everything should be just fine. The wintery woman herself looked more startled that ever before. Very few things ruffled her, he found, so what could cause such a reaction? Corran's gaze settled on her bandaged arm again. Perhaps the trained doctor had discovered something that the hospital staff had missed. Ilana was a brilliant medical practitioner. If something were amiss, he would trust her instinctively.

Concern was overcoming apprehension. The wounded man leaned toward her in equal measure of how much he leaned away. "Ilana, what's wrong?" The visible blue eye now displayed a tender worry. A pain of not knowing. He wasn't educated on physical ailments and with Force-caused injuries, he knew even less. That was enough of a reason to be there for her. So impassive. So unshakeable. These were the descriptors of Doctor Morata. A startled womp rat had similar astonishment as she displayed now. Whatever thought had caused this shift, he prayed there was something to be done. Something he could do.

@Killa Ree
 

Dr Ilana Morata

Character
Independent
Rank
MorataCorp CEO

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Killa Ree
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
991
Reaction score
336
Memories flashed through her mind. Starfall. She couldn't remember for sure if they were careless. If they had somehow messed up, and she swallowed hard. There was something else. A feeling... almost a warmth. Already, there was something else there with them. Between them. His words were heard, but faintly, like they were spoken in another room. When she glanced back at him, she parted her lips as though to speak... but no words came.

Instead, she exhaled shakily.
"I thought it was just stress... but..." she swallowed hard, then amber eyes flicked back to meet one of singular blue. The galaxy had to be mocking her; it couldn't be true. Couldn't happen. Not to her; she didn't deserve this. It was impossible, and yet...

If it was true, would she want him to know? Seeing his face, his emotions... she knew then she couldn't. Her hand took his hand with her unbandaged one.
"I might be..."

The words were so hard to say for herself, even though she had delivered this news so many times to patients. Instead she sighed, then steeled herself. It seemed today was a day of endless surprises for both of them. But if he would want nothing to do with this, if it turned out to not be true or even just a scare, she wouldn't blame him if he walked away from all of it. She would just have to say it, treat it like a bandage and just go for it.


"Pregnant."

@TerranSteel
 

Corran Velt

Character
Rank
Lieutenant

Character Profile
Link
OOC
TerranSteel
Joined
Jan 7, 2020
Messages
800
Reaction score
373
Worry began to rise in Corran like water slowly filling the corridors of a sinking ship. Bubbling and swallowing every crevice. Something was afflicting her and he didn’t know or understand what. She breathlessly said it wasn’t stress; as a medical doctor she would know. Worry began to flood now. It was something more serious. The young man’s chest felt like it was being constricted. What was it? Fatal? Contagious? So many ailments in the universe and some of the worst raced through his thoughts. He tried to brace himself, plan ahead, and expect something he couldn't possibly do anything about. A cold hand warmly grasped his own. The wounded ranger glanced down for a brief second before rising just as quickly to mirror her golden eyes. The pause between words was excruciating, even if it lasted only a breath. What was -

Pregnant.

A Sky blue eye widened as wide as the sky itself. The young man's mouth slowly fell open; a slow expression of his brain ceasing to function. Preg...nant? That word might have well be spoken in a long dead language from a distant galaxy. It seemed so foreign, so alien, so unknowable in this instant. The word pressed further and deeper into his thoughts, forcing itself to register. Pregnant. A spark in his chest. Corran blinked once. Twice. Then quickly fluttered his lashes as if trying to clear debris from his vision. Ilana was there. Pregnant. She would know what the word meant. "Pre... Preg... nant?" He managed to utter, his voice dry and struggling.

Thoughts connected to the tangible world. Pregnant. Ilana. The spark grew to a small flame. Pregnant.... Ilana? He blinked a few more times. Pregnant Ilana. An inferno erupted. Corran's agape jaw twisted into a slowly dawning smile, practically from ear to ear. "Ilana!" He shouted with true glee, "That's wonderful!" The miracle of life was always celebrated in the young man's family. His own mother taught to be overjoyed and cherish such pure goodness in a galaxy that wasn't always so generous. Without much motor control, Corran was forced to express his jubilee with an incredible squeeze of her hand. The grip felt as secure as stun-cuffs but as happy as a child's first Life Day.

That unrestrained glee was suddenly cooled by the arrival of another thought. A natural extension of biology. Wait. How could Ilana be pregnant? Weren't Arkanians infertile? But she wouldn't lie about this. Who was the father? A blond eyebrow shot up and Corran inhaled deeply. "Me?.... ME!?" An exclamation of great energy and excitement. His expression urged for confirmation. Could he be a parent? Could they be parents together? His chest seemed to glow as the internal inferno swelled to conflagration. An indescribable happiness he had never felt before erupted from deep within. As if it was locked away for this very moment. The young man leaned in as close as his aching body allowed, waiting for the final word.

@Killa Ree
 

Dr Ilana Morata

Character
Independent
Rank
MorataCorp CEO

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Killa Ree
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
991
Reaction score
336
She forced herself to be still, waiting for the inevitable other shoe to drop. She could accept his shutting down or her off. But as he sat there staring at her, visible eye wide, she felt herself sinking into a clinical mentality. The father would always react with shock, she noted numbly. It was a normal biological condition. So she forced herself to sit there, waiting for him to shift expressions, which happened slowly at first.

He was... smiling? That alone made her still, breath paused in her chest as she watched his expression change, and just for a moment... there was a small flicker of hope. Why was he...? But at the sudden shout she visibly flinched back, amber eyes wide, lips parted in shock. He was happy?

She could practically feel everything, twinned within her. The pure, unfiltered joy, the excitement... not a reaction to what she expected. So many of them felt trapped, or terrified, even resentful, but he seemed... genuinely excited. Like this was happy news, rather than a hurdle to his ambitions. She felt the squeeze to her hand, and she lightly squeezed back, an assuring, gentle touch. But it was the fact that he seemed astonished, even excited, for the prospect of fatherhood, that made her heart squeeze painfully in her chest.

She didn't deserve him.

At first, she wasn't sure how to react as he leaned in, the air practically humming with energy as he waited, but her thoughts were all jumbled. Rational thought fled, in its' place a fierce need to protect all of this. The child. Him, this small life they could have. But also... a deeper, warmer feeling. A love for something that could be, deeply rooted in her heart and mind. A small thing, tethering the two of them together.

"There hasn't been anyone else..." she whispered hoarsely, not since Pidge, she added mentally, but that was... months ago. So long ago. "So... you. Us." She paused and stared at him, and for the first time since she had woken up... there seemed to be something in the Arkanian's eyes. A measure of something... warm. Hope, joy. As the pieces began to fall into place, there was a want, now. A need to know.

"You're not... upset?" she whispered in a low rasp, disbelief and joy dawning in her expression. A want to believe... this was something she didn't have to live through alone. That she wasn't alone in wanting something like this. She knew she would never part from this child, no matter what. Already, there was room in her heart for this new life.

@TerranSteel
 

Corran Velt

Character
Rank
Lieutenant

Character Profile
Link
OOC
TerranSteel
Joined
Jan 7, 2020
Messages
800
Reaction score
373
Unmoving and only taking shallow breaths in anticipating, the young man hung on every word. He wasn’t really thinking. Every ounce of focus was entirely on Ilana. When she finally muttered the answer – you, us – Corran shouted like his favorite pod racer had won the championship. “YES! YAHOO!” His weaker left arm shot into the air in celebratory jubilation. He was the father. He was going to be a dad. Oh to hold a child of his very own! A family! His family would be getting bigger now! Even with only one unbandaged eye, the blond youth could see something rare in the expectant-mother. Her eyes were as warm as a golden sun in the spring. Relief and joy emanated from them. A look he had seen only once before.

When she asked about his mood, Corran laughed heartily. “Upset? Why would I be upset? This is incredible. We’re having a baby. I’m gonna be a dad. Can you believe it? Me?” He spoke without breathing, like a dam had burst in his throat. “And you. With you. You and a baby. I get both? I can’t ever gamble again. I spent all my luck. Both! Holy stars.” With a deep inhale, the excitable man fell back against the pillow that supported his back. He stared forward no and shook his head slowly. “I’m going to be a dad. Unbelievable.” A left hand absentmindedly came up and pressed against his forehead as a clear gesture of processing surprise. An immediate wince soon followed as the barest touch irritated the healing wound beneath the bandages. That little bit of pain helped bring the space cadet back to ground level. He swiveled his head to smile at the Arkanian beside him once more.

“I don’t even know where to begin, but I’m happy,” Corran said in a more even and clear-headed tone. There were a lot of unknowns. When was the due date? Being of different species, how would that work? Not to mention their own lives. Their existences weren’t as stable and peaceful as many others. That much was more obvious now than it ever would be. A heart-rate monitor beeped nearby and the bandages on his face felt heavier than before. It didn’t matter. They had overcome hurdles before and this would be no different. Above all else, a new oath was forming. Corran wouldn’t mimic his own sire. Jetting off to the stars and getting killed by criminals; never to return. No, he would survive and raise this child. Their child. There would be no abandonment of his duty.

With a contented sigh, the wounded man finally had something to add to their new to-do list. “We’re gonna have to call my mom sometime soon. She’s going to love it.”

@Killa Ree
 

Dr Ilana Morata

Character
Independent
Rank
MorataCorp CEO

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Killa Ree
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
991
Reaction score
336
Hearing him suddenly whoop at even the thought of being a father startled a laugh from her. Not even a faint chuckle, or a huff, but an actual laugh, twinging her shoulders with the sound, so unexpectedly she felt herself light. Not all the galaxy's problems were solved... but for Ilana, it felt like the weight of them had lessened. Whereas before she had suspected she was... she knew for certain. It was a subtle presence, but unmistakable now.

The laugh was gone almost as soon as it appeared, but the smile remained. She didn't think she had ever seen the Ranger so unabashedly happy; seeing his face, the earnestness about his excitement, made her feel that there would be nothing she wouldn't do to keep that happiness. But it was the way he said it. With her. That he was happy to have both of them... she felt a queer ache in her chest and throat, and the realization.

This was what others fought for. Why bonding seemed so important to others... and though she'd always craved something similar, it was an impossible dream, something always out of reach.
"I get to have you, too... both you and our child," she murmured throatily, then gave a warm, gentle smile, feeling her shoulders fall gently with the weight of this revelation, the thought she could have, even for a small span of time, this happiness. A mother. She would finally hold a child of her own... something she never thought she'd craved.

I wonder, little one, if you know you're so loved? If you could know from the beginning...

No matter what happened, between them or the galaxy at large, she now had a personal purpose to pursue her own ambitions. This child would never know how it felt to be a pawn, or to feel unloved. Hearing him speak though, she leaned in, giving a small kiss against his own lips before withdrawing.
"I'm... happy too," she whispered, giving his hand a light squeeze, then leaning back as well.

At the mention of his mother however, she paused, then nodded once, thoughtfully. His mother... her stomach was in knots thinking about it already.
"The hospital might have contacted next of kin at our arrival..." she rasped quietly, but then a thought occurred to her, amber eyes taking on a worried slant. "Would she mind...? Meeting me like this...?"

She could only pray she made a good impression, to whatever would listen. He spoke of his mother so highly, after all... she only hoped to prove a worthy partner for her son in the woman's eyes. Yet... she couldn't deny an edge of fearful doubt sinking in that this unconventiality would not measure up to standard for Matriarch Velt.


@TerranSteel
 

Corran Velt

Character
Rank
Lieutenant

Character Profile
Link
OOC
TerranSteel
Joined
Jan 7, 2020
Messages
800
Reaction score
373
Soft pink glowed from the wounded ranger's cheeks. A kiss from Ilana, especially one he didn't seem coming, always caused blushing of some sort. Her laugh, true laughter, was more heavenly than expected. A rare smile he had seen before but appreciated its value and how few were shared. Ilana, the stoic Arkanian doctor, was happy. She said so herself. Corran couldn't believe his luck in moments like this. Teenagers the galaxy over dreamed of these feelings and especially of women like her. Exhausted, worn down, arm in a medical sling; all that couldn't suppress her natural beauty. She was a full moon on a clear night sky. The blond youth allowed a pleased sigh for a moment.

Corran nodded along thoughtfully as the mother-to-be seemed a little nervous to meet his own mother. He wasn't too worried about it. "I don't think she'd judge you in the slightest. Perhaps better to be dressed as you are now than in some golden dre-" The words cut off abruptly, as if they were executed by beheading suddenly. The sole visible eye went wide with realization. She said the hospital might have contacted next of kin. To prevent his mom from getting fraught with distress, the young ranger always told any medical facility he checked into not to contact next of kin. The few times he had been hospitalized, he was conscious upon admittance. "Wait. How long have I been out?" Corran asked with some urgency. "We need to tell the -" His words were cut off again, but this time by the interruption of another voice.

"We need to tell them what?"

Rigidly, like a robotic joint struggling to rotate after not being oiled for a century, the blond youth faced the doorway of the room. There stood a woman with dirty blonde hair tied up into an exhausted bun, wearing comfortable attire clearly meant for extended travel, a jacket for warmth and a soft drink in hand for energy. She was around Ilana's height but slouched at present. Purple bags hung under sky blue eyes. Corran visibly gulped. "H-h-heeeeey Mom." The aura of fatigue immediately shattered around the new arrival. Energy swelled up around her and her hair seemed to fluff up. "I get a call from a hospital in the middle of the night, a hospital on Coruscant might I add, and they tell me my son was injured and I should come right away, and the first thing you say to me is 'Hey Mom?'" Ilana would notice the young man recoil in front of her; a child expecting to be scolded. Ms. Velt would march right up beside Ilana without seemingly noticing the pale Arkanian. Her eyes remained unflinchingly locked on her wounded son. "Look at you! Torn to shreds and didn't even have the courage to tell your own mother? You can face down blaster fire but not call your dear old mother?"

"It wasn't like that! You know I don't like to worry you. And it isn't that bad," Corran pleaded.
"You can't even see side of your face. I worry about you all the time. Out there taking on bad guys and all that. I know you censor the worst of it out of your holomails."
"The details aren't -"
"Coruscant had some massive explosion. Is there where you got hurt? You facing down terrorists and you act like it's just some other day of the week? I picked the first shuttle over here - couldn't even brush my hair - and... and..." Corran's mother finally noticed the person beside her and gestured with an open palm to Ilana. "And you got her hurt too?" Ms. Velt immediately rubbed Ilana's arm nearest to her affectionately. "He's told me all about you. Always messaging about how he adores you. The sweetest thing. You're more beautiful in person. These Velt men, I swear, only thinking of themselves. I hope you came here to smack some sense into him."

Despite the impassioned tirade between the two, an empath would feel only love between them. An endurable, long love between mother and child; between a son and his surviving parent. Their frankness did little to hide their unshakeable bond. Even when Mother Velt touched Ilana, she would sense an inherent affection for her as well. Without even having met before, the mother of the wounded ranger already cared for her. Corran either wrote enthusiastically about his lover or this was just how the Velt household was. A place where people truly cared for one another. A candle against the darkness of the galaxy.

@Killa Ree
 

Dr Ilana Morata

Character
Independent
Rank
MorataCorp CEO

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Killa Ree
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
991
Reaction score
336
For the first time... possibly since a very young age... Ilana felt herself freeze at the voice. Just listening to them both talk to each other, she could feel herself starting to flush as the woman seemed got closer to Corran. She visibly started when Matron Velt turned her attention to her, lips parted as though to say something..

And then the words died on her lips.

The casual touch. The concern. The love, the affection. All of it was almost too much. She could feel her chest constrict, and she exhaled quietly, feeling her hand tremble slightly in Corran's. This woman didn't even know her, and yet she was being accepted? He told her about her? Doc wasn't sure how to process this. She felt like she didn't belong here; that this woman shouldn't just be so accepting.

"I-I..." she stammered, and felt her face flush a deeper red. She sighed, then winced as her arm twinged again.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Velt," she spoke up quietly, amber eyes flicking between the two. "But... um... there were other reasons. I..." she glanced helplessly back to Corran, as if to say, what should I say? Do? I don't know her. I don't know what to do in this situation.

@TerranSteel
 

Corran Velt

Character
Rank
Lieutenant

Character Profile
Link
OOC
TerranSteel
Joined
Jan 7, 2020
Messages
800
Reaction score
373
Pink, rose, coral; Corran had seen the Arkanian's place face color from blushing in all these soft shades. Usually when it was only them. Nothing short of rub now graced her cheeks now. He wasn't empathic like she was, but he could clearly see the complex emotions she was experiencing. Nervousness from the trembling hand in his own. The powerful blush that indicated embarrassment or perhaps shyness. The young man gave his lover's hand a stabilizing squeeze of reassurance. It would all be okay. No matter what.

Ilana did manage to force out some words but just as quickly her eyes darted to the blond youth, seeking guidance. Corran inhaled to speak but his mother was already one breath ahead. "Mrs. Velt? Oh honey, you can call me Jersan. Mrs. Velt makes me sound like a grandma." Corran audibly gulped. Jersan didn't recognize it or seemed to be too focused on the Arkanian woman. "It means so much that you came to check up on my son. He told me you're a doctor, so you must know all the situation. A doctor! Such a lofty and respected profession." The wounded man's mom gave a quick side-nod in his direction. "Not like running off to be a semi-legal space lawman."
"Entirely legal!" Corran interrupted.
"Oh, sure, sure," Jersan shooed the protest away as she continued talking to Ilana, "I had a nice job lined up for him on the trade lanes and he tossed that aside to do this. Did you know that? Who am I kidding, of you did. He tells me you're incredibly brilliant. A nice merchant job like his father. You don't get hurt like this on the Corellian Run!"
"Mom," Corran tried to softly snag her attention.
"He's told me a few times that you've saved him on a few occasions. Oh gosh, his messages are so cute. He gushes about you so much. I've never seen him talk about a girl like he does you."
"Mom," Corran said with a little more urgency in his voice.
"You're so strong looking. Will your arm be okay? Is there anything I can get you? We can even go get lunch or something while he recovers. I have so much to talk abou-"
"MOM!" That final aggrieved shout pulled Jersan Velt from the intense orbit around Ilana. With a motherly stern look of what?, Corran knew he had the spotlight on him.

With a belabored clearing of the throat, the young man began walking to his mental gallows. It had to be done. He'd take whatever came to spare Ilana any discomfort or awkwardness. Wasn't that was he for anyway? "Mom, Ilana has been looking over me for awhile now. She's very tired. But.. uh.." Jersan cocked a curious eyebrow. She knew her son well enough that there was more to this story. If the ranger lieutenant smoked, he might have asked for one in this moment. A final gift before execution. "Mom. Ilana and I..." A blue eye darted to gold, looking for something, anything, before returning to his mother's own sky blue. "... We're pregnant."

Jersan rolled her eyes and scoffed. "We're pregnant? No, honey, men don't do any of the work. Ilana is..." The mother's tired thoughts began to catch up, sluggishly, to her mouth. "Ilana is... is..." Corran's parent began rapidly glancing between the two as if trying to decipher the meaning to the universe and all life. "Is... pregnant!?" Her tone wasn't accusatory. More excitable. But it wasn't a rhetorical question either. Jersan glanced between the two hoping for someone to confirm the impossible.

@Killa Ree
 

Dr Ilana Morata

Character
Independent
Rank
MorataCorp CEO

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Killa Ree
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
991
Reaction score
336
If Corran was with her and by her side, everything would work out fine. She had full faith in that. And yet Jersan had barely met her... but yet seemed to feel love for her already. Doc couldn't even believe her fortune. This was... almost too much. The woman's words could barely filter through her mind, but still she felt herself switching between him and his mother as they both talked.

And his mother's reaction was... both what she expected and didn't expect. Taking in a deep breath, she summoned up the best approximation of a smile she could muster... and glanced at Corran first, then met his mother's eyes. And the slightest nod tilted her head, still feeling herself flush a deep scarlet.
"I am... pregnant. And... I'm a very fortunate woman to have him in my life," she spoke up quietly, the smile a little more warm, a little more free on her lips.

Her eyes panned back to him, features softening.
"The most fortunate. And now... I wish we had met sooner, Jersan," she spoke up quietly, glancing back towards his mother with a shy smile. "But I hope this good news makes the journey worth it."

@TerranSteel
 

Corran Velt

Character
Rank
Lieutenant

Character Profile
Link
OOC
TerranSteel
Joined
Jan 7, 2020
Messages
800
Reaction score
373
Admitting the wonderful news took courage. Corran could see the array of emotions on his significant other's features. The most prominent being the ruby red cheeks and a soft, sweet smile. Though her praise of him caught the young man off guard. He blinked with his solitary eye and mouth dropped open once more. She was the fortunate one? Unbelievable. Ilana Morata was an experienced medical doctor, a survivor of the criminal underworld, a beauty of such extreme rarity to be considered more myth than woman, possibly wealthier than he could dream of being, had ambitions to starting her own company, and was one of the most supportive and kind people he knew. In comparison, Corran felt small. All he had to offer was himself and what he could do with his talents. The fact she would even say such a thing, especially to his mother, astonished him.

While her son was speechless, Jersan certainly wasn't. The older woman sighed and shook her head, "I wish we had met sooner too. You're a delight and I think we would have gotten along as friends." Without another word, Corran's mother wrapped her arms around Ilana and hugged her warmly. It was a tender, welcoming embrace. A soft, teary voice spoke near the Arkanian's shoulder, "But I think we'll get along even better as family." The empath would sense a deep well of gratitude coming from the older mother along with a constant hum of parental affection. It was sincere; all of it. For such a verbose person, seeing Jersan speak so little was an indication of how overcome with joy she truly felt about the news.

Corran released his hold on Ilana's hand and reached out to his mother but couldn't quite make it. "Mom, you seem tired. You've had a long trip. Maybe get some rest?" Jersan released her hug and took a small step back. She wiped a rolling tear away from her cheek and fanned at her water eyes. "You're right. You're right. I'm just tired. I've got a room across the street. I'll come see you soon." The young man's mother took her son's hand and kissed it. He smiled back with genuine warmth. They were close and they would always stay that way. Before leaving, Jersan took up Ilana's hand as well in both of hers. "Bless you. Bless you both." With a few heartfelt sniffles, the older woman left down the hallway to get some rest.

To ward off a few sniffles of his own, the wounded ranger rubbed at his single eye with his knuckles. "Ah, I always get like this around her," he admitted with some bashfulness. Finally composed, Corran glanced at the doorway where his mother had once stood. "I'm sorry if that felt... odd. Family is a big deal to us." His gaze shifted to Ilana's face. " We only had each other and now... we might be gaining something instead of losing it." The blond youth's voice quivered at the end. He cleared his throat to keep himself steady. "Is this weird? I worry this is weird for you."

@Killa Ree
 

Dr Ilana Morata

Character
Independent
Rank
MorataCorp CEO

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Killa Ree
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
991
Reaction score
336
She hadn't expected it, so when the woman's arms wrapped around her, she froze for a moment. Corran could see the shock clearly in the Arkanian's face, and then something else. It was almost slow, it felt like, but the change was sure. Resting her chin against the woman's shoulder, she closed her eyes briefly, feeling her throat close at the sudden slam of emotion. From both of them.

Family.

Such a strange, foreign word to the physician. Something that once met cold little talks and fancy dinners, secrets and lies.
You are my blood, a cold little voice echoed in her head. But this was... different. Words failed past the thickness in her throat, and when Corran released her hand she lightly returned the one-armed hug, a brief, but present touch. "...I agree," she rasped huskily, letting the woman go when she moved.

She watched as Jersan left, nodding once at her departure. Silence held heavy over the room, almost as though the Arkanian hadn't heard him. When she finally turned back to face him, she almost wasn't conscious of the two thin, pale tears that tracked down her cheeks, silvery against such pale skin. Her free hand held loosely in her lap, while her bound one clenched fingers ever so slightly against the fabric over her chest.

"I've never..."

Her voice faltered, and she exhaled shakily, giving him a thin, watery smile.
"I've never had that before. I'm... not even sure if I deserve this much," she whispered, gazing at him. Taking all of him in. A man, a boy in some ways, but a man nonetheless... even with all her sins, with all her darkness and the things she'd done, and he wanted her. His mother wanted her. To be someone, to be family. Someone who wanted her, who didn't want to change her. Two more tears slipped free, and she shook her head, wiping them away.

"It's not weird at all. I'm just... a bit overwhelmed," she muttered, then gave a soft, raspy huff of a laugh. She didn't even really know why she was crying, but it was all so bittersweet somehow. Practically unreal.

@TerranSteel
 

Corran Velt

Character
Rank
Lieutenant

Character Profile
Link
OOC
TerranSteel
Joined
Jan 7, 2020
Messages
800
Reaction score
373
Tears. It was the first time Corran had ever seen Ilana cry. A tiny stream watered down from her golden eyes. His gaze followed the tears down her wintery cheeks, visibly stunned to silence. Even in such a compromising expression, she looked elegant. Was it possible for Ilana not to be angelic? With her two gentle tears ceasing his words and movements, all he could do was listen. She didn't deserve this? Ludicrous. They had come all this way, through combat and patient affection, to reach this zenith. Ilana was more deserving of... of... this than he was. As amber eyes gazed at him, blue eyes gazed right back with the same appreciation and wonder. Ilana Morata was wealthy, educated, beautiful, and powerful - all those things and more. But what made the tiny Velt family lucky, him lucky, were the things unexpected about the Arkanian doctor. Her patience, her understanding, her tenderness. Countless examples of gentle support and meaningful gestures. A... goodness so rarely found. To have her apart of their family wasn't a sacrifice or a burden. It was a gift.

As the tears vanished into a sleeve, so too did their effect dissipate on the wounded man. Corran finally felt capable of reacting and her admission of feeling overwhelmed caused that all-too-common desire to rush to her aid. If the tears had frozen him in carbonite, her laugh gave him the energy of a star destroyer's power core. The young ranger mirrored her huff with one of his own. Maybe he felt overwhelmed too but with warm feelings than anything else. He held back a groan as he scooted closer to his romantic partner in a gambit to be closer. Always closer. Surprisingly, the previously immobile legs had awoken to weakly push off the hospital mattress.

Like a magnet, Corran reached over to the Arkanian woman and reached for her hand. His reach couldn't quite make it, so his palm rested on her uninjured forearm. Cold braced his touch. It soothed like chilly water on a stove-top burn. Pain surrendered to her touch and fled to a distant ache. That stupid boyish smirk slinked across Corran's face. "Even if you feel undeserving, it's happening. You can't change reality." A reality he couldn't ignore either. Ilana felt and looked like a dream. Yet here she was in the flesh. She could be touched. She could be held. She was real. When he woke up... the dream wouldn't end.

If anyone was worth admiring, even after nights of vigil and fatigue, it was her. The blond ranger had to turn his head and strain his one eye to catch as much as he could of her. A sigh of minor frustration escaped between his teeth. "I want to see you with both eyes," he admitted slowly. "Do you... think you could take off my bandages? They might need to be changed anyway." A nurse had promised earlier to help with that. Ilana was a trained doctor though. Corran trusted (and preferred) her anyway.

@Killa Ree
 

Dr Ilana Morata

Character
Independent
Rank
MorataCorp CEO

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Killa Ree
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
991
Reaction score
336
Seeing him want to scoot closer, to touch her, she moved closer as well. The brief rest had helped some with the fog in her head, and feeling his warm touch to her arm was like a ray of light on her shoulders. Comforting, gentle, she came closer, palm sliding over his own as she lightly twined her fingers with his. Meeting a solitary blue eye, she heard what he said... and tilted her head slightly.

"No... I can't. But this is reality. I'm here with you." She had something to protect now, two people. The mistakes of her past would not conflict with those of her future, she was determined. No matter what the future brought, she would be prepared.

Hearing his question, however, a brief flicker of remorse touched her features.
"If I had two hands free, I would," she murmured, lifting his hand to press a light kiss to his knuckles. "But I can't... want me to call the nurse down so she can change them?" she queried quietly. She wanted to be seen; his eyes were such a draw for her own mind. Even in the past, she found herself drawn to his gaze; he had a singular focus that made her feel like she was the only one in the galaxy. The space between them wasn't very far, but she wanted to close it.

Not yet, though. If he wanted to see her... she would wait to be fully seen. She wanted to make sure he was healing well as it was, anyways, just to ease her own thoughts.


@TerranSteel
 

Corran Velt

Character
Rank
Lieutenant

Character Profile
Link
OOC
TerranSteel
Joined
Jan 7, 2020
Messages
800
Reaction score
373
Realization came first. Then came embarrassment. He had almost forgotten about her own injured arm. The effortlessly composed woman even made a grievous wound look easy as it faded behind her powerful aura. That embarrassment fluttered away at icy lips graced his hand. Corran stuttered a bit trying to form a word but eventually just forced a single chuckle and darted his eyes away. Of all the powers she had, this one was the most wonderous. To simultaneously excite and sooth at the same time. He had a feeling there was so much more to discover about this woman that he currently knew.

Once finally readying himself with a soft gulp, the wounded man finally managed to utter his intent. "Oh, right. I forgot about your arm. I got too... fixated." A mild deflection - one not likely to slip by Ilana's notice. He attempted to recover back to the initial ask, "Yes, if you could call that would be appreciated. I also think I'm starting to get an itch under there." His left hand reached up and picked at one of the outer wrappings in a display of annoyance. How long had these bandages been on, anyway? Corran knew he had been wounded on his face at headquarters. Warm blood trickling down his cheek was still a fresh memory. How deep or savage the wound was wasn't known by him.

Even though he was eager to have an unobstructed view of the Arkanian, the blond man wasn't so selfish as to keep her anchored to him. Especially in her condition. Erm. Conditions. "Ilana," Corran said with a gentle brush of her arm affectionately, "You don't have to stay with me, you know. You've been here for so long and... your arm..." He glanced between her bound appendage and her amber eyes. It probably was mangled by those terrible Sith powers. Would she ever be able to use it again? Had he really put her at risk with his own foolish actions? And unbeknownst to them both... their child? Corran suddenly felt his stomach turn sour. He'd have to do things differently in the future. For her and for their new family.

@Killa Ree
 
Last edited:
Top