Shadows of Bankor

Another day another meal prep. It wasn't really a double life, she was helping people, and that gave her purpose and hope. Every meal was another life sustained, another story continued. She had her regulars with their stories, like Barn Door Chib, and then the new folks who finally summoned up the courage to let themselves be helped by a stranger. Plus the occasional paying guest. It kept the place running.

Well, that and the generous donation her former boss had made on his retirement... She wondered where JB was now. Probably visiting all his old haunts one more time. The Besalisk had to be in his 90's by now.

She smiled as she worked, remembering Master Oraka's words. More students should make soup.

A guest entered, pale gray cloak obscuring their features. he dropped ten credits in the donation and then made his way through the line. His voice was soft but rich voice, "Soup of the day, please."

OOC: Flip a destiny.

Smiling she ladled out some soup for the new visitor. "Of course. Today we have flitterbird and vegetable noodle soup. Would you like some bread with that? It is freshly baked." The smell was enough to make one salivate.

"Please, take a seat wherever you like. Thank you for your contribution. This is your first visit?" There were a few empty tables, and some with her regulars talking amongst themselves.

Xanna Teevou wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 08, 2020 9:36 pm

Smiling she ladled out some soup for the new visitor. "Of course. Today we have flitterbird and vegetable noodle soup. Would you like some bread with that? It is freshly baked." The smell was enough to make one salivate.

"Please, take a seat wherever you like. Thank you for your contribution. This is your first visit?" There were a few empty tables, and some with her regulars talking amongst themselves.

"It is," he said allowing the hood to fall back. "I have heard so many good things about it, Xanna is it? You look like an Eleeza, but Xanna is a beautiful name."

"Flitterbird and noodles sound delicious, thank you."

He was still as attractive as he had been when she knew him. At least on the outside. She cocked her head to the side a little and met his eyes calmly.

"Well thank you, kind stranger. I am glad that my little kitchen's work has reached so many ears. In these times there are so many who can benefit from a little help. It is not much, but it makes a difference."

Having poured the soup into a bowl she slid it forward and then fetched a piece of warm bread, placing it on a side plate. "Perhaps you would like to sit over here, with me?" She gestured to a table a little ways from the ones being used by the regulars.

He took it and said, "I would be honored."

She took off her apron and gestured to her volunteers that they had things well in hand. Collecting a small bowl and some bread for herself she joined him at the table.

"Even the chef must eat from time to time." A shrug and she tore off a chunk of bread, dipping it into the soup before taking a bite. "Tell me what you think of it. You can tell me about this Eleeza too if you like? Or not, I do not mind."

“She was a Jedi if you can believe it, a Pantoran like yourself, she was fierce and thoughtful and headstrong or maybe that is just how I remember it. But she left her friend for dead, sad story,” he replied as he ate the soup, spoon held in his mechanical hand.

“Delicious, compliments to the chef.”

"I am glad it pleases you." Her eyes were drawn to the clunky prosthetic for a moment. "Yes. That is a sad story." She lifted her eyes to meet his. "This Jedi you speak of. She must have had good reason, no? To think her friend was dead."

She took another bite of the souped-up bread. "She does not sound like the kind of person to leave a friend behind. Someone she looked up to." Cared deeply about.

"I would not know, maybe her or Oraka Hin would know," he said in reply.

"Perhaps this brave and beautiful friend did something so foolishly heroic that it seemed impossible for any being to survive. Perhaps there was no sign of life that they could reach." Her voice dropped a little. "And perhaps these people have carried that weight with them ever since, believing him dead, wondering if they could have saved him." She sipped at her soup.

“Would they accept him after knowing what he has become the power he has achieved despite their betrayal? Join him and become true powers in the galaxy? If they continue on their path, there will be nothing but misery for those they care about, before they die,” he responded.

“The smart thing would be submission.”

She looked at him thoughtfully. "I think they could accept him. If he realised what he had become, and that there was still a way back. That he could be hero again, instead of someone else's pawn."

She slowly reached across the table to touch his skin. "You remind me of someone too. I cared about him deeply. He was called Valus."

She lowered her hand again. "I hope he is still out there, somewhere. But if he is not, I hold him in my heart."

(Destiny flipped to reach Valus)

He frowned at her touch and almost moved to grab her hand but stopped, "Valus died..."

His voice was not as strong as it was before.

"That is what Eleeza thought..." She leaned closer. "...but maybe she was wrong?" She lowered her voice. "Tell me she was wrong."

Xanna Teevou wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 09, 2020 1:31 am

"That is what Eleeza thought..." She leaned closer. "...but maybe she was wrong?" She lowered her voice. "Tell me she was wrong."

He considered all the things he had done since he woke up… found himself still alive and alone… the anger the loss then he saw Vader and his heart was gripped with fear. His mechanical hand gripped the spoon and snapped it as he considered the things he had done since. His eyes begin taking on a sickly yellow shade. He said quietly, “Valus does not deserve… redemption.”

Just saying the name was painful.

She could feel the darkness reaching for him. The fear. The anger. The suffering. She did her best to remain calm, a bright centre to counterbalance the rising shadow.

"Everyone deserves a chance at redemption Valus. Start with penance if you must." She picked up the broken spoon, put it aside and placed a hand over his. "I am not saying such a thing would be easy. But things that are worthwhile rarely are. Valus knew this. He knows this."

"Is that..." he looked at the guests, "Valus has done things, dark things... he has grown strong. Can he turn away from such power and be weak once again? Would you if you... would she if she knew the power of the Dark Side?"

"There is no greater power... he tried... but Lord Vader broke him... remade him."

She held his hand, focused on the connection they shared, distracting him from the other guests. "Weak? Valus was not weak. But the dark side provides instant gratification. It is a shortcut Valus. It feeds on you. You know this."

She sought his eyes. "That which has been broken can be mended. Let me help you."

He felt the searing pain of Vader’s weapon on his now phantom limb and he tore away from her and got to his feet… he stumbled and then tore the door off the hinges with the Force and ran into the street as fast as his legs could carry him…

He had come to mock her and instead she showed him only kindness… it was the sharpest blade.

She sighed deeply, suddenly exhausted. Looking over at the door she decided the best way to deal with this situation was to work. "It looks like the earthquake must have loosened the hinges. I will get me tools."

She slowly finished her bread and soup then rose, collected her tools, and got to work on the door. Maybe there was still hope for Valus after all...

She was not alone many of the visitors and patrons volunteered their time to help her with the door.

Which gave her hope.

Power was never something she had craved. Helping others gave her strength. Tears rolled down her cheeks as they all came together, to mend a broken thing. Because they cared.