Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2014 5:34:14 GMT -6
Iskra sat quietly as the machines beeped softly in the corner, Benewan’s labored breathing and Corwin’s deep slumber had a calming effect over the dark room. She’d only been here a day and even now she wondered if this was the last few days she’d be with her friend.
Her eyes drift as they stare at the never changing readings, her first idea not taking hold in any significant way. The moving lights outside were more mesmerizing in her tired state, the implants in her eyes giving her a beautiful spectrum that only Hanar had the pleasure of seeing. The beeps of the heart monitor began to come slower, Ben finally falling into the deeper cycle of sleep.
Her elbow slowly began to slide down the bed as sleep started to take hold in the young doctor.
Flustered and angry, Iskra walked down the halls of the Citadel with research in hand. The Councilors were fools, the number she was asking for was not even a quarter of what they spent on military spending and it would help bring life back to a planet. That alone would have her species once again producing more than assassins to the galaxy.
Rounding a corner hard, she ran smack into another figure, her papers scattering across the well-polished floor. Her leg, which was admittedly wasn’t to 100% yet, landed shakily back on the floor, causing her to collapse in the nest of papers. “Goddess-“
“It is a shame a woman working so hard to restore the home world has turned her back on the old religion” The deep voice of one of her people answered in reply. He towered over her, not even fazed by the impacted of the small woman, reaching down to help her up. She gratefully accepted his hand, surprised at the sight of one of her kind. They almost all stayed near the Embassies, which she avoided, still not able to face her father.
“You’ve...heard of me?” She asks softly, picking up the papers.
“Of course. I came to find you purely to tell you I’d like to fund your research.”
“Iskra.”
She was by his bed in a flash, hastily checking all the monitors and asking if he was in pain and where it hurt. It took most of his strength to put his hand up to quiet her.
“I’d just like a glass of water.”
“Oh.” She sighed, relieved. The days had started to run together as she spent all her time reading medical journals and other patient histories. Everyday a new idea, something else to try. The other doctors could see the wear on her own health this was taking, her lithe body was starting to get swallowed by the clothes that fit perfectly the day she arrived. Her attention span had started to suffer as her memories easily pulled her in to the research she was almost constantly doing. The few hours of sleep were restless, her ear always listening for that diminishing heartbeat, the fear that plagued her thoughts but she never spoke aloud.
Iskra could only stare as Benewan looked at the outside of the structure. She still didn’t like this idea but he was paying for her research, the least she could do is give him the one thing he had asked for.
Rakhana had held no punches back today. Benewan’s wish to see his ancestors home had led them to an area that paid heavily for their crimes. Crowds of skeletons rioted in the streets, the ground brown with dried blood, even the albinos had been more vicious, able to clip her shoulder with a jagged blade.
There was a morbid silence as he pushed the door open. She wasn’t sure what happened in that small home, and she never felt confident enough to ask.
Ben had never spoken of that day after that.
Some light that was in his eyes always died whenever she spoke of the home world. It would be replaced by something but she was never sure what. Some question he wanted to ask but never did.
Iskra went to put in her last resort into the IV that fed the dying Drell. Her hands shaking and her voice cracking, the week catching up to her.
“Iskra…” The voice was weak now…it barely sounded like him. The man she met so many years ago who had been so full of life was nothing more than a ghost…her memories of him more real.
“The ocean calls to me.”
“N-no. This last formula will work…” The tears were already forming, she couldn’t even see the spot for the needle. In her heart, she knew she wasn’t even convincing herself. Everything she had tried had done nothing but fail…or cause him more pain.
His hand covered hers and she felt her heart shatter. So many things left unspoken, and now there was no time. Fear that kept her away would now haunt her. She was a fool…such a fool…to believe there was time.
“I know not where you find the courage to continue your research but continue to draw on it, my friend. Nothing I could say could ease my passing, nor keep the memories from finding you in a weak moment, but know that even there I am with you.”
The young Drell was barely holding it together, her hands shaking under his, her tears a river down her face that would probably never end.
“You did everything you could…” His voice rasped, weaker than before.
Her wailing soul could probably been heard through even the furthest parts of the universe. Her body was stiff as she quietly walked away from him, robotically telling Corwin what he already knew from her face. He rushed in, leaving her alone in the hallway.
Alone…she fell to her knees, sobs finally leaving her throat.
That’s what happens when you fall in love with a man already promised to death…..
Her eyes drift as they stare at the never changing readings, her first idea not taking hold in any significant way. The moving lights outside were more mesmerizing in her tired state, the implants in her eyes giving her a beautiful spectrum that only Hanar had the pleasure of seeing. The beeps of the heart monitor began to come slower, Ben finally falling into the deeper cycle of sleep.
Her elbow slowly began to slide down the bed as sleep started to take hold in the young doctor.
Flustered and angry, Iskra walked down the halls of the Citadel with research in hand. The Councilors were fools, the number she was asking for was not even a quarter of what they spent on military spending and it would help bring life back to a planet. That alone would have her species once again producing more than assassins to the galaxy.
Rounding a corner hard, she ran smack into another figure, her papers scattering across the well-polished floor. Her leg, which was admittedly wasn’t to 100% yet, landed shakily back on the floor, causing her to collapse in the nest of papers. “Goddess-“
“It is a shame a woman working so hard to restore the home world has turned her back on the old religion” The deep voice of one of her people answered in reply. He towered over her, not even fazed by the impacted of the small woman, reaching down to help her up. She gratefully accepted his hand, surprised at the sight of one of her kind. They almost all stayed near the Embassies, which she avoided, still not able to face her father.
“You’ve...heard of me?” She asks softly, picking up the papers.
“Of course. I came to find you purely to tell you I’d like to fund your research.”
“Iskra.”
She was by his bed in a flash, hastily checking all the monitors and asking if he was in pain and where it hurt. It took most of his strength to put his hand up to quiet her.
“I’d just like a glass of water.”
“Oh.” She sighed, relieved. The days had started to run together as she spent all her time reading medical journals and other patient histories. Everyday a new idea, something else to try. The other doctors could see the wear on her own health this was taking, her lithe body was starting to get swallowed by the clothes that fit perfectly the day she arrived. Her attention span had started to suffer as her memories easily pulled her in to the research she was almost constantly doing. The few hours of sleep were restless, her ear always listening for that diminishing heartbeat, the fear that plagued her thoughts but she never spoke aloud.
Iskra could only stare as Benewan looked at the outside of the structure. She still didn’t like this idea but he was paying for her research, the least she could do is give him the one thing he had asked for.
Rakhana had held no punches back today. Benewan’s wish to see his ancestors home had led them to an area that paid heavily for their crimes. Crowds of skeletons rioted in the streets, the ground brown with dried blood, even the albinos had been more vicious, able to clip her shoulder with a jagged blade.
There was a morbid silence as he pushed the door open. She wasn’t sure what happened in that small home, and she never felt confident enough to ask.
Ben had never spoken of that day after that.
Some light that was in his eyes always died whenever she spoke of the home world. It would be replaced by something but she was never sure what. Some question he wanted to ask but never did.
Iskra went to put in her last resort into the IV that fed the dying Drell. Her hands shaking and her voice cracking, the week catching up to her.
“Iskra…” The voice was weak now…it barely sounded like him. The man she met so many years ago who had been so full of life was nothing more than a ghost…her memories of him more real.
“The ocean calls to me.”
“N-no. This last formula will work…” The tears were already forming, she couldn’t even see the spot for the needle. In her heart, she knew she wasn’t even convincing herself. Everything she had tried had done nothing but fail…or cause him more pain.
His hand covered hers and she felt her heart shatter. So many things left unspoken, and now there was no time. Fear that kept her away would now haunt her. She was a fool…such a fool…to believe there was time.
“I know not where you find the courage to continue your research but continue to draw on it, my friend. Nothing I could say could ease my passing, nor keep the memories from finding you in a weak moment, but know that even there I am with you.”
The young Drell was barely holding it together, her hands shaking under his, her tears a river down her face that would probably never end.
“You did everything you could…” His voice rasped, weaker than before.
Her wailing soul could probably been heard through even the furthest parts of the universe. Her body was stiff as she quietly walked away from him, robotically telling Corwin what he already knew from her face. He rushed in, leaving her alone in the hallway.
Alone…she fell to her knees, sobs finally leaving her throat.
That’s what happens when you fall in love with a man already promised to death…..