OOM: AU Child! Ibani

[last_kallig]

The last few months have been even harder than usual, after the death of her mother figure. Perhaps grief made her weaker, more vulnerable to sickness, because she knows she's dangerously ill. She hadn't meant to wind up here, wherever here is, but it has shown up in the nick of time.

Ibani shivers against one of the walls of Milliways, her body wracked with fever and hunger both. She's somewhere between seven and ten, clothed in fabric with far too many holes in it, and wearing a slave shock collar around her neck. Her bones stand out too sharply against her skin, and her eyes are fever bright and darting around the room.

She's not sure if this is some dying hallucination, if she's gone mad, or if she truly HAS wound up somewhere utterly strange. Whatever this is, instinct and her body DEMAND food, fuel to fight the sickness that is killing her. Untrained in the Force, she's grasping on instinct for any energy it can give her.

Maybe, maybe if she gets close enough to one of the tables she can steal some food without anyone noticing. Yes, yes that's a good plan

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[last_kallig]

"You're hurt," she says, turning to look at him, concerned. "Were you, were you in my nightmare?"

She looks devastated at the notion. "I'm so sorry. I didn't." She swallows. "That's never happened before."

[27_53]

"I am sensitive," he says. "To the space between worlds. It is not...not your fault."

Skellig sighs heavily. "It is not your fault. I...it is just how I am." He relaxes slightly against the mattress. "And these aches in my body are not...these are not from you. These are from living as I have before finding this place. They...flare, occasionally."

[last_kallig]

She hugs him, gently, not sure if her touch will irritate the aches. "I wish I could make your pain go away," she confesses. "I feel, I feel like I SHOULD be able to, but I don't know how."

[27_53]

"Maybe you will learn someday," he says, allowing her to wrap her arms around him - her frame is so much smaller than his, but her touch does not irritate the aches - if anything, it works to soothe them slightly. "Your inner strengths will grow along with your physical ones, as you heal."

[last_kallig]

"I hope so," she whispers. "Hate being weak, being helpless."

The memories of Before are especially close, after that nightmare.

[27_53]

"You were never weak," Skellig says. "You may not have been physically able to stand up to those who hurt you, you may have been beaten down...but that is not where true strength lies."

He presses his fingertips against her chest, near her heart.

"Strength is within. You are not weak. Nor helpless."

[last_kallig]

Ibani ponders his words. "Maybe. But I FEEL weak, feel helpless."

[27_53]

"I have moments like that too," he says honestly. "Even with the abilities that I have, there are times where everything is dark, overwhelming...feels like nothing I do will change the outcome, I am frustrated that I cannot 'do' more...that is all normal, to feel that way."

He sighs, brings his hand up to rest on her shoulder.

"I wish I could tell you it is something that quits once you reach a certain age, a certain point in your life, but I would not lie to you. What I will do is help you learn to fight it, fight those who would treat you poorly, fight against the darkness that tries to overtake your spirit. You are full of potential, Ibani...even though we are of different universes, I can sense it."

[last_kallig]

He is more right than he knows about her potential. She is strong in the Force, would have been a powerful Sith, one strong enough to stop a being intent on consuming the entire galaxy, had her path taken a different course. (One crueler by far to her heart, her soul, her body.)

"So much to learn," she murmurs, leaning into his touch, his presence. So much, in so very many ways.

[27_53]

"We both have so much to learn," he says. "About each other, and our own selves."

He lifts one side of his mouth in a smile. "I am glad to have such a strong partner to take on the challenge with." (Yes, Ibani - he means YOU.)

[last_kallig]

She laughs a little when he calls her a strong partner, but she's pleased. "A SHORT partner for right now. You'll have to walk slowly."

And how can she be sleepy after she just woke up, so unfair! She yawns lightly, snuggles back into Skellig.

[27_53]

Nightmare sleep does not count as good or restful sleep... that is his argument, at least

Skellig stretches slightly and allows her to settle back into his chest.

"I have no doubts of your ability to keep up with me," he mutters. "With some better food in you, you'll catch up in no time, I'm sure."

He yawns.

"Want to try to nap again? I think the energy is...better. No more nightmares."

[last_kallig]

"Sleep sounds good," she murmurs, snuggling closer. If she'd ever had a father figure in her life, she might start thinking of Skellig as 'dad'.

It won't be long until they both drift off into restful sleep.